On This Episode On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we’re digging deep into the world of Japanese Buddhist statues and iconography. About Michael VanHartingsveldt Michael VanHartingsveldt is an expert on Buddhist art and iconography. In 2016, Michael obtained a Master’s degree in East Asian Art Business through a joint program offered by the Sotheby’s Institute of Art and …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast we’re talking about the Japanese language and the very interesting linguistic phenomenon of “made in Japan English” (wasei eigo). Anne Crescini is an Associate Professor at the University of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka Prefecture. She has conducted extensive research on the linguistic phenomenon of wasei eigo (“made in Japan English”) and has even written a …

Practice flying an airplace inside one of Japan’s busiest airports. Last July the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu inside Domestic Terminal 2 of Tokyo’s Haneda Airport made headlines around the world when it was announced that the hotel would soon start offering guests the opportunity to stay in a room with a rather interesting feature: a full-sized Boeing 737-800 flight simulator …

It’s a small word (filled with crazy miniatures) after all. Tokyo is set to get a new theme park just in time for the surge in foreign visitors that the 2020 Tokyo Olympic & Paralympic Games are sure to bring. However, this theme park as its creators are calling it won’t feature giant thrill rides. Rather it will be an …

A must-visit site for toilet lovers! From delicious ramen, to some of the best onsen (hot springs) around, Japan’s southern island of Kyushu has a whole lot to offer travelers. However, if you’re looking for a tourist attraction that is not quite so mainstream, you may want to consider visiting the Toto Museum in the city of Kitakyushu in Fukuoka …

Will Japan wow the world with technology or fall flat trying? The last time that the Olympic Games were held in Tokyo was in 1964. These games served as an important moment for Japan. By showcasing technological advancements like more precise timekeeping systems, LCD screens, and a new high-speed bullet train system, Japan showed that it had not just recovered …

The most lethal bowl of udon & rice you’ve ever eaten. These days it seems like everyone is talking about eating healthy and watching one’s calorie intake. This is the case even in Japan. However, it looks like one Japanese restaurant chain has decided to rebel against this trend because they have given birth to a new menu item which …

Here’s your chance to live out your ninja fantasy. Compared to the nearby metropolises of Yokohama and Tokyo, the city of Odawara is not particularly well known–especially among foreigners. However, the city is hoping to change this–at least with history buffs and fans of the anime Naruto–by opening a museum dedicated to ninja. Set to open on April 20,  the …

 Episode 11 of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we’re exploring the city of Tokyo. Dr. Steven Heine is the director of the Asian Studies Program at Florida International University and author of the book Sacred High City, Sacred Low City: A Tale of Religious Sites in Two Tokyo Neighborhoods. In this episode we talk about: …

Why pluck your grey hairs yourself when you can get an expert to do it for you?

For lovers of cute poops and silly poop puns. Japan has never been known to shy away from quirky and wacky attractions, but Yokohama’s newest offering may just take the cake. This March, the country’s second largest city will open a new museum devoted entirely to poop, or as it is known in Japanese unko. Called the Unko Museum, this …

Which one are you looking forward to the most? Japan is about to get even more fun with several new theme parks planned to open over the next four years. Already a playground for kids and kids-at-heart, things are about to get even better with expansions planned for two of the country’s most popular theme parks and an entirely new …