Kochi in three nights and four days: Stay in Kochi or spend a night in Ino?
Keep your Kochi city base for separate coast and valley days. For one night in Ino, spend two nights in Kochi before moving and taking the valley bus. This route connects JR and the bus on moving day. For a less hurried move, compare the four-night/five-day route with two nights in Ino.
Choose a 4 days, 3 nights itinerary
A — City, coast and valley on separate days
Stay three nights at one Kochi property to give the coast and valley separate days. Visit the Ryoma memorial museum and Katsurahama on day two, Nikobuchi by rental car on day three, and the castle on the final day.
A — City, coast and valley on separate days →4 days, 3 nightsB — One night in Ino
For Nikobuchi without a car, spend two nights in Kochi followed by one in Ino. Move to Ino the day after the coast and take the valley bus, choosing this option only when an early JR train connects with it.
B — One night in Ino →A — City, coast and valley on separate days
Stay three nights at one Kochi property to give the coast and valley separate days. Visit the Ryoma memorial museum and Katsurahama on day two, Nikobuchi by rental car on day three, and the castle on the final day.
Day 1 · City meal
Stay three nights in Kochi, using buses for the museum and coast on day two and a vehicle for Nikobuchi on day three. Include the final-day castle visit only if your departure leaves enough time.
- JR Kochi Station → Hirome Market entrance
The tourism association gives a walk of about 15 minutes from JR Kochi Station to Hirome Market. By tram, get off at Ohashidori and walk about 2–3 minutes. Use the market’s official map for direct access from Obiyamachi or Ohashidori.
Official market access and walk from tram stopKochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closures
- Hirome Market entrance → Market stalls and communal dining area
Check stall menus and prices, order your food and eat in the communal dining area. Market-wide hours differ from individual stall hours. If arriving late, check your chosen stall’s last-order time. On market or stall closure days, choose another open restaurant in the city.
Official market stalls and menusKochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closuresMarket hours and closures
- Hirome Market → Obiyamachi shopping street
Explore Obiyamachi shopping street if you want another walk after eating. Use the market’s official access map and your accommodation address to plan the return.
Day-one food and transport between accommodation and market are excluded from the subtotal. If the castle will not fit on the final day, compare admission deadlines and closures with your actual arrival at its entrance to see whether it can move to day one. If timing does not work, omit the castle and keep the coast and valley days.
Day 2 · Ryoma memorial museum and coast
Visit the museum first, then continue to the coast. Leave time to walk back to the bus stop after your visit.
- JR Kochi Station → MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Tabihiroba
Board the MY Yu Bus inside Kochi Tabihiroba south of JR Kochi Station. Buy the ¥1,500 adult Katsurahama one-day ticket before boarding and check the day’s boarding location and services in official guidance. Regular seats are not reserved. If the bus is full, adjust your visits and return around the next service.
- MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Station → Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop
Take a Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus and get off at Ryoma Kinenkan-mae. Check both a morning departure and the following bus in the official timetable so you can continue to the coast after the museum.
Bus and accessibility guideApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2Boarding changes by date
- Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
Walk uphill from the stop to the museum and allow about 90 minutes for the exhibits. Adult admission is ¥500 or ¥900 depending on the exhibition that day. Walking to the museum, visiting and meals take time in addition to the bus journey.
- Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum and Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Katsurahama Park
After the museum, return to Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop and take a Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus. The museum and beach do not share an entrance, so allow separately for the visit and walk back to the stop. Coastal park entry is free and swimming is prohibited.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2Park visitor information
- Katsurahama stop → JR Kochi Station
After the coast, take a Kochi Station-bound MY Yu Bus from Katsurahama stop. Choose the return from the official weekday or holiday timetable. The final service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays arrives at the north-side bus terminal, separate from the south-side boarding point.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2Bus and accessibility guide
Day 3 · Nikobuchi by vehicle
Visit the valley by vehicle, then return to Kochi.
