Kochi Shimanto City Tourism Association
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Kochi Shimanto City Tourism Association

Sep. 20, 2025
[Image1][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!
[Image2][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!
[Image3][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!
[Image4][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!
[Image5][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!
[Image6][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!
[Image7][Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!!

[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] You can only eat this in Shimanto City!! "Salt-Seared Bonito" (Part 1)

When you think of delicious food from Kochi Prefecture, the first thing that comes to mind nationwide is the seared bonito known as "katsuo no tataki."
Katsuo is a famous specialty of Kochi, and as everyone knows, it actually has two peak seasons!
In this piece about the katsuo beloved by Kochi residents, Part 1 explains the timing and characteristics of each season, and Part 2 will cover recommended ways to enjoy it that you can only taste in Shimanto City.

〇 The seasons of katsuo: hatsugatsuo and modorigatsuo
Katsuo is a well-known specialty of Kochi, but its name changes with the fishing season (peak season) to "hatsugatsuo" or "modorigatsuo."
Here we introduce these two types of katsuo with different names, describing each season, their characteristics, and Kochi-specific recommended ways to eat them.

〇 Light-flavored hatsugatsuo!
Hatsugatsuo, loved since long ago as one of spring’s seasonal ingredients, originally referred to katsuo landed at the start of the year, as suggested by the prefix "hatsu" (first). In recent years, however, the term has come to mean katsuo landed from spring into early summer.
Juvenile katsuo hatched from eggs ride the Kuroshio Current northward around spring to seek food and grow into adults.
Katsuo landed during this northward migration are called "hatsugatsuo," also known as "noborigatsuo." The exact landing locations vary, but in Kochi the season runs mainly from spring to early summer (around March to May).
Young, fast-growing hatsugatsuo have translucent red flesh, a clean, springy texture, and a firm bite. They have less of the characteristic katsuo aroma, making them easy to eat even for those who are not fond of strong fishy smells.
Because hatsugatsuo is low in fat and light in flavor, it’s recommended to serve it as tataki together with the fatty skin. This is the season for the Nakamura-style salt tataki enjoyed with plenty of condiments. We will introduce Nakamura-style salt tataki in the next article, "Salt-Seared Bonito You Can Only Eat in Shimanto City!! (Part 2)."

〇 Rich-flavored modorigatsuo!
On the other hand, the katsuo that migrated north in search of food reaches southern Hokkaido, where falling water temperatures prompt them to head south again in search of warmer waters. Katsuo landed during this southward migration are called "modorigatsuo." In Kochi, the season is around autumn (September to November).
Because modorigatsuo feed heavily and are landed after growing large, they are rich in fat and are also called "toro katsuo" or "abura katsuo." They have long been cherished as an autumn ingredient.
The flesh of a large modorigatsuo is deep crimson in color, with fatty, pale areas near the skin and a rich, chewy flavor.

How was that?
Are you starting to get curious about katsuo?
In Part 2, we will introduce the salt-seared katsuo you can only taste in Shimanto City!

