Great Figures in Kochi - Frank Champion(1884-1917)

   Frank Champion is an American. I’m ashamed to say that it was not until just recently that I learned of his achievements and the stone monument erected in his honor in Kochi City. I would firstly like to apologize for my ignorance, and write a short article so that as many people as possible can know about this figure.

International Rapport Square 2011

Last year's Kokusai Fureai Hiroba 

   On the 23th of October (Sun.), at Hirome Ichiba in Kochi City, KIA (Kochi International Association) will be holding the "Kokusai Fureai Hiroba 2011" (International Rapport Square), an event devoted to international cooperation. 

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.

Dos and Don’ts in Onsen

   Here are some basic things that you should refrain from or be careful of while in an onsen.

Onsen (hot spring) － Haruno-no-yu

Open air bath at Haruno-no-yu

   It’s located in Kochi City and one of the most popular hot springs in Kochi. There are a lot of different types of baths, and the sand bath is particularly worth trying. After lying down in the hot sand for 30 minutes, you’ll break out in a sweat and will feel that your body is lighter.

Onsen (hot spring) － Auberge Tosayama

Open air bath at Auberge Tosayama

   Are you tired from the summer heat? If so, why don’t you refresh your body by taking a hot spring? In Kochi there are a variety of hot spa facilities. Most of them warm cold spring water that gushes out from the earth, but the quality of the water is excellent. Surely enough your fatigue will be washed away and you will feel deep satisfaction.

Silent Comedian GAMARJOBAT to come to KOCHI！！

Kochi City cultural plaza Cul-Port

   Do　you　know　a recent popular Japanese　silent　comedian　duo　named GAMARJOBAT which means Hello in Georgian?　Their　style　is　unique.　One　of　them　is　red　mohican haircut man Ketch! and　the　other　is　yellow mohican haircut man HIRO-PON and　both　are　wearing　business suits.

　

Many good memories that will stay forever

Pictured with a SGG volunteer guide

   In August 2011, two young Japanese Americans whose ancestors were from Kochi visited Japan to trace the roots of their family living in USA and experience some cultures of Kochi including Yosakoi dancing and Tosa dialect.

   Here are reports of their impressions they got during their stay in Kochi.

The 28th Annual Okawa Village Beef Festival (Shanikusai)

Have you ever wondered what people get up to in the smallest village in Japan? Okawa village has a population of around 400 people, and while it might not be the most bustling of metropolises, there’s at least one day out of the year that makes the long trek up into the deep interior of the Reihoku region worth it.

Mikan-gari (Picking Mandarin Oranges)

   If you ask a local what fruit is Kochi’s best, most will say “mandarin oranges”. You can pick this fruit at Tosa-no-Kochi-no-Kudamonobatake, in Kagami-cho, Konan city.

   This mandarin orange grove is spread over 8 hectares, with straight rows of trees spreading in all directions. It is as if you have been transported to a scene in California.

Ringo-gari (Apple picking)

   There are only a few farmers who grow apples in Kochi. Our climate is a little too warm for apple growing. But in Sakawa Town and Tosa Town, nonetheless, some farmers cultivate apples. Let me introduce to you one farm from each town above that offers you such a service.

Nashi-gari (Pear Picking)

   We can pick nashi pears at the following place:

Tsuchimoto Kanko Kajuen

   This orchard has the following types of pears. Kosui (very sweet and juicy; picking season: mid to late August), Hosui (sweet and slightly tart, picking season: late August to mid September), Shinko (juicy and tart, picking season: early to mid October).
   Apple picking is also available at this orchard.

Summer Travel to Kashiwajima

   Have you ever been to Kashiwajima island? Kashiwajima is in the southwest of Kochi Prefecture. You can see beautiful ocean there. And you can also see many tropical fish even in shallow water below your knees.

   Every summer, I go to Kashiwajima with my family. We enjoy swimming and snorkeling in crystal clear water there. We really love this beach.

Budo-gari (Grape Picking)

   Various kinds of grapes are cultivated in Kochi, including Campbell, Kyoho and Berry A. If you want to pick grapes, then go to either of the following places:

Kochi’s Manga Culture

Yusuke Aoyagi, cartoonist

   Kochi has produced many famous manga (comic) writers and is sometimes called the “Manga Kingdom”. No sooner than you set foot in this “Manga Kingdom” than you will come across some sort of manga-related sight. For example, Manga Koshien (Inter High School Manga Championship), the Anpanman Museum, the Koshin Manga Dojo (Kochi Newspaper Co. Manga Gym), Manga Railway, Ryuichi Yokoyama Memorial Manga Museum etc.