On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about some of Tokyo’s most popular tourist sites. Are they tourist traps or worth your time? We’re also joined by stand up comedian and tour guide Shuhei “Shoe” Murakami. 👉Topics Discussed Is Tokyo Skytree a tourist trap? Should you visit it? Should you visit Tokyo Tower? Should you visit Tokyo Disneyland? Is …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is wasei eigo? (Funny “Japanese” English) Topics Discussed What wasei eigo is About English sounding words made in Japan tenshon ga takai pākā How SNS is not English arubaito nōtopasokon buraindotacchi misu misesu rippukurīmu hocchikisu OL sararīman (salaryman) shīchikin interi haiso furonto hōmu chakku majikkutēpu majikku majikkumirā Gpan jampāsukāto wagomu atakku …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re talking about Japanese idioms involving the color red (赤, aka, seki). For example, have you ever wondered why lies are red in Japanese? Listen to find out! 👉Topics Discussed Japanese idioms involving the color red Why 真っ赤なウソ/makka na uso means a “complete lie” and what the color red has to do with lies …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re joined by documentary filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki to talk about her latest documentary The Making of a Japanese and her latest short documentary Instrument of a Beating Heart. During the conversation we focus on the making of these films, what makes Japanese elementary schools unique, the role Japanese elementary schools play in shaping Japanese society, …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re talking about the difference between the Japanese word kaze (cold, 風邪) and kaze (wind, 風). Why do they share the same pronunciation? Are they related? Or is this all just a big coincidence? Listen to find out! 👉Topics Discussed About visiting Japan for the first time What the difference between kaze (風邪) and kaze (風) is The history …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re talking about some of the annoying things people have to deal with when moving to Japan. Our guest this time is the CEO of Mobal, Declan Somers. 👉Topics Discussed About visiting Japan for the first time About moving to Japan and working in a Japanese company in the late ’90s Japan in the …

On this episode of Japan Station, we’re talking to Quinlan from the GoNorth Japan YouTube channel about surviving a bear encounter in Japan, hiking in the Tohoku area of Japan and more. 👉Topics Discussed About bear attacks and encounters in Japan How to prevent encounters with bears while hiking in Japan Whether bear bells and whistles are effective in warding …

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, we’re talking about train etiquette in Japan. We’re covering a recent Japanese survey that lists the 8 most irritating things people do on trains in Japan. 👉Topics Discussed Eight things you shouldn’t do on Japanese trains A survey indicating eight annoying things people do on Japanese trains How people in Japan deal with annoying …

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 …