Michi-no-Eki Kawauso-no-Sato Susaki

The name means "otter village". The station sits near the mouth of the Shinjo River, the last place a Japanese river otter was seen before the species was declared extinct, and the second floor keeps old newspaper clippings and photos about it. Today the reason most people pull in is lunch on the way along Route 56 to Shimanto or Ashizuri.

Upstairs, the Toreta-tei restaurant serves nabeyaki ramen, Susaki's own ramen: a chicken-stock soy broth brought to the table in an earthenware pot, topped with chikuwa, chicken and a soft egg. It also does rice bowls with locally farmed amberjack. Downstairs the shop stocks Kochi sake, sweets and seafood, and staff sear bonito tataki over burning straw in front of you.

Coming from Kochi city, the exit is right at the station; from the Shimanto side it is about a minute from Susaki-nishi IC. The shop and restaurant are both listed as closing at 17:30 with last orders at 17:00, so this is a daytime stop. JR Tosa-Shinjo Station is about five minutes away on foot.