2 Days in Kochi: Discover the Prefecture From City to Coast

About Kochi Prefecture

Kochi Prefecture is located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan’s four main islands. Bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the south and mountains to the north, its capital is Kochi City, where most visitors begin their journey. Kochi appeals to travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience in Japan, offering a rich blend of history, culture, and spirituality. Notably, it features several temples that are part of the renowned Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, leaving a lasting impression on those who visit.

Getting to Kochi Prefecture

By train: Travel to Okayama Station, then transfer to the limited express Nanpu train on the Dosan Line to reach Kochi Station. The journey takes approximately 2.5 hours.

By air: Kochi is accessible via direct flights to Kochi Ryoma Airport. From Tokyo’s Haneda Airport, the flight takes just over an hour; from Osaka’s Itami Airport, about 45 minutes; and from Fukuoka Airport, around one hour. After landing, a convenient airport limousine bus can bring you to the city center in less than 30 minutes.

Access Within Kochi City

Many of Kochi City’s top attractions are accessible via the MY-YU sightseeing bus, which offers unlimited rides for a day with a single ticket. In addition to unlimited tour bus access, it includes free tram rides within the flat-rate zone, discounts on admission to various facilities, and other benefits. Since many destinations in this itinerary are covered by the MY-YU bus, we strongly recommend purchasing a ticket.

Day 1 - Tourist Highlights in Central Kochi City

Kochi Castle

Access: The easiest way to get there from Kochi Station is by taking a taxi. It'll take a bit less than 10 minutes that way. Every other option either triples the journey time or requires you to walk quite a bit. You could also just walk to the castle - that will take a bit less than 30 minutes.

If you prefer to get there by streetcar, take the Tosaden Sambashi Line to Harimayabashi Station, then transfer to the Tosaden Ino Line until you reach Kochijo-mae Station, then walk for around 10 minutes. This triples the journey time however, as do any other options like train or bus, so we strongly recommend just taking a cab.

Built in the early 17th century, Kochi Castle is unique for preserving all its original citadel structures, including the main keep, despite enduring numerous disasters over the centuries. Recognized as one of Japan’s top castles, it boasts fifteen buildings designated as Important Cultural Properties, a well-preserved wooden interior reflecting its Edo-period design, and stunning views perfect for photography.

One highlight is the rare opportunity to capture both the Otemon main gate and the castle keep in a single photo. Visitors can also climb to the top of the keep for sweeping views of Kochi City. In spring, the castle is beautifully framed by cherry blossoms, which are illuminated at night - an enchanting sight that earned Kochi Castle a place among the top three castles in Japan to visit after dark.

Lunch: Hirome Market

Access: 5-minute walk from Kochi Castle.

Hirome Market is arguably the most popular spot to eat in Kochi City. It functions like a lively food court, where you can purchase food and drinks from any of the roughly 60 stalls and enjoy them at communal tables throughout the market. The offerings range from local Kochi specialties to dishes from all over Japan.

If you're unsure where to begin, try Yairotei. A long-standing favorite that has been around since the market's opening, it's beloved by locals for its fresh, high-quality seafood. One standout dish is katsuo no tataki - bonito seared over straw - which is considered one of Kochi’s signature soul foods.

For a tasty snack or a great souvenir, check out Kuroshio Bussan. You’ll recognize it by the towering mound of imokenpi potato chips out front. These handmade, additive-free treats are a Kochi specialty and come in a variety of flavors, including ones made with local ingredients like yuzu citrus and ginger. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of them preparing or seasoning the chips on-site.

Kochi Yosakoi Museum (Kochi Yosakoi Information Exchange Center)

Access: 5-minute walk away from Hirome Market.

Celebrated for over 60 years, the Yosakoi Festival is one of Japan’s ten largest festivals and a beloved summer tradition in Kochi. Held annually from August 9 to 12, it draws crowds from across the country with its vibrant energy and colorful performances.

If you’re visiting outside the festival dates, you can still experience the excitement at the Kochi Yosakoi Museum. There, you can learn some of the signature yosakoi dance moves, try on the eye-catching costumes for a fun photo session, and explore the festival’s history through videos and exhibits. You can even decorate and take home your own naruko clappers - an essential prop used by dancers during the festival.

Makino Botanical Garden

Access: 30-minute bus ride from the Kochi Yosakoi Museum if you use the MY-YU bus.

Opened to the public in 1958, Makino Botanical Garden focuses on botanical conservation and research, showcasing more than 3,000 plant species across its eight-hectare grounds. It was established in honor of Tomitaro Makino, a Kochi native celebrated as the "Father of Japanese Plant Taxonomy" who discovered or named many of these plants.

