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    What’s better: rural life or city life in Japan? | Japan Station 230/Ichimon Japan 12

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Home Podcasts Ichimon Japan (page 5)

Ichimon Japan

Helping you better understand Japan and the Japanese language one question at a time.

Every episode Tony and Ryan–two guys with master’s degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics–draw on their experiences in Japan and extensive research in both Japanese and English to shed light on all aspects of Japan.

From the many interesting quirks of the Japanese language to obscure Japanese history, as well as busting misconceptions about Japan held by both Japanese peole and Westerners, Tony and Ryan cover it all. In the process they have a few laughs and sometimes even end up uncovering information that can only be found in Japanese.

Episodes are released at least once a month (on the 7th). Bonus episodes are released on the 21st.

Is there something that puzzles you about Japanese society? Or is there something in Japanese media/pop culture that you want us to explain? If so, then send an email with your question to ichimon@japankyo.com. While we can’t promise that we’ll be able to answer it, we’ll definitely do our best to address it in some way.

Ichimon Japan is a production of JapanKyo.com. For full show notes, visit japankyo.com/ichimonjapan.

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese mistake stories? (Part 2) | Ichimon Japan 37

By Tony R. Vega
February 21, 2021
Comments Off on Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese mistake stories? (Part 2) | Ichimon Japan 37
2,739

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese mistake stories? Topics Discussed How “sayonara” is not …

Left side features text reading "excellence of the hairstyle." The right side has an iillustration of a handsome male character drawn in an anime style. He is wearing a fashinable suit and posing with his hands in his pockets looking down. His hair is done in a chonmage or typical samurai topknot with the hair tied up and the front of his head shaven. The pose is reminiscent of a fashion model.
Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

Why did samurai have such weird haircuts? (All About Topknots/Chommage) | Ichimon Japan 34

By Tony R. Vega
February 7, 2021
Comments Off on Why did samurai have such weird haircuts? (All About Topknots/Chommage) | Ichimon Japan 34
6,321

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why did samurai have such weird haircuts? Topics Discussed What a chonmage is The Japanese people’s …

A cute drawing of a koala head can be seen. On the top left is the Ichimon Japan logo. On the bottom left there is text reading "hole bears, bag bears & more."
Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

What is the best Japanese name for a bear that isn’t actually a bear? (About Hole Bears, Bag Bears & More) | Ichimon Japan 35

By Tony R. Vega
January 21, 2021
Comments Off on What is the best Japanese name for a bear that isn’t actually a bear? (About Hole Bears, Bag Bears & More) | Ichimon Japan 35
4,560

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we once again ask: What is the best Japanese name for a bear that isn’t actually a bear? …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

What annoys you about living in Japan? (Part 2: Chinese Names, Short Sleeves, Bears, & More) | Ichimon Japan 34

By Tony R. Vega
January 7, 2021
Comments Off on What annoys you about living in Japan? (Part 2: Chinese Names, Short Sleeves, Bears, & More) | Ichimon Japan 34
2,780

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we once again ask: What annoys you about living in Japan? Topics Discussed The frustratingly useless nature of …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

What annoys you about living in Japan? (Part 1: Bookstores, Ice Cream Floats, Repetitive Language, & More) | Ichimon Japan 33

By Tony R. Vega
December 26, 2020
Comments Off on What annoys you about living in Japan? (Part 1: Bookstores, Ice Cream Floats, Repetitive Language, & More) | Ichimon Japan 33
2,501

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What annoys you about living in Japan? Topics Discussed Some annoying things you might encounter while …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

Who got it more wrong: MatPat or Tony? (Revisiting the Curse of Colonel Sanders) | Ichimon Japan 32

By Tony R. Vega
December 21, 2020
Comments Off on Who got it more wrong: MatPat or Tony? (Revisiting the Curse of Colonel Sanders) | Ichimon Japan 32
2,921

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Who got it more wrong: MatPat or Tony? (This episode is a follow up to …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

What is yakitori? (All About Japan’s Famous Chicken Skewers) | Ichimon Japan 31

By Tony R. Vega
December 7, 2020
Comments Off on What is yakitori? (All About Japan’s Famous Chicken Skewers) | Ichimon Japan 31
8,888

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is yakitori? Topics Discussed What yakitori is The difference between yakitori when it is written …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese language mistake stories? | Ichimon Japan 30

By Tony R. Vega
November 21, 2020
Comments Off on Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese language mistake stories? | Ichimon Japan 30
3,465

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Do you have any funny or embarrassing Japanese language mistake stories? Topics Discussed What Ikigai Connections …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

What is a kirakira name? | Ichimon Japan 29

By Tony R. Vega
November 7, 2020
Comments Off on What is a kirakira name? | Ichimon Japan 29
3,901

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a kirakira name? Topics Discussed What a so-called kirakira nēmu is What kirakira …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

Why do students in Hamamatsu City have to wear white underwear? | Ichimon Japan 27

By Tony R. Vega
October 13, 2020
Comments Off on Why do students in Hamamatsu City have to wear white underwear? | Ichimon Japan 27
2,934

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do students in Hamamatsu City have to wear white underwear? Topics Discussed School …

Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

What is a tsuchinoko? (All About Japan’s Most Famous Cryptid) | Ichimon Japan 26

By Tony R. Vega
October 8, 2020
Comments Off on What is a tsuchinoko? (All About Japan’s Most Famous Cryptid) | Ichimon Japan 26
9,632

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a tsuchinoko? Topics Discussed What a tsuchinoko is How you say “cryptid” …

Have you ever wondered what a bald cat girl (neko mimi) would look like? Do they have four ears or two ears? This image features an original character named Hagenyan (literally "Baldie Meow"). She is an attempt to answer these questions. As you can see, she has two sets of ears.
Ichimon Japan, Podcasts

Why does to “nyan nyan” mean “to have sex” in Japanese? (Japanese Cat Idioms) | Ichimon Japan 25

By Tony R. Vega
September 21, 2020
Comments Off on Why does to “nyan nyan” mean “to have sex” in Japanese? (Japanese Cat Idioms) | Ichimon Japan 25
13,686

Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why does to “nyan nyan” mean to “have sex” in Japanese? Topics Discussed Japanese …

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