A coastal view in the Susaki area of Kochi Prefecture

Hidden Japan Guide

Susaki Travel Guide: Bonito and the Coast in Kochi

11/07/2026

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A practical English guide to Susaki in Kochi: the bonito fishing port, the coast and access from Kochi city and Shimanto.

Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 07 November 2026).

Why visit

Susaki is a port town on the coast of central Kochi, on the sheltered side of Shikoku where the mountains drop to a bay. It is one of the great bonito ports of Japan, and the fishing industry still sets the rhythm of the town, with boats, markets and smokehouses.
The town is known for the bonito it lands and for the way it is eaten: seared over straw, sliced thick and served with salt or a light sauce. The port area has restaurants and shops that sell the fish, and the coast around the town has small beaches and views across the bay.
Susaki is on the Tosa Kuroshio line and the main road along the coast, between Kochi city and the Shimanto river, which makes it an easy stop on a tour of southern Shikoku.

Top places and highlights

A public library building in Susaki, Kochi — Photo: Andō, Hiroshige, 1797-1858, artist · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

The port town of Susaki in Kochi — Photo: Asturio Cantabrio · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Bonito port

A working fishing port with boats, markets and smokehouses.

Seared bonito

The local way of eating bonito, seared over straw and served with salt.

Coast and bay

Small beaches, headlands and views across the sheltered bay.

Old town streets

Quiet streets with shops and houses behind the port.

Food and drink

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Getting there and around

Where to stay

Best time to visit

Practical tips

The fish market is a working place; follow the rules for visitors.
Some restaurants close early or on irregular days.
Summer typhoons can disrupt trains and roads.

Suggested day-trip outline

Morning: train from Kochi city.
Late morning: the port and the market.
Lunch: seared bonito at a port restaurant.
Afternoon: the coast and the bay.
Late afternoon: a walk through the old streets.
Evening: dinner in town, or on to Shimanto.

Before you go

Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.

Explore More of Japan

Published guides that pair with this one:

Browse every Shikoku guide on this site for the rest of the region.

Sources

city.susaki.lg.jp (checked 2026-11-07)
visitkochijapan.com (checked 2026-11-07)