Kochi — Ryoma's Forgotten Oath
Uncover Sakamoto Ryoma's forgotten oath hidden in Katsurahama's shadows. Decipher clues at his memorials, statues, and secret sites to expose a revolutionary conspiracy that could rewrite Japan's history.
📱 1 to 10 phones · 1 team per phone · Independent codes
In 1867, visionary samurai Sakamoto Ryoma stood on Katsurahama Beach, gazing at the Pacific, and swore a secret oath to allies—a pledge that vanished with his assassination in Kyoto
Kochi — Ryoma's Forgotten Oath
You are a trusted samurai retainer of Sakamoto Ryoma, operating in Kochi during the turbulent Bakumatsu era of 1867, on a secret mission to uncover a forgotten oath
Immerse yourself in 19th-century Kochi, a city in full ferment where the samurai of the Tosa domain forged Japan's destiny.
The story that haunts this land
Your adventure in Kochi begins at the Otemon Gate of Kochi Castle, a Designated Important Cultural Property of Japan since 1952. This castle, built in 1603 by Yamauchi Kazutoyo, lord of the Tosa domain, after the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, is a unique testament to the Edo period. The main tower, 33.3 meters high, was rebuilt in 1747 after a devastating fire in 1727, while the Otemon Gate itself dates from 1749. By exploring this site, you grasp the extent of the power of the samurai who marked the history of Kochi.
Continue your visit to Kochi towards the birthplace of Sakamoto Ryoma, in the Kamimachi district, 1.1 km northeast of the castle. This is where Ryoma, a hero of the Meiji Restoration, was born on January 15, 1836. A commemorative monument was erected in 1975, and a small 200 m² garden was laid out in 1985, to honor his memory. Not far away, the Harimaya-bashi bridge, famous in Edo period Japanese poetry, welcomes you. Although rebuilt in 1947, it connects two historic merchant districts of Kochi and its vermilion red bridge has become a tourist symbol, crossing the Yoshii River.
Obiyamachi district, 600 meters from Kochi Castle, is a historic shopping street dating back to 1652. Its covered arcades, built in 1910 to protect against the tropical climate, still house some 80 traditional shops. This commercial center preserves Edo and Meiji era architecture, offering a glimpse into daily life in Kochi during Ryoma's time. The route then leads you to Tosa Shrine, located 1.2 km northwest of the castle. Founded in 554 CE and dedicated to Sumiyoshi Okami, a protective deity of travelers, this shrine was a place of pilgrimage for Tosa domain samurai during the Edo period, with main buildings rebuilt in 1668.
Your quest then leads you to Katsurahama Park, a coastal park created in 1931, 2.5 km south of the castle. Here stands the statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, erected in 1975 and 5.3 meters high, overlooking a black sand beach mentioned in 8th-century classical Japanese poetry. This panoramic viewpoint over the Pacific Ocean offers a unique perspective on the vast world Ryoma wished to open to Japan. The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum, opened in 1991 in the immediate vicinity, deepens your understanding of the Bakumatsu era.
Finally, Godaisan Park, a 22-hectare urban park created in 1907, awaits you 2 km northeast of the castle. From its 135-meter altitude, it offers a panoramic observation point over the city of Kochi and Urado Bay, with a botanical garden restored in 2010. This elevated perspective allows you to contemplate the entire city and the Kansai region, a territory rich in feudal Japan heritage. You carry with you the spirit of Sakamoto Ryoma and a deeper understanding of Kochi's history, from the Kansai monuments to the challenges of the end of the Tokugawa Shogunate.
How does it work?
Explore the city on foot solving puzzles based on real historical facts. No locked room — the city is your playground.
No app to download. Play directly from your browser. Guided step by step, at your own pace.
One purchase per phone is enough. Play with family, friends or as a couple — everyone participates.
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears and speaks to you in your language. Golden letters magically write themselves on the wall to reveal the puzzle answer.
Stuck? Progressive personalised hints. The character repeats the puzzle on demand — at your own pace.
French, English, German, Spanish, Italian + 27 other languages auto-translated by AI.
Want to go deeper?
