The Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum — Attraction in Kochi

We obviously had a different experience from other foreigners. IMHO: if you don’t read Japanese, don’t waste time visiting this museum. Except for a few displays in English, nothing is translated (and a tablet guide is only available for the room that already has some English). Those displays that are in English are kind of useless unless your an already educated history expert. They just give a bunch of Japanese names, details but fail to provide an overview, a simple and understandable explanation of the bigger picture. So we ended up knowing exactly the same as we came with: that SR was a national hero who played a role in the modernisation of Japan. I was so frustrated that I asked for a reimbursement of the entrance fee, which the reception staff agreed to without any trouble. That’s why I’m giving 3 stars, I really don’t want to spoil their reputation because rhe museum looks fantastic for locals, but I want to make other travellers aware that a visit its pointless with...

The museum is located a bit far, about a 30 minute bus ride, from the kochi station. The bus arrives only one time every hour, so you'll have to check the bus schedule beforehand.

The museum itself was spectacular. Even if I went as someone with 0 knowledge about Sakamoto Ryoma, I was able to understand what he did and how that was incredible.

I would say the exhibition is entertaining yet understandable. I certainly understood that Ryoma san was important in the contribution of returning the political powers back to the Japanese Tennou and was an important guide to Japan modern political structures.

The staff were also nice. I asked for a exchange in money for the upcoming bus ride as I ran out of 1000yen bills. They were so kind and gentle and we're willing to provide the service. It was overall a relaxing experience.

The observation site at the top of the museum allowed us to see the Pacific Ocean and saw some whirls that we weren't able to see in Takamatsu....

The museum is ok. It's just that, Sakamoto Ryoma exhibit is too small. Actually it's like a school exhibit. What's impressive for me though, was the room divider and kakejiku with Sakamoto san's blood on it and his long hand written letters to his father.

If you're interested in Sakamoto-san's life, go ahead and visit the museum. But if you're just curious, I don't recommend it. You can get all the information on the internet. Also the entrance fee is quite expensive for a small exhibit (practically just 2 small halls in total). We paid the same price at the Ehime Prefecture Museum of History and Culture and it was 3 floors of great exhibt,...