Cherry Blossom in Horikawa Promenade, Kochi City 15km

🌸 Explore Tosa’s castle town and Horikawa cherry blossoms: A 15km Sakura course 🌸

Experience the energetic soul of Kochi City through this 15km GPS art course, sketching a magnificent cherry blossom across the historic Tosa province. The centerpiece is the Horikawa Promenade, an Edo-period gateway to the sea that now serves as a scenic oasis. During the spring, cherry trees lining both banks for 700 meters create a spectacular pink arch over the narrow river, their petals dancing on the water’s surface.

Your journey begins at Kochi Station, greeted by the Statues of the Three Tosa Samurai, setting the stage for an exploration of the Meiji Restoration’s roots. As you navigate the course, visit Ushioe Tenmangu Shrine to pray for a safe journey before diving into the bustling Harimayabashi and Obiyamachi Shopping Arcades. Here, the city’s unique culture—from the passionate Yosakoi festival at the Information Exchange Center to the creative spirit of Manga Koshien Street—comes to life.

The course also weaves through intellectual landmarks like the Otepia Library and the Kochi Castle Museum of History. For a taste of local hospitality, a visit to Hirome Market, the “kitchen of Kochi,” is a must to experience local delicacies like seared bonito. The final stretch along the Horikawa Promenade offers a serene contrast to the urban bustle. If you are lucky, you might even see the sightseeing boats gliding slowly under the blossom canopy.

This 15km journey seamlessly connects Kochi’s feudal past with its vibrant present. By the time you complete the floral pattern on your digital map, you will have experienced the true “Tosa spirit”—a blend of resilience, openness, and joy. Lace up your shoes and let your creativity bloom in the heart of Shikoku!