One night in Kochi, Japan: the castle or Ryoma exhibitions?
For Kochi Castle, visit the castle and market on day one, then Katsurahama on day two. If the Ryoma exhibitions appeal more, eat at the market on day one and combine the museum and coast on day two. Both options need enough time to return to Kochi and reach your departure service.
Choose an itinerary for 2 days / 1 night
A: castle, market and coast
Spend one night in Kochi, visiting the castle interior and market before Katsurahama the next day. Allow enough time after the return bus for your onward journey.
A: castle, market and coast →2 days / 1 nightB: focus on Ryoma exhibitions
Spend one night in Kochi and visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama together on day two. Explore the market and shopping streets first, leaving the next day for Ryoma's life, late Edo-period history and the coast.
B: focus on Ryoma exhibitions →A: castle, market and coast
Spend one night in Kochi, visiting the castle interior and market before Katsurahama the next day. Allow enough time after the return bus for your onward journey.
Day one: castle and market meal
Visit the castle and market today, then Katsurahama tomorrow. Choose this option if you can arrive before the castle's last admission and return from the coast in time for your day-two departure.
- Kochi-Ekimae tram stop → Kochijo-mae stop and castle park
Take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochi-Ekimae and change at Harimayabashi towards Ino. Alight at Kochijo-mae and walk to the park. For cash transfers, follow first-tram transfer-ticket conditions at designated stops. From Obiyamachi or Ohashidori, compare walking directly to the park.
- Kochi Castle park → Keep and Kaitokukan
Climb the park steps and buy admission at the keep and Kaitokukan entrance. The paid buildings open 09:00–17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Admission is JPY 500 for visitors aged 18 and over. Closed 26 December–1 January. Allow time for the walk and stairs from the tram stop.
Current fees and closuresKochi Castle ascent, stairs and slopes
- Kochi Castle park → Hirome Market
After the castle, descend towards Obiyamachi or Ohashidori and walk to Hirome Market. Allow this walk separately.
Market hours and closuresOfficial market shops and menusOfficial market access and stop walks
- Hirome Market entrance → Market shops and shared dining seats
Choose dishes from individual shops' menus and eat in the shared dining area. Shop hours differ from the market's overall hours. For a late arrival, check last orders at your chosen shop. On market closure days, choose another open city restaurant.
Official market shops and menusKochi tourism station walk, shared dining and closuresMarket hours and closures
- Hirome Market → Obiyamachi shopping street
For more walking after eating, explore Obiyamachi. Plan your accommodation return using the market's official access map and your address together.
Day two: Katsurahama before departure
See Katsurahama's sea, then return to Kochi before departure.
- JR Kochi Station → Kochi Tabihiroba MY-YU boarding point
Go to the MY-YU stop at Kochi Tabihiroba, south of JR Kochi Station. Events may change the boarding point, so check official notices for your date. Before boarding, buy an adult JPY 1,500 Katsurahama day ticket at a sales outlet or on your mobile. General seats cannot be reserved or allocated. If the bus is full, adjust your visits and return plans around the next service.
Dated boarding-point change noticesBus and accessibility guidance
- JR Kochi MY-YU boarding point → Katsurahama stop and park
Take a Katsurahama-bound MY-YU bus to the terminus and walk into the park. Enjoy the sea views, checking hours for meals and shops. Park entry is free; paid attractions such as the aquarium cost extra. Swimming is prohibited.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page twoBus and accessibility guidancePark operationDated boarding-point change notices
- Katsurahama park and stop → JR Kochi Station
Return to Katsurahama stop and take a Kochi Station-bound MY-YU bus. Check its arrival time and leave enough time for airport or intercity travel. The last return on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays reaches the north bus terminal, rather than the south-side boarding point.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page twoBus and accessibility guidancePark operationDated boarding-point change notices
Leave airport or intercity travel time after returning to Kochi. If you have too little time, omit today's coastal round trip.
Included items: Kochi Castle JPY 500 + MY-YU Katsurahama ticket JPY 1,500
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, airport or intercity travel, travel between accommodation and boarding points, luggage storage, city trams outside the MY-YU day and optional paid facilities are extra.
Day-one castle admission is standard price. Day-two MY-YU facility discounts do not apply to yesterday's castle visit.
B: focus on Ryoma exhibitions
Spend one night in Kochi and visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama together on day two. Explore the market and shopping streets first, leaving the next day for Ryoma's life, late Edo-period history and the coast.
