HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > A Starry-skied Mountain Getaway
Gaze at the stars above and the mountains below from atop Kochi’s karst-filled luxury retreat
Kochi Prefecture
The Shikoku Karst, a plateau dotted with dramatic limestone rock formations, is located high up in the mountains, ranging from 1,000 to 1,500 meters, along the border between Ehime and Kochi prefectures on the island of Shikoku. One of only three major karst landforms in Japan, it is best accessed via the winding Tenku no Michi road, which offers spectacular views for both drivers and cyclists, who come from all over Japan to experience the thrill of this scenic high-altitude ride.
Spending the night at the Hoshifuru Village Tengu resort is a great way to experience all the karst has to offer. The hotel’s 1,355-meter highland location allows you to savor your morning coffee while overlooking the beautiful terrain through the wide picture windows, before lacing up your hiking boots to take on the green trails (dotted with the occasional cow!) and wandering in the woods to experience some forest therapy. Bicycles rentals are available, so you can explore the jagged landscape at your convenience.
The biggest year-round attraction appears after sunset, when guests can enjoy stargazing under the clear, dark sky. If the evening is rainy (or you are only coming up for a day trip), you can still see the stars at the Hoshifuru Village planetarium, which offers four showings of the heavens every day.
How to get there
From Haneda Airport, fly to Kochi Ryoma Airport (about 1 hour and 30 minutes), then drive by car to Hoshifuru Village Tengu (about 2 hours).
4921-22 Yoshiuno-otsu, Tsuno-cho, Takaoka-gun, Kochi-ken
