A thorough commentary on the charm of the "Makino Botanical Garden" of the flower

"Kōchi Pref. Makino Botanical Garden", nestled at Mt. Godai in Kochi, Kōchi Prefecture, is a botanical garden related to Dr. Tomitaro Makino, the father of Japanese plant taxonomy. It introduces you to the garden where you can touch on Dr. Makino's achievements and life among more than 3000 types of plants.

What kind of person is Dr. Tomitaro Makino, the father of plant taxonomy in Japan?

In 1862, Dr. Tomitaro Makino was born in present-day Sakawa, Kōchi Prefecture. That was about a month after the great man of Kochi Prefecture, Ryoma Sakamoto, left the Tosa Domain. During the upheaval at the end of the Tokugawa period, the life of pouring whole body spirits into Dr. Makino's plants began.

Dr. Makino, who became interested in plants since childhood and began to study plant taxonomy when he was allowed to go in and out of the botany classroom at the Faculty of Science, Tokyo University.

Eventually, as a Japanese, the first new species in the country to give a scientific name to a new species, and then named it in 94 years of life, a whopping 1500 new and new varieties. The number of specimens collected is about 400,000, which is almost unimaginable.

What kind of place is the Makino Botanical Garden?

The place where the Makino Botanical Garden is located is Mount Godai, which is rich in nature. It was triggered by a word of "If you build a botanical garden, Mt.Godai" by Dr. Makino, who is over 90 years old. It was completed in 1958, the year after Dr. Makino passed away.

There are more than 3000 types of plants that have been planted while making use of the topography of a small mountain and keeping them in harmony with nature. From dainty mountain grass related to Dr. Makino to tropical plants, they are greeted by a variety of plants that show the beauty of the four seasons.

Take two hours to go around the vast park of about 8 hectares, which is divided into North side and South side. If you want to enjoy the cafes, restaurants and shops in the park, a generous schedule is recommended.

A thorough guide to the highlights of the large garden

Entering the main gate, the first encounter is "Tosa's Plant Ecological Garden", which recreates the rich nature of Kochi, where Dr. Makino was born and raised.

The rare plant "Kiiretsu Torimochi" that can be seen in the domestic botanical garden is probably only the Makino Botanical Garden, which is a rare plant that can be seen around 11-January.

At the "Tomitaro Makino Memorial Exhibition Hall" in North side, you can learn about Dr. Makino's life and achievements, including from valuable exhibits and footage from the exhibition theater.

Looking at autograph botanical drawings, specimens sandwiched between newsprint, etc., you will surely be surprised that we have accomplished this much research in a time when there is no such useful thing as modern times!

The North side has plenty of spots where you can take a leisurely stroll and admire the plants, such as the flower fields at Konkonyama Square.

The highlight of the South side is the stroll-style waterscape garden "50th Anniversary Garden", decorated with oriental horticultural plants such as Japanese irises and lotus plants. It is especially beautiful around the end of March, when the waterside is decorated with the horticultural cherry blossom "Sendaiya", a cherry tree associated with Dr. Makino, who was a big cherry blossom fan. Be sure to check out the night-time opening event that is held every year to coincide with the blossoms!

The greenhouse in the South side is a popular spot that can be enjoyed regardless of the season or weather. Once you step through the quaint entrance covered in plants, you'll feel like you've entered another world! Surrounded by tropical plants such as orchids and water lilies, it feels like you've wandered into the jungle.

There is another entrance to the botanical gardens called the Nakamon Gate in the South side, so if you are short on time, we recommend entering through the Chumon Gate and touring the greenhouse and 50th Anniversary Garden.

CHECK "Plant Research Exchange Center"

The first and second floors are space related to research, where you can see the state of research, and there is a kids lab for children.

Also of note is the "Restaurant C.L.GARDEN," which has relocated from the main building to the third floor of the Plant Research and Exchange Center. It boasts an outstanding view overlooking the South Garden's 50th Anniversary Garden. Be sure to visit it together with the "Makino Museum Shop Sakura" on the same floor for lunch and souvenir hunting!

How to get to the Makino Botanical Garden?

The most convenient way to get to Makino Botanical Garden is to use the "MY Yu Bus," a sightseeing bus that travels around the tourist spots in Kochi City. There are also discounts available when you enter the garden, so it's a good deal. Be sure to purchase your ticket in advance at JR Kochi Station or other locations.

From Kochi Ryoma Airport, take the Tosaden Transportation Airport Shuttle Bus to Harimayabashi Tourist Bus Terminal or Kochi Station Bus Terminal, then take the My Yu Bus from there. If you are driving, it is about 20 minutes from Kochi IC on the Kochi Expressway.

■ Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden

Address: 4200-6 Godaisan, Kochi, Kochi
TEL:088-882-2601
Price: Entrance 850 yen (free of high school students and below)
Opening time: 9-17 (last entry 16:30)
Closed day: December 27-January 1, maintenance is closed

• This article is created based on the contents of "Rurubu Information Edition" or "Rurubu & more." "Rurubu +".
• The data listed are as of March 2025. Prices, business hours, regular holidays, menus, etc. may change or may not be available due to temporary holidays. Please check in advance when using it, as the content may change.
• The holiday of stores and facilities omits the year-end holiday, Obon holiday, Golden Week, and temporary holidays in principle.
• The published fees are in principle the fee including consumption tax that we have confirmed at the time of the interview, and the entrance fee is the adult fee if there is no special mention.
• In principle, the published times are open (hall) to closed (hall). Please note that the last order or entrance (hall) time is 30 minutes to 1 hour before the normal closing (hall) time. The last order is denoted LO.
• For the spring quality and efficacy of the hot springs listed, manuscripts are prepared based on answers from each facility.