Katsurahama Beach

**Visiting the statue:** The Ryoma statue is the main draw. You can walk right up to the base and look up — the scale is imposing. Twice a year (Ryoma's birthday in January and death anniversary in November), the city builds a temporary viewing platform at eye level with Ryoma's face — a rare photo opportunity. **Sakamoto Ryoma Museum:** The museum (15-min walk from the beach) is excellent, with English displays covering Ryoma's life, his role in the Meiji Restoration, and his assassination at age 31. The museum's cliff-edge location offers panoramic ocean views. Allow 60 minutes. **Tide pools:** At low tide, the southern end of the beach reveals extensive tide pools filled with crabs, sea urchins, and small fish. Best explored with kids. Tide charts available at the tourist kiosk. **Combine with Kochi Castle:** Katsurahama and Kochi Castle make a natural pairing — both are Ryoma-related sites (he was born in Kochi). Do the castle in the morning (9:00–11:00), then bus to Katsurahama for the afternoon. The last bus back to Kochi departs around 17:00 — check the schedule. **Best season:** Spring (March–May) and autumn (October–November) have clear skies and moderate temperatures. Summer is hot and humid. Winter is windy but dramatic — big waves crash against the headlands. **Food:** The parking area has small stalls selling imo-kenpi (sweet potato chips) and grilled squid. The nearby restaurant Hamakaze serves katsuo tataki with an ocean view (¥1,500).