Beautiful Sustainability of Reusing Minka Houses in Rural Japan - Alex Kerr

Alex Kerr is one of Japan's most famous authors, advocates and yes also a critic when he sees problems developing in the country he loves. Alex has long shown his passion for renovating and preserving old Japanese houses in a way that is appealing to both domestic and foreign guests.

00:00
01:08 Minka Summit
02:40 MITATE
05:00 Social Impact
06:30 JOMON era
08:13 IRORI hearth
09:00 Hamlet Views
10:50 Find an Old House in Rural Japan
11:40 KAMI vs SHIMO no hito
13:00 Pulling Old Homes into Modern Age
14:40 Thatch Fanatic
16:00 20~40 year Thatched Roof
18:30 MIYAMA thatch success
20:40 Iya stay vs Bus tourism
23:00 Minka stay without suffering
25:00 New Access to Potential Customers
27:00 Japan's Small House Myth
27:30 Japan Culture Scrap and Build Myth
28:50 Cost of Roof Thatching
29:30 IYA BANCHA tea
31:10 Tofu Caprese MITATE
32:20 Wood vs Tatami Floors
36:30 The Long Table restaurant
37:30 Modern People Comfort
38:40 Modern Japan Toilet Culture
40:30 Eco: Insulation, DoublePane Glass
42:00 Planning Strategy
43:20 Privacy guests needs
44:29 Japan's Sliding Doors
46:20 TATEKU
48:10 Ballpark Minka Renovation Figure
51:10 KOZAI beam salvage
52:20 90% Destroyed
54:40 Sugi wood myth
55:13 10-20 million Akiya
57:00 IYA & Chiiori Destiny
58:00 Minka as Holiday Home

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Transcript & More on InboundAmbassador:

Japan Minka Summit April 22-24

About Alex Kerr's Japanese House Renovation Projects:
Starting with the Chiori Project in Shikoku’s Iya Valley in 1973, Alex has been involved in many stunning renovation projects in Japan which both respect and retain traditional aesthetics while adding modern comforts, always with sustainability in mind.

Chiiori (in Iya Valley, Shikoku)

Tougenkyo Iya

Chiiori Alliance and Trust
Chiiori Alliance is the organization that manages the houses in Iya, as well as those in Kameoka and Utazu (see below).

Youtube videos
Travels in Iya (2021)

Chiiori Intro (2015)

TEDx Kyoto (2013)

TEDx Chiang Mai (2018)
"Rural revival using what’s on hand”

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[seeksustainablejapan]

So wonderful to finally get Alex Kerr on the show SeekSustainbleJapan at long last! So grateful for all of Alex's amazing work in Iya and across Japan remodeling old houses, training and bringing in young entrepreneurs, and appealing to visitors in such a sustainable way that revives these old dying towns.

[aryogono]

Awesome, Joy.. very informative ❤️ Alex is a great Japanologist. I saw him guest on John Daub's livestream around 2 months ago 👍🏽

[kiwiyamabushi]

Love Alex Kerr! I often quote his 日本景観論 when talking about the landscape and how there are so many signs at shrines! When people complain about wind turbines ruining the landscape I am reminded of this book. Trying to get them to change little by little and using Alex’s work as inspiration. Can’t forget Dogs and Demons either :) thanks for all your work Alex and thanks so much for this interview JJ!

[zhu]

Cool history and story. This guy should give me a job so I can move into an akiya over there.

[AlistairAVogan]

Great talk! If you want to buy a minka and are concerned about maintaining it while away, consider installing IoT sensors and a strategically placed dehumidifier (or fan) or two. If you aren’t there during the rainy season, your futons, at the very least, will thank you.

[zhu]

👍 Kamikatsu.. I heard about this town from a zero waste video. (yeeears ago)