Make full use of the share cycle! Will you win all the places related to Sakamoto Ryoma in Kochi city?

As a means of transportation for tourists, the use of share cycles is increasing. This time, we will introduce how to use the share cycle of Kochi City, and to prove that you can enjoy sightseeing by bicycle, we challenged how much you can visit places related to Sakamoto Ryoma, a representative tourist spot in Kochi City.

Rental at cycle port in front of Kochi Station

◎9:00

PiPPA is a multi-cycle port located in the central city area of Kochi City that allows you to use and return bicycles 24 hours a day. Details such as how to borrow and the location of the cycle port are introduced in the second half of the article.

This time, we will use the share cycle "PiPPA", which Kochi City started operation on March 10, 2023 (* Service suspended: as of September 2024). The challenge is, "I am confident in my physical strength!", Tsubasa, a cheerful beginner in Kochi. Get off Kochi Station and rent a bicycle at the cycle port in front of the station.

Kochi City Share Cycle "Pippa"

◎9:10

"Kochi is definitely Sakamoto Ryoma. I hope you can learn about horses today!” 。 I found the first spot early on. It is a statue of Sanshi who stands in front of Kochi Station.

Sakamoto Ryoma, Shintaro Nakaoka and Hanpeita Takechi were active at the end of the Tokugawa period. The height including the pedestal is impressive at 13.5m, making it a popular shooting spot. "I knew Sakamoto Ryoma, but Shintaro Nakaoka and Hanpeita Takechi didn't."

By the way, there is a tourist information center just behind the three bronze statues. "Even if the sightseeing route has not been decided in advance, you can get sightseeing information unique to the local area here!" 。

There is also a face-to-face panel in front of the tourist information center. (*As of May 2024)

◎9:30

Next, run for about 10 minutes by bicycle and go to the second spot, "Ryoma's Birth Town Memorial Hall". Located in Kamimachi, Kochi City, where Ryoma was born and raised, it introduces the history of Ryoma and the history of Kamimachi.

"There were miniature models of Kamimachi during the late Tokugawa shogunate period, so I felt like I was back in time."

◎10:30

"There is a birthplace nearby!" The third spot, the birthplace of Sakamoto Ryoma.

On November 15, which is Ryoma's birthday and anniversary, the Ryoma Birth Festival is held at this place, and many people participate. "It's true, Mr. Ryoma! He is still everyone’s hero!” 。

◎10:40

Here you search for information. The place I found is the fourth spot, Ryoma Post Office.

This is the only post office in the country with the name of a real person. Purchase a local form card at the counter and take a commemorative photo in front of the statue of Ryoma.

This Ryoma Post Office has a popular service for tourists. That is, if you ask at the counter, you can push the original landscape seal (postmark) depicting the statue of Ryoma.

Oh! This red postmark is the only Ryoma landscape mark in Japan. The date will be included, so it will be a reminder of the trip!

There is also a stamp related to horses inside the station, so you can press freely. Tsubasa-kun, one piece to yourself and a stamp petapeta. If you want to put out the postcard as a mail, purchase the prescribed stamp and go to the counter. Tsubasa also sends one piece to parents who live away. When I brought it to the counter with a message, the staff received a smile saying, "I'll push the landscape mark here."

◎11:00

“Are there any other places related to horses?” I searched and found the site of the nearby Hineno Dojo. It seems that there was a dojo where Ryoma practiced as a teenager.

At present, there is no trace of the dojo, but I found a small monument. The Kagami River, which is said to have been swimming when Ryoma was a child, flows nearby, and core fans should be happy!

So far, we have won five points in the morning. "I'm going to Katsura-hama Beach from now on! The horse statue cannot be removed. I can go in about an hour.”

GO to Katsura-hama Beach, 12km away from Kochi Station!

Sprinted south via Pier Street.

It was a tailwind on this day, so it was refreshingly cycling. “It will be fun to ride with your friends while cycling.”

Cycling comfortably while watching the sea and flowers and feeling the sea breeze. Run along the flower street and head to the last climbing slope. Katsura-hama Beach is almost here!

Stop for a moment and look at the magnificent Pacific Ocean. "The view of the psycho!" 。

◎12:00

We arrived safely in the Katsura-hama Beach area! The sixth spot is the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Hall.

This is the Ryoma Hall of Fame where you can learn about the history of Sakamoto Ryoma. "There were many letters from Ryoma, and I was able to touch history. I learned!” 。

Finally, handshake with the statue of Ryoma at the exit. My hands are big [laughs].”

◎13:15

After that, we moved to Katsurahama Park. Stop your bicycle in the parking lot (free bicycle) and have a late lunch break.

Katsurahama Park was reopened in March 2023. Souvenir shops and restaurants are lined up, as well as rest areas have been developed.

At lunch, we had "Tosa's Red and White Don" at "Mantennohoshi Katsura-hama Beach". It is a popular menu where you can enjoy Kochi's specialty, straw-yaki bonito tataki and plump fried shirasu at once. After the meal, you will also have a fragrant roasted tea using tea leaves grown in headwater Shimanto River.

