In Episode 73 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks about typhoons in Japan. Some of this episode was actually recorded outside during Typhoon Nangka which hit parts of Japan earlier this week. Kevin also chats with long-term expat and friend of the show, Pee Jay about living in Japan during typhoon season. If you plan to live in Japan at some point, you will have to deal with typhoons. Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: http:...
Jul 18, 2015•1 hr 5 min
In Episode 72 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea interviews comic artist Grace Mineta. Grace is a writer, cartoonist and video blogger living in Japan. She hails from the United States and has self-published three books of her cartoons and has the extremely popular YouTube channel "Texan in Tokyo" where she makes videos about life in Japan with her husband Ryosuke. We talk about why she came to Japan, her comics, her writing and what it's like to be in an international marriage. Anothe...
Jul 15, 2015•1 hr 7 min
In Episode 71 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks with expats Andrew Higgins (HigginsInJapan on YouTube) and Jim Mullins (Mully's Place Podcast) about their experiences with dentists here in Japan. Many describe the "dental care experience" here in Japan as quite a bit different than in other countries. You'll hear all about how it can be a great experience and how it might be a little frightening. In this episode Kevin also talks about the Japanese Star Festival known as "Tanabat...
Jul 09, 2015•1 hr 28 min
In Episode 70 of the Just Japan Podcast, Kevin chats with returning guest Victor Gonzalez. Victor was on epiode 24 where he talked about climbing Mt. Fuji from Sea to Summit. In this episode Victor talks about "Japanistas.com" a Japan travel and lifestyle site. He recently made the transition out the education industry and works as a writer and the editor of Japanistas.com. He also talks about how he made the Sea to Summit Mt. Fuji climb a second time. Kevin also answers listen questions about J...
Jun 27, 2015•1 hr 5 min
In Episode 69 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Dr. Alex Fraser. Alex is an Australian researcher who works at a university in the northern island of Hokkaido. Alex hails from the southern Australian island of Tazmania and specializes in studying Antarctic ice. Kevin and Alex discuss how he first became interested in Japan and the path that lead him here. They talk about his research, using drones to conduct research as well as the general culture shock and awesomeness of liv...
Jun 20, 2015•1 hr 16 min
In Episode 68 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to returning guest Brian Waters about putting down permanent roots here in Japan. Brian, an American living and working in Japan has made the decision to live in Japan long-term with his family. They have recently built a house and are now settling in. Kevin and Brian talk about his new house, education in Japan and raising a family here. Support the Patreon Campaign: https://www.patreon.com/justjapanpodcast Shownotes/Website: http...
Jun 12, 2015•1 hr 24 min
In Episode 67 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea speaks with an old friend from his days teaching in South Korea. Kevin Tarpey is an elementary school teacher from America who is about to embark on a remarkable journey for an important cause. An avid outdoorsman, Kevin lost both of his parents to cancer. In their memory Kevin plans to take on one of the most incredible physical challenges out there to raise fund for the Cam Neely Cancer Foundation. Starting next month, Kevin will thru-...
Jun 06, 2015•1 hr 31 min
In Episode 66 of the Just Japan Podcast host Kevin O'Shea talks about having surgery in Japan. This can be a frightening experience no matter where you are let alone in a foreign country. Kevin talks about his recent as well as about health care/insurance and dealing with the language barrier in the Japanese health care system. What's it like to go "under the knife" in Japan? In this week's "Mail Bag" section, Kevin is joined by long-term expat in Japan and co-host of the "Mully's Place Podcast"...
Jun 04, 2015•1 hr 41 min
In Episode 65 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Steven Lefever and Kendall Wiliams, two independent filmmakers based in Tokyo. Both Steven and Kendall have a fascinating background in arts and film and are doing some very creative work in Tokyo. They talk about what it takes to get involved in the arts scene in Japan and how to start an indie film project. They talk about their amazing YouTube channel "Tasty English" and their independent film "Jun & Me" which has been su...
May 23, 2015•1 hr 11 min
In Episode 64 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea chats with Clinton and Shaun, the cohosts of the 2 Player Select Podcast. Hailing from Canada and Australia, Clinton and Shaun live in Japan and host a weekly podcast that fouses on life in Japan as well as gaming. They talk to Kevin about why they came to Japan, living here and their back grounds in gaming. They also discuss what motivated them to start a weekly podcast. Kevin answers some listener questions in the Just Japan Podcast ma...
