Kochi, Japan, in 4 Days: Stay in Kochi or Spend a Night in Ino?
You can keep your hotel in Kochi and visit the coast and gorge on separate days. For one night in Ino, spend two nights in Kochi, then transfer to Ino and take the gorge bus. This plan connects a JR train with the gorge bus on the transfer day. For a less rushed transfer, also compare the 5-day itinerary with two nights in Ino.
Choose an itinerary for 4 days, 3 nights
A — Separate Days for City, Coast, and Gorge
For both the coast and gorge, spend three nights at one Kochi hotel and take separate day trips. Visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama on day two, Nikobuchi by rental car on day three, and the castle on the final day.
A — Separate Days for City, Coast, and Gorge →4 days, 3 nightsB — One Night in Ino
To visit Nikobuchi without a car, spend two nights in Kochi followed by one in Ino. This plan moves to Ino and takes the gorge bus the day after the coast, so choose it only if an early JR train connects with the bus.
B — One Night in Ino →A — Separate Days for City, Coast, and Gorge
For both the coast and gorge, spend three nights at one Kochi hotel and take separate day trips. Visit the Ryoma museum and Katsurahama on day two, Nikobuchi by rental car on day three, and the castle on the final day.
Day 1 · A Meal in the City
Spend three nights in Kochi, with a bus trip to the museum and coast on day two and a vehicle trip to Nikobuchi on day three. Add the final-day castle visit only if your departure leaves enough time.
- 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. If the final day leaves no time for Kochi Castle, check whether you can move it to day one by comparing the attraction guide’s admission cutoff and closures with your actual arrival at the castle entrance. If it does not fit, skip the castle while keeping the coast and gorge visit days.
Day 2 · Ryoma Museum and Coast
Visit the Ryoma museum first, then continue to the coast. Leave time to return to the bus stop after the museum.
- 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. Check the official timetable for a morning departure and the next bus so you can continue to the coast after your visit.
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
After exploring the coast, take a Kochi Station-bound MY Yu Bus from Katsurahama. Choose the return service from the correct official weekday or holiday timetable. 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
Day 3 · Nikobuchi by Car
Visit the gorge by car, then return to Kochi.
- Kochi City → Marked parking spaces at Nikobuchi
The tourism council estimates about 70 minutes by car from Kochi City to Nikobuchi. Allow separately for car pickup, parking, walking the path, and your visit. Set navigation for Green Park Hodono as directed in official guidance, then follow Nikobuchi’s on-site parking signs and use marked spaces. Check the day’s parking charges and availability on-site.
Nikobuchi Driving, Parking, Walking Path, and Sightseeing Taxi GuideCurrent Location, Crowding, and Transport Links
- Nikobuchi parking area → The gorge and the same parking space
From your parking space, follow the sloping path and stairs down to the gorge. Do not enter the water or eat or drink in the gorge. Return along the same route to your car and eat outside the gorge. Check access conditions for your travel date and consider that rain, light, and water volume can change the water’s color.
- Marked parking spaces at Nikobuchi → Kochi City
Eat outside the gorge, then drive back to Kochi City. Return the rental car according to your booked return location, deadline, and refueling conditions. Skip the gorge if travel-date access restrictions prevent a visit. Changing to a bus requires separate arrangements for departure from Ino Station and return connections.
Nikobuchi Driving, Parking, Walking Path, and Sightseeing Taxi GuideCurrent Location, Crowding, and Transport Links
Day 4 · Kochi Castle and Departure
This option visits Kochi Castle’s paid buildings before departure. Include it only with enough time for the visit and onward travel.
- 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 → JR Kochi Station
After your visit, take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochijo-mae. Transfer at Harimayabashi toward Kochi-Ekimae and return to JR Kochi Station. If you are staying in the city longer, you can also walk down toward Obiyamachi or Ohashidori.
Included Items: Kochi Castle ¥500 + Ryoma museum ¥500/¥900 + 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. Rental cars, insurance, fuel, highway tolls, and parking fees are also extra. Nikobuchi’s ¥100 is a voluntary contribution request and is excluded from mandatory fees.
The subtotal changes with the museum’s exhibition and excludes vehicle costs. Nikobuchi’s ¥100 is a voluntary environmental conservation contribution request.
Current Admission and ClosuresMuseum Admission and ExhibitionsBus and Accessibility Guide¥100 Contribution Guide
B — One Night in Ino
To visit Nikobuchi without a car, spend two nights in Kochi followed by one in Ino. This plan moves to Ino and takes the gorge bus the day after the coast, so choose it only if an early JR train connects with the bus.
Day 1 · Kochi City
Spend two nights in Kochi before moving to Ino for one night. To visit the gorge on the move day, you need an early JR train and a connecting bus. If you prefer an easier pace, compare two nights in Ino with the journeys on separate days.
- 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. If the final day leaves no time for Kochi Castle, check whether you can move it to day one by comparing the attraction guide’s admission cutoff and closures with your actual arrival at the castle entrance. If it does not fit, skip the castle while keeping the coast and gorge visit days.
Day 2 · From the Museum to the Coast
Visit the museum and coast, then return to Kochi. You move to Ino tomorrow.
