Kira Bella: Rural Revitalization and Preserving Japan's Cultural Heritage

Kira Bella (@earthkira), Founder of Kirameki and rural revitalization entrepreneur, joins CREATOR: The Podcast to discuss building a cultural tourism business in the Japanese countryside. In this episode, Kira shares how she went from house-sitting cats and koi fish to becoming the third foreigner in Hiroshima Prefecture to receive a startup visa, including her journey of joining a 2,000-year-old Kagura dance team and performing in a UNESCO World Heritage rice planting festival. Host Ross Borden explores Kira's transition from traveling to 40+ countries to settling in Kita Hiroshima, diving into the challenges of language barriers in rural Japan, the art of gaining community acceptance as an outsider, and her vision for scaling cultural exchange programs across Japan. Kira offers behind-the-scenes insights about navigating Japanese business culture without formal training, plus practical advice on building authentic relationships in traditional communities. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply interested in cultural preservation, this conversation delivers a valuable perspective on creating meaningful tourism that benefits local communities. To learn more about CREATOR: The Podcast, visit creatorthepodcast.com 00:00 - Introduction to Kira Bella  02:08 - How Kira Discovered Rural Japan  03:07 - What is Kira Meki? The Vision and Mission  07:40 - Creating Unique Experiences That Didn't Exist Before  09:08 - Building a Following and Growing the Business  11:38 - From One Program a Month to Viral Success  16:21 - The Town of Kita Hiroshima: Population Decline and Revitalization  19:37 - Getting to Kita Hiroshima: Accessibility and Location  21:28 - Why Hiroshima Prefecture is a Strategic Tourism Hub  23:16 - Learning Japanese Through Immersion  26:19 - Joining a 2000-Year-Old Kagura Dance Team  29:25 - Earning Trust and Acceptance from the Community  32:49 - The Moment Kira Decided to Stay in Japan  34:45 - Navigating the Startup Visa Process  36:42 - What's Next? Scaling Kirameki Across Japan  39:54 - Working with Tourism Boards and Prefectures  41:39 - Travel Tips: Off the Beaten Path in Japan  46:48 - Closing and Where to Find Kirameki

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