The Okyaku of Tosa

The Okyaku of Tosa

In Tosa-ben (Kochi Prefecture’s local dialect) a party is called “okyaku” meaning “guest”. The streets of Kochi become the venue for these “okyaku” and the event is like a large banquet.

These started in 2006, and 2025 marks their 20th year.
The Okyaku of Tosa is a big festival taking place once a year watched over by the god of Tosa sake (Japanese alcohol) “bero-bero”, and is an immersive experience in Kochi’s food and drink culture.

The reason behind calling these parties the Okyaku of Tosa is to declare them as sacred places for people to enjoy drinking.

Kochi, the country of sake: declarations for the sacred place of sake

  • Once a year, those who can drink alcohol, both old and young, men and women, should pay homage to bero-bero, the god of Kochi, the country of sake.
  • Friendships are made through the exchanging of sake cups. Year after year, friends should exchange sake cups with each other.
  • Feast till you are full and empty your cup to the good fortune of the mountains, rivers, land and sea of Tosa.
  • Occasionally, debating about the affairs of the world late into the night and getting fired up about it is good for you.
  • Heavy drinking is unnecessary; however you should drink throughout the evening, stay healthy, and drink enough to be in good spirits.

Staff will be at the venue to assist you.

Berobero no Kamisama, The God of Drunkards

Bero Bero no Kamisama is a down-to-earth deity who blesses boozers.
This spirit was created by Tosa no Okyaku in 2015 on their 10th anniversary as a symbol of the party culture in Kochi,
known as okyaku. The liquor lovers of Kochi wanted to turn their beloved drinking games into a form of worship, so
illustrator Yukinori Dehara, who has roots in Kochi, heard their plea and granted them their god.

Every March at the Tosa no Okyaku festival, he watches over the townsfolk gathered in Kochi City Central Park
enjoying their libations.
べろべろの神様