Craig Mod Returns — Epic Walks in Japan, The Artwork of Slowness, Digital Detox, Publishing “Unimaginable” Books, and Selecting Magnificence Over Scale (#803)

“I might end each day on these walks, get in mattress, and simply really feel that was the fullest doable approach I might have skilled that day. Given the playing cards dealt to me of at the present time, there was no fuller model of at the present time.”
— Craig Mod

As promised, welcome to spherical 2 with Craig Mod!

Craig Mod is a author, photographer, and walker residing in Tokyo and Kamakura, Japan. He’s the writer of Issues Turn into Different Issues and Kissa by Kissa. He additionally writes the newsletters Roden and Ridgeline and has contributed to The New York Instances, The Atlantic, Wired, and extra. 

He’s walked hundreds of miles throughout Japan, and since 2016, he has been co-running “Stroll and Talks” with Kevin Kelly in varied locations around the globe: the Cotswolds, Northern Thailand, strolling throughout Bali, Southern China, Japan, Spain (Portuguese and French Caminos), and extra. He’s a MacDowell fellow, Virginia Heart for Artistic Arts fellow, and Ragdale fellow.

In 2023 he wrote an impassioned advice of Morioka, Japan, to The New York Instances, prompting the paper to rank the town quantity two (behind London) for “Locations to Go to in 2023,” turning Mod right into a minor superstar. He sat for interviews with some forty or fifty newspapers and TV reveals, making an attempt to clarify the goodness of a metropolis like Morioka to individuals for whom the goodness is so self-evident that it has change into invisible. This complete media dance culminated in his occurring a two-­day stroll round Morioka with one in all Japan’s largest TV stars: the seventy-­nine-­year-old, sunglasses-­sporting Tamori -­san, who was beautiful (and really tiny!). The response—a complete heartfelt reverence for the avuncular Tamori—from individuals on the road (“Good morning, Tamori -­san!,” yelled development staff from atop their scaffolding) made Mod really feel like he was strolling with John Lennon. Mod’s second of superstar was mercifully short-lived. No one acknowledges him anymore when he walks round city.

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Need to hear spherical one in all this dialog with Craig Mod? Pay attention right here as we focus on Craig’s journey from a post-industrial Connecticut city to Japan, recommendation for adults who wish to decide up the Japanese language, weird homestay tales, struggles with spirits of sauce and the supernatural, and rather more.

What was your favourite quote or lesson from this episode? Please let me know within the feedback.

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Web site | Bluesky | Instagram | YouTube | Roden (Month-to-month Publication) | Ridgeline (Weekly Publication)

Books and Written Works

Films and TV Reveals

Individuals

• Wim Wenders: German filmmaker (Good Days, Tokyo-Ga).
• Yasujirō Ozu: Influential Japanese filmmaker identified for quiet household dramas, up to date of Kurosawa.
• Akira Kurosawa: Well-known Japanese filmmaker (Seven Samurai).
• Matsuo Bashō: Most well-known poet of the Edo interval in Japan, identified for haiku and his travelogue Oku no Hosomichi.
• John McBride: Craig Mod’s older mentor, former Monbukagakusho scholar, CEO of Sky TV, tea ceremony knowledgeable, completed walker, fluent in high-level Japanese. Large affect on Craig’s strolling and interplay type.
• Brad Towle: Canadian man on the JET program in Tanabe Metropolis, key determine in selling the Nakahechi path in English.
• Rupert Murdoch: Talked about as founder linked to Sky TV.
• Masayoshi Son: CEO of SoftBank, talked about as an acquaintance of John McBride.
• David Spector: Talked about for example of a gaijin tarento (international superstar) in Japan through the ’90s.
• Kevin Kelly: Author, co-founder of Wired, good friend and strolling companion of Craig Mod (Stroll & Talks). Inspired Craig in varied ventures.
• Dan Rubin: Photographer good friend who walked Kumano Kodo with Craig and co-created a photograph e-book.
• Hugh Howey: Writer (Silo sequence/Wool), walked Kumano Kodo with Craig and Kevin Kelly.
• Anne Lamott: Writer of Hen by Hen.
• Noah Kagan: Good friend of Tim Ferriss, talked about relating to skepticism about chasing scale.
• gray318 (Jon Grey): Designer (identified for Zadie Smith covers) who supplied suggestions to Craig.
• Zadie Smith: Writer whose e-book covers Jon Grey designed.
• Bryan: Craig Mod’s childhood greatest good friend who was murdered; a central determine within the e-book Issues Turn into Different Issues.
• Terry Gross: Host of NPR’s “Contemporary Air,” talked about as a platform typically requiring conventional writer backing.
• Andy Ward: Writer/President of Random Home, editor of George Saunders, concerned in buying Craig’s e-book.
• George Saunders: Writer admired by Craig Mod, edited by Andy Ward.
• Molly Turpin: Craig Mod’s editor at Random Home for Issues Turn into Different Issues.
• Brandon Sanderson: Writer talked about relating to securing particular e-book rights (leather-bound editions).
• Gideon Lewis-Kraus: Author talked about for an article on Korea’s declining birthrate.
• Tamori (Tamori-san): Extraordinarily well-known, long-running Japanese TV superstar who did a strolling particular in Morioka with Craig Mod.
• Neil Strauss: Author, talked about as a consumer of the Freedom software program.
• Jack Kornfield: Meditation instructor and writer who is aware of a factor or two about self-compassion.
• David Mitchell: Writer (Cloud Atlas, and many others.), admired Craig’s e-book Issues Turn into Different Issues and supplied a blurb/e mail.

