Through social media campaigns, media coverage, video content creation, influencer collaborations, and more, the year-long initiative aims to not only attract more international visitors and potential future residents to Kochi, but also raise awareness about this hidden gem destination. Overseen by Jarman International CEO Ruth Marie Jarman, the project will be led by Chiara Terzuolo as Project Manager, with Hana Shiraishi, Director of Online Strategy, assisting in media outreach and communications. 

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Kochi Prefecture is located along the southwest coast of Japan’s Shikoku Island, famous for its crystal clear rivers, dynamic mountains, award-winning sake, freshest seafood, friendly locals and more. To spread the Kochi love, Jarman International helped gather 30 non-Japanese participants to Tosa Shimizu World restaurant in Osaka that serves authentic Kochi cuisine. Simultaneously, John Daub livestreamed the event on his ONLY in JAPAN * GO channel to people across the globe for an afternoon of celebrating and learning about Kochi, Japan’s hidden gem. 

Besides the melt-in-your-mouth seared bonito, delicious local sake and other Kochi delicacies, participants were immersed in the fun of Yosakoi, the representative dance of the region. This Kochi dance has always been about having fun, rather than following strict rules, which is why there are a wide range of costumes, choreography, and music ranging from traditional Japanese folk tunes to pop, rock and salsa-inspired rhythms! It is no surprise that this 70-year-old dance has gained popularity around the world, and also won the hearts of the participants during the event!

Check out John’s livestream of the event HERE.

Kochi is actually easily accessible from Kyoto and Osaka! Discover the route HERE.

Learn more about Kochi HERE.

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Rogier has been hand making traditional Japanese paper (washi) for 40 years, and anyone can learn about the beautiful craft directly from him at his Kamikoya studio & guesthouse located deep among the glorious mountains of Yusuhara town in Kochi Prefecture. 

Congratulations to Kamikoya for being featured in the Japan Times! Check out the gallery HERE.

Learn more about Kamikoya HERE.

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Making paper has a very strong connection with nature. We try to lower the impact on the rivers or the waters we are using so we don’t use any chemicals. We started to grow our own fibers. When you’re doing that, you really get in the rhythm of nature; of seasons – Rogier Uitenboogaart

Check out the video below to learn more and make sure to follow @outdoorjapan on all social media pages for incredible content about traveling in Japan!

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It was an immense success with hundreds of Yosakoi fans tuning in from all over the world!

One of our Jarman International Core 50 writers, Vicki L. Beyer, also published a beautiful article on her blog, Jigsaw Japan, sharing her impressions of the festival, its inspirational history, massive national and international impact, as well as evolution over time.

The broadcast of the livestream will be available online only until July 22! Sit back, relax, and let the energy of Yosakoi fill you with joy and hope.

More about Yosakoi:

The Yosakoi Festival is one of Japan’s largest festivals, known for its diverse dance styles, vibrant costumes, and upbeat music ranging from traditional Japanese folk tunes to pop, rock, and salsa-inspired rhythms. It originated in Kochi Prefecture nearly 70 years ago, as a way to improve the health and prosperity of locals after WW2 and major earthquakes. This Kochi dance has always been about having fun, rather than following strict rules, which is why you will see a wide range of costumes, choreography, and music.

You can also read the article by Metropolis magazine HERE.

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In early June, three of Rogier’s works were chosen as interior decorations for the opening ceremony of a new model house for Futagami, one of Kochi’s leading construction companies, which also operates DIY shops, car supply stores, and more. 

Rogier’s washi-making process is an almost entirely handmade craft. He uses a variety of plants such as the bark of mulberry trees and vegetable okra in a very sustainable way, where nothing is fully wasted. Although the conversation around sustainable living is becoming more common, it feels quite rare to actually find aspects of this lifestyle implemented in our day-to-day. However, the selection of Rogier’s environmentally friendly artworks by a large corporation seems to be a step of hope and possibility in the right direction.

Read more about Kamikoya: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/activities/10158

Rogier’s Official Website: http://rogier.jp/

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For the first time, after almost two years of event cancellations due to the pandemic, Yosakoi dance teams from across Japan and the world were able to come together for Premium Yosakoi in Tokyo on July 4, 2021, for a special online performance. 

