Prices are up everywhere right now, so I’m not gonna sit here and pretend Japan is the main character of global inflation—but I do live in Tokyo, and lately it’s been impossible not to notice how often you’re doing that little “wait… wasn’t this cheaper?” double-take at the supermarket, the konbini, and even on Amazon. In this episode, I give my layman’s take on Japan’s price hikes IRL—what changed, why it feels so different after years of “stable Japan prices,” and how stuff like COVID supply chain chaos, the Russia–Ukraine war, tariffs/trade friction, and the weak yen all stack together and show up on your receipt. If you live in Japan (or you visit a lot), I’d love to hear what your first “okay nah, this is getting crazy” moment was—DM me on Instagram or Threads @xqs_podcast, or hit the contact form on the website.Official Website: ⁠https://www.xqsumimasen.com ⁠(⁠https://www.xqspodcast.com⁠)Follow Us: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast ⁠Threads: ⁠https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast ⁠Listen on Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928⁠---🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): ⁠https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c⁠Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!

In this episode, I break down how I read Japanese “cuss words and insults”—from Level 1 venting (kuso, urusai), to Level 2 personal shots (baka, omae), to the Level 3 red-flag stuff (temee, kisama, kutabare, shine) that tells you it’s time to quietly walk away. I talk about why Japanese swearing works so differently from English, how "Kotodama" and politeness levels shape everything, why anime subtitles completely scramble your radar, and why some “rude” words between friends are actually affection. I also draw a clear line around the truly heavy discrimination-based slurs—things tied to history, disability, and minorities—that aren’t “swear words” so much as hate speech and not something anyone should learn as a joke. By the end, you’ll know how I tell the difference between someone venting, someone mad at others, someone ready to swing, and someone calling you 'baka' as a term of endearment. If you’ve got your own stories, hit me up in the comments, on Instagram or Threads @xqs_podcast, or through the contact form on xqspodcast.com.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com (https://www.xqspodcast.com)

Follow Us: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast 

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast 

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928

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🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout):  

https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c

Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).

Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!

In this episode, I’m breaking down all the little mistakes I made living in Tokyo — the chopstick taboos, the wedding etiquette I didn’t know, the ramen “eat and bounce” rule, the last-piece awkwardness, and all the quiet cultural expectations you only learn after messing up in front of somebody’s grandma. These are the things I learned the hard way so you don’t have to, with some stories and a little guidance for anyone visiting or living in Japan.Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast Listen on Other Platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928---🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0cIndependent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet).Until next time—excuse-me-massen, and... See ya!

Tokyo summer = HOT AF. Heat blasts off asphalt, ricochets off glass, and wraps you like a convection fan. After years of trial and error, I’ve built a setup that lets me function (and not stink) in this madness—no sponsors, no affiliate links, everything bought with my own yen.

Heat Survival Gear (Quick Hits):

• Underwear — BROS by Wacoal: Fast-dry fabric + targeted mesh = bye-bye swamp-itch.

• Shorts — Uniqlo boardshort-style hybrid cargo: Boardshort material, mesh cargo pockets, dries fast; pair with BROS for peak heat/humidity days.

• Cooling — Burtle fan shirt (Kyocera brushless) + sensu: Quiet wearable airflow; mesh back pocket fits a gel pack for extra chill.

• Passive “Ice” Neck Rings: ~30–50 min real cool, then steady heat-pull all day; rotate spares from a small insulated pouch—perfect for trains/cafés.

• Sunglasses + Cap: Polarized shades tame Tokyo’s glare “laser show”; cap blocks overhead leak-light.

• Weatherproofing: Sudden squalls? Pelican/Nanuk hard cases or weather-resistant packs (Peak Design/Hakuba) to protect your camera/tech.

• Socks — Uniqlo toe socks: Airflow between toes = less sweat, less stink.

• Shirts — Helikon-Tex TopCool Lite: Soft, quick-dry tees with practical pockets/loops.

  
  

If you’ve got a heat hack I missed, drop it in the comments. If this helped, follow/subscribe and tap the bell so it reaches folks living in—or soon melting in—Japan.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com

Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast

---

🎧 Support the podcast (via Stripe secure checkout): https://buy.stripe.com/14AdR8dC08dbaPZdkQ1RC0c

Independent show. No sponsors. No affiliate links (…yet). Stay cool, drink water, stretch your hips.Until next time—excuse-me-massen. See ya!

