A historic market that has been in operation for over 300 years. Must-buy items at Kochi's Sunday Market

1. What is Kochi's "Sunday Market"? It has a history of over 300 years

2.Basic Information about the Sunday Market

The event takes place every Sunday

The event is held every Sunday. The hours are 5:00AM-6:00PM from April to September, and 5:30AM-5:00PM from October to March (including the time to set up and take down the stalls). In the afternoon, the number of products decreases and many stalls start to take down, so it is recommended to go in the morning.

Although the number of stalls may fluctuate, the event is generally held every week, regardless of hot summer days, cold winter days, or rainy weather. The only days it is closed are on January 1st and 2nd at the beginning of the year, and on Sundays when the Yosakoi Festival is held from August 10th to 12th. It is crowded with people during Golden Week and summer vacation.

The market may occasionally be cancelled due to bad weather such as typhoons, so in such cases it is best to check the real-time information posted on the Kochi City website or on the Facebook page "Kochi's Sunday Market (Tosa's Street Market)."

The event will be held in Otesuji, Kochi City. Access by public transport is recommended.

The event will be held in Otesuji, Kochi City, the prefecture's most bustling shopping district. The two-lane road stretches about 1km east from the Ote Gate of Kochi Castle, turning one side of the road into a pedestrian precinct.

If you are traveling by public transport, take a train or bus from JR Kochi Station or Kochi Ryoma Airport and get off at the "Hasuikecho-dori" stop. From there, it is about a 5-minute walk to reach the Sunday Market.

There is no dedicated parking lot at Nichiyoichi, so you should be careful when driving there. On holidays, parking is free at the prefectural office parking lot and some sections of the roads around Otesuji, but it gets crowded so it is safer to use a paid parking lot in the area. (Information about paid parking lots around Nichiyoichi is available on the prefectural office website.)

The shops are lined up on both the north and south sides of the road, and it takes time just to look around. There are rest tents here and there, so take your time and take a break while you're looking around.

3. Local writers' recommended restaurants: Gourmet edition

Finally, we will introduce the recommended shops at the Sunday Market. First, we will introduce the gourmet section.

Ohira Shoten's Imoten: I'm enchanted by the sweet potatoes wrapped in a fluffy, crispy batter.

The most popular gourmet food at the Sunday Market is Ohira Shoten's "Imoten." It's bite-sized tempura made from sweet potatoes from Kochi Prefecture that are coated in a secret batter and deep-fried, and it's no exaggeration to say that eating these hot, freshly fried tempura while walking around the market is now a standard feature of the Sunday Market.

When you put the puffy batter into your mouth, you'll feel a crispy, fluffy texture and the bright yellow sweet potato will appear. It's so sweet! It's delicious and will bring a smile to the face of both children and adults.

Shops that sell it: Sunday Market 4-chome South 245-246 Ohira Shoten (closed in summer)

Udon and Country Sushi: Gentle Country Flavors Perfect for Breakfast

It is recommended to go to the Sunday Market early in the morning when there is a wide selection of products, but if you are there, why not enjoy breakfast there as well?

I always eat Ichiyanagi's udon. There are small chairs and tables inside the restaurant, so you can sit down and eat your warm udon at your leisure. The noodles are fluffy and soft, and the broth is so delicious that it soothes your soul.

We also recommend "Inaka-zushi," a specialty of Kochi Prefecture, which is made with ingredients such as wild plants, vegetables, and konjac on vinegared rice with a yuzu scent. The inaka-zushi made by Mitani is particularly popular, so be sure to buy it before it sells out!

Shop selling it: Sunday Market 3-chome Kita 201 Ichiyanagi-san (Udon)
Sunday Market 2-chome South 96th Mitani-san (Countryside Sushi)

Tosa Wagyu Sirloin Steak: Enjoy a little luxury while shopping

The savory smell of grilled meat is what draws you to this charcoal grilled skewer restaurant. The yakitori and pork belly are delicious, but one dish you should definitely try is the "Tosa Wagyu Sirloin Steak."

