149. The City of Hakodate

Located on the southern tip of Hokkaido, Hakodate is a historic port city known for its scenic views, unique history, and fresh seafood. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this gateway to Japan’s northernmost island, from star-shaped forts to morning markets and sparkling nightscapes!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Morning Market

• Goryokaku

• Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse

• Motomachi

• Hakodate City Museum of Northern Peoples

• Mt. Hakodate

• Yunokawa Onsen

• Onuma Day Trip

• Festivals: Hakodate Christmas Fantasy — Illuminations — Hakodate Port Festival — Hakodate Goryokaku Festival

• How to get to/around Hakodate

• Join our Discord community!

• Become a member on Patreon!

143. The City of Sendai

Tashirojima, “Cat Island”, a popular day trip from Sendai.

The Ishinomori Manga Museum in Ishinomaki.

Known as the "City of Trees," Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region and a great place to learn about the culture and history of northeastern Honshu. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the city and uncover the story of its founder—a samurai with the coolest nickname ever.

Topics Covered:

• History

• Loople Sendai: Zuihoden — Sendai City Museum — Sendai Castle — Tohoku University Museum of Natural History — Miyagi Museum of Art — Osaki Hachiman Shrine — Jozenji-dori — Sunmall Ichibancho Shopping District — Date no Gyutan Honpo

• Other Sights: Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum — Rinnoji — Dai Kannon — Earthquake Heritage Arahama Elementary School

• Sendai Port: Umino-Mori Aquarium — Mitsui Outlet Park — Sendai Port Central Park — Kirin Beer Factory

• Events: Sendai Tanabata Festival — Pageant of Starlight — Jozenji Street Jazz Festival

• Day Trips: Matsushima Bay — Ishinomaki/Tashirojima (Cat Island) — Zao Kitsune Mura

• How to get to/around Sendai

• Join our Discord community!

• Become a member on Patreon!

131. The City of Kanazawa

Kenrokuen, Kanazawa’s famous Japanese garden.

Gold leaf-covered ice cream is a Kanazawa specialty.

The city of Kanazawa is rich in history and culture, famous for its Edo-era districts and traditional crafts. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to see and do in Kanazawa!

Topics Covered:

• Check out our new itinerary store!

• History

• Omicho Market

• Oyama Shrine

• Nagamachi District: Kanazawa City Ashigaru Museum — Nomura-ke Samurai Residence — Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall — Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan Museum

• Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)

• Nishi Chaya District: Ninjabuki Museum — Dolls Museum — Kanazawa Nishi Chaya Museum

• South of Kenrokuen: Ishiura Shrine — 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art — Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art — Kanazawa Nakamura Memorial Museum — National Crafts Museum — Ishikawa Prefectural History Museum — Kanazawa Noh Museum

• Kenrokuen: Seison-kaku — Kanazawa Shrine

• Hakuichi Kenrokuen Store

• Kanazawa Castle Park

• Higashi Chaya District: Geisha House Shima — Kaikaro — Geisha Evenings in Kanazawa

• Kanazawa Phonograph Museum

• Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum

• How to get to/around Kanazawa

• Join our Discord community!

• Become a member on Patreon!

127. The City of Sapporo

Miso ramen, a Sapporo specialty

Mount Moiwa, a popular hiking spot in Sapporo

Sapporo, the capital of Hokkaido, is considered by many to be the most attractive city in Japan. As one of the snowiest cities in the world, it is also home to an extremely popular snow festival. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to see and do in Sapporo!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Central: Kani Honke — Sapporo Clock Tower — Odori Park — Tanukikoji Shopping Street — Nijo Market — Susukino — Ganso Ramen Yokocho — Sapporo Factory — Sapporo Beer Museum/Beer Garden

• Northeast: Moerenuma Park

• Southwest: Mount Moiwa

• Northwest: Sapporo Crab Market — Shiroi Koibito Park — Sapporo Teine Ski Resort

• Southeast: Historical Village of Hokkaido — Hokkaido Museum

• Day Trips: Otaru — Jozankei

• Festivals: Snow Festival — Lilac Festival — Yosakoi Soran Festival — Autumn Festival — Christmas Market

• Join our Discord community!

• Become a member on Patreon!

