Four nights in Kochi, Japan: how should you plan the garden and valley?
Keep a central Kochi base, visit the garden and coast on separate days, and hire a car for a day at Nikobuchi. For the valley bus, spend two nights in Kochi followed by two in Ino, separating the train journey and valley outing. Check closure dates before adding the paper museum on the day you move.
Choose an itinerary for 5 days / 4 nights
A: separate garden, coast, gorge and castle days
Spend four nights in Kochi to add a garden day. Visit Makino on day two, the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama on day three, Nikobuchi by car on day four and the castle on your final day.
A: separate garden, coast, gorge and castle days →5 days / 4 nightsB: two Ino nights and a gorge bus day
Spend two nights in Kochi followed by two in Ino to separate the move and valley outing. Move on day three, with an optional paper museum visit, then take the bus and walk to Nikobuchi on day four. Omit the museum during its closure.
B: two Ino nights and a gorge bus day →A: separate garden, coast, gorge and castle days
Spend four nights in Kochi to add a garden day. Visit Makino on day two, the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama on day three, Nikobuchi by car on day four and the castle on your final day.
Day one: city meal
Stay four nights in the same Kochi accommodation for separate garden, coast and Nikobuchi days. The garden and coast visits need MY-YU tickets for different dates; use a booked vehicle for the gorge.
- 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 can reach its entrance before last admission on arrival day, allowing for closures. Otherwise, omit the castle and keep the coast and valley on their planned dates.
Day two: Makino Botanical Garden
Explore Makino's greenhouse and exhibitions. The coast is planned for a different day, so buy a Godaisan day ticket for today.
- JR Kochi MY-YU boarding point → Makino Shokubutsuen Seimon-mae stop
Buy an adult JPY 1,000 Godaisan day ticket beforehand and check today's MY-YU boarding point and timetable. From JR Kochi Station, take MY-YU to Makino Shokubutsuen Seimon-mae, then walk to the main entrance. This ticket does not cover Katsurahama or travel on another date.
Bus and accessibility guidanceDated boarding-point change noticesApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page two
- Makino Botanical Garden main entrance → Conservatory and exhibitions
Enter through the main gate to explore the greenhouse and exhibitions. Check the visitor guide for meal and rest facilities. Standard adult admission is JPY 850, rising to JPY 1,700 for the orchid exhibition on 6–28 February 2027. Closed 27 December–1 January and on separate maintenance dates; reschedule or omit the visit then.
- Makino main-entrance bus stop → JR Kochi Station
After sightseeing and meals, walk back to the main-entrance stop and take a Kochi-bound MY-YU bus. Choose your return from the official timetable and allow walking time. Buy a separate Katsurahama day ticket for tomorrow's coast.
Bus and accessibility guidanceApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page twoDated boarding-point change notices
Day three: exhibitions and sea
Visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama with today's Katsurahama day ticket. Yesterday's Godaisan ticket does not cover this trip.
- 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 Katsurahama-bound MY-YU to Ryoma Kinenkan-mae. Compare morning services and the next bus in the official timetable for onward coastal travel after viewing.
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 four: Nikobuchi return drive
Visit Nikobuchi by car and return to Kochi.
- Kochi city → Marked Nikobuchi parking areas
The tourism guide lists about 70 minutes by car from Kochi to Nikobuchi. Allow extra time for collection, parking, walking and viewing. Set navigation to Green Park Hodono, as advised in the official guide, and follow the Nikobuchi parking signs. Check parking fees and availability for your date.
Nikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxisCurrent location, crowding and transport links
- Nikobuchi parking area → Gorge and the same parking area
Descend the trail from your parking area, allowing for slopes and steps. Do not enter the water or eat or drink in the gorge. Return by the same path and eat outside the gorge. Check access notices for your date; water colours vary with rain, light and water levels.
- Marked Nikobuchi parking areas → 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.
Nikobuchi driving, parking, trails and sightseeing taxisCurrent location, crowding and transport links
Day five: castle before departure
Visit the castle before leaving. Omit it if sightseeing and onward travel will not fit.
- 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 + Ryoma JPY 500/900 + standard garden JPY 850 + Godaisan ticket JPY 1,000 + 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. Hire, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking are extra. Nikobuchi's voluntary JPY 100 contribution is not included as a mandatory fee.
For the 6–28 February 2027 orchid exhibition, garden admission rises to JPY 1,700, making subtotals JPY 5,200 with regular Ryoma exhibitions or JPY 5,600 with special ones. Car costs are extra.
Current fees and closuresMuseum fees and exhibitionsGarden visiting and accessBus and accessibility guidanceJPY 100 voluntary contribution guidance
B: two Ino nights and a gorge bus day
Spend two nights in Kochi followed by two in Ino to separate the move and valley outing. Move on day three, with an optional paper museum visit, then take the bus and walk to Nikobuchi on day four. Omit the museum during its closure.
Day one: Kochi city
Stay two nights in Kochi, then two in Ino, separating the train journey and valley outing. The paper museum is optional on the moving day; omit it during its long closure.
- 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 can reach its entrance before last admission on arrival day, allowing for closures. Otherwise, omit the castle and keep the coast and valley on their planned dates.
Day two: Ryoma museum and Katsurahama
Visit the museum and coast, then return to Kochi. Move to Ino tomorrow.
