Let’s do some whale watching this summer!

Kochi Prefecture CIR Valerie Teo

   It’s summer.

   When we talk about summer, the sea comes to mind.

   For those who cannot get enough of the sea and would like to try some unusual fun activities, why not try whale watching on the open sea?

   The whale watching season arrives with the end of the rainy season! There are five whale watching tour operators in Kochi, with their snazzy, multilingual website, so we decided to head there.

   On normal weekdays, there is only one whale watching tour a day. However, during the summer holidays, participants can choose from one of three tour times each day, not only on weekends but on weekdays as well. For this report, a KIA staff member and I participated in a tour with six other people, including a group from Hong Kong.

Listening to the staff explaining points to note

"Miyamaru" – A Bed and Breakfast Fishing Experience

Scott and Mrs. Myōjin making dinner.

Managing as a Married Couple
   “Miyamaru” is near the beautiful seashore of the town of Kuroshio. The lady of the house, Mrs. Miya Myōjin, used to work at a nursery school. After she retired five years ago, she opened a bed and breakfast with the thought that she wanted to promote and bring visitors to Kuroshio, as well as teach people about the town’s fishing-driven way of life. Mrs. Myōjin’s husband was a fisherman, but he also retired 6 years ago due to back pain, and now he helps her with the bed and breakfast. Most of their customers are from outside of Kochi, and there are even some people who come from abroad.

Make Katsuo no Tataki (lightly roasted bonito)

   In Saga, Kuroshio Town, your can make “katsuo no tataki” (lightly roasted bonito) at the “Kuroshio-ichibankan”. This dish is the crowning glory of culinary culture in Kochi. This facility gives you a chance to experience authentic tataki making using a fire fueled with straw. It’s open between March and November. A minimum of two people must apply for the lesson to go ahead. The fee is from ¥3150 per person including a meal using a whole bonito, featuring your own handmade tataki. Reservation is required.

 

Access: Walk 20min. from Tosa Saga Sta. on the Tosakuroshio Line
Inquiries: 0880-55-3680

Website: http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~itibanka/index.html (Japanese)

Taken from vol.28 PDF

Tosa Yoga

   Tosa Yoga was founded in 2000 by Oliver Stymie Reinsch. Their five highly qualified teachers are from America, Australia, and Japan. Tosa Yoga uses a blend of yoga styles including Iyengar, Asthanga, Viniyoga and Feel-good Yoga to stretch, strengthen, and relax the body. It also helps clear the mind, and enlighten the soul. They hold classes in Kochi City, Nankoku City, Tosa City, Shimanto City and Kuroshio Town.

 

Hata Surf Dojo

   I left the Goldcoast in Australia in 1994 to come look for waves in Japan. I found my waves in here in Hata, but what I also found were kind people, traditional living, and a laid-back atmosphere.

   I then decided to settle here in Hata and made friends with nature. At times I would wait for big waves to come along with the typhoons, at much reprove from the locals, and at other times I would teach English to the locals at school.

 

Roadside Station Bios Ogata

   Bios Ogata is located in Ukibuchi, Kuroshio Town, and it takes about two and a half hours by car from Kochi City. “Hinataya Market” and “Restaurant Hinataya” are two must-see locations in the roadside station.