Kochi, Kochi

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Kōchi (高知市 Kōchi-shi) is the capital city of Kochi Prefecture on the Shikoku island of Japan.

Kochi is the main city of the prefecture with most of the population. As of 2003, the city had an estimated population of 332,508 and a density of 2,293.95 persons per km². The total area is 144.95 km².

The city was incorporated on April 1, 1889, although a castle town had existed around the seat of the lords of Tosa Province since 1603. The castle, Kōchi-jō (高知城), still exists, and is one of the main tourist attractions. Other places of interest are the Anpanman Museum, the Obiyamachi (帯屋町) shopping arcade, Sunday Market Street, and Harimaya-bashi (はりまや橋), a bridge that served as a meeting spot for a Buddhist priest and his lover in a famous Japanese song.

Kochi's most famous festival is the Yosakoi (よさこい　come to the night) which is held in August. Teams of dancers dance to a traditional and modern songs at various places in Kochi City. The total number of dancers is in the thousands.

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