Brew Happiness! Craft Beer TOSACO

Kochi Prefecture CIR Minda Dettman

Hanami with TOSACO♪

Beer is the key to Hanami!
   A good drink is vital to a good hanami. With craft beer gaining popularity in many countries including the United States (and as I personally am fond of it), we decided to feature Kochi’s first craft brewery, Kochi Campagne Brewery, in today's edition. The founder, Mr. Setoguchi, kindly introduced us to the company, which is located in Tosayamada, Kami City. Why not bring Kochi Campagne Brewery’s TOSACO beer to your hanami this spring, and enjoy it’s subtle flavors created using Kochi products like yuzu and sansho pepper?

Let’s Learn about Kochi’s Forestry Industry

In the dark forest which blocks out the sun’s light

   For this issue we went to the Hokigamine Forest Park in Kami City, which was established in 1978, and consists of 102 hectors of mountain maintained by the Prefectural Government. Our guide was Shinji Hirako, the chairman of HIRAKO Lab. He left his work in the mass media six years ago, spurred on by his interest of “What can I do to protect the forest?” and is now involved in work including public awareness and forest environment education to “Protect and have others learn about the forest”.
   We asked about the current situation of Kochi’s mountains; “man-made forests are known by this term because they are formed by planting trees by hand, and mountains like this makeup 27% of the national land area. In Kochi, Japanese Cedar and Japanese Cypress makeup over 60% of Kochi’s forests.”
   In regards to man-made forests, he said “After the Second World War, the trees in these man-made forests were planted as a national policy. However the trees couldn’t be used for timber for buildings until 40-50 years had passed, which meant that reconstruction after the war was carried out using cheap timber from abroad. As a result of the free movement of imported timber, the demand for overseas timber greatly increased, causing prices in timber from Japan to slump. Many forest workers who owned mountain forests had to abandon them due to reasons including not being able to make a profit despite cutting down their trees, and not having a successor. This had a devastating effect on the economics of the Japanese forestry industry.”

Kochi Life Q&A : Ohanami

   For Japanese people, Ohanami (lit. flower viewing) is associated with cherry blossoms. Let’s enjoy the Japanese culture of Ohanami this spring!

 

Q: When did the culture of Ohanami start?

A: The origin of Ohanami is said to have started in the Nara period (710-794 A.D.) when the imperial family went to view the plum blossom which had been introduced from China. In the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) cherry blossoms started to become more popular than plum blossoms, and many poems about cherry blossoms remain from this era. It seems that as time passed, this custom spread to the warriors and the common people.

Spelunking at Ryugado!

Off we go!

   Departing from downtown Kochi City and jostling around in a Tosaden Bus for about 85 minutes, we finally arrived at Ryugado Cave in Kami City. Ryugado is counted among Japan’s Three Largest Limestone Caves. It was also designated as a National Natural Treasure and Historic Landmark in 1934.

GENKI Seinenkai Tosaben Musical 2015 “The Wizard of Tosa”

  

A scene of the Tosaben Musical 2014
 - Hogwarts Tosa Style School of Witchcraft
and Wizardry

   Would you like to add a little “GENKI” to your life? Announcing the annual Tosaben Musical!

   This year’s title is Tosa no Mahotsukai, “The Wizard of Tosa.” It introduces “The Wizard of Oz,” which is not very well known by Japanese people, in Tosa-style. Tamaki, a high school girl from Tokyo, moves to live with her aunt in Kochi, but she misses her friends in Tokyo and just can’t get used to life in Kochi. One day, Tamaki is swept away by a typhoon and lands in a fantasy land called “Tosa.” In this mysterious land, populated by Yuzu people, Washi people, living scarecrows and more, Tamaki must find her way home while learning to speak Tosaben, making new friends, and having a great adventure.

   Admission to the Tosaben Musical is free, but donations are encouraged. The funds collected will be given as a scholarship to a Kochi high school or college student who is planning to study abroad. Thank you for your generosity.

Ryuga Onsen ~ Where ceramic tanukis greet you ~

The indoor bath
 (you can see little ceramic tanukis outside the window)

   The hot spring inn Ryuga Onsen can be found about one hour from Kochi City center by bus along Route 22, the road that leads to Ryugado Cave. A large ceramic tanuki that stands about five meters tall marks the entrance.

 

Yanase Takashi & Anpan-Man Museum

   Anybody living in Japan is bound to run into Anpan-Man sooner or later. As his name would suggest, this superhero is made out of Anpan: bean-jam-filled bread.

 

   First appearing in a picture book in 1973, he was made into a television cartoon in 1988, and has been loved by all Japan for nearly 40 years. He is a kind, strong warrior for justice who flies through the sky, battles the evil bacteria Baikin Man, and gives pieces of his own delicious body to the hungry.

