Alex Kerr is an unlikely hero and defender of Japanese culture. His knowledge and love for the traditional aesthetics and building techniques of pre-modern and early modern Japan come through deeply in his work to preserve these houses.
When he starts doing the property tour at 16:00 I discovered my retirement plan. I could happily spend the rest of my days maintaining that house and getting to know every ridge and valley of that beautiful landscape.
This is a man who has done something in Japan, might not be big on a grander scale but when you interact with it in person, or through this video, you can't help but think this is significant (in a cultural and historical sense)
Alex Kerr is someone worth spending some time on and with. I appreciate his philosophy in restoring the houses--honoring the bones but creating modern living spaces inside and out. Thanks, Jaya, for sharing these videos!
It blows my mind how old these houses are, yet when they are sensitively resto-modded, they are completely usable for the 21st century. I love how there's a reverence for the traditional craftsmanship along with an attitude that these houses are not museums but homes for living in. The subtle detail in the Taisho home is wonderful. It really makes you look at soulless modern "architecture" and realize that the 21st century abominations aren't homes, they're containers for people. Mr. Kerr has a love and passion for the traditional architecture that is contagious. It makes me a bit sad to realize that at least some of the traditional techniques are being lost to the current generations. Thank you for this tour of beautiful homes in fantastic locations. I could (and probably will) watch this over and over again.
Absolutely love the video. The view from the sitting room in the last one is just incredible. I am so excited for when Japan opens up again. I really want to spend a few days in a small village like this.
All this videos made me want to live in a house like that. I feel that it's like to live inside an giant living art work and to be connected with nature and this speaks very much to me. Thank you for doing this videos and for bringing this type of art and way of living to me. I was born and lived and I live until this day in Brazil and this is amazing to me. Thank you so very much. ❤️🙏🏼✨
I could listen to Alex Kerr doing ASMR. The amount of knowledge of Japanese culture he has. He knows more than the average Japanese person. Just impressive. The zen he ouzes ...
Outstanding, as always when Alex does something. I stayed two nights at the Iriya Valley house in Shikoku. And read his two books. Alex, you’re amazing !!
Le case sono molto interessante per versione storiche anche disegno moderno che restaurato da Alex, una alta libello della scerta visione !! mi piace tutto e guardando si calma i nervi !!
Excellent Video, Jaya! Absolutely love the content you create, perfect as usual. Keep it up! And thank you for documenting your experiences. Alex Kerr is now someone else I will follow very closely as he is doing what I have dreamed of doing. Just a matter of time before I can do the same, once Japan opens up of course.
Marvelous and beautiful guest houses exuding calmness and tranquility. Thanks for bringing them to our awareness for those communities. .. Cheers to you. ..
You can tell there is a lot of love going into this man's work. The houses are delicious. Are these his property to rent or do they belong to the local council to rent? I'm curious because they would be a good source of income to the town or city. Maybe more of the abandoned villages could be refurbished for remote workers, artisans, etc.? Your vidiography is perfect, the music is just right. Thank you for all your hard work.
Thank you - some of the houses are owned by the local council and some by the original owners, so you are definitely right in that it's a source of income for the local council in some cases. There is a town in Shikoku called Kamiyama (Tokushima) that is doing what you've suggested in regards to remote workers and artisans.
these videos of yours always cheer me up, I would love to stay in one of the houses in the mountain, although it seems you have to go by car. and since I come from a country with right traffic I am not sure that is possible :/ keep up the good work. big fan of all your videos! cheers!
hi i know i am coming late, but are you still in contact with Mr ALEX KERR i would like to know the architect he work with or the contractor , all the houses are amazing!! as i am planing to have an akyia house since i can't do the renovation with my own hand , i will need help . Thank you in advance for response
Oh shit, Alex Kerr! After reading Dogs and Demons in college, he helped me realize how Japan is just as dirty and gross as any country out there. I feel embarrassed to say I was one of those Japan fan boys back then. I read it while living in Japan and it gave me a fuller view of the country overall which I am grateful for.
The houses are beautiful but I don't like them putting different parts from different places to other houses like those beautiful tiles. I don't see any western about Taisho, though...
Not sure if possible, but the video feels claustrophobic. If you don't already have a wide angle lens, consider one as it may help give people a better view of the houses when you tour them.
@@PredictableEnigma But I'm not talking about the home itself. The field of view of the lens feels zoomed in like looking at something close by with binoculars. It's disorientating and a wide angle lens can help with that.
Alex Kerr is an unlikely hero and defender of Japanese culture. His knowledge and love for the traditional aesthetics and building techniques of pre-modern and early modern Japan come through deeply in his work to preserve these houses.
