4 upcoming voyages call at Kochi
- Autumn Holiday Tanegashima & Kochi Cruise
Kobe → Tanegashima → Kochi → Kobe
- Calls here
- September 22, 2026
- Day
- 4 of 5
- Christmas Kobe & Kochi Cruise
Kobe → Kochi → Kobe
- Calls here
- December 9, 2026
- Day
- 2 of 4
- Ashore
- 08:00–17:00 (9 hours)
- Long Weekend Kobe & Kochi Cruise
Kobe → Kochi → Kobe
- Calls here
- January 9, 2027
- Day
- 2 of 4
- Ashore
- 08:00–17:00 (9 hours)
- Spring Kochi Cruise
Kobe → Kochi → Kobe
- Calls here
- March 20, 2027
- Day
- 2 of 4
- Ashore
- 08:00–19:00 (11 hours)
Times shown are as scheduled and can change. Weather, sea conditions and port operations may shorten a call or prevent it — always check the latest information from NYK Cruises, and once aboard, from the ship.
About Kochi
The south coast of Shikoku, facing the open Pacific with mountains at its back. That is why Kochi was hard to reach overland for most of its history and turned to the sea instead, and why the food here is grilled over fire rather than simmered. The castle town is small enough to cross on foot or by tram, and the castle at the middle of it kept the keep it was built with. The port is at Urado, on the inlet south of the city.
Within reach of the port
Kochi Castle
One of twelve castles in Japan that still stand with their original keep. What is unusual here is that the palace at the foot of it survived as well, so the rooms the lord lived in and the tower he defended are one visit rather than two.
Kochi Castle (Kochi Prefecture) ↗in Japanese — your browser can translate it
The Sunday market
Held on Otesuji, the street that runs east from the castle gate, every Sunday but two in the year. Kochi City traces it to a domain ordinance of 1690, which makes it more than three centuries old. It runs about a kilometre with some three hundred stalls.
Kochi City (official) ↗in Japanese — your browser can translate it
Hirome Market
A covered hall of small counters near the castle, sixty-odd of them around shared tables. This is where to eat katsuo no tataki, bonito seared over a straw fire. The straw is the point, and the searing is done in front of you.
Katsurahama
The beach at the mouth of the inlet, twenty minutes from the berth, pines above it and the statue of Sakamoto Ryoma looking out to sea. Swimming is not allowed here — the currents are the reason — so it is a place to walk.
Shore excursions
NYK Cruises run their own guided excursions at each port, booked by guests themselves through My ASUKA PLANS — the booking window opens before departure and depends on your cabin class. They are conducted in Japanese. Going ashore independently is always an option.