Is This the Most Underrated Place in Japan? My first trip to Kochi

Is This the Most Underrated Place in Japan? My first trip to Kochi

every now and then you stumble upon a place that feels like a Hidden Gem where the food is amazing the nature is stunning and the best part there’s hardly anyone around welcome to coochi this was my first time in coochi and after coming from busy Tokyo it felt like a breath of fresh air in this video I’ll take you through peaceful train rides incredible local food and a magical nature experience that’s straight out from a jibli movie so is coochi the most underrated place in Japan let’s find out we started the trip by taking a bus from matama to coochi the ride was comfortable and I enjoyed some tangerine jelly I picked up from matama station as a snack once we arrived at coochi station we tried gun a local drink made with honey and Yuzu it was refreshing and sweet then we headed to h shoko a lively spot where locals and travelers gathered to eat we went straight to Mii Maru for coi’s famous flame sear Bonito they cook it right in front of you over a blazing straw fire and the smell is just incredible and wow it was Smoky tender and so much better than any Bonito you’ll find in Tokyo it’s one of those meals you have to try when you’re in coochi next up was katama beach one of coi’s most famous spots the ocean views were incredible and it was so quiet you could hear nothing but the waves coming from Tokyo it felt like a dream and if you’re into Japanese history you’ll find a statue of Roma Sakamoto here one of Japan’s most important historical figures for dinner we tried nayaki Ramen a local specialty it’s served in a clay pot with a simple but comforting broth R ordered the half portion with rice while I went all in with the full size the noodles are pretty firm very nice oh my God it’s going to be really comforting especially in the winter so nice the next morning we took the train to Mon’s Garden the ride itself was peaceful and Scenic one of those moments where you can just sit back and enjoy the [Music] countryside along the way we passed stations with fun names like waji which uses the same Ki as washoku or traditional Japanese Cuisine and then there was Goen station which literally means sorry in Japanese like ah gmen when we arrived at Monet’s garden it was like stepping into one of his paintings this is the iconic view of the Monet Gardens oh so [Music] pretty when we arrived at Monet’s garden it felt like stepping into one of his paintings this isn’t just a garden inspired by his art it’s an official sister Garden to Claude Monet’s home in jaer France but why is it here in COI of places turns out cooch’s mild climate and abundant Nature Made It the perfect location for a replica of Mon’s iconic Gardens it was built in collaboration with French designers and botanists making sure every detail stayed true to Monet’s original version [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] the Water Garden is probably the most famous section with its water lies and arched bridge that looks exactly like the one in Monet’s [Music] paintings then there’s the flower garden bursting with seasonal flowers like Wisteria roses and irises perfect for a peaceful [Music] stroll the biger garden Blends sunlight shadows and water features to create a calming space where you can just sit back and enjoy the atmosphere [Music] [Applause] [Music] everywhere we go is so beautiful it actually feels like we’re walking through paintings the world of paintings [Music] no there was barely anyone around so we could just stroll and take it all in peacefully [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Music] [Music] M de mon Cafe restaurant Ria actually speaks French we for lunch we had a light salad at meeson du mon cafe after days of Indulgence in shikoku it was exactly what we needed with some time left before our flight we made a spontaneous spot at ioki station we saw a sign for a nearby cave and decided to give it a try it looked untouched with limited maintenance and after our previous cave experiences on this trip we were a little cautious but then we saw a family with a small child coming out of the cave and figured it should be [Music] fine it felt like walking through a jibi movie moss covered rocks trickling water and pure nature it turned out to be one of the most peaceful and memorable spots of the trip afterward we found a super local cafe near the station where we chatted with the owner and a local regular it’s moments like this that make these unplanned stops so special back in coochi City it was time to head to the airport but not before having one last meal of flame seared Bonito because you can never have too much and just like that our coochi adventure came to an end if you’re in Tokyo and want to try out the Smoky straw Ro posted Bonito I highly recommend checking out wakya they have locations in various places like Shinjuku rangi and Ginza so you can get a little taste of coochi without leaving the city anyway coochi was everything I didn’t know I needed amazing food peaceful nature and uh no crows if you’re looking for a Hidden Gem to explore in Japan this is it this video concludes my shikoku series and thanks for watching if you enjoyed this shikoku series please don’t forget the like and the sub bye

Monet’s Garden, Bonito and Hidden Treasures – Why Kochi surprised me ✨️

Watch other videos:
Shikoku’s vlog #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQndvWPEGuQ
Shikoku’s vlog #2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkaYvhJk7TI

🌸 About Me and My Channel:
Hi! I’m Sarah, a Japanese local, born and raised in Japan for over two decades. While my accent may not sound fully Japanese because I studied in England, my deep roots and lifelong connection to Japan allow me to offer a truly authentic perspective. My channel is dedicated to helping travelers experience Japan authentically—through its incredible food, fascinating culture, and hidden gems that are often overlooked. Whether you’re planning a trip or simply curious about Japan, this channel is your ultimate guide to seeing it through the eyes of a local. 🇯🇵

In today’s video, we’re exploring Kochi Prefecture, one of Japan’s most underrated gems, known for its flame-seared bonito, peaceful train rides, and hidden nature spots like a Ghibli-like cave. Join me as I take you through this tranquil prefecture, from tasting local specialties at Hirome Shokudo to walking through Monet’s Garden and ending the trip with one last bite of Kochi’s famous bonito. If you’re looking for an off-the-beaten-path destination, this is it!

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– Follow my daily adventures and hidden gems on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyofoodiesarah/

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Let me know in the comments: Have you tried flame-seared bonito before, or would Kochi’s nature be the biggest draw for you?

#Kochi #JapanTravel #HiddenGemJapan #Shikoku #JapaneseFood #AuthenticJapan

THANKS FOR WATCHING ❤︎
Keep exploring, keep tasting, and stay curious!
Sarah 🌸