On this episode of Japan Station we ask: What was it like walking the Tokaido Road? NOTE: This is a re-broadcast of episode 78 of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Topics Discussed About the Tokaido Challenge About what it was like walking the Tokaido Road About the challenges of walking the Tokaido Road About what it was like walking from Kyoto to Tokyo About …

On this episode of Japan Station, Dr. Eric C. Rath joins us to talk all about the history of what may be Japan’s most famous cuisine: SUSHI! We discuss its origins, evolution and more! 👉Topics Discussed Where sushi came from Fermented sushi The meaning of sushi Sushi’s Chinese origins Shiga Prefecture’s funazushi Sushi in the Edo period Sushi in Japan’s …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re talking about one of Japan’s most iconic foods: mochi. Learn all about the history, lore and consumption practices of this important Japanese food! 👉Topics Discussed About the history and origins of mochi What mochi is About how people eat mochi in Japan About yukimi daifuku/ice cream mochi About kagami mochi Where the word …

 On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to photographer and journalist Michael Magers. Michael has spent over a decade documenting shokunin (artisans/crafworkers) across Japan. During that time has has had many extremely unique expriences such as ama divers, participating in Osaka’s infamous Danjiri Festival, and getting tattooed by a traditional Japanese tattoo artist. He talks about those experiences …

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it’s like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo, Japanese craft beer and more. 👉Topics Discussed About Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky About running a craft beer bar in Tokyo Japanese …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about oden, one of Japan’s most popular winter foods. 👉Topics Discussed What is oden? Where to buy oden in Japan? What are the common igredients of oden? The history of oden Where the name oden came from About dengaku About regional varieties of oden Whether oden tastes good Should you try oden? …

Every year watermelon lovers gather in Tomisato City in Chiba Prefecture to participate in an epic physical challenge knows as the Tomisato Suika Rōdo Rēsu (冨里すいかロードレース). This peculiar event involves people of all ages eating watermelon as they race to be the first to complete the 7 km course. This year the event was held on June 16th and featured …

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 …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Christmas like in Japan? (About Japanese Christmas) Topics Discussed All about Christmas in Japan Japanese Christmas customs in Japan All about fried chicken and Christmas in Japan Why KFC is the thing to eat during Christmas in Japan How Christmas is seen as a romantic holiday in Japan Christmas light …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony talks to John Davis, a cheesemaker living in Okinawa, Japan. About John Davis John Davis is a cheesemaker living in Okinawa, Japan. He operates okicheese.com. Topics Discussed About moving to Japan and trying to find a job teaching English in Japan About why John Davis started making cheese in Okinawa About …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kyle Broyles of Pintology in Tokyo tells us about the process of starting and running a craft beer in Tokyo. Plus we celebrate episode 100 of Japan Station! About Kyle Broyles Kyle Broyles helps his wife run Pintology, a craft beer bar near Shinjuku in Tokyo. Kyle is also known as one …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What’s the difference: East vs West Japan? Topics Discussed Some of the differences observed in East and West Japan (higashi and nishi nihon) Differences in culture and food seen in Kansai and Kanto Where the border between East and West Japan is The difference in how people from East vs West Japan …