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:
    • 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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    • 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. This 3-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. All units will provide guests with a fridge. Guests at Comfort Hotel Kochi can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Hossho-ji Temple is 37 km from the accommodation, while Nakatosa Town Art Museum is 47 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km from the property.
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    • Dormy Inn Kochi
      Mid-range
      Dormy Inn Kochi is located in Kochi, 36 km from Daizen-ji Temple and 36 km from Nishihama Park. 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 with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. Guest rooms include a wardrobe. Guests at Dormy Inn Kochi can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Hossho-ji Temple is 36 km from the accommodation, while Nakatosa Town Art Museum is 46 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Best Price Kochi
      Mid-range
      Located in Kochi and with Daizen-ji Temple reachable within 37 km, Hotel Best Price Kochi provides free bikes, non-smoking rooms, free WiFi and a restaurant. The property is around 37 km from Nishihama Park, 37 km from Hossho-ji Temple and 47 km from Nakatosa Town Art Museum. Private parking is available on site. Complete with a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and free toiletries, all units at the hotel have a TV and air conditioning, and selected rooms include a balcony. All rooms will provide guests with a desk and a kettle. A buffet breakfast is available at Hotel Best Price Kochi. The accommodation offers 3-star accommodation with a sauna. Staff at Hotel Best Price Kochi are always available to provide guidance at the reception. Hijiri Shrine is 50 km from the hotel, while K?chi Station is 2 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 spa and wellness centre and private parking. Each accommodation at the 5-star hotel has city views, and guests can enjoy access to a restaurant and to a bar. 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. The breakfast offers buffet, American or Asian options. Nishihama Park is 37 km from OMO7 Kochi by Hoshino Resorts, while Hossho-ji Temple is 37 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 12 km from the property.
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    • Hotel Takasago
      Mid-range
      Offering free bikes and river view, Hotel Takasago is set in Kochi, 36 km from Daizen-ji Temple and 37 km from Nishihama Park. This 3-star ryokan offers a lift and full-day security. The ryokan features private parking, a sauna and a 24-hour front desk. The units in the ryokan are fitted with a flat-screen TV. With a private bathroom equipped with a bidet and slippers, units at the ryokan also have free WiFi. At the ryokan, the units are fitted with bed linen and towels. A family-friendly restaurant can be found at the property, offering a child-friendly buffet. Hossho-ji Temple is 37 km from the ryokan, while Nakatosa Town Art Museum is 46 km away. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km from the property.
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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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    • 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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    • Hotel Liberty Kochi (Adult Only)
      Budget-friendly
      Located in Kochi, Hotel Liberty Kochi (Adult Only) is a love hotel offering air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. This love hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and room service. Guests can enjoy river views. At the love hotel, every room includes a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. The private bathroom is equipped with a bath and free toiletries. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. A continental breakfast can be enjoyed in the breakfast area. The nearest airport is Kochi Ryoma Airport, 12 km from the property.
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    • Kochi Sunrise Hotel
      Luxury
      Situated in Kochi, Kochi Sunrise Hotel has a garden, shared lounge, restaurant, and free WiFi throughout the property. The property is around 36 km from Nishihama Park, 36 km from Hossho-ji Temple and 45 km from Nakatosa Town Art Museum. The property is non-smoking and is set 35 km from Daizen-ji Temple. The rooms are fitted with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a fridge, a kettle, a shower, a hairdryer and a desk. The units at the hotel come with a private bathroom and bed linen. Guests at Kochi Sunrise Hotel can enjoy a buffet breakfast. The accommodation can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Hijiri Shrine is 48 km from Kochi Sunrise Hotel, while K?chi Station is 1.4 km from the property. Kochi Ryoma Airport is 13 km away.
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