Tosa City and Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture

A Spring Drive on the Yokonami Kuroshio Line The chill made me close my eyes before I looked out to sea

I’m heading for a drive along the ridge of Yokonami Peninsula, between Tosa City and Susaki City. In the sunshine around midday in early April, I stopped to enjoy ice cream with a view of the Pacific. It’s a story of a spring drive with an unhurried snack stop along the way.

I paused by the spring sea in my mint-green cardigan. After savoring the round scoop of ice cream I’d brought along, I was looking forward to the rest of the road.

At a car park along the springtime Yokonami Kuroshio Line, the heroine, wearing a mint-green cardigan and blue jeans, smiles with her eyes closed, holding a cone of pale blue-green ice cream in both hands. Green railings and a retaining wall stand beside the road, with the Pacific visible beyond a bend.

SpringEarly April, midday

One cold bite made my seaside stop last longer

The Yokonami Kuroshio Line is an 18.8 km road running along the peninsula’s ridge. I’d heard you can see both the Pacific and Uranouchi Bay from the route, so I chose it for today’s drive. Around midday in early April, I took the ice cream I’d brought along out of its insulated bag and stopped for a rest at the edge of the car park. There were trees and the road in front of me, with the Pacific beyond. I’d planned to take in the sea before eating, but the round scoop I was holding distracted me, so I gave in and took a bite first.

It had a little icy crunch and was colder than I expected. Holding the cone in both hands, I shut my eyes for just a moment. Instead of a rich, heavy creaminess, it left a light sweetness. When I opened my eyes again, the sea I’d been watching looked brighter too. On a spring day, taking my time with something cold felt just right.

I could see the sea through the trees beyond the road. I hadn’t gone up to any big lookout point, but spotting the horizon still made me happy. Beside the green railing, I watched the light glinting on the water.

The sea I’m looking at from here is on the peninsula’s outer coast. I’m already looking forward to the rest of the drive, thinking about finding another place to see Uranouchi Bay on the other side of the peninsula.

I tugged at the sleeve of my mint-green cardigan, then took another small bite. I loved the way it dissolved on my tongue and the gentle crunch of the cone. I’m glad I chose a Kochi specialty. What was meant to be a stop to look at the sea turned into a much slower snack break. I found myself wanting to stay here a little longer instead of rushing to finish it.

After I finished the ice cream, I looked out at the sea beyond the road once more. Today I got to enjoy both a springtime drive across the peninsula and a cold treat along the way. Next time, I’d love to see Uranouchi Bay too. With that sweet taste still on my tongue, I set off again, looking forward to the rest of the road. This little stop might make the whole drive stay with me a little longer.

The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.

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Tosa City and Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture · Spring

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Local specialty

Aisukurin (Kochi-style ice cream)

Aisukurin is a Kochi specialty, with a crisp, icy texture and a light sweetness. It’s also featured in a guide to food in Usa. I brought some along as a treat for my stop by the sea. Taking small bites gave me time to enjoy the view, too.

Highlights

A road along the peninsula ridge

This driving route follows the ridge of Yokonami Peninsula from Tosa City to Susaki City. You can enjoy the winding coastline, the open sea, and views of the bay along the way.

See the outer sea and inner bay on separate stops

The Pacific is on the peninsula’s outer coast, and Uranouchi Bay on the inner side. It makes me want to keep driving and enjoy each view from its own stop instead of trying to take them all in from one place.

Yokonami Peninsula Driving Route

Yokonami Kuroshio Line

Route Length: 18.8km
Driving Time from Susaki-Higashi Interchange: About 10 minutes

The road runs along the peninsula’s ridge, connecting Tosa City and Susaki City. Pick a stop along the way and enjoy the views of the open sea and the bay.

The total route length comes from Kochi Prefecture Tourism’s route guide, and the drive time from Susaki-Higashi Interchange is approximate. I’d like to leave time for both the sea views and a snack break, too.

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