- 2022.09.30
-
We are Kochi-ke: Rosie Moloney
Welcome to my happy place
“I arrived in the town of Shimanto in my early 40s as an English teacher with a desire to escape the city life, and intention to stay for only one year. But what I found was beauty that went far deeper than the quiet mountains, pristine rivers and vast rice fields. It's been 10 years, and I’m still falling in love.”
“Every day, I was met with simple yet rare moments of connection and kindness. Like every time my 95-year-old neighbor left a couple of sudachi citrus fruits and little flowers at my doorstep to welcome me back after a short trip away. Or other times when somebody would take my laundry off the line and neatly place it under the eave of my house because it had started raining and I happened to be out. This deep sense of closeness not only existed with people, but of course, nature too. These days in my permaculture gardening, I make stakes out of wild bamboo, use rice straw as mulch, gather fallen leaves for compost, and grow new life with water that flows directly from the mountains. My husband is also an organic rice farmer, and together, we are always in awe of how much it feels like such an innate human experience to be a part of nature’s cycle, and belong to a community where everyone looks out for each other like family.”
“There’s a heart in Kochi that I haven’t experienced anywhere else, and after 10 years of surrounding myself in its incredible nature and community, falling in love with my now husband and two dogs, as well as pursuing my passion for organic farming, I’ve not only found my happy place here, but a mission to share it with others. That’s what led me to starting my Airbnb guest houses over 6 years ago.”
“Waking up to the song of wild birds, living in a traditional Japanese home filled to the brim with antique charm, interacting with 90-year-old locals who still work hard in the fields…there’s just nothing like it. In addition to welcoming international visitors, it’s been particularly powerful for me to see Japanese families be reminded of their rich heritage during their stay. When I witness the humble yet vibrant sense of pride that glows in the eyes of our Japanese guests and particularly their children, as they take in the beauty of their homeland, it feels like I am somehow giving back.”
“So, one day, I hope you will come and allow Kochi to cast its spell on you too. You will never forget the beauty of the river, ocean, mountains and people.”
“We are Kochi-ke (Kochi family)” is all about highlighting the stories of the people who make us proud to call Kochi our home. Whether you are living in Kochi now or have only visited once, you are part of the Kochi family
Check out Rosie’s two Airbnb locations for an authentic experience of Kochi’s beautiful countryside life
Mihara Village Airbnb
abnb.me/8bxRgrGJHO
Shimanto Town Airbnb
abnb.me/8OQLZqQVr0
Learn more about the Shimanto River: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/shimantoriver
“I arrived in the town of Shimanto in my early 40s as an English teacher with a desire to escape the city life, and intention to stay for only one year. But what I found was beauty that went far deeper than the quiet mountains, pristine rivers and vast rice fields. It's been 10 years, and I’m still falling in love.”
“Every day, I was met with simple yet rare moments of connection and kindness. Like every time my 95-year-old neighbor left a couple of sudachi citrus fruits and little flowers at my doorstep to welcome me back after a short trip away. Or other times when somebody would take my laundry off the line and neatly place it under the eave of my house because it had started raining and I happened to be out. This deep sense of closeness not only existed with people, but of course, nature too. These days in my permaculture gardening, I make stakes out of wild bamboo, use rice straw as mulch, gather fallen leaves for compost, and grow new life with water that flows directly from the mountains. My husband is also an organic rice farmer, and together, we are always in awe of how much it feels like such an innate human experience to be a part of nature’s cycle, and belong to a community where everyone looks out for each other like family.”
“There’s a heart in Kochi that I haven’t experienced anywhere else, and after 10 years of surrounding myself in its incredible nature and community, falling in love with my now husband and two dogs, as well as pursuing my passion for organic farming, I’ve not only found my happy place here, but a mission to share it with others. That’s what led me to starting my Airbnb guest houses over 6 years ago.”
“Waking up to the song of wild birds, living in a traditional Japanese home filled to the brim with antique charm, interacting with 90-year-old locals who still work hard in the fields…there’s just nothing like it. In addition to welcoming international visitors, it’s been particularly powerful for me to see Japanese families be reminded of their rich heritage during their stay. When I witness the humble yet vibrant sense of pride that glows in the eyes of our Japanese guests and particularly their children, as they take in the beauty of their homeland, it feels like I am somehow giving back.”
“So, one day, I hope you will come and allow Kochi to cast its spell on you too. You will never forget the beauty of the river, ocean, mountains and people.”
“We are Kochi-ke (Kochi family)” is all about highlighting the stories of the people who make us proud to call Kochi our home. Whether you are living in Kochi now or have only visited once, you are part of the Kochi family
Check out Rosie’s two Airbnb locations for an authentic experience of Kochi’s beautiful countryside life
Mihara Village Airbnb
abnb.me/8bxRgrGJHO
Shimanto Town Airbnb
abnb.me/8OQLZqQVr0
Learn more about the Shimanto River: https://visitkochijapan.com/en/highlights/shimantoriver