 

Yamada Daiko – Japanese Drum Group

   “Yamada Daiko Densho-kai” is a group who has been playing the Japanese drum in the present Tosayamada-cho, Kami City since 1987. They play with the synthesizer and the drums to create an atypical soundscape. They have been pursuing the depth of sound from the Japanese drums for a long time.

 

Onsen after climbing mountains

★Befukyo Onsen★
   While at the hot spring take in the views of the Shikoku Mountains like Mt Ishizuchisan, Mt Tsurugisan and Sanrei which is 1893 meters high.
   Address：452-8 Befu, Monobe-cho, Kami City
   TEL：0887-58-4181 Entry fee：¥600 for adult
   Web：http://www.befukyou-onsen.com/ (in Japanese only)
  Access: 1.5 hours by car from Kochi City via national road 195. About 45 min from JR Tosayamada Sta. by JR bus, then 35min from Odochi bycity-run bus and get off at Befukyo Onsen Mae.

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.

Momiji (Deer) Burger

  

   Momiji (Deer) Burger was developed to make good use of deer captured to prevent further damage to agricultural products and forests in Kochi. “Momiji”, which means red maple leaves in Japanese, was used as a code word for deer by olden-day monks who were not supposed to eat meat at the time.

Hino-miko River Campsite

   The site runs along a branch of the Monobe River. There is a bungalow and a tennis court, and a children's park. (Check in-15:00 / out 11:00 )

Christmas Events in Kochi

“2011 Kochi Castle Glittering of Winter”

Enjoy a holy night with your family, boyfriend or girlfriend and friends surrounded by glittering illumination at Kochi Castle!
 ★Christmas Illumination
 ★Food Stands
 ★Mini Concerts
 ★Christmas Gifts (visitors of the Kaitokukan Palace by lottery)
Date: Friday, Dec 23rd-Sunday, Dec 25th (17:00-21:00 Last Entry to the Kaitokukan Palace at 20:30)
Location: Kochi Castle (1-2-1 Marunouchi, Kochi City)
Admission: 400 yen (over 18), Free (17+under)
Inquiries: Kochi Castle Park Management Center
Tel: 088-824-5701

Website (Japanese): http://kochipark.jp/kochijyo/

80th Anniversary Celebration of Ryugadou Cave “Christmas Candle Night”

This is the very first candle lighting event in Ryugadou Cave. You will see a fantastic collaboration between the primeval cave and candle lights!
 ★Candle Decorations
 ★Night Cafe
 ★Candle Making Class
 ★Mini Concerts
Date: Saturday, Dec 24th (18:00-21:00 Last entry to the Cave at 20:30)
Location: Ryugadou Cave (1405-3 Sakagawa, Tosayamada Town, Kami City)
Admission: 500 yen (over 16), Free (15+under)
Inquiries: Ryugadou Conservation Group Gururi
Tel: 0887-52-1032

Website (Japanese): http://www.ryugadou.or.jp/

KUT +illumination presents “Xmas Event’ 11”

KUT students host this illumination event, aiming to interact with the locals. The theme of this year is “PEACE”, as about 30 thousand LED lights are on display to wish you all the peace and happiness.
 ★Candle Art on Campus
 ★Events by KUT students and laboratories (Movies, Planetarium, Electric Lab and Christmas Concerts)
 ★KUT students and the locals Cooperation Events (Paper-bag Art and Food Stands)
Date: Friday, Dec 23rd (17:00-22:00)
Location: Kochi University of Technology (185 Miyanokuchi, Tosayamada Town, Kami City)
Inquiries: KUT +illumination

Tel: 0887-53-1111

Website (English): http://www.kochi-tech.ac.jp/gs_e/index.html

“A Tropical Christmas in Conservatory” in The Kochi Prefectural Makino Botanical Garden

Why don’t you spend a tropical Christmas in the warm conservatory while it is cold outside?
 ★Christmas Tree made of Poinsettias
 ★Decorating Christmas Plants and Flowers
 ★Plant Ornaments
Date: Friday, Dec 23rd-Sunday, Dec 25th (9:00-17:00)
Location: The Kochi Prefectural Botanical Garden (4200-6 Godaisan, Kochi City)
Admission: 700 yen (over 19), Free (18+under)
Inquiries: The Kochi Prefectural Botanical Garden
Tel: 088-882-2601

Website (Japanese): http://www.makino.or.jp/

Posted by R.I

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.

Summer Retreat in Kochi ③－Ryuga Caves

Ryuga-dō (Ryuga Caves) is a natural work of art that has been created over 175 million years. When you visit the limestone cave, it takes you to an unknown world. You might feel as if another space has spread over the cave.