Two nights in Kochi, Japan: the coast or the valley?
Take MY-YU to the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama on day two, or hire a car that day for Nikobuchi's blue waters. Both options visit Kochi Castle on the final day. Reaching the valley by bus requires a separate plan for the departure from Ino and the return service.
Choose an itinerary for 3 days / 2 nights
A: city sightseeing and a separate museum and coastal day
Spend two nights in Kochi, visiting the museum and coast on day two and the castle on your final day. Use arrival day for a market meal and city walks.
A: city sightseeing and a separate museum and coastal day →3 days / 2 nightsB: one hire-car day for Nikobuchi
Spend two nights in Kochi and drive to Nikobuchi on day two for valley scenery. Explore the city first and visit the castle last. Add car-hire costs separately from attraction admission.
B: one hire-car day for Nikobuchi →A: city sightseeing and a separate museum and coastal day
Spend two nights in Kochi, visiting the museum and coast on day two and the castle on your final day. Use arrival day for a market meal and city walks.
Day one: market meal and shopping-street walk
Visit the market and shopping streets first, the museum and coast on day two, and the castle last. Check that the final-day castle visit leaves enough time for departure.
- 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 food and accommodation–market transport are excluded. The castle is scheduled for day three; use today for market meals and shopping-street walks.
Day two: museum first
Visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama, then return to Kochi.
- 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
After exploring the coast, return from Katsurahama on a Kochi-bound MY-YU bus. Use the weekday or holiday timetable for your date. 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
Day three: castle before departure
Visit Kochi Castle's paid buildings before departure, allowing time for sightseeing and city transport.
- 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 → JR Kochi Station
After the castle, take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochijo-mae and change towards Kochi-Ekimae for JR Kochi. For more city time, you can walk down towards Obiyamachi or Ohashidori instead.
Included items: Castle JPY 500 + museum JPY 500/900 + 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.
Museum exhibitions change the subtotal. Check ticket conditions and visit dates before applying MY-YU discounts. These are standard admission prices before discounts.
Current fees and closuresMuseum fees and exhibitionsBus and accessibility guidance
B: one hire-car day for Nikobuchi
Spend two nights in Kochi and drive to Nikobuchi on day two for valley scenery. Explore the city first and visit the castle last. Add car-hire costs separately from attraction admission.
Day one: market meal and city walk
Hire a car for Nikobuchi during this two-night stay. The itinerary excludes the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama. Without a car, check bus or sightseeing-taxi services, reservations and return arrangements separately.
- 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. If the final-day castle visit does not fit, check whether you could reach its entrance before last admission on arrival day, allowing for closures. Otherwise, omit the castle and keep the valley outing.
Day two: drive to Nikobuchi
Spend today on a Nikobuchi car trip.
- Kochi city → Marked Nikobuchi parking areas
The tourism guide lists about 70 minutes by car from Kochi city to Nikobuchi. Allow extra time for car collection, parking and walking. Set navigation to Green Park Hodono and follow the local Nikobuchi parking signs. The guide lists five marked parking areas and overflow space; do not park on unmarked roadsides. Check travel time from your actual collection point, parking availability and fees for your date.
Nikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxisCurrent location, crowding and transport links
- Marked Nikobuchi parking areas → Gorge and the same parking area
Follow the trail down from your parking area. The initial slope and later low steps may be difficult in rain or poor ground conditions. Do not enter the water or eat or drink in the gorge. Return by the same route. The requested JPY 100 per person at the entrance is a voluntary environmental contribution.
Current location, crowding and transport linksJPY 100 voluntary contribution guidanceNikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxis
- Nikobuchi parking area → Kochi city
Eat outside the gorge, then drive back to Kochi. Return the hire car to the booked location before its deadline, following refuelling conditions. Omit the gorge if dated access restrictions prevent visiting. Bus travel requires separate connections from Ino and back.
Current location, crowding and transport linksJPY 100 voluntary contribution guidanceNikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxis
Day three: Kochi Castle before departure
Visit the castle before leaving if your departure time allows it.
- 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 → JR Kochi Station
After the castle, take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochijo-mae and change towards Kochi-Ekimae for JR Kochi. For more city time, you can walk down towards Obiyamachi or Ohashidori instead.
Included items: Kochi Castle JPY 500; car hire 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. Hire, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking are extra. Nikobuchi's voluntary JPY 100 contribution is not included as a mandatory fee.
JPY 500 covers castle admission only. Add the cost of the return drive according to your car-hire terms.
Current fees and closuresJPY 100 voluntary contribution guidance
Before departure, on the day and FAQs
Does the JPY 500 Nikobuchi driving itinerary include car hire?
JPY 500 covers Kochi Castle admission only. Car hire, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking cost extra. Nikobuchi's requested JPY 100 contribution is not a compulsory admission fee. Without a car, check the valley bus from Ino and its return services separately.
Current fees and closuresJPY 100 voluntary contribution guidanceNikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxis
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 ·
- Nikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxis ·
- Current location, crowding and transport links ·
- JPY 100 voluntary contribution guidance ·
- October revised weekday table ·
- Weekend/public-holiday table ·
- April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page two ·
- Tram transfers ·
- JR operations ·
- 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 ·