[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 local specialties ~| 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 on the back of the Shikoku Mountains (Location: Geisei Village, Aki-gun, Kochi Prefecture; General Manager: Mion Sawa) will hold an annual illumination event in Geisei Village, Kochi Prefecture. Utilizing bamboo, a local resource, about 100 bamboo light objects made with the cooperation of the local people wrap the hot spring open-air bath 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 using traditional manufacturing methods, and sake carefully selected from 12 sake breweries in the prefecture, so you can relax even in cold winter You can also enjoy the unique taste of the local area.
Background of the project
Geisei Village, Kochi Prefecture, where our hotel is located, is an area where Japanese paper-based greenhouse horticulture was flourished using bamboo as a framework. At present, the steel structure is becoming more steel, and with the decrease in demand for bamboo, "bamboo harm (* 1)" has become an issue. As of the end of March 2022, the area of bamboo forest across Japan was approximately 175,000 hectares (*2). It is said that neglected bamboo forests occupy about two-thirds of them, and the problem is expanding nationwide. Against this background, the Geiseimura / Take Akari Executive Committee will hold an illumination event that makes the most of the 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 manually from cutting to processing bamboo forests. In order to encourage more customers to enjoy this fantastic bamboo light, the hotel has been exhibiting for a period of reuse since 2021 at the suggestion of Geisei Village. This year, bamboo lights will be installed not only on the poolside display, but also on the open-air bath of our hotel, so you can enjoy the hot spring relaxing 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, and the intrusion of bamboo into satoyama forests and the decrease in the diversity of plant species. (Reference: “Towards Utilization of Bamboo” Report, Forestry Agency website)
＊See 2: Forestry Agency: Summary of the status 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)
Organizer: Take 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 bamboo light objects lined up by the hotel poolside, and you can enjoy a fantastic scenery. We use bamboo cut from the forest of Geisei Village, carefully processed by about 200 local junior high school students, hotel staff, and volunteers. The production of bamboo lights is produced by the world's first comprehensive bamboo lighting production group, "CHIKAKEN (Kumamoto Prefecture)". 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 water surface.
2. Offering mitarashi dumplings using local specialty “Shiratama Sugar” and sake from 12 sake breweries in the prefecture
Along with the bamboo light appreciation, we will provide a special mitarashi dumpling using brown sugar "Shiratama Sugar" made by traditional manufacturing methods in Geisei Village. Geisei Village, where the hotel is located, is suitable for sugarcane production in a warm climate and a well drained environment, and the traditional brown sugar making tradition that has been handed down since the Edo period is still handed down. Shiratama sugar has a whitish color than general brown sugar, and it is characterized by the process of carefully selecting the ku, and the mellow and elegant sweetness and good mouth melting without astringency and miscellaneous taste created by craftsmen's manual work. 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), Storren, hot yuzu, and yuzu Sanglia will be prepared to spend a heartwarming time wrapped in soft bamboo lights.
Outline 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.
"Bamboo Light Evening Special Lounge" Business Overview
Period: December 1, 2025 (Mon.) to January 12, 2026 (Mon./holiday)
Time: 18:00～21:00
Price: Accommodation included in all-inclusive rates
Guests other than accommodation from 18:00 to 21:00 500 yen / person (tax included)
From 21:00 to 23:00 2,000 yen / person (tax included)
3. Enjoy bamboo lights in an extraordinary space while being healed by its 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 the motif of Katsura-hama Beach and Cape Muroto-misaki, a scenic spot in Kochi. A 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 "Nabeyaki Ramen" from Susaki City, Kochi Prefecture will be served at a buffet restaurant for a limited time. Combine chicken soy sauce-based soup with fine noodles and vegetables, and drop the eggs of Kochi's proud brand chicken "Tosa Giraud" for finishing. It is also attractive that you can enjoy the realism of serving one by one in an iron pot and finishing the heat with the stove prepared for the table. The local ramen, which spreads the flavor of Tosa along with the fragrant aroma, is perfect for winter evenings. After enjoying the illumination, it warms the body that has become a little cold from the core.
December limited menu "Tosa Giraud Nabeyaki Ramen with Egg" Overview
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 (Locaball)
Buffet usage fee: Accommodation included in all-inclusive rates
ADULTS 8,000 yen / 6-12 years old 6,700 yen / 3-5 years old 2,000 yen / 0-2 years old free
■About "Mercure Kochi Tosa Resort & Spa"
A resort hotel where you can enjoy the view of Tosa Bay on the back of 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
【Price】 All-inclusive 21,000 yen per night (tax included per room for 2 guests)
※Some drinks, activities, etc. are charged. ※There is no lunch.