The twilight of summer is upon us, Backers! Ruuuun!

Or...

Head straight to your local Taco Bell, where it's HOT HOT HOT all year long, and you can cool off with the refreshingly turquoise (and healthy) Baja Blast. If that's not entirely in the cards, then Option 2 awaits...

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Lord Kenshin Festival in Joetsu, Niigata, the event honoring the eponymous daimyo of Niigata himself, Uesugi Kenshin. There's tons o' fun to be had, reenactments to revere, swords to observe and Sengoku-period feels for all. The event runs from August 23rd-24th, but if you miss it, no worries. There's always next year!

Brush off your best pair of jeans, send those kids back to school and brace for the "-ber" months!

Embrace the End, Backers 🗡️👹🏫

Josh

Hey you summer-lovin' Backers!

'Tis a somber somber episode for our host, as he looks mortality in the face and presses the record button at a certain age. Music helps, especially City Pop queen Miki Matsubara and her debut LP Pocket Park (in mint-condition). Give it a spin and feel the Bubble Economy vibes!

Speaking of Japan's roaring 80s, we're showing some love to the Joetsu Shinkansen, another 40-something mainstay that first connected the nation's capital to the Snow Country, courtesy of then Prime Minister - and Niigata local - Kakuei Tanaka. It's still running like a dream, so hop aboard the next time you're in country!

Break out that SPF 50, crack open a cold one and drift off to the sound of cicadas. Ah, summer!

Stay cool (and young) Backers 🌞🚂 🍺,

Josh

Hey you full-bodied Backers!

Pardon my French, but we're heavy under its influence these days, especially our appétits. Croquettes, little fried things stuffed with other things, aren't easy to ruin, but will Josh find a way? Or will it be a révolution de la cuisine?

Speaking of French influence, we're tipping our flutes to Kawakami Zenbei, not only the Father of Japanese wine, but a plucky horticulturist who designed Japan's first snow cellar (yukimuro) to keep his grapes cool in the blistering summers. His delicious creation, Muscat Bailey A, can be sampled (or guzzled) at his founding winery Iwanohara located in Joetsu.

Pop the cork on this one and call your favorite Uber driver!

À votre santé!

Josh

Hey all you stainless-steeled Backers!

We're on the cusp of May, which means warm weather and even warmer cuisine, particularly the kind that causes gastrointestinal issues. Chilli con Carne is the name of the game these days, but will it lead to inflamed ulcers and increased bathroom time? A deliciously spicy way to go!

Cutting to the quick, this month we're covering the renowned area of Tsubame-Sanjo and its prolific output of not just Japan's finest metalworks, but perhaps the world's. We're talking top-notch cutlery used in Michelin-star restaurants and the most expensive nail-clippers you've ever seen. But the true gem of the area is Tojiro, an artisan knife-making factory with over 1,000 types to choose from!

Feel the power of the blades, but watch your fingers.

Stay sharp!

Josh  🗡️⚔️ 🌶️

Guess who’s of legal age, Backers?? 

But before we imbibe, Josh takes his family on an unfortunate visit into the mind of Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger at his eponymous museum; a retrospectively bad idea. Will his son be scarred for life? Can one separate the alien from the artist? Time will tell! 

Yes indeed, The Back of Japan turns 21, and in honor of this auspicious episode, we’re hosting and hoisting mugs of cold frothy beer from straight from Niigata. As a prefecture synonymous with sake, alcohol is in this region’s veins, and is even the home of Japan’s first microbrewery. We’ll stumble through the nation’s history with beer, cover the origins of craft breweries and make it for last call at some of the finest drinking holes in Niigata. 

A special thanks to Chiho Takagi, the founder of Tsumari Beer, and Takeru Miyagawa, founder of Otama Brewing for their help and the good times. 

Cheers and may all your glasses be full! 

Josh 🍻⛩️🍺

Hey youz backers,

No time for love (or preamble), Dr. Jones! It's Part 2 of our chat with Charlie Stratton and Willem Kortekaas about Niigata's longest Gangi-dōri (雁木通り), or covered eaves that are a crucial part of the Snow Country's heritage.

Thanks for listening and stay warm!

Josh

Have a ♥️, my beloved Backers! 

This month there’s plenty of passion—and surreal disorientation—going around with a trip down David Lynch lane, including a Twin Peaks binge, and an immediate Mulholland Drive followup. Heartily recommended…but just space them out and make sure you’re in a safe space.

Speaking of safe spaces, this week we’re taking a stroll into the snow country of Joetsu, Niigata underneath its centuries old and iconic Gangi-dōri (雁木通り), or eaves. These traditional wooden covered walkways are the longest in the nation and not for good reason (think meters and meters of snow!). To help unpack this gem of a find, two gracious and highly intelligent Joetsu residents, Charlie Stratton and Willem Kortekaas, are on board for the ride. 

Lots o' love,

Josh

It’s Christmas time, you holly-jolly Backers! 

Thanks to you, it’s been a great year and what better way to bring things to a close then with a food coma, brought on by an onslaught of hearty food. Will Josh’s decision to cook Beef Bourguignon cause immense delight, or instant diarrhea? It’s anybody’s guess! 

In honor of Hokuriku (and the holiday), we’re throwing the spotlight on Japan’s original all-female troubadours: the long-suffering, snow-shuffling, shamisen-strumming Goze (瞽女) of Niigata. Although blind, these women would tour all over Japan, not only offering songs and stories to soothe the soul, but luck to every home that opened its doors and hearts. Embrace the shamisen's twang!

Seasons greetings and eatings to you, and may all your days, podcasts and Christmas specials be bright! 

Happy holidays,

Josh🎄🎅🍻❄️

Happy Thanksgiving, you Backers!

First off, I’m THANKFUL for you and your ears on this holiday, but not so sentimental towards stuffing. It’s a calorie-filled overhyped breaded garnish, not a necessity! Rant over. 

Today, we’re digging deep (pun intended) into the history of Niigata’s own Sado Gold Mine, from its roots as a medieval silver haven to its role in fueling Japan’s national ambitions during the Edo period. But as a newly-minted UNESCO site, the skeleton’s stashed in the Mine’s tunnels are coming back into the sunlight. 

So grab your spade, loosen that belt for a bit, and let’s strike gold beneath the surface of Niigata’s shiny past.

BTW: Here’s the Sado Gold Mine UNESCO breakdown: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tELFH_lBlWE

Later, you Turkeys 🦃✨
Josh

Backer, beware...

A cauldron of fear awaits you!

'Tis the midnight hour when we delve into Niigata's strange creatures: the yokai. Seven spooky monsters stand ready to chill your bones, freeze your blood, and, just perhaps, melt your heart. The gang's all here: Nekomata, Yuki-onna, Yukitaro, Yama-otoko, Azuki Arai, Danzaburou Tanuki, and Yasaburobasa. Will you survive this onslaught of eerie entities? Bwa-ha-hahahaaaa!

Nah, you'll be fine. Probably. So, break out your 80's slasher films, don your mask and say NO to "Sugar Daddy" (the candy, that is).

Happy Halloween 🎃👻💀

Josh