Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Kyle Broyles of Pintology in Tokyo tells us about the process of starting and running a craft beer in Tokyo. Plus we celebrate episode 100 of Japan Station!

About Kyle Broyles Kyle Broyles helps his wife run Pintology, a craft beer bar near Shinjuku in Tokyo. Kyle is also known as one of the guys behind the Tokyo Splosion podcast and the Hard Officers YouTube channel. Topics Discussed

• About JapanKyo Docs
• About the recently opened craft beer bar Pintology in Sasazuka, Tokyo
• The story behind Pintology
• About the process of opening a bar in Tokyo
• About Tap & Growler in Shimokitazawa
• About building the interior of a craft beer bar
• About how easy and cheap it is to get a liquor license in Tokyo, Japan
• About getting a liquor serving license in Japan
• How people in Japan may be drinking less alcohol
• About cheese in Japan
• About John the cheese guy in Okinawa
• About events at Pintology
• About the Sasazuka area in Shibuya, Tokyo
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

You can find Pintology Craft Beer and Whisky at:

〒151-0073 Tokyo, Shibuya City, Sasazuka, 1 Chome−33−10

You can also follow Pintology on Instagram.

• @pintologytokyo

Check out JapanKyo Docs via the link below.

• JapanKyo Docs

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• What's the difference: East vs West Japan? (Kanto vs Kansai) | Ichimon Japan 64

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Winston Chu, CEO & co-founder of Wayfarer, talks about his interest in Japan and how

About Winston Chu Winston Chu is the CEO & co-founder of Wayfarer. Wayfarer currently operates three hotels in Kyoto with plans to expand other cities, including Osaka and Tokyo. Topics Discussed

• How Winston got interested in Japan and anime
• About watching anime and playing video games from Japan
• About traveling to Japan
• Why people become interested in Japan
• About Wayfarer Hotels
• About what distinguishes Wayfarer Hotels
• The story behind Wayfarer Hotels
• About Japanese hotels
• About Japan's archaic hotel infrastructure
• About the high turnover rate in Japan's hotel industry
• The impace of COVID on the travel industry
• About moving to Japan during the coronavirus pandemic
• About starting a hotel in Japan as the COVID19 pandemic began
• What it was like living and working in a hotel in Kyoto during the pandemic
• Ways to make running a hotel more efficiently
• Japan reopening its borders to foreing travelers
• About the city of Kyoto
• About learning Japanese
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To learn more about Wayfarer or to book a room, visit Wayfarer's website via the link below.

• Wayfarer Hotels

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• What's the difference: East vs West Japan? (Kanto vs Kansai) | Ichimon Japan 64

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Chef Brendan Liew talks about his experiences working as a chef in Japan, Japanese cuisine and his new cookbook Tokyo Up Late.

About Brendan Liew Brendan Liew spent time at the three-Michelin-starred Nihonryori Ryugin in Roppongi, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and studied the art of ramen-making in Japan before delving into kappo and modern kaiseki cuisine. In Melbourne, he has worked at Kappo and Supernormal, had a pop-up cafe, Chotto, and is currently at Minamishima. He has travelled extensively through Japan's countryside and major cities to explore, learn, and live Japan's culture and cuisine. Topics Discussed

• Brendan Liew's first visit to Japan
• Food in Japan
• How Brendan Liew was able to get a job in a French cuisine restaurant in Japan
• About Brendan Liew's experiences working in a restaurant in Japan
• The hierarchy in Japanese restaurant kitchens
• About learning to make ramen in Japan
• About ramen broth
• About sushi chefs and the training of sushi chefs in Japan
• Japanese language in the kitchen
• About kaiseki vs kappo
• About the book Tokyo Up Late
• About going out for drinks after work in Japan
• About makanai
• About korokke
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To pick up a copy of Tokyo Up Late consider using the Amazon affiliate link below.

• Tokyo Up Late: Iconic recipes from the city that never sleeps

Unfortunately, it does not appear that Chef Liew's other book is available for purchase on Amazon.

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Why are these things so expensive in Japan? (Randoseru, Delivery Pizza, Fruit) | Ichimon Japan 63

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're diving into the fun world of Kamen Rider and Super Sentai so get ready to strike your favorite henshin pose and learn a thing or two about the fascinating world of Japan's transforming heroes!

