Things to Do in Tosa (土佐市), Kōchi: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 27, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Tosa (土佐市) in Kōchi Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Kiyotaki-ji, 35th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Shōryū-ji, 36th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage, Ishizuchino-mori (3.6 km) and served by Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) via the regional hub at Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ). Set at 13 m elevation (33.5000°N, 133.4333°E), Tosa offers travelers a base for sampling regional Katsuo no tataki (straw-fire seared bonito topped with garlic, scallions & yuzu ponzu), Sawachi ryori (communal banquet platters), Nabeyaki ramen (in Susaki) cuisine and exploring neighboring Hidaka (日高村) (8.5 km), Kōchi (高知市) (11.2 km), Sakawa (佐川町) (14.8 km), Susaki (須崎市) (17.7 km).

The city of Tosa should not be confused with the historical Tosa Province, which covered all of modern-day Kōchi Prefecture. Tosa is located in central Kōchi Prefecture on the southern coast of the island of Shikoku, and faces the Shikoku Mountains to the north and Pacific Ocean to the south. The Niyodo River flows through the Takaoka Plain in the town, where rice is grown. As with all of Kōchi Prefecture, the area of Tosa was part of ancient Tosa Province. Remains from the Jōmon period dated to 4000 years ago have been found within the city limits. Within Kōchi Prefecture, Tosa (土佐市) serves as a city in Kōchi Prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1959-01-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Original hilltop Kochi Castle, lively Hirome Market food hall, Katsurahama Beach (Sakamoto Ryoma statue), crystal-clear Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridges), and Cape Ashizuri.

What to See & Do in Tosa (土佐市): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Tosa (土佐市) from Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) at 13 m elevation (33.5000°N, 133.4333°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Tosa):

• Kiyotaki-ji, 35th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage — local sightseeing landmark near Tosa (土佐市).
• Shōryū-ji, 36th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage — local sightseeing landmark near Tosa (土佐市).
• Ishizuchino-mori (3.6 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tosa (土佐市).
• Kōchi-jō (11.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tosa (土佐市).
• Kinuga Shima (11.3 km) — local sightseeing landmark near Tosa (土佐市).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Tosa: Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) (connecting to Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Tosa

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Tosa (土佐市) and Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kōchi Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Hidaka (日高村) — 8.5 km from Tosa (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Kōchi (高知市) — 11.2 km from Tosa (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Sakawa (佐川町) — 14.8 km from Tosa (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Susaki (須崎市) — 17.7 km from Tosa (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Ochi (越知町) — 20.2 km from Tosa (Kōchi Prefecture)

Getting to Tosa & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Tosa (土佐市) via Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km): 2h 30m from Okayama Station across the mountains of Shikoku on the JR Nanpu Limited Express, or 1h 20m flight from Tokyo/Osaka. From Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) to reach central Tosa (33.5000°N, 133.4333°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kōchi with Tosa (土佐市) and neighboring Hidaka, Kōchi, Sakawa. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Tosa, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Travelers exploring Tosa and continuing toward Hidaka can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Tosa: While Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) anchors public transit for Tosa, picking up a rental car at Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ) makes it easy to link Kiyotaki-ji, 35th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and Shōryū-ji, 36th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage with nearby Hidaka (日高村) (8.5 km), Kōchi (高知市) (11.2 km), Sakawa (佐川町) (14.8 km), Susaki (須崎市) (17.7 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Tosa (土佐市) & Kōchi

Dining near Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) and across Tosa (土佐市) highlights the regional food culture of Kōchi Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Tosa:

• Local specialty & terroir of Tosa (土佐市): coastal fishing ports, marine aquaculture, and fresh seafood markets alongside irrigated paddy rice cultivation, seasonal produce, and rural satoyama landscapes.
• Katsuo no tataki (straw-fire seared bonito topped with garlic, scallions & yuzu ponzu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tosa (土佐市) and Kōchi Prefecture.
• Sawachi ryori (communal banquet platters) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tosa (土佐市) and Kōchi Prefecture.
• Nabeyaki ramen (in Susaki) — regional specialty enjoyed across Tosa (土佐市) and Kōchi Prefecture.
• Yuzu citrus drinks & Sunday Market snacks — regional specialty enjoyed across Tosa (土佐市) and Kōchi Prefecture.

If you are dining in Tosa (土佐市) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km).

Where to Stay in Tosa (土佐市)

Visitors staying overnight in Tosa (土佐市) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km), or base at major rail hubs in Kōchi (Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ)) or neighboring Hidaka, Kōchi, Sakawa for quick train access into Tosa. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Tosa & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Tosa (土佐市, 13 m elevation at 33.5000°N, 133.4333°E): August 9–12 for the Yosakoi Festival; May–October for clear turquoise rivers (Shimanto & Niyodo 'Niyodo Blue'); sunny subtropical winters.

Wider sightseeing across Kōchi Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Kiyotaki-ji, 35th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage in Tosa (土佐市) includes: Original hilltop Kochi Castle, lively Hirome Market food hall, Katsurahama Beach (Sakamoto Ryoma statue), crystal-clear Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridges), and Cape Ashizuri.

Practical Travel Tips for Tosa (土佐市)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Tosa: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ) or Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) for local bus schedules to Kiyotaki-ji, 35th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage and walking maps of Tosa (土佐市).
• Cash & ATMs in Tosa: Convenience stores and major hotels around Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Kiyotaki-ji, 35th temple on the Shikoku Pilgrimage often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Tosa accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Tosa: Around Hakawa Station (波川駅) (5.2 km) and neighboring Hidaka, Kōchi, Sakawa, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.