The famous landmark of Kochi's downtown is Harimayabashi, a small red bridge on the west side of the main street. While it may not look particularly noteworthy at first glance, Harimayabashi is renowned for its role in a Kochi love story.

A common version of the story centers around a priest from Godaisan and a girl from Kochi. Because the priest's temple forbade relationships, the couple hid their romance by meeting in secret and exchanging clandestine gifts. However, their romance was exposed one day when the priest was caught buying a hair comb for his lover at Harimayabashi. As a result, the couple fled the city to avoid punishment.

In addition to Harimayabashi, downtown Kochi has pedestrian shopping arcades and attractive streets for walking. Shops selling hair combs, like the one mentioned in the famous love story, cluster around harimayabashi and are found throughout the arcades. They also sell naruko, which are noise makers originally used to keep birds away from the rice crops, but are now used in the Yosakoi Festival, Kochi's famous dance festival.

Getting there and around

Harimayabashi is a ten minute walk or four minute tram ride south of Kochi Station.

How to get to and around Kochi

Hotels around Kochi

Top rated in Kochi
Budget:
    • Katsuo Guest House
      Budget-friendly
      Situated just 38 km from Nishihama Park, Katsuo Guest House provides accommodation in Kochi with access to a garden, a shared lounge, as well as a shared kitchen. Featuring free private parking, the 1-star guest house is 38 km from Daizen-ji Temple. The guest house has family rooms. The air-conditioned units have a fully equipped kitchen with a microwave, a toaster and dining area. Every unit is equipped with a safety deposit box and free WiFi, while certain rooms come with a terrace. All units include bed linen. For guests with children, the guest house features an indoor play area and outdoor play equipment. A bicycle rental service is available at Katsuo Guest House. Hossho-ji Temple is 38 km from the accommodation, while Nakatosa Town Art Museum is 48 km from the property. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km away.
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    • Jyoseikan
      Luxury
      Featuring an open-air bath and views of city, Jyoseikan is a ryokan situated in a historic building in Kochi, 34 km from Daizen-ji Temple. Private parking is available on site. The accommodation provides a sauna, free WiFi throughout the property and family rooms. The units are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a bidet, slippers and a wardrobe. The units are equipped with heating facilities. There is a coffee shop, bar and lounge. Nishihama Park is 34 km from the ryokan, while Hossho-ji Temple is 34 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 14 km from the property.
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    • Dormy Inn Kochi
      Mid-range
      Located in Kochi, 36 km from Daizen-ji Temple, Dormy Inn Kochi features views of the city. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and luggage storage space. The accommodation provides a sauna, hot spring bath, restaurant and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a shared bathroom with a bidet. At Dormy Inn Kochi each room has bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Nishihama Park is 36 km from Dormy Inn Kochi, while Hossho-ji Temple is 36 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km from the property.
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    • Comfort Hotel Kochi
      Mid-range
      Located within 37 km of Daizen-ji Temple and 37 km of Nishihama Park, Comfort Hotel Kochi provides rooms in Kochi. With free bikes, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, every room comes with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At Comfort Hotel Kochi every room is equipped with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the accommodation. Around the clock guidance is available at the reception, where staff speak English and Japanese. Hossho-ji Temple is 37 km from Comfort Hotel Kochi, while Nakatosa Town Art Museum is 47 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Best Price Kochi
      Mid-range
      Hotel Best Price Kochi is located in Kochi, 37 km from Daizen-ji Temple and 37 km from Nishihama Park. With a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Every room is equipped with a desk and a TV, and certain rooms at Hotel Best Price Kochi have a balcony. All units will provide guests with a fridge. At the accommodation guests are welcome to take advantage of a sauna. Staff at Hotel Best Price Kochi are always available to provide guidance at the reception. Hossho-ji Temple is 37 km from the hotel, while Nakatosa Town Art Museum is 47 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 11 km from the property.
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    • OMO7 Kochi by Hoshino Resorts
      Luxury
      Located in Kochi, 37 km from Daizen-ji Temple, OMO7 Kochi by Hoshino Resorts provides accommodation with a restaurant, private parking, a bar and a spa and wellness centre. The property is around 37 km from Nishihama Park, 37 km from Hossho-ji Temple and 46 km from Nakatosa Town Art Museum. The hotel features a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Breakfast is available daily, and includes buffet, American and Asian options. Hijiri Shrine is 49 km from OMO7 Kochi by Hoshino Resorts, while K?chi Station is 1.5 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 12 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Takasago
      Mid-range
      Set in Kochi, 36 km from Daizen-ji Temple, Hotel Takasago provides accommodation with free bikes and private parking. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and a lift, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The ryokan has family rooms and facilities for disabled guests. Every unit features a private bathroom and bidet, air conditioning, a flat-screen TV and a fridge. The ryokan offers certain units with river views, and all units have a kettle. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels. Nishihama Park is 37 km from the ryokan, while Hossho-ji Temple is 37 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km from the property.
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    • Kochi Pacific Hotel
      Mid-range
      Conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from JR Kochi Station, Kochi Pacific Hotel offers free WiFi in all guest rooms, massage services and in-house dining options. Private on-site parking is available at a daily fee. All rooms at Kochi Pacific Hotel are air-conditioned. Each room is fitted with a working desk, fridge and electric kettle. Selected rooms also come with a seating area. Private bathroom includes both a bath and a shower. Slippers and free toiletries are provided for all guests. Luggage storage and bicycle rental are available at the 24-hour front desk. Guests can request dry cleaning and ironing services here at an extra charge as well. There are on-site drinks vending machines. Saisyuntou, the on-site restaurant on the first floor, serves Western and Japanese breakfast between 06:45 and 09:30. Snacks and soft beverages are available at Caf? Bloom on the ground floor from 08:00 until 20:00. From the hotel, guests can walk 25 minutes or drive 10 minutes to Kochi Castle. Katsurahama Beach is a 25-minute drive from the hotel. Kochi Ferry Terminal is a 12-minute drive and Ryouma Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
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    • Kochi Hotel
      Mid-range
      Located in a minute's walk from Kochi Station, Kochi Hotel provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. The property is set 7 km from Katori Shrine. The property features a 24-hour front desk. All rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. Breakfast is available each morning at the property. The nearest airport is Kouchi Airport located 12 km away from property.
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    • Nishitetsu Inn Kochi Harimayabashi
      Mid-range
      Nishitetsu Inn Kochi Harimayabashi features Western rooms and free WiFi, a 10-minute walk from JR Kochi Train Station. Guests can request relaxing massages for an extra cost. The property is also only a 15-minute walk from Kochi Castle. The air-conditioned rooms feature a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. Each comes with an en suite bathroom, a hairdryer and an air purifier and humidifier. Guests can borrow ironing facilities and a trouser press at the front desk. A coin-launderette and drink vending machines are on site. A mobile phone charger can be borrowed at the 24-hour front desk and luggage storage is available. Japanese and Western dishes are served for breakfast at the dining room. Harimayabashi Kochi Nishitetsu Inn is a 10-minute walk from Hirome Market and a 1-minute walk from Harimaya Bridge Tram Station. Kochi Airport is a 30-minute drive away.
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