Conversations with friends
Conversations with friends
What makes Asia special to them: adventures and tips from interesting people with ties to the region
Yara Akkari, founder of Open Spaces Magazine on JAPAN
We first connected with Yara in Brooklyn at a party celebrating the second issue of her magazine, Open Spaces. Yara has curated Open Spaces to be the perfect blend of art, design, travel and the outdoors. Yara’s mother grew up in Japan which influenced her love of the country that she has now visited countless times. We connected with Yara on combining art and nature in Japan.
You featured an article about slowing down the pace in Okinawa for Issue 4, what drew you to feature the island and what advice do you have for travelers who want to immerse themselves in the outstanding nature the islands have to offer? Okinawa is considered a “Blue Zone” meaning they must hold a secret of longevity! Okinawans repeat a 2,500 years old mantra “Hara Bachi Bu” which reminds them to eat mindfully and stop eating when they are 80% full. In our 4th issue, the photographer, Kate Berry’s travel to Okinawa started when the discovered a wooden airbnb in the south-eastern province of the island. As a result, she spent 4 days discovering the island, biking her way and discovering places, eating a mostly plant based diet and also just relaxing immersing herself in the life of the island.
Did you have any unexpected experiences around art and/or nature you can share with us? I think something I didn’t expect the first time, is to be able to experience the art also at night (or basically at any time of the day). We rarely sleep and eat at the same place where we also contemplate the art, and that’s the case on these islands.
What was it like exploring the Art Islands? I visited Naoshima island twice, I personally was really touched particularly by the Art House project in Honmura district. Going from one house to the other, walking through the Honmura district where everyday life unfolds around us, and we can not only engage with the art but also get a sense of the local community and how local people on the island live.
Within the Seto Inland Sea, where are places for travelers to experience art outside of Naoshima? I recently went to Teshima island, where I took a bike and cycled through the island, discovering the different art sites. I also discovered a local sake making distillery, where they make sake out of grapes! As well as a small coffee shop, where the owner makes her own bread and pastries to go, or enjoy to stay. For me, there is the art on these islands, but also everything else you can do, hiking, eating or just enjoying the beach!
After a day of being in nature and taking in art in Japan, what is your favorite way to relax? I recall having our own little private open air bath at the Roka Hotel in Naoshima. It was honestly the best way to relax, before heading to dinner and enjoying a glass of sake.
What are your favorite accommodations in the Seto Inland Sea? I think although it is known by everyone but there is something special with Bennesse House. Idea of sleeping in a museum, and being able to visit some of their galleries at night, before or after dinner, is magical.
What are your dream experiences that combine art and nature in Japan? Most of them are somehow immersive experiences, which I love. I really enjoyed the Lee Ufan Museum, as well as the Naoshima Bath and finally the “Foret des Murmures” on Teshima island, where you basically just hear the sound of the wind chimes in the forest. Simple yet so powerful experience.
Having been to Japan so many times, where are the places that really stand out to you? I think Kyoto, although can be packed, still holds a lot of magic - from the temples, to the small coffee shops - I enjoy and always discover a new place. Some of my favorites from my last visit was “Stardust” which is a shop and a cafe, and right next to it, there is a florist, that looks more like a flower museum than an actual florist! I was also amazed by the visit of the ceramic artist Kawai Kanjiro’s house. Apart from Kyoto, I think that the city of Kobe really grew on me. I recommend the Onsen called REN, as well as the famous “tool museum”, the Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum. A gem!
Finally, we always ask: what’s your favorite souvenir that you have brought back from Japan? Ceramics and FOOD!! Always Food (omochi, osembe, castella...) :) And a Gin bottle from a distillery we discovered this time in Niseko (OHORO gin), voted one of the best gins. Surprisingly good.
