Kōchi City: A Delightful Story of My Hometown in Japan

[Julyanda]

Hello everyone! 

My name is July, I'm from Narita JAL ABC.

Since i came to Japan, in almost 1 year, it's my first time to taking a domestic travel in Japan. 

Thanks to the cultural exchange program I participated in 2019, I have acquaintances who I consider like my own family. They invited me to come to Prefecture Kouchi, to take a rest from a daily work routines and explore more about Kouchi City. 

In kouchi, they have the Ryoma Passport who can give you many advantages when you come and explore Kouchi. Like discounts, special presents, special access, and many mores. You can ask for your own Ryoma Passport, collecting all the stamps from every tourist spots, and upgrade your Kouchi Passport. Then, when you got to the Gold Ryoma Passport, your name will be written in the wooden board (nafuda) and they will put your board in the wall of Tosa Terrace, in the center of the Kouchi City.

In the second day, I take my own steps to explore Kouchi City alone with my mother (or i can say so) bike. Slow but surely, I rode my bike with relish while looking around to the lively and warm atmosphere of Kouchi City. A developed city but with a fresh natural atmosphere. A city surrounded by mountains yet close to the sea. Everyone in here, really welcome you to take a tour in their city. They are also very proud about what they have. Their hero, their gourmet, their culture, and many more. You can see everywhere in the city about Sakamoto Ryouma, about Katsuo Fish, about Yuzu, and maybe you will like the Yosakoi!

I also went to Kouchi Castle. From there i can see the old building, the old Japanese civilizations, and see the old culture of Kouchi's people. You can freely walk around the Kouchi castle park, but when you want to go inside the castle you need to fee some charge, starts from 300yen per person. In the top of the castle, you can see the city scape of Kouchi. From the roof of Kouchi Tower, you can feel what it's like to be a someone who in the top of Kouchi City.

In the following days, my brother from this Kouchi family come with her wife and bring us their Hedgehogs. They now that i always want to have some pet in my room, but because of the strictness of the apartment rules, so i give up for now. The Hedgehogs he brings us is a couple, they're Guri & Gura. Petting and playing with them, feels like clearing my head from any stress. It makes me more wanted to have a pet in my room.

We also come to the Kouchi Meat Festival. We met many of the famous restaurant stand in every corner of kouchi, proudly presenting their product. In this event, while we're enjoying our food, they're also setting up various performers on stage. There's Yosakoi, Accordion, and also young singer from Kouchi!

Last but not least, the day before my flight back to Narita, we have branch in well-known vintage restaurant and eat matcha Soba. Having a small conversation about our daily life and work routine. Go to Baasan and Jiisan house to give some greetings and hear the story of the old kouchi and the family short story. Its really heart-melting family time that i really want to last. Because all of that is happens in this 4 days and how the family accepted me as one of them, i think Kouchi is my hometown when im in Japan.

In the afternoon of 13th October, im arrive back in Narita Airport, prepare for another works routine for the next day.

[문지현]

ジュリさん、初投稿ありがとうございます～！
高知県はまだ行ったことが無いですが、ジュリさんの旅行記を読んで、歴史と自然が魅力的な街なのかな、と思いました✨
ハリネズミ💛クルンっとまるまるとてもかわいいですね☺
また次回の旅行記も楽しみにしてます！

[김종수]

Kouchi City hasn't been there either, but I want to go next time.

I hope you had a good trip and good memory.

[이륜건]

高知県に良い知り合いがいらっしゃいますね！
高知城も一回行ってみたいです！
良い時間を過ごしたようで何よりです。
今後も国内旅行支援を活用して様々な日本を体験してください！