kochinoya_editor 
你好，讀者們，我是 Valerie。
今年，我在日本高知享受著「不一樣」的假期。其實去年七月我已抵達這裡，並且非常喜歡這裡的生活！
在來到日本之前，我在香港過著相對封閉的生活。對日常生活感到厭倦，又不敢走出舒適圈，我衝動地決定去日本打工度假，並選擇高知作為我的長期住宿地點。
Hello readers, I’m Valerie, helper of Kochi No Ya.
This year, I’m enjoying a different holiday in Kochi, Japan. I arrived last July and have loved my time here!
Before coming to Japan, I lived a sheltered life in Hong Kong. Bored with my daily routine and hesitant to step out of my comfort zone, I impulsively decided to go on a working holiday in Japan and chose Kochi as my long-stay destination.
為什麼選擇安芸和高知? –Why Aki and Kochi?–
香港就像一個迷你東京，熙熙攘攘，人多、壓力重重。我不想在日本感受到相同的能量，因此我避開了像東京和大阪這樣的大城市。相反，我想找一個擁有豐富自然、友善人群和當地文化的地方。所以高知吸引了我。
為了獲得住宿以及一些零用錢，我搜尋提供住宿交換的地方。最終我發現了位於高知安芸市的 Kochi No Ya，因其傳統的日本建築（舊商人的家）它立刻吸引了我，再閱讀了過去的之前在Kochi No Ya員工的經驗後，我知道這裡將成為我的目的地。
Hong Kong feels like a mini Tokyo, bustling with people, skyscrapers, and stress. I didn’t want the same energy in Japan, so I avoided large, convenient cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Instead, I sought a place rich in nature, friendly people, and local culture. Kochi caught my eye, it was not as explored as other prefectures of Japan and being an adventurous soul at heart, I decided to go for it.
Needing accommodation and some funds, I searched for places offering exchanges for lodging. I found Kochi No Ya in Aki, and I was immediately drawn to its traditional Japanese architecture (an old merchant’s home). After reading past helpers’ experiences, I knew this would be my destination.
讓我的假期特別的原因-What Made My Holiday Special?–
因為結識了朋友所以變得這裏生活很特別，我是透過在旅館的工作及舉辦的活動結識了新朋友。當中包括一位很重要的朋友，她是另一位員工，我們兩位都是同時來到Kochi No Ya。我們下班後，通常會一起在共用區談天說笑、嘗試新的素食食譜、或者在當地餐廳用餐。我們最喜歡安芸市的意大利Pieno 的小沙丁魚比薩和咖啡雪糕以及 Sabito Susu 的咖喱套餐。現在這裏越南餐廳 Trang Pho 也是我們的最愛！
此外，我還享受到了許多新經驗，例如在當地的柚子農場（Our Garden）工作，與別人用日語玩塔羅牌，以及參加新年做年糕的派對。這些時刻讓我能夠與當地人和不同的社區互動。我覺得這種互動是最珍貴的。
我也喜歡和其他居住Kochi No Ya旅行者聊天，無論是在他們入住的期間還是每週的酒吧聚會。Bar Country Road 和 Gunjo 是我最喜愛的酒吧，我在那裡結識了很多有趣的人：我通常用英語和簡單日語交流（如有需要，我會使用 Google 翻譯）。
My new life in Aki has been special due to the friends and acquaintances I’ve made through work at the hostel and events held there. One of my closest friends, a fellow helper, arrived around the same time. After work, we like to relax in the lounge, experiment with vegetarian recipes in the kitchen, or dine at local restaurants. We love Pieno’s small sardine pizza (Small sardine known as Shirasu is Aki’s specialty) and their desserts, we love Sabito Susu’s curry plates as well as Trang Pho, the Vietnamese restaurant, is also our favorite!
Additionally, I’ve enjoyed new experiences, such as working at the local Yuzu farm (Our Garden), playing tarot in Japanese at the Relax Fes, trying arabian food at an event held at Aki’s Goto Residence and participating in a New Year mochi-making party. These moments have helped me connect with locals and various communities.
Lastly, I had enjoy chatting with travelers during their stay at the hostel or at weekly bars held at the hostel. My favorites are Bar Country Road and Gunjo, where I’ve met many interesting people, speaking in English and Japanese (if necessary, I use Google Translate).
我在安芸和高知的獨處時間 –My Solo Time in Aki and Kochi–
下班後，我通常會在我的榻榻米房間收剪影片或者在安芸車站的 Jibasan 市場購物。我喜歡他們的當季本地蔬菜，有時還會吃冰淇淋（我希望能試試所有口味；最喜歡的是土佐蛋口味！我也推薦本地烤茄子口味）。每週日有空，我會去安芸教堂參加禮拜，神父和成員們每次都熱情地歡迎我，儘管我日文有限。
如果我不在安芸，我會前往高知觀光，我巳經拜訪了高知城、仁淀藍、桂浜和星期日市場（還有很多地方之後去）
總的來上說，我在 Kochi No Ya、安芸、高知和日本的假期真是太美好了，正如我所期待的那樣「不一樣」的感覺。我希望之後有更多人或香港人來高知旅遊！
When I’m off work, I usually spend time in my tatami room on creative projects or grocery shopping at Jibasan Market near Aki Station. I love their daily local vegetable selection, and I sometimes indulge in ice cream (I aim to try all their flavors; Tosa-Egg is my favorite! Aki Roast Eggplant flavor is also worth trying). On Sundays, I attend services at Aki Church, where the priest and members warmly welcome me, despite my limited Japanese.
If I’m not in Aki, I explore Kochi for sightseeing and it’s delicious food, I had visited Kochi Castle, Niyodo Blue, Katsurahama, and the Sunday Market with my friends!
Overall, my holiday at Kochi No Ya in Aki, Kochi, Japan, has been truly amazing—just as I hoped it would be and I’m so happy to experience the warmth of the people in Aki. They are just like the sun that shines brightly.
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