One of my most favorite characters in this neighborhood is the Yaki Imo delivery truck. Yaki means grilled and Imo means potato. In this case, this guy sells grilled sweet potatoes. But his method of cruising through the neighborhood should not be taken likely. This man is a pro, even if the recording skips just … Continue reading "Episode 35 – Yakiimo Truck"
This is a short slideshow of some sights and sounds captured in Asakusa during the Tanabata festival. The history and meaning behind the Tanabata festival is quite romantic and really quite interesting. Check out some more info here on Wikipedia. Enjoy the mellow music and shades of blue as I walk you through Asakusa to … Continue reading "Episode 34 – Tanabata Festival In Asakusa"
I think this is one of the longest episodes to date. Chock full o’ music and my limited insight, I think this episode also clocks in at one of the finest sounding episodes to date. Sweet sounds and tender music, you get this episode at a slightly higher quality (due to the high music content) … Continue reading "Episode 33 – Music and Carbonation"
I’m BACK in the saddle again! I’m BACK!!! I’ve had that song stuck in my head all day. Get whatever song you have stuck in your head right out by listening to this next episode and me making excuses why I’ve been gone so long. I semi-experiment with new podcasting software that will “hopefully” make … Continue reading "Episode 32 – Back in Tokyo"
This was too weird not to post. Again this showed up in my del.icio.us trawling and was not something I searched for and was not prepared to see, yet it did intrigue me so. (direct video link) Click the link above to download the video. It looks like a series of three mini-commercials. (I call … Continue reading "Inochi-kun – Too Weird"
Just a brief update before Fuji-san. We’re heading out today but I wanted to get a quick response to the last episode out, talk briefly about Disneyland, and just say hi. Having lots of fun here in Tokyo and surrounding areas. For Fuji-san, we will be taking some audio at each stop so you all … Continue reading "Episode 31 – Update Before Fuji-san"
Having fun without a bike, find out why in today’s episode. Also, I talk a little bit about Tanabata and share some audio from the Tanabata parade in Asakusa from about 3 weeks ago. Lots has been going on but we’ll keep the episodes coming out. Enjoy. Show Notes: Playing Battlefield 2142 A few more … Continue reading "Episode 30 – Bikeless / Tanabata"
Its coffee time again. Join me for round two of my discussion with Fred on the finer points of Japanese coffee. If you’re not sick of hearing the word “coffee” yet, you will be after this episode. Grab a cup and enjoy! Show Notes: Milk teas, bubble teas, what’s going on here? Fred thinks Doutor … Continue reading "Episode 29 – Coffee Episode II"
Video killed the podcast star. Well, I’m certainly no star, so I guess I have nothing to worry about. Today’s episode comes in video form. This little gem has been on my hard drive for over 2 months! Finally time to get it out as I rev up for some more audio goodness. In this … Continue reading "Episode 28 – Playing Initial D"
Its been 8 days, what’s wrong with me?! Find out more by tuning in here. I share a little bit of my personal life and plans for the next few days, talk about some scary little Japanese girl, answer questions about Japan and more. è¡Œãã¾ã—ょã†ï¼ Show Notes Quick update Short story about Harajuku girls Planning … Continue reading "Episode 27 – Attempt #3"
Show Notes: Quick Updates Catching up with school because of Hashika Been in Japan over 90 days! Japanese rain, its different, for real! Preparing for summer vacation Matsuri How I got involved in this matsuri Photos from the Sanja Matsuri Outfits / Tabi / Happi Photos from the matsuri I was in Mikoshi What I … Continue reading "Episode 26 – Matsuri"
The office episode has finally arrived, 6 weeks after I had started to do the recordings. Get the skinny on my first 6 weeks in a Japanese office, differences I have found, comparisons I was able to make. Though I’m sure there is much more I could have said, I at least hope that the … Continue reading "Episode 25 – Office Episode"
This episode is about my Japanese language ability, or lack thereof. This week in class, we had to perform our second interview project where we interview students on campus. This time, I brought the recorder along. In this episode, I share the actual interview audio and reflect a bit on my ability after being in … Continue reading "Episode 24 – Interview Project"
This was something I had been meaning to do since I arrived in Japan. Alex and I headed out to Namco Namja Town in Ikebukuro (map) this past Saturday in search of miracle fruit. I heard about miracle fruit about 6 months ago and was surprised to hear that it was available in Japan. I … Continue reading "Episode 23 – Miracle Fruit"
A short only-in-japan video episode segment to take you over the weekend hump. I’ve often walked by the Sumida River and have seen this very strange-looking boat sailing up and down the river. I stealthily hunted it down and have finally published here for the world to see. Alternate video link (Google Video)