There are plenty of tea leaves inside the store. At the shop, you can also enjoy sweets such as Daifuku and dumplings.

◎14:00

After lunch, go to the 7th spot, Ryoma statue today.

Ryoma looks far from the Pacific Ocean from the top of a high pedestal. "It's quite high! The sun is just behind Ryoma, and it is dazzling, but thanks to it, I feel divine."

Then go down to the beach and walk slowly. At the "Honhama Rest Area" overlooking the sea, you can relax with Kochi's specialty ice cream in one hand.

"Icecline on the tired body of rowing a bicycle, and this superb view, Saiko! You can stay for hours. When I finished eating ice cream and took a break, I didn't want to move from this place. Can I go home after taking a nap? (Laughs) But listening to the beautiful scenery and the sound of the waves, I was able to charge energy, so I will do my best to go home!" 。

◎15:00

Tsubasa-kun who enjoyed Katsura-hama Beach. On the way back to the center of the city, I found a spot where you can feel the atmosphere of history.

When I stopped by, it was said that "the statue of Motochika Chosokabe's first team." Motochika is a Sengoku daimyo who settled most of Shikoku in the 16th century.

"Like Ryoma, it was good to see the cool bronze statue of a great man representing Kochi! Please make one more spot [laughs].”

◎16:00

We arrived safely at the center of the city. Return is a cycle port near Hirome Market next to Otepia.

“Today was a fun day anyway! Actually, I didn't think I could go to the beach by bicycle. I was surprised to go so easily. When I went to a spot related to Ryoma Sakamoto, I knew what I didn't know, and I learned about history! And it was a better exercise! This time it was a solo trip, but I thought it would be fun to come with my friends, stop by along the way, and take a leisurely cycling trip. It's four birds with one stone that you can move your body by bicycle, learn about history, have delicious food, and feel the magnificent nature (laughs). PiPPA is easy to rent, with gears, so it's a very easy trip!" 。

This is a challenge that goes around the land related to Ryoma in a share cycle for a whole day. The result is 7 plus 1 point win! That's right. By the way, the total mileage is about 31 km, and the running time is about 3 hours.

“I think it’s a pretty good result for myself! The rest of the time at Katsura-hama Beach was really pleasant.”

This is open this time. What a reward beer for you? Or dinner at Kochi specialty? Tsubasa has been sucked into the open market...

Kochi City Share Cycle "Pippa"

How to use PiPPA

1. Download the dedicated app and register your membership information.

2. Select a payment plan. In the case of charge, you can select the charge amount from 1100 yen, 3300 yen, and 5500 yen. In the case of temporary use, the usage fee (110 yen / 30 minutes) is automatically deducted from the charge balance. You can choose the day pass from 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours, and ride all time. The usage fee is prepaid, and cashless payments such as various credit cards, mobile payments, Alipay, LINE Pay, Apple Pay, and WeChat Pay can be used.

3. Turn on the GPS and Bluetooth of your smartphone. Select "QR open lock/touch open lock" in the app on the cycle port.

4. In the case of QR unlocking lock, read the QR code on the key body of the bicycle. In the case of a touch open lock, hold your smartphone over the key body of the bicycle.

5. The key of the rear wheel opens automatically.

Flow of use and end of use

On the way, when you park your bicycle temporarily, select "temporary bicycle parking" in the locking app. Restarting use is the same as at the start.

At the end of use, after parking in the dedicated cycle port, manually close the rear wheel key. Since the app screen switches automatically, select "Termination of use".

Usage fee in Kochi City

・Temporary use 110 yen for 30 minutes (after that, 110 yen will be added every 30 minutes)

・Day pass: 550 yen for 6 hours, 880 yen for 12 hours, 1100 yen for 24 hours

A dedicated cycle port in Kochi City 

Kochi Ekimae Port

・Address: Kochi Station (2-1-10, Eita-cho, Kochi City) 

Kochi Station South Exit, east side of the statue of Sanshi 

Autepia promenade Port 

・Address / Otepia (2-1-1 Otesuji, Kochi City)

West of Autepia 

Central Park Port 

・Address: Central Park (1-11-27 Obiyacho, Kochi City)

On the east side of Central Park, Kochi Daimaru-mae 

Harimayabashi Bridge Sightseeing Bus Terminal Port

・Address: Harimayabashi Bridge Sightseeing Bus Terminal (2-16 Minami Harimayacho, Kochi City) 

Inside the bicycle parking area on the south side of the Harimayabashi Bridge Tourist Bus Terminal 

Nishitetsu Inn Kochi Harimayabashi Bridge Port 

・Address / Nishitetsu Inn (1-1-3 Harimayacho, Kochi City)

Nishitetsu Inn Kochi Harimayabashi Bridge-mae 

Port in front of Kochi City Hall

・Address: Kochi City Hall (5-1-45 Honcho, Kochi City)

Kochi City Hall front entrance right 

Facility information