The 10th Mizukiri International Competition at Niyodo River

   'Stone skipping' is a sport in which you toss flat stones towards a river in such a way that they skip across the water's surface.

   The competition is divided into three divisions: men, women, and children. Scores are based on the number of times the stone skips, overall distance, and beauty of the throw. This competition is open to people of all nationalities!

   Join us this summer at Niyodo River for your chance to become the Stone-skipping World Champion!

Make Japanese Paper in Kochi

   Japanese paper production in Kochi (Tosa Washi) is believed to have a 1000-year history, based on records which indicate that paper was presented to the emperor at that time. Handmade paper production reached a golden age in the Edo and Meiji eras and became one of Kochi’s specialized products. Over time, the demand for handmade paper has dropped sharply. But in 1976, Tosa Washi was designated as a national traditional craft and now Ino Town is the center of paper production in Kochi Pref.

 

Study Japanese Culture in Kochi

   If you want to enrich your life in Kochi, or make more Japanese friends, why don’t you take classes in Japanese culture with likeminded individuals?

 

Interview with a mountain lover

   I met with Mr. Hiroshi Kamohara (Culture and International Affairs Division) and talked with him about climbing mountains and what it is that particularly attracts him to the mountains of Kochi.

What is it you enjoy most about climbing mountains?

 

Recommended Mountains in Kochi

A view from Bandagamori

   It is said that 84% of Kochi Prefecture is mountainous, which is good news for hiking fans! The countless mountain ranges offer great variety for the avid hiker. However, it makes it impossible to introduce all of Kochi’s mountains without writing a book, so here are seven mountains from all over Kochi with their basic information and features as a starting point.

Tosa Washi & Tosa Tsumugi

   We have hand-made papers called “Tosa Washi” whose history started in the Heian Period, about 1000 years ago. The Niyodo River, the cleanest limpid stream in Shikoku, runs through Ino Town and Tosa City that are areas of production of Tosa Washi. The production of its raw materials such as Kozo (paper mulberry) and Mitsumata (paperbush) and shōshi paper-making technique also developed there and made history as one of specialty goods of Kochi.

The 9th Niyodo River International Mizukiri Competition

What is MIZUKIRI?

Stone skipping' is a sport in which you toss flat stones towards a river in such a way that they skip across the water's surface.

The competition is divided into three divisions: men, women, and children. Scores are based on the number of times the stone skips, overall distance, and beauty of the throw.

This competition is open to people of all nationalities!

Join us this summer at Niyodo River for your chance to become the Stone-skipping World Champion!

Paper Carp Streamers in Niyodo River

   About 200 colorful and various sizes of carp streamers made from non-woven paper, one of Ino town’s specialty products, swim in the Niyodo River every year in May. Take a picture of them from the Niyodo Bridge. Riverboat excursions, food markets and tea ceremony demonstrations will also be held.

Date: 3rd to 5th May, 2012 (holidays)
Place: Riverside of Niyodo river in Ino town

Roadside Station Tosa Washi Kogei Mura “QRAUD”

An old preserved storehouse
stands nearby. Inside is a gallery.

   When driving long-distance in Japan, most people make stops at “roadside stations.” That goes to show that there are many roadside stations in this country where you can take a break, shop, eat and gain traffic and tourist information.

Roadside Station Konoka

   Roadside Station Konoka stands along National Road No.194 leading to Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture. It is an excellent station for drivers traveling to Ehime and is also a good starting point for climbers because it is surrounded by the Shikoku mountain range.

Let’s make your own Buckwheat noodle for New Year’s Eve!



Buckwheat noodle ‘’soba’’



   Many people love noodles and so do I! In Japan, soba noodle is made of buckwheat and is one of the favorites for people of all ages. Soba noodles are of darker brown color and thinner than wheat noodles such as Udon. In Japan, the unique custom is that Japanese people eat soba at home on New Year’s Eve. This traditional soba noodle dish is called Toshikoshi-Soba, meaning year-passing soba.

Kochi’s most beloved candle! Full of warmth for your heart…

Lights up candles in various colors
at night….very peacefull!

   Here is my story about how I’ve come to know Kochi’s most beloved candle. One day I was driving towards the town of Ino with my mom to see my grandparents. Half way there we stopped at the rest area called QRAUD and found a cozy shop selling candles inside; that beautiful image will stay in my mind forever.

Autumn Leaves Festival

Autumn Leaves Festival with maple
trees and flowers in the back



   It is October already….the fall season has arrived! We can see that many maple trees have turned red on the streets outside; it is very beautiful. Also, it is a great time to go out and look for something fun to do!

   One of the things I highly recommend to do is to go and experience the Autumn Leaves Festival.

 

Furusato Festival in Gohoku

Beating Japanese-style drums strongly

   Have any of you ever gone to summer festivals held in countryside of Kochi Prefecture?

   The festivals are just as fun as the festivals in Kochi city, but in the summer, it will be more of an unforgettable experience. The event I would like to focus on the most is the ‘’Furusato Festival in Gohoku’’.

Campsite ⑥－Kinone Fureai no Mori

This campsite is in a virgin forest, which is unusual in Japan. There are mountains of 1800m in height like West Japan’s highest peak, Mt. Ishizuchi surrounding the campsite. So if you like mountain climbing, this location will be excellent for you.

My introduction to Kochi

Expat Column 15
BY Mark Johnson, Hidaka Village, ALT from USA

When I first got to Kochi in August of 2009 I was dazed in a state of constant wonderment. I had lived in Tokyo before, but this was something entirely different. The roads here were windy and narrow with no sidewalks, the mountains were visible over the building tops wherever you went, people spoke with a dialect I hadn't studied. It was like coming to Japan for the first time all over again, except this time I liked it!

Summer Retreat in Kochi ①－ Take a soak in the river

   If you are one of those people who sit at home with the air conditioner on during your days off, I would really recommend you go on a special summer retreat. You can find a lot of clean rivers everywhere in Kochi such as the Kagami River running in Kochi City, Niyodo River through Ino and other towns, and Shimanto River through the western part of Kochi. Go out to these rivers to soak, rather than swim, like bathing in a bathtub.

The 8th Niyodo River International Mizukiri Competition

What is MIZUKIRI?

Stone skipping' is a sport in which you toss flat stones towards a river in such a way that they skip across the water's surface.
  

Himuro Festival

What more could you want in mid-summer than an ice-cold drink? Back before fridges were invented this was almost impossible. However, 18th century records show that ice was indeed available in Kochi in mid summer. Each winter, snow and ice was stored in an underground cavern on Mt Tebakoyama, in what is now Hongawa, Ino Town. This is said to be the coldest place in Kochi, and so ice can be stored for months.