124. The City of Matsumoto

The city of Matsumoto is known for its iconic historic castle as well as for the natural beauty of the surrounding Japanese Alps. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to see and do in Matsumoto!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Downtown Area: Matsumoto Castle (and Jokyo Gimin Memorial Museum) — Former Kaichi School — Takagi (Soba Shop) — Matsumoto City Museum — Nawate Street — Nakamachi Street — Matsumoto Timepiece Museum — Matsumoto City Museum of Art — Agatanomori Park

• North: Asama Onsen

• East: Matsumoto Mingeikan Folk Art Museum

• South: Koboyama Kofun — Matsumoto City Archaeological Museum

• West: Japan Ukiyo-e Museum — Matsumoto City Rekishinosato

• Day Trip: Daio Wasabi Farm

• How to get to/around Matsumoto

• Join our Discord community!

• Become a member on Patreon!

118. The City of Hiroshima (and Miyajima)

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!

Topics Covered:

• 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

• Join our Discord community!

• Become a member on Patreon!

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

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

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

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

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

80. The City of Nikko

Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai

Edo Wonderland

Nikko is a popular tourist destination for domestic and international tourists due to its natural beauty, important temples and shrines, and relaxing onsen. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this historic city!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Shinkyo Bridge

• Rinnoji Temple

• Toshogu Shrine

• Futarasan Shrine

• Taiyuin (Mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu)

• Tamozawa Imperial Villa

• Kanmangafuchi Abyss

• Okunikko Region: Lake Chuzenji — Kegon Falls — Senjogahara Hiking Course

• Imaichi: Watanabe Sahei Shoten — Cedar Avenue

• Kinugawa Onsen

• Theme Parks: Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura — Tobu World Square

• Food

• How to get to/around Nikko

72. The City of Kamakura

The view of Kamakura from Hase-dera.

Kamakura is a city steeped in history and tradition and is now a popular tourist destination. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this former capital of Japan and learn about the many things to see and do there!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Near Kamakura Station: Wakamiya Oji — Dankazura — Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine — Komachi Street

• Hase: Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) — Hasedera

• Enoshima

• Temples: Hokokuji — Engakuji

• Festivals: Chona Hajime Shiki — Setsubun Matsuri — Kamakura Matsuri — Kusajishi-shiki — Fireworks — Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai

• How to get to Kamakura

64. Shirakawa-go

Furusato, one of the many gassho-zukuri farmhouses where you can stay overnight!

Shirakawa-go is a quaint mountain village nestled in the Japanese Alps that is known for its beautiful views and a unique architectural style called gassho-zukuri. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the many things to see and do in this picturesque village!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Gassho Zukuri Houses

• What to see/do: Open-Air Museum — Wada House — Kanda House — Nagase House — Shirakawa Kaido Street — Shiroyama Viewpoint (Tenshukaku Observatory) — Tajima House Museum of Silk Culture — Myozenji Temple — Hachimangu Shrine — Shirakawa-go no Yu (Foot bath)

• Events: Snow-Dyeing Ceremony — Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami) — Rice-Planting Festival — Doburoku Matsuri

• Food: Doburoku (Unrefined sake) — Hida Beef — Suttate Nabe (Hot pot) — Fish — Gohei Mochi — Tochimochi — Soba

• Travel Tips

52. The City of Osaka

Osaka is one of the largest cities in Japan and was traditionally considered the country’s economic hub. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of this bustling metropolis!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Umeda: HEP Five Ferris Wheel — Umeda Sky Building

• Shinsaibashi: Amerika-mura (America Town)

• Namba: Dotonbori — National Bunraku Theater — Kuromon Market — Nipponbashi Den Den Town

• Shinsekai: Nostalgia — Kushikatsu

• Shitennoji Temple

• Abeno Harukasu

• Sumiyoshi Taisha

• Osaka Castle

• Osaka Bay: Universal Studios Japan — Kaiyukan (Aquarium) — Maishima Pottery Museum

• Food: Takoyaki — Okonomiyaki — Udon — Oshizushi — Ramen

• How to get to/around Osaka

46. The City of Kawagoe

Kawagoe is a historically significant city near Tokyo that still reflects elements of traditional culture and architecture. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to experience in Kawagoe!

Topics Covered:

• Crea Mall

• Kita-in Temple

• Warehouse District: Kawagoe Kurazukuri Museum — Kashiya Yokocho (Candy Alley) — Toki no Kane (Bell Tower) — Kimono Rental

• Kawagoe Hikawa Shrine

• Kawagoe Castle Ruins

• Events: Koedo Kawagoe Spring Festival — Kawagoe Million Lights Summer Festival — Kawagoe Hikawa Festival — Kawagoe Festival Museum

• How to get to Kawagoe