94. Amusement Parks

Japan is home to hundreds of amusement parks and theme parks, many of which offer experiences that can’t be had anywhere else. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the most popular and unusual parks in the country!

93. The Chugoku Region

The Chugoku region is located on the westernmost part of Honshu, Japan’s largest main island. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to see and do there!

Topics Covered:

• Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park — Shukkeien (Garden) — Hiroshima Castle — Hondori Street — Okonomiyaki Village

• Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine — Momijidani Park

• Fukuyama: Shinshoji Temple — Tomonoura Port — Fukuyama Castle

• Onomichi: Shimanami Kaido (Bicycle trail) — Temple Walk — Kousanji Temple

• Okayama: Korakuen (Garden) — Okayama Castle — Kurashiki — Kojima Jeans Street — Takahashi — Matsuyama Castle — Inujima Island

• Tottori: Sand Dunes

• Misasa: Onsen — Showa Street — NageireDou Temple

• Mt. Daisen: Daisenji Temple — Ogamiyama Shrine

• Matsue: Adachi Museum of Art — Matsue Castle — Samurai District — Lafcadio Hearn Former Residence

• Izumo: Izumo Taisha — Shimane Museum of Ancient Izumo

• Iwami Ginzan: Silver Mine — Omori Town — Yunotsu Onsen

• Tsuwano: Old Town — Taikodani Inari Shrine

• Yamaguchi: Rurikoji Temple — Jyoeiji Temple

• Shimonoseki: Karato Market — Kaikyokan Aquarium — Kanmon Bridge — Hinoyama Park

• Iwakuni: Kintaikyo Bridge — Iwakuni Castle — Hagi (Former castle town)

• Mine: Akiyoshidai Quasi-National Park — Akiyoshido Cave

• How to get to/around the Chugoku Region

92. Yakuza

Yakuza are members of organized crime syndicates that have been active in Japan for hundreds of years. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the dark underbelly of Japanese society!

91. Sake

Sake, or nihonshu, is a rice-based alcoholic beverage that has been enjoyed in Japan for over a millennium. Join Jason and Paul as they learn all about how sake is made, its cultural significance, and just what makes it so delicious!

90. Flower Arranging (Ikebana)

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, is considered to be one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. Join Jason and Paul as they learn all about the techniques and styles of this ancient practice!

89. Tokyo

Tokyo is the world’s biggest metropolis, the capital of Japan, and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this megacity and discuss the many things to see and do there!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Shinjuku: Kabukicho — Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden — Golden Gai — Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

• Shibuya: Shibuya Crossing — Hachiko Statue — Shibuya 109 — Shibuya Scramble Square — Meiji Jingu — Yoyogi Park

• Akihabara: Chuo Dori — Maid Cafes — Electronics — Arcades — 2k540

• Asakusa: Sensoji Temple — Kappabashi Dougu-gai — Sumida Park — Skytree

• Harajuku: Takeshita Street — Daiso (100 yen shop) — Pure Blue Japan (Denim shop)

• Shimbashi: Kagaya

• Roppongi: Roppongi Hills — Mori Tower — Mori Art Museum — The National Art Center Tokyo

• Ginza: Wako Clock Tower

• Kichijoji: Inokashira Park — Ghibli Museum

• Ueno: Ueno Park (Zoo, Tokyo National Museum) — Ameyayokocho (Hinoya, Americaya)

• Ikebukuro: Sunshine City

• Tsukiji: Retail Market

• Odaiba: Gundam — Rainbow Bridge — Toyota MegaWeb — Tokyo Big Sight —  teamLab Borderless — Aqua City (Ramen Theme Park)

• How to get around Tokyo: Suica — JR Pass — Hyperdia — Google Maps

88. Halloween Special - Stories and Studies of Strange Things

Welcome to the Halloween Special! Join Jason and Paul as they share some old Japanese ghost stories from Lafcadio Hearn’s “Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things”, published in 1904.

87. Sensoji Temple

Kaminarimon gate, at the entrance to the temple grounds.

The Sensoji Kannon Temple in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest temple and an extremely popular tourist destination. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about this beautiful and historic spiritual site!

86. Seaweed

Nori (left) is a type of seaweed often used in sushi or ramen, and when shredded it is called kizami nori (right) which is used as a garnish for things like noodles and rice bowls.

Umi budo, or “sea grapes”, popular in Okinawa.

Various types of seaweed are used in all sorts of Japanese foods, from sushi to soups to okonomiyaki to desserts. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about this versatile ingredient!

85. Bullet Trains (Shinkansen)

Japan’s bullet trains are famous around the world for their speed, efficiency, and masterful engineering. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what makes the Shinkansen so amazing!

84. The Shikoku Region

Ritsurin Garden

Sanuki Udon

Shikoku is one of the main islands of Japan and has a unique history, beautiful natural scenery, and a traditional feel. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the Shikoku region of Japan!

