Kochi - Japan Hotels

Kochi is the capital city of Kôchi Prefecture on Shikoku island of Japan. Kôchi is the main city of the prefecture with over 40% of its population. As of May 31, 2008, the city had an estimated population of 341,860 and a density of 1,110 persons per km². The total area is 309.22 km². A symbol of the city is its most famous dish, katsuo tataki, made by lightly searing and seasoning tuna. The area of Kôchi has three distinct geographic sections. The major settled part of the city lies at the head of Urado Bay, in a narrow alluvial plain crossed by several rivers, notably the Kagami River and Kokubu River. The plain is bounded by mountains to the north and a range of hills to the south and west. The northern mountains form the least densely populated part of the city, with the only settlement being along narrow river valleys. The highest point in Kôchi is Kuishi-yama at 1176 m. To the south of the city centre, Urado Bay cuts through the hills to its outlet into the Pacific Ocean. The land surrounding the bay and a small strip of the coastline form the third part of the city. This area, although hillier and lense dense than the plain, is nevertheless a major location of housing and port-related industry.