Katsuo no tatakiかつおのたたき
Bonito seared over a burning straw fire, sliced thick and eaten with garlic, onion and salt or ponzu.
Shikoku
Kochi Travel Guide
Local tips, regional food and places off the tourist trail
Shikoku’s wild Pacific side, known for big-hearted drinking culture and seared bonito. Kochi city has an original castle and Hirome Market, and the clear Shimanto River and Cape Ashizuri lie in the far southwest.
Open Kochi on the map38 places on the map · 19 local favourites
Local tips
- TipKochi is long and trains are sparse beyond the city; a car makes the Shimanto River and the capes much easier.
- Heads upFacing the Pacific, Kochi gets heavy rain and typhoons in late summer; keep plans flexible then.
- DoEat at Hirome Market: grab dishes from different stalls and share a table with locals.
- TipThe long-running Sunday Market lines the street near Kochi Castle with local produce and snacks.
- TipAlong the Shimanto, look for chinkabashi: low, railing-less bridges designed to sink under floodwater.
What to eat
Sawachi ryori皿鉢料理
Huge platters of sashimi, sushi and side dishes shared at Kochi banquets.
Yuzuゆず
Kochi is a major yuzu producer; look for yuzu drinks, ponzu and yuzu-flavoured sweets.
Local favourites
Places mostly visited by people who live here — quieter, and often the highlight of a trip.
Tanoya Enjiro Salt Farm
田野屋塩二郎 Local FoodExperiencesArtisan salt maker in the coastal town of Tano, drying seawater by hand in sunny greenhouses by the sea. The salt is prized by chefs across Japan; small bags make great…
● Mostly localsBefukyo Onsen
べふ峡温泉 Hot SpringsRemote hot spring in the Befu Gorge in Kami, with a public bath overlooking the mountains. Autumn colours in the gorge are beautiful.
● Mostly localsHashimoto Shokudo (Nabeyaki Ramen)
橋本食堂 Local FoodSusaki diner serving nabeyaki ramen, chicken-soy broth in a clay pot with egg and fish cake.
● Mostly localsKiragawa Townscape
吉良川の町並み Sights & HistoryOld town in Muroto with plaster-walled merchant houses and stone walls built against typhoons.
● Mostly localsDoi Kakuchu Samurai District, Aki
土居廓中 Sights & HistoryFormer samurai quarter in Aki with hedges, stone walls and old wooden gates lining quiet lanes. Pair it with the Aki castle-site museum and the Iwasaki Yataro house.
● Mostly localsIwasaki Yataro Birthplace
岩崎弥太郎生家 Sights & HistoryThatched farmhouse in Aki where Iwasaki Yataro, founder of Mitsubishi, was born. A small, simple stop in the countryside, with the stone garden he made said to…
● Mostly localsNishikawaya Confectionery
西川屋老舗 Local FoodKochi's long-established sweet shop, famous for umeboshi, a soft pink rice-cake sweet, and crunchy ginger-flavoured cookies. A classic Kochi souvenir.
● Mostly localsKashiwajima Island
柏島 Nature & SceneryTiny island in the far southwest with water so clear that boats seem to float in the air. Great for snorkelling and diving in summer.
● Mostly localsMichi-no-Eki Shimanto Towa
道の駅 四万十とおわ ShoppingLocal FoodRoadside station on the upper Shimanto River in Towa, selling local chestnut sweets, tea and produce. The riverside terrace is lovely.
● Mostly localsKuroshio Kobo (Katsuo Straw-Grilling)
黒潮工房 ExperiencesLocal FoodWorkshop in Kuroshio town where you sear bonito over flaming straw to make your own katsuo tataki, then eat it with salt and garlic.
● Mostly localsTosatsuru Sake Brewery
土佐鶴酒造 Local FoodLarge, respected brewery in Aki known for clean, dry Tosa-style sake. The adjoining visitor hall has displays on brewing and a shop with tastings.
● Mostly localsShimantoya
四万十屋 Local FoodRiverside restaurant on the lower Shimanto River serving local river food: grilled eel, tempura of river shrimp and green laver. Tables look out over the water.
● Mostly localsThe famous sights
The places most visitors come for. Worth it — just go early.
Hirome Market
ひろめ市場 Local FoodNightlifeLively food hall where everyone shares tables. Order katsuo tataki seared over straw fire and drink with the locals.
Katsurahama Beach
桂浜 Nature & ScenerySights & HistoryCrescent beach of Kochi city with pine-covered cliffs and a giant statue of Sakamoto Ryoma gazing out to sea. Waves are strong, so swimming isn't allowed; walk to the…
Kochi Sunday Market
日曜市 ShoppingLocal FoodLong street market along Otesuji every Sunday, with hundreds of stalls selling farm produce, knives, snacks and flowers. Try imo-ten, sweet potato tempura.