This is a stylish skewer of luxurious meat with just the right amount of refined fat, skewered and grilled over charcoal until fragrant. When you bite into it, the fat oozes out of your mouth. The ability to enjoy delicious food without feeling formal is one of the attractions of the Sunday Market.

Shop selling it: Sunday Market 4-chome North 283 Ikeda-san

Buntan: A specialty of Kochi that is characterized by its refreshing sweetness and rich aroma

The "buntan," a specialty of Kochi, is a citrus fruit about the size of a baby's head. When you peel back the thick skin and cuticle, the jewel-like flesh is revealed, and when you eat it, it is filled with refreshing juice and a slightly bitter aroma. In season, whole buntans are lined up at many shops in the Sunday Market, so be sure to give them a try.

According to Takeda Fruit Shop, a store that sells pomelo, "open-field grown pomelo," which has a good balance of sweet and sour, is available from February to early May, "crystal pomelo," which has a distinct sweetness and fragrance, is available from October to December, and "greenhouse Tosa pomelo," which has a rich, sweet flavor, is available from late November to December.

Even if you visit outside of pomelo season, you can still enjoy pomelo-flavored sweets and drinks. We especially recommend the sweets made by pomelo growers themselves.

At Kayoya, cookies made with plenty of homemade pomelo jam are popular. The cookies are not too sweet so that you can enjoy the sweet and sour taste of the pomelo itself. When you eat them, the rich aroma of pomelo spreads throughout your mouth, and you'll find yourself reaching for one more...one more.

Katayama Farm is very popular for its juice made with a rich syrup made from 100% pomelo juice. The refreshing sweetness and slightly bitter aroma create a pleasant harmony that will soothe your mind just by drinking it.

Stores that sell it: Sunday Market 2-chome South 106 Takeda Fruit Shop (Pomelo Fruits and Vegetables)
Sunday Market 2-chome North 138th Kayoya (Pomelo Cookies)
Sunday Market 5-chome South 382 Katayama Farm (Pomelo Juice)

Warabimochi: If you're tired after walking around the Sunday Market, try some cool, sweet treats

Walking through the long Sunday Market stretching from east to west will warm your body even in winter. When that happens, try the smooth and cold "Happy Warabimochi." This is the real deal, made by kneading bracken powder and water in a pot. At this shop, they are lined up with ice on a large plate called a "Sawachi," a Takamatsu specialty. When you buy one, they scoop it up into a cup and top it with plenty of homemade brown sugar syrup and kinako (roasted soybean flour). The cool, chewy taste will make you feel happy.

Store selling it: Nichiyoichi 3-chome Kita 200ban Wada-san (as of June 25, 2017)

Hashimaki and ice cream: the perfect local delicacy to accompany your snacks on the go

If you want to enjoy eating while walking around, we recommend these two dishes. The food called "hashimaki" is actually okonomiyaki wrapped around chopsticks, and you can eat it with one hand, just like eating an corn dog. Choose your toppings, such as fried egg and cheese, and enjoy your favorite flavors.

This shop also sells Kochi's specialty, "ice cream." It has a crunchy texture somewhere between ice cream and sherbet, and a slight fruity taste reminiscent of banana and melon, making it a traditional Kochi snack.

Shop selling it: Sunday Market 4-chome North 269 Hashimaki

4. Shops recommended by local writers - Souvenirs

From here, we will introduce some recommended shops for purchasing souvenirs for your trip to Kochi.

Awase Ginger: A syrup made with ginger, a specialty of Kochi

Yoshihira Shoten's "Awase Ginger" is made from 100% Kochi-grown ginger and sugar, without using any water, and is a ginger syrup so rich that it is no exaggeration to call it "ginger nectar." Simply mix it with water, hot water, or soda and you'll have a luxurious drink with a strong ginger flavor. It's also recommended to use it in cooking as a seasoning instead of sugar. If you make pork ginger in the usual way, it will have a special taste with a rich ginger aroma.

