From Kochi City, we headed straight down Route 56 toward Nakamura Dojo in Shimanto City.
With full stomachs and the gentle rocking of the car, it would have been easy to doze off—but this was a trip with three friends. Conversation flowed, spirits were high, and the drive was lively and fun.
On the way, we came across Michi-no-Eki Kawauso-no-Sato Susaki and decided to stop for a break.
I never used to care much about souvenirs, but now I find myself drawn to the fresh local produce and specialty foods that are hard to come by in Tokyo. Every roadside station feels like a little treasure hunt.
Luckily, the store wasn’t crowded, so we browsed at a relaxed pace. I couldn’t resist picking up ginger miso and yuzu mayonnaise, while A’s basket was filled to the brim with Mire biscuits in all kinds of flavors. I had never even heard of them before, but when I tried them later, their thick, crunchy texture and rich taste completely won me over. Now I understand why they’re so popular.
The hot sun had left us a little flushed, so we treated ourselves to sherbet from Yokobatake Reika. Naturally, chocolate-loving Mike chose chocolate flavor—but since it was sherbet, it was a new experience for him. He enjoyed the crisp, refreshing texture.
True to the name “Kawauso-no-Sato” (Otter’s Village), we even spotted a cheerful otter mascot outside the Lawson across the street, welcoming customers.
Back in the car, we continued on toward Nakamura.
“I’m pretty sure there’s a long beach around here,” said Mike, who once lived in Kochi. And sure enough, after passing Saga Park, Tosa Shirahama Beach appeared before us.
“Wow, it’s huge…”
Even though we were mindful of the time, the beauty of the scenery made us stop the car. We each wandered down to the shore in our own way, soaking in the vastness of nature. The waves were calm, the sound of the sea all around us, and I found myself lost in the moment—grateful just to be there.
It was nearly 5 p.m., and simply walking along the evening shore gave us a sweet, nostalgic feeling, almost like youth itself.
Finally, we reached our destination: Nakamura in Shimanto City.
For this trip, we stayed at Nakamura Daiichi Hotel (BBH Hotel Group).
👉Book Your Stay in Shimanto City with Trip.com
The room was simple but very practical, reasonably priced, and amenities were plentiful at the front desk.
Practice with Nakamura Aikikai is held at the Shimanto City Martial Arts Hall, about 2.5 km from the hotel. Training began at 7:30 p.m., so after checking in and taking a short rest, we changed into our dogi and drove to the dojo.
Although it was already dark, the Martial Arts Hall was an impressive building and easy to recognize. Since we arrived a little early, we waited at the entrance until a kind member welcomed us and showed us in.
The head instructor of Nakamura Aikikai is Yuto Yasumitsu Sensei. Despite meeting for the first time, he greeted us warmly with a smile.
The first 30 minutes were spent practicing with children, followed by an hour of adult training.
“Our numbers have been shrinking little by little,” he said—a concern many dojos share.
Sensei’s techniques were soft and fluid, using the hips and whole body to naturally connect with the partner. I tend to tense up, but once I grabbed his arm, all my strength seemed to melt away, and before I knew it, I was on the mat.
It was a living experience of the gentle, effortless, and mysterious Aiki passed down from the late Koichi Sayagi Shihan and Noriaki Maeda Shihan.
After practice, while folding our hakama, we realized we hadn’t taken any photos—so with the remaining members, we gathered for a quick “Say cheese!”
I’m already looking forward to seeing everyone again at the upcoming Suganuma Shihan seminar in two days. Thank you so much for welcoming us so kindly.
We returned to the hotel around 9:30 p.m. and headed out for a late dinner at a nearby izakaya. After such a long day, the big lunch at Nishimura Shoten felt like a distant memory. Hungry again, we ordered our favorites and toasted with a cold beer.
Tonight, I’m sure I’ll sleep soundly.
👉 Next time: “From Shimanto back to Kochi City – Flowing Rivers and Castle Town Strolls on Day 2 of the Aikido Journey.”
※ You can support Aikido Travel by booking your rental car through the links below.
The 2nd IAF International Aikido for Young Adults | October 2025 in Tokyo
By community, one week ago🌏 The 2nd IAF International Aikido for Young Adults (October 24–26, 2025)
Following the first seminar held in 2023 at Kyoto’s Butokuden, The 2nd IAF International Aikido for Young Adults will take place this year at Minato City Sports Center in Tokyo.
This international event is open to Aikido practitioners under the age of 30 with shodan rank or higher. It offers a rare opportunity to train and connect with peers from around the world, creating unforgettable memories through shared practice.