- 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 Katsurahama-bound MY-YU to Ryoma Kinenkan-mae. Compare morning services and the next bus in the official timetable for onward coastal travel after viewing.
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: move to Ino, optional paper museum
Move by JR today. If the opening hours and your arrival time allow, choose the paper museum's Tosa washi exhibits.
- JR Kochi Station → JR Ino Station
Take a Dosan Line train from JR Kochi Station that stops at Ino. Check times and fares for your date with JR. Move to Ino today and take the Nikobuchi bus tomorrow.
- JR Ino Station → Ino Town Paper Museum
Official guidance gives a ten-minute walk from JR Ino to the museum's Tosa washi exhibits. Adult viewing alone costs JPY 500. Papermaking changes admission to JPY 400 plus JPY 500 activity, totalling JPY 900. Closed Mondays (or next day if a public holiday) and 27 December–4 January. Refurbishment closure is planned 16 November 2026–31 March 2027. Omit the museum then and reconsider whether two Ino nights suit your plans.
Museum fees, operation and JR Ino accessLong temporary closure notice
- Ino Town Paper Museum → Towards JR Ino and accommodation
After an optional museum visit, walk back towards Ino Station. Stay in Ino tonight and tomorrow night. Use your booked address to plan travel to accommodation, and check the route to tomorrow's valley bus stop. Accommodation transport is excluded from the subtotals.
Choose the paper museum only on open dates. Omit viewing during the 16 November 2026–31 March 2027 refurbishment closure.
Day four: Nikobuchi by bus and on foot
Take an Ino bus to Hodono-Iriguchi, walk to the gorge and retrace the route.
- Ino Station bus stop → Hodono-Iriguchi stop
Take a bus from Ino bound for Hodono-Iriguchi · 程野入口 or Nagasawa · 長沢 and get off at Hodono-Iriguchi. The adult fare is JPY 1,430 one way, or JPY 2,860 return. Compare outward and return services for your date before deciding how long to spend at the gorge.
October revised weekday tableWeekend/public-holiday tableCurrent linked fare table
- Hodono-Iriguchi stop → Nikobuchi trail and gorge
Walk about 2 km from the stop, around 30 minutes one way, then descend the trail's slopes and steps to view the water. The walk to and from Nikobuchi totals about 4 km. Do not eat or enter the water there. Work back from your chosen return bus, allowing for walking and waiting, to decide when to leave the gorge. Check trail access for your date.
Ino tourism bus guideCurrent location, crowding and transport links
- Nikobuchi and Hodono-Iriguchi stop → Ino Station bus stop
Retrace the route and take an Ino-bound bus. Distinguish weekday, weekend and public-holiday timetables so you do not choose a weekday-only return for a weekend.
October revised weekday tableWeekend/public-holiday tableReturn stop timetable
Include return walking and bus waits in the day. Check operator tables rather than choosing a weekday-only service as your weekend last bus.
Day five: return to Kochi and depart
Return from Ino to Kochi and depart. Add the castle only if onward travel leaves time.
- JR Ino Station → JR Kochi Station
Take a Kochi-bound train from JR Ino Station. Check its arrival time and your onward departure for the travel date. If the castle visit and city transport will not fit, omit the castle and continue to your departure point.
- 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 + Ryoma JPY 500/900 + MY-YU Katsurahama JPY 1,500 + return gorge buses JPY 2,860; optional paper museum extra
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. Return JR Kochi–Ino is extra. Nikobuchi's voluntary JPY 100 contribution is not included as a mandatory fee. Optional paper-museum viewing and activities cost extra.
Add JPY 500 for museum viewing, totalling JPY 5,860/6,260. Papermaking adds admission JPY 400 + activity JPY 500 = JPY 900, totalling JPY 6,260/6,660. Do not add fees on closure days. Return JR Kochi–Ino is extra.
Current fees and closuresMuseum fees and exhibitionsBus and accessibility guidanceCurrent linked fare tableMuseum fees, operation and JR Ino accessJPY 100 voluntary contribution guidanceLong temporary closure notice
Before departure, on the day and FAQs
Can I visit Ino Paper Museum on the gorge-bus day?
With two nights in Ino, visit the museum on the moving day and take the valley bus the next day. The museum is about a ten-minute walk from JR Ino Station; add it only if your train arrival allows viewing before the 17:00 closing time. It is scheduled to close for refurbishment from 16 November 2026 to 31 March 2027, so omit it then.
Museum fees, operation and JR Ino accessLong temporary closure notice
Can I use a Godaisan ticket for Katsurahama the next day?
The adult Godaisan day ticket costs JPY 1,000 and excludes the Katsurahama section. When visiting the garden and coast on different days, as in four-night option A, allow for a Godaisan ticket on the garden day and a separate JPY 1,500 Katsurahama day ticket on the coastal day.
Bus and accessibility guidanceApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page two
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 ·
- Ino tourism bus guide ·
- Current location, crowding and transport links ·
- JPY 100 voluntary contribution guidance ·
- October revised weekday table ·
- Weekend/public-holiday table ·
- Return stop timetable ·
- Current linked fare table ·
- Garden visiting and access ·
- Museum fees, operation and JR Ino access ·
- Long temporary closure notice ·
- 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 ·
- All Shikoku Rail Pass terms, 1 October 2026 ·