A man who come from outside of Japan is walking along the mountain path to the temple, Chikurin-ji in Kochi.…
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…
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…
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…
Our Town, Aterano Asahi
“Welcome! Please relax and have a seat.” Women smiling gently were serving coffee and there was full of joyful chatting.…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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.…
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…
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…
Atsukan Dragon
The mood is happy and audiences are laughing in front of the comedy team, “Atsukan Dragon”. Flowing words from their…
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…
Agri-Kubokawa
Near the exit at the end of the express way in Shimanto township, there is a crowed place. Some people…
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.”…
Grilled eggplant ice cream?!
Along the road to Aki city, perched beside the ocean, there is a small shop with an orange advertisement: “Grilled…
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…
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,…
Okayama to Kochi by Train
“The limited express Nanpu will soon arrive on track 7. Please back from the white line”
Village of Omu-rice
In the central part of Kochi, there is a small village surrounded by mountains alongside a beautiful river. Even many…
Postcards from the Heart
“It was a momentary feeling, but I doubted your kindness long time ago. I offer you my sincerest apologies. One…
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.…
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…
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…
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…
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…
