Alex Kerr is a living treasure of knowledge about all things Japan- especially Japanese culture, traditional houses, community development, village life and the arts.
In this talk, Alex shares insights about his latest book which features unknown destination gems in Japan which still retain their traditional charms - called HIDDEN JAPAN.
Alex Kerr has published many iconic books about Japan which are both critical AND full of admiration for a country, people and culture he deeply loves. He has been writing about Japan for over 30 years and this is the latest of a series of books among favorites like Lost Japan and Dogs & Demons. See the talk here on YouTube
(Links below Timestamps)
00:00 Welcome back Alex Kerr
00:15 Dogs & Demons Tourism Prediction
02:40 Standing on shoulders of giants
03:00 author Shirasu Masako
04:30 How did you choose only 10?
05:00 How have your books effected people?
07:30 If you love Japan - get mad to protect it
09:30 What does it take to do projects in Japan?
11:11 Zero-dollar tourism
14:30 Osaka Tourism Expo
15:50 Tourism to rebuild community
18:30 Hurdles to start a guest house
22:40 Akita & BUTOH
26:50 Jomon era connection to Butoh
30:30 Grants & Funding for projects
32:30 Village Japan / Lost Japan
34:20 What's REAL about Japan now?
35:00 Stunning trees in Japan
39:00 Appreciating non-famous spots
40:10 Is Japan small?
42:00 Rice paddy designs
43:10 Rewilding of Japan
45:00 Time to bring back Japan's wolf?
46:20 Kitamae trading ship routes
49:19 Thatched village in Fukushima
50:40 Appeal of thatch roof villages for tourism
52:40 Machiko Thatched houses
53:00 Tottori gems: Chizu & Yazu
56:00 Why are thatch roofs covered in metal?
58:00 Mature tourism interested in rural areas
59:30 Issues of Japan Tourism
1:00:00 Where can I go that can benefit from my visit?
https://www.tuttlepublishing.com/japan/hidden-japan-9784805317518
BGM thanks to Casey Bean of the Beanpod podcast - original singer-songwriter living in Ishikawa - please support his music on Bandcamp by naming your price
