10/11/2025
Even though it rained on and off, the weather seemed to pause just when I wanted to enjoy the view — almost like it was cheering me on. I explored the breathtaking Ōboke & Koboke Gorges and the Iya Vine Bridge, surrounded by pure wilderness.
One of the most unique highlights of this trip was an ice cream shop specializing in… grilled eggplant! 🍆 Yes, you read that right. Alongside ginger and seaweed flavors, every scoop was surprisingly delicious. The grilled eggplant × ginger combo was perfectly balanced — like eating a real dish, but as ice cream. Kids would absolutely love it too. Inside the shop, there was even a cute display of a child’s research project on how the ice cream is made — such a heartwarming touch.
After leaving nature behind, I headed to Kōchi City. At the Sunday Market, I found the biggest sweet potato I’ve ever seen, then joined the famous line at Yairo-tei in Hirome Market for salt-seared bonito. The thick, tender slices were unbelievably fresh — truly the taste of Kōchi.
In the afternoon, I visited Ryūga Cave, one of Japan’s three great limestone caves. Honestly, I underestimated it. The cave stretches deep into the mountain — a 40-minute walk through otherworldly formations that felt like walking through Earth’s history itself. Outside, a small, slightly old-fashioned museum displayed stones, fossils, animals, and even bats — all fascinating in their own way.
By the time I returned to Kōchi City, the sun had set. I stopped by Katsurahama Beach to see the Pacific Ocean. Though it was pitch dark, the sound of the waves and the stars above created a moment of pure peace. Sometimes, doing nothing — just standing still — feels like the greatest luxury.
朝起きると、あいにくの雨。が、不思議と景色を見たい時には弱まってくれて、むしろちょうどいい旅日和。大歩危・小歩危、祖谷のかずら橋では雄大な自然の景色を堪能しました。
今回の旅のユニークな目玉のひとつは、「焼きなすアイス」のお店🍆生姜や青のり、酒かすなどもあり、どれも想像以上に美味しい。特に焼きなす×生姜のダブルソフトは、まるで本物の料理のような風味。なのに、ちゃんとアイスとして完成していて、マジで最高に美味い。店内には子どもが製造過程を観察して作った研究発表も展示されていて、これもまた微笑ましい。
午後は日本三大鍾乳洞の一つ「龍河洞」へ。正直、舐めてました。軽い気持ちで行ったら、奥深くまで続く40分の冒険。無数の鍾乳石が作るアートに、地球の歴史を感じました。外のレトロな博物館も、意外と見応えあり。
夕方、高知市に戻る途中でふと太平洋が見たくなり、桂浜へ。暗闇の中ライトに照らされる龍馬さんに挨拶し、砂浜へ。真っ暗な中、波の音と満天の星を眺めながら過ごす時間は、この上なく贅沢でした。たくさん見て食べた一日でしたが、「何もしない時間」こそ最高の締めくくり。