Shikoku Henro: Pilgrims from around the World

A man who come from outside of Japan is walking along the mountain path to the temple, Chikurin-ji in Kochi. … More

Agricultural Cooperatives: Not for All Farmers

Vivid red mangoes full of Kochi’s sun’s essence are packed by Murata Seikou, owner of Murata Farm. He then puts … More

Yosakoi: the Key to Kochi

The tall, beautiful red-haired exchange student, Julia Olsson from Sweden, is practicing the dance movements enthusiastically, sometimes laughing out loud … More

Small Tomato Farmer’s Big Decision

When customers enter through the wooden door, the many tarts and pies dazzle their eyes, sweet smell comes to their … More

Kochi-Shinko opening its door to the world

On a sunny mid-morning of March at the downtown tourist bus terminal, about 10 people wearing yellow-green vest with the … More

Hachy Catches People’s Attention

A man is busily running in and out of an office in beach sandals. He takes 2 or 3 phone … More

Hirome Ichiba: a fantastic place to enjoy Kochi culture

The smiling maneki-neko always welcomes visitors to Hirome Ichiba in Obiyamachi, Kochi city. “Irassyaimase! Ikagadeshoka?” (Welcome! Would you like to … More

Kochi Castle Museum of History, where the People and History of Tosa meet

Treasures are shining and lighting the road to travel through the history of Tosa in the dark and quite space. … More

The Embassy of Kochi: Katsuo-Guesthouse

Everyone around the table is smiling and laughing. This evening, three young female backpackers are just back from sightseeing, and … More

Yuzu: the fruit that made a village famous

This citrus fruit was brought from China long time ago. It almost looks like an orange, but its thick yellow … More

Petit France in Kochi City

The restaurant Français “LA VILLE FRANCHE” on Otesuji in Kochi City stands out on the sometimes garish street by its quiet … More

Carp streamers in the Niyodo river

The leader of “Koinobori club”, Ryoichi Morishita, is hard at work in his art studio in Ino town when I enter. … More

The Japanese Yoda

In a quiet Japanese tatami room, a women in her 50’s slowly slides open a paper fusuma door while seated in seiza style. She … More

Studying Japanese with local vegetables

On one of the rare sunny days during the rainy season, a few Chinese, Korean and Indonesian students are gathered … More

Atsukan Dragon

The mood is happy and audiences are laughing in front of the comedy team, “Atsukan Dragon”. Flowing words from their … More

Onomi: a place of wonderful products

It’s the year 586, and a famer named Chozaemon is climbing a mountain ridge. He looks north from top of a tree … More

Agri-Kubokawa

Near the exit at the end of the express way in Shimanto township, there is a crowed place. Some people … More

Nepalese Life in Kochi

“Irasyaimase, douzo , nan mei sama desuka (いらっしゃいませ、どうぞ、何名様ですか),” asks Hari from the kitchen of the Nepali and Indian restaurant “Rita.” … More

Grilled eggplant ice cream?!

Along the road to Aki city, perched beside the ocean, there is a small shop with an orange advertisement: “Grilled … More

A Trip to Shirakidani Museum

–The secret treasure in Kochi The energy of life comes through hands. Your hands are different from everybody’s. Thus, your … More

Niyodo River and the Ooto Dam

People appear to be standing on the water of the Niyodo-river as if by magic. It is not a magic, … More

Okayama to Kochi by Train

“The limited express Nanpu will soon arrive on track 7. Please back from the white line”

Postcards from the Heart

“It was a momentary feeling, but I doubted your kindness long time ago. I offer you my sincerest apologies. One … More

One Big Star Might Be Born

Four girls of the band “Sympathy” are performing a set of original songs at a popular live house in Osaka. … More

Tosa-Korea between People

In a classroom in the Sole Community Center in Kochi, my three students sit quietly trying to write their diary entries in … More

Juku: Shaping Attitudes for Life

Sitting at a long table, a woman in her fifties is checking children’s answers. Her hand draws a lot of … More

Katsuo no tataki: Kochi’s Most Famous Dish

It is a nice warm afternoon, perfect for visiting the restaurant ‘Katsuo Fune’ near Katsurahama Beach on an empty stomach. In the huge ship-shaped … More

A place for memories: the Ashizuri Kaiteikan submarine tower

The first time I saw the Ashizuri Kaiteikan submarine tower was last year when my family took a 3-hour trip down … More

Tano: a tiny salty town

The sky was gray and there was a salty humid wind on my cheek. Nobody was walking in the street. A … More