102. Kagoshima and Sakurajima
Kagoshima is a seaside city in southern Kyushu, best known for its active volcano, Sakurajima. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Kagoshima!
Topics Covered:
History: Yamato and Hayato peoples — Shimazu Tadahisa — Satsuma Domain — Horeki River Incident — Satsuma Rebellion — Saigo Takamori
Attractions: Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration — Shiroyama Park — Reimeikan (History museum) — Kagoshima City Museum of Art — Sengan-en (Garden) — Shoko Shuseikan Museum — Kagoshima City Aquarium — Sakurajima — Kurokami Shrine Gate — Ibusuki Sand Baths
Festivals: Ohara Festival — Maenohama Cosmos Festival — Sogadon no Kasayaki (Umbrella-burning festival) — Kagoshima Ramen Championship — Kajiki Spider Fighting Festival
Food: Sweet potatoes — Imojochu (Sweet potato shochu) — Shirokuma (Shaved ice) — Satsuma-age (Fried fish cake) — Daikon Radish — Satsuma Oranges — Kagoshima Shoyu (soy sauce)
How to get to/around Kagoshima
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
Paul looking out over the grounds of Nanzenji from the top of the entrance gate.
100. The City of Kyoto
Kiyomizu-dera, one of the most popular temples in Kyoto.
Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion.
The moss garden at Gioji Temple in Arashiyama, Kyoto.
Kyoto is a city bursting at the seams with temples, shrines, and history. It served as the capital for over 1,000 years and is the perfect destination for visitors that want to get in touch with the culture of ancient Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Kyoto!
Topics Covered:
History
East: Fushimi Inari Taisha — Tofukuji — Kiyomizu-dera — Hokanji (Yasaka Pagoda) — Kenninji — Keage Incline — Nanzenji — Philosopher’s Path — Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
West (Arashiyama): Kimono Forest at Arashiyama Station — Togetsukyo Bridge — Arashiyama Monkey Park — Tenryuji — Bamboo Grove — Okochi Sanso Villa — Gioji Temple
Central: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) — Nijo Castle — Kyoto Imperial Palace
Other Attractions: Kyoto International Manga Museum — Learn traditional skills — Kyoto Aquarium — Geisha (Miyako Odori) — Kyoto National Museum
Food: Shojin Ryori — Nishiki Market — Matcha — Kaiseki — Sake
How to get to/around Kyoto
Usucha, “thin tea”.
99. The Tea Ceremony
The Japanese tea ceremony is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. This method of preparing and serving matcha involves a set of prescribed movements, a specific setting, and specialized tools, among other important considerations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this ancient art form!
Topics Covered:
History: Lu Yu — Eisai — Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji (Gold/Silver Pavilions) — Murata Juko — Sen no Rikyu
Setting
Attire
Season
Equipment and tools (Chadogu): Bowl (Chawan) — Tea caddy (Chaki) — Tea scoop (Chashaku) — Tea whisk (Chasen) — Cloth (Chakin/Fukusa)
Thick/thin tea (Koicha/Usucha)
Process
Schools
How to get involved: Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony Festival — Yanesen Tourist Information and Cultural Centre — Nadeshiko (Asakusa kimono shop)
Tofukuji’s Kaisando, the “Founder’s Hall”.
98. Tofukuji
The north garden at Tofukuji’s hojo.
Tofukuji is one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto and is one of the city’s most popular temples for tourists. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this historic site and discuss the many things to see and do there!
Topics Covered:
History: Chan Buddhism — Five Mountain System — Meiji Restoration
Main Gate (Sanmon)
Main Hall (Hondo)
Priest’s Living Quarters (Hojo): Mirei Shigemori — Gardens
Tsutenkyo Bridge
Founder’s Hall (Kaisando)
Other Buildings: Former latrine (Tosu) — Meditation Hall (Zendo) — Sub-temples (Funda-In)
How to get there: JR Nara Line — Keihan Main Line — Tofukuji Official Website
A pomeranian/chihuahua mix at a pet shop in Kawagoe.
97. Dogs
Dogs are popular pets in Japan and have been for thousands of years. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about Japan’s six native dog breeds and what role they have played in Japanese culture over the years!
Topics Covered:
History
Dogs in Folklore: Inugami — Hanasaka Jiisan — Hachiko
Dog Culture in Japan
Native Dog Breeds: Shiba Inu — Akita Inu — Hokkaido Inu — Kai Ken — Kishu Ken — Shikoku Ken
Controversy
Dog Cafes: Dog Heart
Intense marbling on a piece of Kobe beef.
96. The City of Kobe
Kobe is a city in the Kansai region that is famous for producing some of the best beef in the world, as well as for its sake tradition and international culture. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about the many things to see and do (and eat) in Kobe!
Topics Covered:
History
Port Area: Kobe Port Tower — Harborland — Renga Soko (19th Century Brick Warehouses) — Gaslight Street — Promena KOBE/Manyo Club
North of the Port: Motomachi Shopping Street — Chinatown (Nankinmachi) — Ikuta Shrine — Kitano-Cho (Old Mansions)
In the Mountains: Arima Onsen — Mt. Rokko (Botanical Garden, Music Box Museum, Rokkosan Pasture) — Mt. Maya (Night View, Hiking, Tenjoji Temple)
Port Island: UCC Coffee Museum — Kobe Science Museum — Kobe Animal Kingdom
Rokko Island: Kobe Fashion Museum — Kobe City Koiso Memorial Museum of Art
Food: Kobe Beef — Sake
How to get to/around Kobe
A shop in Harajuku selling idol merchandise.
Cosmo World, a theme park in Yokohama.
Hiroshima Castle
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
Tokyo as seen from Mori Tower in Roppongi.
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
Halloween in Shibuya, 2016.
The main hall at Sensoji.
Dried wakame seaweed (left) and the same amount of seaweed reconstituted in water (right).
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!
Matsuyama Castle
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