On this episode of Japan Station , I break down what the Japanese term "plus alpha" (purasu arufa/プラスアルファ) means and its possible origins. 👉Topics Discussed What does "plus alpha" (purasu arufa/プラスアルファ) mean? How you use the Japanese term purasu arufa プラスアルファ The most popular etymology of the term of purasu arufa Real world examples of purasu arufa in use About what puramaizero means (プラマイゼロ) And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-st...
Jun 05, 2025•24 min•Ep. 161
On this episode of Japan Station , Dr. Eric C. Rath joins us to talk all about the history of what may be Japan's most famous cuisine: SUSHI! We discuss its origins, evolution and more! 👉Topics Discussed Where sushi came from Fermented sushi The meaning of sushi Sushi's Chinese origins Shiga Prefecture's funazushi Sushi in the Edo period Sushi in Japan's post war period Sushi in modern times About sashimi About Kamipai: The History of Sake And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcas...
Jun 01, 2025•44 min•Ep. 160
On this episode of Japan Station , I talk about my upcoming walk across the island of Kyushu. This fall I will be walking roughly 500 km from Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture all the way down to Kagoshima as part of what I'm calling the Kyushu Challenge, part three of my ongoing Blind Japan Project. Listen to find out more and please consider coming on as a sponsor or supporting in any way you can! 👉Topics Discussed About the Kyushu Challenge When I will be walking from Iwakuni to Kagoshima as p...
May 23, 2025•11 min•Ep. 159
On this episode of Japan Station , we're talking about Japanese slang that traces its roots back to Edo and Meiji era street vendors. We're digging into the origins of words like deka , mappo , and even the infamous yabai . 👉Topics Discussed The etymology/origins of 10 words that trace their origins back to the Edo and Meiji Periods About the meaning and origins of sakura (サクラ) About the origins of deka (でか) About the origins of posharu (ぽしゃる) About the origins of mappo (まっぽ) About the origins ...
May 20, 2025•42 min•Ep. 158
This episode of Japan Station is a re-broadcast of episode 52 of Ichimon Japan. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What are gyaru? Topics Discussed What the term gyaru /gal means/refers to About the word gyaru How the word gyaru was used in Dragonball by Master Roshi What a kogyaru /kogal is About the singer Namie Amuro and her role in popularizing the gyaru subculture About Ayumi Hamasaki's influence on the gyaru subculture About the supposed but unconfirmed connection between the gyaru s...
May 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 157
On this episode of Japan Station , we're talking about vocabulary and phrases related to telling time during the Edo Period! This is a surprisingly deep and interesting topic no matter whether you're learning Japanese or not! 👉Topics Discussed What does oyatsu mean? (おやつ) What the origin of the word oyatsu is About the Edo Period time system How to tell time during Japan's Edo Period The names of the time divisions used during the Edo Period What does shirokujichū (四六時中) means The etymology/ori...
May 06, 2025•24 min•Ep. 156
On this episode of Japan Station , we're talking about one of Japan's most iconic foods: mochi. Learn all about the history, lore and consumption practices of this important Japanese food! 👉Topics Discussed About the history and origins of mochi What mochi is About how people eat mochi in Japan About yukimi daifuku/ice cream mochi About kagami mochi Where the word mochi might have come from About mochi making practices Why it is said there is a rabbit making mochi on the moon Old versus modern ...
May 01, 2025•47 min
On this episode of Japan Station , supernatural stories, Japanese folklore, Japanese urban legends and more with Kevin O'Shea, host of the Supernatural Japan podcast. 👉Topics Discussed About the Supernatural Japan podcast About Ikuta Shrine's ghost story About the forest behind Ikuta Shrine in Kobe About exploring spooky places in Japan About the Hakkoda Mountain incident About auspicious animals like swallows and owls About Japanese urban legends like Kuchisake Onna and Teketeke About Hibagon ...
Apr 20, 2025•48 min•Ep. 154
Originally released on 3/21/2024 as pisode 80 of Ichimon Japan . On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about what the best kind of English teaching in Japan is: Eikaiwa, JET Programme (ALT) or university teacher. Topics Discussed What it is like working in an eikaiwa school in Japan What the salary is for an eikaiwa teacher The good and bad about working at an eikaiwa school (private language school) What it is like being an assistant language teacher (ALT) on the JET Programme How much you c...