- Kochi City → Marked parking spaces at Nikobuchi
The tourism council gives a drive of about 70 minutes from Kochi City to Nikobuchi. Allow separately for vehicle pickup, parking, the trail walk and the visit. Set your navigation towards Green Park Hodono as instructed in the official guide, then follow Nikobuchi parking signs to marked spaces. Check on-site parking fees and availability for your visit date.
Nikobuchi car, parking, trail and sightseeing-taxi guideCurrent location, crowd and transport links
- Nikobuchi parking area → Valley and the same parking area
From your parking area, follow the sloping trail and steps down to the valley. Do not enter the water or eat or drink there. Retrace the path to your parking area and eat outside the valley. Check access for your travel date and bear in mind that rain, light and water levels affect the water’s colour.
- Marked parking spaces at Nikobuchi → Kochi City
Eat outside the valley, then drive back to Kochi City. Return your rental car to the booked branch by its deadline and follow the fuel conditions. Omit the valley if access restrictions prevent the visit that day. Switching to buses requires separately matching departures from Ino Station and return connections.
Nikobuchi car, parking, trail and sightseeing-taxi guideCurrent location, crowd and transport links
Day 4 · Kochi Castle and departure
This option visits the castle’s paid buildings before departure. Include it only if sightseeing and onward travel leave enough time.
- Kochi-Ekimae tram stop → Kochijo-mae stop and Kochi Castle Park
Take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochi-Ekimae, then change at Harimayabashi for an Ino-bound tram. Get off at Kochijo-mae and walk to the castle park. When changing with cash tickets, follow the first tram’s transfer-ticket conditions at the designated stop. From Obiyamachi or Ohashidori, compare walking directly to the park.
- Kochi Castle Park → Castle keep and Kaitokukan
Climb the park’s steps and buy your ticket at the keep and Kaitokukan entrance. These paid buildings open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m.; admission is ¥500 for ages 18 and older. Closed December 26–January 1. Allow time to walk from the stop and climb the steps to the entrance.
Current prices and closuresKochi Castle approach, steps and slopes
- Kochi Castle → JR Kochi Station
After the castle, take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochijo-mae. Change at Harimayabashi for Kochi-Ekimae and return to JR Kochi Station. If staying longer in the city, you can also walk down towards Obiyamachi and Ohashidori.
Included items: Kochi Castle ¥500 + museum ¥500/900 + MY Yu Katsurahama ticket ¥1,500
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, airport or onward travel, journeys between accommodation and boarding points, luggage storage, city trams outside the MY Yu ticket day and optional paid facilities cost extra. Car rental, insurance, fuel, tolls and parking also cost separately. Nikobuchi’s ¥100 request is voluntary and excluded from mandatory fees.
The subtotal varies with the museum exhibition and excludes vehicle costs. Nikobuchi’s ¥100 request is a voluntary contribution towards environmental conservation.
Current prices and closuresMuseum prices and exhibitionsBus and accessibility guide¥100 contribution guidance
B — One night in Ino
For Nikobuchi without a car, spend two nights in Kochi followed by one in Ino. Move to Ino the day after the coast and take the valley bus, choosing this option only when an early JR train connects with it.
Day 1 · Kochi city
Spend two nights in Kochi, then move to Ino for one night. Visiting the valley on moving day requires an early JR train and connecting bus. For a less hurried move, compare two nights in Ino with these days separated.
- JR Kochi Station → Hirome Market entrance
The tourism association gives a walk of about 15 minutes from JR Kochi Station to Hirome Market. By tram, get off at Ohashidori and walk about 2–3 minutes. Use the market’s official map for direct access from Obiyamachi or Ohashidori.
Official market access and walk from tram stopKochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closures
- Hirome Market entrance → Market stalls and communal dining area
Check stall menus and prices, order your food and eat in the communal dining area. Market-wide hours differ from individual stall hours. If arriving late, check your chosen stall’s last-order time. On market or stall closure days, choose another open restaurant in the city.
