Kōchi, Kōchi

Kōchi 高知市
Core city
Kōchi City
From top left: Katsurahama, Statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, View of Kōchi from Mt. Godai, Yosakoi Festival, Harimayabashi, Tosa Electric Railway, Kōchi Castle
Flag
Location of Kōchi in Kōchi Prefecture
Kōchi Location in Japan
Coordinates: 33°34′N 133°32′E / 33.567°N 133.533°E / 33.567; 133.533Coordinates: 33°34′N 133°32′E / 33.567°N 133.533°E / 33.567; 133.533
Country	Japan
Region	Shikoku
Prefecture	Kōchi Prefecture
Government
• Mayor	Seiya Okazaki
Area
• Total	309.22 km2 (119.39 sq mi)
Population (January 2011)
• Total	340,515
• Density	1,100/km2 (3,000/sq mi)
Symbols
• Tree	Chinaberry
• Flower	Winter-hazel
• Bird	Japanese wagtail
Time zone	Japan Standard Time (UTC+9)
City hall address	5-1-45 Honmachi, Kōchi-shi 780-0571
Website	www.city.kochi.kochi.jp

Kōchi (高知市, Kōchi-shi^?, Japanese: [kóꜜòchì]) is the capital city of Kōchi Prefecture located on the island of Shikoku in Japan.

Kōchi is the main city of the prefecture with over 40% of its population. As of May 31, 2008, the city has an estimated population of 340,515 and a population density of 1,100 persons per km². The total area is 309.22 km². A symbol of the city is its most famous dish, katsuo tataki, made by lightly searing and seasoning tuna.

The river plain now containing the city centre was originally settled as a castle town around the seat of the lords of Tosa Province, Kōchi Castle. The castle site was chosen by Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo in 1601. The city takes its name from that of the castle. As the centre of administration for the province, and the prefecture which succeeded it, the town rapidly grew to become the largest settlement of the region.

During the time of the Meiji Restoration, Kōchi became famous as a centre of pro-imperial ideology, and later for incubating democratic and human rights movements.

The city was incorporated on April 1, 1889.

Tram service began in the city on May 2, 1904, and the city was connected to the national rail network on November 12, 1951.