Kochi's excellent tourist information centre (daily 9am-9.20pm; tel 088/882-1634) is on the left outside Kochi Station. There is always someone who can speak English and they will provide useful maps and booklets both for the city and prefecture. Another source of help is Kochi International Association (KIA) close to the castle, on the second floor of the Marunouchi Biru, 4-1-37 Honmachi (Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm; tel 088/875-0022, www.pref.kochi.jp/~kokusai ), which also has a small library of English books and magazines.

From Kochi Station, Harimaya-bashi-dori, the city's main north-south axis, runs across the Enokuchi-gawa, before reaching the Harimaya-bashi , two tram stops south of the JR station, where it intersects with Dencha-dori, the main east-west boulevard. Most points of interest, including the castle, the main shopping arcade Obiya-machi and the entertainment district, are on the west side of Harimaya-bashi-dori. Just north of the arcade is Otesuji-dori, which leads to the castle. Kochi's port, Mount Godai-san, and the beach at Katsurahama are south of the city.

While central Kochi is easily negotiated on foot, the distances between the major sights makes catching a tram or bus a sensible option. The tram terminus is just to the left as you exit Kochi Station. The system consists of two lines, one running north to south from the station to the port, crossing the east-west tracks at Harimaya-bashi. To travel within the city area costs a flat A?180, paid to the driver on leaving the tram; you'll need to ask for a transfer ticket ( norikai-ken ) when you switch lines at Harimaya-bashi. Buses for Godai-san and Katsurahama leave from both Kochi Station and the Seibu department store at Harimaya-bashi. If you're travelling on to Matsuyama, the most direct route is via JR express bus from Kochi Station.