On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Chris McMorran talks about what it’s like working at a rural ryokan (Japanese inn).
About Dr. Chris McMorran
Chris McMorran is Associate Professor of Japanese Studies at the National University of Singapore. He is a cultural geographer of contemporary Japan focusing on the geographies of home across scale, from the body to the nation. He is the author of Ryokan: Mobilizing Hospitality in Rural Japan (University of Hawai’i Press), an ethnography of a Japanese inn, based on twelve months spent scrubbing baths, washing dishes, and making guests feel at home in Kurokawa Onsen. He also researches tourism, disasters, gendered labor, area studies, field-based learning, and popular culture, including as co-editor of Teaching Japanese Popular Culture. Finally, Chris co-produces the Home on the Dot podcast with NUS students. The podcast explores the complex spaces and meanings of home in Singapore, through the lives of young people.
Topics Discussed
- About Dr. Thomas Baudinette’s interest in Japan and research
- About ryokan (Japanese inns)
- About what it’s like to work at a ryokan
- About the tasks expected of a ryokan employee
- About who works at ryokans
- About genered labor at ryokan
- Whether you should leave a tip at a ryokan
- And much more!
Listen to Japan Station on
Apple Podcasts Google Play Stitcher Spotify Tunein iHeartRadio PodBean Overcast
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we’re able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you’ll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you’ll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.
Links, Videos, Etc.
To get a copy of Ryokan: Mobilizing Hospitality in Rural Japan you can use the link below or check wherever books are sold.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media
Full Show Notes
Get the full version of show notes at https://japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/
