[Spoll! Interview with Migrants: Naoichi Kanazawa. "I was fascinated by the sea of Toyo-cho…」

Ikumi Coast is located in Toyo-cho, Kochi Prefecture, known as one of the best surf spots in Japan. Naoichi Kanazawa, who runs an accommodation and restaurant "South Shore" for surfers in this area, moved from Osaka Prefecture about 25 years ago because of his high surfing love. While there are surf spots all over the country, the reasons and background of trying to move to the easternmost town in the prefecture, about 2 and a half hours by car from Kochi city, the reasons why I was attracted to Toyo town, and the charm of surfing on the Ikumi coast I asked about

Encounter with Kochi Prefecture and the road to immigration

Kanazawa, who is a top surf amateur and is also active as a contestant, is also a lecturer at a surf school held at his own pension "South Shore". Mr. Kanazawa met surfing when he was a first-year high school student. "I got on the waves for the first time on the Ikumi coast that my cousin brought me, and I was fully immersed in the exhilaration and enjoyment." For the next three years, he traveled between Osaka and Kochi to balance learning and surfing.

After graduating from high school, Kanazawa trained his surfing skills while working part-time, and moved to Kochi Prefecture around the age of 23. By that time, he visited various surf spots all over the country, but he chose Kochi because he thought, "If you want to base it, the place that I thought was the most beautiful sea I've seen so far is good." Among them, the reason why I chose Ikumi Coast was the starting point where I started surfing, it was relatively close to Kansai, and it was a famous surf spot, but there were few people due to geographical disadvantages It seems to have become a decisive factor.

"South Shore" filled with Kanazawa's thoughts

The area around Ikumi Coast, where the deep blue sea spreads, is decorated with colorful buildings as if you were visiting overseas beach resorts. Located in a corner of this area, "South Shore" is an accommodation and restaurant opened by Kanazawa in 2000. There are a variety of 15 rooms, from one-person room to five-person room.

South Shore is also equipped with BBQ space, pool, jacuzzi, etc., and it is crowded with many people during the surf season. In addition to renting surfboards and wet suits, there is also a surf school where Kanazawa-san and his son Rowei, who is also a certified professional surfer of JPSA, provide guidance, so even beginners can feel free to surf.

I feel the charm of Ikumi Coast and surfing after living for more than 30 years

Ikumi Kaigan, one of the nation's leading surf spots, where world competitions are also held, including the national championships of surf professionals and amateurs. "Surf Beach is often a little far away from accommodations, but the Ikumi Coast has pensions and restaurants in front of you, making it a perfect place to surf," says Kanazawa. On the left side from land, there is a beach break for senior, and on the right side there is a small point of waves that even beginners can enjoy.

"I've been living in Toyo-cho for about 34 years, but the sea here is much cleaner. When you pass through dolphin, you open your eyes and dive under the waves, and then you will feel the beauty of the sea again."

Future dreams and goals

"My goal as a South Shore is to maintain the status quo (laughs). As before, I hope it is a place where many people can interact and connect with each other.” Mr. Kanazawa just serves as a director of the Toyo Town Tourism Promotion Association, but he also wants to excite the area by surfing. "Because there are many vacant houses in Toyo-cho, it would be best if we could regenerate an old private house and attract migrants, and create a surf town where the place name is known throughout the country like Shonan and Chiba."

"Toyo-cho is an area full of possibilities, but it takes 40 minutes by car from the neighboring Muroto city, so in fact, Kochi doesn't come very much. So, first of all, I would like to appeal to Kochi citizens so that they can know the charm of Toyo-cho. I want to create a base where people who don't surf can enjoy watching and enjoy surfing casually, "he said passionately.

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