Top Kochi Prefecture Culture

Travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned private vehicle and discover Kochi’s four must-see highlights in just 4.5 hours. Designed for cruise passengers, this private tour offers smooth, door-to-door transportation without the stress of navigating public transportation or complicated schedules. Visit scenic Katsurahama Beach to enjoy Pacific Ocean views and learn about Sakamoto Ryoma and the Meiji Restoration. Continue to peaceful Chikurinji Temple, part of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage, before exploring historic Kochi Castle and learning about samurai culture and the Tosa Domain. Finish at lively Hirome Market, where you can sample local specialties such as seared bonito, sushi, dumplings, and other regional dishes. At the end of the tour, you will be returned comfortably to the cruise port in time for your ship’s departure.

This private full-day guided tour offers a convenient way to explore Kochi's key sights, including Kochi Castle, Makino Botanical Garden, and Chikurinji Temple. Enjoy hotel pickup and travel by public transport with an English guide, making it easy to experience local culture and history without the hassle of planning.

■Discover the best of Kochi on a guided half-day walking tour. ・Perfect for cruise passengers & first-time visitors ・Explore Kochi Castle and the vibrant Hirome Market in a small-group tour with a local guide ・Visit Kochi Hachimangu Shrine to experience Japan’s spiritual culture and learn traditional Shinto customs ・Enjoy a well-paced walk through Obiyamachi, featuring local food, culture, and a lively atmosphere ・All entrance fees included for a smooth experience ・Taste local flavors with complimentary citrus juice and biscuits ・Professionally managed by a certified tour coordinator for a smooth experience ■For Cruise Ship Guests Kochi Port is about 20–30 minutes from JR Kochi Station. Most cruise ships provide shuttle service to the city center, and taxis are available at the port. If requested in advance, our guide can meet you at Kochi Port and accompany you to JR Kochi Station (additional taxi fee may apply). For further details, please feel free to contact us in advance.

Make the most of limited time ashore in Kochi with a private sightseeing tour that takes the guesswork out of exploring the city. First, meet your private guide, then head off on an adventure together to check off local highlights, such as Kochi Castle and Chikurin-ji Temple. As it’s a private tour, the itinerary is adjustable and tailored to your interests, ensuring you get the most out of every moment.

Try your hand at the traditional Japanese art of knife-making on this engaging workshop in Shimanto. Under watchful guidance from your instructor, a master blacksmith, heat your steel in the flames and forge your metal the traditional Japanese way. Create cutlery, kitchen knives, scissors, and more—with all necessary safety equipment provided on this hands-on workshop.

Discover the best of Kochi in a compact, full-day tour that weaves together nature, history, and local charm. Start at Chikurinji Temple. Return to the city for lunch at Hirome Market, where the lively, communal atmosphere invites spontaneous encounters and a real taste of local life. Then explore Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s few original castles. Its preserved wooden interiors and hilltop views offer a rare, authentic glimpse into samurai-era Japan. Finish at Katsurahama, a beautiful beach known for its crashing waves and the iconic statue of Sakamoto Ryoma—a striking place where nature and history meet.

Explore the vibrant culinary scene of Kochi on a guided food-focused market tour at Hirome Market, a bustling hub for locals and travelers. This tour provides a deep dive into Japan's seafood culture, highlighting Kochi's renowned ingredients like bonito and seasonal citrus such as yuzu. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the market, sharing insights on regional food traditions and helping you navigate the diverse stalls with ease. Enjoy a flexible tasting experience, sampling local favorites and discovering new dishes at your own pace in this lively atmosphere. - Guided exploration of Hirome Market, a local dining hotspot - Learn about Japan's seafood culture and Kochi’s unique ingredients - Flexible food tasting experience tailored to your preferences - Convenient meeting options near city center or Kochi Station

This is a fully customizable private tour, allowing the itinerary to be adapted to your interests and preferences. The itinerary is an example of how your 4-hour tour can be arranged. Whether you are particularly interested in history, local food, culture, nature, or specific places in Kochi, the route and stops can be adjusted accordingly. Explore Kochi's highlight destinations, such as Kochi Castle, Hirome Market, Harimaya Bridge, or the Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden. Before or during the tour, you can discuss your interests with your guide and create a personalized route within the available 4 hours.

