Kochi Shore Excursion: Custom Car Tour, Licensed Guide

The day, stop by stop

1. Kochi Castle · 25 minKochi Castle is one of the few remaining original castles in Japan, meaning that it survived both the Edo and Meiji eras when many castles were destroyed. Even amongst the original castles, Kochi is notable for being one of only three where the original main gate survives.
2. Kochi Castle Museum of History · 30 minWhile most castles in Japan double as a museum, Kochi actually has a separate museum dedicated to the history of the castle. The museum chronicles the history of the Tosa kingdom from the Warring States period through the Meiji Reformation.
3. The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden · 30 minThe Makino Botanical Garden was created to honor Makino Tomitaro, who is considered the father of Japanese botany. This spacious and beautiful park is a perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city; one can easily spend a few hours exploring the grounds.
4. Chikurinji Temple · 30 minChikurinji, built in 724, is one of the stops of the Shikoku pilgrimage, and as the bodhisattva enshrined there is associated with wisdom, many students come here as well to pray for academic success.
5. Yokoyama Memorial Manga Museum · 30 minThe Yokoyama Memorial Manga Museum honors the legacy of Yokoyama Ryuichi, the first cartoonist to be deemed a person of cultural merit. The museum has many fun comic strips you can read as well as fun, interactive exhibits on his popular character, Fuku-chan.
6. Obiyamachi Itchome Shopping Street · 30 minKochi's shopping arcades are extensive, and make walking to various tourist sites more exciting. You can find everything you could want, and it's a great place to get a bite to eat or shop for souvenirs. One popular souvenir is the naruko noisemaker.
7. Harimayabashi Shopping Street · 30 minHarimayabashi may seem rather unimpressive at first. After all, the bridge is small at only 20 meters long. However, the bridge is famed not because of its look but due to its role in a local folktale and song. According to the legend, a monk from Chikurinji fell in love with a local woman.
8. Hirome Ichiba · 30 minHirome Ichiba is a unique market and food court. While the building may seem small, it houses over 60 shops, many of which are restaurants or izakaya (Japanese-style pubs). Seating is done on long shared tables and benches.
9. Katsurahama Ryuogu Shrine · 30 minKatsurahama is a scenic beach a little outside of Kochi City center. Due to the strong current, swimming is prohibited but fortunately there are other things to do in the area. One of the main sites is the Sakamoto Ryoma museum. Sakamoto, a Kochi native, was part of the movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate.
10. Sunday Market · 30 minIf you are in Kochi on a weekend, the Sunday market is not to be missed. The market opened in 1690, making it the oldest outdoor market in Japan. The market spans 1 kilometer from Otesuji avenue to Kochi Castle and includes over 500 stalls.
11. Ryugado Cave · 1 hrRyugado Cave is one of Japan’s three major limestone caves, located in Kochi Prefecture, and stretches over four kilometers with stunning stalactites and underground formations shaped over 175 million years.
12. 5 minKAIYODO Space Factory Nankoku is a hands-on museum and factory operated by KAIYODO in Nankoku City, Kochi Prefecture. Visitors can observe the production process of soft vinyl figures and explore exhibits showcasing KAIYODO’s renowned craftsmanship and collectibles.

Guide languages: English, Japanese. Cancellation: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Run by Japan Guide Agency.