On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Shimabara Rebellion, yōkai and more with the author of the Simon Grey books, Charles Kowalski. 👉Topics Discussed What is the Shimabara Rebellion (島原の乱, Shimabara no ran) About the hidden Christians of Nagasaki/Shimabara About the building of Shimabara Castle About researching the Shimabara Rebellion About Amakusa Shiro (益田 四郎) The legends surrounding …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about Japan’s most epic story: The Tale of Genji. Dr. Lynne Miyake joins us to explain what The Tale of Genji is about, it’s its significance and its fascinating manga adaptations. 👉Topics Discussed What The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) is about The historical significance of The Tale of Genji The influence of The Tale of …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about 10 words that only exist in Japanese and how Japanese may not be as unique as you think it is. 👉Topics Discussed x x What komorebi means and what its parts mean What unkai means About kanji compounds in Japanese About the many meanings that can be found in a single …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the importance of revitalizing rural Japan, the negative impact of the weak yen on Japan, and more with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge. 👉Topics Discussed What is chihō sōsei (地方創生)? About the importance of chihō sōsei Why it is important to preserve and revitalize rural areas of Japan About the weak yen (enyasu, …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about how dogs in Japan used to go on religious pilgrimages (maybe?). 👉Topics Discussed About religious pilgrimages in Japan About the 88 temple pilgrimage in Shikoku About Konpira/Kotohira About Konpira inu About the supposed history of dogs going on pilgrimages to Konpira Shrine in Kagawa Prefecture About the story of Shiro the …

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about the Miyajima Challenge: my upcoming walk from Kyoto to Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture. 👉Topics Discussed About the Miyajima Challenge Why I am walking from Kyoto to Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture About the course of the Miyajima Challenge (Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Okayama, Hiroshima) About raising awareness of the blind and visually impaired …

On this episode of Japan Station, writer and Kyoto expert Phillip Jackson tells about some great walking areas in Japan’s ancient capital city. WARNING: This episode will make you want to go to Kyoto! 👉Topics Discussed About Phillip Jackson The fascinating history of Kyoto Lesser known places to visit in Kyoto A trail in Uji you should check out And …

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYjabfdGY2w&t=30s On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about the origin of the Japanese word for “fart” (onara, おなら). 👉Topics Discussed How do you say fart in Japanese? The origins of onara/far in Japanese What is nyōbōkotoba (女房言葉） About the characteristics of nyōbōkotoba (女房言葉） About oden About onigiri About the origins of the Japanese word shamoji (しゃもじ)/rice paddle About the …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re talking to the owners of Geisha House Atami and learning about what it’s like to buy an old house in Japan, restore it and more! Topics Discussed About Geisha House Atami About Atami About the history of Atami About what it’s like buying an old house in Japan Whether you should buy a cheap …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, independent researcher and translator Eric Shahan joins us to talk about his work translating forgotten Japanese books on topics like martial arts, tattoos, ropes, ninja and more. About Eric Shahan Eric Shahan is an independent translator of Japanese books on a variety of topics mainly Jujutsu, sword techniques, police manuals, Karate, Ninja …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is the lesson of Urashima Taro? Topics Discussed The story of Urashima Taro Discussing different versions of Urashima Taro About the mysterious box (tamatebako) seen in Urashima Taro How you shouldn’t trust strange talking turtles The history of the story of Urashima Taro About the origins of Urashima Taro About the …

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 …