Announcement - JR Pass Changes
Changes are coming in October 2023 for the JR Pass. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the changes and their impact on the value of the pass!
Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in the world
114. 2023 Trip Recap (Part 2)
Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu
Namba Yasaka Jinja in Osaka
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their second week of sightseeing!
Topics Covered:
Day 8: Kagoshima (Sengan-en)
Day 9: Sakurajima (Hotel Rainbow Sakurajima)
Day 10: Kagoshima (Museum of the Meiji Restoration, Reimeikan, Cave of Saigo Takamori, Shiroyama Park Observation Deck)
Day 11: Kitakyushu (Kokura Castle, Yasaka Shrine, TOTO Museum, Aru Aru City, Manga Museum)
Day 12: Osaka (Sakuranomiya Park/Shrine, America-mura, Namba Yasaka Jinja, Shinsekai, Shitennoji, Pearls Cafe, teamLab at Nagai Botanical Gardens)
Day 13: Kobe (Port Tower, Nankinmachi, Ikuta Jinja, Kitanocho, Nunobiki Herb Gardens, Nunobiki Falls, Motomachi Shopping Street)
Day 14: Nikko (Yuba, Shinkyo Bridge, Tamozawa Imperial Villa)
Sakura in Onomichi
113. 2023 Trip Recap (Part 1)
Matsuyama Castle
Kosanji, a temple on the Shimanami Kaido
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their first week of sightseeing!
Topics Covered:
Day 1: Flights
Day 2: Onomichi (Temple Walk. Senkoji Park)
Day 3: Shimanami Kaido (Dolce Ice Cream, Kosanji, Hill of Hope, I-Link Hostel & Cafe Shimanami)
Day 4: Shimanami Kaido (Fuu, Michi-no-Eki, Dolphinfarm Shimanami, Sunrise Itoyama) - Matsuyama (Nagasaka)
Day 5: Matsuyama (Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen, Dogo Beer Hall, Dogo Shopping Street, Botchan Karakuri Clock, Isaniwa Shrine)
Day 6: Takamatsu (Ritsurin Garden, Sanuki Udon Ueharaya, Shikoku Village, Omiya Hachiman Shrine, Waraya)
Day 7: Takamatsu Castle Park, Onomichi Temple Walk
110. Miyuki Seguchi (Interview)
Join Jason and Paul as they interview Miyuki Seguchi, licensed travel guide and host of the Japan Experts podcast!
Find Miyuki Seguchi Online:
Grab the FREE Japan Travel Guide: The 7 steps to creating your unique immersive experience
Learn more about her Japan travel program the Japan Travel Essentials
Momiji (Japanese Maple) trees in Koyasan.
106. The Four Seasons
The four seasons in Japan each have their own distinct character, and the impact that seasonal changes have had on the country’s culture over the centuries is apparent in many aspects of their society. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what makes Japan’s four seasons so special!
Topics Covered:
History
Weather
Events/Holidays
Food
Decorative Motifs
“Shojin ryori”, traditional vegetarian (and sometimes vegan) Buddhist cuisine.
103. Visiting Japan with Dietary Restrictions
Topics Covered:
Modern Japanese diet
Food allergies (18:29)
Vegan diet (27:58)
Vegetarian diet (45:22)
Religious dietary restrictions (49:57)
Gluten-free diet (53:36)
Keto diet (1:01:42)
General tips
101. Can I Go To Japan Yet?
Japan has been slow to open up to tourism since the beginning of the pandemic, but things are starting to change. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the current tourism situation as well as recent newsworthy events in Japan!
Topics Covered:
Announcements
Can I go to Japan yet?: Japan Travel subreddit — Japan National Tourism Organization — Kyushu Journeys (travel agency)
Tourism industry
Abe assassination
The idol who married her fan
The man who married Hatsune Miku
Nuclear power in Japan
Listener mail
54. Kyushu Journeys (Interview)
Join Jason and Paul as they speak with Simon and Moo, the owners and operators of a Kyushu-based travel agency called Kyushu Journeys!
Find Kyushu Journeys online:
https://www.facebook.com/kyushujourneys
Okunoin, Japan’s largest cemetery, located in the temple town of Koyasan.
Aharen Beach on Tokashiki Island, Okinawa.
A shinkansen (bullet train) station.
A guest room at a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn).
5. Hotels
Did you know that the oldest hotel in the world is in Japan? Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the different types of accommodations available in Japan! They cover all price ranges and styles: Internet cafes, capsule hotels, hostels, business hotels, luxury hotels, as well as traditional Japanese options like ryokan, minshuku, and shukubo! They even mention love hotels…
Topics Covered:
Manga Cafes/Internet Cafes
Hostels
Capsule Hotels
Business Hotels
Luxury Hotels
Traditional Accommodations: Ryokan (Inn)— Minshuku (Bed and Breakfast) — Shukubo (Temple Lodging)
Love Hotels
How to Book
4. Airports
Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the airports of Japan! This episode focuses on the history of Haneda and Narita airports and what they are like today.
Topics Covered:
Main International Airports: Narita Int’l Airport — Haneda Airport
Regional Airports: Kansai Int’l Airport (Osaka) — Chubu Centrair Int’l Airport (Nagoya) — New Chitose Airport (Sapporo) — Naha Airport (Okinawa) — Fukuoka Airport (Kyushu)
History
Narita Int’l Airport: Transportation to/from (Narita Express, JR Sobu Line, Keisei Skyliner, Keisei Limited Express) — Entertainment — Lodging
Haneda Airport: Entertainment — Lodging
Tips: Getting Through Customs — Security — Leaving the Airport
1. Planning
Have you ever thought about going to Japan? Don’t know where to start? Join Jason and Paul as they discuss all the things to consider when planning a trip to Japan!
Topics Covered:
Time of year
Passport
Booking a flight
Booking hotels
Pocket Wifi (Affiliate link)
JR Pass (Affiliate link)
Events
Restaurants
Money
Language
Etiquette
Packing