The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Coquitlam, Canada77 contributions
Mar 2012 • Couples
Kochi City Japan is off the beaten track but if you go the Makino gardens are a must. Tomitaro Makino was an important botanist and the garden that bears his name is well planned and is enhanced with wonderful architecture and exhibits on Godaisan, a small 139 meter mountain approximately 20 minutes from Kochi city. Godaison is also the home of Temple 31, Chikurin-ji built in the 8th Century. There are 88 temples that circle the island of Shikoku. Pilgrims can be seen walking through the gardens on an ancient pathway that winds to the temple at a higher elevation.
The combination of a beautiful garden, a fascinating interpretive center and an important Buddhist temple make for a great attraction.
Admission to the garden is 700 yen and it is well worth it!
The combination of a beautiful garden, a fascinating interpretive center and an important Buddhist temple make for a great attraction.
Admission to the garden is 700 yen and it is well worth it!
Written 1 April 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth M
Kamakura, Japan78 contributions
Oct 2019
Best to take a good amount of time to explore this place. Also, near a lovely Ohenro stop temple called Chikurinji so both of these would be a great way to spend a day!
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie E
Canada2,896 contributions
May 2019 • Friends
A few of us were on a cruise and choose to experience some place different from the endless temples. Frankly I was templed out.
Buy a ‘my you’ day bus pass for 500 yen versus 1000 yen at the ticket office when you show your passport.
The beautiful Garden was established in 1958. It is a tribute to Makino Tomitaro, a world famous botanist. Over 3000 species of plants are named on plaques.
Make sure you visit the conservatory to see giant lily pads and beautiful orchids. The steps leading down towards the conservatory is more like a steep winding trail going down, down, down. If you have time constraints, there’s a shortcut to the conservatory. From the front entrance of the ticket booth, walk right past the car parking lot, and up the small gradual hill. On one side you will see the small cafe shop. Show your entrance ticket and enter there.
Tip: to receive a picture postcard, at the entrance way, ask for a couple of blank postcards. There are 5 stamping stations, where each stamp creates a picturesque garden.
During our visit, we had an opportunity to visit the hill of blooming flowers. At the hilltop, enjoy a spectacular view of Kochi while the smells of flowers are intoxicating to the senses.
To catch the bus back, there’s a ‘My you’ bus stop located right outside the booth the observatory.
Buy a ‘my you’ day bus pass for 500 yen versus 1000 yen at the ticket office when you show your passport.
The beautiful Garden was established in 1958. It is a tribute to Makino Tomitaro, a world famous botanist. Over 3000 species of plants are named on plaques.
Make sure you visit the conservatory to see giant lily pads and beautiful orchids. The steps leading down towards the conservatory is more like a steep winding trail going down, down, down. If you have time constraints, there’s a shortcut to the conservatory. From the front entrance of the ticket booth, walk right past the car parking lot, and up the small gradual hill. On one side you will see the small cafe shop. Show your entrance ticket and enter there.
Tip: to receive a picture postcard, at the entrance way, ask for a couple of blank postcards. There are 5 stamping stations, where each stamp creates a picturesque garden.
During our visit, we had an opportunity to visit the hill of blooming flowers. At the hilltop, enjoy a spectacular view of Kochi while the smells of flowers are intoxicating to the senses.
To catch the bus back, there’s a ‘My you’ bus stop located right outside the booth the observatory.
Written 28 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MCC
South West England, UK799 contributions
Apr 2024 • Friends
Tomitaro Makino opened the gardens to the public in April 1958, the Makino was born in village close to the gardens. The gardens are set along slopes and dells with over 3,000 species of plants on display – many discovered or named by Dr. Makino himself – the 8 hectares of gardens are planted to offer colour and interest throughout the year. The grounds were significantly enlarged in 1999 and the Museum of Plants and People was inaugurated, strengthening the Garden’s role in education. We were very lucky to see the azaleas, cherry blossom and bulbs; the vibrant colours were very pleasing. The gardens now also feature a research and seed storage facility. Each season has its own colour scheme.
Written 24 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Verene L
Greater London, UK48 contributions
Aug 2019
Fascinating garden and plant collection with a great selection of books in the gift shop. Superb orchids. Sadly went there on such a hot day that I could not stand to stay more than a few hours, but absolutely worth it.
Written 22 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrea
102 contributions
Apr 2019 • Solo
I arrived in Makino Botanical Garden in the morning and I've spent more than 3 hours enjoying every single corner of this beautiful garden.
I really loved the permanent exhibition about Tomitaro Makino's life, but I loved the conservatory even more! The entrance is something magical - everyone was stuck for taking pictures (me included), and inside there is a waterfall and many different plants (climbing plants, orchids, etc.).
If you're planning to visit Kochi for 2 days, you really need to consider to visit this garden.
You can take "MyBus" or taxi to get here.
