Guide
"Ride a Giant Victoria Amazonica!" at Makino Botanical Garden is a special program designed to help you learn about the scale of plants through direct experience. The Victoria Amazonica is a water lily famous for its enormous leaves. This event offers a rare opportunity to actually sit on one of these massive leaves—an experience not typically found in standard botanical gardens. Come and touch the beauty of nature at this garden dedicated to the legacy of the botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino.
The absolute highlight is the chance to sit on the giant Victoria Amazonica leaf. Feeling the texture and the sheer size of the leaf floating on the water surface is an unforgettable experience for both children and adults. By feeling the scale of the plant directly, you will learn about the wonders of nature in a way that photos and books cannot convey. Spending time among the seasonal plants in this lush environment offers a special moment away from daily life.
The event is scheduled for July 20, 2026 (Sunday). Please check the official website or local signage on the day for specific time slots and registration timing. As this is a seasonal event, we highly recommend checking the schedule in advance so you don't miss out.
The venue is Makino Botanical Garden in Kochi. This facility was established to honor the achievements of the botanist Dr. Tomitaro Makino and houses a rich variety of plants. Since access methods, parking availability, and shuttle bus operations may change depending on the season, please check the official botanical garden information before your visit.
Because this is a unique experience involving sitting on a plant leaf, advanced registration or reservations may be required. The official website is updated frequently with information regarding registration periods, so please check regularly if you wish to participate. Please note that event details may change based on plant growth or weather conditions.
As this activity takes place within a botanical garden, please wear comfortable clothing suitable for plant observation. Since the experience involves being near water, we recommend wearing clothes that can get slightly dirty and shoes with good grip to prevent slipping.