The Chugoku region is located on the westernmost part of Honshu, Japan’s largest main island. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to see and do there! Topics Covered: Hiroshima: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park — Shukkeien (Garden) — Hiroshima Castle — Hondori Street — Okonomiyaki Village Miyajima: Itsukushima Shrine — Momijidani Park Fukuyama: Shinshoji Temple — Tomonoura Port — Fukuyama Castle Onomichi: Shimanami Kaido (Bicycle trail) — Temple Walk — Kousanji Temple Okayama: Korak...
Jan 03, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 93
Yakuza are members of organized crime syndicates that have been active in Japan for hundreds of years. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the dark underbelly of Japanese society!
Dec 20, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 92
Sake, or nihonshu, is a rice-based alcoholic beverage that has been enjoyed in Japan for over a millennium. Join Jason and Paul as they learn all about how sake is made, its cultural significance, and just what makes it so delicious!
Dec 06, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 91
Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging, is considered to be one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. Join Jason and Paul as they learn all about the techniques and styles of this ancient practice!
Nov 22, 2021•40 min•Ep. 90
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 — El...
Nov 08, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 89
Welcome to the Halloween Special! Join Jason and Paul as they share some old Japanese ghost stories from Lafcadio Hearn’s “Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things”, published in 1904.
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 88
The Sensoji Kannon Temple in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest temple and an extremely popular tourist destination. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about this beautiful and historic spiritual site!
Oct 11, 2021•49 min•Ep. 87
Various types of seaweed are used in all sorts of Japanese foods, from sushi to soups to okonomiyaki to desserts. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about this versatile ingredient!
Sep 27, 2021•58 min•Ep. 86
Japan’s bullet trains are famous around the world for their speed, efficiency, and masterful engineering. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what makes the Shinkansen so amazing!
Sep 13, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 85
Shikoku is one of the main islands of Japan and has a unique history, beautiful natural scenery, and a traditional feel. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the Shikoku region of Japan! Topics Covered: Shikoku Pilgrimage History Tokushima Prefecture: Naruto Whirlpools — Iya Valley (Vine bridges) — Anan Coast — Awa Odori Festival — Nagoro (Doll village) — Sobagome Zosui Kagawa Prefecture: Naoshima (Art island) — Shikoku Village — Konpira Shrine — Ritsurin Garden — Ogijima — Sanuki Udon Ehime Pref...
Aug 30, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 84
Masks have a long history in Japan and are used in everything from festivals to traditional theatre. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many different types of Japanese masks!
Aug 16, 2021•40 min•Ep. 83
Miso is a fermented soybean paste that has played an important role in Japanese cuisine for hundreds of years. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history, production, and uses of this delicious and healthy food!
Aug 02, 2021•46 min•Ep. 82
Karaoke originated in Japan and has become a hugely popular pastime. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history of karaoke and the reasons that its popularity has spread all over the world!
Jul 19, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 81
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 Avenu...
Jul 05, 2021•54 min•Ep. 80
Japan is a great place to visit as a tourist but there are also other ways to visit if you’d like to stay for an extended period of time. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss various ways to work or study in Japan!
Jun 21, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 79
Japan built its whisky industry based on techniques imported from Scotland and they now produce some of the most sought-after whisky in the world. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the delicious world of Japanese whisky!
Jun 07, 2021•54 sec•Ep. 78
Ancient Japanese folktales can help provide insight into Japan’s philosophies and culture. Join Jason and Paul as they share and discuss two popular stories that have been passed down through the centuries!
May 24, 2021•51 min•Ep. 77
Japan is a world leader in the development of robotics and artificial intelligence. Join Jason and Paul as they learn how these innovative technologies could change the future of Japanese society!
May 10, 2021•1 hr 23 min•Ep. 76
The Chubu region is located in central Honshu between the Kanto and Kansai regions. It is characterized by rugged mountains and also contains an important symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the amazing things to see and do in this oft-overlooked region of Japan! Topics Covered: History: Tokaido Trail — Nakasendo Trail Aichi Prefecture: Nagoya Castle — Inuyama Castle — Atsuta Jingu — Tokugawa Art Museum — SCMaglev and Railway Park — Toyota Kaikan Museum — Nagashima R...
Apr 26, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 75
Video game arcades are ubiquitous in Japan where they are known as “game centers”. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history of this innovative industry and learn about the many amazing games that can be found at Japanese arcades!
Apr 12, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 74
Soy sauce is a fermented liquid condiment that plays an extremely important role in Japanese cuisine. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history, production, and uses of this versatile product!
Mar 29, 2021•45 min•Ep. 73
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 — ...
Mar 15, 2021•51 min•Ep. 72
Osorezan, or “Dread Mountain”, is an active volcano with a Buddhist temple in its caldera. It is one of Japan’s three most sacred places and is believed to be one of the gates to the underworld. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this other-worldly pilgrimage destination!
Mar 01, 2021•43 min•Ep. 71
The concept of kawaii, meaning “cute” or "adorable", is a prominent aspect of modern Japanese culture. Join Jason and Paul as they dive deep into the world of kawaii culture!
Feb 15, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 70
Valentine’s Day is a relatively new holiday in Japan, and they celebrate it in their own unique way. They even created a companion holiday called White Day! Join Jason and Paul as they explore the customs and traditions surrounding these celebrations!
Feb 01, 2021•38 min•Ep. 69
Did you know that Japanese denim is widely considered to be among the best in the world? Join Jason and Paul as they learn about what makes Japanese denim so great!
Jan 18, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 68
Mochi is a popular rice-based food in Japan that has been considered sacred since ancient times. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about how it is made, its cultural significance, and the many types of dishes that can be made with mochi!
Jan 04, 2021•39 min•Ep. 67
The Tohoku region of Japan, consisting of six prefectures in northeast Honshu, is known for its mountains, winter sports, onsen resorts, and natural scenery. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what there is to see and do in the Tohoku region! Topics Covered: History Fukushima Prefecture: Oze National Park — Goshikinuma Ponds — Ouchi-juku — Kitakata Ramen Miyagi Prefecture: Jozenji-dori — Kokubuncho — Ichibancho Shopping Arcade — Sendai Daikannon — Tomizawa Site Museum — Zuihoden Mausoleum — Gyu...
Dec 21, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 66
Pachinko is a pinball-like game that is extremely popular in Japan both as a recreational game and as a gambling device. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the bright and noisy world of Pachinko!
Dec 07, 2020•50 min•Ep. 65
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 T...
Nov 23, 2020•44 min•Ep. 64
