Key points of Kochi New Port
- The cruise ship will dock at Kochi New Port Passenger Terminal (Niida, Kochi City). Kochi Station, the city center, and Kochi Ryoma Airport are all approximately 20-25 minutes away by car.
- There are no regular bus or train lines around the port. Some shipping companies operate a shuttle bus (for a fee) to the Harimayabashi Tourist Bus Terminal, and taxis are also available on port days (advance reservations are recommended).
- With over 100 port calls scheduled for fiscal year 2026, it is one of the leading cruise ports in western Japan.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (Source at the end of this page)
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Visiting Japan on a cruise?
Landing permits, all-aboard time, cash and cards, getting around, tax-free shopping and what to do in an emergency: see our Port Day Guide for cruise passengers. Working on board? See the Crew Guide (shore leave, sign-on, shopping near the terminal).
Emergency: 110 police / 119 ambulance & fire / Japan Visitor Hotline +81-50-3816-2787 (24/7, English, Chinese, Korean)
What kind of port is Kochi New Port?
Kochi New Port is an international trading port developed on the Pacific side, outside of Kochi Port. In addition to cargo ships such as container ships, it is frequently used by domestic and international cruise ships. According to Kochi Prefecture, 105 cruise ship calls are scheduled for Kochi Port in fiscal year 2026 (Reiwa 8).
As the gateway to Kochi, the hometown of Ryoma Sakamoto, local welcoming ceremonies and guided tours by "hospitality taxis" certified by the prefecture are held on port days.
History of Kochi Port
| Year | event |
|---|---|
| Before the Edo period | As a port on Urado Bay, it served as the gateway to the sea for Tosa. |
| 1938 (Showa 13) | On April 1st, it was designated as an open port under the Customs Act. It was renamed from "Urado Port" to "Kochi Port". |
| 1998 (Heisei 10) | In March, Kochi New Port, which faces the open sea, partially opened for use. |
| 2014 (Heisei 26) | In May, the main berth (including a 14m deep quay) at Kochi New Port began operations. |
| FY2026 | 105 cruise ship arrivals scheduled. |
Passenger ship terminal and access
| facility | Kochi New Port Passenger Ship Terminal |
|---|---|
| address | 4705 Shinko, Niida, Kochi City, Kochi Prefecture |
| Kochi Station and city center | Approximately 25 minutes by car (some sources suggest approximately 30 minutes by taxi). |
| Kochi Ryoma Airport | Approximately 20 minutes by car |
| public transportation | There are no bus or train lines in the surrounding area. |
| Shuttle bus | Some cruise lines operate a shuttle bus service (for a fee) between the pier and the Harimayabashi Tourist Bus Terminal. Please check with the cruise line or travel agency for details. |
| taxi | On port days, taxis will be waiting at the terminal, but due to limited availability, advance reservations are recommended. There are also "hospitality taxis" that can provide sightseeing information. |
Useful information about the port (tourist information, currency exchange, ATMs, Wi-Fi)
This is information about transportation from Kochi New Port Passenger Ship Terminal (based on official information that could be confirmed).
| public transportation | There are no bus or train lines in the vicinity of the terminal. |
|---|---|
| taxi | Taxis are available at the terminal when the ship docks, but advance reservations are recommended due to potential congestion. |
| Shuttle bus | Some ferry companies operate shuttle buses to the central business district of Kochi City. Please check with your ferry company or travel agency. |
| ATM | Because there are few ATMs around the port, the map below shows the central area of Kochi City. |
If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas,Seven Bank ATM(Seven-Eleven, etc.)Japan Post Bank ATMIt's convenient. You can find ATMs on the map below.
Terminal facilities and operating hours may vary depending on the port call date and time of year. (Date confirmed: September 29, 2026 Source:Kochi Prefecture: "Access to Kochi New Port Passenger Ship Terminal"）
To Crew Members (Shopping during short shore leave)
Kochi New Port is located away from the city center. If a shuttle bus is operating (destinations vary depending on the ship), you can shop in the central area around Harimayabashi (for Princess Cruises). You can find nearby supermarkets and drugstores on the map below. For information on disembarkation procedures, duty-free shopping, and ATMs, please see below.Guide for Crew StaffPlease take a look.
Recommended ways to spend your time depending on the length of your port call
Central city area (around Harimaya Bridge - half day)
- Hirome MarketA food stall village with over 60 stalls. You can easily sample Kochi's local flavors, including seared bonito.
- Kochi CastleIt is one of the few castles in Japan that still retains its Edo-period keep.
- Sunday Market: A street market with a history of over 300 years, held on Sunday mornings on Otesuji Street (when ships are docked on Sundays).
Take a longer trip by car
- KatsurahamaThis scenic spot overlooking the Pacific Ocean features a statue of Ryoma Sakamoto.
- Godaisan: An observation deck overlooking Kochi city and Urado Bay,Makino Botanical GardenThere is.
Port town cuisine
- Seared bonito: The "salt-seared" bonito, boldly seared over straw, is a specialty of Kochi Prefecture.
- Nabeyaki Ramen: A specialty of Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture, where ramen is cooked in an earthenware pot.
- Yuzu: Drinks and sweets made with yuzu from Kochi Prefecture, which boasts the highest production volume in Japan.