Locations

• Tokyo: Capital metropolis. Talked about contexts: Shinjuku, Kabukichō, Golden Gai, place to begin for walks, setting for movies.
• Kii Peninsula: Location of Kumano Kodo, Koyasan.
• Koyasan: Shingon Buddhist heart on Kii Peninsula, location of serious graveyard (Okunoin).
• Nara Prefecture: The cradle of Japanese civilization.
• Wakayama Prefecture: Prefecture that invested closely in selling the Nakahechi path.
• Tanabe Metropolis: Metropolis in Wakayama Prefecture concerned in Nakahechi promotion.
• Yamagata: Prefecture containing Dewa Sanzan.
• Dewa Sanzan: Three sacred mountains in Yamagata, identified for syncretism.
• Edo: Former identify for Tokyo.
• Palo Alto: The place Craig lived briefly.
• Pacifica: A spot the place Craig walked with Kevin Kelly.
• Kyoto: Historic metropolis, vacation spot of Nakasendo/Tōkaidō, location of Vipassana retreat Craig attended.
• Saitama, Nagano, Gifu: Prefectures alongside the Nakasendo route.
• Korea: Talked about for its extraordinarily low birthrate.
• Midsize Japanese Cities (from “Tiny Barber Submit Workplace” Tour): Hakodate, Morioka, Sakata, Matsumoto, Tsuruga, Onomichi, Yamaguchi, Karatsu, Kagoshima, Matsuyama.
• Morioka: Metropolis in Iwate Prefecture (Tohoku area), really helpful by Craig, ranked #2 on NYT 52 Locations listing (2023), resulting in media consideration and stroll with Tamori.
• Iwate Prefecture: Location of Morioka.
• Tohoku: Northern area of Japan.
• Sendai, Fukushima: Different cities on the Tohoku Shinkansen line.
• Asheville: US metropolis used as a comparability level for Morioka.
• Yamaguchi Metropolis: Beneficial by Craig, ranked #3 on NYT listing (2024). Incorporates Yuda Onsen (Sansuien Inn). Place to begin for Hagi Ōkan stroll.
• Hagi Metropolis: Vacation spot of Hagi Ōkan stroll.
• Yuda Onsen: Onsen city inside Yamaguchi Metropolis.
• Sansuien Inn: Particular really helpful inn in Yuda Onsen.
• Mount Hiei: Location related to the Marathon Monks.
• Toyama Metropolis: Beneficial by Craig for NYT listing (2025).
• Osaka: Talked about relative to Toyama’s rating, internet hosting Expo.
• Southern China, Thailand, Bali, England (Cotswold Means, Lake District), Spain (Camino de Santiago): Areas of Craig’s walks outdoors Japan, typically with Kevin Kelly.
• Nagasaki (Dejima): Historic buying and selling put up, setting for David Mitchell’s e-book.
• Hiroshima: Metropolis the place David Mitchell lived.