I had lunch in a Soba restaurant, right in front of the Botanical Garden's entrance, where you can also find the beautiful Chikurinji Temple, just a few steps away.
I really loved the permanent exhibition about Tomitaro Makino's life, but I loved the conservatory even more! The entrance is something magical - everyone was stuck for taking pictures (me included), and inside there is a waterfall and many different plants (climbing plants, orchids, etc.).
If you're planning to visit Kochi for 2 days, you really need to consider to visit this garden.
You can take "MyBus" or taxi to get here.
I had lunch in a Soba restaurant, right in front of the Botanical Garden's entrance, where you can also find the beautiful Chikurinji Temple, just a few steps away.
Written 7 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chiaraterz
70 contributions
Feb 2019 • Solo
I visited in February, which is on the whole a pretty dreary month, but even then the garden was beautiful. Besides the plum trees and other winter plants, the entrance to the greenhouse was unbelievably magical. Check out the picture I took, it looks like something out of Ghibli or Lord of the Rings! Will definitely go again if I have the chance.
Written 21 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kittie01
Launceston, Australia465 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
All aspects of the garden appear well thought out and well managed.
There is a modern administration/entrance building with a nice cafe and a very peaceful planted area alongside which is accessible to those who may not manage steeper areas of the garden.
The plant collection is varied and design of the garden provides many lovely views.
We saw some beautiful cherry blossom, but I think the structure and design would allow the garden to look good at other times.
The conservatory contained a waterfall and many beautiful orchids.
We caught the hop-on, hop-off, tourist bus at a stop near the bus station to get to the garden because it is a long, steep walk out of the city. The bus drops you off at the main entrance driveway and you can walk through the garden and catch it back to town from a different stop by using an exit near the conservatory. There is also a temple to visit near this exit. Although the bus was good value, especially if you want to visit several different attractions in Kochi, it was really crowded (many having to stand on both trips we took) and it also did not run very frequently. If I did this again, I’d probably take a taxi to save time.
There is a modern administration/entrance building with a nice cafe and a very peaceful planted area alongside which is accessible to those who may not manage steeper areas of the garden.
The plant collection is varied and design of the garden provides many lovely views.
We saw some beautiful cherry blossom, but I think the structure and design would allow the garden to look good at other times.
The conservatory contained a waterfall and many beautiful orchids.
We caught the hop-on, hop-off, tourist bus at a stop near the bus station to get to the garden because it is a long, steep walk out of the city. The bus drops you off at the main entrance driveway and you can walk through the garden and catch it back to town from a different stop by using an exit near the conservatory. There is also a temple to visit near this exit. Although the bus was good value, especially if you want to visit several different attractions in Kochi, it was really crowded (many having to stand on both trips we took) and it also did not run very frequently. If I did this again, I’d probably take a taxi to save time.
Written 7 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marianne H
Sydney, Australia301 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
We caught the MyBus 3 minutes from the shuttle drop off (Harimaya Bashi Bus Terminal)It cost US $5 for a day pass if you showed your passport. This allowed us to get off at various places. The gardens were beautiful. Lots of spring flowers and blossoms. We came out at the south end which allowed us to visit the temple there before catching the bus again to the beach. The trip to the Gardens was 20 minutes and the whole trip ending at the beach was 50 minutes. The return trip went back to the bus terminal.
Written 6 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jennyinegypt
London, UK24 contributions
Mar 2018 • Solo
This is the one of the most beautiful gardens I have seen and the conservatories are stunning. We were also lucky enough to see some of the cherry blossoms in bloom. Even better, if you leave by the exit by the conservatories there is a lovely temple complex right next door. We saw a couple posing for wedding pictures, which really made our day.If you are on a cruise, where the shuttle bus stops there is a local bus stop right there which takes you right to the garden for not much money. A nice bus ride too.
Written 13 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We will be in Kochi in April and arriving on a cruise ship. How can we get to theses garden form there, hope you can help...thank you..Neil
Written 6 March 2019
There is a small bus which you can catch to the garden and buy a day ticket to reach other attractions on the route. Only 500 ¥ for tourists. It is called My-Yu bus and the main office is just a short walk from the bus station where our cruise shuttle dropped us. You can catch the My-Yu bus back from another stop at the garden using an exit near the conservatory, so you don’t have to retrace your steps. The bus was very crowded, though - we stood there and back - and I think it also only goes about every 40 minutes. I don’t think there were any extra trips when the cruise was in, just the standard printed timetable from what we could see. So they aren’t really geared up for the numbers. If you are just going to the one place, I think a taxi would be more comfortable and more efficient. Probably arrange the return pickup as I didn’t see any taxis hanging around the exit the day we visited.
Written 7 April 2019
koh_andrea
Singapore, Singapore
Hi, may i know how much is it from cruise port to the garden? Thanks.
Written 7 November 2017
hi
from memory it took about 15 minutes and cost around 2000 JPY each way.
Written 7 November 2017
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