Clever architecture and yummy bread at Kiragawa

Kiragawa is one of several retro towns in Kochi that I absolutely adore. While every town has a different charm, I think Kiragawa certainly stands out for its centuries-old, distinct and practical architecture

The first feature you might notice are the rows of roof tiles that line the white walls of homes and storehouses (kura). To me, the style makes the buildings look like they're dressed up in cute, frilly skirts and I'm here for it . Besides the iconic appearance though, the tiles serve as effective water-draining systems, which are essential for a place as prone to typhoons and heavy rain as Kochi’s wild eastern coast

Another way in which locals adapted to the rigorous weather is through the use of Tosa shikkui. It's the special white plaster that coats the buildings, made of tradtional lime and fermented straw fibers. The fermentation process is important because it removes the need to add glue (a typical ingredient for plaster), which makes the material much more water-resistant. Although Tosa shikkui was invented in Kochi during the Edo Period (1603 - 1863), it has been adopted across Japan for its top-notch durability and beautiful finish

After admiring the history-rich architecture of Kiragawa, I walk over to Home Bakery Tokuya. I usually go for the iconic boshi pan (hat-shaped bread) but today, I purchase the cutest little raisin roll. Ultra fluffy and buttery with the toffee-like sweetness of brown sugar as well as plump raisins that add extra bursts of delight…I might be back tomorrow just for this bread

Kiragawa is about 1 hour and 40 minutes from Kochi City by car

Learn more about Kiragawa: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/see-and-do/10008