Yatsubuchi-no-Taki Hike

A few days ago, I hiked the Yatsubuchi-no-Taki hike in the Hira-san mountains north of Kyoto with my friends Paul and Anthony. It's without a doubt the best dayhike near Kyoto. You climb around, through and over a succession of incredible waterfalls.



Here I am climbing above a waterfall. Note Paul way down below:


Here I am relaxing above another waterfall:

Stop the Aquarium Petition

Kyoto citizens are organizing to stop the aquarium that Orix Corporation is building in Kyoto's Umekoji-koen Park. Our reasons for wanting this stopped are as follows:

1) The loss of public green space.
2) It is not suitable for Kyoto's local economy: Kyoto is an inland city with no maritime associations.
3) The plan is environmentally unsound and sends children the wrong message.
4) The decision was made behind closed doors between the city administration and private business. This is public land but public opinion has been ignored.
5) The aquarium will use dolphins from Taiji, where an annual mass-killing of dolphins takes place.

If you believe this aquarium should be stopped, please sign our petition, which can be accessed below:

Hatanaka Geisha Event

Last night, I attended a geisha event at Hatanaka Ryokan in Gion. It was a very nice event. I'd recommend this for anyone who wants to experience geisha entertainment at a reasonable price. The atmosphere is fun and casual.



My friend Paul and I enjoyed chatting with this maiko.


Here is a maiko defeating Paul at a geisha drinking game. I don't think he minded losing, because he got to drink some beer.

A Different Kind of Luxury

I've just finished reading Andy Couturier's A Different Kind of Luxury. Andy lived in Japan for several years, during which time he got to know several Japanese people who had chosen to live alternative lives far outside the Japanese mainstream. He profiles each of them in his new book. These people chose to live low-consumption lives of great self-sufficiency. Most live on rented farmland out in the countryside. While they may be poor in terms of income and ownership of things, they are rich in time and inner wealth (hence the title). Interestingly, most of the people Andy profiles spent some time traveling in India.

For those who imagine that Japan is composed entirely of suit-clad salarymen, this book will be an eye-opener. And anyone who feels that the life of ceaseless work and consumption, against a backdrop of information overload, is not a life fit for human beings, this book is highly recommended. If you like the Nearing's "Living the Good Life," then you'll enjoy this book.

Alex Kerr - Bangkok Found: Reflections on the City

The other day I met with Alex Kerr to discuss his new book, Bangkok Found: Reflections on the City. Readers familiar with Alex will recognize the title as sort of reverse echo of his earlier Lost Japan.

Like many people, I've always consider Japan and Thailand to be radically different, almost direct opposites. However, Alex explained that there are some intriguing similarities between the two countries: "Thailand has an intricately evolved tradition of reigi and saho, just like Japan." So, amid all of the playful sanuk of Thailand, apparently, there is a carefully refined system of manners and behavior that rivals that of Japan in terms of grace and complexity.

Bangkok found is written in thematic essays, much like Lost Japan. This makes it very easy to read and enjoyable. As one reads, one cannot help but marvel at the degree to which Alex has explored his new hometown. For most of us, learning one culture to this degree would be a huge task: Alex has now done this with two. I highly recommend his book - it would make a great book to bring with you to the Land of Smiles.

Kieran's First Swim

We're visiting my parents in Connecticut for a few weeks. The other day, we took Kieran for his first swim in a pond near their house. After some initial shock (the water is a lot colder than his bath), Kieran took to it like a duck to water.

Kyoto Shimbun Article on My Book: 英語ガイド 強い味方 在住米国人らノウハウ本出版

Today, the Kyoto Shimbun ran an article on the book that I wrote recently with my guide, Koko Ijuin. Here's the text of the article:

英語の観光ガイド本を執筆している京都市在住の米国人男性と京都で活躍する女性通訳ガイドが、観光案内に役立つノウハウをまとめた本「プロが教える現場英語通訳ガイドスキル」（三修社）を出版した。初級の英語と日本語で、体験談を交えながら、おもてなしの要点を解説している。
　京都市在住１８年のクリス・ローソンさん（４４）＝左京区＝と通訳ガイドの伊集院幸子さん＝同＝が執筆した。ローソンさんは外国人が旅行をする際に携帯することが多いガイド本「ロンリープラネット」の日本担当記者。京都で通訳ガイドを紹介する会社も経営している。
　著書では自己紹介の仕方など基本から紹介。「この花の英語名は何ですか」と質問された場合、「知りません」だけではなく「調べて答えます」と対応する英文を示すなど、顧客第一主義を貫くことを勧める。
　外国人の質問が多い神道と仏教の違いも英文で説明。また、経験上、伝統的な日本の姿を求める外国人が多いことから、枯れ山水の庭園の紹介も掲載した。伊集院さんは「ガイドは沈黙を恐れないことも大切。特に庭園では静寂の中、ゆっくり心地よく観賞していただきくべき」とアドバイスする。
　また、ローソンさんは「ガイドの仕事は日本の素晴らしさに光を当てること。海外の人が何に興味を持ち、魅了されるか知っておくことが大切」とし、事前準備の大切さを強調する。
　２人は「外国人を迎えることの多い京都の方々に読んでもらい、京都好きの外国人を増やしてほしい」と期待している。病気や疲労、もめごとへの対応といったトラブル解決法など実用的な章もある。Ａ５判、１９２ページ。２３１０円。