Shimanto City
Today’s Shimanto City is a modern municipality, created by amalgamating a wide swathe of agricultural and mountainous land with the historical town of Nakamura, which was dominated by the Ichijo clan. In 1468, the aristocrat Norifusa Ichijō fled Kyoto 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. A modern reconstruction of the castle overlooks the town and river.
The area is known for its izakaya food culture. The excellent fresh fish and vegetables of the region are prepared and served as the perfect accompaniment of local sake in intimate eateries where visitors from far afield are treated as great friends.
Information
Name in Japanese: 四万十市
Pronunciation: shee-manto-shee
Address: Shimanto City, Kōchi