🥋 Guest Instructors
- Special Instructor: Mitsuteru Ueshiba Aikido Hombu Dojo-cho (Hombu Dojo)
- Instructor: Toshio Suzuki Shihan (Hombu Dojo)
- Instructor: Yuji Koyama Shihan (Hombu Dojo)
📌 Official Seminar Website
✈️ Travel & Accommodation
To help you prepare for your trip, you can easily search and book hotels and flights near Minato City using the links below:
Search hotels and flights near Minato (Traveloka.com)
Find hotels in Tokyo on Trip.com
※ Booking through these links helps support the Aikido Travel website and its activities.
⚠️ Registration Status
As of May 26, 2025, the seminar has reached full capacity. We are currently accepting waitlist only registrations.
Don’t miss this valuable opportunity for international exchange and training—please consider joining the waitlist.
[Aikido × Travel] The Start of the Kochi Seminar and First Keiko at Nakamura Dojo (Day 1: First Half)
By community, 2 weeks agoAs a couple who both practice Aikido, people often ask us, “So, at which dojo did you meet?”
The answer always surprises them—because our story didn’t begin in a dojo at all.
We first met 25 years ago on a roadside in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia.
Back then, I wasn’t practicing Aikido yet.
It was only after we got married that Mike, who had already been training for six years, encouraged me to step onto the mat.
His very first dojo was with the Kochi Aikido Group, and ever since, we’ve often said to each other, “Someday, let’s go back there together.” But like many dreams, the years slipped by and it never seemed to happen.
Then in January 2024, during a casual get-together after training, our friend A mentioned, “Oh, I’ve practiced at a dojo in Kochi before.
” That sparked something, and before we knew it, the conversation turned into “Let’s all go together!” Still, as with many big ideas, it didn’t happen right away.
But the following year, at the very same gathering, the topic resurfaced with new excitement—and this time, the plan finally began to take shape.
When A looked into it, we discovered that in late March, the Kochi Aikido Group would be hosting a seminar with Morito Suganuma Shihan, Director and Dojo-cho of Aikido Shoufukan.
That was the sign we were waiting for. Our “Aikido Journey: Kochi Edition” was officially on.
Travel Itinerary
Friday, March 21 – Practice at Nakamura Dojo (Shimanto City, Nakamura Aikikai)
Saturday, March 22 – Sightseeing on the way back from Shimanto City to Kochi City
Sunday, March 23 – Join the seminar with Suganuma Shihan, hosted by Kochi Aikido Group
Monday, March 24 – Sightseeing for just the two of us after parting ways with A
Tuesday, March 25 – Return to Tokyo
Of course, we contacted both Nakamura Dojo and Kochi Aikido in advance and received their kind permission to join training.
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Preparation
With the schedule set, the first step was booking flights and hotels. This time, balancing cost and convenience, we went with JAL.
👉 Compare low-cost flights (Kiwi.com)
Booking flights early usually means you can snag “hayawari” (early bird discounts). But I once forgot this lesson—on a past trip to Izumo, I waited until just one month before departure to buy tickets.
The result? I ended up paying nearly double the discounted price. A painful but unforgettable lesson.
For accommodations, we skipped the luxury hotels and instead prioritized good reviews and reasonable prices:
Shimanto City (Nakamura) → Nakamura Daiichi Hotel (BBH Group)
Book Your Stay in Shimanto City with Trip.com
Kochi City → Comfort Hotel Kochi
Check the Best Hotel Deals in Kochi City on Trip.com
Traveling from Kochi City to Shimanto City by train is possible, but it takes a long time and makes it harder to enjoy sightseeing along the way.
To give ourselves more freedom and flexibility, we chose to rent a car instead.
Rental Car → Toyota Rent-A-Lease
Find rental cars on EconomyBookings
Search hotels & flights in Kochi Prefecture on Traveloka
(By booking through the above links, you’re also supporting Aikido Travel activities—thank you!)
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The Journey Begins – From Haneda to Kochi Ryoma Airport
March 21, 2025. With two dogi and a hakama packed into the suitcase, we headed to Haneda Airport.
I couldn’t help but remember how empty the airport had felt during the pandemic, compared to the lively, bustling scene of today. Time changes so much.
After picking up souvenirs, we met A at the gate. The flight departed on time, and soon a clear blue sky stretched before us, with Mt. Fuji rising proudly above the clouds.
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A Hearty Lunch at Nishimura Shoten
After arriving at Kochi Ryoma Airport, we grabbed our rental car and made our way to our first stop: Nishimura Shoten.
The reviews weren’t wrong—the parking lot was full. But thanks to Mike’s uncanny “superpower” of always finding a spot, we managed to park without a hitch.
While waiting, we browsed the menu posted outside and checked the daily special. The more we looked, the hungrier we felt, and the anticipation made everything more exciting.
Once seated, I ordered the “Aradaki” (braised fish head), which arrived in a bowl so large I had to ask myself—is this really meant for one person?
The tender fish, rich with deep flavor, was simply outstanding.