About Sophia Staite Sophia Staite is a PhD candidate at the University of Tasmania. Her current research focuses on Kamen Rider and Super Sentai (Power Rangers). Topics Discussed

• About how the live action TV show Kamen Rider was adapted into English
• The popularity of Kamen Rider and why it is not as popular as Power Rangers in the English speaking world
• The prevalence of Kamen Rider in Japan
• The lack of literature on Kamen Rider in Egnlish
• Liver action super sentai shows
• About the super sentai & Kamen Rider poses and their origin
• About Kamen Rider Black
• About Saban's Masked Rider, the English adaptation of Kamen Rider
• About the Kamen Rider and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers crossover
• The differences between Kamen Rider and super sentai (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)
• The overarching theme and tone that runs throughout the Kamen Rider franchise
• The poor reception of Masked Rider
• Steve Wang's Kamen Rider adaptation
• Gender and Kamen Rider
• Odagiri Jo's role in Kamen Rider
• Kamen Rider's BL phase
• The Odagiri effect
• About Kamen Rider Dragon Knight
• The different ways kids play (henshin poses/weapons)
• Henshin pose competitions
• About the movie Shin Kamen Rider
• About Shin Kamen Rider's focus on cults/new religions
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• • Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• • Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

You can follow Sophia Staite on Twitter via the link below.

• @henshinsophia

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Why are these things so expensive in Japan? (Randoseru, Delivery Pizza, Fruit) | Ichimon Japan 63

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about life in rural Saga Prefecture and a new travel experience that allows people to experience some of the wonderful things rual Saga Prefecture has to offer.

About Prairie Stuart Wolff Prairie Stuart Wolff is a photographer and writer living in the town of Mirukashi in Saga Prefecture. She runs the blog Cultivated Days and the new tour program Mirukashi Salon. Topics Discussed

• About Mirukashi in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture
• About pottery and Karatsu
• Why Prairie Stuart Wolff moved to Mirukashi in Saga Prefecture
• About becoming used to life in Japan
• About learning Japanese
• On interviewing locals in Japan
• On cooking and experiencing food in Japan
• Food in Karatsu, Saga Prefecture
• About the Cultivated Days website
• About running travel tours in Japan
• About Mirukashi Salon
• About the Mirukashi Salon itineraries
• The increase and decrease in travelers to Japan
• Traveling to Saga Prefecture
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• • Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• • Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To find out more about Prairie, her writing and Mirukahsi Salon, please check out the links below.

• Cultivated Days
• Mirukashi Salon

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Why are these things so expensive in Japan? (Randoseru, Delivery Pizza, Fruit) | Ichimon Japan 63

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Japanese to English translator/localizer Mel Ok tells about localizing Japanese video games and how he got into the translation/localization industry.

About Mel Ok Mel Ok is a translator/localizer of Japanese video games and heads the translation/localization company Ace Honyaku. Topics Discussed

• The Japanese population in Hawaii
• Studying Japanese linguistics
• About doing play testing for video games
• Doing the Japanese QA for Halo 2
• On getting to Japan and trying to get into the JET Program
• On transitioning into the translation & localization industry
• On starting a translation company in Japan
• On how the translation & localization process for video games works
• On dealing with ambiguities in texts
• On dealing with new IP
• On translating The World Is Your Weapon
• On how long it can take to translate a game
• The difficulty of finding good translators
• On translation tests
• Advice for aspiring translators/localizers
• About Tottori
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• • Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• • Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To follow Mel Ok on Twitter or visit the ACE Honyaku website, use the links below.

• Mel Ok on Twitter
• Ace Honyaku Website

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Are Japanese…? (Stereotypes About Japan) | Ichimon Japan 62

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Gabriella Lukacs joins us to talk about some early internet history in Japan and the role of women in Japan's digital economy.

About Dr. Gabriella Lukacs Dr. Gabriella Lukacs is a professor in the department of Anthropology at the University of Pittsburgh and the author of the book Invisibility by Design: Women and Labor in Japan's Digital Economy. Topics Discussed

• About the book Invisibility by Design
• How Dr. Lukacs got interested in researching women and digital labor in Japan
• Tech and digital economy trends in Japan
• Mixi & Nico Nico Douga
• The rise & fall of Japanese ell phones
• About the rise of "girly photography" in the 90s
• About Hiromix
• About Net Idols (netto aidoru)
• About the rise of blogs and blogging platofrms in Japan
• About the bijin trader boom (female day traders)
• How women were marketed as financially savvy and excellent day traders
• Labor and the digital economy in general
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• • Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• • Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To pick up a copy of Dr. Lukacs book, consider using the affiliate link below.

