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

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about what it's like to cycle the entire length of Japan with journalist Oscar Boyd.

• Why Japan is so great for cycling
• About transporting a bike from the UK to Japan
• About biking from Kagoshima to the northernmostpoint of Japan over the course of 28 days
• Why Oscar decided to start his cycling trip from Mount Kaimon in Kagoshima
• About the route Oscar took when cycling the length of Japan
• Why Oscar decided to avoid the Tokaido corridor
• About visiting Mount Koya
• About cycling through Shikoku
• About the amazing breakfast at Dogoya in Matsuyama
• Some of the best food Oscar experienced while cycling across Japan
• The scariest part of cycling the length of Japan
• Why you should cycle the Shimanami Kaido
• Why you should cycle the Kiso Valley
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

• MechaNekoSushi.com

Check out Oscar Boyd's video about cycling the length of Japan.

• I Tried Cycling the Length of Japan: 3,000km and 27 Days on the Road | Long Way North Vol. 1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RpH8vt5WLV0

In high latest video Oscar cycles the length of Italy.

• I Tried Cycling the Length of Italy: 2,000km and 19 Days On The Road | Long Way North Vol. 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE78sSmO5Rg&t=5s

Follow Oscar Boyd on social media

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oscar.boyd/

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, Jake Adelstein joins us to discuss immigration policy in Japan and why the Takaichi government has decided to make it more difficult for foreigners to get permanent residency.

• Why you (probably) will never get permanent residence in Japan
• The ill-defined changes to requirements for permanent residency in Japan
• Why the changes to permanent residency requirements in Japan are so discouraging to foreign residents of Japan
• Why Japan needs workers from other countries
• The problem with retroactively changing requirements for permanent residency in Japan
• The problem with the 30 years of payments to the national pension system requirement
• The influence of the Sanseitō
• And much more
• Why the yen is so weak
• How most people in Japan will never be full-fledged company employees (seishain)
• How Japan hates and needs "overtourism"
• How Japan is becoming less and less alluring as a place to live
• How Japan has failed to innovate and take the lead in new industries
• The problematic way Japan didn't allow foreign residents to reenter Japan during the COVID pandemic
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan

• MechaNekoSushi.com

Read Jake Adelstein's article

• Welcome to Japanistan, where the foreign residents who buried their lives here aren't welcome anymore. It's not a kind policy–and not even a wise one: https://tokyopaladin.substack.com/p/takaichi-just-told-the-foreign-residents

For more articles by Jake Adelstein, check out the Tokyo Paladin Substack.

• Tokyo Paladin Substack: https://tokyopaladin.substack.com/

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about the recently created Japanese word dopagaki (ドパガキ). What does it mean and what are its origins? Listen to find out!

• The meaning and origin of dopagaki
• What does dopajita (ドパ舌) mean?
• What does doparu mean?
• What does zonbisukurōru (ゾンビスクロール) mean?
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

None this time.

• 👉Follow on Social Media
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about English words that are tricky to translate into Japanese.

• English words that are surprisingly difficult to translate into Japanese
• How to say jaywalking in Japanese
• How to say zesty in Japanese
• How to say touch grass in Japanese
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

None this time.

• 👉Follow on Social Media
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about the 2926 Kumamoto earthquake and how you can help.

• The effects of the Reiwa Year 8 Kumamoto earthquake
• How to help and where you can donate
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

How to help and where to donate to support the recovery efforts in Kumamoto:

• The 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake and How to Help: https://blog.gaijinpot.com/kumamoto-earthquake-relief/
• Donate to the Japanese Red Cross: https://www.jrc.or.jp/english/donate/
• Donate to Peace Boat Disaster Relief: https://pbv.or.jp/en/donate/
• 👉Follow on Social Media
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about some of the more creative ways people in Japan are battling the intense summer heat.

