Visiting Japan with children can be an exciting and rewarding adventure, but it also raises unique challenges. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss tips and tricks to help make your experience as smooth and enjoyable as possible!
Planning: Hotels, attractions, meals, internet
Packing: Stroller, food, supplies
When In Japan: Transportation, food, navigation, attractions, entertainment, what to expect
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Magome, a post town on the Nakasendo
Mountain ranges along the Nakasendo
With its pristine natural scenery and picturesque countryside, Japan is home to extraordinary hiking trails. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the best multi-day hiking trails in the country!
Hokkaido Daisetsuzan Grand Traverse
Michinoku Coastal Trail
Basho Trail
Kanto Fureai no Michi
Nakasendo Trail
Kamikochi-Yari-Hotaka Circuit
Nakahechi Trail (Kumano Kodo)
Shikoku Pilgrimage
Kunisaki Trek
Okinawa North to South Traverse
Safety Tips
Shukkeien, Hiroshima’s famous garden
Hiroshima Castle
The Atomic Bomb Dome
Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki
The island of Miyajima
Hiroshima is the capital of Hiroshima Prefecture and the largest city in the Chugoku region of Japan. Nearby is the island of Miyajima (Itsukushima) which is famous for its “floating” torii gate. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history of this area as well as the many things to see and do there!
History
Mazda Zoom Zoom Stadium
Mazda Museum
Shukkeien Garden
Hiroshima Castle
Hiroshima Museum of Art
Atomic Bomb Dome
Peace Memorial Park: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum — Children’s Peace Monument — Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall
Okonomimura
Hiroshima MOCA
Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine — Toyokuni Shrine — Miyajima History and Folklore Museum — Daishoin — Mt. Misen — Shishiiwa Observatory — Momijidani Park
How to get to/around Hiroshima
Umeboshi (Dried pickled ume)
The ume is a fruit commonly referred to in English as the “Japanese plum”. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss its cultural significance and the many ways that this fruit is enjoyed in Japan!
History
Ume Flowers
Umeboshi
Umeshu
Other Uses
Various types of shuriken, projectile weapons used by ninja.
Ninja, also known as shinobi, were skilled mercenaries in feudal Japan who were hired for a variety of purposes, from espionage to assassination. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the roles that ninja played throughout Japanese history!
History
What were Ninja Hired for?
Skills
Clothes and Equipment
Supernatural Abilities
How Can You Defend Against a Ninja?
Where to Find a Ninja Experience in Japan: Ninja Tokyo Restaurant — Edo Wonderland — Odawara Fuma Ninja Festival — Jidai Academy Dojo — Bujinkan Dojo — Iga-ryu Ninja Village and Museum — Koka Ninja Village — Togakushi Ninja Village — Ninjadera
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Mount Nantai and Lake Chuzenji
Edo Wonderland
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their third week of sightseeing!
Day 15: Nikko (Taiyuin, Futarasan Jinja, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Rinnoji, Kanmangafuchi Abyss)
Day 16: Nikko (Kegon Falls, Lake Chuzenji Sightseeing Trail)
Day 17: Kinugawa (Edo Wonderland, Tobu World Square)
Day 18: Tokyo (Tanuki Street, Kappabashi Street, Sogenji, Hitachino Brewing Lab)
Day 19: Tokyo (Yanaka Ginza, Animate Ikebukuro, Sunshine City, Akihabara)
Day 20: Tokyo (Akihabara, Iron Heart in Hachioji)
Day 21: Tokyo (Akihabara, flight home)
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
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!
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
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!
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
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!
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
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!
Where to Start
Passport/Visa
Budget
Booking a Flight
Booking Hotels
Assembling an Itinerary
Finishing Touches
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
