Highlights
- Enjoy beautiful views of Kochi from Godaisan Observatory
- Visit the renowned Chikurinji Temple
- Explore Makino, one of the most exquisite botanical gardens in Japan
Description
Our specially curated Kochi City Afternoon Tour will bring you some of the Kochi highlights for sure. The outskirts of Kochi City have as much history, tradition, and naturescapes as city proper. The capital of Kochi Prefecture has the population of 330,000. It is blessed with mild subtropical climate, and has a lot to offer as a destination. Opt for a guided or a self-guided tour and set off exploring. Start from Kochi Station. Reach Godaisan Park and its famous observatory which offers wonderful city views. Visit famed Chikurinji Temple, its impressive five-story pagoda, the treasure house and its elegant garden. Make sure to check out Makino Botanical Gardens, named after Dr Tomitaro Makino, the father of botany in Japan. Makino Botanical Gardens boast numerous plant species that follow seasons, a museum dedicated to Dr Makino and much more.
For a longer exploration of Shikoku, check out our 4-day tour.
Details
Suggested tour itinerary
12:00 Kochi Station
Start your tour of Kochi City either by meeting up with your guide or on your own. The eastern part of the city where the tour sights are located is best reached by My-Yu bus. The buses on the weekdays have departures on the hour or every 40 minutes, and on the weekends they are more infrequent. For the complete bus table see here.
12:05 Kochi Prefecuture “i “ Information Center Tosa Terrace
Stop by the Information Center which is next to the station. You may pick up various multilingual brochures of the area, rent a Wi-Fi router free of charge, purchase a one-day "My-Yu Bus" pass, arrange a taxi, rental car or a bicycle with the help of the friendly staff.
12:40 Catch My-Yu Bus
Be sure to walk over to the dedicated JR Kochi Station bus stop located behind the Kochi Prefecture "i" Information Tosa Terrace (near the Bakumatsu Heroes Pavilion) in plenty of time to catch the 12:40 bus bound for Katsurahama. You can't miss the bus itself. It is festooned with images of the prefecture's ancestral heroes.
13:04 Godaisan Park
Mount Godai (“Godaisan”) named by visiting Buddhist priests from China, is the first of three points of interest. Godaisan Lookout (also known as Godaisan Observatory), offers a panoramic view of Kochi City below. The remaining ones are the Chikurinji Temple and the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Gardens.
13:30 Chikurinji Temple
The famed Chikurinji Temple is only a short walking distance from Godaisan park. The Temple was built in the 8th century and is the 31st of the 88 temples on the Ohenro Pilgrimage Trail. The premises of the Temple are well worth exploring - there is a superb five-story pagoda made of Japanese cypress, a treasure house, numerous Buddha statues and a beautifully maintained Japanese garden.
14:30 The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
In the vicinity of Chikurinji Temple is the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Gardens. Named of after Dr Tomitaro Makino, a native to Kochi and lauded as the father of botany in Japan, this vast, impressive garden is home to 3,000 plant species, a museum and various other facilities that offer a detailed and colorful insight into the rich flora of Japan. Enjoy the seasonal flowers and much more during your visit, which may easily take up to a couple of hours. There is also a café on the premises where you may have lunch between 11:00 and 15:00 or refresh with a cup of tea or coffee at any time during Garden opening hours, from 09:00 and 17:00 fee is JPY 730. Buses departing from the Botanical Garden Main Gate take you back to Kochi Station.
Important information
Included in price
- Guide service (guided tour)
- PDF of the itinerary (self-guided tour)
- Arrangement of the "My-Yu Bus" pass pick up (guided, self-guided tour)
- Arrangement of the Wi-Fi pick up (self-guided tour)
- Help desk support (self-guided tour)
Not included
- Transportation
- Meals
- Entrance fees
The tour may be done as guided or self-guided.
Minimum number of participants per for guided tour is 2.
Maximum number of participants per both guided and self-guided tour is 8.
For further information, contact us at <shop@japantravel.com>
Transport options are as follows:
- Walking: the destinations on this tour are probably too far for reasonable access by walking from downtown Kochi.
- Cycling: Bicycles can be rented at the Kochi Prefecture "i" Information Center Tosa Terrace in front of Kochi Station. You need to provide the following information when renting: your name, address (accommodation in Japan), and telephone number. Bicycles need to be returned in the evening before closing time.
- Taxis: Taxis are widely available, however few drivers speak English. Many drivers have taken courtesy courses and do serve non-Japanese customers.
- Tram: Both city trams and buses are operated by Tosaden, and they both offer 1-day passes for tourists. The tram pass is sufficient for visiting inner city areas, whereas the bus pass should be used for outer areas. Both passes are hop-on/hop-off and they are valid for the whole day. You can buy the tram pass from the Kochi Prefecture "i" Information Center Tosa Terrace or from any tram when first boarding. The pass costs 500 yen for adults. The pass costs 500 yen for adults. Note however that this discount only applies for stations (from East to West) Kera Dori-Akebonocho Higashimachi and (from North to South) Kochieki Mae and Sanbashidori 5-chome - which is roughly 9 km in circumference. Outside that area, you will need to pay an additional fee. Tosaden has arranged some visitor discounts for tram pass holders, so make sure you check the site for details.
- Bus: The one-day bus pass for tourists is called a "My-Yu Buss" pass, and is required for outer areas of Kochi city. The My-Yu pass costs JPY 1,000 for adults (for overseas travelers it is half-price at JPY 500 if passport is shown), and it can be purchased at the Kochi Prefecture "i" Information Center Tosa Terrace. This pass covers all the same tram stations as the tram pass (for the flat rate zone).
Know before you book
- Cancellation
6 to 2 days prior to the day of your trip: 50 % of tour price
1 day prior, on the day, no-show: 100 % of tour price
Organised by Japan Travel KK
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