Annual Bonito Festival

   2.5 tons of new Bonito fish will be polished off at this indulgent festival in Nakatosa. Come along and partake of char-grilled bonito, bonito rice, bonito soup, a ‘Luxury Bonito Set’ and other delicacies only available here in the town of the Bonito.

Time: Sun May 20, 2012 10:00am-3:00pm
Place: Event Plaza in front of Nakatosa Kure Hachiman Shrine
Access: About 7mins walk from JR Tosa Kure Station
Inquiries: Nakatosa Town Fisheries, Commerce and Industry Division
TEL:0889-52-2473

Wisteria Festival

   130 people parade through the town dressed in the traditional wear of the Muromachi Era (1336-1573). Each will be wearing a colourful outfit appropriate to their job description. It will be as if an ancient scroll has come to life in Nakamura.

Time: Thurs May 3rd, 2012 (Public Holiday)
Place: Around Ichijo Shrine and the streets of Shimanto City
Access: About 5mins by car from Nakamura Station on the Tosa Kuroshio Railway
Inquiries: Shimanto City Chamber of Commerce TEL:0880-34-4333

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

Japanese Classes by NIA

The Nankoku City International Association (NIA) provides the following two Japanese classes from May 2012.

(1)NIHONGO SHABERIBA

Date & Time　May 9th, 2012 start 35times every Wednesday  19:00~21:00
Place           NISSYO FUKUSHI KORYU Center (Tamura Nankoku city)
Fee              100 yen(per time)

(2)NIHONGO KYOSHITSU ~advanced course of Japanesae language~

Date&time May 9th, 2012 start 35times every Wednesday  19:00~21:00
Place       NISSYO FUKUSHI KORYU Center (Tamura Nankoku city)
Fee         100yen(1time)

Inquiries    

NIA TOMONAGA 090-4332-7652

salut_navigatoria@yahoo.co.jp

For Those Interested in Learning Japanese

   The Kochi International Association (KIA) provides an opportunity to learn and practice Japanese. We offer 3 different level of classes; Basic Class 1 is for beginners, Basic Class 2 is for beginners-intermediate and Basic Class 3 is for intermediate level. To register for classes, please fill out the attached application form and return to KIA.

Foreign Book Delivery Service

   Foreign books (mainly English books) are now available to borrow from the KIA.
　Search by Title(excel file)
　Search by Author(excel file)

   You can pick up any books listed above from your nearest public library(excel file) if you live in Kochi Prefecture, except in Kochi City by filling out a request form below and sending it by e-mail or fax to the KIA.
　 Request form(excel file)

*The books will be delivered to your designated facility in around one week after receiving your application form.
*You may borrow up to five books at a time.
*The books are loaned for 4 weeks after sending them out from the KIA.
*The books must be returned to the location you picked them up by the date written on the slip attached to them.
E-mail: info_kia@kochi-kia.or.jp 　Fax: 088-875-4929

Enjoy Indonesia !

Date:
   1:30pm - 4pm, May 3 (holiday)

Place:
   Bentenza, Akaoka-cho Konan City

Performances:
   Folk Dance (Sumatera, Kalimantan, Jawa, Bali, Papua Dance)
   Indonesian Traditional Musical Instrument (Angklung Show)
   Sing Indonesian songs
   Indonesian Culture Exhibition
   Fashion Show (Indonesian Traditional Clothes)
   Quiz

Ticket Fee:
   900yen (includes snack and souvenir)
   Tickets have been sold out!

Inquiries:
   Ameria Bernadethe TEL 090-1170-1980

Mountain Life ①

 

Tosa mountain energy feeds all kinds of life.

    Are you interested in having a vegetable garden? It seems more people are interested in growing their own vegetables because of the many troubles and incidents concerning food. We interviewed John Moore, a social entrepreneur who propagates the ideas of organic gardening. His philosophy is based on his childhood in his hometown, Ireland, where he was influenced greatly by his grandmother who grew organic vegetables. Currently, Mr. Moore is an instructor at Vegetable Sommelier Foundation: Home Eco Farmer Program and Kochi Plants Academy and runs workshops in farms around Tosa.

Mountain Life ②

Yuki-chan keeps the farm clean of weeds.

   We need to plan it together, I said! Everyone agreed. So I moved to Tosayama. Why? So that we would feel in our bones what the community needed and did not need. What the people, mountains and trees thought and did not think.

Let’s visit Mr. Moore!

Terraced fields in the mountains.
You can get rice and wheat here!

   During a clear and sunny day in January, after an hour long bus ride, we went to visit John Moore, a native of Ireland who is working to revitalize Kochi's mountainous regions by working daily on agricultural activities.

Cat Café

   Have you ever been busy and stressed and just need to relax but not sure how? There is a cat café called “Yumeneko” meaning “dreaming cat” that is sure to release you from all the stress.

   It is located in Kera Otsu, Kochi City and is about 20 minutes away from JR Kochi Station by car. When you first walk into the cat café, you will see many staff cats just lounging around!

Preparing for the Nankai Earthquake ④

Emergency Information Service System

   In the event of a major earthquake, phone lines will be very busy. Therefore, it may be quite difficult for you to reach your family by phone to ask after them. You may not be able to go back home because the transportation system could be damaged.

   Be prepared for situations like this by deciding where you will meet your family in advance. It is also a good idea to leave a note at home that tells where you are evacuating if you decide to leave home after an earthquake. Make sure you decide how you will contact each other

Lifestyle Information ④ - Mental Health Consultation

   The environment around you could change a lot when the new fiscal year starts. You might become sick because you are not able to adjust yourself to it well.

   If you are in bad shape due to sleeplessness or stress, please see a specialist for counseling immediately. The organizations below offer free consultation.

Kochi's Latin like feelings

Expat Column No.18

BY Simone Yoko Kofuji from Brazil

   I came to Japan through an Overseas Technical Trainee Project between Brazil’s Kochi Association and Kochi Prefecture. My parents, who were born in the town of Yusuhara, immigrated to Brazil before I was born. And there, I was born as a Nisei–Second Generation Japanese.

Tsurayuki Sakura Matsuri － Spring Experience of Wearing Japanese Kimono

   The Nankoku International Association (NIA) prepares Kimono for not only women but also for men. You can try to have a green tea. It's served by one of association clubs in Nankoku. Let's enjoy HANAMI (SAKURA flower viewing) under the SAKURA trees in your Kimono.