• What is kokushōbi (酷暑日)
• How kokushōbi was decided via a survey
• About the Dohiemon Box/Human Refrigerator
• About Mandom's "Sweat Management" seminars
• About ice cream holders
• About the parasol curtain from Three Coins that makes you look like a Heian Period princess
• About Sofy Cool, the minty fresh cooling sanitary napkins that went viral
• The controversy behind men wearing shorts in the workplace in Japan
• The electric uchiwa fan machine
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

Here is the promotional video for the Dohiemon Box (human refrigerator).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Nf9cN4wCBw

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about what it's like doing an intensive sushi preparation course with Travin Keith, owner of Sushi Kita in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

• Where Miyagi Prefecture is located
• What it was like trying to open a ramen shop in Kosovo
• The problems with trying to open a ramen shop in Kosovo
• Why Travin decided to learn how to prepare sushi in Japan
• What to expect when taking a two month intensive sushi preparation course in Japan
• What were the challenges of learning how to become a sushi chef
• About cooking rice for the first time
• Why Travin decided to open a sushi shop in Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Travin's plans for Sushi Kita
• About Ishinomori Shotaro's various museums
• About "good morning socks"
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

Links for Sushi Kita:

• Sushi Kita Website: https://sushikita.one/
• Sushi Kita Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sushikitaresto

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

This episode is a re-broadcast of episode 61 of the Ichimon Japan podcast (originally released 6/21/22).

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is a famiresu?

• What famiresu are
• The characteristics of famiresu (family restaurants)
• About the history of famiresu in Japan
• The first famiresu in Japan (Skylark)
• Some of the most popular famiresu in Japan
• About Big Boy and how it's an offshoot of Bob's Big Boy
• About Jonathan's
• About Bikkuri Donkey
• About Saizeriya
• Whether Sizzler is a famiresu
• Whether TGIFriday's is a famiresu
• Whether kaitenzushi (conveyor belt sushi) should be considered famiresu
• And much more!

[btn btnlink="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1492400997" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Apple Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pY2hpbW9uamFwYW4ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Google Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/japankyocom/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyocom" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Stitcher[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZVgnljVM8gcR1ar98eK0D" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Spotify[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-59510504/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]iHeartRadio[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/mv3zr-ad2df/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyo.com" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]PodBean[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Arts--Culture-Podcasts/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyocom-p1290988/" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Tunein[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://ichimonjapan.libsyn.com/rss" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]RSS[/btn]

If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.

And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!

• Support on Patreon

If you would just like to do a one time contribution, then please go to our Ko-fi page.

• Support JapanKyo on Ko-fi

Get 10% off on your Mobal voice & data plan via the affiliate link below

• https://mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support the show by getting a t-shirt from Mecha Neko Sushi!
• Mecha Neko Su\ushi: https://mechanekosushi.com/

Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.

• Famiresu
  • ファミレス (n) (abbr) (See ファミリーレストラン) family restaurant

Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].

Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the unique cultural and geographic quirks of life in Miyagi Prefecture.

• Where Miyagi Prefecture is located
• The population of Miyagi Prefecture
• Miyagi's mild weather
• What izui means
• What is gyūtan (牛タン)
• About Sada Keishiro and the origins of gyūtan (beef tongue)
• How most people in Sendai rarely if ever eat gyūtan
• What is zundamochi?
• About Kessennuma and its fishing industry
• About shark meat in Kessennuma
• About Sendai's links to JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Jujutsu Kaisen and other anime/manga
• About Ishinomori Shotaro's various museums
• About "good morning socks"
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

None this time.

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about "May sickness" and "June sickness." What are these sicknesses? Are they real? Should you be concerned?

• What is gogatsubyÅ (äº"津病)
• What is rokugatsubyÅ (六月病)
• The origin of "May sickness"
• Why April-June has a reputation for being a stressful time of year in Japan
• Why June sickness is stupid
• Why June is thought to be a particularly stressful time of year in Japan
• And much 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 for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  • Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
• Support via a one time donation!
  • Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
  • Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
  • Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega

Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.

• Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
• Support by Buying a T-Shirt!

Support the show by getting a t-shirt!

• MechaNekoSushi.com

None this time.

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/tonyrvega
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
• The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
• Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
• Website: https://japankyo.com/
• Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
• Tony R. Vega Personal Website: https://tonyrvega.com/