112. The City of Nara

Todaiji Temple

Lanterns at Kasuga Taisha Shrine

Nara is widely known for its friendly deer, but did you know it’s also the ancient capital of Japan? Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Nara!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Central Nara: Heijo Palace —Toshodaiji Temple — Yakushiji Temple — Horyuji Temple

• Deer

• Nara Park: Kofukuji Temple — Nara National Museum — Yoshikien Garden — Isuien Garden — Todaiji Temple — Kasuga Taisha Shrine (Manyo Botanical Gardens, Mt. Kasuga Primeval Forest) — Wakakusayama — Shinyakushiji Temple

• Festivals: Heijo Tempyo Summer Festival — Himuro Shirayuki Shaved Ice Festival — Omizutori

• How to get to/around Nara

• Day Trips: Asuka — Yoshino

111. Planning a Trip to Japan (Revisited)

Planning a trip to a foreign country can be a daunting task. Join Jason and Paul as they walk step by step through the planning process for their spring 2023 Japan trip!

Topics Covered:

• Where to Start

• Passport/Visa

• Budget

• Booking a Flight

• Booking Hotels

• Assembling an Itinerary

• Finishing Touches

Announcement - Season 3 and Tokyo Meetup

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!

Details:

• When: April 5th, 2023 at 7:00pm

• Where: Hitachino Brewing Lab in Akihabara, Tokyo (Google Maps)(Website)

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

• Website

• Facebook Group

• Instagram

• Japan Experts Podcast

109. Martial Arts

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!

Topics Covered:

• 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)

Announcement - 2023 Meetup Event

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!

Details:

• When: April 5th, 2023 at 7:00pm

• Where: Hitachino Brewing Lab in Akihabara, Tokyo (Google Maps)(Website)

108. Beer

Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the world of Japanese beer!

Topics Covered:

• 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

107. Kappa

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!

Topics Covered:

• 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)

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

105. Love Hotels

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!

Topics Covered:

• 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

104. Halloween Special - Haunted Places

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!

Topics Covered:

• 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

103. Visiting Japan with Dietary Restrictions

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!

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

Announcement - Japan is Opening!

Japan has been slow to reopen to tourism since it closed its borders at the beginning of the pandemic, but they recently announced that the country will fully reopen on October 11, 2022!

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

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

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) — Japanese-Tea-Ceremony.net

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

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

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