- 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. Check the official timetable for a morning departure and the next bus so you can continue to the coast after your visit.
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
After exploring the coast, take a Kochi Station-bound MY Yu Bus from Katsurahama. Choose the return service from the correct official weekday or holiday timetable. 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
Day 3 · Move to Ino and Take the Bus to Nikobuchi
Travel to Ino by JR, then reach the gorge by bus and on foot. If the train and gorge bus are difficult to connect, separate the journeys as in the two-night Ino plan.
- JR Kochi Station → JR Ino Station
At JR Kochi Station, take a Dosan Line train that stops at Ino. To visit the gorge on your move day, compare JR’s travel-date times with the bus’s weekday or holiday timetable and choose an early train that connects with the gorge-bound bus.
JR Service InformationJR Kochi Station Departures (March 14, 2026 Revision)
- Ino Station bus stop → Hodono Iriguchi bus stop
From Ino Station’s bus stop, take a bus toward Hodono Iriguchi (程野入口) or Nagasawa (長沢) and get off at Hodono Iriguchi. The adult fare is ¥1,430 one way or ¥2,860 round trip. First check your travel date’s outbound and Ino-bound return services in the operator’s timetable.
Ino Tourism Association Bus GuideOctober Revision: Weekday TimetableWeekend and Public-Holiday TimetableCurrent Connecting Fare Table
- Hodono Iriguchi bus stop → Nikobuchi
Walk about 2 km from Hodono Iriguchi to Nikobuchi, allowing about 30 minutes each way. The path down to the gorge includes slopes and stairs. Do not enter the water or eat or drink in the gorge. Leave time for the return walk and bus wait too.
Ino Tourism Association Bus GuideNikobuchi Driving, Parking, Walking Path, and Sightseeing Taxi Guide
- Nikobuchi → The same Hodono Iriguchi bus stop
Retrace your route to Hodono Iriguchi. The tourism association also estimates about 30 minutes for the return walk. Allow for path conditions and your walking pace, arrive before your chosen bus departure, and check the boarding point toward Ino.
Ino Tourism Association Bus GuideReturn Timetable at the Bus 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 service from the operator’s weekday or Saturday/Sunday/public-holiday timetable. The ¥2,860 round trip covers two bus rides between Ino Station and Hodono Iriguchi; hotel access is excluded.
October Revision: Weekday TimetableWeekend and Public-Holiday TimetableReturn Timetable at the Bus StopCurrent Connecting Fare Table
After arriving in Ino, you need time to reach the gorge-bound bus stop. If you plan to leave bags at your hotel, check storage availability and allow for the hotel stop too. If the train and bus do not connect, skip today’s gorge visit or compare four-night B, which separates the move day from the gorge day.
Day 4 · Return to Kochi for the Castle
Return from Ino to Kochi and depart. 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 your travel date’s timetable for arrival at Kochi Station and the time remaining before onward departure. If there is not enough time for the castle and city travel, skip the castle and head for 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 → JR Kochi Station
After your visit, take a Harimayabashi-bound tram from Kochijo-mae. Transfer at Harimayabashi toward Kochi-Ekimae and return to JR Kochi Station. If you are staying in the city longer, you can also walk down toward Obiyamachi or Ohashidori.
Included Items: Castle ¥500 + Ryoma museum ¥500/¥900 + MY Yu Katsurahama ticket ¥1,500 + gorge bus round trip ¥2,860
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. Round-trip JR Kochi–Ino fares are extra. Nikobuchi’s ¥100 is a voluntary contribution request and is excluded from mandatory fees.
Round-trip JR Kochi–Ino fares are separate from the subtotal. If you visit the gorge by vehicle instead of bus, subtract the ¥2,860 bus round trip and add your actual vehicle contract costs.
Current Admission and ClosuresMuseum Admission and ExhibitionsBus and Accessibility GuideCurrent Connecting Fare Table¥100 Contribution Guide
Before Departure, On the Day, and FAQ
Can I visit Nikobuchi on the day I move to Ino?
Yes, if an early JR train gets you to Ino in time for the gorge bus. Compare train and bus schedules for your travel date, including weekday and holiday services. If the connection does not work, skip the gorge that day or compare 5-day Plan B, which separates the transfer to Ino from the gorge visit.
JR Service InformationOctober Revision: Weekday TimetableWeekend and Public-Holiday TimetableJR Kochi Station Departures (March 14, 2026 Revision)
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 ·
- Nikobuchi Driving, Parking, Walking Path, and Sightseeing Taxi Guide ·
- Ino Tourism Association Bus Guide ·
- Current Location, Crowding, and Transport Links ·
- ¥100 Contribution Guide ·
- October Revision: Weekday Timetable ·
- Weekend and Public-Holiday Timetable ·
- Return Timetable at the Bus Stop ·
- Current Connecting Fare Table ·
- April 2026–March 2027 Timetable, Page 2 ·
- Tram Transfers ·
- JR Service Information ·
- 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 ·
- ALL SHIKOKU Rail Pass Terms (October 1, 2026) ·
- JR Kochi Station Departures (March 14, 2026 Revision) ·