Kochi: Port & 〜14:00 Hirome Market — Guide Tomoko

Title: What Is a Private Kochi Castle and Hirome Market Walking Tour Like? A Licensed Guide's Report

On the day of the tour, the guests told me when we met that the group had grown to ten people. Some members of the group had difficulty walking. At Kochi Castle, only four of them went all the way up into the castle keep.

I had been asked at the start to walk slowly, so I tried to keep a relaxed pace. However, at Kochi Castle, some of the guests were not able to reach the castle keep, so I had intended to explain that those who wished to stop partway could wait at the lower gate.

Before entering the keep, I took some photos and waited, but since some of the guests did not arrive, four of them went into the keep, and because it was a small number, I decided to go inside as well to give explanations.

However, due to my insufficient explanation, some of the guests said they were unsure what they were supposed to do, and I apologized several times for not explaining things clearly. Afterward, things returned to normal, but I reflected that it might have been better to wait outside rather than enter the keep.

On the way from Kochi Castle to Hirome Market, since one of the guests had a goshuincho (a stamp book for shrine and temple seals), we stopped by Kochi Daijingu before heading to Hirome Market. Along the shopping arcade toward Harimaya Bridge, there did not seem to be much that the guests wanted to buy. There was not enough time to purchase a personalized name T-shirt as a souvenir, and Pokemon cards were not sold nearby.

The guests were mindful about buying souvenirs, and I felt they were similar to Japanese people in that respect. The guests came from a variety of places across North America and Europe. They seemed to enjoy the lunch at Hirome Market, and everyone was very pleased.

Thank you very much. The sunflowers were also at their best, though the field was not very large.

Click here for more details: Kochi Shore Excursion: Customized Car Tour, Licensed Guide

Tour Report by TOMOKO

Hello!
My name is Tomoko.
I have been a guide for a few years.
I’m a native from Kochi.
Kochi is blessed with sea and mountains like, beautiful places full of nature, with delicious local sake and incredibly fresh seafood.
I’d love to show you our clear rivers, gardens, traditional hand-made washi paper, and many other things that make Kochi so special.
Also Shikoku has a unique culture, called Shikoku henro, piligrims. People visit 88 sacred temples. You can visit temples, too.

I’m looking forward to meeting you and show you around.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank you!