Makino Botanical Garden Kochi

 

Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden is located on top of a mountain, Godaisan, to the south of central Kochi City on Shikoku.

It is named after Tomitaro Makino ( 1862-1957 ), a local man who went on to become kniwn as the "Father of Japanese Botany".

It is not the easiest of places to visit, but for pilgrims who are walking the Shikoku pilgrimage, Ohenro, the route passes through part of the gardens on the way to Chikurinji Temple, the 31st pilgrimage temple which is adjacent. In fact, part of the garden used to be temple property.

The garden covers 6 hectares and contains more than 3,000 species of plants from local to exotic.

As well as a large conservatory there is a Makino Memorial Hall with exhibits on Makino and his work and also a restaurant and cafe. Ther are great views over the surrounding coutryside also.

The previous post in this series on walking the Ohenro was the Museum of Art Kochi.