Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden
高知県立牧野植物園
A garden on Mount Godai in Kochi City honouring Tomitaro Makino, father of Japanese plant taxonomy, with over 3,000 species that change with the seasons.
A garden honouring the father of Japanese botany
The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden is a prefectural botanical garden on Mount Godai (Godaisan) in Kochi City. It opened in 1958 to commemorate the work of the botanist Tomitaro Makino, who came from Sakawa Town in Kochi Prefecture.
Makino gave names to more than 1,500 plants and laid the foundations of plant taxonomy (the classification of plants) in Japan, which is why he is called "the father of Japanese plant taxonomy". In 2023 he came into the spotlight again when NHK broadcast Ranman, a renzoku terebi shosetsu (NHK's long-running morning drama series) based on his life.
Highlights of the garden
The garden grows more than 3,000 species, from wild plants of western Japan to rare tropical ones. The greenhouse gathers about 700 species of tropical and subtropical plants, creating a jungle-like space.
The Makino Museum of Plants and People, designed by the architect Hiroshi Naito, opened in 1999. Its exhibition hall covers Makino's life and work, as well as the detailed botanical drawings he made. There is also a restaurant and a cafe surrounded by greenery, and a shop selling goods connected with Makino.
In 2026 the section showing traditional Japanese garden plants was renewed, and its displays change with the seasons.
Enjoying the seasons
Spring (March to May) is the most colourful time of year, with cherry blossoms, azaleas and wild mountain flowers. Hydrangeas bloom in the rainy season, and in summer you can walk along paths with plenty of shade. Wildflowers bloom in autumn, and the autumn leaves are at their best in late November. Winter is quiet and uncrowded, a good time to visit the greenhouse.
Getting there
From JR Kochi Station, take the MY Yu Bus sightseeing loop bus for about 25 minutes and get off at Makino Shokubutsuen Seimon-mae (Makino Botanical Garden Main Gate). By car it is about 20 minutes from Kochi Station, and there is a free car park.
Right next to the garden is Chikurinji, Temple 31 of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage (the 88 temples visited by henro pilgrims), so you can visit both together.
Tips
- Entry is free for high school students and younger. Check the official website for opening hours, prices and closures for maintenance (the garden is also closed on 26 October 2026).
- On rainy days you can still enjoy the greenhouse and the exhibition hall indoors.
Sources
Updated 29 September 2026. Opening hours and prices change, so check the official site before you go.