• Invisibility by Design: Women and Labor in Japan's Digital Economy

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• Are Japanese…? (Stereotypes About Japan) | Ichimon Japan 62

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Dr. Jonathan Wroot tells us about the movies of Ktano Takeshi, the fascinating history of the Zatoichi films, and more..

About Dr. Jonathan Wroot Dr. Jonathan Wroot is a senior lecturer in Film Studies at the University of Greenwich and the author of the book The Paths of Zatoichi: The Global Influence of the Blind Swordsman. Topics Discussed

• About the boom in Japanese films in the early to mid 2000s
• About Kitano Takeshi and his films
• On studying Asian cinema
• About Kitano Takeshi's Violent Cop
• About Kitano Takeshi's remake of Zatoichi
• About the Zatoichi films and their history
• Jidaigeki vs chanbara
• About the influence of Zatoichi on film and pop culture around the world
• The influence of Zatoichi on Daredevil
• About Shintaro Katsu
• About some of the differences int he Zatoichi films
• The Zatoichi TV show
• The original Zatoichi short story in which Zatoichi first appears
• The crazy finale of the Zatoichi film directed by Hiroshi Teshigahara
• About dubs and subtitling
• Voice actors in Japan that always do the same voices of Western actors
• Crazy Japanese commercials featuring Western celebrities
• And much more!

Support on Patreon & Ko-fi

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

• • Support Japan Station on Patreon

You can also do a one time donation via Ko-fi.

• • Support us on Ko-fi

Links, Videos, Etc.

To pick up a copy of The Paths of Zatoichi, you can use the link below. Remember to use the discount code LXFANDF30 to get 30% off (valid until the end of 2022).

• The Paths of Zatoichi: The Global Influence of the Blind Swordsman

The link below is for the list of blog articles about Dr. Wroot's experience watching 30 Zatoichi films in 30 days.

• 30 Zatoichi films in 30 Days

Here is Dr. Wroot's ranking of the Zatoichi films.

• From Best To Worst – My Opinions on the Zatoichi films

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of Ichimon Japan.

• What is a famiresu? (About Japanese "Family Restaurants") | Ichimon Japan 61

Follow Japankyo on Social Media

• Facebook (@JapankyoNews)
• Twitter (@JapankyoNews)
• Instagram (@JapanKyoNews)

Full Show Notes

Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/

Transmissions from Hawaii on Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/transmissions-from-hawaii/id1540385139

Transmissions from Hawaii on Google Podcasts

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly90cmFuc21pc3Npb25zZnJvbWhhd2FpaS5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw

Transmissions from Hawaii on YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh-K2F3zUNLkRszPE92EYJQ

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're joined by baseball historian and expert on all things Japanese baseball Robert Fits.

About Robert Fitts Robert Fitts is a baseball historian and expert ont he history of Japanese baseball. He has written numerous books on Japanese baseball including Banzai Babe Ruth: Baseball, Espionage, and Assissination During the 1934 Tour of Japan. Topics Discussed

• How Robert Fitts got interested in baseball
• How Robert Fitts became interested in Japanese baseball
• Robert Fitts' first trip to Japan and first experience at a Japanese baseball game
• About Remembering Japanese Baseball, Robert Fitts' first book on Japanese baseball
• About selling Japanese baseball cards on ebay in 1999
• About Wally Yonamine
• About the book Banzai Babe Ruth
• About Babe Ruth's 1934 18 game Japan tour and the history behind it
• About Moe Berg and the possibility that he was conducting espoionage during Babe Ruth's Japan tour
• About Babe Ruth's popularity in Japan
• About Babe Ruth's affinity for Japan
• About the history of Japanese baseball cards
• About the book An Illustrated Introduction to Japanese Baseball Cards
• About the baseball card market in Japan
• About the Japanese pitcher Eiji Sawamura
• About the upcoming book The Pioneers of Japanese American Baseball
• And much more!