Things to Do in Kochi, Japan - Kochi Attractions
Things to Do in Kochi
Check out must-see sights and activities:
Kochi Castle, The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden, Ports of Call Tours, Sacred & Religious Sites. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
Kochi Castle, The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden, Ports of Call Tours, Sacred & Religious Sites. For personalized recommendations, try our AI trip-planning product.
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Private and Luxuryfromper group (up to 2)$595- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$117
Rail Toursfromper adult (price varies by group size)$152- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$152
On the Waterfromper adult$84- fromper adult (price varies by group size)$62
- fromper group (up to 3)$331
On the Waterfromper adult$62
Full-day Toursfromper adult$124- fromper group (up to 3)$221
Historic Sites
Flea & Street Markets
Religious Sites
Cultural Events
Other Top Attractions around Kochi
What travelers are saying
- Darren LQueenstown, MD844 contributionsWell worth the effort to climb up the hill (many steps or long ramp) and even more stairs in the castle itself. Amazing views from top as well as interesting exhibits along the way.
You cannot wear shoes in the castle and the stairs are extremely steep. If you aren’t comfortable with that type of climbing, perhaps enjoy view from base. Coming down castle steps it’s actually easier to go backwards, like ships ladder.Written March 15, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - MCCSouth West England, UK732 contributionsTomitaro Makino opened the gardens to the public in April 1958, the Makino was born in village close to the gardens. The gardens are set along slopes and dells with over 3,000 species of plants on display – many discovered or named by Dr. Makino himself – the 8 hectares of gardens are planted to offer colour and interest throughout the year. The grounds were significantly enlarged in 1999 and the Museum of Plants and People was inaugurated, strengthening the Garden’s role in education. We were very lucky to see the azaleas, cherry blossom and bulbs; the vibrant colours were very pleasing. The gardens now also feature a research and seed storage facility. Each season has its own colour scheme.Written June 24, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Stu2247Solihull, UK822 contributionsBeautiful beach, with some stunning scenery. The weather was atrocious, so the photos didn't really do it justice. Lots of facilities nearby, with toilets, a shop and café. There is plenty of parking too. I imagine this is really busy in the summer. No swimming in the sea is allowed due to the currents.Written April 4, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ZimminaroundtheworldOkinawa Prefecture, Japan1,973 contributionsThe Kochi Sunday Market is a must if in the area. I altered my plans for a trip just to make sure I would be in Kochi on a Sunday. Prior to going, I read that the market has been going on for hundreds of years. It starts near the castle on a single road that stretches over a kilometer. I started early here, around 7:30 am and spent a couple hours here walking up and down looking at everything the vendors had to offer. For the most part the market was full of fresh produce. But there were other vendors here selling goods like knives, antiques, plants, etc. There were a few food vendors here as well, I tried the tempura sweet potatoes and went back for seconds, they were great! Markets, are a great way to immerse yourself in local cultures and the Kochi Market should not be missed.Written December 2, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- MCCSouth West England, UK732 contributionsChikurinji Temple (Bamboo Forest Temple) was founded by Buddhist High priest Gyoki under the order of Emperor Shomu in 724ACE. The Emperor having had a dream that he wanted a specific temple asked Kobo-Dashi, founder of the Shingon Sect during the edo period (1603 – 1867) to build one for him. Gyoki having visited many places in Japan settled on Kochi. Chikurinji was designated a very high place of sacred places for visitation and not only by pilgrims. Of 88 temples to be visited in Shikuku island for the pilgrims Chikurinji sits at number 31.
On arrival at a temple, temple monks explains the history of the pilgrimage, pilgrimage clothing and the practices of pilgrims at each of the temples. After changing into pilgrims' clothing and listening to a lecture, pilgrims walk from Chikurin-ji Temple to Zenjibu-ji Temple, and the 32nd stop on the Shikoku Pilgrimage. A pilgrim may stay longer and participate in meditation which calms the mind before the transcription of Sutras - canonical scriptures, many of which are regarded as records of the oral teachings of Buddha bringing deeper understanding of teachings.
Chikurinji's temple grounds have an interesting array of halls and structures, including a beautiful five-storied pagoda.
The main hall is also known as Monjudo because Monju Bosatsu is deified inside. Monju Bosatsu was a Buddhist saint best known for his famous saying ‘two heads are better than one’. This statue is one of three most revered of Monju Bosatsu in Japan. The statue and its four attendants are claimed to have been carved by Gyoki and to be the oldest existing in Japan.