Apr 13, 2025•57 min•Ep. 153
On this episode of Japan Station , I dig into the history of a fascinating example of Japanese slang: gyarandu (ギャランドゥ). This is a Japanese word that means refers to the patch of hair some people have between their belly button and public area. Often called "happy trail" or "belly/stomach hair," in English, gyarandu has a really interesting history that goes back to one of Japan's most popular 1980s male pop stars: Hideki Saijo. Listen to the episode to learn more! 👉Topics Discussed What does g...
Apr 09, 2025•24 min•Ep. 152
On this episode of Japan Station , I talk to photographer and journalist Michael Magers. Michael has spent over a decade documenting shokunin (artisans/crafworkers) across Japan. During that time has has had many extremely unique expriences such as ama divers, participating in Osaka's infamous Danjiri Festival, and getting tattooed by a traditional Japanese tattoo artist. He talks about those experiences and much more in today's episode! 👉Topics Discussed About how Michael Magers started doing ...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 151
On this episode of Japan Station , I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it's like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo, Japanese craft beer and more. 👉Topics Discussed About Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky About running a craft beer bar in Tokyo Japanese craft beer in Tokyo Growing a business in Tokyo Organic marketing And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/j...
Mar 22, 2025•43 min•Ep. 150
On this episode of Japan Station , I examine the mysterious origins of the Japanese word for cat: neko. Trust me, there's a whole lot more to say about the topic than you might think! 👉Topics Discussed The etymology of neko /cat Various theories that try to explain the origins of the Japanese word for cat Whether the Japanese word for cat traces its origins back to Chine/Chinese When cats first arrived in Japan What the onomatopoeia for a cat meowing was in The Tale of Genji About the song Neko...
Mar 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 150
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about the many film adaptation of the works of Haruki Murakami, Japan's most well-known and commercially successful novelist. 👉Topics Discussed Why is Haruki Murakami so popular around the world? About the many film adaptations of the books and short stories of Haruki Murakami About the relatability of Murakami's characters About Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of Tomorrow About Murakami's skill at writing magical realism About the music and pop cul...
Mar 01, 2025•33 min•Ep. 148
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about oden, one of Japan's most popular winter foods. 👉Topics Discussed What is oden? Where to buy oden in Japan? What are the common igredients of oden? The history of oden Where the name oden came from About dengaku About regional varieties of oden Whether oden tastes good Should you try oden? What is konjac? Our favorite oden ingredients About the infamous 2016 "oden tsun tsun otoko" (oden poke man) convenience store incident And more 👉Subscribe to...
Feb 21, 2025•47 min•Ep. 147
On this episode of Japan Station , I talk about what it was like staying at a new Kyoto hotel before it opened. 👉Topics Discussed About Fushigina Yado Where Fushigina Yado is located About the theme and concept of Fushigina Yado About what it was like staying in Fushigina Yado Why I got to stay at Fushigina Yado before it opened About the shops and restaurants near Fushigina Yado And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-...
Feb 21, 2025•14 min•Ep. 146
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about three obscure Japanese dishes you need to try next time you're in Japan. 👉Topics Discussed What is teppan spa (teppan supa, 鉄板スパ)? What is teppanyaki naporitan About the history of teppanyaki spaghetti About the origin of Nagoya's famous teppanyaki naporitan About Osaka teppanyaki spaghetti About the origin of Japan's infamous napolitan pasta (naporitan pasuta) What is ebimeshi? How ebimeshi became famous in Okayama About the different varieties ...
Feb 02, 2025•44 min•Ep. 145
On this episode of Japan Station , we're talking about hotels in Japan! This episode will give you all the information you need to know before you come visit Japan. Plenty of tips, tricks and basic information! 👉Topics Discussed About the various kinds of hotels in Japan Tips for booking hotels in Japan at cheap prices How much Japanese hotel rooms tend to cost About the size of Japanese hotel rooms How to find hotel rooms in Japan at cheaper rates than what you see online About business hotels...
Jan 22, 2025•59 min•Ep. 144
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about the Senkaku Islands with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge. 👉Topics Discussed What and where are the Senkaku Islands? (尖閣諸島, senkaku shotō) About the history of the Senkaku Islands About Koga Tatsushirō Why people stopped living on the Senkaku Islands How and why it was that the Senkaku Islands came to be disputed The role of President Nixon and Henry Kissinger in the history of the Senkaku Islands Why U.S. Armed Forces should restart firing ranges on the S...
Jan 02, 2025•49 min
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about life in Sanya--Tokyo's infamous day laborer district--with Klaus K.Y. Hammering. 👉Topics Discussed What it is like being a day laborer in Tokyo's Sanya district The dangers of working as a day laborer What kind of people work as day laborers in Sanya About Klaus K.Y. Hammering's experiences working as a day laborer in Japanese construction sites About gambling in Sanya How Sanya has all but vanished over the past couple of decades How Japanese ...
