We are back with another fantastic conversation about Japan. Kevin chats with Dave in Osaka, one of the original Japan live-streamers. If you’re interested in seeing Maiko in Kyoto or festivals throughout Japan, Dave’s YouTube and Twitter are the places to be. He started back in the days of Periscope and continues to create great content with amazing cultural and travel connections. Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast Follow Dave...
Jan 11, 2024•49 min•Ep. 207
Have you ever heard of Chikara Ishi 力石 or Strength Stones in Japan? Probably not. Kevin chats with Osaka-based strength athlete, David Dunlap about the history of stone lifting in Japan. Now, an almost lost sport, Chikara Ishi was once renowned and revered around Japan. Today, strength athletes such as David and the World’s Strongest Man, Martins Licis are trying to put the sport back on the map in Japan. Learn more about this fascinating piece of Japanese history. Sign up for the FREE Just Japa...
Dec 16, 2023•43 min•Ep. 206
In this episode, Kevin chats with Jim Mullins, aka, Mully. Jim has called Japan home for 32 years and appeared on the Just Japan Podcast more than 20 times. Kevin and Jim catch up on life and talk about Jim’s years as a content creator in Japan. They also chat about what has kept Mully in Japan for so long and even about his Podcast, the Mully’s Place Podcast. Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast Check out the Supernatural Japan P...
Dec 05, 2023•56 min•Ep. 205
Kevin has a fantastic chat with television producer and Japan-based personality, Riki Ohkanda. Riki has a passion for celebrating the Japanese kimono and other aspects of traditional living in Japan. She can often be seen on Twitter sharing her impressive kimono knowledge and fashion and was recently featured on an NHK World television program about the iconic traveler, Isabella Bird. She talks about how she arrived in Japan, became interested in the culture, and uses Twitter (X) to share positi...
Dec 01, 2023•56 min•Ep. 204
We are back! Are you still out there listening? In this episode, we chat with Casey Bean, an American living in Ishikawa Prefecture 石川県. He talks about how he found his way to Japan, life in a slower-paced area of Japan, and his podcasts, The Bean Pod, and Ishikawa Summit to Sea. We also talk about forest gardening, chickens, and recording original music, and Casey advises listeners seeking the slow life in rural Japan. Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe...
Nov 28, 2023•53 min
International educator and podcaster, Kevin O’Shea brings you some interesting takes on a long life living abroad in Asia. The Just Asia Podcast profiles fascinating expats living across Asia doing amazing things. He talks to people in Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and more. Listen to their stories and be inspired by the lives they lead. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-asia/id1674193428 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2qBwXhrGswVKwd7HlwwP8E Amazon Music: h...
Jun 06, 2023•2 min
International educator and podcaster, Kevin O’Shea brings you some interesting takes on a long life living abroad in Asia. From the quirky facets of life in Japan to living under covid restrictions in China. Kevin talks about food, travel, raising 3rd culture kids, gardening, teaching at international schools, and a lot more. International living has a lot of ups and sometimes downs. Next stop…Malaysia for even more food, travel, and life adventures! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us...
Mar 17, 2023•22 min
It’s been almost 3 years and we are back! Just Japan Podcast host stops by to say, “Hello” with his son Kai. They give some life updates and talk about his new podcast! The Supernatural Japan Podcast has a little something for every Japan enthusiast! SUBSCRIBE today! Supernatural Japan on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan/id1616675498 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy84ZGE0YTI0NC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw Anchor: https://anc...
May 02, 2022•17 min•Ep. 202
After several years working as a reporter for NHK news, returning guest, Adam Walsh will return to Canada to continue his journalism career there. Adam talks about some of the highlights of his time covering Japan as a journalist and what its like to live and work Japan. Home of the podcast: https://justjapanstuff.com/ Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff
Jun 16, 2019•41 min•Ep. 201
200 episodes! Past guests join Kevin to chat about 200 episodes of the Just Japan Podcast! Join in the fun! Trivia and silliness are the order of the day! Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff
May 19, 2019•1 hr 38 min•Ep. 200
What's the deal with Japanese whiskey? Why has it become so famous? Is it really that good? In this episode of the JJP, we chat with writer Brian Ashcraft about the history of whiskey in Japan. We also chat about his work with Kotaku, the Japan Times and the books he's written. Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast Home of the podcast: https://justjapanstuff.com/ Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff...