The pagoda used to be three stories until the typhoon of 1899 brought it down. The new pagoda built in 1980 was built in the style of 13th century period. The pagoda houses a small piece of Buddha’s bone sent from Buddhagaya in India.
A treasure hall displays several Buddhist statues and scrolls of importance to the temple.
Monju Bosatsu deity Chikurinji Temple is near the top of mount Godai and close to the flower-filled Makino Botanical Garden.
The rebuilt 5-storey pagoda is in the style of the early Kamakura Period (1185-1333). located on top of Mount Godaisan about 5 kilometers southeast of downtown Kochi. Godaisan was named after a famous mountain temple in China, , and the name Chikurinji means "Bamboo Forest Temple."Written June 18, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Banda-in-JapanTokyo, Japan439 contributionsSakamoto Ryoma was a forward thinker during a time when Japan was going through a lot of social and political upheaval. He was one of the earliest to recognize the need for change and was a strong advocate of developing the ability to compete with the west. He was assassinated in 1867, on his 33rd birthday, presumably for his outspoken opinions.
This statue honoring him was erected in 1928. It is about twice life size and stands on a hilltop looking out at Katsurahama beach and the Pacific Ocean (Ryoma had hoped to travel overseas but never got the chance). It is one of only two large statues not melted down during WWII.Written November 17, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Stu2247Solihull, UK822 contributionsInteresting museum about the life of a samurai who wanted to modernise Japan and his untimely demise. It is worth a visit if you are interested in learning a bit more about Japanese history. Allow 1-2 hours, good for kids and adults, and you can dress in a kimono.Written April 5, 2024This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- platypus150Melbourne, Australia32,398 contributionsWe did not get to really understand the workings of the trams in our brief rides. Price is by distsnce, but the central area is 200 yen. Most people use IC cards, but my ICOCA did not work here.Written May 8, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- chiaraterz70 contributionsWe stopped here briefly to see the sunset, and it was truly gorgeous. The sea and islands in the distance were purple and blue in the twilight, and the lights of the city twinkled.Written February 19, 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- FuzzybeanerizerHancock, MI47 contributionsI took my 6 year old daughter to the yosakoi festival in August 2019 and while she may have been slightly overwhelmed by the whole trip at that age, we certainly had a great time. The dancers are so energetic! The whole city was alive with them, with team after team dancing past, and others running back and forth from one venue to another, despite the temperatures near 90 degrees F every day and plenty of humidity. At home I'd be huddled indoors by an air conditioner in such weather, but in Japan the energy was contagious and I had no problems hoofing around the city for hours on end. I sure sweated out a lot of liquids, though.
If you are not familiar with the yosakoi dancing, these huge teams of dancers from all over Japan come to Kochi City. They have these big trucks with powerful loudspeakers and DJ's aboard, and usually pretty girls too, and sometimes live musicians.The trucks crawl down the city streets with the dance teams following behind. The music is so loud you can definitely feel it booming through your body, though it seemed much less hard on the ears than I remember from 15 years before... maybe they have shifted to lower sound frequencies? The dance teams and their music vary from modern styles, perhaps hip-hop influenced or whatever, to more tradional Japanese sounds and costumes. Many of the teams have these muscular guys taking turns waving HUGE flags around and around. The whole event is really colorful and loaded with beautiful people of both sexes.Written December 30, 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - investigator2Reynella, Australia868 contributionsWent in for the usual information and were greeted by a charming girl who spoke passable English who gave more than enough to keep us busy for the days we were here. English maps and other information freely availableWritten December 23, 2018This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- La Coppia GiramondoPisa, Italy205 contributionsI have been to many aquariums in my life, but I have never felt so utterly uncomfortable for the miserable conditions of pure animal cruelty in which animals are kept in this aquarium. I knew that tanks are commonly small in Japanese aquariums, but these ones are also dirty, totally encrusted with dirt and algae. Every animal here, from turtles to sea lions to otters to moon fishes and seals are kept in incredibly narrow and crowded spaces where they can't swim and just put their heads up for visitors throwing them fishes and food (which you pay to do). Is an incredibly sad experience which will make you feel tremendously shattered. I recommend not to waste money on this machine of animal cruelty.Written May 28, 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
