An abandoned house in Onomichi
Akiya are abandoned homes found all over Japan—some listed for shockingly low prices. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what it’s like to try to buy one, from navigating the listings to understanding the hidden challenges.
Why are there so many vacant houses?
Can foreigners buy akiya?
How to search for an akiya
How to choose an akiya
How to buy an akiya
How to renovate an akiya
Living in an akiya
Is it worth it?
Ginkakuji, the silver pavilion
Kyoto is full of famous temples, but few are as iconic—or as confusingly named—as Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. Join Jason and Paul as they dig into the history behind these two landmarks, explore what makes each one special, and explain why the silver Pavilion isn’t actually silver.
History
Kinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion)
Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion)
Shioyaki, salt-grilled fish, from Inuyama
Goma dango from Hakone, roasted black sesame dumplings with a walnut miso glaze
Japan might be known for its sushi and ramen, but its street food scene is just as exciting. From takoyaki and taiyaki to yakitori and beyond, join Jason and Paul as they dive into some of Japan’s best street eats — and share where to find them!
Takoyaki
Yakitori
Ikayaki
Taiyaki
Yakisoba
Yaki-imo
Yaki Tomorokoshi
Tako Tamago
Karaage
Kobe Beef
Gyoza
Korokke
Senbei
Soft Cream
Kakigori
Dango
Crepes
Choco Banana
Boba
Where to Find Street Food
Japan is full of things to love - and a few things that might drive you a little crazy. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the best and worst aspects of exploring Japan!
Planes
Trains
Hotels
Food
Walkable Cities
Convenience
Politeness
Customer Service
Bathrooms
Onsen
History
Hiking
City Life
Gyutan (cow tongue, a specialty of Sendai.
Tashirojima, “Cat Island”, a popular day trip from Sendai.
The Ishinomori Manga Museum in Ishinomaki.
Known as the "City of Trees," Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region and a great place to learn about the culture and history of northeastern Honshu. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the city and uncover the story of its founder—a samurai with the coolest nickname ever.
History
Loople Sendai: Zuihoden — Sendai City Museum — Sendai Castle — Tohoku University Museum of Natural History — Miyagi Museum of Art — Osaki Hachiman Shrine — Jozenji-dori — Sunmall Ichibancho Shopping District — Date no Gyutan Honpo
Other Sights: Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum — Rinnoji — Dai Kannon — Earthquake Heritage Arahama Elementary School
Sendai Port: Umino-Mori Aquarium — Mitsui Outlet Park — Sendai Port Central Park — Kirin Beer Factory
Events: Sendai Tanabata Festival — Pageant of Starlight — Jozenji Street Jazz Festival
Day Trips: Matsushima Bay — Ishinomaki/Tashirojima (Cat Island) — Zao Kitsune Mura
How to get to/around Sendai
The jorogumo, one of the most common spiders in Japan
Japan is home to a variety of fascinating — and sometimes terrifying — bugs and insects, from summer’s singing cicadas to giant hornets and everything in between. Join Jason and Paul as they dive into the world of Japan’s bugs—both the beloved and the infamous!
Cultural Significance
Famous Bugs: Cicadas — Giant Hornets — Fireflies — Stag Beetles — Rhinoceros Beetles — Silkworms
Seasonal Bugs: Butterflies — Dragonflies — Crickets
Common Pests: Mosquitoes — Cockroaches — Centipedes — Spiders
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is a popular experience for locals as well as tourists
Ohori Park Japanese Garden in Fukuoka
Udon, a traditional noodle dish
Japan offers a wide range of unique experiences, from cherry blossom viewing and high-speed train rides to exploring ancient temples and sampling the local cuisine. Join Jason and Paul as they rate and discuss some common experiences that visitors are likely to have in Japan!
Konbini
Temples and Shrines
Hanami
Maid Cafes
Hiking
Eating
Shopping
Shinkansen
Arcades
Japanese Gardens
Matsumoto Castle
Kamikochi
Narai-juku
A view of Mt. Fuji from Hakone
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their third week of sightseeing!