Shops that sell it: Sunday Market 5-chome North 383 Yoshihira Shoten

Knives: Sharp and easy to use! Tosa-uchi knives born from the climate of Kochi

Kochi Prefecture boasts the highest forest coverage per area in Japan, and as forestry prospered, knife manufacturing became popular. Tosa-uchi knives, known for their durability and sharpness, have a history of over 400 years and are still made by dedicated craftsmen. Tosa Miyabi offers a wide variety of knives made by craftsmen, and will help you select the right one for the meat, fish, vegetables, and other foods you will be cutting frequently.

Also, one of the Tosa cutlery craftsmen came up with the adorable "Whale Knife." It was originally created to be used by children who were increasingly turning away from knives. There are six different types in the lineup, including sperm whales and fin whales. Why not get one for your home, a masterpiece filled with the history of Kochi and the handiwork of craftsmen?

Stores selling it: Sunday Market 5-chome South 340 Tosa Miyabi

Shinjogawa-yaki salt jar: Always keeps the salt dry. A salt jar made in Tosa that allows the soil to breathe.

Shinjogawa River, a clear stream in Kochi, is known only to those in the know. Shinjogawa ware, produced at the nearby Igari Kiln, is pottery that combines simplicity and delicate beauty. Among these, the unglazed salt jars are particularly popular. They are not just condiment containers. A unique manufacturing process gives the jars breathability, so the salt or sugar inside does not accumulate moisture and can be kept dry at all times. The calm atmosphere and soft feel are also appealing, making them a favorite for long-term use.

Shop selling it: Sunday Market 4-chome South 238 Igari-san

100% natural Yuzu juice: For cooking and drinks! Complete the taste of Kochi with just this one bottle

There are many dishes in Kochi cuisine that use yuzu as an accent. This is no surprise, as Kochi is the number one producer of yuzu in Japan. If you want to enjoy the taste of Kochi at home, try bottled yuzu juice.

This product is made by squeezing each and every yuzu carefully grown in the mountains, so as not to lose any of its juice or aroma. It can be used as a substitute for vinegar in sushi or salads, or mixed with soy sauce to make homemade yuzu ponzu sauce. It can also be mixed with honey and water or cider to make a delicious drink, making it extremely versatile.

Shop selling it: Sunday Market 4-chome South 257 Nagano-san

5. Hirome Market: A gourmet spot to enjoy alongside the Sunday Market

After enjoying your time at the Sunday Market, be sure to check out the surrounding tourist spots.
We especially recommend you visit Hirome Market, where about 60 stores are crammed together. It is located right next to Nichiyoichi 7-chome.

There is a wide variety of delicacies to choose from, including Takamatsu specialties such as "Seared Bonito" and "Yabe's Yatai Gyoza," as well as a wide variety of Japanese, Western, Chinese, and ethnic cuisine, and even sweets such as shaved ice and cakes.

Hirome Market Official Site

This is the official website of Hirome Market, a tourist attraction in Kochi.

hirome.co.jp

6. Kochi's Street Markets: Not Just a Sunday Market

Kochi's street markets, typified by the Sunday Market, are also held on weekdays. Although they are not as large or have as many stalls as the Sunday Market, they have a wide variety of seasonal vegetables and fruits. Many local customers visit, and the shopkeepers look forward to chatting with them. If you want to interact with locals, be sure to visit a weekday street market.

・Tuesday Market: Held every Tuesday in Kamimachi 4-chome and 5-chome, Kochi City. From 6:00 a.m. until 1 hour before sunset.

・Thursday Market: Held every Thursday at Honcho 5-chome, Kochi City (in front of the prefectural office). From sunrise to one hour before sunset.

・Friday Market: Held every Friday in Atagocho 1-chome, Kochi City. From sunrise to one hour before sunset.

*All street markets are held except on January 1st and 2nd. The duration of the market includes the time to set up and take down the stalls.

All of the items introduced here are filled with the maker's passion and love. Of course, there are many more attractive and delicious things to find at the Sunday Market. I'm sure there are some great products that I haven't discovered even though I go there almost every week... That's how vast and deep Kochi's Sunday Market is.

Most of the shop staff are kind and love to talk, so if you ask them a lot of questions you're sure to make some fun discoveries. This is a spot that Kochi is proud of and one that you should visit again and again.

Originally posted: August 25, 2017