Kochi Castle：The Only Japanese Castle with Both a Keep and Palace Intact

Kochi Castle is one of Japan’s most unique castles, and the only one in the country where both the main keep (tenshu) and the lord’s residence (Honmaru Goten, known as Kaitokukan) remain intact in their original form. Designated as an Important Cultural Property, the castle preserves much of its Edo-period atmosphere, offering visitors a rare chance to experience both the symbolic tower and the political residence of a feudal lord in one place.

How to Get There

Kochi Castle is located in the center of Kochi City, with JR Kochi Station as the nearest rail hub. From Kochi Ryoma Airport, you can access the castle directly by bus.

Kochi Castle address: 1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture (see on Google Maps)

From Tokyo

By Air (direct to Kochi Castle)

• Haneda Airport → Kochi Ryoma Airport (about 1 hr 20 min)

• Kochi Ryoma Airport → Airport Limousine Bus to “Kochi-jo-mae” stop (about 30 min, ¥740)

• Walk about 3 minutes to the Otemon Gate
  Total time: approx. 2 to 2.5 hours
  Cost estimate: Flight ¥15,000–20,000 + Bus ¥740

By Shinkansen + Limited Express (via Kochi Station)

• Tokyo → Okayama (Sanyo Shinkansen, about 3 hr 40 min, reserved seat ~¥15,000)
  Note: Some Nozomi trains run directly to Okayama.

• Okayama → Kochi (Dosan Line Limited Express “Nanpu,” about 2 hr 30 min, reserved seat ~¥6,000)
  Total time: just over 6 hours
  Cost estimate: around ¥21,000
  From Kochi Station, see access options below.

From Osaka

By Air (direct to Kochi Castle)

• Itami Airport → Kochi Ryoma Airport (about 50 min)

• Kochi Ryoma Airport → Airport Limousine Bus to “Kochi-jo-mae” stop (about 30 min, ¥740)

• Walk about 3 minutes to the Otemon Gate
  Total time: approx. 1.5 hours
  Cost estimate: Flight ¥10,000–15,000 + Bus ¥740

By Shinkansen + Limited Express (via Kochi Station)

• Shin-Osaka → Okayama (Sanyo Shinkansen, about 50 min, reserved seat ~¥6,000)

• Okayama → Kochi (Dosan Line Limited Express “Nanpu,” about 2 hr 30 min, reserved seat ~¥6,000)
  Total time: about 3 hr 20 min
  Cost estimate: around ¥12,000
  From Kochi Station, see access options below.

From Kochi Station to Kochi Castle

• On Foot: about 25 minutes

• By Tram: From “Kochi-eki-mae,” take the Sanbashi Line to “Harimayabashi” (about 6 min). Transfer to the Ino Line and get off at “Kochi-jo-mae” (6–8 min). From there it’s a 5-min walk. Total: 15–20 min, ¥230.

• By Bus: From Kochi Station bus terminal, take a Tosaden bus to “Kochi-jo-mae” (about 10–15 min), then walk 3 min. Fare: ¥240.

History of Kochi Castle

Construction of Kochi Castle began in 1601, when Yamauchi Kazutoyo, a feudal lord rewarded with the Tosa Domain after the Battle of Sekigahara, chose the current site to avoid flooding problems at his former stronghold.

In 1727, a great fire destroyed most of the castle, including the keep and palace buildings. They were rebuilt in 1749, and today’s surviving main keep (tenshu) and lord’s residence (Honmaru Goten, Kaitokukan) date from that period.

Ordinarily, Honmaru Goten in Japanese castles served as the lord’s residence and office. However, Kochi’s Honmaru Goten (Kaitokukan) was exceptional: it was not a daily residence, but rather an official audience hall, where the lord met vassals and conducted ceremonies. The lord’s everyday life took place in other residences such as the Ninomaru Palace.

Kochi Castle is unique because it is one of only 12 castles in Japan with their original main keeps still standing, and the only one where both the keep and the palace survive together. This makes it an invaluable window into Japan’s feudal past.

Tickets

Tickets for Kochi Castle can be purchased at the on-site ticket office.

• Credit cards are accepted.

• A special combined ticket for Kochi Castle and the Kochi Castle Museum of History is available, offering good value for visitors interested in local history.

Inside Kochi Castle

The main keep of Kochi Castle appears to be a three-tier, five-story structure from the outside, but inside it has six floors plus a basement, making a total of seven levels. The staircases are steep. Entry to the keep is through the Kaitokukan (Honmaru Goten), and photography is permitted inside.

The basement level is not part of the visitor route, so the tour follows the 1st through 6th floors. A typical visit takes about 60 to 90 minutes.

This is the first floor. The preservation is excellent. Although some areas are restricted, photography is allowed. There is also a garden.

here is also an area with a scale model that recreates the appearance of Kochi Castle’s castle town.

The rooftop is not very spacious, so visitors cannot stay for long. People are constantly coming up and going down. Still, the view from the top is beautiful.

Be sure to take a look not only at the castle itself but also at its stone walls. Many of them were built more than 400 years ago and still remain today.

Kochi Castle Museum of History

Located just across from the castle, the Kochi Castle Museum of History showcases artifacts related to the Tosa Domain and its famous figures, including documents connected to Sakamoto Ryoma.

Address: 2-7-5 Otesuji, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture (see on Google Maps)

• Exhibits: Permanent displays on the Yamauchi family, special exhibitions on Kochi’s samurai and culture

• Combined Ticket: Visitors who purchase the set ticket can access both the castle and the museum.

Hours and Admission

Kochi Castle

• Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30)

• Closed: December 26 – January 1

• Admission: Adults ¥500 / Free for under 18

Kochi Castle Museum of History

• Hours: 9:00–18:00 (Sundays from 8:00)

• Admission: Permanent exhibition ¥500, Special exhibition ¥800 / Free for under 18

• Closed: Open daily (may close temporarily for exhibition changes)

Combined Ticket: ¥1,040 (castle + museum)

※This article is based on information as of April 26, 202