Walks, Routes, and Trails

• Oku no Hosomichi: Well-known path/journey undertaken by Bashō, later walked by John McBride.
• Tōkaidō: Main historic street connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto alongside the coast. Additionally the identify of a Shinkansen line. Walked by John McBride, Craig Mod.
• Shikoku Pilgrimage: Route round Shikoku island, walked by John McBride.
• Kumano Kodo: Community of pilgrimage trails on the Kii Peninsula, UNESCO World Heritage website. Contains particular trails: Kohechi, Nakahechi, Ohechi, Iseji, Omine Okugake Michi.
• Camino de Santiago: Well-known pilgrimage path in Spain, sister path to Kumano Kodo, UNESCO website. Walked by Craig.
• Dewa Sanzan: Pilgrimage route involving three mountains in Yamagata.
• Nakasendo: Main historic inland street connecting Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto by way of the mountains. Walked extensively by Craig.
• Hime Kaidō: “Princess Route,” a detour on the Tōkaidō.
• Hagi Ōkan: Two-day stroll connecting Yamaguchi Metropolis and Hagi Metropolis.
• Wainwright Coast to Coast: Stroll throughout Northern England from the Lake District.
• Cotswold Means: Stroll in England, carried out twice by Craig with Kevin Kelly’s teams.

Establishments, Organizations, Corporations, Software program, and Platforms

• Tokyo Rest room: Public artwork/infrastructure mission in Tokyo, doable inspiration for Good Days.
• Monbukagakusho (MEXT): Japanese Ministry of Training, Tradition, Sports activities, Science and Know-how; supplied scholarships (John McBride was a recipient).
• UNESCO: United Nations Instructional, Scientific and Cultural Group. Designated Kumano Kodo and Camino de Santiago as World Heritage Pilgrimage trails.
• (Japan Change and Educating Program (JET): Program inserting international nationals (typically as English lecturers) in Japan, often outdoors main cities. Brad participated.
• Sky TV: Satellite tv for pc tv community; John McBride was CEO in Japan.
• SoftBank: Japanese multinational conglomerate; John McBride knew CEO Son-san.
• Kickstarter: Crowdfunding platform used for Artwork House Tokyo reprint.
• Apple TV: Streaming platform airing the Silo adaptation.
• Craig Mod Membership Program: Craig’s neighborhood funding his work, mentioned extensively relating to its guidelines and philosophy.
• Wired Journal: Publication that revealed Craig’s essay.
• Freedom (.to): Web site blocking software program utilized by Craig and Neil Strauss.
• Penguin Random Home: Main publishing home that revealed Issues Turn into Different Issues.
• Mack Press: UK-based picture e-book writer talked about for context on typical artwork e-book print runs.
• Ancestry.com: DNA testing and family tree firm the place Craig matched along with his beginning mom.
• 23andMe: DNA testing firm Craig initially used.
• Instagram: Social media platform talked about re: Teemus Picture.
• Teemusphoto.com: Web site really helpful for nighttime Japan pictures.
• YouTube: Video platform.
• Substack: Publication/publishing platform.
• Memberful: Membership software program platform.
• Patreon: Membership/creator funding platform.
• SMS Experiment Software: Customized one-to-many SMS software Craig constructed for his stroll.
• iOS Shortcuts / Siri: Apple options utilized by Craig for voice dictation whereas strolling.
• Shopify: E-commerce platform utilized by Craig for Craigstarter.
• Craigstarter: Craig’s self-built Kickstarter clone.
• Google Translate: Talked about by Tim Ferriss as useful for non-Japanese audio system.

