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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The livestream featured a live book reading by Alex of his very own “Lost Japan” best-seller book, which offers a fascinating insight into the Japanese landscape, culture, history and future, based on his several decades of living in the country. 

Alex discusses his thoughts on how Japan has changed over the past years, and continues to evolve. As more young people move to cities, there are multitudes of traditional Japanese crafts, architecture, thought, and knowledge that are soon to disappear. Joining in the conversation is the owner of Kamikoya Washi Studio in Yusuhara who moved to Japan from the Netherlands 40 years ago to learn the art of washi-making, which is a traditional Japanese paper. He offers his reasons for moving to Japan to help preserve the traditional craft, while John also shares his view on how he has seen the country shift based on his extensive travel across all 47 prefectures. 

This is a precious, once-in-a-lifetime conversation among some of the brightest internationals in Japan, which is sure to offer you a deeper look into Japan’s past, present and future.

Check out the livestream HERE.  

The livestream was briefly featured in the Sustainable Japan by the Japan Times (December Edition) HERE.

The post The Jarman International-organized livestream with John Daub, Alex Kerr and Rogier Uitenboogaart was featured in the Japan Times! (Kochi Prefecture) appeared first on Jarman International KK.

From wanko soba and cold reimen noodles to miso milk curry ramen, check out the video below and step into the vast, flavorful world of Japanese noodles!

Stay tuned until the end of the video and learn all about the Michinoku trail from JI team member Chiara Terzuolo, which is an incredible hike that hugs the Pacific coast of Tohoku.

The post Learn all about Japanese gourmet ramen & noodles with John Daub! (Live from Japan Rail Cafe in Tokyo station) appeared first on Jarman International KK.

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.

The post Don’t miss the re-broadcast of Premium Yosakoi in Tokyo, available online until July 22! appeared first on Jarman International KK.

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.

The post Uniting the world through the fun and freedom of dance – Watch Premium Yosakoi in Tokyo online and let its energy bring you a deep sense of hope appeared first on Jarman International KK.