Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade
Kochi's longest covered shopping street, a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and lively festivals like Yosakoi.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Yosakoi Festival excitement
Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade
Best Time
Yosakoi Festival excitement
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Kochi's longest covered shopping street, a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, and lively festivals like Yosakoi.
"A lively shopping street rooted in everyday life, yet enjoyable for tourists."
☔ All-Weather Shopping
The arcade roof keeps you dry from rain and shaded from the sun. Perfect for any day! :umbrella:
🚶♀️ Walk to Attractions
It's a pleasant walk to Hirome Market and Kochi Castle from here. :walking:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Yosakoi Festival Performances
Main performance venue
Witness vibrant Yosakoi dance teams electrify the arcade with energetic performances during the annual festival.
Covered Shopping Street
Entire arcade
Stroll through 650-700 meters of shops, cafes, and restaurants, protected from sun and rain.
Gateway to Hirome Market
Western end
Conveniently located near the popular Hirome Market, perfect for a post-shopping food adventure.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Embrace the Arcade
Festival Fever
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
☔ All-Weather Shopping
The arcade roof keeps you dry from rain and shaded from the sun. Perfect for any day! :umbrella:
🚶♀️ Walk to Attractions
It's a pleasant walk to Hirome Market and Kochi Castle from here. :walking:
🎉 Festival Buzz
Visit during Yosakoi (Aug 9-12) for incredible street performances! :tada:
🛍️ Shop 'til You Drop
This is Kochi's longest shopping street, packed with diverse stores. :shopping_bags:
Tips
from all over the internet
☔ All-Weather Shopping
The arcade roof keeps you dry from rain and shaded from the sun. Perfect for any day! :umbrella:
🚶♀️ Walk to Attractions
It's a pleasant walk to Hirome Market and Kochi Castle from here. :walking:
🎉 Festival Buzz
Visit during Yosakoi (Aug 9-12) for incredible street performances! :tada:
🛍️ Shop 'til You Drop
This is Kochi's longest shopping street, packed with diverse stores. :shopping_bags:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade for its convenience, all-weather accessibility, and vibrant atmosphere, especially during festivals like Yosakoi. It's seen as a lively, central hub connecting key Kochi attractions and offering a good mix of shopping and dining.
"While on a business trip to Kochi, I happened to come across a street performance festival.
It was fascinating.
It's about 10 minutes south from Kochi Station. The entire shopping street, which stretches from east to west, takes about 15 minutes to walk.
The roads are wide and there's an arcade, which makes it easy to get around on hot or rainy days.
There seem to be a lot of restaurants, as well as coffee shops. There's a Daimaru store along the way, and after walking a long way, you'll reach the tourist attraction, Hirome Market.
I've made many business trips to Kochi over the past few years, but this was the first time the dates coincided with the Yosakoi Festival, and the shopping street was used as the venue. I was able to see a completely different, more energetic side to the shopping street than usual.
I think it's a great shopping street that's rooted in everyday life, yet enjoyable for tourists as well."
シバハマユウゴ
"Located about a 10-minute walk from Kochi Station, this shopping street is covered by an arcade stretching 650 meters from east to west. It's the largest in Kochi Prefecture in terms of both store count and size, and is home to the Kochi Daimaru department store. To the east is Harimayabashi Bridge, while the western end leads to Hirome Market and Kochi Castle. The entire shopping street is covered by an arcade, making it easy to navigate and shop, even on rainy days. The wide streets of the shopping street often host various events, including Yosakoi dance, local school concerts, and parades. A particularly famous event, "Tosa no Okyaku," held in March, is based on the concept that the entire town is a restaurant. Tables are set up in the middle of the shopping street, and anyone can join in and enjoy a drink and a meal with locals. It's an interesting example of hospitality, truly representative of Kochi, the birthplace of sarabachi cuisine. While many shopping streets in the area are known as shuttered streets and are closing down, Obiyacho Shopping Street is always lively and fun, and is a great place to visit as a tourist attraction. It is also fun to stroll around and enjoy eating and shopping near Kochi Castle and Harimaya Bridge."
