On this episode of Japan Station, I break down what the Japanese term “plus alpha” (purasu arufa/プラスアルファ) means and its possible origins. 👉Topics Discussed What does “plus alpha” (purasu arufa/プラスアルファ) mean? How you use the Japanese term purasu arufa プラスアルファ The most popular etymology of the term of purasu arufa Real world examples of purasu arufa in use About what …

On this episode of Japan Station, Kevin Tarpey joins us to talk about what it was like doing Shikoku’s famous 88 Temple Pilgrimmage and why Japan is such a great place for long-distance walking. 👉Topics Discussed Why Japan is such a great place for long-distance walking About the famous Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimmage (Ohenro, お遍路) What it’s like walking the …

On this episode of Japan Station, we learn about traditional Japanese indigo dyeing from Sally Hancox, one of the co-owners of AiAii Worshop & Shop on Awaji island. This is a conversation to dye for! Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. 👉Topics Discussed About AiiAii Worshop & Shop About the aizome (indigo dyeing) process About farming and preparing indigo for dyeing Why Sally …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about scandals in Japan. My guest Dr. Igor Prusa tells about how scandals in Japan work, how they surface and how entertainers/business people/politicians who get caught in scandals try to deal with them. This is a truly SCANDALOUS episode. Sorry, couldn’t resist. 👉Topics Discussed The characteristics of a Japanese scandal About the …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Japanese word funiki (雰囲気) and other words that aren’t read the way they are written. 👉Topics Discussed About the Japanese word funiki (雰囲気) What the correct way to read/pronounce funiki is Whether you should read funiki as fun’iki （ふんいき) or fuinki (ふいんき) Why so many people pronounce funiki incorrectly About words like manin (満員) and zenin (全員) and why people often pronounce them incorrectly/differently from …

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about why there’s so few trash cans in public places in Japan. Despite what many sources say the 1995 sarin gas attack in Tokyo is not the reason there are so few trash cans in public places in Japan. It’s actually more complicated than that. While yes, it is true that there …

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, I talk about my upcoming walk across the island of Kyushu. This fall I will be walking roughly 500 km from Iwakuni in Yamaguchi Prefecture all the way down to Kagoshima as part of what I’m calling the Kyushu Challenge, part three of my ongoing Blind Japan Project. Listen to find out more and …

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, supernatural stories, Japanese folklore, Japanese urban legends and more with Kevin O’Shea, host of the Supernatural Japan podcast. 👉Topics Discussed About the Supernatural Japan podcast About Ikuta Shrine’s ghost story About the forest behind Ikuta Shrine in Kobe About exploring spooky places in Japan About the Hakkoda Mountain incident About auspicious animals like swallows …

On this episode of Japan Station, I dig into the history of a fascinating example of Japanese slang: gyarandu (ギャランドゥ). This is a Japanese word that means refers to the patch of hair some people have between their belly button and public area. Often called “happy trail” or “belly/stomach hair,” in English, gyarandu has a really interesting history that goes …

 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 …