May 13, 2015•1 hr 26 min
In Episode 63, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Michael Gillan Peckitt about being disabled in Japan. Michael, a Briton who has been living and working as a univeristy professor in Osaka for several years has Cerebral Palsy. He discusses how he is treated in Japan as a "gaijin" and as a person who is disabled. He also talks about the differences between the way he is treated in Japan versus his home back in Britain. Michael also shares his opinions on accessibitiy in Japan as well as possible infrastr...
May 06, 2015•58 min
In Episode 62 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to the Jenny and Kathryn, the cohosts of the Kimochi Uncensored Podcast. They discuss life in Japan, creating online content and why they decided to start their podcast. Kevin also answers listener questions in the Just Japan Podcast mailbag section. He talks about dangerous wildlife in Japan, school fees, teaching and living in Japan as well as the Golden Week holiday season. Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com Patreon: http:...
Apr 30, 2015•1 hr 38 min
In Episode 4 of the Tech Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks about the latest tech stories coming out of Japan. JR Central's new Mag Lev train sets a new world record traveling 603 km/h, a mysterious drone is found on the roof of Prime Minister Abe's offices in Tokyo and Samsung is rebranding its Galaxy series of phones in Japan. Remember to get a slice of life and culture in Japan with Kevin's other podcast, the Just Japan Podcast weekly. Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com Patreon: htt...
Apr 23, 2015•7 min
In Episode 61 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Greg Lane, cofounder of the site TokyoCheapo.com. Tokyo Cheapo busts the myth that everything about visiting or living in Tokyo is expensive. Learn about the humble beginnings of this useful and diverse travel and lifestyle website. Greg also explains how it has grown into the popular and successful site it is today. Where can you get cheap food and accomodations in Tokyo? How can you see city sites on the cheap? Is it really po...
Apr 21, 2015•59 min
In Episode 60 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea chats with returning guest Jim Mullins (aka Mully), cohost of the Mully's Place Podcast about video blogging and podcasting in Japan. What does it take to start a YouTube channel or a podcast? Kevin talks about the recent 2015 Osaka YouTube Hanami Party, missing a week of the podcast and how he'll promote your podcast if you want to start one! Also, The Fulcrum (The Univerity of Ottawa newspaper-- in Canada) recently wrote a story about ...
Apr 14, 2015•1 hr 25 min
In Episode 59 of the Just Japan Podcast host Kevin O'Shea talks to Mistugi and Chiaki, hosts of the Anime Addicts Anonymous Podcast. The AAA Podcast is one of the most popular podcasts about anime and Japanese popular culture. What is anime? What are some of the best known movies and tv series? If you're new to anime, what's a good starting point? This episode looks at an important part of Japanese popular culture. Kevin also talks about the Just Japan Podcast being featured in the Cape Breton P...
Apr 02, 2015•1 hr 34 min
In this episode of the Just Japan Podcast - Tech Japan podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks about Kirobo, the Japanese robot designed to keep astronauts company in space, a company that wants to put LED lights around the peak of Mount Fuji, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the new Twitter live streaming app, Periscope. Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com Patreon: http://patreon.com/justjapanpodcast RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlandkev Email: justjapanpo...
Mar 29, 2015•6 min
In Episode 58 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea chats with American jazz musician Jesse Forest. Jesse came to Osaka, Japan a little more than 4 years ago and makes his living as a professional jazz guitar player. He makes his living performing live shows and doing studio recordings here in Japan. Jesse talks about how he came to Japan, the jazz scene in Japan as well as places to buy musical equipement and where to practice in Japan. In this episode Kevin also talks about the Mully's ...
Mar 24, 2015•1 hr 2 min
In Episode 57 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea speaks with returning guest Jason Harris, the man behind "Jason's All Sumo Channel" on YouTube. They talk about the Japanese sport of Sumo and Jason tells us a little bit about the origins of sumo as well as the basic rules. What makes sumo exciting and at times controversial? They discuss the roll foreign fighters have in the sport in recent years and how some Japanese people feel about it. Jason also talks about the various tournaments...
Mar 18, 2015•1 hr 15 min
Just Japan Podcast: Tech Japan - Hackers and Rakuten Invests in Lyft Some of the latest tech news from Japan. The Japanese government creates new initiatives to combat cyber crime and terrorism, Seven Bank comes out with a new mobile ATM for disaster situations and Rakuten buys a stake in San Francisco ride sharing company Lyft. VOTE DAILY for the podcast (2015 Podcast Awards): http://podcastawards.com Shownotes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: http://twi...