Yosakoi dance is a universal language. Regardless of gender, age, skill level, race, disability…once you hold naruko (hand clappers), we are all one – Seiji Hamada, Governor of Kochi Prefecture

All-inclusive, ever-changing, cheerful, and a little bit of wild…it seems Yosakoi is precisely the kind of joy and passion the world needs right now. 

The rebroadcast of the livestream performance will be available on the Premium Yosakoi YouTube channel until July 22, 2021. Don’t miss it!

You can also experience the beauty of this event through an incredible poem written by Jarman International JI Core 50 member, David Lohrey:

Yosakoi Triumphant

Local festival goes global—

Especially good dancers proudly wear ribbons

awarded by the judges, if not the Gods.

There’s an overall winning team each year. Dance companies

are formed out of thin air, around the world, from Nice

to Saitama, Rio De Janeiro to Timbuktu. Kenya, Paris,

Taiwan, too. Even Alabama, with a banjo on her knee.

A festival is really a way for a town to bare its soul

— show the world what it’s made of.

Yosakoi displays the quintessential character of Kochi City –

it’s loud, gaudy, cheerful, ever-changing and irreverent,

with the women of the town definitely front and centre.

You’ll never see the same Yosakoi twice, and you’ll definitely

never see a dull one.

Contagious joy provides a wonderful antidote to grief-stricken world.

Dance cures all….a festival of joy spreads around the world.

Once only local, Yosakoi dancing functions today as an ambassador

of good will, bringing a tradition of welcome and adaptability; it is

a YMCA of local aesthetic and traditions. East meets West, a chance

to dance to one’s own music, toot one’s own horn, kick up a storm.

Yosakoi dance festivals allow people to do their own thing.

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For JI Core 50 member and popular YouTuber John Daub, the deliciously spicy-salty citrus condiment called yuzukosho is his favorite! It pairs beautifully with practically any dish, including sushi, ramen, hot pot, grilled meat skewers, etc.

Join John on a trip down to Kochi Prefecture to discover the flavorful world of yuzukosho, all the way from harvesting the yuzu fruits and manufacturing the beautiful green paste, to enjoying it at a restaurant or in a home cooked meal.

Have a look at his video on the ONLY in JAPAN * John Daub YouTube channel below:

★Please subscribe to John’s main channel for more incredible content: ONLY in JAPAN * John Daub

★For more regular content, please subscribe to John’s live streaming channel, ONLY in JAPAN * GO

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In August of this year, she relocated to Kochi’s countryside to help with the region’s economic development. Based on her international background, Violet has the ability to connect with both Japanese and English speakers on a native level.

Violet is also a passionate advocate for women’s rights, and has hosted numerous networking opportunities for women, as well as spoken at events including at Women in Finance Tokyo and President Woman. Her feminist passion culminated in her establishing the Tosa Women’s Network.

We are so excited to welcome Violet into our JI Core 50 community!

Read more about Violet’s professional background and interests HERE.

Publications:

NHK World Journeys in Japan, “Otoyo: Bringing Fresh Life to a Traditional Community”

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Located in Ginza, this “antenna shop” is the best place in Tokyo to sample and buy local specialties from Kochi Prefecture, including a large selection of regional sake, sold in the Tosa Kura sake shop.

John Gauntner, the world’s leading non-Japanese sake expert, was a special guest on the stream, and shared his knowledge of Kochi’s brews with both participants and viewers who tuned in from all around the world.

Kochi’s sake is known for being the driest sake in Japan, which makes it particularly drinkable and easy to pair with a wide variety of cuisines.

Be sure to check out the livestream: 『Japanese Sake Regional Drinking Guide | Kochi Breweries』

★”Marugoto Kochi” is an antenna shop where you can purchase various local delicacies from Kochi Prefecture, and is conveniently located in Ginza, Tokyo. If you live in Tokyo or surrounding areas and you have been to or would like to visit Kochi, you can teleport yourself there simply by setting foot in Marugoto Kochi!

★Please SUBSCRIBE to John’s ONLY in JAPAN * John Daub main channel for more incredible content!

★For more information about Kochi, please see the link: Visit Kochi Japan

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