Every year in early March, something wonderful happens in Kochi city. The streets, the arcades, and the public spaces all transform into one giant party. This is Tosa no Okyaku (土佐のおきゃく) — a festival that is unlike anything else in Japan.

In Kochi, the word okyaku (おきゃく) means “banquet” or “feast.” It refers to the local tradition of gathering together with food, sake, and good conversation — often with complete strangers. The Tosa no Okyaku festival brings this tradition out into the city itself. For about nine days, the entire center of Kochi becomes one big okyaku. If you have ever visited Hirome Market and loved the atmosphere of strangers sharing tables and drinks, imagine that energy spreading across the whole city.

When Does It Take Place?

Tosa no Okyaku is held every year in early March. The 2026 festival runs from March 7 (Saturday) to March 15 (Sunday). It has been running for many years and is one of the most anticipated events in the Kochi calendar. The timing is perfect — early spring in Kochi is mild and comfortable, and the plum blossoms are often in bloom during the festival.

What Happens at Tosa no Okyaku?

The festival fills the city center with food stalls, music stages, traditional performances, and plenty of Kochi sake. The shopping arcades along Obiyamachi become outdoor eating and drinking spaces, with tables and decorations set up all along the covered streets.

Okyaku Street sign in the Kochi shopping arcade during Tosa no Okyaku festival

One of the most fun things you will see is the kotatsu — the traditional Japanese heated table with a thick blanket around it — set up right in the middle of the arcade. People sit under the kotatsu, pour glasses of local sake, and enjoy food together, just as they would at home. It is a very relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Nobody is a stranger at Tosa no Okyaku.

People sitting around a kotatsu table in the arcade drinking sake at Tosa no Okyaku

Traditional Kochi drinking games are also part of the fun. Groups of people gather on tatami mats wearing colorful paper hats — these are the hats worn during bero-bero drinking games, a beloved Kochi tradition where you drink and play simple competitive games with your neighbors.

Young people playing traditional Kochi drinking games with red paper hats at Tosa no Okyaku

The Bero-Bero God: The Symbol of Okyaku

At the center of the festival grounds, you will find a large glowing figure holding sake cups — this is the Bero-bero no Kamisama (べろべろの神様), or the “God of Getting Happily Drunk.” This cheerful deity is the mascot of the festival and a symbol of Kochi’s open, generous drinking culture. Bero-bero is a Japanese expression for the pleasant, happy feeling of being drunk. It is not about excess — it is about joy and connection.

The illuminated Bero-bero no Kamisama deity figure at the Tosa no Okyaku festival at night

Food Stalls and Local Flavors

The food at Tosa no Okyaku is a big part of the experience. Dozens of stalls line the streets, serving some of Kochi’s most beloved local dishes. You will find karaage (Japanese fried chicken), fried taro, gyoza, and of course fresh seafood from the Pacific coast.

Food stalls selling karaage and local dishes at the Tosa no Okyaku festival in Kochi

My guide friends and I went to the festival together and ate Chotaro-gai (長太郎貝) — a type of scallop that is caught along the Kochi coastline. They were grilled right in front of us over charcoal, then served in the shell with a little soy sauce. Fresh, smoky, and absolutely delicious. If you see them at the festival, do not miss them.

Nagatarou scallops being grilled over charcoal at the Tosa no Okyaku festival
A person eating a freshly grilled Nagatarou scallop in the shell at the festival

Kochi Sake: The Heart of the Festival

You cannot talk about Tosa no Okyaku without talking about sake. Kochi is famous across Japan for its drinking culture, and the festival is the perfect place to try some of the prefecture’s best local breweries. Look for names like Tosazuru (土佐鶴), Suigei (酔鯨), and Kikusui(土佐菊水) — all made right here in Kochi.

Sake barrels from Tosatsuru, Tosa Kikuizumi, and other Kochi breweries displayed at the festival

Tip: Kochi sake tends to be dry and clean — it pairs beautifully with fresh seafood. If you are not sure which one to try first, ask the person behind the counter. In the spirit of okyaku, they will almost always be happy to recommend something and chat.

Sawachi Matsuri: Kochi’s Traditional Feast Display

Running alongside the main festival is the Sawachi Matsuri (皿鉢祭り) — a competition and display of sawachi ryori, Kochi’s most traditional style of cuisine. Sawachi (皿鉢) refers to a large, round dish piled high with a beautifully arranged display of seafood, vegetables, and other ingredients. It is the centerpiece of any important Kochi feast, and the festival celebrates this art form with spectacular competitive displays.

Grand sawachi ryori display with seafood, lobster, and flowers at the Sawachi Matsuri in Kochi

The displays at Sawachi Matsuri are breathtaking. Whole fish, spiny lobsters, abalone, clams, and seasonal vegetables are arranged on large lacquered platters, often surrounded by flowers and decorative greenery. Each display is created by professional chefs or cooking schools competing for the best presentation. They look almost too beautiful to eat.

Sawachi platter with whole fish, lobsters, and abalone displayed with flowers at the festival
Close-up of a sawachi platter with fresh whole fish, scallops, and seasonal seafood
Sawachi platter with two large red-scaled fish decorated with pink flowers and bamboo

Walking along the display tables is a feast for the eyes even before you think about eating. The creativity and skill that goes into each arrangement is remarkable.

Row of elaborate sawachi ryori displays along the street at the Sawachi Matsuri
Creative sawachi display featuring a katsuo fish decoration with traditional tableware

Tip: The Sawachi Matsuri is held in the covered arcade near the city center. It is free to walk through and look at the displays. Even if you are not familiar with Japanese cuisine, the visual impact of these arrangements is something you will remember.

Music and Entertainment

Tosa no Okyaku is not just about food and drink. Throughout the festival, there are live music performances, Yosakoi dance shows, and various other events happening across the city. The atmosphere in the evenings especially is lively and festive — music from different stages mixes with the sounds of laughter and conversation from the food stalls.

Visiting Kochi During Tosa no Okyaku

If your cruise ship or travel plans bring you to Kochi in early March, you are in for a treat. The festival transforms the city in a way that is hard to describe — you really have to experience it to understand. The energy, the generosity, the food, and the sake all come together to show you what Kochi is really about.

I offer private guided tours during the festival period for visitors who want to enjoy Tosa no Okyaku with a local guide. I can take you to the best stalls, explain the drinking games and traditions, and make sure you do not miss the Sawachi Matsuri displays. It is one of my favorite times of year to show people my city.

  • Festival dates: March 7–15, 2026 (held annually in early March)
  • Location: Kochi city center, Obiyamachi arcade and surrounding areas
  • Private guided experience available with door-to-door service from your hotel or cruise terminal

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