Recommended 4 tourist spots around Kitagawa Village, Kochi Prefecture

Do you know what tourist spots are around Kitagawa Village? Kitagawa Village has charm and interesting attractions. Here are some recommended spots that will surely make your trip memorable.

What kind of place is Kitagawa Village?

Kitagawa Village in Kochi Prefecture is a small village where 95% of the area is mountainous and only about 5% is residential. Its pride lies in its nationally renowned yuzu production. Some of the yuzu are even exported to France.

1. “Monet’s Garden” – a recreation of the famous painting’s garden

Kitagawa Village has deep ties with France, and here they recreated the same garden as the one in Giverny, which the French master Claude Monet is said to have created for painting. On a vast 30,000㎡ site, about 100,000 plants were planted to create this large garden. In 1999, after cultural exchanges with Giverny, it was given the name “Monet’s Garden.”

At Monet’s Garden, visitors with disabilities or elderly guests can also enjoy the sights, as the garden is wheelchair-accessible. With about 100,000 seasonal plants spread across the grounds, the best season for viewing is from June to October. The garden is divided into three zones: the Garden of Light, the Water Garden, and the Flower Garden.

The Garden of Light, created in 2008, features olive trees, herbs, and other imaginative plantings. The Water Garden was designed after Monet’s famous “Water Lilies,” with colorful lilies blooming in ponds that look exactly like his works. Around the pond, wisteria, willows, and cherry trees are planted, blending Japanese plants with Monet’s style to create a unique garden.

The Flower Garden blooms with colorful flowers that resemble Monet’s painter’s palette, essentially becoming a natural palette itself. There is also an observation deck, where the view is just like looking at Monet’s palette.

2. “Yuzu Kingdom” – Japan’s top producer of yuzu products

Kitagawa Village is such a major producer of yuzu that it is often said “Kitagawa = yuzu.” All yuzu-related products from Kochi Prefecture are sold here at Yuzu Kingdom. Popular items include yuzu soy sauce, yuzu juice “Sawayaka Yuzu,” and yuzu tea made from crushed peel and pulp. These make excellent souvenirs. They can also be used in everyday cooking, making them enjoyable for all ages.

3. “Nakaoka Shintaro Museum” – a memorial to a historical figure who changed the late Edo period

Kitagawa Village is home to the memorial museum of Nakaoka Shintaro, who worked alongside Sakamoto Ryoma during the late Edo period. He traveled throughout Japan, realized the Satsuma-Choshu Alliance, and facilitated cooperation between Tomomi Iwakura and Sanetomi Sanjo. He also wrote the essay “Jiseiron” (On Current Affairs), showing his intellect, sensibility, and foresight to the public.

The Nakaoka Shintaro Museum displays materials documenting his 30 years of achievements. The impressive building contains exhibits of his life through documents and models. On the first floor, displays cover his childhood through his time in the Tosa domain in detail. If you want to learn about Nakaoka Shintaro, this is the place to go.

4. “Kitagawa Onsen Yuzu no Yado” – lodging facilities around Kitagawa

Kitagawa Onsen Yuzu no Yado has been known for its natural hot spring source for more than 80 years. After its renovation in 2006, it was transformed into a design that highlights the blessings of nature. The open-air bath, where guests can relax under a starry night sky, offers the best evening experience for tourists. It welcomes not only locals but also many guests from inside and outside the prefecture.

The hot spring is 100% free-flowing, featuring an indoor bath inspired by yuzu and an outdoor bath with views of the stars, both of which are popular highlights. The inn also offers a mix of Japanese- and Western-style rooms suitable for families.

In addition to the hot springs, the inn is also proud of its cuisine. Dishes made with vegetables from local farmers are healthy and highly nutritious. Meals also feature the best ingredients from both the sea and mountains of Kitagawa Village. Day-trip use of just the baths or restaurant is also possible. Visitors can drop in just for a bath or a meal, making it a perfect stop for a quick rest during sightseeing.

◎ Summary

Kitagawa Village has some rather unique tourist spots that are rare for a small village. In addition to those introduced here, visiting in person may bring about new discoveries as well.

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Recommended 4 tourist spots around Kitagawa Village, Kochi Prefecture