Nakamura is part of Shimanto City which stands at the mouth of the great Shimanto River, Japan’s last undammed river. You can sail on the Shimanto River here, and enjoy the views from the castle.

In 1468, the aristocrat Norifusa Ichijō fled Kyōto with his family during the Ōnin War, settling in Nakamura. They established a stronghold and modelled Nakamura on Kyōto. Nakamura maintained itself as a small castle town until 1689, when a dispute with the Tokugawa authorities led to the dissolution of the fief. Thereafter, the region became an agricultural backwater, one reason why it’s so attractive today.

Kōchi is known for its excellent food, but Nakamura in particular is home to many izakaya restaurants of especially high quality and charm.