After 14 years in Tokyo, I've built a real life here—but it hasn't always been easy. In this solo episode, I break down the honest love–hate relationship I have with living in Japan long-term. From the everyday rhythm and built-in movement I've come to rely on, to the silent pressure of unspoken rules and the feeling of always being seen as an outsider, even after more than a decade.If you're living in Japan, thinking about staying long-term, or just want a deeper understanding of what life here actually feels like beyond the surface, this one's for you. I talk cultural expectations, identity, mental adaptation, and how I've found peace with not always fitting in.Let me know what your experience has been—DM me on Instagram or reach out through the site.If you enjoy the show and want to help the algorithm recommend it to others living in Japan or considering the move, consider following (or subscribing) and turning on the bell so you don't miss future episodes.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com

Follow Us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast

What should you mentally prepare for before moving to Japan? In this solo episode, I share the mindset shifts and hard truths I wish I understood before coming to Japan 14 years ago. This isn't about packing lists—it's about navigating language barriers, finding your identity as a foreigner, decoding Japanese politeness, managing mental health, and figuring out complex systems like hospitals and Hanko stamps.Whether you're planning a move, already living in Japan, or simply curious about expat life, this episode offers a genuine look at what it takes to build a life here long-term mentally.

🧊 Bonus tip: I also talk about the coolest way to survive Japan's brutal summer heat—literally.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast

If you've ever wondered what it's really like to live in Tokyo—beyond the tourist traps and shiny travel reels—this episode's for you. After 14 years here, I'm sharing why I chose to settle down in Kasai, a neighborhood that often gets overlooked but offers comfort, convenience, and a strong sense of community. From local food spots and family-run businesses to easy access to Disney and Tokyo Station, this deep dive covers what makes Kasai feel like home. Whether you're planning a trip or thinking long-term, I hope this gives you a more grounded look at what daily life in Japan can actually be.

Keito's (@NomadPush/ @SweatySuzuki) Video featuring FOODS&BAR Cerdo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQTq7T1LMn8

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast

Instagram Links:

Izakaya Donguri(@sumikatuya) - https://www.instagram.com/sumikatuya?igsh=MW1hNjM5bDN5NTFrdA==

Toriman(@kasai.toriman) - https://www.instagram.com/kasai.toriman?igsh=MXBvcWUydGxqeWdqZA==

Foods & Bar Cerdo/Lumberhouse(@lumberhouse627) - https://www.instagram.com/lumberhouse627?igsh=MXFxaXp6eGRjY3hmcg==

Nikuemon(@nikuemon_kasai) - https://www.instagram.com/nikuemon_kasai?igsh=Zno1aWJscGVkcnRk

KURUMU(@kurumu2013) - https://www.instagram.com/kurumu2013?igsh=bm5qamRsdXNwdDJ3

Web Links:

Izakaya Donguri - https://akr3799285875.ows

Niku No Murayama - https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1313/A131305/13185486/

FOODS&Bar Cerdo - https://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1313/A131305/13274107/

Lumberhouse - https://r.gnavi.co.jp/4rsupzd30000/

Nikuemon - https://www.hotpepper.jp/strJ001146667/

KURUMU - https://montmorillonite.jp/

After 14 years of living in Japan (and 10 for Devin), we’re sitting down to talk about what really keeps us grounded. From binge-watching old-school dramas and obsessing over YouTube rabbit holes to gaming with our kids and revisiting karaoke favorites, this is what daily life looks like for us now. We’re not anime fanatics or J-pop superfans—we’re just long-term residents trying to stay sane in a country that never stops surprising us. We also touch on how our media habits have changed, how language fluency finally unlocked Japanese TV, and why we’re thankful for sushi that doesn’t break the bank. If you’ve ever wondered what life in Japan actually feels like after the honeymoon phase, this one’s for you.

Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com

Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast

Listen on Other Platforms:

Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928

How has life in Japan changed since the pandemic ended? In this episode of The XQ Sumimasen Podcast, Sol and Devin explore major post-COVID shifts across Japanese society in 2025—from lingering mask culture and rising student absenteeism to tourism overload, cashless payment adoption, changing work habits, and the rise of the four-day workweek. With real-life stories, stats, and personal reflections, this episode unpacks what's new in Japan and how the pandemic's long shadow still shapes everyday life.Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lYSuDCZisdjLwgYL3mR4a?si=3b10d0f7b045454d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928

In this episode, we’re talking about tattoos as foreigners in Japan—what it’s like to have them, how people react, and how things are slowly starting to change. From stories about getting stared at in the onsen to chatting with yakuza in the bath (yep, that happened), we share real experiences about daily life with tattoos here. We also get into why tattoos are so expensive in Japan, how the ink quality holds up, and whether the old-school stigma is finally starting to fade.Official Website: https://www.xqsumimasen.com Follow Us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xqs_podcast Threads: https://www.threads.net/@xqs_podcast Listen on Other Platforms: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lYSuDCZisdjLwgYL3mR4a?si=3b10d0f7b045454d Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/channel/the-xq-sumimasen-podcast/id6480508928