No place does a Sunday Market quite like Kochi. In fact, it’s the biggest in Japan!
Just when you thought Kochi couldn’t get any more wholesome, Kochi comes and delivers Japan’s largest Sunday market! If you’re unfamiliar, Shikoku has some of the best local produce, fish, dairy, flowers, and pretty much any other homestead good you can think of. And here are four reasons you need to put it on your Shikoku itinerary!
Exclusive “Kochi-only” handmade goods.
The people of Kochi really don’t hold back when it comes to creativity. There are over 300 stalls at this Sunday market, and a large majority of them are handmade items that you can only find in Kochi. From leather pouches to hand-carved masks, bags, including made from recycled materials, kimonos, bespoke items, tea, and honey, and so much more, you can find it all here at the Sunday market. And I don’t need to tell you that buying a souvenir for friends and loved ones here is definitely better than a last-minute gift from the airport!
A Food Lovers Paradise
Some people say that Osaka is the stomach of Japan, but I think they’ve just never been to Shikoku. Kochi has a long-standing tradition of culinary excellence; see my article on Hirome Ichiba, but this Sunday market really takes the cake. Or rather sells the cake! Each week you can find new and delicious foods that are usually only seasonally available. You can truly eat your way through all of Kochi while just walking down a 1.3k market! Sample tangy sweet yuzu juices, sweet potato chips called imo-ten, and a delicacy you’ll be hard-pressed to find in Tokyo: inaka-zushi or giant country-style sushi!
Be a Part of 300-year History.
In addition to being Japan’s largest Sunday market, it’s also one of the longest continually running markets in Japan. With an over 300-year history, you can walk the same streets Edo period locals did and basically time travel!
Live Like a Local
This Sunday market is not put on for tourists; this is an actual Sunday market that the people of Kochi go to on a regular basis. By going, you can feel what it’s like to live in the rural countryside of Japan and live like a local, even if it’s just for a day!
If you’d like to put the Kochi Sunday market on your travel itinerary, consider booking your trip with Shikoku Tours and let us help you get the most out of your experience!!
■Role：
Shikoku Tours Social Media Manager & Historian specializing in Japanese History
■Experience：
10 years of living in Japan, specifically in the Ehime area. I also have 8 years of experience in social media content creation, specifically in the areas of niche travel and History.
Hello! I’m Tehya, a historian with a passion for social media and using it as a tool for education. My goal is to help people discover the amazing and historical places Shikoku has to offer!
■Role：
Shikoku Tours Social Media Manager & Historian specializing in Japanese History
■Experience：
10 years of living in Japan, specifically in the Ehime area. I also have 8 years of experience in social media content creation, specifically in the areas of niche travel and History.
Hello! I’m Tehya, a historian with a passion for social media and using it as a tool for education. My goal is to help people discover the amazing and historical places Shikoku has to offer!