Official market stalls and menusKochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closuresMarket hours and closures
- Hirome Market → Obiyamachi shopping street
Explore Obiyamachi shopping street if you want another walk after eating. Use the market’s official access map and your accommodation address to plan the return.
Day-one food and transport between accommodation and market are excluded from the subtotal. If the castle will not fit on the final day, compare admission deadlines and closures with your actual arrival at its entrance to see whether it can move to day one. If timing does not work, omit the castle and keep the coast and valley days.
Day 2 · Museum to coast
Visit the museum and coast, then return to Kochi. The move to Ino is tomorrow.
- JR Kochi Station → MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Tabihiroba
Board the MY Yu Bus inside Kochi Tabihiroba south of JR Kochi Station. Buy the ¥1,500 adult Katsurahama one-day ticket before boarding and check the day’s boarding location and services in official guidance. Regular seats are not reserved. If the bus is full, adjust your visits and return around the next service.
- MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Station → Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop
Take a Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus and get off at Ryoma Kinenkan-mae. Check both a morning departure and the following bus in the official timetable so you can continue to the coast after the museum.
Bus and accessibility guideApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2Boarding changes by date
- Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
Walk uphill from the stop to the museum and allow about 90 minutes for the exhibits. Adult admission is ¥500 or ¥900 depending on the exhibition that day. Walking to the museum, visiting and meals take time in addition to the bus journey.
- Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum and Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Katsurahama Park
After the museum, return to Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop and take a Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus. The museum and beach do not share an entrance, so allow separately for the visit and walk back to the stop. Coastal park entry is free and swimming is prohibited.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2Park visitor information
- Katsurahama stop → JR Kochi Station
After the coast, take a Kochi Station-bound MY Yu Bus from Katsurahama stop. Choose the return from the official weekday or holiday timetable. The final service on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays arrives at the north-side bus terminal, separate from the south-side boarding point.
April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2Bus and accessibility guide
Day 3 · Move to Ino and take the bus to Nikobuchi
Move to Ino by JR, then visit the valley by bus and on foot. If the train and valley bus are difficult to connect, separate the days as in the two-night Ino option.
- JR Kochi Station → JR Ino Station
From JR Kochi Station, take a Dosan Line train stopping at Ino. To visit the valley on moving day, compare JR times for your date with the weekday or holiday bus timetable and choose an early train that connects with the valley bus.
Check JR servicesJR Kochi Station departure timetable, revised March 14, 2026
- Ino Station bus stop → Hodono Iriguchi bus stop
From Ino Station bus stop, take a bus towards Hodono Iriguchi (程野入口) or Nagasawa (長沢) and get off at Hodono Iriguchi. Adult fares are ¥1,430 one-way or ¥2,860 return. First check both your outward departure and Ino-bound return in the operator’s timetable for your travel date.
Ino tourism association bus guideOctober-revised weekday timetableWeekend and public-holiday timetableCurrent linked fare table
- Hodono Iriguchi bus stop → Nikobuchi
Allow about 30 minutes to walk roughly 2 km from Hodono Iriguchi stop to Nikobuchi. The trail down to the valley has slopes and steps. Do not enter the water or eat or drink in the valley. Leave time for the return walk and bus wait.
Ino tourism association bus guideNikobuchi car, parking, trail and sightseeing-taxi guide
- Nikobuchi → The same Hodono Iriguchi bus stop
Retrace the path to Hodono Iriguchi stop. The tourism association also estimates about 30 minutes for the return walk. Consider path conditions and your walking pace, arrive before your chosen bus departs and check the Ino-bound boarding location.
Ino tourism association bus guideReturn timetable at the stop
- Hodono Iriguchi bus stop → Ino Station bus stop
Take an Ino-bound bus from Hodono Iriguchi and get off at Ino Station. Choose the return from the operator’s weekday or Saturday/Sunday/public-holiday timetable. The ¥2,860 return fare covers two buses between Ino Station and Hodono Iriguchi, excluding accommodation access.
