Small introduction/presentation, job or activity, place of birth or country of origin, training or career, place of living

I’m Kira Bella, the Founder and CEO of Kirameki, a regional revitalization and cultural exchange initiative based in Japan. My life has been shaped by various travel and diverse cultures since I was young! I was born in Tanzania, spent my childhood in Australia, and moved to the United States alone at age 15. My father is an American and former UN official, and my mother immigrated from Myanmar to Australia and raised me with Buddhist values. I hold a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Oregon, and just recently completed my Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy at Johns Hopkins University SAIS! I’ve travelled to more than 50 countries, and now reside and operate my business in Kitahiroshima Town, a satoyama countryside community in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. ‍

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‍Tell us about your place of residence, city or region, activity and if or what you like about your hometown?

My residence is in the satoyama/countryside of Kitahiroshima Town, Hiroshima Prefecture. My main activity is running Kirameki, where I work as a "Travel Designer" to connect travelers with local countryside life through programs containing existing inns, visits to artisans, and regional experiences. What I love about my town is the deep sense of community and the extraordinary commitment to preserving traditions, particularly the ancient mythological Shinto performing art of Kagura, as Kitahiroshima has the country's highest concentration of Kagura dance teams. The quiet devotion and respect people have for their surroundings fill daily life with meaning and harmony. I also enjoy my meals with seasonal ingredients each and every month! ‍

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Your must-see addresses near you? (restaurant, market, gallery, museum, not-to-be missed, intimate or secret address, etc.)

‍The truly unmissable things about Kitahiroshima are not just the physical places, but cultural moments and community customs. Witnessing a performance of Kagura, which artistically tells the mythological origins of Japan, is such a beautiful thing to experience here. Also, watching the community-led traditions like the UNESCO World Heritage Mibu no Hanataue rice planting festival, which I was invited to participate in as a rice planting maiden in 2025, offers an unmatched insight into the deep connection Japanese life has to nature and community spirit. ‍

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‍Your favorite places on Earth?

My favorite places in the world are Peru and where I currently live, Kitahiroshima! This is because I love nature and cultural history, and I feel the most happy and wealthy when I feel the love of community and can live sustainably. More broadly, I love the regions across Japan that make up its mythological belt, such as the Chugoku region, Shikoku, and Kyushu, because their ancient traditions have been preserved for hundreds of years! Across the world, anywhere with lush forests and warm smiles is a place that I love! ‍

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Do you think it is important to travel and why?

Travel is fundamentally important because it builds the foundation for international understanding and a sense of diversity. It is the most direct way to expand your curiosity and search for purpose in the world. Through my own travels to over 50 countries, I learned that life becomes meaningful through cultural experiences and human connection. Travel must be intentional, not just observing, but truly engaging with the world to create a richer life.

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What do you think about the future of travel and what we (citizens) need to consider?

The future of travel must embrace sustainability and intentionality. Citizens must consider the direct impact of their spending, ensuring the money circulates right back into the local community to support communities and the preservation of culture, a core ethical philosophy of Kirameki. We need to bring a mindset of openness and respect, slowing down our pace to understand the rhythms of local life. The true beauty of travel reveals itself when you move past being an observer and become an active participant. Some of the best experiences of my life came from my integration into communities and developing my character with the beautiful cultures and experiences I was surrounded by. I believe by becoming mosaics of the experiences that have shaped us, it’s a way for us to be multidimensional, compassionate, and interesting people. ‍

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What would you advise?

I advise adopting an entrepreneurial spirit: "start for now, adjust while running." Waiting for perfect preparation means the opportunity may disappear. Trust what you build with your own hands. Find your own definition of true wealth, which comes from being deeply loved by your community, living sustainably, and focusing your efforts. Rather than trying to fix the entire world, start by making the area within your own reach a little bit better, step by step. ‍

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As a woman, how do you judge the future of our land or our societies?

I believe the future of our societies depends on fostering a stronger sense of belonging and community. I am cautiously optimistic, focusing my energy on the local level to radiate good things outwards. The values I see here, such as the Japanese spirit of ganbare (doing your best), pride in effort, and attention to detail, are important models for the future. When people care about preserving their culture and supporting one another, as they do in the countryside, it creates harmony that can be felt, and that is a crucial element for a sustainable future. ‍

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How do you think you can contribute to it? Women who stand out to you?

I contribute by using my global background as a "bridge" to highlight the immense value of traditional Japanese communities to the wider world. By founding Kirameki, I am showing that belonging is not only about where you come from, but how you choose to show up and contribute. This work provides a tangible, ethical model for economic revitalization that is more direct than the institutional path I once pursued. The woman who stands out to me most is my mother. As the first in her family to immigrate from Myanmar into an English-speaking country, her curiosity and bravery about the world profoundly shaped my upbringing, teaching me that life should revolve around global and cultural experiences. ‍

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What would be your travel dream?

‍My travel dream is to continue my work connecting travelers with the lesser-known, authentic sides of Japan. This includes exploring and developing programs in the other traditional and mythological regions I love, such as Shikoku and Kyushu, to reveal a side of the country few people ever see. I also would love to engage in revitalization work in places like Myanmar which has so much beautiful history, but is largely untouched, as well as the depopulating countryside regions across the world, as I believe they showcase the most important lessons we should learn on earth!