When he starts doing the property tour at 16:00 I discovered my retirement plan. I could happily spend the rest of my days maintaining that house and getting to know every ridge and valley of that beautiful landscape.
I love that they've managed to keep the original style but made these houses suitable for modern comfortable living.
This is a man who has done something in Japan, might not be big on a grander scale but when you interact with it in person, or through this video, you can't help but think this is significant (in a cultural and historical sense)
Very true!
Alex Kerr is someone worth spending some time on and with. I appreciate his philosophy in restoring the houses--honoring the bones but creating modern living spaces inside and out. Thanks, Jaya, for sharing these videos!
No worries, thanks for watching!
I love this video, so much information. It will be interesting to see how you will incorporate some of Alex Kerr's features into your own home.
It blows my mind how old these houses are, yet when they are sensitively resto-modded, they are completely usable for the 21st century.
I love how there's a reverence for the traditional craftsmanship along with an attitude that these houses are not museums but homes for living in.
The subtle detail in the Taisho home is wonderful.
It really makes you look at soulless modern "architecture" and realize that the 21st century abominations aren't homes, they're containers for people.
Mr. Kerr has a love and passion for the traditional architecture that is contagious.
It makes me a bit sad to realize that at least some of the traditional techniques are being lost to the current generations.
Thank you for this tour of beautiful homes in fantastic locations. I could (and probably will) watch this over and over again.
Thanks Michael. Hopefully as more of these homes are restored there will be sufficient demand for skills and the professions maintained.
@@TokyoLlamaPlus I'm really pleased to see you do your part to promote the preservation and resto-modding of these beautiful places.
Alex married the aesthetic with the practical of modern living..brilliant! He’s gifted indeed.
This showed off some really aesthetic design! Good watch.
Man it was really Maspered.. Amazing stuff 👏
You know it's an old house when you have a post in the middle of your kitchen. Beaut. 👍
Absolutely love the video. The view from the sitting room in the last one is just incredible. I am so excited for when Japan opens up again. I really want to spend a few days in a small village like this.
Thank you! Yes, the views are magnificent, whether inside or outside. Hopefully Japan opens up soon!
awesome work, our whole house uses double pain glass, pull down curtains, and heavy drapes for the windows, works for cold and heat.
Double pane glass is a must to make it comfortable to live or stay up there.
"Party House" - great place to cut a scene. Also, the houses are beautiful.
Feels like he's preserving history, not just modernizing abandoned places.
u wanna live in a energy wasting uncomfy museum? u do this nonsense only foreigner do in japan
Japanese astatic is always so relaxing to me
Yes, these houses are very relaxing to be in.
amazing sole of the place is amazing
Both houses are beautiful, but the scenery from the 2nd house is jaw-dropping. I feel like this is now a bucket list place to stay!
Yes, agree the second one would be amazing to stay at, especially sitting on those chairs looking out on the view.
All this videos made me want to live in a house like that. I feel that it's like to live inside an giant living art work and to be connected with nature and this speaks very much to me. Thank you for doing this videos and for bringing this type of art and way of living to me. I was born and lived and I live until this day in Brazil and this is amazing to me. Thank you so very much. ❤️🙏🏼✨
No worries. Happy to hear it!
It’s so great that some people are working to preserve these beautiful buildings!
I could listen to Alex Kerr doing ASMR. The amount of knowledge of Japanese culture he has. He knows more than the average Japanese person. Just impressive. The zen he ouzes ...
Aaahhh ! Exposed beams and ceilings ! The walls upstairs remind me of how you finished your house ! Beautiful, and very Zen !
Yes, need to show off those beams!
this gentleman gets the best of interior design that brings zen out from old japanese houses. simply stunning.
Wow, just wow.
wow! I love books he wrote! It would be so nice to spend some time with such a great author!
The houses are just so special. The thatched roof! Oh wow and the view
My god, these houses are so gorgeous
Oh Tokyo simple beautiful and simplicity at it's finest!
Thank you once again!
No worries!
Outstanding, as always when Alex does something. I stayed two nights at the Iriya Valley house in Shikoku. And read his two books. Alex, you’re amazing !!
Like the bathroom of the second house and the views in the third house ..
They were all great. I think the 2nd house was my favourite but I loved the views (and the sofa) of the last house.
Le case sono molto interessante per versione storiche anche disegno moderno che restaurato da Alex, una alta libello della scerta visione !! mi piace tutto e guardando si calma i nervi !!
