Welcome to Sightseeing Japan! Join hosts Jason Nieling and Paul Bresin as they explore the land of the rising sun. New podcast episodes are released every other week covering a range of topics, from geisha to vending machines and everything in between.
Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the world of Japanese beer! Topics Covered: History: Kirin — Sapporo — Asahi — Suntory How is Beer Made? Types of Beer in Japan: Happoshu — Daisan no Biiru — Seasonal Beer — Craft Beer Beer Tasting Where to Experience Beer in Japan
Kappa are dangerous reptilian water creatures from Japanese mythology. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the fascinating folklore behind this odd, cucumber-loving yokai! Topics Covered: History What Do Kappa Look Like? What Do Kappa Do?: Hobbies — Diet — Violence — Shirikodama How to Defeat a Kappa Public Perception Are Kappa Real? Folktales Where to Find Kappa in Japan: Kaiyodo Kappa Museum (Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture) — Sogenji Temple (Asakusa, Tokyo) — Kappabuchi Pool (Tono, Iwate Prefectur...
The four seasons in Japan each have their own distinct character, and the impact that seasonal changes have had on the country’s culture over the centuries is apparent in many aspects of their society. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what makes Japan’s four seasons so special! Topics Covered: History Weather Events/Holidays Food Decorative Motifs...
Homes in Japan are often multi-generational and may not offer enough privacy for certain intimate activities…but fortunately the love hotel industry provides a solution to this problem. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the wide variety of love hotels in Japan! Topics Covered: History Where to find love hotels Appearance/Amenities Rates Examples: Hotel Sara — Hotel Bali-An Resort — Hotel Ikutama Love — Hotel Blan Chapel Christmas — Hotel Artia Dinosaur — Hotel Togenkyo Isehara — Hotel Us Keiba...
Stories of ghosts and monsters stretch back centuries in Japanese mythology and many of them are tied to specific locations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many haunted places in Japan! Topics Covered: Kanto Area: Aokigahara (The Suicide Forest) — Himuro Mansion — Sendagaya Tunnel — Gridley Tunnel — The Prime Minister’s Residence — Oiran Buchi Bridge Kansai Area: Awashima Shrine — Maruoka Castle (technically in Chubu) — Kiyotaki Tunnel — Himeji Castle (Okiku’s Well) Kyushu Area: Inunaki...
Whether you have food allergies or if your diet is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, etc., Japanese cuisine can be difficult to navigate if you’re not able to eat certain common ingredients. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss how to enjoy Japan while adhering to various dietary restrictions! Topics Covered: Modern Japanese diet Food allergies (18:29) Vegan diet (27:58) Vegetarian diet (45:22) Religious dietary restrictions (49:57) Gluten-free diet (53:36) Keto diet (1:01:42) General tips...
Japan has been slow to reopen to tourism since it closed its borders at the beginning of the pandemic, but they recently announced that the country will fully reopen on October 11, 2022!
Kagoshima is a seaside city in southern Kyushu, best known for its active volcano, Sakurajima. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Kagoshima! Topics Covered: History : Yamato and Hayato peoples — Shimazu Tadahisa — Satsuma Domain — Horeki River Incident — Satsuma Rebellion — Saigo Takamori Attractions: Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration — Shiroyama Park — Reimeikan (History museum) — Kagoshima City Museum of Art — Sengan-en (Garden) — Shoko Shuseikan ...
Japan has been slow to open up to tourism since the beginning of the pandemic, but things are starting to change. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the current tourism situation as well as recent newsworthy events in Japan! Topics Covered: Announcements Can I go to Japan yet?: Japan Travel subreddit — Japan National Tourism Organization — Kyushu Journeys (travel agency) Tourism industry Abe assassination The idol who married her fan The man who married Hatsune Miku Nuclear power in Japan Liste...
Kyoto is a city bursting at the seams with temples, shrines, and history. It served as the capital for over 1,000 years and is the perfect destination for visitors that want to get in touch with the culture of ancient Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Kyoto! Topics Covered: History East: Fushimi Inari Taisha — Tofukuji — Kiyomizu-dera — Hokanji (Yasaka Pagoda) — Kenninji — Keage Incline — Nanzenji — Philosopher’s Path — Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion) West (...
The Japanese tea ceremony is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. This method of preparing and serving matcha involves a set of prescribed movements, a specific setting, and specialized tools, among other important considerations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this ancient art form! Topics Covered: History: Lu Yu — Eisai — Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji (Gold/Silver Pavilions) — Murata Juko — Sen no Rikyu Setting Attire Season Equipment and tools (Chadogu): Bowl (Chawan) — Tea ...
Tofukuji is one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto and is one of the city’s most popular temples for tourists. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this historic site and discuss the many things to see and do there! Topics Covered: History: Chan Buddhism — Five Mountain System — Meiji Restoration Main Gate (Sanmon) Main Hall (Hondo) Priest’s Living Quarters (Hojo): Mirei Shigemori — Gardens Tsutenkyo Bridge Founder’s Hall (Kaisando) Other Buildings: Former latrine ( Tosu) — Meditation Hall (Z...
Dogs are popular pets in Japan and have been for thousands of years. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about Japan’s six native dog breeds and what role they have played in Japanese culture over the years! Topics Covered: History Dogs in Folklore: Inugami — Hanasaka Jiisan — Hachiko Dog Culture in Japan Native Dog Breeds: Shiba Inu — Akita Inu — Hokkaido Inu — Kai Ken — Kishu Ken — Shikoku Ken Controversy Dog Cafes: Dog Heart...
Kobe is a city in the Kansai region that is famous for producing some of the best beef in the world, as well as for its sake tradition and international culture. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about the many things to see and do (and eat) in Kobe! Topics Covered: History Port Area: Kobe Port Tower — Harborland — Renga Soko (19th Century Brick Warehouses) — Gaslight Street — Promena KOBE/Manyo Club North of the Port: Motomachi Shopping Street — Chinatown (Nankinmachi) — Ikuta Shrine — Kitano-C...
In Japan, the term “idol” refers to attractive young entertainers who primarily sing, act, dance, and model, among other things. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this unique aspect of modern Japanese society!
Japan is home to hundreds of amusement parks and theme parks, many of which offer experiences that can’t be had anywhere else. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the most popular and unusual parks in the country!
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...
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!
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!
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!
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...
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.
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!
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!
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!
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...
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!
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!
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!
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...
