Kōchi Prefecture
Kōchi Prefecture
高知県 | |
|---|---|
| Japanese transcription(s) | |
| • Japanese | 高知県 |
| • Rōmaji | Kōchi-ken |
Shimanto River and Iwama Bridge, famous sights in Shimanto City, Kōchi Prefecture | |
| Anthem: Kōchi kenmin no uta | |
| Coordinates: 33°26′N 133°26′E / 33.433°N 133.433°E | |
| Country | Japan |
| Region | Shikoku |
| Island | Shikoku |
| Capital | Kōchi |
| Subdivisions | Districts: 6, Municipalities: 34 |
| Government | |
| • Governor | Seiji Hamada |
| Area | |
• Total | 7,103.93 km2 (2,742.84 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 18th |
| Population (February 1, 2025) | |
• Total | 652,459 |
| • Rank | 45th |
| • Density | 91.9/km2 (238/sq mi) |
| GDP | |
| • Total | JP¥ 2,465 billion US$ 22.6 billion (2019) |
| ISO 3166 code | JP-39 |
| Website | www |
| Symbols of Japan | |
| Bird | Fairy pitta (Pitta nympha) |
| Flower | Yamamomo (Myrica rubra) |
| Tree | Yanase Sugi (Cryptomeria japonica) |
Kōchi Prefecture (高知県, Kōchi-ken; Japanese pronunciation: [koꜜː.tɕi, koː.tɕi̥ꜜ.keɴ], locally [koː.tɕi]) is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Shikoku. Kōchi Prefecture has a population of 669,516 (1 April 2023) and has a geographic area of 7,103 km2 (2,742 sq mi). Kōchi Prefecture borders Ehime Prefecture to the northwest and Tokushima Prefecture to the northeast.
Kōchi is the capital and largest city of Kōchi Prefecture, with other major cities including Nankoku, Shimanto, and Kōnan. Kōchi Prefecture is located on Japan's Pacific coast surrounding a large bay in the south of Shikoku, with the southernmost point of the island located at Cape Ashizuri in Tosashimizu. Kōchi Prefecture is home to Kōchi Castle, considered the most intact Japanese castle, and the Shimanto River, one of the few undammed rivers in Japan.