Searching for Ryoma 1: Katsurahama

The Kochi beach Japan hero Ryoma Sakamoto grew up on

Takako Sakamoto Mar 30, 2014 - 1分鐘閱讀時間

The statue of Sakamoto Ryoma on Katsura Beach

Stone monument indicating this is the place Sakamoto Ryoma was born

Sitting beside Ryoma's picture...how can I resist!?

Katsura Beach! Of course I want to take a picture in front of the sign, don't I?

Inscription says, 'Sakamoto Ryoma Sensei', meaning 'Master Sakamoto Ryoma'

Katsura Beach viewed from a hill behind it

Picked up a stone on Katsura Beach as memento. It's still decorating my shelf!

Japanese pine trees with Katsura Beach in the backdrop

Katsura Beach viewed from an observation deck at the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

One of Japan's most famous and beloved heroes, Sakamoto Ryoma, was a leading revolutionary at the end of the Edo period who helped contribute to the reformation of feudal Japan. Without him, Japan as we know it now would be a very different place.

As one of Ryoma's biggest fans, I've traveled to a few places to retrace his footsteps. Katsurahama beach is one of the best-known tourist spots for Ryoma fans. It's located in Kochi prefecture, where he was born, and it's said he frequented the place to stare and wonder about what was out there beyond the immense ocean. I wonder what he saw... For access information please refer to my other article, Searching for Ryoma Sakamoto.

Takako Sakamoto @takako.sakamoto

I was born in and grew up in Tokushima prefecture, and have lived in many places since then: Nishinomiya, Kyoto, Nara, Mie, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Fukuoka and Fukui. I am currently living in Yokohama City. All the places I lived, all the places I visited, I have loved dearly. The histor...