Mar 14, 2015•7 min
In Episode 56 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Ryan Sprague, an American business owner living in Osaka, Japan. Ryan recently left the security of a full-time teaching job to start Melody English, a language school for children with his wife. Kevin and Ryan discuss the transition from being an employee to becoming your own boss as well as what it takes to be an entrepreneur here in Japan. In this episode Kevin also talks about "Just Japan Podcast: Tech Japan", weddings in Ja...
Mar 10, 2015•1 hr 27 min
In the first episode of Just Japan Podcast: Tech Japan, host Kevin O'Shea brings you some quick tech news stories from Japan. In this week's episode, we look at Nissan's BBQ Car as well as the end of days for Sony's Robot Dogs in Japan. VOTE DAILY for the podcast (2015 Podcast Awards): http://podcastawards.com Shownotes: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlandkev Email: justjapanpodcast@gmail.com...
Mar 08, 2015•7 min
In Episode 55 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea speaks with professional photographer Stephen Jackson. Stephen came to Japan interested in photography, but landed his first job as an English teacher. He used teaching as a springboard to his photography career. Teaching got him to Japan where he honed his photography skills. Now he has left the education industry behind is a successful professional photographer working in Japan as well as around the world. Kevin also talks about Hina M...
Mar 04, 2015•1 hr 31 min
In Episode 54 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea speaks to Jason "aka J-San" of NapaJapan.com. Jason is a Canadian who lives and works in the most northern prefecture and island in Japan, Hokkaido. Jason talks about some of the employment opporunites in the city of Sapporo where he lives. Jason also talks about the weather, lifestyle and differences between life in Hokkaido versus other parts of Japan. Jason talks about NapaJapan.com, a service that allows you to purchase Japanese snac...
Feb 23, 2015•1 hr 18 min
In Episode 53 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to Japan-based YouTube content creators, Rachel and Jun. In just a few years Rachel and Jun have watched their YouTube channel grow fom its humble beginnings to having more than 300,000 subscribers. On this week's episode we talk about vlogging on YouTube, Rachel and Jun's channel, how it began to take off and what it's like to be in an international relationship in Japan. Rachel also gives some great tips to aspiring bloggers and ...
Feb 16, 2015•1 hr 11 min
In Episode 52 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to returning guests PeeJay and Mully about a wide variety of "Japan topics." We asked Just Japan Podcast listeners (you guys) to send us questions and you did! We talk about topics such as medication in Japan, unfriendly foreigners, old technolgy, gyms and health clubs, food, geocaching, cycling in Japan and more. Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlandkev...
Feb 10, 2015•1 hr 23 min
In Episode 51 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to returning guest Jenny Silver about her experiences as a Western woman living and working in Japan. Do the challenges foreign women working in Japan differ from their male counterparts? What opportunities do foreign women working in Japan have and what can they do to prepare themselves for working in such a different culture? In this episode of the podcast, Jenny and Kevin discuss Valentine's Day in Japan. Kevin also talks about ...
Feb 04, 2015•1 hr 23 min
In Episode 50 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea looks at getting involved in the local Japanese community. Some foreigners in Japan feel they are separated from Japanese people, but Josh who lives near Osaka decided to really get involved in is community. Josh talks about his involvement with multiple community organizations in Japan and how it has given him a sense of place here. Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitter: http://twitte...
Jan 25, 2015•1 hr 27 min
In Episode 49 of the Just Japan Podcast we look back on the Great Hanshi-Awaji Earthquake (Kobe Earthquake). It struck at 5:46 am on January 17th, 1995 while the people of the city of Kobe slept. This booming port city in Japan was crippled and thousands of people lost their lives. Host Kevin O'Shea discusses the history of the event and talks to Caterina, a Kobe native who lived through the event as well as Mai, who lived in nearby Osaka at the time of the earthquake. They share their first han...
Jan 16, 2015•36 min
In Episode 48 of the Just Japan Podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks to friends of the show Mully and Pee Jay about fast food in Japan. What types are available in Japan? How does it hold up quality-wise against fast food in other countries? We aslo talk about the ever-growing list of food quality scandals with McDonalds Japan in recent days and weeks! Can I have some human teeth with that burger and fries????? Shownotes/Website: http://busankevin.com RSS Feed: http://justjapan.libsyn.com/rss Twitte...
Jan 11, 2015•1 hr 10 min
