Harimaya Bridge: A Famous Kochi Landmark Enjoyable for the Gap Between Renown and Reality

Harimaya Bridge: The Cultural Appeal Created by a "Disappointing" Famous Spot

"Harimaya Bridge" in the center of Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture, is a famous spot known nationwide from the yosakoi bushi lyrics "At Harimaya Bridge in Kochi in Tosa, I saw a monk buying a hairpin♪." Originally built as a private bridge connecting merchant houses Hamadaya and Harimaya, it is now reproduced as a small vermilion bridge approximately 20 meters long and 6 meters wide.

One of Japan's Three Great Disappointing Tourist Spots?

Harimaya Bridge is sometimes called one of "Japan's Three Great Disappointing Tourist Spots (others include Hokkaido's Clock Tower, Nagasaki's Dutch Slope, etc.)," but is affectionately familiar as a humorous tourist spot taking advantage of its smallness. "Harimaya Bridge Park" surrounds the bridge, with karakuri (mechanical) clocks playing the "yosakoi bushi" and other installations.

Harimaya Bridge Shopping District

Around the bridge, arcade shopping districts including "Harimaya Bridge Shopping District" and "Obiyamachi Shopping District" spread out, with Kochi local cuisine, souvenirs, and clothing available.

Function as Kochi's City Center

The Harimaya Bridge intersection is a major intersection for streetcars within Kochi city, functioning as a starting point for city tourism.

Access

Approximately 15 minutes on foot from JR Kochi Station, approximately 8 minutes by streetcar (get off at Harimaya-bashi streetcar stop).