A Family’s Journey Back to Their Roots in Tsuno-cho, Kochi
Some tours stay with you long after the day is over. This was one of them.
A family of four traveled all the way from Brazil to Kochi, Japan. Their great-grandparents had left Tsuno-cho (津野町) many decades ago as Japanese immigrants to Brazil. For this family, visiting Kochi was not just sightseeing. It was coming home.
A Warm Welcome at Tsuno Town Office
When we arrived at Tsuno Town Office (津野町役場), something unexpected and beautiful was waiting for the family. The staff had prepared a special sign written in both Portuguese and Japanese: “Olá, sejam bem-vindos a Tsuno!” It means “Hello, welcome to Tsuno!” The family was deeply moved by this small but thoughtful gesture.
The town office staff kindly offered to guide us to the family’s ancestral grave, which is about a ten-minute drive from the office. They greeted the family warmly and walked with us the whole way. This is the kind of quiet, sincere hospitality that you find in the small towns of Kochi.
Visiting the Family Grave
The grave was located on a peaceful hillside, surrounded by green mountains and the quiet countryside of Tsuno-cho. Standing there, knowing that their ancestors had once lived on the same land before crossing the ocean to start a new life in Brazil, was something that words cannot fully describe.
The family paid their respects quietly beside the grave. The father gently held his daughters close. It was a deeply emotional moment, and I felt truly honored to be there with them.
The Pokemon Manhole Cover in Kochi
Did you know that Kochi has its own ambassador Pokemon? It is Quagsire (ヌオー), a friendly water-type Pokemon. As part of a nationwide project in Japan, many cities and towns have created colorful Pokemon manhole covers called “Pokefuta.” Kochi’s version features Quagsire along with the local landscape.
One of the family members is a big Pokemon fan, so we made a special stop to find the Pokefuta on our way. Finding it was a small but fun moment in the middle of a very meaningful day.
Tengu Highlands on the Shikoku Karst Plateau
After Tsuno-cho, we drove up to Tengu Highlands (天狗高原), which sits on the Shikoku Karst plateau at around 1,400 meters above sea level. The wide open grasslands, white limestone rocks, and fresh mountain air felt like a completely different world from the city below.
At the top, you can stand right on the border between Kochi Prefecture and Ehime Prefecture. The wooden signs marking the boundary make for a great photo spot, and the view behind them is stunning.
While we were there, a large hawk was soaring freely above us in the blue sky. It felt like a quiet greeting from the mountains of Kochi.
Hakuryu Lake and the Crystal Clear Water of Tsuno
On the way back, we stopped at a beautiful spot near Tsuno-cho where the water is so clear you can see everything underneath. Koi fish swim slowly in the green-blue water, and the whole place feels very calm and natural. It is the kind of scenery that you do not find in most tourist guidebooks.
Lunch at Michi no Eki Fusegasaka
For lunch, we stopped at Michi no Eki Fusegasaka (道の駅 布施ケ坂), a roadside rest stop that serves local countryside food. The family tried wild boar ramen and miso katsu ramen, which are both very popular local dishes. Simple, warm, and full of flavor. It is the kind of lunch that you remember.
A Tour That Was More Than Sightseeing
This tour was not about checking famous spots off a list. It was about something much more personal. A family reconnecting with the place their ancestors came from. A small town in Kochi that remembered them, even after so many decades.
As a local guide, I am so grateful to have been part of this day. Tsuno-cho is a quiet mountain town that many travelers pass without stopping. But for this family, it was one of the most important places in the world.
If you are interested in a private tour that goes beyond the typical tourist route, I would love to help you plan something meaningful. Kochi has many stories waiting to be discovered.