Daniel Martin and John Koons, two members of the Matsumoto foreign community, recently went up to northeastern Japan to help with the relief effort. In today's Japanofiles Podcast, which focuses on the devastated Tohoku region, Daniel and John share their experiences of volunteering in Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures, and they also talk about traveling through the areas affected by the tsunami, earthquake, and radiation.

Key Words: Japan-related podcast interview; Fukushima nuclear disaster; Miyagi Prefecture; Iwate Prefecture: Nagano Prefecture; podcast about Japan; tsunami; earthquake; radiation

Today's podcast guest is Winifred Bird, a journalist who lives in Matsumoto.  With interests in nature, science, and 'all things Japanese', Winnie has written about such diverse topics as rice farming, micro wind turbines, the Fukushima nuclear catastrophe, affordable housing for disaster victims, the Ainu language -- even about Japanese cheese. For Episode 50, Dave talks with Winnie about her reasons for coming to Japan and about her work.

Key Words: Podcast about Japan; Fukushima Nuclear Disaster; Japan-related podcast; working in Japan; journalism; Nagano Prefecture, Japan; Matsumoto; Azusagawa; podcast interview

Shiga-mura, formerly a small village to the north of Matsumoto city, became a part of Matsumoto during the 2005 amalgamation campaign. Today's guest, Oliver Carter, explains why he came to Japan and settled in Nagano Prefecture, and he also talks about life in the Shiga District of Matsumoto.

Key Words: Podcast about Japan; interview; Matsumoto City; Nagano Prefecture; Shiga-mura; podcast discussion; living in Japan

Caitlin Hoffmann visits The Japanofiles Podcast to discuss her experiences of living and working in Matsumoto. 

Key Words: Matsumoto, Japan; living in Japan; podcasting; working in Nagano Prefecture; interview; Japan-related podcast

For Episode 47 of The Japanofiles Podcast, Dave discusses jishuku as well as hanami.  He then talks with Brian O'Donovan, a native of Ireland who now lives in Nagano Prefecture.

Key words: Japan-related podcasts; cherry blossom viewing; interview about living in and working Japan; Matsumoto City, Nagano-ken, Japan; Shinshu area; mountain climbing; teaching; podcast about Japan

Today's Japanofiles Podcast features a discussion with long-time Matsumoto resident Martin Gillis. Martin explains some of the many activities that he's involved with in the local community, and then the conversation turns to various cultural topics.

Key words: Discussion about living and working in Japan; Matsumoto; Nagano; Shinshu; Japan; podcast about Japan; Japan-related interview 

James Brown visits The Japanofiles Podcast to talk about the joys and challenges of living in Ikusaka Mura, a small mountain village in Nagano Prefecture.  To close today's podcast, Darryl Pearce performs an original blues piece.

Key Words: Ikusaka Village, Nagano-ken, Japan; podcast interview about living in Japan; rural Japan; Japan-related conversation; podcasting; working in Japan

Episode 44 of The Japanofiles Podcast takes up the topic of driving -- in particular, getting a Japanese driver's license. Dave talks with eight people about their experiences.

Key Words: Driving in Japan: Japanese driver's license; podcast; Japan-related podcasting; interview program; discussion about life in Japan

Today's guest, Heather Fukase, lives on the outskirts of Matsumoto in a part of town known as "Azusagawa" (literally, "Catalpa River"). Formerly a separate village out in the Minami Azumi District, Azusagawa-mura was incorporated into Matsumoto city during the most recent amalgamation campaign.  Despite the new Matsumoto city address, Azusagawa still retains many features of an older, more traditional way of Japanese village life.  After introducing herself and explaining why she chose to live in Azusagawa, Heather talks about daily life in rural Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture).

Key Words: amalgamation; Matsumoto City; Nagano-ken; Japan; Azusagawa; living and working in Japan; podcast discussion about Japan; Japan-related interview; podcast; Shinshu

For Episode 42, Dave talks with Susanne Prein of Germany.  Susanne hails from Würzburg, home of Phillip Franz von Siebold, who in 1823 was the first European to teach Western medicine in Japan.  Susanne explains how she was introduced to Japanese culture and language as a student at the Siebold High School in Würzburg, and she then describes her subsequent study and work experiences in Japan.

Key Words: Germany and Japan; podcast discussion about life in Japan; Japan-related experiences; Matsumoto, Japan