Day one: market meal and shopping-street walk
Eat at the market today, then visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama tomorrow. This option excludes the castle keep. If you depart early on day two, compare a city itinerary instead of a coastal return trip.
- JR Kochi Station → Hirome Market entrance
The tourism guide lists the walk from JR Kochi Station to Hirome Market as about 15 minutes. By tram, get off at Ohashidori and walk about two to three minutes. The market's official map also shows access from Obiyamachi and Ohashidori.
Official market access and stop walksKochi tourism station walk, shared dining and closures
- Hirome Market entrance → Market shops and shared dining seats
Choose dishes from individual shops' menus and eat in the shared dining area. Shop hours differ from the market's overall hours. For a late arrival, check last orders at your chosen shop. On market closure days, choose another open city restaurant.
Official market shops and menusKochi tourism station walk, shared dining and closuresMarket hours and closures
- Hirome Market → Obiyamachi shopping street
For more walking after eating, explore Obiyamachi. Plan your accommodation return using the market's official access map and your address together.
Day-one meals and transport between accommodation and the market cost extra. Tomorrow's MY-YU ticket does not cover today's city transport. The castle keep is excluded.
Day two: museum and coast before departure
Visit the museum first, then Katsurahama on the same bus ticket.
- JR Kochi Station → Kochi Tabihiroba MY-YU boarding point
Board MY-YU at Kochi Tabihiroba, south of JR Kochi Station. Buy an adult JPY 1,500 Katsurahama day ticket beforehand and check today's boarding point and services. General seats are unreserved; if the bus is full, adjust your sightseeing and return plans around the next service.
Bus and accessibility guidanceDated boarding-point change notices
- Kochi Station MY-YU boarding point → Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop
Take a Katsurahama-bound MY-YU bus and get off at Ryoma Kinenkan-mae. A morning museum visit helps leave time for the coast afterwards. Choose services from the official weekday or holiday timetable for your date.
Bus and accessibility guidanceApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page twoDated boarding-point change notices
- Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
Walk uphill from the stop and allow about 90 minutes inside. Adult admission is JPY 500 or JPY 900, depending on the day's exhibition. Allow time for walking, viewing and meals in addition to bus travel.
- Ryoma museum and Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Katsurahama Park
After the museum, return to Ryoma Kinenkan-mae and take MY-YU towards Katsurahama. The museum and beach have different entrances; allow separate time for viewing and walking to the stop. Coastal park entry is free and swimming is prohibited.
- Katsurahama stop → JR Kochi Station
Take a Kochi-bound MY-YU bus from Katsurahama. Check its station arrival time and allow enough time for your onward departure. The last service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays reaches the north bus terminal, rather than the south-side boarding point.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page twoBus and accessibility guidance
Allow museum-to-stop walking and coastal time together, plus onward travel after returning to Kochi.
Included items: Ryoma museum JPY 500 or JPY 900 + MY-YU Katsurahama ticket JPY 1,500; Kochi Castle excluded
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, airport or intercity travel, travel between accommodation and boarding points, luggage storage, city trams outside the MY-YU day and optional paid facilities are extra.
Museum admission depends on the exhibition on your date. Apply MY-YU or partner discounts only when you meet the conditions. These subtotals use standard admission before discounts.
Before departure, on the day and FAQs
Can I reserve a MY-YU bus seat?
General seats cannot be reserved or allocated. A ticket does not guarantee boarding if the bus is full, so check the next service alongside your sightseeing and return plans. Wheelchair travel needs a separate reservation by 17:00 the previous day and confirmation of vehicle and stop conditions.
Does the return MY-YU bus also arrive south of Kochi Station?
The last MY-YU departure from Katsurahama on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays arrives at Kochi Station's north bus terminal. The usual departure point is Kochi Tabihiroba on the south side, but return services do not all arrive there. Check the arrival location in the official timetable if connecting to another service.
Official sources and check dates
- Dated boarding-point change notices ·
- Current fees and closures ·
- Check tram routes ·
- Market hours and closures ·
- Park operation ·
- Museum fees and exhibitions ·
- Bus and accessibility guidance ·
- April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page two ·
- Tram transfers ·
- Official market access and stop walks ·
- Official market shops and menus ·
- Kochi tourism station walk, shared dining and closures ·
- Kochi Castle ascent, stairs and slopes ·