A quick announcement regarding season 3 of the podcast as well as a reminder about the podcast meetup in Tokyo on April 5th!
Come hang out with with Jason and Paul! All listeners are invited. If you happen to be in Tokyo on April 5th, 2023, stop by for a drink and a chat!
When: April 5th, 2023 at 7:00pm
Where: Hitachino Brewing Lab in Akihabara, Tokyo (Google Maps)(Website)
Join Jason and Paul as they interview Miyuki Seguchi, licensed travel guide and host of the Japan Experts podcast!
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
Samurai armor. Many Japanese martial arts originated with the samurai class as techniques for warfare.
Martial arts have a long history in Japan, and over time they have evolved to integrate philosophical and religious ideas with the physical aspects of warfare. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the wide world of Japanese martial arts!
History
Koryu Bujutsu: Sumo — Jujutsu — Swordsmanship (Kenjutsu, Battojutsu, Iaijutsu) — Naginatajutsu — Sojutsu — Shinobi no Jutsu
Gendai Jutsu: Judo — Kendo — Iaido — Aikido — Kyudo — Karate — Shorinji Kempo
Concepts: Aiki — Kokoro — Courtesy — Kiai — Hard/Soft Methods — Shuhari
2023 Meetup Event: April 5th, 2023 at 7:00pm at Hitachino Brewing Lab in Akihabara, Tokyo (Google Maps)(Website)
Jason and Paul will be in Japan in April and are announcing a meetup event in Tokyo! All listeners are invited. If you happen to be in Tokyo, stop by for a drink and a chat!
When: April 5th, 2023 at 7:00pm
Where: Hitachino Brewing Lab in Akihabara, Tokyo (Google Maps)(Website)
Three of the biggest beer brands in Japan.
Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the world of Japanese beer!
History: Kirin — Sapporo — Asahi — Suntory
How is Beer Made?
Types of Beer in Japan: Happoshu — Daisan no Biiru — Seasonal Beer — Craft Beer
Beer Tasting
Where to Experience Beer in Japan
A kappa-themed display at a shopping area in Fukuoka.
Kappa are dangerous reptilian water creatures from Japanese mythology. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the fascinating folklore behind this odd, cucumber-loving yokai!
History
What Do Kappa Look Like?
What Do Kappa Do?: Hobbies — Diet — Violence — Shirikodama
How to Defeat a Kappa
Public Perception
Are Kappa Real?
Folktales
Where to Find Kappa in Japan: Kaiyodo Kappa Museum (Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture) — Sogenji Temple (Asakusa, Tokyo) — Kappabuchi Pool (Tono, Iwate Prefecture)
Momiji (Japanese Maple) trees in Koyasan.
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!
History
Weather
Events/Holidays
Food
Decorative Motifs
Homes in Japan are often multi-generational and may not offer enough privacy for certain intimate activities…but fortunately the love hotel industry provides a solution to this problem. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the wide variety of love hotels in Japan!
History
Where to find love hotels
Appearance/Amenities
Rates
Examples: Hotel Sara — Hotel Bali-An Resort — Hotel Ikutama Love — Hotel Blan Chapel Christmas — Hotel Artia Dinosaur — Hotel Togenkyo Isehara — Hotel Us Keibajo — Hotel Renaissa
Controversy
Aokigahara, also known as the “Suicide Forest”, at the base of Mount Fuji.
Stories of ghosts and monsters stretch back centuries in Japanese mythology and many of them are tied to specific locations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many haunted places in Japan!
Kanto Area: Aokigahara (The Suicide Forest) — Himuro Mansion — Sendagaya Tunnel — Gridley Tunnel — The Prime Minister’s Residence — Oiran Buchi Bridge
Kansai Area: Awashima Shrine — Maruoka Castle (technically in Chubu) — Kiyotaki Tunnel — Himeji Castle (Okiku’s Well)
Kyushu Area: Inunaki Tunnel
Okinawa: Nakagusuku Hotel — Camp Hansen (YouTube Video)
Hokkaido: Round Schoolhouse in Bibai
“Shojin ryori”, traditional vegetarian (and sometimes vegan) Buddhist cuisine.
Whether you have food allergies or if your diet is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, etc., Japanese cuisine can be difficult to navigate if you’re not able to eat certain common ingredients. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss how to enjoy Japan while adhering to various dietary restrictions!
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
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!
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
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!
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.
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!
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”.
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!
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”.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