Dec 21, 2024•43 min•Ep. 142
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about the need for Japan to make the word "anime" a regional designation. The guest is Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered the World . 👉Topics Discussed The popularity of anime What the word anime means in Japan The origins of anime The usage of the term terebimanga andJapanimation The increasing number of companies and people around the world creating media based on an anime aesthetic How companies outside of Japan ar...
Dec 10, 2024•32 min•Ep. 142
On this episod eof Japan Station , we talk to filmmaker and dark sky photographer Gavin Heffernan about his recent Japan-focused project Dreamlapse Japan. 👉Topics Discussed About Dreamlapse Japan About shooting photos and video in Tokyo and other parts of Japan Thoughts on visiting Japan And more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Sup...
Dec 01, 2024•38 min•Ep. 140
On this episod eof Japan Station , we talk about some of the interesting things I experienced during my latest 400 km walk from Kyoto to Miyajima (Miyajima Challenge). 👉Topics Discussed About the Miyajima Challenge About my recent walk from Kyoto to Miyajima, Hiroshima About how I got stopped by police in Hiroshima About the time I had to hitchhike in Okayama About my plans to walk to the bottom of Kagoshima And more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podca...
Nov 22, 2024•49 min•Ep. 139
On this episod eof Japan Station , Dr. Robert D. Eldridge returns to talk about natural disasters in Japan, his work on Operation Tomodachi during the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan's ability to respond to natural disasters and more. 👉Topics Discussed Disasters and earthquakes in Japan About the Great Hanshin Awaji Earthquake in 1995 About crisis management in Japan About disaster preparedness in Japan About writing the blueprint for what would become Operation Tomodachi The 201...
Nov 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 138
On this episode of Japan Station , we talk about Japanese abbreviations/contractions, give 12 examples and discuss their origins. 👉Topics Discussed About abbreviations and contractions in Japanese About waseieigo (made in English) About the origins of the Sharp company About the Japanese word wanchan About the possible origin of the word potation in Japanese: jagaimo And more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com...
Oct 29, 2024•44 min•Ep. 137
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Shimabara Rebellion, yÅkai and more with the author of the Simon Grey books, Charles Kowalski. 👉Topics Discussed What is the Shimabara Rebellion (島原ã®ä¹±, Shimabara no ran ) About the hidden Christians of Nagasaki/Shimabara About the building of Shimabara Castle About researching the Shimabara Rebellion About Amakusa Shiro (益田 四郎) The legends surrounding Amakusa Shiro About researching the Shimabara Rebellion in Nagasaki About ge...
Sep 29, 2024•36 min•Ep. 136
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the etymology of the Japanese word for egg (tamago) and other interesting quirks of this word! Note: This is actually an episode of Japanese Plus Alpha. 👉Topics Discussed The phrase ~ no tamago The etymology of the word tamago kaigo vs tamago The difference between tamago written with one kanji (卵) and tamago written with two kanji (玉子) And more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcas...
Sep 21, 2024•19 min•Ep. 135
about, it's its significance and its fascinating manga adaptations. 👉Topics Discussed What The Tale of Genji ( Genji Monogatari ) is about The historical significance of The Tale of Genji The influence of The Tale of Genji About the ending of The Tale of Genji About the English translations of The Tale of Genji and their differences About the many manga adaptations of The Tale of Genji About the manga II ne, Hikaru Genji About what is so interesting about The Tale of Genji About how The Tale of...
Sep 01, 2024•54 min•Ep. 184
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about 10 words that only exist in Japanese and how Japanese may not be as unique as you think it is. 👉Topics Discussed x x What komorebi means and what its parts mean What unkai means About kanji compounds in Japanese About the many meanings that can be found in a single kanji The different readings of kanji in Japanese What shinrinyoku means Whats tsundoku means What irusu means What konbi means What kogarashi means What betsubara means What kuchisamis...
Aug 21, 2024•59 min•Ep. 133
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the importance of revitalizing rural Japan, the negative impact of the weak yen on Japan, and more with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge. 👉Topics Discussed What is chihō sōsei (地方創生)? About the importance of chihō sōsei Why it is important to preserve and revitalize rural areas of Japan About the weak yen ( enyasu, 円安) How the weak Japanese yen negatively impacts Japan About inflation and stagflation in Japan About the relationship between low wages, the we...
Aug 01, 2024•57 min•Season 132Ep. 132
