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Voykit pocket guide · Japan
Nankoku
南国
Half a day: cycle the Monobe River, see two Shikoku pilgrimage temples and the castle ruins. Not a base — sleep in Kochi city.
Nankoku is a small city just east of Kochi city, best known for Oko Castle ruins (cherry blossoms in spring), two temples of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, and easy cycling along the Monobe River. Most travellers pass through on the way to Cape Ashizuri or Shimanto. One morning or afternoon is enough.
- Country
- Japan
- Local name
- 南国
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jun (rainy season)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- JPY
- Money
- Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.
- Daily spend
- Budget ¥5,000–8,000 excl. bed · Mid ¥8,000–12,000 excl. bed · High ¥12,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Data-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.
- Emergency
- Police 110 · Fire and ambulance 119 · Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) 050-3816-2787
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 100 V · 50 Hz east (Tokyo), 60 Hz west (Osaka) · Most sockets are two flat pins without earth; European and UK plugs need an adapter. Phone and laptop chargers handle 100 V.
- Tipping
- Restaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.; Taxis: No tip; pay the meter.; Ryokan: Optional: ¥1,000–3,000 in an envelope for the room attendant; never loose cash.; Private guide: Not expected; a small gift or a thank-you meal is more usual.; Hotel porter: No tip.
- Water
- Safe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.
- Toilets
- Free, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet. Rural and old stations may have squat toilets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bicycle rental, half day | ¥1,000 |
| JR Nankoku → Kochi, one way | ¥240 |
| Coffee at a local café | ¥300–500 |
| Local tomato (seasonal) | ¥200–400 per kg |
| Taxi from airport to Nankoku centre | ¥1,500–2,500 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- KCZ · Kōchi Ryōma Airport
- Flights to Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya-Komaki and Fukuoka. About 10 min by taxi to central Nankoku.
Typical fares
- Kochi Airport → Nankoku centre, taxi
- about ¥1,500–2,500, about 10 min
- Nankoku → Kochi, JR
- about ¥240, about 10 min (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Bicycle is the best way to cover the flat river area and reach the temples. The JR Dosan line connects Nankoku station to Kochi (about 10 min) and Kami. Taxis are available at the station.
See and do
Known for
- Oko Castle ruins (cherry blossoms)
- Tosa Kokubun-ji (temple 29 of the Shikoku pilgrimage)
- Zenjibu-ji (temple 32 of the Shikoku pilgrimage)
- Monobe River cycling and canoeing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi city | JR Dosan line from Nankoku station, about 10 min | About 20 min |
| Cape Ashizuri | JR limited express from Kochi to Nakamura, then bus, about 2 h total | About 2.5 h |
| Shimanto City | JR limited express from Kochi to Shimanto, about 1.5 h | About 2 h |
| Kami | JR Dosan line, about 15 min | About 30 min |
Sleep
- Nankoku centre
- A few small guesthouses and minshuku; limited options. Most visitors sleep in Kochi city (15 min by train).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | すみませんsumimasen |
| Thank you | ありがとうございますarigatō gozaimasu |
| Where is the temple? | お寺はどこですか？otera wa doko desu ka |
| Can I rent a bicycle? | 自転車を借りられますか？jitensha o kariraremasu ka |
| How much is it? | いくらですか？ikura desu ka |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: A small bow; a handshake if the other person offers; avoid: Hugs, back slaps, loud greetings
- Names: Family name plus -san; avoid: First names unless invited; adding -san to your own name
- Paying: Put money in the tray at the register; avoid: Tipping, or leaving loose cash for staff
- Trains: Queue at the floor marks, phone on silent, ask before reclining on the Shinkansen; avoid: Phone calls, eating on crowded commuter trains, blocking doors with bags
- Escalators: Stand on the side locals use — left in Tokyo, right in Osaka; stations now ask people to stand still on both; avoid: Stopping at the top or bottom
- Shoes: Off at the step-up entrance; toilet slippers only inside the toilet; avoid: Stepping on tatami in shoes or slippers
- Shrines: Rinse hands at the basin; bow twice, clap twice, bow once; avoid: Walking down the centre of the approach, which is for the deity
- Gifts: Offer and receive with both hands; bring a small omiyage for hosts; avoid: Sets of four; cash outside an envelope
Scams and watch-outs
- Temples are active pilgrimage sites: be quiet, remove shoes where indicated, no photography inside halls.
- Oko Castle ruins have no shelter: bring water and sun protection in warm months.
- Canoeing on the Monobe River requires a guide or rental; check availability in advance.
Very safe. The main risks are summer heat, bicycles on narrow roads and the occasional wild boar near the river at dusk.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Nankoku yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Oko Castle ruins (cherry blossoms)
- Tosa Kokubun-ji (temple 29 of the Shikoku pilgrimage)
- Zenjibu-ji (temple 32 of the Shikoku pilgrimage)
- Monobe River cycling and canoeing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Nankoku city official website: www.city.nankoku.lg.jp/
- Nankoku tourist association (Japanese): www.nankoku-kankou.jp/
- Guidoor — Nankoku info in English: www.guidoor.jp/en/cities/5901
- Wikivoyage: Nankoku, revision 5244224 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5244224
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Nankoku南国
ここまでお願いします
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
The US has a consulate in Osaka; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/nankoku). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.