During our recent trip to Shikoku, we visited Kochi Prefecture.
When it comes to Kochi, it’s almost obligatory to stop by the iconic Hirome Market.
While I initially thought Hirome Market was mostly for drinkers, I found it to be a lively, family-friendly space with a welcoming atmosphere for everyone.
(Of course, there were plenty of people enjoying drinks too!)
Although I couldn’t drink because I was driving, I thoroughly enjoyed sampling a variety of foods, from Kochi’s famous bonito to seafood, sweet potato tempura, and dumplings. It was such a fun experience!
I wish we had a place like this back home!
“Hirome Market” – A Tourist-Friendly Food Stall Village in Kochi
Located in the heart of Kochi City, near Kochi Castle, is the bustling Hirome Market.
It’s about a 20-minute walk from Kochi Station—slightly far but still manageable.
It’s a food stall village featuring primarily restaurants but also souvenir shops and clothing stores.
This is the entrance to Hirome Market, marked by a lucky cat statue.
Inside, you’ll find a lineup of various shops. The spacious hallways and open areas are furnished with tables.
Guests can purchase food from their preferred stalls and enjoy their meals in any available seating, much like a food court. Below is the largest area, “Oshiroshita Plaza.”
Even in the wider walkways, tables are set up, and people everywhere are enjoying food and drinks.
Most stalls are restaurants, but there are also apparel shops and souvenir stores.
Here’s a layout map of Hirome Market (as of July 2024).
This tourist-oriented destination offers everything from Kochi’s specialty seafood to Indian food, Chinese dishes, sweets, and souvenirs.
Usage guidelines for Hirome Market:
No table usage for non-dining purposes, no outside food or drink allowed, and smoking is prohibited. Please take note!
The Joy of Buying, Eating, and Drinking Whatever You Like
Let me introduce the foods we enjoyed at Hirome Market.
*Note: As I was the designated driver, I couldn’t drink alcohol.
Myoujinmaru (Seared Bonito)
The first place we headed to was Myoujinmaru, famous for its seared bonito cooked over straw flames.
This larger stall is located right by Oshiroshita Plaza.
The menu includes set meals, single orders of seared bonito, and a toast set.
You can choose between salt or sauce for the seasoning.
Since we planned to sample various foods, we opted for the smaller salt-seasoned portion (5 slices).
Watching the bonito slices being seared over straw flames right before your eyes is a spectacle that grabs every tourist’s attention.
Though some moisture escaped while we searched for seating, the smoky aroma and flavor of the bonito remained absolutely delicious!
The salt seasoning really enhanced the natural umami.
Nichiyoichi no Imoten (Sweet Potato Tempura)
Next, my wife found a popular stall, Nichiyoichi no Imoten, which serves Kochi’s soul food sweet potato tempura.
This place has even been featured on the TV show *Kenmin SHOW*.
The batter is crispy, while the sweet potato inside is fluffy and sweet—absolutely delightful!
Yasubei (Dumplings)
Next up, the popular gyoza stall, Yasubei, renowned for its Kochi-style dumplings.
The dumplings are crispy all around, resembling fried dumplings more than traditional pan-fried ones. (According to the official site, they’re made using a unique method that’s neither pan-fried nor deep-fried.)
Made with plenty of local Kochi vegetables, they’re surprisingly light despite their appearance—you could eat several in one sitting!
Chinmidou (Seafood and More)
The larger stall Chinmidou sells a wide range of seafood, as well as fruits, udon, and soba.
Here, I bought nanban-style moray eel.
Known as the “gangster of the sea,” moray eel actually has a pleasantly chewy texture and delicious flavor when prepared this way.
Kuroshio Chaya (Tuna)
Next, we visited Kuroshio Chaya, a stall facing Oshiroshita Plaza that specializes in locally sourced Kuroshio tuna from Kochi.
After placing an order, we were given a mini flag as a marker. The staff uses this flag to deliver your order.
We ordered an assortment of tuna sushi. It was exactly as expected—absolutely delicious.
Hirome no Oku Unagi Matsuri (Eel)
Since we didn’t have time to visit a dedicated eel restaurant as planned, we decided to try the eel skewers from Hirome no Oku Unagi Matsuri inside Hirome Market.
We chose the white and black eel skewer set.
The white skewer was lightly seasoned with salt, offering a refreshing taste, while the black skewer was coated in a savory sauce, delivering a classic flavor. It was satisfying to enjoy both styles.
Hirome Market: A Place for Drinkers and Non-Drinkers Alike
Whether you’re a drinker or not, Hirome Market is a fantastic place to enjoy Kochi’s local delicacies while sampling dishes from a variety of stalls.
While visiting individual restaurants might be more cost-effective, being able to try so many different foods in one place is especially convenient for tourists.
Hirome Market is within walking distance of Kochi Station, making it a great dining spot even for those without a car!
