Things to do in Kochi City

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Kochi Prefecture

Kochi Castle

Kochi Castle is a Japanese castle located in Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture. Built as a *hirayama-jō* (a castle situated on a hill rising from a plain), it is a nationally designated historic site. Its *tenshukaku* (main keep) is one of only twelve in Japan that remain well-preserved. The castle was originally constructed by Yamauchi Kazutoyo in the early 17th century. Although a fire in 1727 destroyed almost the entire complex—including the main keep—it was rebuilt by 1753 to match its original form and remains largely intact today, some 250 years later. Kochi Castle is one of the few remaining castles in Japan with a main keep that dates back to the pre-Edo period. It is unique nationwide for retaining all the structures of the *Honmaru* (inner bailey)—including the *Honmaru Goten* (palace), the main keep, and the *Kurogane-mon* (Iron Gate)—making it a site of immense historical value. From the four-tiered, five-story main keep, visitors can enjoy panoramic views stretching from the Kochi Plain to the Pacific Ocean, while the interiors of the *Honmaru Goten* and the main keep house exhibits featuring materials related to the castle and artifacts belonging to the Yamauchi clan, the castle's former lords. In addition to the main keep and the *Honmaru* structures, fifteen other buildings—such as the *Ote-mon* (main gate) and *Tsume-mon* (connecting gate)—have been designated as Important Cultural Properties. The surrounding area has been developed into Kochi Park, which features statues of Yamauchi Kazutoyo and his wife, as well as the Prefectural Museum of Literature, which showcases writers associated with Kochi Prefecture. An admission fee is required to enter the *Honmaru Goten* and the main keep.

Harimayabashi

This distinctive vermilion bridge is one of Kochi City's most photogenic attractions. "Harimayabashi" was once the setting for a love story between a monk and a local girl, which also appears in the local folk song "Yorai-bushi". In recent years, the area has been developed into "Harimaya Bridge Park", recreating the sound of the river as it once was.

The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden

Kochi Park

This is a beautiful park with a great environment, and the ginkgo trees are especially beautiful in the fall.

Katsurahama Park

Sakamoto Ryoma Statue

The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum

On the high platform of Katsura Park, a museum with the theme of "Sakamoto Ryoma", a shogunate from Kochi Prefecture, was built. The life of Ryoma is introduced with precious documents and videos, such as a handwritten letter sent to Ryoma's older sister, Otome. The museum collects and displays a large number of Ryoma tablets in Japan. From the museum, you can see the majestic Pacific Ocean scenery that Longma saw in the past; in front of the entrance, there is a statue of a dragon and horse shaking hands in equal proportions, tourists can shake hands with the dragon horse, and it is also a popular photography spot.

Katsurahama Aquarium

Chikurin Temple

Zhulin Temple is located in Wutai Mountain, Kochi City. It is a temple of the Zhishan School of Shingon Sect. The deity is Manjushri Bodhisattva. The environment inside the temple is simple and quiet, and you can always meet the worshippers who are "traversing the road" in Shikoku at any time. The main hall of Bamboo Forest Temple was built in 1644 by the second generation Tosa Daimyo, Yamauchi Tadashi. There is also a 5-story pagoda and thousands of statues of Jizo Bodhisattva in the spacious grounds, which are the guardians of children and travelers. god.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Studios Japan

Here you'll find not only heart-pounding attractions themed around Hollywood blockbuster movies, but also live shows featuring popular cartoon characters—fun for everyone from kids to adults! This is home to the world's first Nintendo theme park, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! Here we have holiday-exclusive parades and float tours! Everyone here is the star—join the passionate parade, ignite your excitement together, and feel full of energy! Located in OsakaUniversal Studios Japan("Universal Studios Japan") is one of the Universal Studios theme parks. It opened in 2001 and is a classic and wonderful world of fun in the hearts of many visitors. Its design is similar to Universal Studios Orlando in the United States, and it features popular areas such as "Jurassic Park," "Hollywood," and "Waterworld." With more than 60 fun attractions, you can keep playing and exploring all day long. Universal Studios JapanThere are also much-loved themed IP areas such as "Super Nintendo World (Mario/Super Mario)", "Minions", and "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Whether you're having fun interacting with the Minions, racing through the Mario Kart adventure, or weaving through the magical world of Hogwarts, these are all wonderfully unforgettable experiences. △The Nintendo area is a collaboration between Nintendo andUniversal Studios JapanThe world's first Nintendo theme park, jointly built, features the globally popular Super Mario as its main character. It offers a 1:1 ultra-realistic recreation of Bowser's Castle, Princess Peach's Castle, and the Mushroom Kingdom from the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! △"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Freeze Ray Sliders" pull you into the Minions' gigantic chaos and whip up a heatwave! A huge swarm of Minions is running wild and turning everything upside down in every street, alley, and corner! In the joyful and boisterous Minion Park, every visitor can't help but join in the mischievous mayhem! △Welcome to the magnificent area—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, which faithfully recreates the world of the Harry Potter™ stories with overwhelming scale and meticulous attention to every detail. The towering Hogwarts™ castle stands tall, and in front of it lies the vast Hogsmeade™ where wizards live, along with many ride attractions and various shops. Here, you can step into "that world" from the films, as if everything is happening right before your eyes.