Shikoku Kochi｜Three-day self-driving tour, see the mountains, the sea and the city

It takes about 3.5 hours to get from Ehime Matsuyama to Kochi City in Kochi Prefecture without taking the highway. It is very beautiful if you walk during the day. This mountain road is really a treasure. You can stop and take a look if you have time. Day 1⃣️ Matsuyama-Kochi ⛩️ New Year's Eve at Hachimangu Shrine It was already evening when we arrived in Kochi, and there was about an hour left until New Year's Eve. We found that the Hachimangu Shrine in the ancient Kochi Castle was near the hotel. The front desk just mentioned that every shrine had the same grand New Year's welcoming ceremony, so we went. We arrived at the shrine at around 11:30 pm and saw that the stalls had already been set up: sacred sake (pay as you like), amulet stalls (mostly for traffic safety, others for safe delivery, victory, fortune, etc.), goshuin (New Year special edition 1500 yen), decorations (mostly 1500, for use at home). There is a draw. The shrine also has divine horses, divine doves, and paper snakes. Go wash your hands first, it’s a ferocious dragon. Then everyone lined up to make a wish at 12 o'clock. When 12 o'clock arrived, the New Year arrived and the 108 bells 🔔 gradually rang. Everyone put in coins, made a wish, rang the bell, clapped and bowed, drank the sacred wine, bought amulets, and drew fortune sticks (I drew two fortune sticks!!! I will definitely have good luck next year!). After walking around for a while, we left at around 12:40. Day 2⃣️ Kochi 🏯 Kochi Castle Kochi Castle, one of Japan's national treasures, is easier to climb than Matsuyama Castle. Among Japanese castles, Kochi Castle is one of the 12 castle towers that still exist before the Edo period. Kochi Castle is the only castle where the Honmaru Palace and the castle tower are connected, and is a precious relic. The view from the castle tower and the tropical Tosa breeze make this a charming castle that makes you feel the historical romance from the Edo period to the present. ⛩️ Shioe Tenmangu Shrine The main deity is Sugawara no Michizane, a famous minister of the Heian dynasty, who excelled in politics, culture, and academics and possessed infinite holiness. There are also four other deities. Ask for a talisman in the new year and pray for everything to go smoothly. Go to the snack street to eat some authentic snacks. 🌄 Katsurahama Ryuo Cape Located in Katsurahama Park, it seems to be connected to the beach at first glance, but in fact it is almost an independent stone mountain, so you have to cross the Ryugu Bridge to climb up. There are two shrines here, and it is also a popular spot in Katsurahama. Day 3⃣️ Kochi-Muroto In the morning, we drove along the coastline from Kochi City to Muroto to see the beautiful sea. ⛩ No. 24 of 88 temples: Sai Misakiji Temple Of course, we need to pray on the first day of the new year. There is a bell stone in the temple. If you hit it with a small stone, it will make a sound like a bell, which is magical. ⚓️ Lovers' spot - Muroto Lighthouse If you walk left from the temple, you will reach Muroto Lighthouse, one of the three major lovers' spots in Muroto. The pure white tower body symbolizes pure love, and the glass sphere on the tower sparkles in the sun. From here you can also overlook the entire peaceful Tosa Bay. 🌌 Lovers' spot - Muroto Observation Deck From the observation deck, you can have a 360-degree view of the beautiful Tosa Bay, watch the breeze blow, and watch the waves hit the shore. 🐳 Abandoned School Aquarium The local government, in conjunction with the local Sea Turtle Protection Association, transformed the abandoned school into an aquarium to make full use of its educational significance. Suitable for adults too! Lots of rare deep sea fish. ⛩️ Nippo Shrine Return to Komatsushima City and watch the sunset from a high point in the city.