In addition to its scenic gardens, the facility includes a conservatory where flowers bloom year-round, a greenhouse featuring tropical and jungle species, and educational exhibitions. While its research facilities are accessible only to academic institutions, visitors can still enjoy a wide array of plants from both Japan and abroad, making it easy to spend several hours immersed in its lush and diverse environment.

Chikurin-ji Temple

Access: 5-minute walk from Makino Botanical Garden.

Believed to have been founded in 724, Chikurin-ji Temple is the 31st stop on the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. The temple enshrines Monju Bosatsu, the bodhisattva of wisdom, attracting many students, particularly during exam season. It also houses several Important Cultural Properties, including 17 Buddha statues dating from 894 to 1333.

Highlights of a visit include its Chinese-style garden designated as a National Place of Scenic Beauty and Kochi’s only five-story pagoda. The temple is especially popular in autumn, when the grounds - especially the garden - are transformed by vivid red and golden foliage.

Dinner and Stay: Jyoseikan

Access: The easiest way to get there is by taxi, which will take under 30 minutes. You can also go by bus, taking the MY-YU bus from the Godaisan Observatory bus stop until you reach Harimayabashi, then changing over to a Tosaden streetcar heading to Kamimachi 1-chome. The hotel is just a short walk from there.

With a history spanning over 150 years, this hotel has even hosted members of the imperial family. Conveniently located in the center of Kochi City, it serves as an ideal base for exploring the area. Guests can unwind in the panoramic open-air bath overlooking the city and enjoy a dinner crafted from the finest and freshest local ingredients, highlighting the region’s culinary traditions.

Day 2 - Exploring Kochi City’s Coastal Area

Katsurahama Beach Walk

Access: Take a bus or tram from Kamimachi 1-chome to the Kochi Station Bus Terminal. From there, board the MY-YU bus and get off at the Katsurahama stop. The entire journey should take a little over an hour. Alternatively, you can take a taxi or drive a rental car, in which case it should take 30 minutes.

This beach is among the most scenic locations in Kochi Prefecture, curving gracefully between Cape Ryuzu and Cape Ryuo. It’s a perfect place to begin your morning with a peaceful walk while soaking in the breathtaking views. Notable landmarks along the way include Katsurahama Ryuogu Shrine - positioned at one end of the shore and featuring an observation deck - and a statue of Ryoma Sakamoto. Widely admired in Japan, Sakamoto played a pivotal role in the fall of the Tokugawa shogunate and helped usher in Japan’s era of modernization and industrial growth.

Lunch: Umi-no-Terrace

Access: Around a 5-minute walk from Katsurahama Beach.

By the time you finish your walk, you’ll likely be ready for a bite to eat. Fortunately, Umi-no-Terrace is just a short distance away and makes a great spot to rest and refuel. While there are several places to grab a quick snack or lunch, we recommend trying Umisachi, a ramen shop known for its light and flavorful seafood ramen. Using only the freshest catch - sourced by the owners, who come from a fishing family - the ramen is generously topped with seafood, making it the perfect meal to eat by the coast.

After eating, you can walk off your meal by exploring the rest of the complex. Visit the Katsurahama Museum, where exhibits showcase the history, culture, and traditional crafts of Kochi. There are also a few shops selling local souvenirs, making it a great opportunity to pick up gifts or mementos from your trip.

Optional: Cape Ashizuri

Access: 3-hour drive from Kochi Station by taxi or rental car.

If you have an extra day in Kochi or hold an international driver’s license and don't mind a long drive after Katsurahama Beach, consider expanding your coastal journey to Cape Ashizuri, the southernmost tip of Shikoku. From the cape’s iconic lighthouse, you can take in panoramic ocean views. The area is also home to Kongofukuji Temple, a notable stop along the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

One of the standout attractions is the Ashizuri Underwater Observation Tower, built in 1972 and one of the last remaining towers of its kind in Japan. Its underwater viewing chamber offers year-round glimpses of local marine life, including schools of fish swimming freely through the surrounding waters. The tower is part of Tatsukushi Marine Park, Japan’s first designated National Marine Park and home to one of the country’s largest coral reef systems.

Visitors can also enjoy a glass-bottom boat tour for a dry but immersive look at life beneath the waves, stargazing under clear night skies, and hiking through scenic trails tied to the legacy of Kukai, one of Japan’s most revered Buddhist monks.

Step Off the Beaten Path in Kochi Prefecture

This itinerary highlights some of the more accessible spots in Kochi that you can comfortably visit over a few days. That said, Kochi has so much more to offer beyond these stops. If you have extra time, we highly encourage you to venture deeper into its mountainous regions and along its rivers - especially the Shimanto River, Japan’s longest and one of its most scenic, as well as the Niyodo River, famed for its gorgeous "Niyodo blue" color and perfect for canoeing and other fun outdoor activities.