The Akiya Project

I’m very excited this week to delve into "Japanese Country Style: Putting New Life Into Old Houses" by the legendary architect Yoshihiro Takishita. Hailing from Gifu Prefecture, Takishita's journey to becoming a legendary figure in minka restoration is truly self-made. Traveling the globe and mastering the English language as a young man, and returned to Japan and embarked on a path to become a self-taught architect and master carpenter. He has since relocated and restored over 30 kominka townhouses

I sit down with Steve Beimel, the visionary behind JapanCraft21, a non-profit organization committed to revitalizing dentou kougei, traditional Japanese master crafts. Steve is also the founder of Espirit Travel and Tours, a company that offers immersive cultural experiences in Japan. He is the publisher of the Kyoto Diary and serves as the editor-in-chief of livingartsjapan.com, a platform dedicated to promoting Japanese arts and crafts. In all, Steve is a passionate advocate for preserving