Japan Game Junk

In this episode I go in deeply to discuss all the forms of gambling in Japan. It can be a fun day out and it can be junk cheap if you know what to do and you are smart about it!

In this episode I speak a bit on the Surugaya chain of media shops and how they are the standard in this country for game buyers. I focus on 7 shops in Kanto specifically and rank them for your consideration to visit.

In this episode I go in deeply to discuss arcades in Japan that feel old and neglected, and why they exist, especially describing the pleasant amusement available in Rainbow in Utsunomiya, Tochigi.

In this episode I go in deeply to discuss medal game playing at Japanese arcades, and explain how to enjoy it even as a short term tourist in Japan if you can't keep the medals you get!

(Since this was released, I have visited the Takasaki branch of Treasure Land in early October and found that it is a bit more difficult that it is not as easy to get prizes as when it was newly opened. Visiting the Togane Treasure Land in mid-October, it is as easy as always.)

In this episode I go in way too deeply to discuss crane games (claw machines, UFO catchers) in Japan. Where to go, how to do it, and a bit of history to enjoy!

It seems this episode is so long it has the majority of my latest album, "Potato Chiptune Up", in the background, which you can check out on BandCamp if you like:

https://kdicaprio.bandcamp.com/album/potato-chiptune-up

And here are some examples of different kinds of catchers I described in the episode:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/n6MEtYenwnw

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/CvfqZv3l0XU

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/D4twXs43eoI

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/LvcASs2ZdAs

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5DVXAXJwZ3g

In this episode I talk a bit about my time living in a Kyoto homestay over 20 years ago and a specific talk I had with the head of the household who worked at the main Nintendo office in that city. I explain how I understood how consoles are developed and timed for release, and why it works.

In this episode I describe the gaming center in Chiba called Daikeien (大慶園). It's a rich guy's dream come true and exactly what any gamer would do if having a huge pot of cash and wanting to show off.

Look into Daikein for yourself here:

http://www.daikeien.jp/

In this episode I describe the names of popular Pokemon that are different in Japan than in English, the puns and double meanings behind them, finishing off with one I find to be especially interesting and which is probably very new for most people to learn!

In this episode I go in deeply to discuss the song 恋のディスコクイーン (Koi no Disco Queen) as featured on the soundtrack for 龍が如く０ (Yakuza 0). It's wonderful, wistful, and deeper than you think.

Listen to the song on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3jo_uMcGxE

After store visit descriptions, Wikipedia recitations, and console buying guides, I explain how JGJ podcast episodes will be presented for the time being!