Photo: Reggaeman, CC BY-SA 3.0.
Central Kochi
Overview
Kochi City's compact downtown core: the original castle keep, the food-stall heart of Hirome Market, the legendary Harimaya Bridge, and the Yosakoi Information Center.
The walkable downtown of Kochi City, anchored by Kochi Castle (one of twelve original castle keeps remaining in Japan) and the food-stall heart of Hirome Market a short walk to the east. The legendary Harimaya Bridge sits a few minutes further along the main shopping streets, and the Yosakoi Information Exchange Center honors the city's signature August dance festival year-round. Every Sunday since the 1690s, the Sunday Market (Nichiyoichi) snakes for over a kilometer through these same streets, the longest-running street market in Japan.
Local tips
Aim for a Saturday-Sunday so the Sunday Market overlaps the rest of the route. Hirome Market is busiest at lunch; arrive before 11am for the best katsuo no tataki seats.
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