Topics Covered:

• Shikoku Pilgrimage

• History

• Tokushima Prefecture: Naruto Whirlpools — Iya Valley (Vine bridges) — Anan Coast — Awa Odori Festival — Nagoro (Doll village) — Sobagome Zosui

• Kagawa Prefecture: Naoshima (Art island) — Shikoku Village — Konpira Shrine — Ritsurin Garden — Ogijima — Sanuki Udon

• Ehime Prefecture: Shimanami Kaido (Biking trail) — Dogo Onsen — Matsuyama Castle — Uwajima Castle — Mount Ishizuchi — Uwajima Gaiya Matsuri — Uchiko (Kamihaga Residence, Yokaichi Old Town) — Goshiki Somen

• Kochi Prefecture: Kochi City Market — Kochi Castle — Yoshino River — Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum — Kitagawa (Monet’s Garden) — Yosakoi Festival — Katsuo Tataki

• How to get to/around the Shikoku Region

83. Masks

Masks have a long history in Japan and are used in everything from festivals to traditional theatre. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many different types of Japanese masks!

82. Miso

Miso is a fermented soybean paste that has played an important role in Japanese cuisine for hundreds of years. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history, production, and uses of this delicious and healthy food!

81. Karaoke

Karaoke originated in Japan and has become a hugely popular pastime. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history of karaoke and the reasons that its popularity has spread all over the world!

80. The City of Nikko

Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai

Edo Wonderland

Nikko is a popular tourist destination for domestic and international tourists due to its natural beauty, important temples and shrines, and relaxing onsen. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this historic city!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Shinkyo Bridge

• Rinnoji Temple

• Toshogu Shrine

• Futarasan Shrine

• Taiyuin (Mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu)

• Tamozawa Imperial Villa

• Kanmangafuchi Abyss

• Okunikko Region: Lake Chuzenji — Kegon Falls — Senjogahara Hiking Course

• Imaichi: Watanabe Sahei Shoten — Cedar Avenue

• Kinugawa Onsen

• Theme Parks: Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura — Tobu World Square

• Food

• How to get to/around Nikko

79. Working and Studying in Japan

Japan is a great place to visit as a tourist but there are also other ways to visit if you’d like to stay for an extended period of time. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss various ways to work or study in Japan!

78. Whisky

Japan built its whisky industry based on techniques imported from Scotland and they now produce some of the most sought-after whisky in the world. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the delicious world of Japanese whisky!

77. More Folklore

Ancient Japanese folktales can help provide insight into Japan’s philosophies and culture. Join Jason and Paul as they share and discuss two popular stories that have been passed down through the centuries!

76. Robots

Japan is a world leader in the development of robotics and artificial intelligence. Join Jason and Paul as they learn how these innovative technologies could change the future of Japanese society!

75. The Chubu Region

The peak of Mount Fuji as seen from the 5th station (about halfway up the mountain).

The Japanese Alps, a series of mountain ranges that divide the Chubu region’s two distinct climatic zones.

A small alley in Kanazawa’s Higashi Chayagai, a historic entertainment district with traditional teahouses where geisha perform.

The Chubu region is located in central Honshu between the Kanto and Kansai regions. It is characterized by rugged mountains and also contains an important symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the amazing things to see and do in this oft-overlooked region of Japan!

Topics Covered:

• History: Tokaido Trail — Nakasendo Trail

• Aichi Prefecture: Nagoya Castle — Inuyama Castle — Atsuta Jingu — Tokugawa Art Museum — SCMaglev and Railway Park — Toyota Kaikan Museum — Nagashima Resort — Atera-no-Nanataki Falls — Miso Nikomi Udon — Gohei Mochi

• Shizuoka Prefecture: World Tea Museum — Kunozan Toshogu Shrine — Kakegawa — Mt. Fuji — Izu Peninsula

• Gifu Prefecture: Gifu Castle — Shirakawa-go — Takayama — Ukai Fishing — Gujo-Hachiman — Furukawa

• Niigata Prefecture: Koshihikari Rice — Ponshukan Sake Museum — Yuzawa — Sado Island

• Yamanashi Prefecture: Kofu — Fuji Five Lakes — Fuji-Q Highland — Shosenkyo Gorge

• Nagano Prefecture: Zenkoji Temple — Myoko Togakushi Renzan National Park — Togakure Ninja School — Chibiko Ninja Mura — Matsumoto Castle — Daio Wasabi Farm — Jigokudani Monkey Park — Kiso Valley

• Fukui Prefecture: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum — Eiheiji Temple — Tojinbo

• Ishikawa Prefecture: Kanazawa — Geisha Evenings in Kanazawa — Kenrokuen Garden — Myoryuji (Ninjadera) — Noto Peninsula — Kaga Onsen 

• Toyama Prefecture: Toyama Castle — Toyama Municipal Folkcraft Village — Ikeda Yasubei Shoten — Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Toyama Bay (Firefly Squid)

• How to get to/around the Chubu Region