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Port town gourmet guide:Seared bonito from Kochi Port(Where to eat? Restaurant map)
Map of shops around the port
This is a list of restaurants near Kochi New Port that serve seared bonito (katsuo no tataki). Clicking on a restaurant on the map will allow you to check their opening hours and customer reviews (Google Maps). Please check in advance whether they are open on the day of the port call.
Cruise ship viewing and photography spots
Here are some things to keep in mind when going to see cruise ships at Kochi New Port (based on information confirmed by official sources).
| parking | When visiting, please follow the instructions of the traffic controllers and use the parking lot. Parking your car on the surrounding roads will inconvenience the neighbors and obstruct the passage of buses and taxis, which is dangerous. |
|---|---|
| drone | Flying drones without permission near port facilities or ships is prohibited. |
| directions | There are no bus or train lines in the immediate vicinity. It's about a 25-minute drive from Kochi Station and the city center. |
When and which ship will arrive can be found in the section below titled "Passenger ships arriving at this port" orCruise ship arrivals scheduled for this week and next week.You can check this. Arrival and departure times may change due to weather conditions, etc. (Date checked: September 30, 2026 Source:Kochi Prefecture: "Regarding the planned arrival of cruise ships and other vessels"、Kochi Prefecture: "Access to Kochi New Port Passenger Ship Terminal"）
Upcoming cruise ship calls (next 30 days)
- Sun, Oct 4 This weekDiamond PrincessArr. 07:00 / Dep. 15:00
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekAzamara PursuitArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Wed, Oct 7 This weekSilver MoonArr. 08:00 / Dep. 16:00
- Sat, Oct 10Costa SerenaArr. 07:00 / Dep. 16:30
- Sun, Oct 11MITSUI OCEAN SAKURAArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Sun, Oct 11ASUKA IIArr. 09:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Wed, Oct 14WesterdamArr. 08:00 / Dep. 21:00
- Mon, Oct 19Silver MoonArr. 08:00 / Dep. 16:00
- Wed, Oct 21Seabourn EncoreArr. 07:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Wed, Oct 21Celebrity MillenniumArr. 08:00 / Dep. 17:00
- Fri, Oct 23Seabourn EncoreArr. 10:00 / Dep. 18:00
- Sat, Oct 24Seven Seas ExplorerArr. 07:00 / Dep. 16:00
- Tue, Oct 27Star NavigatorArr. 11:00 / Dep. 20:00
See all arrivals in Japan Source: WEB CRUISE arrival calendar (Japanese). Schedules may change due to weather. Most piers are restricted areas; please watch ships from public parks and observation spots.
Major passenger ships that call at this port
- Celebrity Millennium9 calls
- Diamond Princess8 calls
- ASUKA III3 calls
- Silver Moon3 calls
- MITSUI OCEAN FUJI2 calls
- Star Navigator2 calls
- Azamara Pursuit2 calls
- Westerdam2 calls
- Seabourn Encore2 calls
- Costa Serena1 call
- MITSUI OCEAN SAKURA1 call
- ASUKA II1 call
- Seven Seas Explorer1 call
The number of port calls was compiled based on scheduled arrivals from July 2026 to October 2026 (as of September 29, 2026). You can view the ship's introduction page by clicking on the ship name link. Source:WEB CRUISE "Cruise Ship Port Arrival Calendar"Please note that schedules are subject to change, so check the port's official website for the latest information.
From July to October, typhoons can cause skipped port calls or changed port times. See our typhoon and cruise guide for refunds and how to prepare.
FAQ
Q1How do I get from Kochi New Port to the city center?
Since there are no local bus or train lines nearby, you will need to use a shuttle bus operated by a cruise line (bound for Harimayabashi Tourist Bus Terminal; may be subject to a fee) or a taxi. It takes about 25 minutes by car to reach the city center.
Q2Should I book a taxi in advance?
Taxis will be waiting at the terminal on port days, but the number is limited, so advance reservations are recommended.
Q3Where can I check the scheduled port calls?
Kochi Prefecture: "Regarding the planned arrival of cruise ships and other vessels"You can check it here (it may change due to weather conditions, etc.).
Q4Can I walk from the port to the town?
Walking there is not practical. There are no bus or train lines around the port, and it takes about 25 minutes by car to get to Kochi Station and the city center. Please use the shuttle bus operated by the shipping company (may be for a fee) or a taxi (advance booking is recommended).
Q5Where are the cash machines?
Since there are few ATMs around the port, it's best to use one in the center of Kochi City. If you want to withdraw Japanese yen using a card issued overseas, Seven Bank ATMs (at Seven-Eleven stores, etc.) and Japan Post Bank ATMs are convenient. You can find them on the map in the "Convenient Information about the Port" section of this page.
Q6What precautions should I take when going to see cruise ships at Kochi New Port?
Please use the parking lot according to the instructions of the traffic controllers and do not park your car on the surrounding roads. There are no bus or train lines nearby, and it is about a 25-minute drive from Kochi Station.
Source/Reference Information
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Ports and Harbors Bureau, "Ports Nationwide"
- Kochi Prefecture: "Access to Kochi New Port Passenger Ship Terminal"
- Kochi Prefecture: "[FY2026] Information on planned port calls for cruise ships, etc."
- Kochi Prefecture: "Introduction to Kochi New Port"
- Princess Cruises "2026 Japan Departure/Arrival Cruise Port and Shuttle Bus Information"
Last updated: September 29, 2026. Information is subject to change. Please let us know of any inaccuracies or issues you notice through reviews or inquiries.
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