Junko Higuchi: Marrying a Monk and Cultural Revival through Adversity in Rural Japan Reference Video: https://youtu.be/74M9TH_PR7o Introduction Can you introduce yourself?My name is Junko Higuchi. I was born and raised in Tokyo but moved to Yamanashi Prefecture after getting married to a monk at 22. I’ve now lived in Yamanashi for over 33 years. What’s your current occupation?I’m in charge of temple stays at Kakurinbo, a historic temple that’s 550 years old. To further promote this unique cultural experience globally, I founded Kakurinshosha, and I currently serve as its president. Inspiration and Adversity What inspired you to start your journey with Kakurinbo and Kakurinshosha?The turning point was being diagnosed with cancer. I was suddenly told I had only two years to live, and it was a huge shock. Initially, I felt hopeless, but that uncertainty sparked a new determination. During my hospital stay, I started making lists of things I wanted to achieve. It gave birth to ideas like the Ebisu-ya Villa project—aimed at revitalizing our local town through gastronomy and cultural experiences. Fortunately, I’ve surpassed those two years and am now energized and motivated more than ever. You’ve mentioned challenges related to gender in your field. Could you elaborate?Absolutely. Traditionally, temples have been difficult places for women to actively participate. When I established my company, some openly said they couldn’t support me because I was a woman, suggesting I should have made my son president instead. Coming from Tokyo during the bubble era, this mindset surprised me. However, I’ve gradually accepted that changing deeply rooted traditions takes time and patience. Life in the rural Japan Reflecting on your journey, what’s your biggest regret?It might sound contradictory, but it’s getting married. My marriage drastically changed my life trajectory from a comfortable Tokyo lifestyle to adapting to a rural, conservative temple environment. Initially, I experienced significant hardships, navigating strict cultural and family rules. But these very difficulties motivated me to push for reform and improvement, ensuring future generations won’t endure the same struggles. Is there a particular Japanese word or philosophy that deeply resonates with you?Yes, “Kaikou.” I discovered this word when questioning my life’s purpose around age 45. “Kaikou” conveys the idea of serendipitous, meaningful encounters – similar to “Ichigo Ichie.” It changed my outlook, motivating me to treat every guest interaction at our temple not just as a job, but as a special, meaningful encounter, akin to welcoming and saying goodbye to relatives. It’s completely transformed my relationship with our guests. Have you experienced cultural shocks in your interactions with international visitors?Yes, many. We regularly host visitors from countries at war alongside those from peaceful regions. It’s sometimes surreal seeing groups from countries in conflict thoroughly enjoying Japanese traditions, temporarily leaving their hardships behind. Such experiences remind me of Japan’s peacefulness and stability, but also highlight global inequalities, creating mixed feelings of gratitude and compassion. Moving forward Any final thoughts or dreams you wish to share?Minobu-san, our mountain, is among Japan’s sacred mountains but remains relatively unknown internationally compared to Hiei or Koya. My dream is to see Minobu-san widely recognized and featured in guidebooks worldwide. Seeing this dream gradually become reality inspires me daily. As long as I have the energy, I’ll continue pursuing this mission.