This is a 5-hour tour visiting Kochi Castle and Yōhōji Temple with an English-speaking guide. Kochi Castle, built over 400 years ago, is a must-see landmark for visitors to Kochi. After exploring Kochi Castle, you will visit Yōhōji Temple, which has deep historical ties to Kazutoyo Yamauchi, the feudal lord who constructed the castle. At Yōhōji Temple—rarely visited by tourists—you will have the special opportunity to hear directly from the temple staff. You can also enjoy a matcha tea experience and a meditation session while overlooking the temple’s garden, which showcases beautiful seasonal scenery throughout the year.

Begin your private shore excursion with pickup directly from Kochi Port. Travel comfortably in your own private vehicle. Unlike a large group tour, there is no need to keep pace with other travelers, allowing you to enjoy each destination at your own pace. Begin at Katsurahama Beach, known for its beautiful coastline and connection to Sakamoto Ryoma. Continue to Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s few castles with both its original keep and main palace still standing. Then visit Hirome Market, a lively local market where you can enjoy Kochi specialties and local food. If time permits, continue to the Godaisan area for panoramic views and a visit to historic Chikurinji Temple. The driver speaks Japanese, with communication assisted by a translation app. Before your tour, you will receive an English digital guidebook about the itinerary and sightseeing locations. Pre-tour customer support is available in English. Return to Kochi Port in time for your ship’s departure.

Kochi is a charming coastal city on Shikoku, blending samurai history with vibrant local flavors. Just a short ride from the port, explore Kochi Castle, one of Japan’s few original wooden castles, offering panoramic city views and an authentic Edo-period atmosphere. Nearby, dive into the lively Hirome Market to taste local specialties like katsuo no tataki (seared bonito) alongside friendly locals. If visiting on a Sunday, don't miss the historic Sunday Market, one of Japan’s largest with 300+ stalls. For a cultural touch, visit the symbolic Harimayabashi Bridge and the serene Makino Botanical Garden, filled with diverse flora. This tour is perfect for travelers seeking authentic history and incredible food in one easy-to-reach destination.

On this tour you can experience Kochi’s food culture and traditional craftsmanship at the Kochi City Central Wholesale Market. We will gather early in the morning to visit the fresh fish section, and then continue on to the produce area. With the guidance of a local vendor you’ll observe the lively fruit auction. After breakfast at a restaurant within the market, you’ll try your hand at making a bamboo basket using Torafudake, a type of bamboo native to Kochi. Your instructor is a bamboo artist who is also involved in bamboo forest preservation. To wrap up the experience, you’ll fill your handmade basket with seasonal fruits, creating your own unique fruit basket. The fruits provided can also be eaten on the spot. The Kochi City central market is a compact market with just over 20 shops in the fresh fish and produce sections. It boasts the second-longest history of any wholesale market in Japan.

Modern Japan blends the ancient with the contemporary, the east with the west. On this exclusive journey, you will immerse yourself in this captivating fusion. Your day begins at one of the Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimage sites, Kokubunji, where a resident monk guides you through a serene meditation session to uncover the secrets of the sanctuary. Afterward, find peace in an exquisite garden while savoring traditional matcha. Next, stroll through historic local neighborhoods and verdant rice fields to reach the Wayfarer Brewing Company. Here, the Australian-Japanese owners serve distinct single-batch beers in local clay cups, paired with a curated light lunch.

・Learn about traditional ways of making Tosa washi paper in a washi studio with over 120 years of history. ・See almost all steps of making washi paper presented in details by a 4th generation craftsperson. ・Try your hands at making new washi paper from recycling Tosa washi. ・Choose between making a colorful Tapestry, a paper lamp shade or a paper bag. ・Enjoy the quiet rural area near one of Japan’s clearest water basins: Niyodo River.

■Create your own Japanese cat lamp with traditional Tosa Washi. ・Perfect for travelers looking for a hands-on cultural experience in Kochi ・Make a unique glowing cat lamp using traditional Tosa Washi, a craft unique to Kochi ・Beginner-friendly workshop with staff support, suitable even for first-time makers ・Take home your handmade lamp as a one-of-a-kind Japanese souvenir ・Small-group experience with up to 8 participants for a relaxed creative atmosphere ・All materials, tools, and workshop instruction included for a smooth experience ・Conveniently located near Hirome Market in central Kochi ■For Cruise Ship Guests Kochi Port is about 20–30 minutes away by shuttle or taxi. Most cruise ships provide shuttle service to the city center, and taxis are available at the port. Pickup from Kochi Port is not available.

