Kochi attractions: Check prices and access
Explore historic castle buildings and city views at Kochi Castle, then eat at nearby Hirome Market. Combine Katsurahama’s coast and Ryoma exhibits in one day. For garden walks or Tosa washi exhibits, compare Makino Botanical Garden and Japanese Paper Museum in Ino. Nikobuchi requires about 4 km of walking there and back from the bus stop, so allow for walking and the return service.
Attraction prices and access
Kochi Castle
高知城
Explore Kochi Castle’s Edo-period keep and main enclosure palace, then look over the city from the keep. Visit both the keep and Kaitokukan for the historic interiors. A park walk is separate from paid building admission.
- AdmissionIndividual admission to the keep, Kaitokukan and other covered buildings is ¥500 for ages 18 and older. Under-18s enter free with proof of age. The combined ticket with Kochi Castle Museum of History is separate.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Closed December 26–January 1.
- Getting thereTake a southbound tram from Kochi-Ekimae to Harimayabashi, then change for an Ino-bound tram to Kochijo-mae. Walk through the castle park to the keep. The final section has steps; the tram stop is separate from the keep entrance.
- What to seeThe Edo-period keep and main enclosure palace survive, with views over Kochi City from the keep.
Current prices and closuresCheck tram routesTram transfer guideKochi Castle approach, steps and slopesKochi Castle historic buildings and keep views
Hirome Market
ひろめ市場
Choose food from several stalls at this market. Walk down towards Obiyamachi after the castle for a lunch or dinner stop.
- AdmissionOrder and pay at each stall. Prices differ between foods and stalls within the same market.
- HoursMarket hours are 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 9 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday. Individual stall hours differ, so check the official closure calendar and your chosen stall’s information together.
- Getting thereThe tourism association gives a walk of about 15 minutes from JR Kochi Station. From Ohashidori tram stop, the market’s official guide gives about 2 minutes and the tourism association about 3 minutes. These estimates exclude travel from your accommodation address and tram waits.
Official market stalls and menusKochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closuresMarket hours and closuresOfficial market access and walk from tram stop
Katsurahama Park
桂浜公園
Enjoy Katsurahama’s sea and coastal scenery. For Ryoma exhibits too, visit the memorial museum before the coast. Swimming is prohibited. Check separate prices and hours if visiting the aquarium.
- Visitor informationPark entry is free, with 24-hour access and no regular closing day. Shops, paid facilities and parking have separate operating hours.
- ParkingA regular passenger car costs ¥500 per entry per day, following the April 1, 2026 revision. Paid-entry hours are 8:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Distinguish facility fees per person from parking per vehicle in your budget.
- Getting thereFrom JR Kochi Station, take a regular Katsurahama-bound bus or MY Yu Bus to Katsurahama stop, then walk into the park. MY Yu runs via Godaisan and differs from the direct regular bus.
Park visitor informationOperator’s fare revision notice2026 access and parking pamphletBus and accessibility guideApril 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2
Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
高知県立坂本龍馬記念館
Visit the Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum for Ryoma’s life and late-Edo history. After the exhibits, continue to Katsurahama Beach by MY Yu Bus. Allow time to return to the stop and catch the next bus.
- AdmissionFor ages 18 and older, admission is ¥900 during special exhibitions or ¥500 at other times. High-school students and younger enter free. There is no separate lower permanent-exhibition-only rate during special exhibitions, so check the exhibition on your date.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Open year-round, though some galleries close during exhibition changes. The facility recommends about 90 minutes for the new and main buildings.
- Getting thereGet off the MY Yu Bus at Ryoma Kinenkan-mae and walk uphill. For wheelchair access, boarding/alighting arrangements and slopes differ by direction; consult official bus guidance and the museum.
Museum prices and exhibitionsRyoma memorial museum prices and visitor notices for the day2026 Ryoma memorial museum permanent-gallery closure noticeBus and accessibility guide
Nikobuchi
にこ淵
View the valley water known as Niyodo Blue at Nikobuchi. Its colour changes with light, rain and water conditions. Do not enter the water or eat in the valley.
- Hours and costsThere is an environmental conservation contribution box at the trail entrance. The tourism council requests a voluntary ¥100 per person, separate from mandatory admission fees. Check trail access, crowd notices and on-site guidance before visiting.
- By carThe official tourism council guide gives about 70 minutes from Kochi City. Waiting, parking and the walk to the valley take extra time. Set your navigation to Green Park Hodono as instructed, then look for Nikobuchi parking signs about 5 km before that destination. There are five marked parking areas and temporary spaces when full; do not park on unmarked roadsides. The new trail has slopes and low steps, so check access and surface conditions for your date. If unfamiliar with mountain driving, compare transport in the official sightseeing-taxi guide.
