KOCHI Full Travel Guide｜Niyodo Blue, Katsuo, and Yosakoi—Where You Don’t Just See Japan, You Join It
Kochi Is Japan, Turned Up to Eleven
Too far from Honshu? Need a flight to get there?
You won’t care once you arrive—Kochi is Japan at its boldest and richest.
Crystal-clear rivers like the Niyodo, the blazing fire of katsuo searing, and the wildly energetic Yosakoi Festival—
This isn’t a place where you watch Japan happen. It’s where you join in.
Let RAW JAPAN take you on a full-throttle tour through Kochi—Japan’s most underrated local experience paradise.
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Instagrammable Spots You’ll Never Forget
Niyodo River｜Feel Japan’s Clearest Waters on Your Skin
Often hailed as Japan’s most beautiful river, the Niyodo is where you dive in, not just look. Go SUPing, canoeing, or just splash around in its surreal blue waters. Especially at "Niko-buchi," where the electric blue against jagged rocks looks like CGI in real life. A rental car is a must.
In spring (late March to early April), the “Hikichibashi Hanamomo” peach blossoms along Route 33 are a hidden gem. About 100 trees bloom in pink, white, and red beside the river’s blue—like a Japanese painting. Walkways and parking are available, making it perfect for photography.
🌐 Niyodo Blue Tourism Association
📍 Niko-buchi - Google Map
📍 Hikichibashi Hanamomo - Google Map
Hirome Market｜A Gloriously Chaotic Local Hangout
Drink from noon, chat with strangers, instantly become friends—Hirome Market is Kochi’s living room. Locals and tourists gather in this colorful mash-up of food stalls and pub vibes, eating their way through Kochi’s iconic dishes. Just show up hungry.
🕒 Mon–Sat: 10:00–23:00｜Sun: 9:00–23:00
🌐 Hirome Market Official Site
📍 Google Map
Sear Your Own Katsuo｜Bonito + Fire = Pure Joy
Think you know katsuo tataki? Think again. At Tosa Tataki Dojo, you torch your own bonito over a flaming straw fire. It’s smoky, primal, and incredibly satisfying.
Located inside the boat-shaped "Katsuo Boat" drive-in restaurant. No reservations—first come, first grilled. They stop when the fish runs out, so go early.
🕒 10:30–15:00
🌐 Katsuo Boat - Tosa Tataki Dojo
📍 Google Map
Yosakoi Festival｜Watch It or Join the Dance
Held every August 10–11 in Kochi City, this festival unleashes a wave of energy through town. Dancers with naruko clappers jump, spin, shout, and smile—each team with their own style. Some years allow visitors to join in. You might not just watch—you might dance.
🌐 Yosakoi Festival Official Website
Shimanto River｜The Last Pristine River in Japan
The Shimanto River is a 196km Class A river often dubbed Japan’s last clear stream. Drift on a yakatabune boat with a cold beer, walk across “chinka” low-water bridges, or try fishing and SUP. This is nature therapy, Kochi-style.
🌐 Shimanto River Yakatabune 'Nattoku'
🌐 Shimanto City Tourism Association
📍 Google Map
Local Eats That Go Way Beyond “Delicious”
Myojinmaru Main Store｜Katsuo Tataki = Kochi’s Soul
Katsuo tataki—lightly seared bonito—is Kochi’s signature dish, and no one does it like Myojinmaru. They torch it fresh to order at a live grill station. Outside is charred, inside is rare perfection. Pro tip: garlic and salt is the Kochi way.
🕒 17:00–23:30 (L.O. 23:00)｜Closed on Mondays
🌐 Myojinmaru Official Site
📍 Google Map
Tosa Shokunin Koujiya｜The Elusive Tosa Jiro Chicken
Tosa Jiro is a rare, rich-flavored chicken unique to Kochi. Koujiya is the go-to place to enjoy it grilled over charcoal, as oyakodon, or as tataki. Combine it with local sake for the perfect evening.