There is no easy way to summarize this tour. Words like unique are not enough. You will enter into the world of a small collective of people making their own way of life in the mountains. They live with nature and fire and forego the normal comforts of modern life. Their everyday starts with a wood fire and ends in a hot bath with water heated over a fire. You will explore the natural area they live in and see the waterfalls and power spots that make up their daily lives. Along the way you can experience the process of roasting and brewing organic coffee over live coals. At the end you will feast on home-style cooking using local ingredients and a lot of love.

Discover the hidden magic of rural Shikoku on this immersive day tour through a secluded village nestled within Niyodogawa town. Celebrated for its sweeping springtime cherry blossoms, dramatic autumn gorges, and the vibrant Akiba Festival in February, this remote community offers a rare glimpse into ancient Japanese traditions. Guests will walk the historic festival path to the local shrine, feast on Kochi’s traditional sawachi platter cuisine inside a beautifully preserved heritage home, and connect directly with local festival keepers. The journey concludes with a peaceful visit to a spectacular hillside tea plantation and a relaxing break for fragrant, artisan green tea and local sweets at a charming tea farmer’s restaurant.

In Ino Town, the birthplace of Kochi ginger, you will visit Kariya Farm, a ginger farm dedicated to carefully cultivated produce. The farm’s representative will personally share the philosophy behind their cultivation, the passion that drives their work, and the challenges of growing exceptional ginger. You will also have the opportunity to see freshly harvested ginger, dug directly from the soil in the fields.

The Shikoku Pilgrimage is one of Japan’s most iconic pilgrimage routes, with a history spanning 1,200 years. One of its greatest attractions is the “walking pilgrimage,” which allows you to follow the ancient trails on foot while enjoying encounters with nature and the local people along the way. On this tour, you’ll walk along the pilgrimage trail on Mount Godai, overlooking Kochi City, and make your way to Chikurin-ji Temple, the 31st temple on the pilgrimage route. It’s a wonderful way to experience the historic trail at a leisurely pace as part of a morning walk. After visiting the temple, we’ll take a relaxed stroll through the nearby Makino Botanical Garden, also located on Mount Godai.

Lose yourself in the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage. While this journey evokes images of grand sanctuaries and solemn, robed monks, it offers far more than quiet contemplation. The true magic lies in the paths connecting the temples. You will venture down twisting backstreets, over wooded knolls, past local greenhouses, and even across coastal waters by ferry. This tour immerses you deeply in the vibrant daily lives and warm hospitality of the Shikoku communities surrounding these sacred sites. The whole pilgrimage involves over 30 days of walking around the entire island. Unfortunately, this amazing journey is not possible for all of us. Join us on this tour of two temples to get your pilgrimage trip started. Maybe this will inspire you to come back again for the whole 1200 kilometer odyssey!

Yuzu, known for its refreshing aroma and mellow acidity, is one of Japan’s most familiar citrus fruits. Kochi Prefecture accounts for approximately 50% of Japan’s domestic yuzu production, and Umaji Village is one of the region’s major yuzu-producing areas. With a population of around 800, this small village has no traffic lights or convenience stores, and time seems to pass at a wonderfully leisurely pace. Surrounded by abundant nature, approximately 96% of the village is covered by forest. From late October through November, during the harvest season, the refreshing aroma of yuzu fills the village and has become one of the defining scents of autumn in Umaji. Yuzu in Umaji is grown without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. On this tour, you will visit a yuzu orchard in Umaji Village and experience harvesting yuzu and hand-squeezing the fresh fruit together with local farmers.

This is a private day tour in Kochi for shore excursion travelers! With local English speaking guide from Kochi, we will visit the historic site, the local markets, and natural sites. Depends on the time limit, we can arrange sightseeing area with the guide to fit you as much as we can. Feel free to let us know your request!

Located at the foot of the Shikoku Karst, the Iwayagawa Gorge is a breathtaking canyon featuring a striking landscape of sharply split, massive boulders. The sight of water pouring vigorously from the crevices of these giant rocks and the crystal-clear pools are truly magnificent! Visitors can enjoy fresh greenery in spring and vibrant foliage in autumn while walking along the trail maintained as a prefectural park. After the hike, the program offers a chance to roast tea and taste "Irimochi," a traditional local tea sweet, providing a wonderful opportunity to interact with the locals..