{"id":7455,"date":"2016-04-22T17:36:44","date_gmt":"2016-04-22T08:36:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=7455"},"modified":"2020-03-27T11:24:22","modified_gmt":"2020-03-27T02:24:22","slug":"katsurahama-beach-kochi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/katsurahama-beach-kochi\/","title":{"rendered":"Katsurahama Beach in Kochi, not your usual seaside stop!"},"content":{"rendered":"
I last visited Katsurahama Beach in the winter, so not exactly high season. As it turns out, though, this is not your average swimming and sunbathing kind of beach. Strong currents and ripping waves render the water unsafe so swimming is strictly prohibited, although I did manage a cheeky foot paddle. I would not recommend sunbathing, either. The gravelly sand lends itself much better to walking and taking in the breathtaking scenery and refreshing sea air.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The bay of Katsurahama Beach is expansive, fringed above by colossal pine trees stretching along the length of the bay. The dove-grey sand enveloped by turquoise, almost jewel-toned water is a dazzling sight to behold.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The best views at\u00a0Katsurahama Beach can only be seen from atop a rocky patch, the location of a small shrine of Japan\u2019s native Shinto tradition. Most shrines are situated at high points, and my theory is that they want you to earn the view with a bit of dedication and determination to reach a goal, and maybe find tranquility at the waiting sacred space. The rewards are worth it, along with a satisfying sense of achievement — at least for those who, like me, work up a sweat climbing up a few steps.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Katsurahama Beach is also home to the statue of Sakamoto Ryouma, a famous hero of Japan. Born in 1836, Sakamoto was a key leader of the Meiji Restoration, which brought modernization to an isolated Japan under threat from outside colonial powers. At the time, he was seen as a radical thinker and was known to carry a gun and wear Western-style shoes with his kimono. As a Kochi descendant, I was proud to see him at last, even just to stand in his shadow. He was born and raised in Kochi before moving to Edo to master the art of swordsmanship.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n