The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden — Attraction in Kochi

This is a gorgeous, spacious set of gardens on the top of a hill overlooking Kochi. There are some great vista views of the city, surrounding mountains and rice paddies, in addition to all the plants, flowers, trees and water features that you'll enjoy. All the plants are lovingly labeled. There's a large conservatory (enclosed) garden filled with gorgeous tropical plants like orchids and ferns. There are a few tea houses, plenty of bamboo, lots of sakura (early April to see them blooming), a gift shop, bathrooms, and lots of water features like streams, pools, ponds, and waterfalls to enjoy as well. They have different sets of bathrooms, so if you aren't comfortable with using the traditional Japanese style public toilets, just look around for the handicap bathroom or go on to the next restroom area. There's more here than you can really see in a day if you want to take your time, so prioritize what you want to see first, there is a lot of walking, and you will most likely want to stop and take many pictures as you peruse through the grounds. It was really lovely and I would definitely return if I go...

Amazing Botanical garden! Was skeptical at the beginning as there was some construction going on but wow, was not expecting this magnificent garden at all! East entrance has a nice little gift/museum shop and access to the lab (great for kids as well) with some serious organic and analytical lab equipment, ranging from rotational evaporators to high pressure liquid chromatography systems, not sure what they use them for as the lab was closed during the weekend but from that point on, I was already impressed. Entering the greenhouse you have an amazing sky-view with different flora, the greenhouse was well maintained with a large variety of flowers even in November. The gardens are vast and varied as well but (for me) less interesting in winters. nevertheless, well worth a visit. This might be one of the greatest highlights of my Japan trip! 10/10 would recommend and maybe even revisit if I would come...

These gardens are absolutely beautiful. Everything is labelled (to a crazy degree) with both katakana and Latin names so you're never left wondering what a plant is. There's loads of little paths to go down and explore, cool themed areas like the pilgrim trail, and a really diverse range of plants.

Sadly some of the areas did seem a bit newly planted and the plants hadn't come into their own yet. I visited in late June and and lot of flowers were done which was a shame. However, the greenhouse makes up for all of that- its breathtaking. Waterfalls, huge vines, furniture sized cacti. Completely enchanting.

Went on a weekday morning and only saw 1 other guest the whole time we were there. A great spot for photography or sketching, lots of butterflies and dragonflies too. Definitely...