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 Ichimon Japan we talk about the history of pillows in Japan and an absurd belief regarding the sleeping Topics Discussed About the history of pillows in Japan About early pillows in Japanese history About the evolution of pillows in Japan About pillows during the Edo Period About hakomakura (box pillows) About the oldest pillow in Japan X …

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 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 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 …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Jonathan Wroot tells us about the movies of Ktano Takeshi, the fascinating history of the Zatoichi films, and more.. About Dr. Jonathan Wroot Dr. Jonathan Wroot is a senior lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Greenwich and the author of the book The Paths of Zatoichi: The Global Influence of the …