Kochi travel: where should you stay and what should you see?

Near Obiyamachi and Ohashidori

Kochi Prefecture · 高知県

The Obiyamachi and Ohashidori area suits walks to Kochi Castle and Hirome Market. Harimayabashi is convenient for changing between the north–south and east–west tram routes. Check the walk from the market to your hotel using its actual address.

Market opening hours and closures2026-10-08Check tram routes2026-10-08Tram transfer information2026-10-08

Near JR Kochi Station · 高知駅

The area near JR Kochi Station suits journeys combining trains to other cities with the MY Yu Bus. The bus normally leaves from Kochi Tabihiroba on the station’s south side. Check official notices for any boarding-point changes during events.

Check JR services2026-10-08Buses and accessibility2026-10-08Boarding-point changes by date2026-10-08

A stay in Ino near JR Ino Station · 伊野駅

If staying in Ino to visit Nikobuchi, plan the onward bus or car journey from Ino Station into the mountains. Staying near the station does not mean you can walk straight to the gorge.

Ino Tourism Association bus guide2026-10-08Current visitor information, crowding and transport links2026-10-08

A city walk from Kochi Castle down to the market

Visit Kochi Castle’s interiors, then eat at Hirome Market. Check the steps up to the keep and your chosen market stalls’ hours. A walk in the castle park and paid admission to the buildings are separate.

Current admission and closures2026-10-08Kochi Castle approaches, steps and slopes2026-10-08Market opening hours and closures2026-10-08

Katsurahama for the coast, Godaisan for the garden

Choose Katsurahama Park for coastal views or Makino Botanical Garden for time among plants and in the conservatory. MY Yu serves both, but 5-day itinerary A visits them on separate days. Swimming is prohibited at Katsurahama beach.

Park visitor information2026-10-08Garden admission and directions2026-10-08Buses and accessibility2026-10-08

The gorge requires onward travel from Ino Station

From Ino Station, take a gorge-bound bus to Hodono-Iriguchi, then walk roughly 2 km to Nikobuchi. Choose your return bus and allow time to walk back to its stop first. Ino Paper Museum is about a 10-minute walk from the station, so it can be planned separately from the gorge visit.

Ino Tourism Association bus guide2026-10-08Current visitor information, crowding and transport links2026-10-08Museum admission, hours and access from JR Ino Station2026-10-08

Airport buses use the north side; MY Yu normally uses the south

Take an airport bus from Kochi Ryoma Airport · 高知龍馬空港 into the city. If travelling to Kochi Station, get off at the north-side bus terminal. For MY Yu, walk to Kochi Tabihiroba on the station’s south side. Tosaden lists stop 6 on the station’s north side for the return airport bus. Check services and arrival notices for your date, and add airport fares separately to itinerary subtotals.

Tosaden airport bus boarding and alighting points2026-10-09Tosaden airport bus timetable guide2026-10-09Buses and accessibility2026-10-08

Change trams at Harimayabashi for Kochi Castle

Take a tram from Kochi-Ekimae to Harimayabashi, then change to an Ino-bound tram and get off at Kochijo-Mae. Walk uphill from the stop to the castle park and keep.

Check tram routes2026-10-08Tram transfer information2026-10-08Kochi Castle approaches, steps and slopes2026-10-08

Walk to the market or get off at Ohashidori

The tourism association gives about 15 minutes on foot from JR Kochi Station to Hirome Market. By tram, get off at Ohashidori and walk about 2–3 minutes. Allow extra time for tram waits and the journey from your hotel.

Market official access and walk from the tram stop2026-10-08Kochi Tourism Association: station walk, shared dining and closures2026-10-08

MY Yu normally leaves from Kochi Station’s south side

MY Yu normally leaves from Kochi Tabihiroba on the station’s south side. It travels via Godaisan to the garden, Ryoma museum and Katsurahama, unlike the direct regular bus to Katsurahama. Check official information for event-related boarding changes and your date’s timetable.

Buses and accessibility2026-10-08Boarding-point changes by date2026-10-08April 2026–March 2027 timetable, page 22026-10-08

Order at individual Hirome Market stalls

Choose food from several stalls, with prices and hours varying between them. For bonito dishes, check your chosen stall’s menu. You can also find places to eat in the Kochi food and restaurant guide below.

Market official stalls and menus2026-10-08Kochi Tourism Association: station walk, shared dining and closures2026-10-08

JR trains and city transport for onward travel

Use the transport guide for travel to another city. If considering the All Shikoku Rail Pass, check official eligibility, covered routes and excluded transport. On an Ino overnight itinerary, distinguish the JR Kochi–Ino railway from the gorge bus. Budget ¥2,860 separately for the Ino Station–Hodono-Iriguchi return bus and compare ordinary rail tickets with the pass.

Check JR services2026-10-08Official All Shikoku Rail Pass guide2026-10-08All Shikoku Rail Pass terms, 1 October 20262026-10-09Current connecting fare table2026-10-08

Katsuo tataki: bonito seared on the outside

The surface of the bonito is briefly seared over high heat. Try it with accompaniments such as garlic and spring onions and a yuzu ponzu sauce, or choose salt-seasoned shio tataki. Seasonings and accompaniments vary by stall or restaurant, so check the menu.

Kochi tourism guide to katsuo tataki2026-10-09

A rental car day from the same city hotel

The official tourism council estimate is about 70 minutes by car from Kochi city to Nikobuchi, excluding parking waits and the walk to the gorge. Check marked parking areas and access notices for your date. Car hire, fuel and parking are excluded from the itinerary’s admission subtotal.

Nikobuchi driving, parking, paths and sightseeing taxis2026-10-08Current visitor information, crowding and transport links2026-10-08

Stay in Ino and take the gorge bus

Take a gorge-bound bus from Ino Station to Hodono-Iriguchi, then walk. Compare 4-day itinerary B with one night in Ino and 5-day itinerary B with two. Omit the Paper Museum during its scheduled refurbishment closure from 16 November 2026 to 31 March 2027.

Ino Tourism Association bus guide2026-10-08Current visitor information, crowding and transport links2026-10-08Extended temporary closure notice2026-10-08

Nikobuchi’s water and surrounding trees

The official camera shows the waterfall, pool and surrounding trees. Look at how sunlight and shade change the water’s colour. Light and weather during your visit may differ from the feed. Check visitor information and transport notices for path access and bus operation on your date.

Ino Tourism Association’s official Nikobuchi camera2026-10-09Current visitor information, crowding and transport links2026-10-08