The houses are so beautiful. You get a wonderful sense of peace just watching the video. You have done a great job with the video.
Thank you!
thanks again for a wonderful video with the inspiration of Alex Kerr and his shared love of traditional Japanese domestic architecture.
No worries, glad you liked it.
Excellent Video, Jaya!
Absolutely love the content you create, perfect as usual. Keep it up! And thank you for documenting your experiences. Alex Kerr is now someone else I will follow very closely as he is doing what I have dreamed of doing. Just a matter of time before I can do the same, once Japan opens up of course.
Thank you. Good luck - hope Japan opens up soon and you can get started finally!
Thanks for sharing this, Jaya. I love seeing this stuff.
No worries, glad to hear it!
oh man I wanna stay at that last one.
If only there was a rainy day ASMR video in that house
Beautiful houses. ありがとうございます
WOW. These are exquisite. Wonderful restoration!
Thanks for posting this. Seeing the houses in more detail is really appreciated.
You’re welcome!
Great video once again, 🙌 This guy showing you round, has he wrote any books I wonder on the subject. ?
Thanks, yes, there’s a list of some of the books he’s written in the description.
Your last film about these homes inspired me to buy Alex's book. What an interesting person! Excellent content, thank you.
You’re welcome!
Thank you very much for this video. I have watched the video with Alex and Iya Valley about 10 times. Greetings from Scotland. THANKS!!!!! ;-)
Awesome. Thanks so much - very happy that you’ve enjoyed it.
Marvelous and beautiful guest houses exuding calmness and tranquility. Thanks for bringing them to our awareness for those communities. .. Cheers to you. ..
Thank you!
You can tell there is a lot of love going into this man's work. The houses are delicious.
Are these his property to rent or do they belong to the local council to rent? I'm curious because they would be a good source of income to the town or city. Maybe more of the abandoned villages could be refurbished for remote workers, artisans, etc.? Your vidiography is perfect, the music is just right. Thank you for all your hard work.
Thank you - some of the houses are owned by the local council and some by the original owners, so you are definitely right in that it's a source of income for the local council in some cases. There is a town in Shikoku called Kamiyama (Tokushima) that is doing what you've suggested in regards to remote workers and artisans.
Thnak you I love this video!
Wow... thanks for vlogging this 👏
You’re welcome!
beautiful house ♥️
these videos of yours always cheer me up, I would love to stay in one of the houses in the mountain, although it seems you have to go by car. and since I come from a country with right traffic I am not sure that is possible :/
keep up the good work. big fan of all your videos!
cheers!
Thank you - don’t worry about the right hand driving, it’s all one lane there! 😁
hi i know i am coming late, but are you still in contact with Mr ALEX KERR i would like to know the architect he work with or the contractor , all the houses are amazing!! as i am planing to have an akyia house since i can't do the renovation with my own hand , i will need help . Thank you in advance for response
Please share where I can buy Isamu Noguchi's Akari lanterns. Do they have a store in Japan or do I have to order them online? Thank you in advance.
You can get them online or at store e.g. akari-ozeki.com
why would you hide such beautiful woodwork ,thnx for sharing this with us TL
No worries!
Fix up the old and add touches of modern standard living, that's the best
👌
are these houses can be rented? where and how to rent?
Yes, go to the chiiori-alliance.jp page and towards the bottom there are links to the houses and rental booking pages.
👍
😍😍😍😍😍
💕
Are you selling this houses?
No
😀
🆒👍🏻
Oh shit, Alex Kerr! After reading Dogs and Demons in college, he helped me realize how Japan is just as dirty and gross as any country out there. I feel embarrassed to say I was one of those Japan fan boys back then. I read it while living in Japan and it gave me a fuller view of the country overall which I am grateful for.
The houses are beautiful but I don't like them putting different parts from different places to other houses like those beautiful tiles. I don't see any western about Taisho, though...
Not sure if possible, but the video feels claustrophobic. If you don't already have a wide angle lens, consider one as it may help give people a better view of the houses when you tour them.
I would like to upgrade my equipment but just got lots of things with the house that I need to buy first! Appreciate the feedback.
I find homes like this are rather closed in and cozy, not a wide open concept
@@PredictableEnigma But I'm not talking about the home itself. The field of view of the lens feels zoomed in like looking at something close by with binoculars. It's disorientating and a wide angle lens can help with that.
this house is cold asf in winter and hot and humid in summer...
I disagree with Alex tho, I think tatami rooms can feel very homey and welcoming, but the big windows and glass doors certainly helps!
Yes, those windows and the light would make any room welcoming!
Faaak Dude What a view.
com4alg