Announcement - JR Pass Changes
Changes are coming in October 2023 for the JR Pass. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the changes and their impact on the value of the pass!
Sakurajima, one of the most active volcanoes in the world
114. 2023 Trip Recap (Part 2)
Kokura Castle in Kitakyushu
Namba Yasaka Jinja in Osaka
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their second week of sightseeing!
Topics Covered:
Day 8: Kagoshima (Sengan-en)
Day 9: Sakurajima (Hotel Rainbow Sakurajima)
Day 10: Kagoshima (Museum of the Meiji Restoration, Reimeikan, Cave of Saigo Takamori, Shiroyama Park Observation Deck)
Day 11: Kitakyushu (Kokura Castle, Yasaka Shrine, TOTO Museum, Aru Aru City, Manga Museum)
Day 12: Osaka (Sakuranomiya Park/Shrine, America-mura, Namba Yasaka Jinja, Shinsekai, Shitennoji, Pearls Cafe, teamLab at Nagai Botanical Gardens)
Day 13: Kobe (Port Tower, Nankinmachi, Ikuta Jinja, Kitanocho, Nunobiki Herb Gardens, Nunobiki Falls, Motomachi Shopping Street)
Day 14: Nikko (Yuba, Shinkyo Bridge, Tamozawa Imperial Villa)
Sakura in Onomichi
113. 2023 Trip Recap (Part 1)
Matsuyama Castle
Kosanji, a temple on the Shimanami Kaido
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their first week of sightseeing!
Topics Covered:
Day 1: Flights
Day 2: Onomichi (Temple Walk. Senkoji Park)
Day 3: Shimanami Kaido (Dolce Ice Cream, Kosanji, Hill of Hope, I-Link Hostel & Cafe Shimanami)
Day 4: Shimanami Kaido (Fuu, Michi-no-Eki, Dolphinfarm Shimanami, Sunrise Itoyama) - Matsuyama (Nagasaka)
Day 5: Matsuyama (Matsuyama Castle, Dogo Onsen, Dogo Beer Hall, Dogo Shopping Street, Botchan Karakuri Clock, Isaniwa Shrine)
Day 6: Takamatsu (Ritsurin Garden, Sanuki Udon Ueharaya, Shikoku Village, Omiya Hachiman Shrine, Waraya)
Day 7: Takamatsu Castle Park, Onomichi Temple Walk
One of Nara’s friendly deer in front of a gift shop
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
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
Samurai armor. Many Japanese martial arts originated with the samurai class as techniques for warfare.
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)
Three of the biggest beer brands in Japan.
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
A kappa-themed display at a shopping area in Fukuoka.
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)
Momiji (Japanese Maple) trees in Koyasan.
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
Aokigahara, also known as the “Suicide Forest”, at the base of Mount Fuji.
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
“Shojin ryori”, traditional vegetarian (and sometimes vegan) Buddhist cuisine.
103. Visiting Japan with 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
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) — Japanese-Tea-Ceremony.net