JP · Kochi Prefecture · 33.56°N 133.53°E

kōchi

Straw-seared bonito, a lively Sunday market and one of Japan's original castles.

Best time
March–May and October–November are comfortable for walking. July–September is hot and wet, with typhoon risk, though the Yosakoi dance festival in mid-August draws big crowds.
How long
2 days
Getting there
Fly from KL to Kochi with one stop, usually via Tokyo or Osaka; the domestic flight takes about 1–1.5 hours. The airport bus reaches the city in about 30 minutes. Japan is an hour ahead of KL.
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JP · Kochi Prefecturekōchi33.56°N 133.53°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Straw-seared bonito, a lively Sunday market and one of Japan's original castles.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingKōchiJP, Kochi Prefecture
KLkōchi
≈ 4,727 km from KL, as the crow flies
Downtown Kōchi, Japan as seen from nearby mountain

Photo: Nobunaga24 at English Wikipedia · Public domain

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

A relaxed, food-loving city on Shikoku's Pacific coast. The castle, the Hirome Market food hall and the Sunday street market are all close together, and the beach at Katsurahama is a short bus ride away.

Makan

  1. Katsuo no tatakiBonito seared over a straw fire and sliced thick, with salt or a citrus dressing.Map ↗
  2. ImotenSweet-potato fritters, the favourite snack at the Sunday market.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. Kochi CastleOne of Japan's 12 original keeps, with its old palace still standing beside it.Map ↗
  2. Sunday MarketA kilometre-long street market of vegetables, knives, plants and snacks, every Sunday.Map ↗
  3. Hirome MarketA noisy food hall of shared tables and stalls, open every day.Map ↗
  4. KatsurahamaA curved beach with pine trees and a big statue of Sakamoto Ryoma.Map ↗

Good to know

  • The street market runs on Sundays only; Hirome Market is open every day.
  • Rooms book out for the Yosakoi festival in mid-August.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.