MANGA-RELATED TOURIST SITES
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There are many manga-related tourist sites in Kochi, including but not limited to the Anpanman Museum, dedicated to the iconic character Anpanman, and a museum filled with exhibits by world-renowned figurine maker Kaiyodo. Visitors can find statues of manga characters and monuments to Manga Koshien award-winning manga artworks while walking around the city.
Kochi is geographically wide from east to west, and tourist sites are scattered all over the prefecture, making it hard to see them all in a short time. It is recommended to visit them over several days by taking Anpanman Trains, Anpanman Buses and Hobby Trains to get around.
Please enjoy the tourist sites of Kochi while basking in its unique manga culture.
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Kaiyodo Hobby Museum Shimanto
This museum was established in the gymnasium of an elementary school that had been closed. It is located in a rural area, making it hard to reach, but the museum has a lot to offer. It is filled with exhibits, including valuable collections made and accumulated by Kaiyodo, such as character figurines and old plastic models.
Kaiyodo Kappa Museum
This first-in-the-world kappa museum is filled with 600 items featuring Japan’s mythical river creature that were selected from the award-winning art pieces submitted for the “Shimanto River Kappa Figure Contest.” The number of kappa creations made by chain saws continues to increase. The unique shape of the museum building, built using the trees and soil of Shimanto Town, is an attraction in its own right.
Stone Statue of Yusuke Aoyagi
A statue of the late Yusuke Aoyagi sketching while looking at a blue sky and the sea can be seen on Furusato Beach in Nakatosa-cho, Kure, where his manga “Tosa no Ippon Zuri” takes place.
Manga Shrine
The shrine is very impressive because of its colorful roofs. Many high school students who participate in Manga Koshien come here to pray for victory prior to the competition.
Address: Onomihashidani, Nakatosa-cho, Takaoka-gun, Kochi
Railroad Hobby Train
This JR train, outwardly designed to resemble the first-generation 0 series of Shinkansen bullet trains, runs between Uwajima Station, Ehime Prefecture, and Kubokawa Station, Kochi Prefecture. Many models of previous-generation bullet trains are displayed in showcases on the train.
See the URL below for train schedules and other information.
Kaiyodo Hobby Train
This train runs between Kubokawa Station, Kochi Prefecture, and Uwajima Station, Ehime Prefecture. The floor, curtains and seats of the train are all designed to invoke the world of dinosaurs. There is also a showcase on the train displaying many figurines.
See the URL below for train schedules and other information.
Yokoyama Memorial Manga Museum
Ryuichi Yokoyama was the first cartoonist to be recognized in Japan as a Person of Cultural Merit. His creations and their history, along with his personal collections, are displayed here in a playful spirit. “Fukuchan,” a character from Yokoyama’s masterpiece, greets visitors at the entrance.
Central District Manga Street
Many transformer boxes installed on Otesuji street, where Kochi’s famous Sunday Markets are held, are decorated with manga artwork created by six famous cartoonists from Kochi, including Taira Hara.
Manga Koushien Street
The street is located on the northeastern side of Kochi City Culture Plaza Cul-Port. Exhibits of award-winning manga creations are lined up along the street.
Anpanman Bench, Shokupanman Bench and Baikinman Bench
Stone benches with mini-statues of characters from Anpanman are placed at Kochi Tabi Hiroba Square at the South Exit of JR Kochi Station.
Statues of Anpanman, Dokinchan, Baikinman, Melonpannachan and Shokupanman
Visitors can enjoy the statues of Anpanman and his friends on both sides of the street from JR Kochi Station to Harimayabashi.
Statue of Anpanman
A statue of Anpanman is located in the play area of central park for children to enjoy.
Anpanman Trains and Anpanman Museum Promotional Streetcars
Kochi Prefecture is the home of Anpanman creator Takashi Yanase. There are 21 trains decorated with Anpanman characters in Shikoku, as well as Anpanman Museum Promotional streetcars running in Kochi Prefecture.
See the URL below for train schedules and other information.
Kami City Yanase Takashi Memorial Hall Anpanman Museum
This museum exhibits original drawings of Takashi Yanase, who is from Kami City, Kochi Prefecture. Both adults and children can enjoy the World of Anpanman exhibit at the museum, which realizes Yanase’s creativity imbued in the Anpanman series.
Birafu shopping street, Kahoku-cho, Kami City
Many statues of Anpanman characters can be found here, with the Anpanman Library located near the center of the street.
Yanase Takashi Road, Gomen-cho Shopping Street
The street is also called “the street that takes you back to your childhood.” Seven stone statues of Anpanman, Dokinchan, Baikinman and others greet passersby.
Address: Shotengai, Gomen-cho, Nankoku City
Gomen Ginger Jizo
Takashi Yanase designed the statue of a jizo guardian in the shape of ginger root. Carved on its base are words of encouragement by Yanase, “Happiness Times One Hundred”.
Anpanman Bus
Buses featuring Anpanman characters run between JR Tosayamada Station and the Anpanman Museum.
Anpanman Characters at Stations along the Gomen-Nahari Line
Images of characters drawn by Takashi Yanase welcome visitors at 20 stations between Gomen and Nahari. Trains decorated with the drawings also run on this line.
Anpanman Trains
Twenty-one train cars featuring drawings of Anpanman characters operate all across the island of Shikoku, where Kochi, the home of Takashi Yanase, is located.