Katsurahama Beach

Curving along Kochi's rugged Pacific coastline, Katsurahama Beach is immortalized by the bronze statue of Sakamoto Ryoma gazing toward the horizon that shaped his revolutionary dreams. This beloved samurai reformer, who helped modernize Japan before his assassination at 31, stands watch over the dramatic scenery of pine-fringed shores and crashing waves. Though swimming is prohibited due to strong currents, the beach offers a Ryoma museum, an aquarium with sea turtle encounters, and shops selling local coral crafts.