âš“ legtolegcruises.com BETA

Kochi: when your ship stops here

One of the twelve castles in Japan with its original keep, a food hall with shared tables, and a Sunday street market.

Facts checked Nov 6, 2026, each with its source. No prices on this page.

Kochi is the capital of Kochi Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku in Japan. The city center lies at the head of Urado Bay, which opens to the Pacific Ocean. Our sources do not say how far the cruise pier is from the city center, so ask on board how you will get into town.

Source: Wikipedia: Kochi, Kochi

Top 3 things to do

  1. 1. Kochi Castle

    One of only twelve castles in Japan that still have their original main tower, the keep. A fire in 1727 burned much of it, and the buildings at its heart were rebuilt from 1729 to 1753 and still stand. It sits on Otakayama hill in the middle of the city.

    Tip: Wikipedia puts it about a 20 minute walk from Kochi Station. Visit Kochi warns that the stairs inside the keep are steep, so take them slowly.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Kochi Castle; Visit Kochi Japan: Conquer Kochi Castle!

  2. 2. Hirome Market

    An indoor market of small food and drink stalls with big shared tables, a short walk from Kochi Castle. Visit Kochi calls it Kochi's kitchen.

    Tip: Visit Kochi gives its hours as 10:00 to 23:00 on weekdays and Saturdays and 9:00 to 23:00 on Sundays, closed on New Year's Day and a few other days a year. You pay at each stall, and credit cards are generally not taken, so bring yen in cash.

    Source: Visit Kochi Japan: Hirome Market

  3. 3. The Sunday Market

    A street market along Otesuji, the avenue that starts at the Otemon gate at the foot of Kochi Castle, with stalls of fresh produce, flowers, street food and crafts. Visit Kochi says it has run for over 300 years.

    Tip: It is held on Sundays only, from 6 in the morning, so it fits only a Sunday call. Go early: popular things sell out.

    Sources: Visit Kochi Japan: Sunday Market; Wikipedia: Kochi, Kochi

What to skip

  • A swim at Katsurahama

    Katsurahama is a famous beach with an aquarium and a statue of the local hero Sakamoto Ryoma looking out to the Pacific, but swimming there is not allowed because of strong currents and big waves. Our sources give no bus time from the pier, so ask on board before you go.

    Sources: Wikipedia: Kochi, Kochi; Visit Kochi Japan: Katsurahama

Before you go ashore

You do not have to book a tour: you are free to go ashore on your own. Royal Caribbean sets the all aboard time about 30 minutes before the ship sails, posts it near the gangway, and says the ship does not wait for guests touring on their own.

Source: Royal Caribbean FAQ: Do I need to book a shore excursion?

Back-to-backs that stop in Kochi

Back-to-back cruises from these home ports have a stop in Kochi, from the Royal Caribbean sailings we track:

Sources

Read on Nov 6, 2026. Opening days, hours and rules change: check with the place itself before you go. legtolegcruises.com is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Royal Caribbean International or any place named here.

Find back-to-backs that stop in Kochi

Two or more Royal Caribbean cruises in a row, with a day in Kochi on the way.

Find your cruise ›

More ports in Asia

All 22 port guides in Asia ›All 173 port guides ›