Kamikochi
Matsumoto: Matsumoto Castle — Yabuhara to Narai-juku — Matsumoto City Museum — Nawate Shopping Street — Nakamachi Shopping Street — Daio Wasabi Farm — Ishii Miso — Agatanomori Park
Omiya: Omiya Bonsai Village — The Railway Museum
Tokyo: Shibuya Parco — Rainbow Karaoke Shibuya — THE MUSIC BAR -CAVE SHIBUYA- — Mount Takao — Meiji Jingu
Hakone: Yama no Chaya — Owakudani — Hakone Checkpoint
Tokyo: Denimio — Akihabara
The view of Hikone Castle from Genkyuen
Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum
The Site of Reversible Destiny in Yoro Park
Hida no Sato Open Air Museum
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their second week of sightseeing!
Nagoya: Coffee House Kako — Nagoya Castle — The Tokugawa Art Museum — SCMAGLEV and Railway Park
Inuyama: Showa Alley — Dondenkan (Matsuri Museum) — Inuyama Castle — Urakuen — Momotaro Shrine
Hikone: Hikone Castle — Genkyuen — Rakurakuen — Yume Kyobashi Castle Road
Omihachiman: Kawara Museum — Hachimanyama Ropeway — Borderless Art Museum NO-MA
Yoro: Site of Reversible Destiny
Sekigahara: Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum — Sengoku Armor Museum
Takayama: Hikaru Museum — Takayama Sky Park — Hida no Sato Open Air Museum — Squirrel Forest Hidayama Wild Grass Nature Garden (Risu no Mori) — Matsuri no Mori Museum — Miyagawa Morning Market — Takayama Showa-kan Museum — Tofu Cuisine Noguchiya — Funasaka Sake Brewery — Hida Takayama Retro Museum
The view from Guest House Yunosato near Yunomine Onsen
A view on the Kumano Kodo, an ancient pilgrimage trail in Wakayama Prefecture
Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their first week of sightseeing!
Kumano Kodo: Kii-Tanabe — Guest House Kiyohime — Takijiri Oji — Chikatsuyu — Guest House MUI — Kumano Hongu Taisha — Yunomine Onsen — Minshuku Yunosato
Osaka: Shin-Osaka Station — Tempozan Ferris Wheel — Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan — Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho — Namba Parks
Nagoya: Atsuta Jingu — Shirotori Garden — Osu Shopping Street — Osu Kannon Temple — Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology — Sky Promenade
Sakura (Cherry blossom trees)
Ancient Japanese folktales offer a window into the philosophies and culture of Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they share and discuss two timeless tales that have been passed down through the centuries!
Ubazakura
Rokurokubi
Jiu-Roku-Zakura
The Goblin of Adachigahara
Japan may be one of the safest countries in the world, but that doesn’t mean it’s without its share of chilling and horrific crimes. Join Jason and Paul as they delve into some of the most shocking cases in Japan’s history.
Junko Furuta
Issei Sagawa
Kobe Child Murders
Nevada-Tan
Ninja of Heisei
Podcast Meetup 2024: Nov 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Commune on the rooftop of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall in Tokyo. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and then take the escalator to the roof.
Nunobiki Herb Garden in Kobe
Magome, a post town on the Nakasendo
Kyoto and Osaka offer countless attractions, but venturing beyond these cities for day trips can unveil another side of Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the diverse experiences waiting just outside Kansai’s largest metropolis!
Nara (Ep112)
Hiroshima (Ep118)
Kobe (Ep96)
Uji
Koyasan
Himeji
Okayama and Kurashiki
Kurama and Kibune
Nakasendo (Magome to Tsumago)
Hikone
Omi Hachiman
Amanohashidate and Ine
Nagoya
Listener Mail: Ryokan Matsubaya — Shoseien Garden — Takase River — Kyoto Railway Museum — Umekoji Park
Podcast Meetup 2024: Nov 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Commune on the rooftop of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall in Tokyo. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and then take the escalator to the roof.
Japan has unique television programming that has gained a reputation internationally for being extremely wacky and sometimes even dangerous. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the wild world of reality TV and game shows in Japan!
What is TV like in Japan?
