Kochi gave us a civilized start to the day – our tour didn’t begin until 10:30, which felt like a luxury… even though we were still up before 7 (because of course we were). After a 45-minute drive, we arrived at our first stop, the award-winning Arisawa Sake Brewery.
Here, we got a fascinating look into the sake-making process – how the rice is polished, fermented, and transformed into something far more interesting than plain rice. And yes, there was a tasting. Strictly educational, naturally. Each variety had its own flavor profile, and I took my role as “student” very seriously.
Then came the best kind of surprise: lunch. Right there at the brewery, they served us a beautifully arranged bento box filled mostly with sushi – fresh, simple, and absolutely perfect after our “studies.” Sake first, sushi second… I could get used to this order of events.
Next, we made our way to the tranquil Hachioji Shrine. The setting was peaceful and quietly beautiful, the kind of place that naturally makes you slow down a bit. A priestess performed a blessing for us, which felt both intimate and special. Afterward, we each wrote an ema – a small wooden plaque where you leave a wish behind.
We were also invited to draw a fortune – those folded papers that tell you what the universe has in store. Alan, apparently living right, pulled an “excellent” fortune. I got “fairly good.” Not bad… but also not excellent. I’m choosing to believe this just means there’s room for improvement.
From there, we headed to the Yamada High School Calligraphy Club, where we experienced an art form that dates back over 3,000 years. The students gave a demonstration that was equal parts skill and performance – bold strokes, perfect control, and a level of confidence I definitely did not feel when it was my turn.
Yes, we got to try it ourselves. We practiced first, then had our work graded (which felt slightly nerve-wracking), and finally created a finished piece on a hard board to take home. Mine may not be winning any awards, but it’s proof that I gave it a go.
The day wrapped up with a traditional Japanese dance performance – rhythmic, energetic and mesmerizing. And then, the moment of truth: volunteers were invited to join.
And somehow… I ended up on stage.
Dressed in costume, doing my best to follow along, and likely missing a step (or several), I joined in. Was I any good? Let’s not dwell on that. Was it fun? Absolutely.
Kochi turned out to be a perfect mix of culture, creativity, good food, and just enough sake to make saying “yes” to dancing in front of a crowd seem like a perfectly reasonable decision.