May 12, 2019•37 min•Ep. 199
What does it take to get a university job in Japan? This week we chat with university instructor PeeJay. He talks about the qualifications you need to work in Japanese universities and how to find work. Get ready, episode 200 is coming soon! Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff...
May 05, 2019•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 198
Like Japanese food? Wanna see lots of it on YouTube? This week, in Episode 197, we chat with Eric Berg, aka, Ericsurf6 of YouTube fame! This Japan-based food vlogger has seen a great deal of success over the years on YouTube and his channel is going stronger than ever. If you like Japan and food, then you'll enjoy this interview! Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff...
Apr 28, 2019•44 min•Ep. 197
This week on the Just Japan Podcast we have a special treat. You get to listen to two chats Kevin had with regular guest PeeJay from 10 years ago! These chats are from their old collaborative YouTube channel, Two Beers in Asia. Next week, Kevin will be back with a regular and up-to-date interview! Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff
Apr 21, 2019•28 min•Ep. 196
In this episode, we chat with Kyoto, Japan-based filmmaker, Felicity Tillack about her full-length film, Impossible to Imagine which is set in Kyoto, Japan. We discuss this exciting project as well as other fascinating creative projects she has worked on in the past. Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff
Apr 14, 2019•43 min
In Episode 194, Kevin catches up with long time friends of the show, Andrew Higgins and Mully! They catch up and chat about what they are currently doing in Japan. It's been awhile and we're happy to be back. Home of the podcast: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple New Podcast: Making Better Teachers Podcast http://makingbetterteachers.com
Apr 07, 2019•53 min•Ep. 194
In this update edition of the Just Japan Podcast, Kevin fills you in on where he has been and why you haven't heard the JJP in some time. He also talks about his new podcast all about education, the Making Better Teachers Podcast. Making Better Teachers Podcast: http://makingbetterteachers.com Twitter: @madformaple
Jan 20, 2019•30 min•Ep. 192
In JJP 192, Kevin chats with Earth Uncut TV's James Reynolds and Kansai Pee Jay about the recent typhoon (Typhoon Jebi - Typhoon 21) that smashed into the Kansai region of Japan. This was the most powerful and destructive typhoon to hit the Kansai region of Japan in the past 50 years. Both James and Pee Jay experienced the typhoon first hand and share those experiences with you folks! Just Japan Podcast: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple http://twitter.com/madformaple Instagram: @j...
Sep 09, 2018•30 min•Ep. 192
In JJP 191, host Kevin O'Shea chats with the podcast's youngest guest, 8-year-old Kai (the host's son) about his experiences as a young student in Japanese elementary school versus an international school. Kai completed kindergarten and one semester of Grade One in Japan. He just finished his Grade One year at a large IB/PYP international school in Beijing. What are the differences in the eyes of a kid? What did he like about each school and how do they compare? Just Japan Podcast: http://justja...
Jul 31, 2018•25 min•Ep. 191
In JJP 190, Kevin gives some updates while on summer holiday in Canada. There will be no regular episodes of the Just Japan Podcast until August 2018. New Twitter home: @madformaple http://twitter.com/madformaple New Japan Instagram feed: @japannightscenes http://instagram.com/japannightscenes Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff Home http://justjapanstuff.com
Jul 22, 2018•11 min•Ep. 190
In JJP 189, host Kevin O'Shea talks about his experience with the Osaka Earthquake. Kevin and his family flew into Osaka from Beijing the night before the earthquake to start their summer vacation. He also discusses an appearance on The Weather Channel Podcast talking about the quake, plans while in Kobe for two weeks and the upcoming Just Japan Podcast meet up in Kobe, Japan! Follow the podcast on Twitter: @madformaple Instagram: @jlandkev Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff Podcast la...
