Kochi Sunday Market: A 330-Year-Old Street Market at the Heart of Local Life

What Is Sunday Market?

写真提供：（公財）高知県観光コンベンション協会

Kochi Sunday Market is a large open-air street market held every Sunday in the center of Kochi City, on the island of Shikoku, Japan.

The market stretches for about 1 kilometer along Otesuji Street, near Kochi Castle, and features around 300 stalls. Every week, more than 17,000 people visit — locals buying fresh food for the week and travelers eager to experience Kochi’s culture up close.

What makes Sunday Market truly special is its history.

Founded in 1690, it has been held for over 330 years, making it the longest-running street market in Japan.

What It’s Like to Visit Kochi Sunday Market

Visiting Nichiyoichi feels less like sightseeing and more like stepping into everyday Kochi life.

You’ll see farmers arranging freshly harvested vegetables, locals chatting casually with vendors, and visitors strolling slowly while eating street food. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, and lively — conversations happen naturally, even if you don’t speak Japanese.

As you walk down the long boulevard, the scenery keeps changing: colorful produce, sizzling food stalls, handmade tools, flowers, and the smell of fried sweet potatoes drifting through the air.

Why Kochi Sunday Market Is So Special

Kochi Sunday Market is not a market created for tourists — it is a place locals genuinely rely on.

・It is officially operated by Kochi City
・It has continued almost every Sunday for over three centuries
・It is considered the longest street market in Japan

While many traditional markets have disappeared, Kochi Sunday Market remains an essential part of local life, which is why the experience feels authentic and alive.

What You Can Find at the Market

Although food is a major highlight, Nichiyoichi offers much more than snacks.

・Fresh vegetables and fruit from local farms
・Ready-to-eat street food and traditional dishes
・Local crafts, tools, and everyday goods
・Flowers, plants, and seasonal items

Sweet Potato Tempura (Imo-ten)

One of Kochi’s most famous street foods.

Imo-ten is made from locally grown sweet potatoes, coated in a light batter and fried until crispy. The outside is crunchy, while the inside stays soft and naturally sweet.

The stall Ohira Shoten is especially popular and often has a line, but service is fast. Many locals say this snack is addictive once you try it.

Inaka-zushi (Country-Style Sushi)

A regional specialty unique to Kochi.

Instead of seafood, inaka-zushi uses mountain vegetables such as bamboo shoots, shiitake mushrooms, myoga ginger, and konjac. The rice is lightly seasoned with citrus like yuzu or mandarin orange, giving it a refreshing flavor.

Each stall prepares it differently, so tasting several versions is part of the experience.

Ice Kurin

A nostalgic local dessert perfect for warm days.

Ice kurin is lighter than regular ice cream and closer to a sorbet. It is mildly sweet, refreshing, and available in several flavors — ideal for a short break while exploring the market.

Ame-yu (Sweet Ginger Drink)

A traditional drink made with starch syrup and fresh ginger juice.

・Served cold in summer
・Served hot in winter

It gently warms or cools the body and is a comforting local favorite rarely found outside western Japan.

Imo-kenpi & Shio-kenpi

Deep-fried sweet potato sticks coated in syrup.

・Imo-kenpi: sweet and crunchy
・Shio-kenpi: lightly salted, with a balanced sweet-salty taste

They are popular souvenirs and enjoyed by all generations.

Tosa Knives

Nichiyoichi is known for Tosa forged knives, a traditional craft with over 400 years of history. These knives are durable, practical, and surprisingly affordable.

A popular souvenir is the whale-shaped knife, reflecting Kochi’s historical connection to whaling.

Dried Fish(Himono)

Stalls sell a wide variety of dried fish from the Tosa coast. Horse mackerel is especially popular and often sells out before noon.

Flowers and Plants

From cut flowers to seedlings and bonsai, these stalls show another side of everyday Kochi life and are especially loved by local residents.

Mochi Rice Cakes

Colorful mochi flavored with shrimp, mugwort, red beans, or brown sugar make great snacks or souvenirs.

Ginger and Yuzu Products

Kochi is Japan’s top producer of ginger.

You’ll find ginger ale made with local ginger, as well as yuzu vinegar (yunosu), a staple seasoning used in dishes like bonito tataki.

How to Get There

From JR Kochi Station

・About 10 minutes on foot
・Or take the Tosaden Tram to Hasuikemachi-dori stop

From Kochi Airport

・Airport bus to Hasuikemachi stop
・Short walk to Otesuji Street

Final Thoughts

Kochi Sunday Market is more than a place to shop.

It is a weekly gathering where history, food, and everyday life come together.

From crispy sweet potato tempura to friendly conversations with local vendors, Kochi Sunday Market offers a side of Kochi that guidebooks alone cannot show.

If you are in Kochi on a weekend, Sunday morning belongs to Kochi Sunday Market.

Practical Information

Location

Otesuji Street, Kochi City

(From Kochi Castle’s Otemon Gate, walk east for about 1 km)

Hours

Around 6:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Best time to visit: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Open

Every Sunday

Closed on: January 1–2, During the Yosakoi Festival (Aug 10–12, if they fall on Sunday)

The market is usually held rain or shine.