Katsurahama (Katsura Beach) is a beach in Kōchi, Japan, located on Urado Bay and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is a local recreation spot known for its statue of Sakamoto Ryōma overlooking the beach.
Katsurahama | |
|---|---|
 Katsurahama Beach | |
  Katsurahama | |
| Coordinates: 33°29′43.79″N 133°34′25.81″E / 33.4954972°N 133.5738361°E | |
| Location | Japan |
| Part of | Urado Bay |
| Offshore water bodies | Pacific Ocean |
History
editChōsokabe Motochika built Urado Castle on a hill near Katsurahama in 1591 due to floods around Okō Castle, his original residence.[1] The castle was abandoned after Yamauchi Kazutoyo took over Tosa and moved the court to Kōchi Castle in 1603. Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum now sits on the site of the ruins.[2]
In 1928, a group of youths gathered funds to place the now-famous memorial statue of Sakamoto Ryōma, a Kōchi native, on a small hill overlooking the beach.[3] The statue and the beach itself remain popular destinations for tourists.[4][5] The yosakoi melody also references Katsurahama and Urado Bay in its lyrics depicting well-known locations in Kōchi.[6]
In 1931, Katsurahama Aquarium opened nearby, moving to its present location on the beach in 1984.[7] The area around the beach was organized as Katsurahama Park and opened on March 20, 1951. In 1971, the Kōchi city government finalized plans to designate the 22.5 hectare area as a city park.[8] An additional concrete resting area with food services and an observation deck was constructed and opened in 2021.[9]
Transportation
editKatsurahama can be accessed via local Tosaden Kōtsū bus routes. A city-operated car park is located on the premises.[10]
Gallery
edit-
Stone stele inscribed with 'Katsurahama' at the entrance of the beach -
Looking west of Katsurahama from Ryuo Cape -
Katsurahama Aquarium -
Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum
Surrounding area
edit- Katsurahama Aquarium
- Sakamoto Ryōma Memorial Museum
- Urado Castle ruins
- Watatsumi Shrine
References
edit- ^ "The Unique Kochi Castle" (PDF). Kochi Castle Administrative Office. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ "About the Museum". The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum. Retrieved 9 September 2024.
- ^ Saaler, Sven (2020). Men in Metal. Brill. p. 262. ISBN 9789004441514. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "Kochi: Observation Deck Set Up in Kochi to Offer Visitors Same Eye Level as Sakamoto Ryoma". The Japan News. Yomiuri Shimbun. April 27, 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
- ^ Seaton, Philip (2015). "Taiga dramas and tourism: historical contents as sustainable tourist resources". Japan Forum. 27 (1): 95. doi:10.1080/09555803.2014.962568. Retrieved 11 September 2024.
- ^ Morrison, Lindsay R. (2013). "Home of the Heart: the Modern Origins of Furusato" (PDF). ICU Comparative Culture. 45: 21. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
- ^ 高井, 美咲 (December 11, 2021). "どうする？桂浜 現在過去未来 第３部(3)「１００周年も桂浜で」桂浜水族館館長 秋沢志名さん（４９）". Kochi News. Retrieved 10 September 2024.
- ^ "桂浜公園の再整備に向けて" (PDF). 国土交通省. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "名所・桂浜の休憩所リニューアル 展望台設置、飲食スペースも 高知市が整備". Kochi News. December 29, 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
- ^ "交通アクセス". Katsurahama Park (Official website). Retrieved 6 September 2024.
External links
edit- Katsurahama Park (Official website)