🕒 17:00–23:00 (L.O. 22:00)｜Sat lunch: 11:30–14:30｜Closed Sundays (exceptions apply)
🌐 Koujiya Official Site
📍 Google Map
Tosagohan Suigeitei｜Sake Pairing Heaven
Run by Suigei Sake Brewery, this spot is all about pairing premium sake with local delicacies like whale sashimi, Shimanto chicken karaage, and banquet-style “sawachi” platters. Chill solo at the counter or relax with a group.
🕒 17:00–22:30 (L.O. 22:00)
🌐 Suigeitei Official Site
📍 Google Map
Kusaya｜Vegetable Sushi Like No Other
Kusaya serves Kochi’s traditional “inaka sushi” made with vegetables, mountain herbs, and yuzu citrus instead of vinegar. Light, fragrant, and deeply local. For a proper sit-down experience, Kusaya is your best bet.
🕒 17:30–21:30 (Dinner only)
🌐 Kusaya Official Site
📍 Google Map
Mayumi no Mise｜Nabeyaki Ramen Legend of Susaki
A hot pot full of ramen? Yes, please. Mayumi no Mise is the most iconic spot for “nabeyaki ramen”—a local Susaki dish featuring deep chicken broth, chikuwa, green onion, and more. Try their salt-based version too!
🕒 Mon–Fri: 11:00–15:00｜Sat–Sun: 11:00–17:00 (until sold out)
🌐 Mayumi no Mise Official Site
📍 Google Map
Where to Stay? Go Deep, Go Local
Jyoseikan｜150 Years of Hospitality + Rooftop Hot Spring
This historic ryokan has been welcoming guests for over 150 years. Enjoy open-air baths with castle views, in-house katsuo grilling, and seasonal banquets. Plus: rental bikes, bar lounge, and a buffet breakfast.
🌐 Jyoseikan Official Site
📍 Google Map
OMO7 Kochi by Hoshino Resorts｜For Full-On Local Immersion
A brand-new hotel opened in 2024, OMO7 offers nightly “Yosakoi Rakuen LIVE,” a katsuo buffet, big baths with garden views, walking tours with local guides, and rooms designed to reflect Kochi’s party-loving soul.
🌐 OMO7 Kochi Official Site
📍 Google Map
TOMARIGI HOSTEL｜Stay Local. Walk Local. Be Local.
This hostel scatters its rooms across the neighborhood, so walking around is part of the stay. Ask staff for recs, grab a coffee at the public stand, and meet fellow travelers naturally. Local vibes, always.
🌐 TOMARIGI HOSTEL
📍 Google Map
The Ultimate Route! A 2-Day “KOCHI Overload” Plan
Kochi isn’t just a trip—it’s a full-body experience. This plan lets you eat, dance, dive, and discover the raw heart of local Japan.
Note: this is for active travelers. Feel free to slow it down!
DAY 1｜Food & Culture in the City
| 10:00 | Arrive at Kochi Ryoma Airport (90 min from Tokyo) |
| 11:00 | Mini history tour at Kochi Castle |
| 12:30 | Eat & drink at Hirome Market |
| 14:00 | Wander city streets or the Sunday Market |
| 16:00 | Visit the Kochi Literary Museum or chill at a café |
| 18:00 | Dinner at Myojinmaru |
| 20:00 | Sake & local fare at Suigeitei |
DAY 2｜Nature and Action All Day
| 08:00 | Drive to Niyodo River (Niko-buchi or Hikichibashi) |
| 10:00 | SUP, swimming, seasonal views |
| 12:30 | Lunch & washi papermaking at Tosa Washi Village |
| 15:00 | Grill katsuo yourself at Katsuo Boat |
| 16:30 | Relax by the sea at Usa Shiokaze Park |
| 18:00 | Head to the airport and fly home |
RAW JAPAN Comment
Kochi stimulates all five senses—it’s a place you don’t just visit, you feel. Compared to laid-back Awaji, Kochi is fire, flavor, and motion. You’ll grill, jump, swim, feast—and before you know it, you’ll be planning your return.
This is wild Japan, done right.
This article was independently created by the RAW JAPAN editorial team. We are not sponsored or affiliated with any of the places mentioned.
All information is current as of writing. Please check official sites for updates.
Images are for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual items.
Author of this article
Obsessed with Japan’s quirks, and a father of two. I hunt for those subtle, “wait, what?” moments that hide in everyday life.