Places tied to your adventure — optional entries, totally up to you · per person
The Route
5-10 curated sites across the territory
The gameplay: AR, camera, hidden clues
At each stop, open your phone camera: an augmented reality character appears on the façade and speaks your language. Hunt the clue — it materializes as golden letters on the real wall or floats in front of you. When you find it, the phone vibrates, an AR chest opens and reveals your answer fragment. 8 stops, 8 clues to find with the camera, 1 final code.
The stops on your route are a surprise. You'll discover them one by one, guided by your phone, starting from the meeting point.
How does it work with a group?
One phone = one team. Pick the number at checkout (1 to 10).
Solo, or a group sharing the screen. One team, one code.
Family, couple, or 2-3 teams competing. Each phone has its own code and its own score.
Friends, bachelor/bachelorette, small office outing — each their own code, each plays at their own pace. Tiered pricing then €6 flat per phone from the 6th.
- ✓All codes are independent — play at the same time OR separately, each team advances at its own pace.
- ✓Leaderboard between your teams + global game leaderboard — each score appears in the public ranking.
- ✓More than 10 phones or need a personalized quest? Discover custom tours.
Ready to live this adventure?
Get my code · 14,90€No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒 Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
Practical info
Why this route?
The Hidden Writings
Decipher the coded messages left by Ryoma to reveal his ultimate political will.
The Samurai Legacy
Explore the iconic places that shaped the destiny of Tosa's most famous samurai.
The Breath of Revolution
Feel the wind of change that swept across Japan and carried Sakamoto Ryoma's ideals.
Japan must open up to the world to reinvent itself.
Sakamoto Ryoma, the architect of the future
9 features nobody else has
OddballTrip combines gamified play, augmented reality and AI. All our competitors deliver 1 or 2 of these angles. We deliver all 5.
AR treasure chest
A golden chest floats in front of the monument. Tap → opening animation → reveals a secret message.
AR narrator character
Point your phone at the façade: a knight, witch, monk, sailor, detective or ghost appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language with their dedicated ElevenLabs voice (each character has their own unique voice) — your living guide.
Magic golden letters
At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's the puzzle answer. An unforgettable visual effect.
Written + audio narration
Every puzzle available as text AND voice-over: read at your own pace or listen eyes-free while walking. Great in groups and for accessibility.
360° radar + vibration
A mini-radar shows the target even behind you, and the phone vibrates when you aim in the right direction.
Heritage storytelling
Every puzzle weaves in real historical facts (architecture, era, anecdotes). You learn by playing — like a gamified audioguide.
Progressive AI hints
3 levels of AI-generated help: vibe → where to look → answer format. You're never stuck.
AR selfie memento
At the end of the game, capture a selfie with OddballTrip banner + mascot, shareable on Instagram, TikTok.
Zero app to install
PWA technology: open the link, it plays in your browser. Same quality as an app, no App Store hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Q01Do I need to download an app?
No, never. You get a link, you click, it plays in your browser. That's the point of a PWA: same as an app, without the hassle.
Q02Does it work offline?
GPS yes (handled by your phone). Maps yes (tiles cached). AI and hints need an intermittent 4G connection.
Q03How long does a game take?
1 h 30 to 2 h 30 depending on your pace. The timer runs but only for the leaderboard — you play at your own tempo.
Q04What happens if I'm stuck?
You get 3 levels of hints per puzzle (increasing penalty). If truly stuck, you can skip the step (45-min penalty but you keep going).
Q05What's the age range?
From 12 without an adult, from 6 with an adult reading puzzles. Works for families, couples, friend groups, companies.
Q06What if my city isn't in the catalogue?
Pre-register or contact us — we'll email you as soon as your city is live.
Q07What is augmented reality exactly?
Point your phone at the façade: a historical character appears full-screen and speaks to you in your language. At the puzzle climax, golden letters magically write themselves on the real wall — that's your answer. After each puzzle solved, a treasure chest floats in front of you. Seeing is believing.
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Your turn to play
Immerse yourself in 19th-century Kochi, a city in full ferment where the samurai of the Tosa domain forged Japan's destiny.
1 purchase = 1 phone. Play several on the same device.
No calendar booking. Code sent immediately by email.
🔒Secure payment · Code in 5 min · Free cancellation
🪙+24 TripCoins granted with your booking
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