How charcoal is saving this rural Japanese town (Ami Eldridge of Sumizumi LLC) | Japan Station 190

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Ami Eldridge, the co-founder of Sumizumi LLC, a company in rural Kochi Prefecture trying to revitalize the area through charcoal production.

👉Topics Discussed

• About Ami Eldridge’s efforts to revitalize rural Kochi Prefecture
• About the Niyodo Town and Niyodogawa River area
• About how Sumizumi LLC is using charcoal and akiya (abandoned houses) to revitalize the Niyodogawa area
• The many uses of charcoal
• The intricacies of making charcoal
• About turning akiya (abandoned houses into airbnb
• How many people Ami has gotten to relocate to Niyodogawa
• How people in Niyodogawa are creating new businesses like skate parks, curry shops and tea shops
• How to access the Niyodogawa area
• About the new lie flat overnight bus that runs from Tokyo to Kochi
• How airbnb’s can be used to help revitalize rural communities
• When the best time to visit Niyodogawa is
• What foods to eat in Niyodogawa
• And much more!

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👉Links, Videos, Etc.

For more info on what Ami is doing and Suzmizumi LLC, check out their Instagram page.

• Sumizumi LLC Instagram

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