Major city · Japan
Kochi (Shikoku)高知
Give Kochi city two nights: one for the castle, Hirome Market and Sunday Market, one for Godaisan and Katsurahama. Skip it if you have no car and no interest in the Pacific coast.
Kochi is the capital of Kochi prefecture on Shikoku's south coast, reached by the JR Dosan line from Okayama or by air from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka. The city is small, walkable in the centre and tram-served, with an original castle keep, a market hall that fills every night, and a coast at Katsurahama 40 minutes out. Most travellers use it as a two-night base before pushing west to the Shimanto river, Cape Ashizuri or the Iya Valley.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, then typhoon season); 9–12 Aug if you want a quiet city
- Airport
- KCZ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kochi (Shikoku)110 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kochi (Shikoku), one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyKochi is a calm, low-crime city.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKCZ Kochi Ryoma Airport (Flights from Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Itami, Nagoya Komaki and Fukuoka; buses to Kochi station take 35–45 min, ¥700 (≈ US$5)).
- Getting aroundTrams run from Kochi station south into the centre and east–west along Route 32; a downtown ride is ¥200 (≈ US$2).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5)
- Street or quick mealBeer: draught at Hirome Market / can at a konbini¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Metro or bus rideTram ride downtown¥200 (≈ US$2)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30)
- Museum or sight ticketKochi Castle keep entry¥400 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person¥2,800 (≈ US$19)
- Mid-range bedDouble or twin room, a night, per room¥14,000 (≈ US$95)
- High-end bedDouble or twin room, a night, per room¥30,000 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥7,000 (≈ US$50) · Mid ¥13,000 (≈ US$90) · High ¥25,000 (≈ US$170)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KCZ Kochi Ryoma Airport (Flights from Tokyo Haneda, Osaka Itami, Nagoya Komaki and Fukuoka; buses to Kochi station take 35–45 min, ¥700)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Feb
not flagged
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
Mar
Best
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jun
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) low), wettest Jun (14 rain days), driest Jan (6). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kochi (Shikoku): next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
6 rd
Feb
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
7 rd
Mar
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
10 rd
May
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
14 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
7 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
6 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Trams run from Kochi station south into the centre and east–west along Route 32; a downtown ride is ¥200. The My-Yu Bus from the north side of the station reaches Godaisan and Katsurahama, with a day pass at ¥1,000. Streets are wide and traffic light by Japanese standards, so bicycles work well; watch for cyclists riding against traffic.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Katsurahama and Godaisan
goDoor to door: About 40–60 min
My-Yu Bus from Kochi station north side, stops at Chikurin-ji, Makino Botanical Garden and the lookout, then Katsurahama
One loop covers the temple, the garden and the coast; the Ryoma statue and memorial museum are at the beach.
Nankoku
goDoor to door: About 20–30 min
JR Dosan line or a short drive south-east of the city
Airport side of the city; long-tailed roosters and easy access to KCZ.
Aki
cautionDoor to door: About 40–50 min
JR Dosan line east along the coast
Birthplace of Iwasaki Yataro, founder of Mitsubishi; a half day at most.
Kami
goDoor to door: About 1–1.5 h
JR Dosan line north, then bus or taxi to Ryugado Cave
Ryugado is one of Japan's larger limestone caves; check the bus times before you go.
Cape Ashizuri
overnightDoor to door: 3–4 h
JR to Nakamura or Tosashimizu, then bus; a car is much faster
Too far for a return day trip; sleep on the west coast.
Shimanto City
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 h
JR Dosan line to Kubokawa or Nakamura, then local buses
The undammed Shimanto river; canoeing and riverside camps are the point.
Kubokawa
overnightDoor to door: About 1.5–2 h
JR Dosan line, the southern terminus
Gateway to the Shimanto valley; useful as a rail stop, not a day trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Kochi Station area
Arrival point for JR, airport bus and the My-Yu sightseeing bus; chain business hotels, easiest with bags.
Harimayabashi and the arcade
Central tram stop, covered shopping arcade and Hirome Market on foot; best for eating and drinking.
Around Kochi Castle
Quieter, walkable to the castle and Obiyamachi arcade; a few minutes further from the station.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥7,000–11,000 (≈ US$50–75) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥11,000–18,000 (≈ US$75–130) excl. bed
- High
- ¥18,000 (≈ US$130)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double or twin room1 × 2 nights × ¥14,000 | ¥28,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ¥13,000 | ¥52,000 |
| Airport bus, both ways2 × ¥1,400 | ¥2,800 |
| My-Yu Bus day pass2 × ¥1,000 | ¥2,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ¥2,500 | ¥5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥8,980 |
| Trip total≈ ¥24,700 per person per day, bed included | ¥98,780≈ US$700 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥400–700 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Katsuo no tataki set meal | ¥1,200–2,500 (≈ US$9–17) |
| Beer: draught at Hirome Market / can at a konbini | ¥500–700 (≈ US$4–5) / ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Tram ride downtown | ¥200 (≈ US$2) |
| Kochi Castle keep entry | ¥400 (≈ US$3) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ¥2,000–4,000 (≈ US$14–30) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Katsurahama is a viewing beach: swimming is prohibited.
- Kochi Castle keep hours are 09:00–17:00 and the grounds are free; the keep ticket is ¥400 (≈ US$3).Kochi Castle keep hours are 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and the grounds are free; the keep ticket is ¥400 (≈ US$3).
- The Sunday Market runs every Sunday, rain or shine, along the street near the castle.
- Yosakoi Matsuri (9–12 Aug) fills every hotel in the city: book months ahead or avoid those dates.
- Small restaurants and bars may be cash-only; carry yen.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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Kochi (Shikoku)高知
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
Embassy
No embassies in Kochi; most countries keep embassies in Tokyo and consulates in Osaka. The US has a consulate in Osaka (check the address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KCZ airport → Kochi Station, bus: ¥700 (≈ US$5), 35–45 min
- Tram, downtown ride: ¥200 (≈ US$2)
- My-Yu Bus day pass: ¥1,000 (≈ US$7)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatō gozaimasu)
- これをください — This one, please (kore o kudasai)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
- トイレはどこですか？ — Where is the toilet? (toire wa doko desu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kochi (Shikoku). Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season, then typhoon season); 9–12 Aug if you want a quiet city · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for KCZ: last airport bus, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters with rescue anchors: station, Harimayabashi and the arcade, the castle and Obiyamachi, Godaisan and Katsurahama.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kochi Castle, Chikurin-ji, Makino Botanical Garden, Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum) and eat pages with last orders.
- Sunday Market and Yosakoi fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialKochi City official site
- officialKochi prefecture tourism (welcome-kochi)
- officialTosaden My-Yu Bus
- officialKochi Ryoma Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kochi (Shikoku), revision 5274478 (CC BY-SA 4.0)