Ranman: A Blossoming Tale of Transformation in Sakawa Town 

By: Erica Theresa 

In raindrops dancing upon umbrellas, Sakawa, once known as a sleepy town, has transformed into a vibrant gathering place, drawing in curious middle-aged visitors. At the JR Sakawa Station, a woman stands captivated by a backdrop of lush trees on the wallpaper, adorned with the welcoming words, “Welcome to Sakawa Town, Birthplace of Dr. Tomitaro Makino”.

Beyond the initial encounter, a sense of excitement fills the air as locals and visitors explore further into Sakawa. Makino-san’s Roadside Station Sakawa, which sells fresh vegetables and local sake, is crowded. Two young women are treated to Kochi bread called Gochisou Lab by Masakazu Yamasaki, the Public Relations Officer of the Sakawa Tourist Association. This simple act of kindness symbolizes warmth and hospitality. 

“Delicious”, said a young woman with a radiant smile as savoring the first bite, expressing her satisfaction with the original cuisine of the roadside station. The delicately coated outer layer of cane sugar is sweet and gives texture. 

Ranman (2023), which is the popular morning drama serial airing on NHK based on the life of a famous botanist from Kochi prefecture, Makino Tomitaro, captures the attention of an enthusiastic watcher and gives a significant impact that extends beyond entertainment, such as promoting Kochi City culture and driving the economic growth in Sakawa Town. 

Anime is arguably an icon of Japan, but another wholesome mini-series to start Japanese households’ day is Asadora (朝ドラ). The name “Asa” stands for the morning, while “Dora” is an abbreviation of drama. Translated as a morning drama, Asadora which is aired on NHK from 8:00-8:15 a.m. and re-aired at 00:45-1:00 p.m. JST every Monday-Friday, has an incredible ability to catch millions of viewers’ attention with its effortless 15-minute shows. 

“The main characters of morning dramas are usually cheerful and do their best in everything, which gives me energy,” said Asadora’s lover from Okayama, Riko Teshiba. 

Premiered on April 3, 2023, Ranman quickly captured the viewers nationwide by showcasing the inspiring life of botanist Makino Tomitaro from Kochi prefecture. His fame on the 150th birth anniversary led to his becoming the model for a morning drama series celebrating his 160th anniversary, with support from the town’s mayor and NHK’s signature campaign. 

“I watch Ranman,” she added. “The main character, Mantaro Makino works hard in the world of plants despite his limitation, so I want to cheer him on.” 

Ranman’s another loyal viewer, Masakazu Yamasaki, who faithfully watches Ranman every day, is intrigued by the unique concept of highlighting different plants in each cycle, such as the Mountain Cherry (Yamazakura). 

“By showing plants that are related to Dr. Makino,” said Yamasaki, “even people who were not interested in plants before become interested in them and want to go and see what kind of plants they are.” 

The Old Hamaguchi Residence, steeped in historical significance as the former home of the Hamaguchi family, renowned for their sake brewery in Sakawa, has magnetized a bunch of people proven by the surging number of visitors from 7,387 to an impressive 21,295 in May 2023, as reported by Business Progress in Sakawa Town. Today, it accommodates the Sakawa Tourist Association, cafe, and resting spaces, offering a perfect spot for tourists to buy small snacks and pick up souvenirs. 

As the Japanese Traditional Wedding Ceremony (Shugen) of Dr. Makino unfolds in Ranman, the traditional Tosa culture serves sake and Sawachi cuisine which is a large plate of sashimi, katsuo tataki, sushi, fried and stewed delicacies, and pickles, showcasing drinking parties in the Tosa region. Furthermore, the characters’ use of the Tosa dialect adds an authentic touch, immersing the audience in the linguistic heritage of Kochi. 

“NHK’s inviting a Tosa dialect instructor in the studio highlights their commitment to preserving unique intonation and old Tosa dialect.”, said a Tosa native, Yamasaki. “It is interesting to consider whether people from outside Kochi prefecture can understand the dialect.” 

The Ranman morning drama has transformed the peaceful Sakawa Town through the influx of tourists, bringing in increasing local economic revenue, benefiting businesses, and stimulating growth. 

For example, Furusato Nozei (Hometown Tax Donation) is Japan’s government initiative promoting regional revitalization and community contribution by allowing individuals or corporations to make donations to municipalities or regions of their choice, receiving unique local products as gratitude in return. 

However, some Sakawa residents began to feel uneasy due to the sudden surge in visitors. The increase in traffic, bustling streets, and occasional litter became sources of concern, saying goodbye to a quiet and leisurely lifestyle. 

“I am grateful that Ranman has brought people to Sakawa Town,” said a resident of Sakawa Town, Yamasaki. “Boosting the local economy. Even if people cannot come, their support through paying taxes (furusato nozei) and purchasing goods via online contributes to Sakawa welfare”. 

The challenge for the region is balancing tourism and local cooperation. 

A group called Hanamori C-love, with Team Tamura, a horticulture expert, as the leader, volunteers to maintain the park by collecting seeds and removing unwanted weeds every Wednesday. However, the issue that has arisen is plant theft. Some plants marked on the map are missing since the facility is open to the public. This has led to scarcity even though plants like Baikaoren require years to bloom. Many of these plants were unknown to the general public before the Ranman broadcast. 

Nevertheless, the Ranman has become a powerful catalyst for boosting the local economy and generating interest in visiting Kochi. This is supported by data from the Former Hamaguchi House which saw a staggering 837% increase in visitors compared to the previous year. In the last three months alone, over 100,000 visitors were recorded, with a noticeable rise in customers from outside the prefecture. All of this has led to an increase in sales performance of 150-216%. 

“After the broadcast”, said Yamasaki. “It’s clear that the audience is coming.” 

Realizing the impact of Ranman might not last forever, the town is working hard to keep visitors engaged by creating fantastic events such as sake brewery at night and Sakawa lit up. They also see the importance of promoting universal design to ensure a welcoming environment for people of all ages, from the elderly to children, can enjoy our town. 

“It is not only about now, said Yamasaki. “It is about creating a future that welcomes and embraces all.” 

CONTACT: 

Institute Sakawa Tourism Association, Yamasaki Masakazu 

Tourist Association Office 

Postal Code : 789-1201 

Address : 1474 Ko, Sakawa Town, Takaoka 

Telephone : (0889) 20-9500 

Fax : (0889) 20-9501 

Phone Number : 090-6889-7813 

E-mail : sta-01@beach.ocn.ne.jp 

External Link: 

Visit Kochi Japan, Sakawa: Town of Cherry Blossom 

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