Jun 19, 2018•19 min
In JJP 188, Kevin O'Shea chats with acclaimed horror (and all things Japan-creepy) writer Thersa Matsuura about her writing as well as her podcast, Uncanny Japan. Thersa researches and writes about the darker side of Japan. She was nominated by the Horror Writer's Association for a 2017 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Fiction Collection for her book, "The Carp-Faced Boy and Other Tales." She created the Uncanny Japan podcast to share her dark tales of Japan with people around the...
Jun 12, 2018•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 188
In JJP187, host Kevin chats about entertaining yourself in Japan, "way back when" versus now! Returning guests Andrew Higgins and Pee Jay talk about the different things they did for fun when they first arrived in Japan and their first few years in the country versus now. As you become more used to Japan and your life interests change, the things you do for fun change as well. Join the crew for a really fun conversation as well as a bonus story at the end of the podcast. Home of the podcast: htt...
May 25, 2018•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 187
In JJP 186, host Kevin O'Shea reflects on some aspects of his time in Japan (solo episode this week). What were some mistakes he made while dealing with work and Japanese culture in general? Kevin also makes a counter to episode 184 (negative in Japan) and highlights a couple of friends who are happy and successful in Japan. Just Japan Podcast home online: http://justjapanstuff.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff Twitter: http://twitter.com/jlandkev (@jlandkev)...
May 22, 2018•45 min•Ep. 186
In JJP 185, host Kevin O'Shea chats with Mike Cash, host of the Hanzai Podcast, a podcast about crime in Japan. The Hanzai Podcast is a weekly roundup of crime stories from around Japan as well as in-depth episodes about major crimes in Japan. If you like Japan and have an interest in true crime podcasts, you'll like the Hanzai Podcast. http://justjapanstuff.com/ Podcast Facebook Page: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff Twitter: @jlandkev
May 12, 2018•1 hr 6 min
In JJP 184 Kevin chats with returning guest Mully about negative foreigners in Japan. Whether living in Japan for a short time or long-term, you will inevitably run into negative foreigners. They seem to be the kind of people who complain about everything and are never happy. They also really seem to really dislike it when people say, "If you don't like Japan, then leave!" they also talk about more uplifting and positive aspects of being a Gaijin in Japan. Just Japan Stuff (the home of the podca...
May 02, 2018•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 184
IN JJP 183, Kevin chats with Tom from @BeingKansai on Twitter. @BeingKansai is probably the best source of cultural news and events going on in the Kansai region of Japan. If you are in Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, etc. and are not sure what to do on any given weekend, @BeingKansai will give you lots of ideas! Tom and Kevin discuss the end of Hanami season in Japan as well as the various seasonal changes. With the changing weather comes new festivals, cultural events, and seasonal food! Home of the podca...
Apr 08, 2018•51 min•Ep. 183
In JJP 182, host Kevin O'Shea answers some listener questions about life in Beijing, China. After nearly 10 years of living and working in Japan, Kevin moved to Beijing last summer with his family for work. What is it like to live in China's capital city? What are the differences between Beijing and Kobe, Japan? This episode is a solo show, a little different than usual, but something you'll enjoy! Home of the Just Japan Podcast: http://justjapanstuff.com Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapans...
Mar 28, 2018•38 min•Ep. 182
In JJP 181, host Kevin O'Shea chats with returning guest Brian Waters about being a parent in Japan. They talk about the cultural differences between Canada, America, and Japan in school and with regards to raising children. The pressure put on mothers with school PTO's, after school studying (juku) and future education plans. When you move from another country to Japan and decide to start a family, things can get really interesting and surprising when your kids start school! NEW BLOG! http://ma...
Mar 23, 2018•55 min•Ep. 181
JJP 180 - Host Kevin O'Shea chats with Jim "Mully" Mullins about some listener questions about Japan. They talk Japanese and Chinese food, traveling in Japan and some "must see" travel destinations. Come on over to Just Japan Stuff (home of the podcast): http://justjapanstuff.com Follow the podcast on Twiter and Instagram: @jlandkev Check us out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/busankevin
Mar 10, 2018•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 180