By Yui Tateishi About a dozen people line up in front of the restaurant, even before it opens at 11:30.…
Hocco Sweets: Loving and Warm Café in Kochi
By Mei Yokoyama When we entered the classroom simulated like a cafe, “Welcome,” the clerk greeted us. Four days before…
Chagamaran, Youtube Stars of Kochi
By K. Nakatake Kochi is one of the most rural areas in Japan. Children are decreasing, and older adults are…
International Sports Festival in Yoneoku
By Hayato Kimori “Ganbareee! Ikeee!” There are lots of loud cheers in Japanese in an elementary school in Shimanto-town, Yoneoku.…
Team Inabu: “Patriotism of the Belfry”
By Shiori Taoka Many older women and men are sitting and talking, laughing and drinking coffee in a small community hall. Just the other day, they had been playing cards, shogi, and singing karaoke.…
Asian Fusion Restaurant, “ONEONE”
By Tomomi Fujino It is a graceful afternoon. Some relaxing music is playing, and the soft sunshine comes from the…
Happy Time – English Group with New Style
By Asuka Ayabe On a Friday evening, in a quiet residential area of Kochi, one club is about to be held…
A New Chapter, Here in Kahokucho
By Yuka Nakazawa The lush, green plants cover the field as far as eyes can see. In the woods, a…
Masami Doesn’t Abandon the Weak & Struggling
By Raku Takatsuka The old wooden house is on the edge of Ono village, surrounded by cedars and next to…
Ippo: Creating Smiles and Futures for Children and Families
By Natsumi Tokumoto There are two children and six staffs on this day, and they are talking happily. There is…
Global Education Lab Kochi
Chihiro Oyama On Jury 21th “English Nook” ~Family-friendly English time~ was held in OTEPIA Kochi library. There are baby class…
OneStep is Taking Students’ Side
By Narumi Waki While students were excited about all the new changes in their school life, OneStep opened in April.…
International Youth Exchange
By Ren Hiraoka It is like we are in another world. I hear high-pitched voices sing “Yocchore, Yocchore” to the traditional Yosakoi song at the party…
Bali Jasmin, Kochi’s Exotic Halal Restaurant
A bell tinkles as the door opens and a young Japanese office lady enters the exotic restaurant. An Indonesian man…
Kusa-no-ie: Sharing the Reality of War and Peace
A creepy old yellow gas mask and a folded metal crane welcome visitors to Kusanoie (Grass Roots House), a private facility…
Makino Botanical Garden Celebrates 60 Years
A boy and his mother are walking around happily. An old woman is taking pictures with her friends. Everyone may…
We Love the Dogs!
Nine players in red and black uniforms are in the Kochi city stadium. Among them, one player stands out who…
Where Local People Save Children’s Smiles
Because it is raining outside, an elementary school-age girl is playing house, while half-a-dozen noisy boys play tag in the…
Night Version Café Satobito – New Challenge for Students
In the comfortable atmosphere, a young lady is reading a book from the wooden bookshelf to pass the time. “Omataseshimashita”…
Tosamizuki: Oldest “kominka” Café in Kochi
Many people wanted to visit the café but, due to the weaving roads around the residential area, it was tough…
OTEPIA: A Gathering Place Downtown
More than 100 people had been getting in line before the opening hours. As the door opened, everyone entered the…
Hikari no Tane: Organic Food for Kochi and Help for Thailand
“Irassyaimase! Osukina seki douzo,” welcomes a young woman warmly, telling guests to sit where they like. The entrance sign says…
A Light amongst the Shutters
Along the once busy shotengai (“shopping arcade”) many of the rolling metal shutters are down for good. Even though Saenba…
Local Aquarium Turns to Social Media
“We do not have enough money to pay our staff so please come to our aquarium!” Suddenly, a tweet people…
A Window to Urban Culture: Kinema M
Along the small fashionable cobbled street next to in downtown Kochi, a small photogenic movie theatre stands. The entrance with…
Works Mirai Kochi : Creating an Ideal Workplace
There is a beautiful cafe of Japanese style in Obiyamachi shopping street called “Tosa-cha café.” It is famous for providing…