Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jun (rainy season)
- Airport
- KCZ
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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 Nankoku110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)050-3816-2787
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 Nankoku, 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
- SafetyVery safe.
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 · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English) (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 Kōchi Ryōma Airport (Flights to Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya-Komaki and Fukuoka.
- Getting aroundBicycle is the best way to cover the flat river area and reach the temples.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a local café¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Budget bedGuesthouse or minshuku bed, a night, per person¥4,000 (≈ US$30)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a minshuku, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedDouble room in a minshuku, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
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 Kōchi Ryōma Airport (Flights to Osaka-Itami, Tokyo-Haneda, Nagoya-Komaki and Fukuoka. About 10 min by taxi to central Nankoku.)
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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
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–Aug. 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
Nankoku: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
14 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
11 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
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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kochi city
goDoor to door: About 20 min
JR Dosan line from Nankoku station, about 10 min
Kochi Castle, Hirome Market and the Sunday market.
Cape Ashizuri
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
JR limited express from Kochi to Nakamura, then bus, about 2 h total
A full day; start early.
Shimanto City
goDoor to door: About 2 h
JR limited express from Kochi to Shimanto, about 1.5 h
Cycle the Shimanto River or ride the old train.
Kami
goDoor to door: About 30 min
JR Dosan line, about 15 min
The Monobe River gorge and the Kami castle ruins.
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.
Nankoku centre
A few small guesthouses and minshuku; limited options. Most visitors sleep in Kochi city (15 min by train).
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
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–12,000 (≈ US$55–85) excl. bed
- High
- ¥12,000 (≈ US$85)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse or minshuku bed1 × 1 night × ¥6,000 | ¥6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥10,000 |
| Bicycle rental, half day1 × ¥1,000 · check | ¥1,000 |
| JR Nankoku → Kochi, one way1 × ¥240 · check | ¥240 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥1,720 |
| Trip total≈ ¥18,960 per person per day, bed included | ¥18,960≈ US$130 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bicycle rental, half daycheck | ¥1,000 (≈ US$7) |
| JR Nankoku → Kochi, one waycheck | ¥240 (≈ US$2) |
| Coffee at a local café | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Local tomato (seasonal) | ¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3) per kg |
| Taxi from airport to Nankoku centre | ¥1,500–2,500 (≈ US$11–17) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (JNTO, 24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Nankoku南国
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
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Osaka; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Kochi Airport → Nankoku centre, taxi: about ¥1,500–2,500 (≈ US$11–17), about 10 min
- Nankoku → Kochi, JR: about ¥240 (≈ US$2), about 10 min (check)
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)
- お寺はどこですか？ — Where is the temple? (otera wa doko desu ka)
- 自転車を借りられますか？ — Can I rent a bicycle? (jitensha o kariraremasu ka)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura 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 Nankoku. 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 Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jun (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Oko Castle ruins, Tosa Kokubun-ji and Zenjibu-ji with opening hours and entry fees (check).
- Cycle route along the Monobe River with rental points and distances.
- Canoeing guide contact and seasonal availability.
Sources
Ask about Nankoku
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