Kochi: Sunny Shikoku Markets and Coastal Scenery

Explore Kochi on Shikoku: the 300-year-old Sunday Market, Hirome Market, seared bonito, Kochi Castle, Katsurahama beach and easy tips for visitors.

Published October 17, 2026 at 8:36 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Kochi on Shikoku is known for its Sunday Market, held for more than 300 years along Otesuji street with about 300 stalls. Visitors also enjoy Hirome Market, seared bonito, Kochi Castle and the seaside views at Katsurahama.

Kochi has the easygoing, open-hearted feel of a city that faces the Pacific Ocean and is happy to take its time. On Japan's island of Shikoku, this prefecture is known for a warm climate, a bold food culture and a proud local identity, and its capital city packs plenty of charm into a walkable center. Sunday mornings bring a street market that has been running for centuries, evenings bring lively communal dining halls, and short trips lead to a stunning stretch of coast. This guide shows you how to enjoy Kochi's markets, castle, seafood and scenery, with practical tips for planning your visit.

The Sunday Market That Has Lasted Centuries

The Sunday Market, called Nichiyo-ichi in Japanese, is the signature experience in Kochi. The Kochi tourism page says it has run for more than 300 years, stretching about 1.3 kilometers along Otesuji street from Otemon Gate, at the foot of Kochi Castle. About 300 stalls line the street. It takes place on Sundays, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., so check the schedule before you go.

What you find depends on the season, but the range is delightful. Farmers sell fresh vegetables and fruit, and fishermen sell dried small fish such as chirimenjako. Stalls offer inaka sushi, a rural style of sushi made with mountain ingredients, along with freshly fried sweet potato tempura called imoten, which often has a line of eager fans. A local frozen treat called Ice Crin, a sherbet-like ice cream, is popular on hot days, and in colder months stalls offer warm ginger drinks. There are also crafts such as bamboo goods, Tosa knives, bonsai and flowers, so it is easy to find a souvenir.

Eating the Kochi Way

Kochi is famous for katsuo no tataki, bonito that is seared quickly over burning straw so that the outside is fragrant and the inside stays tender. It is typically served in thick slices with garlic, onion, ginger and a splash of citrus or soy sauce, and it is considered the city's soul food. Eating it fresh in Kochi, near the waters where bonito are caught, is a highlight for many food lovers. Other local specialties include inaka sushi, fried chicken, gyoza and dry, crisp sake that pairs well with seafood.

A great place to try many dishes is Hirome Market, an indoor food hall in central Kochi often called the city's kitchen. It has around 60 eateries and hundreds of seats at shared tables, so you can order from different stalls and eat together in a lively atmosphere. It is a short walk from Kochi Castle and the tram line. Because many stalls prefer cash, bring some yen, and expect the best energy in the evening when locals and visitors gather over drinks and plates of seared bonito.

Kochi Castle and the City Center

Kochi Castle is one of the city's top attractions and a rare survivor. Japan has only twelve castles that keep their original main keeps, and Kochi Castle is one of them. The site was chosen in 1601 and the castle was built under Yamauchi Kazutoyo, the lord of the Tosa domain, and the present keep dates from reconstruction after a fire in the eighteenth century. The castle is also notable for keeping its original palace building, which is an unusual combination to see in one place.

The castle grounds are a pleasant place to stroll, with stone walls, gates and views over the city from the upper floors of the keep. The city center is compact, and a tram line runs through it, which makes getting around simple. Many travelers use a one-day tram ticket, and rental bicycles are also available. Walking is pleasant in the old downtown too, where covered shopping arcades and small eateries invite you to linger. Near the center you will find the Harimaya Bridge, a small red bridge made famous by a folk song about a forbidden love, and a good place for a photo.

Coastal Scenery and Local Heroes

A short trip from the center brings you to Katsurahama, a beautiful beach at the mouth of Urado Bay with sweeping views of the Pacific. The beach is known for its sweeping curve of shoreline and for a large statue of Sakamoto Ryoma, a hero from Kochi who played a famous role in Japan's modernization in the nineteenth century. A memorial museum nearby tells his story. There is also an aquarium close by, which makes the area a popular outing for families. The main attractions here are the long views, the fresh sea air and the sense of standing at the edge of a vast ocean.

Kochi has a lively festival culture as well. The Yosakoi Festival, held every August, features teams of dancers in colorful costumes performing energetic routines to music through the city streets. It began in Kochi and has spread to many parts of Japan. If you plan to visit in August, book accommodations well in advance, since the city is busy, and it is worth confirming that the Sunday market is running on your dates.

Planning Your Visit

Kochi can be reached by flight to Kochi Ryoma Airport or by train from other parts of Shikoku and from Okayama on the mainland. Once there, the main sights are close to each other, and the Sunday Market is about a 10-minute walk from the main train station. Go early, because popular items may sell out before noon, and wear comfortable shoes for strolling. Weather is generally mild, but summer can be hot and humid, and the region sometimes receives heavy rain, so carry a hat, water and a light rain jacket depending on the season.

Plan two or three days if you want to combine the city with coastal outings. Mornings are best for the market, afternoons for the castle and beach, and evenings for food. Check opening hours for the castle and the museums before going, since they can vary, and confirm whether the market is running on your chosen Sunday. Those small steps help you enjoy the city without surprises.

Quick Takeaways

Kochi rewards visitors who like street food, friendly crowds and open skies. The 300-year-old Sunday Market, Hirome Market with its seared bonito, the surviving original keep of Kochi Castle and the wide sweep of Katsurahama make a rich and relaxed itinerary. Go early on Sunday, bring cash, share plates in the evening and leave time for the coast.

It is an easy city to love, and a wonderful introduction to Shikoku's sunny, spirited side.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Kochi Sunday Market held?

The market is held on Sundays, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. according to the Kochi tourism page, and it is worth confirming the schedule around New Year and festival periods. It runs along Otesuji street near Kochi Castle and is best visited in the morning, since popular items can sell out.

What is katsuo no tataki?

Katsuo no tataki is bonito seared quickly over burning straw so the outside is fragrant and the inside stays tender. It is usually sliced thickly and served with garlic, ginger, onion and citrus or soy sauce, and it is a signature dish of Kochi.

What is Hirome Market in Kochi?

Hirome Market is an indoor food hall in central Kochi with about 60 eateries and shared tables. It serves local dishes such as seared bonito, inaka sushi and fried chicken. Bring cash, as many stalls prefer it, and expect it to be liveliest in the evening.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Iya Valley: Shikoku's Vine Bridges and Misty Gorges, Tsuwano: The Little Kyoto of Shimane and Hagi: A Quiet Castle Town of Pottery and Whitewashed Walls.