Traditional Papermaking Experience & Riverside Tour with Licensed Guide and Premium Minivan
Discover the 1,000-year legacy of Tosa Washi and the crystal-clear Niyodo River. This 6-hour private journey is ideal for those seeking authentic craftsmanship. Create your own paper at the Ino Museum and visit the iconic Nagoya Chinka Bridge to see the stunning "Niyodo Blue" water. Travel comfortably in a Premium Minivan with a local expert. I provide vehicle support to ensure an efficient, personalized trip from the port. Experience Kochi’s heritage!
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
Kochi New Port (Alternatively: Airport, Kochi Station, or Any Hotel in Kochi City)
- Kochi New Port, (Alternatively: Airport, Kochi Station, or Any Hotel in Kochi City) - I offer a convenient door-to-door meet-up service using a luxury Toyota Alphard. I can meet you at any of the following locations: Kochi New Port (Cruise Ship Terminal) Kochi Ryoma Airport (KCZ) JR Kochi Train Station Any hotel or accommodation within Kochi City Please inform me of your preferred meet-up location and time in advance. I will be there to welcome you and start our Kochi adventure in comfort.
Ino Town Paper Museum
Immerse yourself in the world of Tosa Washi. See master craftsmen at work and explore the intricate history of one of Japan’s finest papers.
Traditional Papermaking Workshop
The highlight of the tour: Make your own Tosa Washi paper using traditional techniques. A unique and lightweight souvenir to take home.
Nagoya Chinka Bridge & Niyodo Blue Scenic Drive
Experience the stunning emerald-blue water of the Niyodo River. Walk across the famous "submersible bridge" and enjoy the serene rural landscape.
Local Lunch
Enjoy a relaxed lunch at a local restaurant along the route, selected based on the day’s itinerary and your preferences.
This is an opportunity to experience everyday regional food enjoyed by locals, using seasonal ingredients from the surrounding mountains and coast.
Lunch is not included in the tour price, allowing flexibility based on individual tastes.
Ending Point
Kochi New Port, Airport, Kochi Station, or Any Hotel in Kochi City
Want to personalize this tour?
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This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Local English-speaking licensed guide service
Private transport by Toyota Alphard (Premium Minivan)
Spacious, clean, and climate-controlled.
Door-to-door meet-up and drop-off
Kochi New Port (Cruise Terminal), Airport, or your Hotel.
All vehicle-related expenses
Gasoline, expressway tolls, and parking fees.
Admission to Ino Town Paper Museum: 500 JPY per person.
Papermaking Experience Fee: Approx. 400–800 JPY per person (depending on the program).
Meals and beverages: Approx. 1,500–2,500 JPY for a local riverside lunch.
Personal expenses: Souvenirs and other individual costs.
Travel insurance: Please ensure you have your own coverage for the tour.
Tour Important Information
//Tour Notes & Information//
Papermaking Workshop: Advance reservation is required. Please confirm at the time of booking.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for the bridge visit.
Expenses: Admission (500 JPY), Workshop (400–800 JPY), and Meals are not included.
Vehicle Support: For your comfort and efficiency, I provide a Premium Toyota Alphard as a courtesy support. It is the most reliable way to visit the river area within 6 hours.
//Important Note regarding Transportation//
My primary service is providing high-quality guiding as a licensed guide. For your comfort and to ensure an efficient journey, I provide my private vehicle as a courtesy support. This is not a taxi service. The price difference from a "Walking Tour" covers actual vehicle expenses like fuel, tolls, and parking.
Important notes on availability:
On Mondays: The Ino Town Paper Museum is closed. Instead, we will visit the Tosa Washi Village "Qraud" for our papermaking experience and riverside lunch.
On Wednesdays: Tosa Washi Village "Qraud" is closed. We will focus our visit on the Ino Town Paper Museum and I will arrange an alternative local restaurant for lunch.
Start Time: I can adjust the start time to match your cruise ship’s arrival at Kochi New Port. Please let me know your ship's schedule when booking.
Important message from the supplier
I currently offer several tour options, but I can also create a fully customized itinerary based on your interests. In the photo gallery, you'll find examples of places and experiences I’ve introduced to past guests.
If there’s a specific place you’d like to visit, feel free to reach out.
For cruise ship travelers, most tours are around 6 hours, so I recommend choosing 3 to 4 spots. To make planning easier, I’ve grouped locations into Central (C), Eastern(E), and Western(W) Kochi in the gallery—please use that as a reference.
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
About Tour Guide Hiroshi M.
