Kochi, Japan, in 2 Days: Kochi Castle or the Ryoma Museum?
For Kochi Castle, visit the castle and market on day 1, then head to Katsurahama on day 2. If the Ryoma exhibits interest you more, eat at the market on day 1 and visit the museum and coast together on day 2. Both plans require enough time to return from the coast to Kochi and reach your departure point.
Choose an itinerary for 2 days, 1 night
A — Castle, Market, and Coast
Stay one night in Kochi to explore the castle buildings and eat at the market on day one, then see the sea at Katsurahama the next day. Leave time after the return bus to Kochi to reach your departure service.
A — Castle, Market, and Coast →2 days, 1 nightB — Ryoma Exhibits
For Sakamoto Ryoma’s life and late-Edo history, spend one night in Kochi and visit the memorial museum and Katsurahama together on day two. Walk through the market and shopping arcade on day one, then give time to the exhibits and coastal walk the next day.
B — Ryoma Exhibits →A — Castle, Market, and Coast
Stay one night in Kochi to explore the castle buildings and eat at the market on day one, then see the sea at Katsurahama the next day. Leave time after the return bus to Kochi to reach your departure service.
Day 1 · Castle Visit and a Market Meal
Visit Kochi Castle and the market on day one, then make a Katsurahama round trip on day two. Choose this plan if you can arrive before the castle’s last admission and still leave enough time after the coastal round trip to reach your departure service.
- Kochi-Ekimae tram stop → Kochijo-mae stop and Kochi Castle park
Take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochi-Ekimae, then transfer at Harimayabashi toward Ino. Get off at Kochijo-mae and walk to the castle park. For cash transfers, follow the first tram’s transfer-ticket conditions at the designated stop. If you are already around Obiyamachi or Ohashidori, compare walking directly to the castle park.
- Kochi Castle park → Castle keep and Kaitokukan
Climb the castle park’s stairs and buy a ticket at the keep and Kaitokukan entrance. The paid buildings open 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., with last admission at 4:30 p.m. Admission is ¥500 for ages 18 and older. They close December 26–January 1. Leave time to walk from the tram stop to the entrance and climb the stairs.
Current Admission and ClosuresKochi Castle Uphill Paths, Stairs, and Slopes
- Kochi Castle park → Hirome Market
After your castle visit, head down toward Obiyamachi and Ohashidori and walk to Hirome Market. Allow separately for the walk from the castle to the market.
Market Hours and ClosuresOfficial Market Shops and MenusOfficial Market Access and Walk From the Stop
- Hirome Market entrance → Market shops and shared dining area
Check each shop’s menu and prices, order your food, and eat in the shared dining area. The market’s overall hours differ from individual shop hours. If you arrive late, check your chosen shop’s last-order time. When the market or shop is closed, choose another restaurant open in the city.
Official Market Shops and MenusKochi Tourism Association: Station Walk, Shared Dining, and ClosuresMarket Hours and Closures
- Hirome Market → Obiyamachi shopping arcade
If you want another walk after your meal, explore the Obiyamachi shopping arcade. Plan the route back to your hotel using the market’s official access map and your hotel address.
Day 2 · Katsurahama Before Departure
See Katsurahama’s coast, then return to Kochi and depart.
- JR Kochi Station → MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Tabihiroba
Go to the MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Tabihiroba south of JR Kochi Station. Events may change the boarding point, so check the official notices for the day. Buy the adult ¥1,500 Katsurahama one-day ticket at a sales outlet or on mobile before boarding. Regular seats cannot be reserved or assigned; if the bus is full, adjust your visit and return times for the next service.
- JR Kochi Station MY Yu boarding point → Katsurahama bus stop and park
Take the Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus to the terminus, then walk into the park. Explore the coast and choose meals or shops according to their hours. Park admission is free; the aquarium and other paid facilities cost extra. Swimming is prohibited.
April 2026–March 2027 Timetable, Page 2Bus and Accessibility GuidePark OperationsBoarding-Point Changes by Date
- Katsurahama park and bus stop → JR Kochi Station
Return from the park to Katsurahama bus stop and take a Kochi Station-bound MY Yu Bus. Check station arrival times in the official timetable and choose a return service that leaves enough time to reach the airport or continue to your next city. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the final MY Yu return service arrives at the bus terminal north of the station; distinguish it from the south-side boarding point.
April 2026–March 2027 Timetable, Page 2Bus and Accessibility GuidePark OperationsBoarding-Point Changes by Date
You need enough time after returning to Kochi to reach the airport or your next city’s transport. If time is tight, leave out today’s coastal round trip.
Included Items: Kochi Castle ¥500 + MY Yu Katsurahama ticket ¥1,500
Extra Expenses: Flights, lodging, meals, airport or onward travel, travel between your hotel and boarding points, luggage storage, city trams outside the MY Yu ticket’s day of use, and optional paid attractions are extra.
Day-one castle admission uses the regular price. Facility discounts on the MY Yu ticket used on day two do not apply to the castle visit the previous day.
B — Ryoma Exhibits
For Sakamoto Ryoma’s life and late-Edo history, spend one night in Kochi and visit the memorial museum and Katsurahama together on day two. Walk through the market and shopping arcade on day one, then give time to the exhibits and coastal walk the next day.
