5 Photogenic Gourmet Treats & Souvenirs of Kochi | Instagrammable Sweets & Street Food

When you think of Kochi, you probably picture seared bonito (katsuo no tataki) or the Yosakoi festival... but there's so much more! In fact, Kochi is packed with adorable, photo-worthy gourmet treats. This time we introduce five carefully selected Kochi foods and souvenirs that will make you want to keep snapping photos.

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01 | Straw-Grilled Bonito Tataki at Hirome Market

Even Kochi's iconic soul food can become an amazing shot depending on how you capture it! The straw-grilled bonito tataki you order at the food stalls of Hirome Market offers the perfect photo opportunity, with flames dramatically leaping up right before your eyes. The reddish, thick-cut bonito and the green of the scallions create a vivid contrast.

• Photo point: Use burst mode to capture the "just-grilled moment" as flames and smoke rise!
• Best time to shoot: Midday to evening. The market interior is a bit dark, so make use of night mode too.
• Angle: Holding the whole plate and shooting from a 45-degree angle gives a stylish sense of depth.
• Access: About a 5-minute walk from Kochi Castle.

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02 | Tosa Nikki's "Famous Sansho Mochi"

A long-standing favorite as a Kochi souvenir is Tosa Nikki's sansho mochi. With its pale soybean-yellow, chewy appearance and a gentle hint of Japanese pepper (sansho), it's a delicate treat. Arrange it alongside the washi-paper-style wrapping to complete a natural-toned flat lay.

• Photo point: Pale yellow plus washi texture creates a "Japanese cafe" coordination.
• Shooting arrangement: Lay them out on a wood-grain table or linen and shoot from a top view.
• Recommended season: Available year-round. Pairing it with the autumn foliage season enhances the mood.
• Access: Available at department stores in Kochi City and shops at Kochi Airport.

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03 | Sweet Potato Imokenpi Street Snacking at the Sunday Market

Kochi's Sunday Market, held every Sunday, is a treasure trove for street snacking! Among everything, walking around with a paper bag of Kochi's specialty imokenpi (candied sweet potato sticks) makes for a shot brimming with travel vibes. The heaping golden color whets the appetite.

• Photo point: Imokenpi overflowing from the paper bag plus the retro market backdrop.
• Best time: Morning (the earlier the hour, the greater the variety and the richer your shooting material).
• Angle: Tilt the bag slightly at an angle and include the market's bustle as a blurred background.
• Access: About a 15-minute walk from Kochi Station / around Otesuji.

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04 | Sweets at "Tosa-cha Cafe," a Fruit Daifuku Specialty Shop

At Tosa-cha Cafe, you can enjoy matcha sweets made with locally grown Kochi tea. The daifuku that wraps whole seasonal fruit is especially striking for the colorful cross-section! The color changes depending on the fruit, such as strawberry, mango, or kiwi, so it feels fresh no matter how many times you visit.

• Photo point: The color gradation at the moment you cut the cross-section is the best.
• Best light: Mid-morning, when soft natural light comes in from the window, is ideal.
• Angle: Shoot the daifuku straight from the side, or place the cross-section on your palm and shoot from above.
• Access: About a 5-minute walk from the Harimaya-bashi tram stop.

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05 | Kochi Ice's "Reimei-bashi Ice Cream"

Kochi's soul sweet, aisukurin (ice cream), is a hot topic on social media for its nostalgic look and vivid colors! Shoot the pastel-colored ice piled high on a cone against a backdrop of the Shimanto River or blue sky, and it looks just like a scene from a movie.

• Photo point: The tall, pointed form against the openness of a blue sky.
• Best season: Summer! The vivid sky and the river's blue make the strongest backdrop.
• Angle: Lift the ice cream up a little and use a "looking up" composition with the sky behind it.
• Access: Widely sold at tourist spots and roadside stations in Kochi City.

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Kochi's gourmet treats are all so satisfying to both eat and photograph. By all means, dye your camera roll Kochi-colored on your next trip.

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📚 Sources

The straw-grilled bonito tataki at Hirome Market, the imokenpi street snacking at the Kochi Sunday Market, and the aisukurin ice treat introduced in this article are organized based on tourism and specialty information published by Kochi City and the prefectural tourism and convention association, along with information from each shop and the market. Descriptions such as straw-grilling of bonito tataki and the Sunday Market being held along Otesuji also draw on public information. Because each shop operation, offerings and event days may change, please confirm official information before you visit.

Visitor Checklist

• Time estimate: A short time for a meal at Hirome Market alone, or about half a day combined with street snacking at the Sunday Market.
• What to prepare: Street snacking is the focus, so a hand wipe and an eco bag are handy. Do not forget to charge your camera or smartphone for photos.
• Best timing: The Sunday Market is best in the morning when there is more variety. At Hirome Market, aim for the just-grilled moment to capture the straw-grilling flames.
• Suggested route: On a Sunday, first snack on imokenpi and more at the morning Sunday Market, then enjoy straw-grilled bonito tataki at Hirome Market at midday.