16. Ghosts and Monsters (Yurei and Yokai)
Paul in Shibuya on Halloween of 2016.
The crowd goes on forever!
Lots of nice costumes.
Police keeping an eye on things.
15. The Japanese Language
Did you know that the Japanese language uses three distinct writing systems? Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history and complexities of the Japanese language!
Topics Covered:
How is the Japanese Language Structured?
History
Writing Systems: Kanji — Hiragana — Katakana — Romaji
How to Learn Japanese
A row of vending machines in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
The moss garden at Gioji, a small temple in Kyoto.
13. Japanese Gardens
Japanese gardens are famous around the world for their ability to convey peace, harmony, and tranquility through the art of landscaping. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the ancient art of Japanese gardening!
Topics Covered:
History
Elements of Japanese Gardens: Water — Stone — Bridges — Fish — Lanterns — Water Basins — Plants — Islands
Aesthetic Principles: Miniaturization — Concealment — Borrowed Scenery — Asymmetry
Geisha performing at Kaikaro, a teahouse in Kanazawa.
12. Geisha
Geisha are symbols of Japanese culture, beauty, and femininity. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the magical "flower and willow world" of geisha!
Topics Covered:
What are Geisha?
History
How to Become a Geisha: Skills/Training — Maiko (Apprentice Geisha) — Appearance
Where to Experience Geisha Culture
A sumo match at a tournament in Fukuoka.
The view of Mount Fuji from the fifth station.
10. Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is a symbol of Japan and is one of the most famous volcanoes in the world. It even ties into the origins of the Shinto religion! Join Jason and Paul as they explore this beloved landmark.
Topics Covered:
Cultural Significance
How to Climb
What to Bring
What Will You See?
Aokigahara (Suicide Forest)
Byodoin, a Buddhist temple in Uji, Japan.
9. Temples and Shrines
Temples and shrines are everywhere in Japan, but did you know that they are two distinct types of structures belonging to different religions? Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the significance of temples and shrines throughout the history of Japan!
Topics Covered:
Buddhism
Shinto
How is Religion Practiced
History
Buddhist Temples: Etiquette — Gardens — Jizo — Cemeteries — Omikuji (Fortune Telling)
Shinto Shrines: Torii Gate — Chozuya (Purification Basin) — Honden (Main Hall) — Ema (Wooden Plaques) — Amulets — Goshuincho (Stamp Book)
A small sample of the types of foods that can be found at Japanese convenience stores.
8. Convenience Stores
Convenience stores in Japan have everything you could ask for! Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the convenience stores of Japan and why they are among the best in the world.
Topics Covered:
Food: Bread — Onigiri (Rice Balls) — Sandwiches — Bento — Instant Noodles — Sushi — Fruits and Veggies — Hot Foods — Snacks — Beverages
Other Products
Services: ATM — Multi-Use Terminal — Free Wifi — Takuhaibin (Delivery Services)
Nigiri sushi from Sushi Bar Yasuda in Tokyo.
7. Food
Japan is known for having incredible cuisine! Join Jason and Paul as they discuss all kinds of Japanese food and where to find it! From fugu to okonomiyaki, there’s something for everyone!
Topics Covered:
Rice
Traditional Food
Tsukemono (Pickles)
Sushi
Noodles: Soba — Udon — Ramen
Okonomiyaki
Bento (Boxed Lunch)
Tofu
Yakitori (Skewered Chicken)
Yakiniku (Grilled Meat)
Curry
Kaiseki
Kobe Beef
Shabu Shabu
Tonkatsu (Pork Cutlet)
Fugu (Pufferfish)
Beverages: Tea — Beer — Sake — Whisky — Wine
Eating Vegan
Where to Eat: Restaurants — Konbini (Convenience Stores) — Izakaya (Pubs) — Tabehodai/Nomihodai (All You Can Eat/Drink) — Fast Food — Fish Markets — Tachinomi (Standing Bars) — Yatai (Food Stalls) — Beer/Sake Breweries — Teishokuya (Diner) — Kaitenzushi (Conveyor Belt Sushi)
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
Kani Doraku, a crab restaurant in Osaka’s Dotonbori area.
3. The Kansai Region
The Kansai region is the second most populated and second most visited area of Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and other amazing cities in Kansai!
Topics Covered:
History
Culture: Food — Sake — Baseball
Kyoto: Culture/Arts/History — Temples/Shrines — Festivals — Fushimi Sake District — Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove/Monkey Park) — Imperial Palace — Nijo Castle — Theatre/Geisha/Tea Ceremony — Philosopher’s Path
Osaka: Food (Okonomiyaki/Takoyaki) — Museums/Theaters/Shopping/Dining — Osaka Castle — Dotonbori — Universal Studios — Cup Noodle Museum — Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan
Nara: Friendly Deer in Nara Park — Todaiji — Kasuga Taisha
Kobe: Kobe Beef — Sake Breweries — Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge — Arima Onsen — Shin-Kobe Ropeway — Kitano
Himeji: Himeji Castle — Kokoen Garden — Temples/Museums/Aquarium
Koyasan: Temple Lodging — Hiking
Ise: Ise Shrines — Ise-Shima National Park
Uji: Byodoin Temple — Green Tea — Taihoan Tea House
Kinosaki: Onsen (Hot Spring Baths)
Yoshino: Cherry Blossoms — Temples/Shrines
Asago: Takeda Castle Ruins
Asuka and Sakurai: Archaeology
Shibuya crossing in Tokyo.
2. The Kanto Region
The Kanto region is the most populated and most visited part of Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the greater Tokyo area and the fun things to do there!
Topics Covered:
What is Kanto?
Kanto Fureai Trail
Tokyo: Harajuku (Fashion) — Akihabara (Electronics/Anime/Manga) — Asakusa (Museums/Temples/Gardens) — Shinjuku/Shibuya (Nightlife) — Odaiba (Malls/Entertainment/Convention Center) — Roppongi Hills (High-End Shopping) — Ueno (Zoo/Ameyokocho)
Yokohama: Maritime Culture — Cup Noodle Museum — Cosmo World — Kirin Beer Factory — Chinatown
Kawasaki: Kanamara Matsuri (Festival of the Steel Phallus) — Kawasaki Daishi — Koreatown — Anata no Warehouse — Nihon Minkaen Open Air Museum — Doraemon Museum
Kamakura: Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) — Beaches/Hiking — Enoshima Island — Enoden (Electric Railway)
Nikko: Toshogu Shrine — Nikko National Park — Edo Wonderland (Theme Park)
Kawagoe: Warehouse District (Historical Architecture) — Matsuri Museum — Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho) — Sweet Potatoes
Hakone: Views of Mt. Fuji — Hot Springs — Odawara Castle — Hakone Checkpoint — Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park
Saitama: Railway Museum — Omiya Bonsai Village — Saitama Super Arena
Chiba: Surfing — Otaku Shops — Tokyo Disneyland — Tokyo DisneySea — Oyumino Fireworks Festival
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
Hosts Jason Nieling (left) and Paul Bresin (right).