Kayaking in the Shimanto River!

We tried paddling against the current! It was fun!

   What’s an activity perfect for Kochi’s hot, hot summer? Kayaking, of course! For this article, we went to the Shimanto River Station Canoe House in the Nishitosa area of Shimanto City and tried our hand at kayaking. (Note: “canoe” or “kanuu” refers to canoes and kayaks in Japanese.) Kayaking may seem daunting to some, but according to the Canoe House manager, 70% of their customers are beginners, and it’s easier than riding a bike.

Quality Farming Activity in Ochi-Cho ～Enjoy a baseball game and 100% pristine nature～

Date: Sunday, 1st June, 2014

Venue: Ochi-cho Baseball Stadium
   Free shuttle bus is provided
   *Tour is based on tentative schedules and subject to change due to weather

Price: ¥2000
   Includes: Agricultural activity, Lunch, Game ticket, Insurance
   Special goods of Kochi Fighting Dogs

International Day

   International Day is a special day for foreigners presented by the Kochi Fighting Dogs, a baseball team in independent Baseball League of Japan.

   Why don't you take this opportunity to enjoy watching a ball game in Kochi?

   For more info about the Kochi Fighting Dogs, please go to vol.47.

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!

The Kochi Fighting Dogs

The Kochi FD players promise a victory to the children.
 

The Kochi Fighting Dog’s mascot, “Dockey”.
The strong image of the Tosa fighting dogs
 gives an image of a strong team.

   The Kochi Fighting Dogs (abbreviated as Kochi FD below) was birthed in 2005 as Kochi Prefecture’s team in IBLJ’s (Independent Baseball League of Japan) unified Shikoku Island League. After that, in 2006 IBLJ recruited investors from each prefecture in Shikoku and the present Kochi FD team was formed. The independent league, Shikoku Island League Plus, is a place where players who aim to enter major league and pro league can hone their talents. All the players are chasing their dream of entering into the pro league, and so far Keisuke Yasuda (Softbank Hawks), Katsuya Kakunaka (Chiba Lotte Marines), and Kazuya Iida (Softbank Hawks) have been able to move up to the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball). In the past there were management difficulties that endangered the continuation of the team, but they were able to overcome them and become loved by many fans as Kochi’s representative baseball team.

 

   This time, we were able to interview the director of the Kochi FD, Shigekazu Takemasa.

Invitation to Jogging

 

   Do you feel you lack exercise since coming to Japan? Or has the doctor advised you to get some exercise in a recent medical check? If so, I recommend that you start jogging.

 

 

Fishing

sweetfish fishing

  

   Autumn, a good season to start new things, maybe you’d like to try something new but haven’t figured out what yet. I recommend fishing as a way to experience the changing of the seasons while surrounded by the abundance of nature in Kochi.

Three things for which I’m proud of Kochi

Kochi is a paradise for sake drinkers

 

   It is often said that Kochi is well known for its sake (Japanese rice wine) production and consumption, and people outside think Kochi people are heavy drinkers.When I lived in Tokyo, people often teased me by saying “you must drink a lot because you are from Kochi”! I tried to keep up with the reputation and at first tried to drink a lot. After a while people recognized that I was not a big drinker and that such a stereotyped perception didn’t apply to me. But indeed it seems to me that many Kochi’s citizens drink a lot.

 

Haruno Athletic Park

  
   This must be Kochi’s largest athletic park. Located in former Haruno Town, it boasts various facilities for sports, such as a stadium, track and field facilities, a big gymnasium, tennis courts, a shooting range, and a swimming pool.

 

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.

 

Swimming Pools in Kochi

Here is an information about 5 swimming pools in Kochi. Please relieve your summer fatigue.

1)Prefectural Gimnasium Swimming Pool
   Address: Sanbashidori 2-1-53, Kochi City
   Fee: 120 yen for adults, 80 yen for SHS & JHS, 40 yen for ESS

Paragliding in Kochi’s Sky!

Paragliding peacefully in the sky!

   Have you ever dreamed of flying like a bird when you were young?

  

   Paragliding is an adventurous but exciting sport. It may seem too scary or dangerous to some people, but I assure that it’s a worthwhile life changing experience!

Bicycling in Shimanto City

Crossing a typical bridge by a bike.
You can enjoy Magnificent Shimanto River
and mountains scenes around there!

   Christmas and New Year’s Day is over now. During the past holidays we all attended or held parties and events, we had much fun and enjoyed eating and drinking and socializing with friends and family! That was nice but how do you feel now that it’s over? After the fun-filled holiday it’s always hard to come back and adjust to daily life. We come back feeling heavier and lazier. We need to find a good way to transition back to an active and healthier lifestyle. I highly suggest taking a bike tour in Shimanto City.

Marathon Kingdom Kochi

Shimanto Ultra Marathon

   Autumn, the season for sports has come! It is a good time to start exercising if you are lacking in activities everyday. I would recommend you do yoga or walking which can be begun easily.

   I have been crazy for marathons since some years ago. Kochi, needless to say, is a Marathon Kingdom! There are so many marathon races throughout the year. Let me introduce you to three interesting marathon races held in autumn.