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Sep. 20, 2025
[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Only in Shimanto City!! “Salt-Seared Bonito” (Part 2) Following Part 1, Part 2 introduces recommended ways to enjoy the bonitos seared in Shimanto City that you can taste only here. 〇 Nakamura’s one-and-only “Traditional Salt-Seared Bonito” When people think of delicious food from Kochi Prefecture nationwide, the first thing that comes to mind is the seared bonito. Sprinkling salt or pouring sauce before searing is said to be a food culture unique to Kochi. Yet within the same prefecture, the style in central Kochi City differs greatly from that in Nakamura in the southwestern Shimanto City: Nakamura’s salt-seared method stands apart. Around Kochi City, the dish is a simple one of just sprinkled salt. In Nakamura, by contrast, chefs marinate the seared fish with proud house sauces featuring salt, vinegar, citrus juice, and other flavoring, letting the flavors meld. Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito piles on heaps of condiments—onions, garlic and more—until the fish is nearly hidden. Those generous toppings don’t just look appetizing; they make nutritionally balanced combinations, so the dish is also excellent as a healthy choice. Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito, found only in Shimanto City, carries an unshakable local food culture and history. Each restaurant crafts and serves its own proud version of this delicious salt-seared specialty. From the searing process to the way it’s eaten, the condiments and the sauces, every establishment applies its own ingenuity and care to its salt-seared bonito. In Shimanto City, you can enjoy as many distinctive salt-seared styles as there are restaurants. Would you like to go on a salt-seared tasting tour in Shimanto City and sample Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito? 〇 Perfect match for salt-seared bonito: Shimanto Bu-chu Highball A perfect companion to Nakamura’s traditional salt-seared bonito is the Shimanto Bu-chu Highball, made with the locally grown “forbidden fruit” bushukan. It’s a standard menu item at izakayas in Shimanto City. The drink is ultra-refreshing from first sip to finish, with a crisp citrus flavor and a pleasant, moderate bitterness. Popular with both men and women, it pairs beautifully with food. Try Shimanto Bu-chu Highball with salt-seared bonito—you’ll likely get hooked after one sip. 〇 Shimanto-grown “forbidden fruit”—the bushukan Why call it the forbidden fruit? Bushukan is related to yuzu and sudachi but is an entirely different fruit. Once you taste it, ordinary vinegar-citrus fruits won’t satisfy—you’ll understand why it’s called the “forbidden fruit.” Its defining features are a clean, sharp acidity and a uniquely refined aroma. That elegant scent and tartness bring out the best in ingredients from mountains, rivers, and sea. Beloved by citrus fans across Kochi, the “kingdom of sour citrus,” bushukan has long been nicknamed the “king of sour citrus.” Beyond its flavor, the tree is very vigorous: once it bears fruit, it will yield abundantly each year from late August through early October with little care. While most citrus trees live for several decades, bushukan remains healthy and productive for over a hundred years. Bushukan is also resistant to disease and pests and grows vigorously without heavy reliance on pesticides, making it a safe, reliable crop. This rare bushukan grows only in Shimanto City and is not shipped widely across Japan—why not come taste it for yourself? How did you find this? Perhaps the appeal of salt-seared bonito and bushukan has whetted your appetite. Please enjoy salt-seared bonito and a Shimanto Bu-chu Highball when you visit Shimanto City.
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Sep. 12, 2025
[Shimanto City, Kochi Prefecture] Feel secure with this! A Directory of Shimanto River River Activity Operators! ★The Appeal of River Activities★ You can enjoy the Shimanto River with your whole body in 360°, and nothing captures that feeling better than river activities! The Shimanto River has a gentle current, so beginners and children can take part. On canoe tours you can sometimes go where no man-made structures are visible, offering a true escape from everyday life. Shimanto City is home to many river activity operators, with a variety of options that let everyone from small children to seniors enjoy themselves with peace of mind. Take this chance to find an operator that interests you♪ 1. Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawaracco Shimanto Canoe and Camp Village Kawaracco sits beside the Shimanto River, surrounded by rich natural scenery. In addition to campsite facilities, the site includes well-equipped bungalows and a Shimanto hinoki cypress house. It also serves as a terminal for the Rinrin Cycle rental service. Operating season: Year-round Closed: Mondays (if Monday is a public holiday, closed Tuesday) *Open during the period around Golden Week and from July 1 to September 30 Pets allowed to ride together (tandem kayaks). *Please bring a life jacket for your pet. Depending on size, joint riding may be unavailable. 2. withRIVER withRIVER is located at the foot of a Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridge). The current is gentle here, so beginners and small children can feel safe. At the end of the tour you can even try jumping from the chinkabashi. In addition to canoe and SUP experiences, withRIVER offers horseback riding. Besides ordinary rides, there is a course that lets you ride within the Shimanto River. Because the horse stands where you can touch the bottom, children and non-swimmers can participate safely. Operating season: March to mid-November Dogs may ride along (on SUP or two-person canoe). Dog life jackets are available to rent (500 yen per jacket). Free photo sharing available 3. Shimanto River Lodge Yuubetei Shimanto River Lodge Yuubetei is a rented villa-style accommodation on a hill overlooking the Shimanto River, available to one group per day. Families, groups, and couples can relax here. Rooms include a terrace where you can barbecue while watching the sunset. River SUP experiences are available from Yuubetei. The owner customizes courses to match guests. SUP board rentals are also offered. Please request when booking your stay. *SUP experiences operate only in the summer season. 4. Okera Adventures Shimanto Okera Adventures Shimanto centers on “bikerafting,” a combination of cycling and packraft (inflatable boat) river descent. They are the only operator in Japan to run regular guided bikerafting tours. (*Survey by Okera Adventures, March 2022) They operate by private-group bookings only, so you and your group enjoy the tour alone. One appeal is that guides tailor the tour to participants, weather, and conditions. Operating season: Year-round Dogs may ride along (dog life jackets available for rent). Free photo sharing available 5. Shimanto – River Station Canoe Center Shimanto – River Station Canoe Center is known for the spectacular natural scenery in the latter part of its tours. The attached Shimanto Hiroba Auto Campsite offers toilets and barbecue sites so you can camp beside the Shimanto River. (Advance reservation required) There is a beginner-friendly canoe school where instructors lead basic half-day and full-day courses. You can paddle an 8 km canoe touring course to the famous Iwama Chinkabashi Bridge featured on TV and in magazines; the latter 4 km of the course shows almost no man-made structures, letting you fully enjoy the Shimanto River’s wilderness. The Canoe Center also serves as a river station exhibiting canoes from around the world and as a terminal for the Shimanto River Rinrin Cycle rental service. Operating season: Year-round Free photo sharing available 6. Shimanto Rakusha Shimanto Rakusha is a former school repurposed into a place where you can stay and play. The lodging uses spaces such as the school infirmary as bedrooms, and classrooms have bunk beds. You can even stay in the broadcasting room that still runs the school PA system or in the principal’s office. Because canoe experiences here do not involve long downstream runs, you can set your own experience time. Families can take turns, play in the river, and enjoy canoeing freely. In addition to canoeing, you can try stream trekking (shower climbing), raft play, and relaxed fishing in the Shimanto River. Closed: Every Wednesday *Open daily in July, August, and September Free photo sharing available 7. Canoe Shimanto Base Canoe Shimanto Base runs tours using sit-on-top canoes that you sit on the deck rather than inside. You can choose a half-day course with a 3 km downstream stretch (morning or afternoon) or a shorter course without downstream paddling. All canoes are single-person, and two sizes are available so you can pick the right fit. The half-day course is available from third grade elementary school and up; the short course is available from first grade elementary school and up. The short course is a private booking for groups of 1–10 people. Operating season: March to November Dogs may ride along. *Please be sure to bring a life jacket that fits your dog’s body size. Free photo sharing available 8. Good River Shimanto At Good River Shimanto you can enjoy a full Shimanto River canoe tour. They instruct you from canoe boarding and paddle technique to how to enjoy canoeing. The downriver course follows the river current and reveals little in the way of man-made structures, letting you relax in expansive nature. You can take commemorative photos at the popular Iwama Chinkabashi Bridge. They also run rafting tours, letting you drift downstream in a raft boat on the gentle Shimanto River in relaxed comfort. Guests from age three through seniors can participate. Operating season: Mid-March to early November Children and dogs may ride along Free photo sharing available How was it? Try experiencing Shimanto City’s river activities!

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