Denpa Shonen
Terrace House
Old Enough
Iron Chef
Takeshi’s Castle
Wafu Sohonke (Japanese Style Originator)
Youtube Segments: Zoo Prank — Candy or Not — Falling Elevator — AKBingo — Bicyclist — Massage Chair Prank — Brain Wall
Can you get on Japanese TV?
Podcast Meetup 2024: Nov 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Commune on the rooftop of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall in Tokyo. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and then take the escalator to the roof.
Momotaro (Peach boy), one of the most popular figures in Japanese folklore who is also now the mascot for a denim brand.
Ancient Japanese folktales offer a window into the philosophies and culture of Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they share and discuss two timeless tales that have been passed down through the centuries!
The Stones of Five Colors and the Empress Jokwa
Momotaro, or the Story of the Son of a Peach
Podcast Meetup 2024: Nov 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Commune on the rooftop of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall in Tokyo. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and then take the escalator to the roof.
The Hamanasu, an overnight train that ran between Aomori and Sapporo until it was discontinued in 2016.
Japan is known for its incredible train system, but did you know about the wide array of unique sightseeing and overnight trains? Join Jason and Paul as they discuss these exciting travel options that offer new perspectives on Japan’s diverse landscapes and cities!
Overnight Trains: Sunrise Express (Seto/Izumo)
Cruise Trains: Seven Stars in Kyushu — Shiki-Shima — Twilight Express Mizukaze — Royal Express
Sightseeing Trains: Tokaido Shinkansen — Sightseeing Limited Express Aoniyoshi — Kurobe Gorge Railway — Kyo-Train Garaku — Sagano Scenic Railway — Pokemon With You Train — Hisatsu Line — Sanriku Railway Kotatsu Train — Hakone Tozan Line — Fujisan View Express — Furano Biei Norokko Train — Takayama Main Line — Chiba Monorail
Podcast Meetup 2024: Nov 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Commune on the rooftop of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall in Tokyo. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and then take the escalator to the roof.
Himeji Castle
Kiyomizu-dera
Japan is full of “must-see” attractions, but which ones are most worth visiting? Join Jason and Paul as they rate some of Japan’s most popular attractions!
Shibuya Crossing
Sensoji Temple
Takeshita Street (Harajuku)
Akihabara
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Kiyomizu-dera
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Yasaka Pagoda
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Osaka Castle
Himeji Castle
Natto is one of Japan’s most divisive foods. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about — and sample — this slimy and smelly delicacy!
History
How is Natto Made?
Types of Natto
How to Eat Natto
Health Benefits
Taste Test
Where to Get Natto
Temari (hand balls), a traditional Japanese handicraft.
Kenrokuen, Kanazawa’s famous Japanese garden.
Gold leaf-covered ice cream is a Kanazawa specialty.
The city of Kanazawa is rich in history and culture, famous for its Edo-era districts and traditional crafts. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to see and do in Kanazawa!
History
Omicho Market
Oyama Shrine
Nagamachi District: Kanazawa City Ashigaru Museum — Nomura-ke Samurai Residence — Kanazawa Shinise Memorial Hall — Maeda Tosanokami-ke Shiryokan Museum
Myoryuji (Ninja Temple)
Nishi Chaya District: Ninjabuki Museum — Dolls Museum — Kanazawa Nishi Chaya Museum
South of Kenrokuen: Ishiura Shrine — 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art — Ishikawa Prefectural Museum of Art — Kanazawa Nakamura Memorial Museum — National Crafts Museum — Ishikawa Prefectural History Museum — Kanazawa Noh Museum
Kenrokuen: Seison-kaku — Kanazawa Shrine
Hakuichi Kenrokuen Store
Kanazawa Castle Park
Higashi Chaya District: Geisha House Shima — Kaikaro — Geisha Evenings in Kanazawa
Kanazawa Phonograph Museum
Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
How to get to/around Kanazawa
Join Jason and Paul as they discuss various announcements and current events!
Season 5 Start Date
Patreon
Itinerary Store
Podcast Meetup 2024: Nov 6th, 2024 at 7:00pm at Commune on the rooftop of the Shibuya Parco shopping mall in Tokyo. Take the elevator to the 9th floor and then take the escalator to the roof.
Tourist Ban in Gion
Shohei Ohtani