- By busFrom JR Ino Station, take a bus towards Hodono Iriguchi or Nagasawa and get off at Hodono Iriguchi. Walk about 2 km towards the valley. The adult one-way fare is ¥1,430; allow about 30 minutes for the one-way walk. First choose your Ino-bound return using the weekday or holiday timetable for your date.
Current location, crowd and transport links¥100 contribution guidanceNikobuchi car, parking, trail and sightseeing-taxi guideIno tourism association bus guideOctober-revised weekday timetableWeekend and public-holiday timetableCurrent linked fare table
The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
THE KOCHI PREFECTURAL MAKINO BOTANICAL GARDEN高知県立牧野植物園
Explore tropical plants and a waterside garden in Makino Botanical Garden’s greenhouse. The viewing deck lets you look down over palm leaves. Give the garden a different day from Katsurahama if you want time for its paths. The four-night/five-day A route gives the garden and coast separate days.
- AdmissionGeneral admission is ¥850; high-school students and younger enter free. During the orchid exhibition February 6–28, 2027, general admission is ¥1,700.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Closed December 27–January 1, plus separate maintenance dates including October 26 and November 30, 2026. Check the calendar for your visit date.
- Getting thereFrom JR Kochi Station, take MY Yu Bus to Makino Shokubutsuen Seimon-mae, outside the main gate, then walk into the garden. From the airport, change from the airport shuttle bus to MY Yu; the airport bus does not reach the main gate. Grounds include slopes, level changes and narrow sections.
- What to seeThe greenhouse has tropical plants and a waterside garden, with a viewing deck overlooking palm leaves.
Garden visitor and access guideBus and accessibility guideMakino Botanical Garden greenhouse and viewing deck
Japanese Paper Museum in Ino
INOTOWN PAPER MUSEUMいの町紙の博物館
Explore Tosa washi paper’s history and production through Japanese Paper Museum in Ino’s exhibits. Choose a separate activity if you want to make paper yourself. The museum can fit on your move to Ino, except during the planned temporary closure November 16, 2026–March 31, 2027.
- AdmissionRegular adult exhibition admission is ¥500. The papermaking activity costs a separate ¥500, with reduced ¥400 admission for participants: ¥900 altogether. Do not add the activity fee for an exhibition-only visit.
- Hours9 a.m.–5 p.m. Closed Mondays (the following day when Monday is a public holiday) and December 27–January 4. A temporary renovation closure is planned November 16, 2026–March 31, 2027; exclude the museum from Ino stays during this period.
- Getting thereThe official guide gives about a 10-minute walk from JR Ino Station. The Nikobuchi bus boarding point and museum entrance are separate locations, so distinguish them in your visiting sequence.
- What to seeExhibits cover Tosa washi’s history and uses, materials, production process and tools.
Museum prices, hours and access from JR Ino StationPapermaking activity and registration conditionsExtended temporary closure noticePaper Museum: Tosa washi history and production
Checks before departure and on the day, plus FAQs
Does the Ryoma memorial museum always cost ¥500?
No. For ages 18 and older, admission is ¥900 during special exhibitions or ¥500 otherwise. There is no separate lower permanent-exhibition-only rate during special exhibitions.
Can I reach Nikobuchi by bus?
From Ino Station, take a bus towards Hodono Iriguchi or Nagasawa, get off at Hodono Iriguchi and walk about 2 km. Walking there and back totals about 4 km, so plan valley time and the return bus together. Distinguish the operator’s timetables to avoid choosing a weekday-only service for a weekend return.
Ino tourism association bus guideOctober-revised weekday timetableWeekend and public-holiday timetableReturn timetable at the stop
Official sources and check dates
- Current prices and closures ·
- Check tram routes ·
- Market hours and closures ·
- Operator’s fare revision notice ·
- Park visitor information ·
- 2026 access and parking pamphlet ·
- 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 ·
- Garden visitor and access guide ·
- Museum prices, hours and access from JR Ino Station ·
- Extended temporary closure notice ·
- April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 2 ·
- Tram transfer guide ·
- Official market access and walk from tram stop ·
- Official market stalls and menus ·
- Kochi tourism association: Station walk, communal dining and closures ·
- Ryoma memorial museum prices and visitor notices for the day ·
- 2026 Ryoma memorial museum permanent-gallery closure notice ·
- Kochi Castle approach, steps and slopes ·
- Kochi Castle historic buildings and keep views ·
- Makino Botanical Garden greenhouse and viewing deck ·
- Paper Museum: Tosa washi history and production ·
- Papermaking activity and registration conditions ·