Discover the Best Breakfast in Kochi

When traveling in Japan, many visitors find breakfast options to be somewhat predictable. Hotel buffets, while convenient, often offer standard fare with little variation across regions. Convenience store meals are another quick solution, but they rarely provide a sense of place or cultural connection. However, if you're seeking a morning experience that captures the spirit of a region—its people, pace of life, and palate—then Kochi Prefecture in Shikoku is the perfect destination.

Unlike the fast-paced breakfast routines of Tokyo or Osaka, where time efficiency is often prioritized, mornings in Kochi unfold at a gentler rhythm. Here, breakfast is not just a meal—it’s a ritual that reflects the values of community, comfort, and taking time to appreciate the start of the day. This is where the concept of the “morning set,” or “mōningu setto,” comes into its own.

The “morning set” is a unique aspect of Japanese food culture, most closely associated with the country’s traditional kissaten—retro-style coffee shops that were particularly popular in the Showa era (1926–1989) (A “morning set” in Japan refers to a special breakfast combo served at cafés). While kissaten culture has faded in many parts of Japan, it remains vibrantly alive in Kochi, where the prefecture proudly holds the title of having the highest number of kissaten per capita in the country.

These establishments are not just eateries—they're local gathering spaces, where neighbors catch up on news, regulars return to familiar routines, and visitors can glimpse daily life from the inside out. Each shop has its own personality and morning set, typically a combination of toast, egg, salad, coffee, and other small surprises—all at a very affordable price.
Let’s take a closer look at three areas in Kochi Prefecture where you can experience this beloved breakfast culture firsthand.

In Kochi City, where café culture thrives, each shop offers its own unique take on the morning set. Among them, “Depot” has long been a beloved favorite. Its hearty “Kochi-style full breakfast” includes thick-cut toast, bacon and eggs, fresh salad, yogurt, fruit, soup, and a fragrant cup of coffee—all on one plate.

Locals and tourists alike gather here, reading the morning paper or chatting quietly as they enjoy their meal. By 8 a.m. it’s often full, reflecting how deeply this slow, relaxed breakfast culture is rooted in local life. This isn’t a place to rush, but a space to start your day at an easy pace.

For a completely different atmosphere, the retro café “Mephistopheles” is another must-visit.
With its striking red-brick exterior and heavy European-inspired interior, it has been serving siphon coffee, gratin, and other Western classics for more than 50 years. Inside, the dim lighting and whimsical décor create an otherworldly atmosphere. Guests can choose between a generous “volume morning” or a lighter “casual morning,” both designed to suit the pace of your day. Here, what you truly savor is not just the food or coffee, but the unique atmosphere itself.

The company Gendaikigyosha, which operates Mephistopheles, also runs 15 other unique establishments within Kochi Prefecture, including a garden café reminiscent of the English countryside. Each reflects its founder’s vision: not only offering food and coffee but creating a memorable space full of character and charm.

Beyond these two iconic cafés, Kochi’s morning culture is rich and varied. Some cafés focus on local ingredients, while others serve hearty Western-style dishes like pasta or curry from early in the morning. No matter the style, mornings in Kochi are always accompanied by the warmth of café culture, deeply woven into the everyday lives of its people.

Down in the southwest corner of Kochi Prefecture lies Shimanto City, home to the famously clear Shimanto River and some of the most nostalgic kissaten in the region. In the Hata area, which covers Shimanto and Sukumo Cities, a particularly unique local tradition endures: buttered toast topped with granulated sugar.

This breakfast style reflects a time when sugar symbolized wealth and indulgence. The toast’s warm, buttery base contrasts perfectly with the sweet crunch of sugar—creating a flavor that’s both comforting and unexpectedly addictive.

Cafés such as long-established local, Roppongi in Shimanto City preserve their retro menu as a tribute to local culinary heritage. Served alongside miso soup and pickled vegetables, the sweet toast offers a fascinating blend of Western and Japanese elements—perfect for travelers curious about Japan’s postwar food culture.
This blend of flavors, eras, and cultures isn’t something you’ll find in a hotel buffet. It’s a reminder that even simple meals can carry layers of meaning and memory.

If your idea of a perfect morning involves nature, serenity, and the scent of fresh river air, then make your way to Ino Town and the Tosa Washi Kogei Mura QRAUD. Located along the banks of the stunning Niyodo River, this facility is known for its connection to traditional Tosa Washi papermaking— When you stay in one of their luxurious rooms, you can enjoy a truly unique breakfast experience.

Here, guests can take their morning set outdoors and enjoy it right by the river. Picture yourself sipping hot coffee or fresh juice, taking a bite of a sandwich, as sunlight filters through the trees and the crystal-clear waters of the Niyodo stream flow past. This riverside meal goes beyond the food itself—it’s a full sensory immersion. The babble of the river, the gentle breeze, the scent of trees, and the rich taste of Kochi’s local produce combine to create a deeply memorable start to your day. This is “slow travel” at its finest: unhurried, rooted in place, and soulfully refreshing.

What sets Kochi’s breakfast culture apart isn’t just the food. In a world increasingly obsessed with convenience and speed, the act of sitting down to a carefully prepared morning set is both radical and restorative. It’s about slowing down, reconnecting, and starting the day with intention. For example, at the Tosa Washi Kogei Mura QRAUD, you can savor a traditional Japanese breakfast in a serene atmosphere.
This sense of intentionality is reflected in the layout of the kissaten, the gentle rhythms of conversation, the care in each cup of coffee poured. And while each café is different, they all embody the values of hospitality and personal connection that define Kochi life.

As a visitor, engaging with this culture means more than just eating—it means participating in the morning rituals of the locals, observing how they start their days, and finding your own rhythm within theirs. It’s a chance to see beyond the guidebooks and into the soul of a region.

Kochi’s morning sets are more than meals; they’re moments. Moments of stillness, of community, of unexpected delight. Whether you’re enjoying a nostalgic sweet toast in Shimanto City, a riverside breakfast in Ino Town, or a hearty platter in Kochi City, each bite tells a story. A story of the region, its people, its past, and its pace of life.

Though Kochi’s Morning is a quintessential ritual, it’s not exclusive to the morning time. There’s a surprising amount of local kissatens that open their doors throughout the day. Even on the weekends, you and your friends can have a delightful brunch as you catch up over a full course meal. A moment fitting Kochi’s Morning tradition, you can start off any day with a full stomach and filled with energy.

Beyond the three examples shared here, there are dozens of other cafés waiting to be discovered. Each offers its own interpretation of the morning set, shaped by the character of the town and the people who run it.

So next time you find yourself in Kochi, try waking up early. Step outside your hotel and into a neighborhood café. Open the door, take a seat, and let the aroma of fresh coffee and the quiet hum of morning life wash over you. You might just discover that the best part of your trip wasn’t the destination—but the way you started each day.