One of the reasons for visiting Osaka may be to enjoy drinks, food, and interactions with warm and friendly people. This time, we invite you to venture a little beyond Osaka to experience an unforgettable and immersive local bar-hopping adventure in Kochi, Shikoku—an area still largely undiscovered by tourists and offering a completely different atmosphere from the bustling metropolis of Osaka. Victor from Osaka JOINER will introduce this experience.

Kochi Prefecture is located on Shikoku, the smallest of Japan's main islands, and is renowned for its breathtaking rivers and natural beauty, including the Shimanto River and the crystal-clear "Niyodo Blue." As the birthplace of the samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, a key figure in the late Edo period, Kochi is also a favorite among history enthusiasts.

With its rich natural surroundings of mountains and sea, the region produces outstanding local sake and its cuisine. You can reach Kochi City, the heart of Kochi Prefecture, in approximately 60 minutes via Osaka Itami Airport.

In this experience, we will not only explore Kochi’s local sake and its cuisine but also immerse ourselves in the warmth and charm of its people, guided by a local expert.

For travelers who want to discover more of Japan’s hidden charms, be sure to check it out!

Meeting guide Matthew and enjoying local food and drinks at a lively market filled with locals.

Our tour kicked off at Hirome Market, where I met guide Matthew! Matthew, an American who moved to Japan about 8 years ago, had immersed himself in Kochi’s food culture and had plenty of great insights to share. He kept us entertained with fun conversations and introduced us to the best spots in Kochi. Hirome Market is located on the site of the former 'Hirome Residence,' the home of Fukao Hirome Shigeaki, a high-ranking official from the late Edo period. It’s a lively, local market where you can order food and drinks from unique shops and enjoy them in the market itself, making it a fun blend of a market and an izakaya. Around the dining area, we found bars and eateries serving local delicacies. The atmosphere was full of local energy and excitement! With Matthew guiding us, we took a stroll through the market and started ordering from his favorite street-style stalls.

Following Matthew's recommendation, we started by trying one of Kochi's famous dishes at a special restaurant. First up: 'Katsuo no Tataki.' Known for its rich fishing culture along the coast, Kochi is especially famous for katsuo (bonito). The fish is carefully caught using a traditional fishing method called 'ippon-zuri,' where each fish is caught individually by hand with a fishing rod, a technique said to have been passed down since the Edo period. This dish features lightly seared katsuo sashimi, with a smoky flavor, tender raw center, slices of garlic, and a side of soy sauce. The best way to enjoy it is by washing it down with a rare yuzu beer, a perfect pairing. Since Kochi is famous for its yuzu, combining it with beer felt like a natural choice. I’m so glad I tried it!

Another special thing about Hirome Market is that the tables are open for anyone to use, so it’s not uncommon to have strangers sitting next to you. The people of Kochi are full of energy and friendly, creating a lively atmosphere where you might find yourself chatting with cheerful locals or adventurous tourists. While there aren’t as many international visitors as in Osaka, it has a deeply local vibe. Luckily, our guide Matthew helped us with ordering and acted as a bridge between me and the shop owners, making communication much easier. I had such an exciting time!

Delicious food and drinks make the conversation flow

Next, we visited a hidden gem after the lively market. As we walked through the streets, listening to Matthew’s stories about the city, we arrived at a place that would be difficult for tourists to find on their own. At the entrance, we took off our shoes and sat on cushions, a traditional setup. Inside, the shop was filled with local salarymen, which shows how much this place is loved by the community. Earlier, we enjoyed local beer, but here, we kicked things off with a toast of local SAKE.

Kochi is famous for its beautiful rivers, and the ingredients sourced from them are always fresh and delicious. On the menu, you’ll find local specialties like Deep-fried moray eel, whole fried shrimp from the local river, and aosa (a type of seaweed), showcasing the diverse and unique flavors of Kochi.

Our guide and the friendly shop owner specially recommended a traditional local Japanese sake to us.

What made the experience truly exceptional was the pairing with the food. Thanks to the explanations from Matthew and the owner, I was able to enjoy local sake with dishes that complemented it perfectly, and the flavors truly stood out. We tasted not only crisp, sharp sake but also fruity ones that were so sweet, it was easy to forget I was drinking alcohol.

Sake is often written in Japanese (kanji), making it hard to choose, but with the guidance of a knowledgeable guide, it’s an incredible experience.

We enjoyed fresh seafood caught in Kochi's beautiful rivers, paired with fruity Japanese sake. The interaction with the shop owner also became an important memory of this trip.

Third stop on the local bar hopping. We stroll through the deep, nighttime streets. In contrast to the lively spot we visited earlier, we arrive at the cozy bar 'Shin,' which has a quiet, laid-back atmosphere.

We toasted with a 'fruit punch sour.' At this bar, I had a long conversation with Matthew. He shared why he came to Kochi, what makes this city special, and his desire for more people to experience it. We had an engaging conversation about the region. Kochi stands out for the kindness of its locals; it’s a city full of warm-hearted people. At this shop, we also heard many stories from the owner, who loves Kochi and Japanese sake. One particularly captivating topic was 'Sake Day,' a special event celebrated throughout Japan, but particularly significant in Kochi. Learning about it made me want to stay longer and left me looking forward to coming back again.

We’ll experience everything Kochi has to offer until the very last moment!

As I was enjoying conversations with the guide and the shop owner, I started to feel hungry again. We walked a little and ended up at the famous Kochi spot, 'Imadoki Yasubee.' The intriguing message here is, 'Street food, gyoza, and beer are part of Kochi’s culture.' This place was fantastic in every way – delicious food, affordable prices, a lively atmosphere, and a nostalgic Showa-era vibe both inside and out.

The gyoza was the highlight of our visit. This shop serves gyoza as a perfect dish to wrap up a drinking session. Small, easy-to-eat size, with a crispy texture. They were so delicious that I couldn’t stop eating. If we had started here, I don’t think I would have been able to eat anything else!

In about four hours on the tour, we had already become like old friends. Matthew not only shared his insights about the restaurants but also taught us about Kochi, told us various stories along the way, and made our stay in Kochi enjoyable. Through this tour, I became very familiar with Kochi, connected with the locals, and I truly felt like I was part of the Kochi community. I highly recommend this to any guests visiting Kochi.

You can book the tour here： https://www.kochiescapes.jp/enjoy-the-nightlife-in-kochi

This time, I experienced the warmth of the people in Kochi and had an amazing time, so I’m looking forward to visiting again. Next time, I plan to explore Kochi’s nature and participate in the October Sake Day event. Kochi is closer to Osaka than I initially thought, and it offers a local, charming experience with delightful food, drinks, and people. You can also enjoy exploring the beautiful nature like the Shimanto River and Kochi Castle. It’s highly recommended as a destination during your stay in Japan.

Information about Kochi:https://osakatokochi.com/