Ideas

• Six-Tatami-Mat Room: A small conventional Japanese room dimension, Craig lived in a single for years. Used as a visible reference by way of Good Days.
• Tatami Mat: Conventional Japanese flooring mat, used traditionally as a unit for room dimension.
• Syncretism: The mixing or coexistence of various religions/beliefs, particularly Shinto and Buddhism in Japan.
• Meiji Restoration: Historic interval (~1868 onward) marking the top of the Shogunate, restoration of imperial rule, modernization, and compelled separation of Shinto and Buddhism.
• Shukubo: The follow of staying in a single day at a Buddhist temple.
• Shogunate / Daimyo: Feudal army authorities / feudal lords in Japan.
• Tea Ceremony (Chanoyu): Conventional Japanese cultural exercise involving the preparation and presentation of matcha; practiced extensively by John McBride.
• Keigo: Japanese well mannered language, involving completely different ranges of respect and humility.
• Gaijin Tarento: Overseas celebrities or personalities featured in Japanese media.
• Craig’s Strolling Guidelines: Craig’s private guidelines for his lengthy walks (no information/social media, domesticate boredom, don’t teleport/distract, say good day, arbitrary picture targets, pre-book logistics).
• Vipassana Retreat: Silent meditation retreat targeted on observing actuality as it’s; Craig attended a 10-day retreat.
• Shugyo: Ascetic non secular coaching, typically involving bodily hardship.
• Yamabushi: Japanese mountain ascetics.
• Bobbing Consciousness: Craig’s time period for the sensation achieved after many days of strolling lengthy distances.
• Sankin-kōtai: Edo-period coverage requiring daimyo to spend alternate years in Edo, necessitating street infrastructure just like the Nakasendo and Tōkaidō.
• Shōshika Mondai: Societal challenge of declining birthrates in Japan.
• Kōreika Shakai: Societal challenge of an ageing inhabitants in Japan.
• Kissaten: Conventional, typically Showa-era, Japanese espresso outlets/cafes.
• Shōwa Period: Interval of Japanese historical past from 1926-1989.
• Pizza Toast: Easy dish typically served in kissaten (toast with tomato sauce, cheese, and many others.).
• Napolitan Spaghetti: Easy pasta dish typically served in kissaten (spaghetti with ketchup-based sauce).
• Product-Market Match (PMF): Enterprise idea relating to a product satisfying market demand.
• Jeffersonian Dinner: Dinner format with a single group dialog, used on the Stroll & Talks.
• Shinto: Indigenous Japanese faith/spirituality.
• Buddhism: Faith practiced broadly in Japan.
• Konbini: Japanese comfort retailer.
• Haiku: Japanese poetic kind related to Bashō.

SHOW NOTES

• [00:00:00] Begin.
• [00:07:25] Greater than a decade of Good Days in a six-tatami mat room.
• [00:10:44] The primary steps of Craig’s enormous walks: exploring Tokyo’s nightlife.
• [00:17:33] Discovering pilgrimage trails with John McBride.
• [00:22:49] What’s so interesting about pilgrimage trails?
• [00:31:25] Studying politeness and language in Japan.
• [00:40:09] An invite from Kevin Kelly.
• [00:41:23] The beginning of a photograph e-book.
• [00:42:50] The large solo walks start.
• [00:43:53] Launching a membership program.
• [00:44:58] The Nakasendō expertise.
• [00:50:01] Craig’s guidelines for strolling.
• [00:51:04] The Vipassana affect.
• [01:00:43] Logistics of strolling in Japan.
• [01:09:03] Depopulation and pizza toast.
• [01:13:42] How Kissa by Kissa got here to be (and its surprising success).
• [01:16:34] Kicking off Craigstarter.
• [01:17:47] The pièce de résistance membership technique.
• [01:18:41] Discovering product-market match.
• [01:19:12] The significance of sustainable scale.
• [01:19:50] Membership neighborhood guidelines.
• [01:27:15] Navigating the publishing world.
• [01:38:37] Selling midsize cities in Japan as a wild and unusual superstar.
• [01:52:50] The financial and cultural results of this promotion.
• [01:54:46] Hidden gems and walks in Japan.
• [01:56:56] Strolling past Japan.
• [01:59:47] Craig was a Mod earlier than you was a mod.
• [02:00:47] How Craig reconnected along with his beginning household.
• [02:19:32] Reflections and future plans.
• [02:23:00] Parting ideas.

MORE CRAIG MOD QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW

“I might end each day on these walks, get in mattress, and simply really feel that was the fullest doable approach I might have skilled that day. Given the playing cards dealt to me of at the present time, there was no fuller model of at the present time.”
— Craig Mod

“I like my scale as a result of it’s sustainable. It offers me complete inventive freedom.”
— Craig Mod

“In the event you spend 30 days doing that bodily exercise each day to that diploma, your physique modifications. You change into what I name a bobbing consciousness. By day 20, 25 on the street the place you’re strolling 20, 30, 40k, your legs are simply so highly effective.”
— Craig Mod

“One of many weirdest issues about being a up to date human is, to begin with, we’re by no means bored as a result of we at all times have this silly Black Mirror slab in our pocket that’s at all times distracting us with another dopamine hit.”
— Craig Mod

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