Makino Botanical Garden

Makino Botanical Garden Review

The city's best attraction lies away from downtown Kochi. Planted in honor of Kochi botanist Tomitaro Makino, this Eden-like valley of flowers and trees lies hidden atop Mt. Godaisan. Different trails for each season show off the best nature has to offer. Hours can disappear as you walk through the azaleas, camellias, chrysanthemums, and thousands of other plants in this huge and lovingly tended landscape (don't miss the giant ferns, so big you can actually sit in them). You're encouraged to leave the paths and explore on your own—for as Makino wrote, "to commune with nature we need to make ourselves free and jump into her." You'll find more of his quotes, recollections, philosophy, and drawings in a fascinating museum inside the park.