Day 1 · A Market Meal and Shopping Arcade Walk
Eat at the market on day one and visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama on day two. Kochi Castle’s keep is excluded. An early departure on day two makes the coastal round trip difficult, so compare a city-focused itinerary.
- JR Kochi Station → Hirome Market entrance
The tourism association estimates about a 15-minute walk from JR Kochi Station to Hirome Market. If taking the tram, get off at Ohashidori and walk about 2–3 minutes to the market. Check the market’s official map for direct access from Obiyamachi or Ohashidori.
Official Market Access and Walk From the StopKochi Tourism Association: Station Walk, Shared Dining, and Closures
- Hirome Market entrance → Market shops and shared dining area
Check each shop’s menu and prices, order your food, and eat in the shared dining area. The market’s overall hours differ from individual shop hours. If you arrive late, check your chosen shop’s last-order time. When the market or shop is closed, choose another restaurant open in the city.
Official Market Shops and MenusKochi Tourism Association: Station Walk, Shared Dining, and ClosuresMarket Hours and Closures
- Hirome Market → Obiyamachi shopping arcade
If you want another walk after your meal, explore the Obiyamachi shopping arcade. Plan the route back to your hotel using the market’s official access map and your hotel address.
Day-one meals and transport between your hotel and the market are excluded from the subtotal. Do not count day two’s MY Yu ticket as covering city travel on day one. This itinerary excludes Kochi Castle’s keep.
Day 2 · Museum and Coast Before Departure
Visit the museum first, then continue to Katsurahama using the same bus ticket.
- JR Kochi Station → MY Yu boarding point at Kochi Tabihiroba
Board the MY Yu Bus at Kochi Tabihiroba south of JR Kochi Station. Buy the adult ¥1,500 Katsurahama one-day ticket before boarding and check the day’s boarding point and services in official guidance. Regular seats cannot be reserved; if the bus is full, revise your next service, museum visit, and return times.
- Kochi Station MY Yu boarding point → Ryoma Kinenkan-mae bus stop
Take a Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus and get off at Ryoma Kinenkan-mae. Visiting the museum first in the morning makes it easier to divide your time before continuing to the coast. Choose your actual departure from the official weekday or holiday timetable.
Bus and Accessibility GuideApril 2026–March 2027 Timetable, Page 2Boarding-Point Changes by Date
- Ryoma Kinenkan-mae bus stop → Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum
Walk uphill from the stop to the museum and allow about 90 minutes for your visit. Adult admission is ¥500 or ¥900 depending on the exhibition date. Walking to the museum, visiting, and meals are separate from time aboard the bus.
- Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum and Ryoma Kinenkan-mae stop → Katsurahama Park
After your visit, return to Ryoma Kinenkan-mae and take a Katsurahama-bound MY Yu Bus. The museum and beach have different entrances, so allow separately for your visit and the walk to the stop. The coastal park is free, and swimming is prohibited.
- Katsurahama bus stop → JR Kochi Station
Take a Kochi Station-bound MY Yu Bus from Katsurahama. Check station arrival times in the official timetable and choose a return service that leaves enough time to reach your departure service. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the final MY Yu return service arrives at the bus terminal north of the station; distinguish it from the south-side boarding point.
April 2026–March 2027 Timetable, Page 2Bus and Accessibility Guide
Leave time to return from the museum to the stop and spend time on the coast. You also need time after returning to Kochi to reach your departure service.
Included Items: Ryoma museum ¥500/¥900 + MY Yu Katsurahama ticket ¥1,500; Kochi Castle excluded
Extra Expenses: Flights, lodging, meals, airport or onward travel, travel between your hotel and boarding points, luggage storage, city trams outside the MY Yu ticket’s day of use, and optional paid attractions are extra.
Museum admission depends on the exhibition on your travel date. Use MY Yu or other partner discounts only when the on-site conditions apply. The subtotal above uses regular prices before discounts.
Before Departure, On the Day, and FAQ
Can I reserve a seat on the MY Yu Bus?
Regular seats cannot be reserved or assigned. A ticket does not guarantee boarding when the bus is full, so check the next departure alongside your sightseeing and return plans. Wheelchair users need a separate reservation by 5:00 PM the previous day and must confirm vehicle and stop conditions.
Does the return MY Yu Bus also stop on the south side of Kochi Station?
On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the last MY Yu Bus from Katsurahama arrives at the bus terminal on the north side of Kochi Station. Departures normally leave from Kochi Tabihiroba on the south side, but return services do not all use that same location. Check the arrival point in the official timetable before planning your next connection.
Official Sources and Check Dates
- Boarding-Point Changes by Date ·
- Current Admission and Closures ·
- Tram Routes ·
- Market Hours and Closures ·
- Park Operations ·
- Museum Admission and Exhibitions ·
- Bus and Accessibility Guide ·
- April 2026–March 2027 Timetable, Page 2 ·
- Tram Transfers ·
- Official Market Access and Walk From the Stop ·
- Official Market Shops and Menus ·
- Kochi Tourism Association: Station Walk, Shared Dining, and Closures ·
- Kochi Castle Uphill Paths, Stairs, and Slopes ·