Alex Kerr

Immerse yourself in the unparalleled beauty and cultural depth of Japan with Another Kyoto, an evocative and definitive exploration of the city’s rich heritage. This meticulously crafted guide is the culmination of Alex Kerr’s fifty years of living in Japan, enriched by insights and stories from a diverse array of individuals he has encountered, including artists, Zen monks, Shinto priests,...

Lost Japan by Alex Kerr is a mesmerising exploration of Japan's rich landscape, culture, history, and the complexities of its future. Originally penned in Japanese, this deeply personal narrative draws on Kerr’s extensive experiences over thirty years, providing an intimate glimpse into many facets of Japanese life that are often hidden from outsiders. The book begins with Kerr's vivid portrayal...

Originally published in Japanese as a call to preserve disappearing facets of Japan's rich and ancient culture, Hidden Japan takes its inspiration from the 1960s classic, Hidden Hamlets by Shirasu Masako. Like Shirasu, Alex Kerr travels to remote and lesser-known places around Japan where pockets of traditional culture can still be found. Some are faraway—like Aogashima Island, 200 miles south...

So rich and unique is traditional Japanese architecture that it's nearly impossible to improve upon. Yet contemporary Japanese designers and architects keep finding fresh approaches to refurbish and take inspiration from the ways of old. Whether it's a pristinely preserved traditional house or a sleek modern apartment, the best Japanese homes share a love of cleverly designed spaces and warm...

An illuminating — and deeply personal — exploration of the essence of Buddhist thought, from the author of Lost Japan. Powerful, mystical and concise, the Heart Sutra is believed to contain the condensed essence of all Buddhist wisdom. This brief poem on emptiness has exerted immense influence throughout Asia since the seventh century and is woven into the fabric of...

The essential book for anyone visiting Bangkok - a wonderful mixture of history and culture - from the author of Lost Japan. One of Asia's most extraordinary cities, Bangkok is also one of the most baffling. It is filled with remarkable people and glittering golden palaces and temples, but is also a maze of concrete and twisting overhead utility wires....