The four seasons in Japan each have their own distinct character, and the impact that seasonal changes have had on the country’s culture over the centuries is apparent in many aspects of their society. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what makes Japan’s four seasons so special!

Topics Covered:

History

Weather

Events/Holidays

Food

Decorative Motifs

Homes in Japan are often multi-generational and may not offer enough privacy for certain intimate activities…but fortunately the love hotel industry provides a solution to this problem. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the wide variety of love hotels in Japan!

Topics Covered:

History

Where to find love hotels

Appearance/Amenities

Rates

Examples: Hotel Sara — Hotel Bali-An Resort — Hotel Ikutama Love — Hotel Blan Chapel Christmas — Hotel Artia Dinosaur — Hotel Togenkyo Isehara — Hotel Us Keibajo — Hotel Renaissa

Controversy

Stories of ghosts and monsters stretch back centuries in Japanese mythology and many of them are tied to specific locations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many haunted places in Japan!

Topics Covered:

Kanto Area: Aokigahara (The Suicide Forest) — Himuro Mansion — Sendagaya Tunnel — Gridley Tunnel — The Prime Minister’s Residence — Oiran Buchi Bridge

Kansai Area: Awashima Shrine — Maruoka Castle (technically in Chubu) — Kiyotaki Tunnel — Himeji Castle (Okiku’s Well)

Kyushu Area: Inunaki Tunnel

Okinawa: Nakagusuku Hotel — Camp Hansen (YouTube Video)

Hokkaido: Round Schoolhouse in Bibai

Whether you have food allergies or if your diet is vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, etc., Japanese cuisine can be difficult to navigate if you’re not able to eat certain common ingredients. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss how to enjoy Japan while adhering to various dietary restrictions!

Topics Covered:

Modern Japanese diet

Food allergies (18:29)

Vegan diet (27:58)

Vegetarian diet (45:22)

Religious dietary restrictions (49:57)

Gluten-free diet (53:36)

Keto diet (1:01:42)

General tips

Japan has been slow to reopen to tourism since it closed its borders at the beginning of the pandemic, but they recently announced that the country will fully reopen on October 11, 2022!

Kagoshima is a seaside city in southern Kyushu, best known for its active volcano, Sakurajima. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Kagoshima!

Topics Covered:

History: Yamato and Hayato peoples — Shimazu Tadahisa — Satsuma Domain — Horeki River Incident — Satsuma Rebellion — Saigo Takamori

Attractions: Kagoshima City Museum of the Meiji Restoration — Shiroyama Park — Reimeikan (History museum) — Kagoshima City Museum of Art — Sengan-en (Garden) — Shoko Shuseikan Museum — Kagoshima City Aquarium — Sakurajima — Kurokami Shrine Gate — Ibusuki Sand Baths

Festivals: Ohara Festival — Maenohama Cosmos Festival — Sogadon no Kasayaki (Umbrella-burning festival) — Kagoshima Ramen Championship — Kajiki Spider Fighting Festival

Food: Sweet potatoes — Imojochu (Sweet potato shochu) — Shirokuma (Shaved ice) — Satsuma-age (Fried fish cake) — Daikon Radish — Satsuma Oranges — Kagoshima Shoyu (soy sauce)

How to get to/around Kagoshima

Japan has been slow to open up to tourism since the beginning of the pandemic, but things are starting to change. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the current tourism situation as well as recent newsworthy events in Japan!

Topics Covered:

Announcements

Can I go to Japan yet?: Japan Travel subreddit — Japan National Tourism Organization — Kyushu Journeys (travel agency)

Tourism industry

Abe assassination

The idol who married her fan

The man who married Hatsune Miku

Nuclear power in Japan

Listener mail

Kyoto is a city bursting at the seams with temples, shrines, and history. It served as the capital for over 1,000 years and is the perfect destination for visitors that want to get in touch with the culture of ancient Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the many things to do and see in Kyoto!

Topics Covered:

History

East: Fushimi Inari Taisha — Tofukuji — Kiyomizu-dera — Hokanji (Yasaka Pagoda) — Kenninji — Keage Incline — Nanzenji — Philosopher’s Path — Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)

West (Arashiyama): Kimono Forest at Arashiyama Station — Togetsukyo Bridge — Arashiyama Monkey Park — Tenryuji — Bamboo Grove — Okochi Sanso Villa — Gioji Temple

Central: Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) — Nijo Castle — Kyoto Imperial Palace

Other Attractions: Kyoto International Manga Museum — Learn traditional skills — Kyoto Aquarium — Geisha (Miyako Odori) — Kyoto National Museum

Food: Shojin Ryori — Nishiki Market — Matcha — Kaiseki — Sake

How to get to/around Kyoto

The Japanese tea ceremony is one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement. This method of preparing and serving matcha involves a set of prescribed movements, a specific setting, and specialized tools, among other important considerations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this ancient art form!

Topics Covered:

History: Lu Yu — Eisai — Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji (Gold/Silver Pavilions) — Murata Juko — Sen no Rikyu

Setting

Attire

Season

Equipment and tools (Chadogu): Bowl (Chawan) — Tea caddy (Chaki) — Tea scoop (Chashaku) — Tea whisk (Chasen) — Cloth (Chakin/Fukusa)

Thick/thin tea (Koicha/Usucha)

Process

Schools

How to get involved: Tokyo Grand Tea Ceremony Festival — Yanesen Tourist Information and Cultural Centre — Nadeshiko (Asakusa kimono shop)

Tofukuji is one of the five great Zen temples of Kyoto and is one of the city’s most popular temples for tourists. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this historic site and discuss the many things to see and do there!

Topics Covered:

History: Chan Buddhism — Five Mountain System — Meiji Restoration

Main Gate (Sanmon)

Main Hall (Hondo)

Priest’s Living Quarters (Hojo): Mirei Shigemori — Gardens

Tsutenkyo Bridge

Founder’s Hall (Kaisando)

Other Buildings: Former latrine (Tosu) — Meditation Hall (Zendo) — Sub-temples (Funda-In)

How to get there: JR Nara Line — Keihan Main Line — Tofukuji Official Website