Enjoy Nature and Animals at Mount Yokokura

Kochi Prefecture CIR Han Jeonggyu

   Recently as time near other people is limited, time spent at home has increased. Hiking, therefore, may be the perfect activity to have fun outside yet avoid crowds. I especially recommend Mount Yokokura (774 m above sea level), in Ochi Town. With multiple parking lots at different elevations, one can choose the distance you want to hike. Some of the courses can be quite difficult, making it the perfect mountain for both beginners and those looking for a challenge.

In front of the giant cedars at Sugihara Jinja

   Slightly up the trail from the third parking lot, you will find Sugihara Jinja, a mysterious shrine surrounded by giant cedar trees more than 500 years old. The shrine features many points of interest, such as lanterns engraved with the sun and moon, two stone monuments that tell the history of the shrine’s repairs, and sculptures of Japanese folk tales and the zodiac animals. In addition, Mount Yokokura is the location Emperor Antoku is said to have dwelt in secret, after plunging into the sea when chased by opposing forces. He is said to have left behind many legends, the remains of a residence, and a burial site. Emperor Antoku’s presumed burial ground has yet a different aura from Sugihara Jinja.

Living in Kochi Q&A: Let’s make use of a promotional event! ~You can enjoy cheap activities and lodgings in Kochi~

   Did you know that a variety of money-saving promotional events are available for you to help revitalize Kochi through tourism?

   In this issue, we will introduce a promotional event in Ochi Town. There is no doubt that this is the perfect opportunity to try out activities or stay overnight in the Ochi Town area.
   Rich in beautiful nature, Ochi Town is the perfect place for hiking mountains or playing by the riverside.

Who can sign up for this promotion?
• Those who reside in Kochi Prefecture
• Those who are able to share their experiences with hashtags on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram, etc.

Points to Note

• The promotional event ends on March 31, 2021 (with some summer-only activities)

• Discounts cannot be used by the same person twice for the same activity

• You will need a reservation to enjoy the accomodations and activities.

Make sure to mention “kyanpēn wo tsukaimasu” on the phone or on the website, when making your reservation.

Here are some examples of things to do!

Snow Peak’s Rafting Tour at Niyodo River Camping Field in Ochi

*Experience rafting here!

Snow Peak’s Kawano Rest Stop in Ochi

* From here, you can view lodges designed by the world-famous architect Kengo Kuma and enjoy the changes in scenery across the seasons.

Neko no Omoi

A guest house in Ochi

*Pet cats at this guest house!

   If there is more you want to know, please contact the Ochi-cho Tourist Association or KIA.

【Ochi-cho Tourist Association】

1736-7 Ochi Ko, Ochi-cho, Takaoka-gun

Tel: 0889-26-1004

E-mail: info@ochi-kankou.jp

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

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.

Spring Water

Antoku Spring

   As you already know, Kochi has an abundance of water.Ground water wells up from many places in Kochi, too. Its temperature is constant so it feels cool in the summer and warm in winter.

Cosmos Festival

   Every year there is a Cosmos Festival in Ochicho from October the first to October the sixteenth. About 1,500,000 flowers bloom in a large park.  Cosmos in the park make a lane. We can walk and see cosmos very close up.  The air of the park is very clear because the park is encircled by the river and the mountains.

The 29th Annual Cosmos Festival in Ochi Town

   The Cosmos Festival is a famous event that has come to represent the town of Ochi. It will be held in the main arena of the Miya-no-mae park. The festival boasts around 1.5 million Cosmos plants, which sway gently in the Autumn breeze. There will also be horse-drawn carriage rides and food and drink stalls. A perfect family day out.