Hirome Market
Hirome Market, A Covered Food Hall In Central Kochi Where Dozens Of Stalls Sell Seared Bonito (Katsuo No Tataki), Local Sake And Street Food, Eaten At Shared Tables. Loud And Friendly, The Place To Sit Down For Dinner. · Kochi, Kochi
Hirome Market is a big covered food hall in the middle of Kochi city on Shikoku, a short walk from the Harimaya-bashi tram stop. Dozens of stalls sell local food under one roof, and the long shared tables in the centre are where everyone eats. The dish to try is katsuo no tataki, bonito seared over a straw fire and served in thick slices with garlic, salt or citrus sauce - Kochi is proud of it. Stalls also sell grilled skewers, gyoza, ramen, tempura and sweets, and many sell beer and Kochi sake, a dry local style - confirm what is on offer. The system is simple: find a seat first, then buy from any stall and carry your tray back to the table. It is loud, friendly and often packed on weekend evenings, and it is the easiest way to eat several local dishes in one sitting. Plan on an hour or two. It is worth a stop for dinner; it is not a quiet or refined meal, and families, solo travellers and groups all fit in. Kochi Castle is close.
2-3-1 Obiyamachi, Kochi, a short walk from Harimaya-bashi in the centre of Kochi city, beside the shopping arcades, Kochi, Kochi, Japan
The hall is commonly open from about 8:30 in the morning to about 23:00 at night, though individual stalls keep their own hours and some close earlier in the evening or on a set day - confirm before you go with a plan around one particular stall. The market has a few closing days a year, often around New Year; confirm. From Kochi Station, take the tram toward Harimaya-bashi and walk a few minutes, or walk about 15 to 20 minutes through the shopping arcade. Nothing needs booking; just arrive and look for a free seat. Weekend evenings and holiday periods fill the tables early, so come before 18:00 or after 20:30 if you want a quiet spot.