【Aikido × Travel】The Beginning of the Kochi Seminar and Our First Practice at Nakamura Dojo(Day 1: Part 2)
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.”
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