We're back! We're here! We're... so sorry. We're now planning to release episodes every fortnight - so next one will be May 29th. Life came up at us fast, but we're back with a brand new episode! This week join Yubi on a cracking tour of broken - then mended - crockery as we explore the philosophical kintsugi, and then follow Keito around the 40,000,000 members of smash-hit idol-palooza AKB48! We also serve up a beautiful word of a day, and an ever-changing "osusume" recommendation.

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

Better late than never, right? ... Right? We're here with another great episode after a tantalizing wait! First join Keito for a delicious cup of matcha and learn how to tell what makes good matcha from bad. Then join Yubi for a whistle-stop tour around the legendary Akihabara in Tokyo, a must-see destination! We also present a word of the day perfect for any time of the day, and an osusume sure to tickle your funny bones.

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

This episode comes to you late because despite having it Totally Ready To Go... Yubi forgot to upload it! Doh! This week follow Yubi as we walk alongside one of animation's greats, Hayao Miyazaki. Then allow Keito to tickle your chucklebones with the history of Manzai, Japan's comedy double-acts! We provide a soul-searching recommendation, but our word of the day will leave you feeling lively and spry.

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

Welcome, welcome! We're here with another fantastic episode for you. Spring is near, the snow has mostly melted, and we now feel brave enough to turn the heating off sometimes. This week join Keito around the however-you-like-it soul food of Osaka, okonomiyaki, and then allow Yubi to walk you around who, what, when, why, and where you can store all your kami for all your new-shrine-founding needs. We also present a scrumptious word of the day and a semi-local osusume of a wonderful place you can get all your Japanese item needs!

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

Between weddings and bad weather, this episode comes to you a little late and with a loving apology from Yubi. Oopsies. This week allow Yubi to give you a tour around the Meiji Co., Ltd and some of their wonderful and weird products. Then follow Keito to Hakone, a mystical place of lacquer and marquetry. With a really great word of the day and a very theatrical osusume you'll have plenty to keep you entertained! So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

Once more we open the door to all things Japan! This week join Keito and Yubi at the opposite ends of Japanese history-makers. First allow Keito to sweep you round the icy rink of doom as we discuss Yuzuru Hanyu and his outstanding performances at this year's Winter Olympics. Then follow Yubi back in time to the ancient rap-battles of the Nara period and the incredible poetry anthology created over 1000 years ago. Our word of the day will make sure you go without the things you don't like, and our recommendation is sure to get you poppin' and hoppin' to some very good music. So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

We burst into your podcast player a day late clutching a coffee and looking mildly panicked. Sorry. Allow us to make it up to you with this chock-a-block episode of fun! First Yubi introduces us to a legend of Japanese cinema, the beautiful and talented Toshiro Mifune who inspired archetypes, generations, and Clint Eastwood. Then allow Keito to show you the wonderful world of Tanuki, as requested by listener Millie-mai! Thank you so much! Fair warning though, we laugh about balls. We also recommend a manga/anime that gets Yubi hyped / distraught to the nth degree, and our word of the day is short, sweet, and very helpful.

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

January is over, February is here, and we've got another fun tour around Japan in store! Join Keito as we explore Japan's evocative ballads through the medium of Enka's revolutionary roots. Then join Yuubi in a nice, warm Cat Café with snuggly friends you'll pay to be ignored by! We also offer a many-named osusume recommendation, and a grave warning about the dangerous of garlic and muscles in word of the day... An added bonus: our mic stand repeatedly falling over and making strange noises! Sorry!

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!

We're back! We're alive! We survived the flu and the common cold! This week Keito and Yuubi wheezingly guide you around two more fun new topics. First allow Yuubi to take you back in time to meet a reverse-legendary Empress of Japan who ruled from the tender age of 14 and is mysteriously missing from certain important books. Then allow Keito to delight your senses with sensational youkan, Japan's answer to the eternal question of "why the heck does anyone eat this?" We also serve up a delish-y fishy osusume recommendation and a word of the day perfect for expressing your disgust for certain things.

So sit back, relax... and let's enjoy Japan!

Another week, another guided tour around two super fun new topics! First join Yuubi as we step back over 100 years to the humble beginnings of game giant Nintendo, and then allow Keito to whisk you away on the 13 strings of a koto - of which some parts of the instrument have very very very good names. We also present a bitter-sweet and touching osusume, and we're so pleased to teach you a brand new word of the day.

So sit back, relax, and let's enjoy Japan!