Voices in Japan

Today, Ben and Burke share some fun and interesting facts about Japan. We found a list of 40 facts about Japan and the Japanese, and selected some that we thought would be interesting to chat about. We talk about the suicide forest, ghosts, the number of people aged over 100 years old, train delay times, the amount of vending machines, Ronald Mcdonald's name in Japan (Hint, it's not Ronald Mcdonald), and more. Enjoy the show!

If you enjoy the Voices in Japan podcast, it would really help us out f you could leave a rating and review on Apple podcasts/iTunes. It only takes a minute and we would really appreciate it.

And finally, if you are interested in becoming a remote guest or would like to call in to the show, whether you live in Japan or not, we would be very happy to have you on. Just drop us a message!

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On this episode of the podcast, Ben and Burke take a look at some common myths about Japan.  Is it easy for overseas visitors to travel around the country? Is the world-famous Kobe beef the best and most delicious beef in the country? Is the very popular cherry blossom season the ideal time to visit Japan?  Find out the answers to these questions and others by listening to the episode now!

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https://www.voicesinjapan.com/

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Mike from New Zealand and Tomoko from Japan join the podcast for the second time. On today's show they talk about their 6 month trip, in 2019, through all 47 prefectures in Japan. We talk about the amazing free campsites that they found online, working at a hotel for 2 months, favourite places they visited, Burke talks about his time living in Mie, Tomoko gives her thoughts on Ibaraki (her hometown), over tourism in Kyoto, the best prefecture to live in, and much much more. Enjoy the show!


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Website:

https://www.voicesinjapan.com/

Follow us and check out our other content:

https://twitter.com/voicesinjapan

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On this episode of the Voices in Japan podcast, Ben and Burke are joined by Mike from New Zealand and Tomoko from Japan.  While neither one of them is originally from Hokkaido, they are managing the Rusutsu Lodges (a pension-style accommodation at the Rusutsu Ski Resort.) Mike and Tomoko introduce the area, which is one of the latest ski mountains in Hokkaido to become a popular destination for overseas visitors, as it sits in a very scenic location next to Mount Yotei.  At the same time, the coronavirus epidemic has been hitting the tourism industry pretty hard in Hokkaido in late February and March, so they also provide some insights into the current situation, and also talk about some of the reasons for the limited development in the area, including the mindset of Japanese business owners.  Enjoy the show!

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Website:

https://www.voicesinjapan.com/

YouTube

https://youtu.be/G78DxDtFl-w

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Yuki joins us again to talk about the senpai-kohai system. This senior-junior culture, underlies practically all relationships in Japanese society such as schools, offices, clubs, organizations and almost any other setting where groups are involved. Who is the senpai and who is the kohai is determined by the time you enter an organization. It is more than just a rank where older members receive special treatment. Senpais are mentors and are responsible for their kohais, and should take this responsibility very seriously. If a kohai screws up, the senpai will also feel embarrassed and responsible.

One of the main things that observers will notice is the way that the senpai and kohai communicate. The senpai usually uses casual Japanese whereas the kohai will always use polite Japanese (keigo, teinego, or sonkeigo).

For foreigners, it can be difficult to fully appreciate the nuances of this relationship, so having Yuki on will hopefully shed some light on this fascinating topic. Enjoy the show!

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Website:

https://www.voicesinjapan.com/

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After the governor of Hokkaido announces a state of emergency in the prefecture due to the worsening situation with the novel coronavirus, Ben and Burke take a look at the actual reaction they are seeing from the people in Sapporo, and the way that the virus has been affecting Japan overall.  Who knew toilet paper would become the next great commodity!?

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Do Japanese people eat sushi every day?  Do they all enjoy eating whale meat and dolphins?  Does everyone in Japan know martial arts?  On this episode, Ben and Burke are joined by Yuki to discuss several stereotypes about Japanese people, and to look at some of the stereotypes that Japanese people have about foreigners based on how life outside of Japan is portrayed in movies.

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Ben and Burke discuss the rules for a first date based on articles written by Japanese people, a survey of Japanese women, and their own personal experiences with dating in Japan.  Topics covered include best locations for a first date, can you expect a kiss, when do things become official, and when do people normally move on to the next level of intimacy!  Enjoy!

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Website:

https://www.voicesinjapan.com/

Follow us and check out our other content:

https://twitter.com/voicesinjapan

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Wasei-eigo are English words (but not really), and could also be referred to as Japlish.  They are words created in Japan, and are therefore only really understood by Japanese people (unless you learn them!). However, Japanese people think they are authentic English words, even the ones that are borrowed from other languages. So be careful. Japanese people may use them with you!

There are many of these wasei eigo and new ones are popping up every year, but on todays episode, Burke and Ben discuss the ones they find the most interesting. Enjoy the show!

Support the show

Website:

https://www.voicesinjapan.com/

Follow us and check out our other content:

https://twitter.com/voicesinjapan

https://www.facebook.com/voicesinjapan/

https://www.instagram.com/voicesinjapan/

Get in touch: 

[email protected]

Support the show