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Tosa no Okyaku Festival

HOME > Japan’s Local Treasures > Tosa no Okyaku Festival

Join a one-of-a-kind sake celebration that takes over the streets of Kochi City

International Tourism Division, Department of Tourism, Kochi Prefectural Government

Ⓒ VISIT KOCHI JAPAN | Experience okyaku culture all year round at Hirome Ichiba, Kochi's most famous food market.

Kochi Prefecture, on the island of Shikoku, is known for the locals’ love of partying and imbibing sake. Once a year, during the Tosa no Okyaku Festival, the 18 sake breweries of Kochi bring their wares to Kochi City to celebrate the joys of drinking. In Japanese, the word okyaku usually means “guest.” However, in Kochi it means “party!”

Usually running from the first Saturday to the second Sunday of March, Tosa no Okyaku is one of the biggest events of the year, perhaps second only to the Yosakoi dance festival held in August. During this time the streets, shopping arcades, and parks of the city transform into picnic spaces for sake enthusiasts. Throughout the festival days the city overflows with sake, food, and themed events, making this a fun time to visit and get a taste of real Kochi-style hospitality.

Enjoy Kochi’s delicious sake and traditional cuisine as you mingle with cheerful locals, listen to live music, and play games. To make the experience even more fun, how about wearing a funny looking shibaten mask? While partying around town, make sure to pay your respects to the statue of Berobero no Kamisama, the God of Drunkards, a giggle-inducing naked “god” who is a beloved mascot for sake fans in Kochi.

Can't visit in March? Hirome Market is brimming with okyaku spirit 365 days a year! A favorite local spot, this lively indoor market is packed with food stalls offering all kinds of local and international specialties, as well as communal tables where guests can eat, drink, and soak up the unique vibe of Kochi.

Ⓒ VISIT KOCHI JAPAN | A party on the "Okyaku Densha" streetcar

How to get there

To reach Kochi Station, take a bus from Kochi Ryoma Airport (25 minutes), or a train from Okayama Station (2.5 hours). The festivities take place in streets and parks, most of which are a 10-15 minute walk from Kochi Station.

Kochi Station: Sakaeda-cho, Kochi-shi, Kochi-ken