Driven by the Japanese “mottainai” spirit of not letting food go to waste, I did my best. But in the end, I could only make it halfway through before admitting defeat.
Even so, my heart was full of happiness. It’s strange how travel meals leave behind more than flavors—they leave behind little stories of abundance, humility, and joy.
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Visiting Tosa Shrine and Zenrakuji Temple
With some time before keiko, we explored Kochi City. First stop: Tosa Shrine.
The quiet, tree-lined grounds seemed to clear the mind, and walking along the corridors of the shrine, we admired the historic ritual objects on display.
Our omikuji fortunes—chu-kichi (middle blessing) and sho-kichi (small blessing)—were gentle reminders that we still had much room to grow.
Right next door, we visited Zenrakuji, the 30th temple of the Shikoku 88 Pilgrimage.
Bathed in the warmth of early spring sunshine, we offered our prayers and felt a sense of good fortune for the journey ahead.
With light hearts, we set off toward Shimanto City.
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👉 Coming up next: The road to Shimanto City and our first keiko at Nakamura Dojo.
Thank you for visiting Aikido Travel.
We are pleased to introduce the overseas seminars scheduled for the second half of 2025 by Shihan Etsuji Horii, President of Aioikai.
Currently ranked 7th dan, Shihan Horii trained for about 10 years at the Aikido Hombu Dojo Instruction Department. He has served as a director of the All Japan Aikido Federation and continues to teach at dojos both in Japan and abroad.
From September 2025 onward, seminars are planned in five cities across Asia and Europe, offering a unique blend of keiko (training) and cultural experiences.
September 2025 | Hanoi, Vietnam | Aikido Seminar with Shihan Etsuji Horii
Date: September 27–28, 2025
Host: Aikido Yuki Shudokan Club
Click here for seminar details
Founded in 2000 by HORIZOE Sensei, Aikido Yuki Shudokan Club is a respected dojo with a long history. Hanoi, the political and cultural heart of Vietnam, offers a captivating setting with historic architecture and rich traditions.
Booking through the links below helps support Aikido Travel’s site and activities.
Plan your trip:
Search hotels & flights in Hanoi (Traveloka.com)
Compare low-cost flights (Kiwi.com)
October 2025 | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | Aikido Seminar with Shihan Etsuji Horii
Date: October 4–5, 2025
Host: Kuala Lumpur YMCA Aikido Club
Click here for seminar details
Established in 1969, this is one of Malaysia’s oldest dojos. Enjoy training in a traditional setting, sharing sweat and camaraderie with fellow aikidoka.
Plan your trip:
Search hotels & flights in Kuala Lumpur (Traveloka.com)
Compare low-cost flights (Kiwi.com)
Late October – November 2025 | Jakarta, Indonesia | Annual International Aikido Seminar with Shihan Etsuji Horii
Date: October 31 – November 2, 2025
Host: Aikido Padepokan Indonesia – Aioikai Indonesia
Click here for seminar details
During this period in Jakarta, a special seminar will be held featuring four shihan, including Shihan Horii. Be sure to check out other seminars happening at the same time.
Plan your trip:
Search hotels & flights in Jakarta (Traveloka.com)
Compare low-cost flights (Kiwi.com)
November 2025 | Singapore | Aikido International Seminar with Shihan Etsuji Horii
Date: November 15–16, 2025
Host: Ryounkai
Click here for seminar details
Experience a vibrant multicultural city while training in Singapore. This is a perfect opportunity to combine keiko with sightseeing.
Plan your trip:
Search hotels & flights in Singapore (Traveloka.com)
Compare low-cost flights (Kiwi.com)
Late November 2025 | Madrid, Spain | Aikido Seminar with Shihan Etsuji Horii
Date: November 29–30, 2025
Host: SUI Dojo
Click here for seminar details
The only European seminar in this series. Train in the passionate city of Madrid, and enjoy Spain’s rich art and cuisine.
Plan your trip:
Search hotels & flights in Madrid (Trip.com)
Compare low-cost flights (Kiwi.com)
Booking through the links above helps support Aikido Travel’s site and activities.
Training in a new location not only enhances your technique but also broadens your horizons and connections. Don’t miss this opportunity to combine travel with Aikido practice.
View the October 2025 Seminar Calendar
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Update:
On August 21st, we received new seminar information about Horii Shihan.
01st Anniversary of Aioikai Aikido Da Lat Dojo in Da Lat ward, Vietnam.
Organized by: Aioikai Aikido Da Lat Dojo
Dates: October 1–2, 2025
Click here for seminar details
Helpful travel links for your visit to Da Lat ward, Vietnam
Search hotels and flights together (Trip.com) Search for budget flights across platforms (Kiwi.com) <
We have updated with new posters for Horii Etsuji Shihan’s Aikido Seminar in Hanoi (Vietnam) and in Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
We’ll continue to update this page as new information becomes available—stay tuned!