This evening I had the great pleasure of participating in Scott Lockman’s Calling Tokyo Calling podcast series where he uses the new service Talkshoe to engage his listeners directly. After my first experience, I have to say, this type of format for doing audio is really compelling. I particularly like the collaborative aspect of running … Continue reading "Calling Tokyo Calling"
The coffee episode had landed! Well at least 1/2 half of it. Fred joins me live from Times Square as we discuss the ins and outs of various coffee experiences in Japan. Scott Lockman provides a cameo from Allez France in Tokyo. It’s always interesting in these parts. And since I ended up having much … Continue reading "Episode 21 – Coffee Show Part 1"
Original photo here (used via CC license) In this video episode, come along with me and ride the Yurikamome most of the way to Shinbashi. Loosely edited, but you will get to see many of the strange buildings with unique architecture along the way, including the Fuji Television building. The “red” dot is my camera … Continue reading "Episode 20 – Riding the Yurikamome"
You better believe it …. this episode is action-packed and quite possibly, the longest FJ episode to date! I managed to fit in the commute cast (complete with official PASMO song), dinner boats, slip on shoes, podcasting pre-cursors, supermarkets, transvestite bands, and more. What started as a short stint in the park on a beautiful … Continue reading "Episode 19 – Commute-cast and More"
Just a quick 18 minute update for episode 18. I really didn’t plan it that way, weird. One main topic and a bunch blabber divided into two parts. Enjoy! Show Notes: Part I – AM Planned material ahead, ã”ã‚ã‚“ã€ãï¼ Coffee episode audio is recorded Quick stop at the conbini Police officers – part two Thinking … Continue reading "Episode 18 – 18 Minute Update"
I took the chance during this rainy day to walk around Asakusa and just spout random thoughts into my cell phone. Listening back, it wasn’t all that bad so I’m posting it as a podcast episode. This one feels a little more intimate and fun I think. Plus, there is all sorts of great things … Continue reading "Episode 17 – Walking Through Asakusa"
Is it true? Is it true? An audio episode?! Yes, I know its been a while but I pulled up my bootstraps and got myself in front of the mic for a good hour today. After editing out all the coughs and false starts, this one comes down to about 41 minutes or so. A … Continue reading "Episode 16 – Medicine and Parks"
Yeeeesssssssss. Here it is. The episode you’ve all been waiting for, “Biking Through Tokyo”. I hope I didn’t talk it up too much prior to this. I edited this over the weekend. The footage had been sitting on my drive for about 2 weeks, just dying to be put to good use. I had to … Continue reading "Episode 15 – Biking Through Tokyo"
(Photo used with Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 License – Original) A few days ago, I had to head down to the Tokyo Regional Immigration bureau. What fun!! However, there was one redeeming result of the trip: I was able to ride the Tokyo Monorail. I’m fairly familiar with most of Tokyo’s transportation systems, but I … Continue reading "Episode 14 – Riding the Tokyo Monorail"
I have my iTunes pointed at del.icio.us for crawling of videos with Japan related content. Today something amazingly touching and very creative showed up in my iTunes. Below is a link to a movie of photographs by Stuart Isset. ©2007 Stuart Isett/www.isett.com (used with permission) This piece is truly moving, giving a great sense of … Continue reading "Great Photo / Video Piece"
This episode is the first ever, Finding Japan Tokyo Calling crossover episode. Not really sure what else to call it. I met up with Scott Lockman from Tokyo calling a few weekends back. We spent very little time getting to know each other since we had already known each other through our respective podcasts. However, … Continue reading "Episode 13 – Tokyo Calling Crossover"
Last weekend Alex and I attempted to make hot dog animals based on the instructions on the back. How well did we do? Find out here. This is a short video on the results we were able to achieve with our limited culinary skills. Alternative video link (Google Video)
I should have given the cops some Yaki-imo. Confused?! Well listen in to today’s episode and get acquainted with the Yaki-imo truck vendor, the cops, and my dinner. This episode comes straight from my kitchen while I cook up one of the only dishes I know how to make here in Japan, Yaki-soba. MMmmm. ^_^ … Continue reading "Episode 11 – Bike-capades and Yaki-Soba"
Ok well, maybe not a full episode, but a short one minute clip I put together before heading out for the night. Earlier today, Alex and I tore up Tokyo by bike. Stopping at Akihabara to get an Ebi-Filet, I began playing with my cell phone’s bar code reader. I was amazed at how fast … Continue reading "Episode 10 – Cell Phone Code Reader"
Today’s episode is very much like a one-way telephone conversation. Recording with my cellular phone, I do a quick update and introduce a few subjects very briefly, not getting into too much depth. This is more of an experiment than a proper episode. I hope it meets the approval of your ears in terms of … Continue reading "Episode 9 – The Lo-Fi Episode"