I’m a local licensed guide based in Kochi Prefecture. I grew up by the Pacific Ocean in Kochi and spent four years each in Tokyo and the United States—giving me both deep local knowledge and a global perspective.
Although I’m new to GoWithGuide, I’ve been welcoming international guests for years through my private rental villa in Aki City and as a local guide in Kochi. Working in the travel industry, I know not only the famous landmarks but also the hidden gems of the region.
All the photos you see here were taken by me—I enjoy photography, and if you’d like, I’d be happy to capture some memorable shots for you during the tour.
Reviews
Tina C.
“Great Day in Kochi”
We had booked the Kochi Highlights Tour with Hiroshi during our Diamond Princess cruise stop in Kochi. We had a full day starting with Kochi Castle, lunch at Hirome Market, strolling through the Obiyamachi shopping arcade, visiting the Chikurinji Temple and finishing with the Makino Botanical Garden. We had a wonderful day exploring the highlights of Kochi and were well taken care of by a local expert. Hiroshi was knowledgeable, attentive and patient, he introduced us to local dishes and the Konatsu fruit and took care in ensuring that my partner was able to enjoy a vegan meal at Hirome Market. We also made short stops at a local grocery store to pick up Inaka-zushi - countryside sushi - and at a gift shop that sold locally produced products. On top of all this, Hiroshi took amazing photos of us and provided a photographic perspective that on our own we would not be able to capture. We had a great memorable day and look forward to booking another tour with Hiroshi that next time we are in Kochi!
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Hiroshi M.
Thank you so much for taking the time to leave such a wonderful review! It was a great pleasure guiding you both during your cruise stop. I am very happy to hear that you enjoyed our day exploring Kochi. It was a lot of fun introducing you to some of my favorite local flavors, and I am especially glad we found good vegan options for your partner at Hirome Market. Thank you also for your kind words about the photography. I always love taking photos to help my guests remember the day. I look forward to welcoming you back for another adventure the next time you are in Kochi. Safe travels! Warm regards, Hiroshi
Sandy A.
“Perfect Guide for Kochi”
I cannot recommend Hiroshi more highly. His local knowledge of Kochi allowed us to see and do things we would not have been able to do on our own. We had a wonderful day in Kochi.
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Hiroshi M.
Thank you so much for the wonderful review and the kind words. It was a real pleasure to spend the day with your family in Kochi, and I am so glad you enjoyed the experience. Kochi is still off the beaten path for many travelers, so I always try to share the small local stories and hidden details that make a visit here special. I am very happy that I could help you discover sides of the city that would be hard to find on your own. Cruise days in Kochi can feel short, but with good planning there is so much to enjoy. With a private guide and car, we can move at your own pace and add small local spots that are hard to reach on a group tour. Wishing you safe travels, and I would be delighted to welcome you back to Kochi anytime. Hiroshi
William B.
“Amazing Tour Guide & Photographer in Kochi”
We had a wonderful experience touring Kochi with Hiroshi as our guide. He was very personable, knowledgeable, and easy to spend the day with, making our visit feel relaxed, enjoyable, and thoughtfully planned. One of the highlights of our tour was Makino Botanical Garden, which was an amazing experience and absolutely worth visiting. One member of our group had mobility challenges, and Hiroshi was very considerate in arranging the visit so that everyone in our party could see and enjoy the garden comfortably. His care and attention made a real difference in allowing the whole group to fully participate. Hiroshi also recommended a great restaurant that everyone enjoyed, which was especially impressive given the different preferences within our group. We also visited Kochi Castle, and throughout the day Hiroshi helped us capture wonderful memories. He took amazing photos of our group and later provided us with a link to enjoy them all, which was truly priceless and such a thoughtful extra touch. For anyone looking to see Kochi in a more personal and customized way, especially within a shorter amount of time, having Hiroshi as a guide is well worth it. It allowed us to enjoy the sights at our own pace without feeling rushed or crowded, which made the day much more meaningful than a large cruise ship or bus tour.
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Hiroshi M.
Thank you so much for this kind review. Spending the day with your group was a real pleasure, and I am so happy the tour felt relaxed and easy to enjoy. I was glad we could plan the Makino Botanical Garden visit so everyone could explore it together and take their time. It meant a lot to me that the whole group could enjoy the garden comfortably, side by side. It was fun finding a restaurant that worked for everyone, and Kochi Castle was a nice way to round out the day. Taking photos along the way is one of my favorite things, so being able to share them with you afterward made me happy. Thank you again for spending the day with me. I hope you all made it back to the ship with good memories of Kochi, and I would be happy to welcome you back someday. Hiroshi
$375/ per group
More tours by Hiroshi M.
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