Things to Do in Umaji (馬路村), Kōchi: Sights, Train Access & Travel Guide

Last reviewed: October 25, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Umaji (馬路村) in Kōchi Prefecture (Shikoku, Japan) is anchored by local sights including Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山), Ikenoko Yama (池野河山), Tengu Mori (天狗森) and served by Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) via the regional hub at Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ). Set at 808 m elevation (33.6228°N, 134.0897°E), Umaji offers travelers a base for sampling regional Katsuo no tataki (straw-fire seared bonito topped with garlic, scallions & yuzu ponzu), Sawachi ryori (communal banquet platters), Nabeyaki ramen (in Susaki) cuisine and exploring neighboring Kitagawa (北川村) (12 km), Yasuda (安田町) (16.8 km), Kaiyō (海陽町) (17.2 km), Tōyō (東洋町) (17.9 km).

Umaji (馬路村, Umaji-mura) is the second smallest village in Kōchi Prefecture, located in Aki District, Kōchi Prefecture, Japan. Umaji has been branded as one of the most beautiful villages in Japan. Set in a highland landscape at roughly 808 m above sea level in Kochi Prefecture, Umaji is anchored by local landmarks including Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山), Ikenoko Yama (池野河山), Tengu Mori (天狗森) and connects to neighboring Kitagawa, Yasuda, Kaiyō via Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus). Within Kōchi Prefecture, Umaji (馬路村) serves as a village (村) in kōchi prefecture (municipal incorporation: 1889-04-01) and pairs naturally with wider prefectural highlights such as Original hilltop Kochi Castle, lively Hirome Market food hall, Katsurahama Beach (Sakamoto Ryoma statue), crystal-clear Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridges), and Cape Ashizuri.

What to See & Do in Umaji (馬路村): Landmarks & Sights

Visitors exploring Umaji (馬路村) from Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) at 808 m elevation (33.6228°N, 134.0897°E) can visit these nearby shrines, temples, parks, and geographic landmarks (with straight-line distances from central Umaji):

• Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山) — local sightseeing landmark near Umaji (馬路村).
• Ikenoko Yama (池野河山) — local sightseeing landmark near Umaji (馬路村).
• Tengu Mori (天狗森) — local sightseeing landmark near Umaji (馬路村).
• Takasaka Yama (高坂山) — local sightseeing landmark near Umaji (馬路村).
• Primary Rail Gateway for Umaji: Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) (connecting to Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ)).

Closest Neighboring Municipalities to Umaji

When planning a regional rail or driving loop around Umaji (馬路村) and Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus), consider pairing your stop with the 5 closest neighboring municipalities across Kōchi Prefecture and Shikoku:

• Kitagawa (北川村) — 12 km from Umaji (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Yasuda (安田町) — 16.8 km from Umaji (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Kaiyō (海陽町) — 17.2 km from Umaji (Tokushima Prefecture)
• Tōyō (東洋町) — 17.9 km from Umaji (Kōchi Prefecture)
• Tano (田野町) — 21.7 km from Umaji (Kōchi Prefecture)

Getting to Umaji & Getting Around

Train & hub access to Umaji (馬路村) via Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus): 2h 30m from Okayama Station across the mountains of Shikoku on the JR Nanpu Limited Express, or 1h 20m flight from Tokyo/Osaka. From Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ), transfer to local JR or private rail lines serving Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) to reach central Umaji (33.6228°N, 134.0897°E).

• Local rail & IC cards at Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus): JR regional trains and private commuter lines link Kōchi with Umaji (馬路村) and neighboring Kitagawa, Yasuda, Kaiyō. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, PASMO, ICOCA) work at major urban gates; for rural branch stations or local buses around Umaji, carry ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station coin lockers: Day-trippers stopping in Umaji between Kōchi and Kitagawa can store bags at major transfer stations or check suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker and ship large bags ahead via Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental around Umaji: While Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) anchors public transit for Umaji, picking up a rental car at Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ) makes it easy to link Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山) and Ikenoko Yama (池野河山) with nearby Kitagawa (北川村) (12 km), Yasuda (安田町) (16.8 km), Kaiyō (海陽町) (17.2 km), Tōyō (東洋町) (17.9 km). See our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

What to Eat in Umaji (馬路村) & Kōchi

Dining near Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) and across Umaji (馬路村) highlights the regional food culture of Kōchi Prefecture and Shikoku. Look for these local specialties at station restaurants, family-run shokudo, and markets in Umaji:

• Katsuo no tataki (straw-fire seared bonito topped with garlic, scallions & yuzu ponzu) — regional specialty enjoyed across Umaji (馬路村) and Kōchi Prefecture.
• Sawachi ryori (communal banquet platters) — regional specialty enjoyed across Umaji (馬路村) and Kōchi Prefecture.
• Nabeyaki ramen (in Susaki) — regional specialty enjoyed across Umaji (馬路村) and Kōchi Prefecture.
• Yuzu citrus drinks & Sunday Market snacks — regional specialty enjoyed across Umaji (馬路村) and Kōchi Prefecture.

If you are dining in Umaji (馬路村) with food allergies or dietary restrictions, use our Japanese Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards at restaurants around Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus).

Where to Stay in Umaji (馬路村)

Visitors staying overnight in Umaji (馬路村) can look for business hotels, traditional ryokan, or family-run minshuku near Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus), or base at major rail hubs in Kōchi (Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ)) or neighboring Kitagawa, Yasuda, Kaiyō for quick train access into Umaji. Compare hotel tiers and ryokan etiquette in our Japan Accommodation Guide.

Best Time to Visit Umaji & Seasonal Highlights

Seasonal guide for Umaji (馬路村, 808 m elevation at 33.6228°N, 134.0897°E): August 9–12 for the Yosakoi Festival; May–October for clear turquoise rivers (Shimanto & Niyodo 'Niyodo Blue'); sunny subtropical winters.

Wider sightseeing across Kōchi Prefecture that pairs well with visiting Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山) in Umaji (馬路村) includes: Original hilltop Kochi Castle, lively Hirome Market food hall, Katsurahama Beach (Sakamoto Ryoma statue), crystal-clear Shimanto River chinkabashi (submersible bridges), and Cape Ashizuri.

Practical Travel Tips for Umaji (馬路村)

• Tourist information (観光案内所) for Umaji: Stop by the Kankō Annaijo desk at Kōchi Station (JR Nanpu Limited Express) & Kōchi Ryoma Airport (KCZ) or Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) for local bus schedules to Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山) and walking maps of Umaji (馬路村).
• Cash & ATMs in Umaji: Convenience stores and major hotels around Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) accept international cards, while smaller eateries and shrines near Hiegoya Yama (稗己屋山) often prefer yen cash; 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs in Umaji accept foreign debit cards.
• Local dining hours in Umaji: Around Kannoura Station (甲浦駅) (20.2 km via Regional Highway / Route Bus) and neighboring Kitagawa, Yasuda, Kaiyō, lunch service typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM with last orders between 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM.