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 back to one of Japan's most popular 1980s male pop stars: Hideki Saijo. Listen to the episode to learn more!

• What does gyarandu (ギャランドゥ) mean?
• About the meaning of the 1983 Hideki Saijo song "Gyarandu"
• What the 1983 Saijo Hideki song "Gyarandu" is about
• How Saijo Hideki's song "Gyarandu" resulted in the creation of the Japanese slang term gyarandu
• About the etymology/word origin of gyarandu
• Who coined the term gyarandu
• Who wrote the 1983 song "Gyarandu"
• About Monta Yoshinori and his explanation of what "Gyarandu" means
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

If you'd like to listen to a full version of Saijo Hideki's 1983 song "Gyarandu" (ギャランドゥ) you can do so below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yXpgBUshz8

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
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• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

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 and much more in today's episode!

• About how Michael Magers started doing photography work in Japan
• About working on Rice, Noodlem Fish
• About shokunin culture in Japan
• What is shokunin culture
• About preserving shokunin culture
• About his most memorable food experiences in Japan
• About diving with ama
• About getting tattooed in Japan (irezumi)
• About participating in Osaka's infamous Danjiri Festival
• About efforts being made to preserve dying traditions in Japan
• About preserving the knowledge of Japan's aging shokunin/artisans
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

For more about Michael Magers

• Mike Magers Website https://mpmagers.com/
• Mike Magers on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mpmagers

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it's like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo, Japanese craft beer and more.

• About Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky
• About running a craft beer bar in Tokyo
• Japanese craft beer in Tokyo
• Growing a business in Tokyo
• Organic marketing
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

Here's the Pintology Tokyo Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pintologytokyo/?hl=en

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

On this episode of Japan Station, I examine the mysterious origins of the Japanese word for cat: neko. Trust me, there's a whole lot more to say about the topic than you might think!

• The etymology of neko/cat
• Various theories that try to explain the origins of the Japanese word for cat
• Whether the Japanese word for cat traces its origins back to Chine/Chinese
• When cats first arrived in Japan
• What the onomatopoeia for a cat meowing was in The Tale of Genji
• About the song Neko Funjatta and what it is called in other countries/languages
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

Here's the video of Neko Funjatta by Ichigoclub15.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpqGiKJt3cQ

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the many film adaptation of the works of Haruki Murakami, Japan's most well-known and commercially successful novelist.

• Why is Haruki Murakami so popular around the world?
• About the many film adaptations of the books and short stories of Haruki Murakami
• About the relatability of Murakami's characters
• About Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of Tomorrow
• About Murakami's skill at writing magical realism
• About the music and pop culture references Murakami includes in his work
• How Murakami's strangeness makes his work accessible to people both in and outside of Japan
• About the South Korean film Burning and how it treated Haruki Murakami's work
• How filmmakers around the world have adapt and reassemble Haruki Murakami's work
• About Haruki Murakami's involvement with film adaptations of his work
• What Haruki Murakami thought of the film adaptation of Drive My Car
• Why Drive My Car is a notable filmd adaptation of Haruki Murakami's work
• About the film adaptation of Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman
• About the best film adaptations of Haruki Murakami's work
• About The Second Bakery Attack and its interpretations
• About the Attack on the Bakery film adaptation
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

Here's a link if you want to pick up the book!

• Murakami Haruki on Film (Asia Shorts) https://www.amazon.com/Murakami-Haruki-Film-Asia-Shorts/dp/1952636531

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about oden, one of Japan's most popular winter foods.

• What is oden?
• Where to buy oden in Japan?
• What are the common igredients of oden?
• The history of oden
• Where the name oden came from
• About dengaku
• About regional varieties of oden
• Whether oden tastes good
• Should you try oden?
• What is konjac?
• Our favorite oden ingredients
• About the infamous 2016 "oden tsun tsun otoko" (oden poke man) convenience store incident
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

No links

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about what it was like staying at a new Kyoto hotel before it opened.

• About Fushigina Yado
• Where Fushigina Yado is located
• About the theme and concept of Fushigina Yado
• About what it was like staying in Fushigina Yado
• Why I got to stay at Fushigina Yado before it opened
• About the shops and restaurants near Fushigina Yado
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

You can also watch the video version on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVYM8n3Psw

• Fushigina Yado on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fushigina_yado_kyoto/
• Fushigina Yado on X https://x.com/fushiginayado
• Fushigi na Yado on Expedia https://www.expedia.co.jp/en/Kyoto-Hotels-Fushiginayado.h110823050.Hotel-Information?chkin=2024%2F12%2F22&chkout=2024%2F12%2F23&rm1=a1®ionId=6131486&searchId=de5bc926-6dd2-44da-8f9f-52136e8bed0b&chain&daysInFuture&destination&group&guestRating&hotelName&latLong&poi&neighborhood&roomIndex&selected&sort=RECOMMENDED&stayLength&theme&useRewards&userIntent&misId&vacationRentalsOnly=false&expediaPropertyId&highlightedPropertyId&showFilterNotification=false&ai_search_query&endDate=2024%2F12%2F23&startDate=2024%2F12%2F22&petsIncluded=false&bedroom_count_gt&us_bathroom_count_gt&pricing_group&bed_count_ge&children

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about three obscure Japanese dishes you need to try next time you're in Japan.

• What is teppan spa (teppan supa, 鉄板スパ)?
• What is teppanyaki naporitan
• About the history of teppanyaki spaghetti
• About the origin of Nagoya's famous teppanyaki naporitan
• About Osaka teppanyaki spaghetti
• About the origin of Japan's infamous napolitan pasta (naporitan pasuta)
• What is ebimeshi?
• How ebimeshi became famous in Okayama
• About the different varieties of ebimeshi
• About Torkish Rice/toruko raisu (トルコライス）
• What is toruko raisu?
• About the time I interviewed the owner of the shop where toruko raisu was invented
• Why the descendant of the creator of toruko raisu hates toruko raisu
• What is in toruko raisu
• Why toruko raisu should not be called toruko raisu
• What is in toruko raisu?
• About different variations of toruko raisu
• About Hiroshima tsukemen
• About Nagasaki's famous Sasebo burger
• And more

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

No links this time.

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about hotels in Japan! This episode will give you all the information you need to know before you come visit Japan. Plenty of tips, tricks and basic information!

• About the various kinds of hotels in Japan
• Tips for booking hotels in Japan at cheap prices
• How much Japanese hotel rooms tend to cost
• About the size of Japanese hotel rooms
• How to find hotel rooms in Japan at cheaper rates than what you see online
• About business hotels like APA hotel and Toyoko Inn
• About luxury hotels and hotels owned by companies not from Japan
• About automated hotels like Henn Na Hotel and Livemax
• The pros and cons of hotels that are completely automated
• Why capsule hotels are a rip off
• About breakfasts in Japanese hotels
• About net cafes
• About keys and refrigerators in Japanese hotels
• About cargo container hotels
• About hotels in rural Japan
• How prices for hotels in Japan have gone up in recent years
• And more!

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

No links this time.

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
•  

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Senkaku Islands with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge.

• What and where are the Senkaku Islands? (尖閣諸島, senkaku shotō)
• About the history of the Senkaku Islands
• About Koga Tatsushirō
• Why people stopped living on the Senkaku Islands
• How and why it was that the Senkaku Islands came to be disputed
• The role of President Nixon and Henry Kissinger in the history of the Senkaku Islands
• Why U.S. Armed Forces should restart firing ranges on the Senkaku Islands
• And more!

• Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB

• Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo

Dr. Robert D. Eldridge previous appearances:

• The Weak Yen & Rural Japan: Why They Matter | Japan Station 132: https://japankyo.com/2024/08/the-weak-yen-rural-japan-why-they-matter-japan-station-132/
• The Past & Future of Earthquakes & Disasters in Japan (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 138: https://japankyo.com/2024/11/the-past-future-of-earthquakes-disasters-in-japan-robert-d-eldridge-japan-station-138/

Here's a link to Dr. Eldridge's book about the Senkaku Islands.

• The Origins of U.S. Policy in the East China Sea Islands Dispute: Okinawa's Reversion and the Senkaku Islands (Routledge Security in Asia Series): https://www.amazon.com/Origins-Policy-China-Islands-Dispute/dp/0415629268

Article

• A restart of Senkaku firing ranges is long overdue: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2024/12/10/japan/senkaku-firing-range/

• X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
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•