October-revised weekday timetableWeekend and public-holiday timetableReturn timetable at the stopCurrent linked fare table
After arriving in Ino, leave time to reach the valley bus stop. If leaving bags at your accommodation, confirm storage availability and allow time for the stop there. If train and bus connections do not work, omit the valley that day or compare the four-night/five-day B route, which separates moving day from valley day.
Day 4 · Return to Kochi and visit the castle
Return from Ino to Kochi before leaving. Check whether your train arrival leaves time for the castle.
- JR Ino Station → JR Kochi Station
Take a Kochi-bound train from JR Ino Station. Check the timetable for your date for arrival at Kochi Station and time before your onward departure. If there is too little time for the castle and city travel, skip the castle and head towards your departure.
- Kochi-Ekimae tram stop → Kochijo-mae stop and Kochi Castle Park
Take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochi-Ekimae, then change at Harimayabashi for an Ino-bound tram. Get off at Kochijo-mae and walk to the castle park. When changing with cash tickets, follow the first tram’s transfer-ticket conditions at the designated stop. From Obiyamachi or Ohashidori, compare walking directly to the park.
- Kochi Castle Park → Castle keep and Kaitokukan
Climb the park’s steps and buy your ticket at the keep and Kaitokukan entrance. These paid buildings open 9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m.; admission is ¥500 for ages 18 and older. Closed December 26–January 1. Allow time to walk from the stop and climb the steps to the entrance.
Current prices and closuresKochi Castle approach, steps and slopes
- Kochi Castle → JR Kochi Station
After the castle, take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochijo-mae. Change at Harimayabashi for Kochi-Ekimae and return to JR Kochi Station. If staying longer in the city, you can also walk down towards Obiyamachi and Ohashidori.
Included items: Castle ¥500 + museum ¥500/900 + MY Yu Katsurahama ticket ¥1,500 + return valley buses ¥2,860
Extra costs: Flights, accommodation, meals, airport or onward travel, journeys between accommodation and boarding points, luggage storage, city trams outside the MY Yu ticket day and optional paid facilities cost extra. Return JR travel between Kochi and Ino is extra. Nikobuchi’s ¥100 request is voluntary and excluded from mandatory fees.
Return JR travel between Kochi and Ino is excluded from the subtotal. If visiting the valley by vehicle instead of bus, subtract the ¥2,860 return bus fare and add your actual vehicle contract costs.
Current prices and closuresMuseum prices and exhibitionsBus and accessibility guideCurrent linked fare table¥100 contribution guidance
Checks before departure and on the day, plus FAQs
Can I visit Nikobuchi on the day I move to Ino?
Yes, if an early JR train reaches Ino in time for the valley bus. Compare your date’s train times with weekday or holiday bus services. If the connection does not work, omit the valley that day or compare the four-night/five-day B route, which separates moving day from valley day.
Check JR servicesOctober-revised weekday timetableWeekend and public-holiday timetableJR Kochi Station departure timetable, revised March 14, 2026
Official sources and check dates
- Boarding changes by date ·
- Current prices and closures ·
- Check tram routes ·
- Market hours and closures ·
- Park visitor information ·
- Museum prices and exhibitions ·
- Bus and accessibility guide ·
- Nikobuchi car, parking, trail and sightseeing-taxi guide ·
- Ino tourism association bus guide ·
- Current location, crowd and transport links ·
- ¥100 contribution guidance ·
- October-revised weekday timetable ·
- Weekend and public-holiday timetable ·
- Return timetable at the stop ·
- Current linked fare table ·
- April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2 ·
- Tram transfer guide ·
- Check JR services ·
- Official market access and walk from tram stop ·
- Official market stalls and menus ·
- Kochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closures ·
- Kochi Castle approach, steps and slopes ·
- All Shikoku Rail Pass terms, October 1, 2026 ·
- JR Kochi Station departure timetable, revised March 14, 2026 ·