Yuri-machi – An Australian’s Journey in Rural Japan
Step into rural Akita through the eyes of Valent Lau, an Australian photographer who called Yuri-machi home for three years over 20 years ago. This visual book blends personal stories with stunning photos of rice paddies, snow-covered fields, community shrines, and quiet mountain roads, capturing the essence of a place that shaped him deeply.
From historical houses and the thrill of first snowstorms to teaching English in lively village schools, you’ll see how Yuri-machi evolved during and after his time there. Schools merged as Yurihonjo City was formed, transforming old sites into peaceful memorial parks and wooden toy museums. Festivals filled the air with energy, while welcoming banquets revealed the tight-knit spirit of the community.
Spring brought lush fields and blooming flowers, summer roads wound peacefully through the hills, and winter hushed everything save the river’s steady flow, all under the steady gaze of Mount Chokai. Yuri-machi’s story mirrors rural Japan’s gentle shifts – warm communities adapting with grace to time’s changes.
Perfect for Japan lovers, rural explorers, or anyone curious about authentic small-town living. Over 90 pages of photos and reflections from someone who lived it.
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