にゃんこ先生
"It was my first time in Shikoku, and of course, my first time in Kochi City. I happened to catch their annual Yosakoi Festival.
Every year from August 9th to 12th.
I was so lucky, but it also meant I couldn't book a hotel in Kochi City.
The performance was truly amazing, adding a lot of excitement to our Shikoku trip."
wenfu lin
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade is conveniently located about a 10-minute walk south of JR Kochi Station. You can also take a tram. +1
Yes, it's easily accessible by foot from Kochi Station or by tram, making it a central and convenient spot to visit.
Walking is the best way to explore the entire 650-700 meter length of the arcade and discover its many shops and eateries.
Absolutely! The western end leads to Hirome Market, and it's also a good starting point for visiting Kochi Castle.
While specific parking details aren't widely shared, public transport is highly recommended due to its central location.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, entry to Obiyamachi Shopping Arcade is free. It's a public shopping street open to everyone.
Most shops within the arcade operate during standard business hours, typically from around 10 AM to 8 PM, though some may vary.
Yes, the arcade is a main venue for the Yosakoi Festival (August 9-12) and also hosts events like 'Tosa no Okyaku' in March. +1
While the festival itself is a major event, performances within the arcade are generally free to watch as part of the street's atmosphere. 
Yes, the entire shopping street is covered by an arcade, making it comfortable to visit and shop regardless of the weather. +1
🍽️ 🛍️ Shopping & Dining
You'll find a wide variety of shops, including clothing stores, cafes, restaurants, izakayas, and even the Kochi Daimaru department store. +1
Yes, the arcade is filled with numerous restaurants and cafes, offering diverse culinary experiences. It's also close to Hirome Market for more food options.
It's a great place to find local crafts, snacks, and unique items. You can also find many everyday goods.
'Tosa no Okyaku' is a festival where the entire town becomes a restaurant, with tables set up in the shopping street for shared meals and drinks.
You can find local snacks and goods, and the proximity to Hirome Market makes it easy to sample Kochi's famous sarabachi cuisine.
📸 📸 Photography
Capture the vibrant atmosphere during the Yosakoi Festival, the unique covered architecture, and the bustling street life.
During festivals, it can be crowded, but the energy of the dancers and the festive decorations offer fantastic photo opportunities.
Daytime offers good light for general shopping photos, while evenings can be atmospheric with shop lights. Festival times are exceptionally photogenic.
The entrance to the arcade, the Kochi Daimaru department store, and any festival stages or performance areas are good spots.
It's generally polite to ask for permission before taking photos inside individual shops.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
If you're visiting during a festival like Yosakoi, the vibrant performances can be a huge hit with kids, offering a lively and engaging experience. Just be prepared for larger crowds during these times. The arcade's central location also makes it easy to combine with visits to nearby attractions like Kochi Castle, creating a full day of family-friendly activities.
+1🛍️ Shoppers & Foodies
Foodies will also rejoice. The arcade itself is lined with numerous restaurants and cafes, offering diverse culinary options. Its strategic location at the gateway to Hirome Market is a major draw, allowing for an easy transition from arcade exploration to sampling Kochi's renowned local cuisine, especially sarabachi dishes.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Heartbeat of Kochi: Obiyamachi's Role
The arcade's significance is amplified by its role as a venue for major local events. It's a primary stage for the electrifying Yosakoi Festival, where dance teams perform continuously, drawing large crowds and creating an unforgettable spectacle.
+2 Beyond Yosakoi, it hosts other community gatherings like 'Tosa no Okyaku' in March, transforming the street into a communal dining space. This blend of everyday commerce and vibrant cultural events makes Obiyamachi a dynamic and essential part of Kochi's identity. Navigating Obiyamachi: Practicalities and Perks
Within the arcade, you'll find a diverse range of establishments. From fashion boutiques and specialty stores to cozy cafes and traditional izakayas, there's something for everyone. The presence of the Kochi Daimaru department store offers a more conventional shopping experience, while the proximity to Hirome Market provides an excellent opportunity to sample local delicacies.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit