[Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa] Held a winter-only illumination event "Bamboo Light Evening in Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa 2025" featuring about 100 bamboo lights processed from Kochi Geisei Village
~ Along with the gentle light of bamboo lights, enjoy local sake that warms the body and gourmet unique to the local area ~| Period: December 1, 2025 (Mon.) to January 12, 2026 (Mon./holiday)
Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa, an all-inclusive resort hotel with views of Tosa Bay behind the Shikoku Mountains (Location: Geisei Village, Aki-gun, Kochi Prefecture / General Manager: Mion Sawa), will hold an annual illumination event held in Geisei Village, Kochi Prefecture (organized by the Take Akari Executive Committee). Utilizing bamboo, a local resource, about 100 bamboo light objects made with the cooperation of local people wrap hot spring open-air baths and poolside with soft lights to create a fantastic space. In addition, as a companion to bamboo light appreciation, we will also prepare mitarashi dumplings using brown sugar "Shiratama Sugar" made by traditional manufacturing methods, and sake carefully selected from 12 sake breweries in the prefecture, so you can relax even in cold winter You can enjoy the unique taste of the local area.
Project background
Geisei Village, Kochi Prefecture, where our hotel is located, is an area where Japanese paper-filled greenhouse horticulture using bamboo as a frame was flourishing. At present, the steel frame is being converted to steel, and as demand for bamboo decreases, "bamboo harm (* 1)" has become an issue. As of the end of March 2022, the area of bamboo forests nationwide was approximately 175,000 hectares (*2). It is said that about two-thirds of them are neglected bamboo forests, and the problem is expanding nationwide. Against this background, the Geiseimura / Bamboo Akari Executive Committee will hold an illumination event that makes full use of bamboo in the village, with the aim of solving problems and revitalizing the region.
At the one-day limited event "Kotogahama Bamboo Lighting Evening" held every year in Geisei Village, local "lighters" make bamboo lights by hand from cutting bamboo forests to processing. In order to encourage more customers to enjoy this fantastic bamboo light, the hotel has been exhibiting for a period of reuse since 2021 based on a proposal from Geisei Village. This year, bamboo lights will be installed not only on the display at the poolside, but also on the open-air bath of our hotel, so you can enjoy the hot spring leisurely while watching the soft lights.
＊1 The effects and problems such as the increase in bamboo forests that are not properly managed due to the decrease in demand for bamboo, the intrusion of bamboo into satoyama forests, etc., and the decrease in the diversity of plant species. (Reference: “Towards Utilization of Bamboo” Report, Forestry Agency website)
＊2 See also: Forestry Agency: Summary of Forest Resources by Prefecture
"Bamboo Light Evening in Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa 2025" Overview
Period: December 1, 2025 (Mon.) to January 12, 2026 (Mon./holiday)
Time: 17:00～22:00
Price: Free (accommodation/day return use)
Organized by: Bamboo Akari Executive Committee
Details: https://mercure-kochitosa-resortandspa.jp/plan/takeakari2025/
■Point of the Event
1. About 100 bamboo light objects that emerge on the poolside
About 100 objects of bamboo light with various crafted works are lined up on the poolside of the hotel, and you can enjoy a fantastic scenery. Bamboo cut out from the forest of Geisei Village is carefully processed by local junior high school students, hotel staff, and about 200 volunteers. The production of bamboo lights is produced by CHIKAKEN (Kumamoto Prefecture), the world's first comprehensive production group for bamboo lights. Bamboo lights that emit gentle and warm light by the handwork of local residents color the poolside, and you can enjoy a fantastic space with the slumping of light reflected on the surface of the water.
2. Offering mitarashi dumplings using local specialty “Shiratama Sugar” and sake from 12 sake breweries in the prefecture
Along with the appreciation of bamboo lights, we will provide special mitarashi dumplings using brown sugar "Shiratama Sugar" made by traditional manufacturing methods in Geisei Village. Geisei Village, where the hotel is located, is suitable for sugarcane making in a warm climate and a well drained environment, and the traditional brown sugar making tradition dating back to the Edo period is still handed down. Shiratama sugar has a whitish color than general brown sugar, and is characterized by the process of carefully picking the ax, and the mellow and elegant sweetness and good mouth melting without astringency or miscellaneous taste created by the hand of craftsmen. You can enjoy a relaxing taste that is perfect for cold winter days by putting the mitarashi sauce on freshly baked dumplings.
In the adjacent lounge, we offer local snacks such as Millet biscuits and potato Kenpo, as well as sake carefully selected from 12 sake breweries in the prefecture. You can fully enjoy the winter traditions while enjoying the local taste. During the Christmas period (December 1-25), you can prepare Storren, hot yuzu, and yuzu sangria, and spend a heartwarming time wrapped in soft bamboo lights.
Overview of the provision of "Shiratama Sugar Mitarashi Dango"
Location: Poolside
Schedule of implementation: Available on a first-come, first-served basis every Saturday from 17:00. It will end as soon as it runs out.
Business Overview of “Bamboo Light Evening Special Lounge”
Period: December 1, 2025 (Mon.) to January 12, 2026 (Mon./holiday)
Time: 18:00～21:00
Price: Included in all-inclusive rates
Guests other than accommodation from 18:00 to 21:00 500 yen / 1 person (tax included)
21:00 to 23:00 2,000 yen / 1 person (tax included)
3. Enjoy bamboo lights in an extraordinary space while being healed by your own source, Yosakoi Onsen.
At Yosakoi Onsen, a hot spring open-air bath full of openness, we installed bamboo lights that illuminate the bathtub with motifs of Katsura-hama Beach and Cape Muroto-misaki, a scenic spot in Kochi. Gentle light sways around the open-air bath where the statues of Ryoma Sakamoto and Shintaro Nakaoka stand. While entrusting yourself to the hot water of your own source, you can spend a healing time that warms your body and mind in an extraordinary space wrapped in the scent of bamboo and the fluttering of lights.
4. After watching the bamboo lights, enjoy the local gourmet "Nabeyaki Ramen" that warms from the core of the body
During this event, a special dish of Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture, "Nabeyaki Ramen" will be served at a buffet restaurant for a limited time. Combine chicken gara soy sauce-based soup with firm thin noodles and vegetables, and drop the eggs of Kochi's brand chicken "Tosa Giraud" to finish. It is also attractive that you can provide one by one in an iron pot and enjoy the realism of finishing heat with the stove provided on the table. Local ramen with a fragrant aroma and the taste of Tosa spreads, is the perfect cup for winter evenings. After enjoying the illumination, it warms your body that has become a little cold from the core.
Summary of December limited menu "Tosa Giraud Nabeyaki Ramen with Egg"
Period: From December 1 (Mon) to December 30 (Tue), 2025
Time: 17:30 to 21:00 (last order 20:30)
Location: 13F Buffet Restaurant Locavore (Rocaball)
Buffet usage fee: Included in all-inclusive rates
ADULTS 8,000 yen / 6 to 12 years old 6,700 yen / 3 to 5 years old 2,000 yen / 0 to 2 years old free
■About "Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa"
A resort hotel where you can enjoy the view of Tosa Bay behind the Shikoku Mountains. It is located on a hill overlooking Kotogahama and the beautiful Pacific Ocean. It is about 20 minutes by car from Kochi Ryoma Airport and about 1 hour from Kochi city, making it an ideal base for sightseeing in Kochi city. You can enjoy an all-inclusive stay at no additional charge, such as evening buffet, alcohol during dinner, lounge, hot springs and activities.
[Official Website] https://mercure-kochitosa-resortandspa.jp/
[Location] 2995, Nishibunko, Geisei-mura, Aki-gun, Kochi
[Fee] All-inclusive 21,000 yen per night ~ (tax included per person per room for 2 guests)
※Some drinks, activities, etc. are charged. ※There is no lunch.