Why do Japanese train stations do that? | Japan Station 166/Ichimon Japan 03

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to photographer and journalist Michael Magers. Michael has spent over a decade documenting shokunin (artisans/crafworkers) across Japan. During that time has has had many extremely unique expriences such as ama divers, participating in Osaka's infamous Danjiri Festival, and getting tattooed by a traditional Japanese tattoo artist. He talks about those experiences and much more in today's episode! 👉Topics Discussed About how Michael Magers started doing photography work in Japan About working on Rice, Noodlem Fish About shokunin culture in Japan What is shokunin culture About preserving shokunin culture About his most memorable food experiences in Japan About diving with ama About getting tattooed in Japan (irezumi) About participating in Osaka's infamous Danjiri Festival About efforts being made to preserve dying traditions in Japan About preserving the knowledge of Japan's aging shokunin/artisans And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. For more about Michael Magers Mike Magers Website https://mpmagers.com/ Mike Magers on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mpmagers 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

1 Apr 1h 4min

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it's like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo, Japanese craft beer and more. 👉Topics Discussed About Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky About running a craft beer bar in Tokyo Japanese craft beer in Tokyo Growing a business in Tokyo Organic marketing And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. Here's the Pintology Tokyo Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pintologytokyo/?hl=en 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

22 Mars 43min

On this episode of Japan Station, I examine the mysterious origins of the Japanese word for cat: neko. Trust me, there's a whole lot more to say about the topic than you might think! 👉Topics Discussed The etymology of neko/cat Various theories that try to explain the origins of the Japanese word for cat Whether the Japanese word for cat traces its origins back to Chine/Chinese When cats first arrived in Japan What the onomatopoeia for a cat meowing was in The Tale of Genji About the song Neko Funjatta and what it is called in other countries/languages And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. Here's the video of Neko Funjatta by Ichigoclub15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpqGiKJt3cQ 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

6 Mars 30min

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the many film adaptation of the works of Haruki Murakami, Japan's most well-known and commercially successful novelist. 👉Topics Discussed Why is Haruki Murakami so popular around the world? About the many film adaptations of the books and short stories of Haruki Murakami About the relatability of Murakami's characters About Hard Boiled Wonderland and the End of Tomorrow About Murakami's skill at writing magical realism About the music and pop culture references Murakami includes in his work How Murakami's strangeness makes his work accessible to people both in and outside of Japan About the South Korean film Burning and how it treated Haruki Murakami's work How filmmakers around the world have adapt and reassemble Haruki Murakami's work About Haruki Murakami's involvement with film adaptations of his work What Haruki Murakami thought of the film adaptation of Drive My Car Why Drive My Car is a notable filmd adaptation of Haruki Murakami's work About the film adaptation of Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman About the best film adaptations of Haruki Murakami's work About The Second Bakery Attack and its interpretations About the Attack on the Bakery film adaptation And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. Here's a link if you want to pick up the book! Murakami Haruki on Film (Asia Shorts) https://www.amazon.com/Murakami-Haruki-Film-Asia-Shorts/dp/1952636531 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

1 Mars 33min

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about oden, one of Japan's most popular winter foods. 👉Topics Discussed What is oden? Where to buy oden in Japan? What are the common igredients of oden? The history of oden Where the name oden came from About dengaku About regional varieties of oden Whether oden tastes good Should you try oden? What is konjac? Our favorite oden ingredients About the infamous 2016 "oden tsun tsun otoko" (oden poke man) convenience store incident And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. No links 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

21 Feb 47min

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about what it was like staying at a new Kyoto hotel before it opened. 👉Topics Discussed About Fushigina Yado Where Fushigina Yado is located About the theme and concept of Fushigina Yado About what it was like staying in Fushigina Yado Why I got to stay at Fushigina Yado before it opened About the shops and restaurants near Fushigina Yado And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. You can also watch the video version on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWVYM8n3Psw Fushigina Yado on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fushigina_yado_kyoto/ Fushigina Yado on X https://x.com/fushiginayado Fushigi na Yado on Expedia https://www.expedia.co.jp/en/Kyoto-Hotels-Fushiginayado.h110823050.Hotel-Information?chkin=2024%2F12%2F22&chkout=2024%2F12%2F23&rm1=a1&regionId=6131486&searchId=de5bc926-6dd2-44da-8f9f-52136e8bed0b&chain&daysInFuture&destination&group&guestRating&hotelName&latLong&poi&neighborhood&roomIndex&selected&sort=RECOMMENDED&stayLength&theme&useRewards&userIntent&misId&vacationRentalsOnly=false&expediaPropertyId&highlightedPropertyId&showFilterNotification=false&ai_search_query&endDate=2024%2F12%2F23&startDate=2024%2F12%2F22&petsIncluded=false&bedroom_count_gt&us_bathroom_count_gt&pricing_group&bed_count_ge&children 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

21 Feb 13min

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about three obscure Japanese dishes you need to try next time you're in Japan. 👉Topics Discussed What is teppan spa (teppan supa, 鉄板スパ)? What is teppanyaki naporitan About the history of teppanyaki spaghetti About the origin of Nagoya's famous teppanyaki naporitan About Osaka teppanyaki spaghetti About the origin of Japan's infamous napolitan pasta (naporitan pasuta) What is ebimeshi? How ebimeshi became famous in Okayama About the different varieties of ebimeshi About Torkish Rice/toruko raisu (トルコライス） What is toruko raisu? About the time I interviewed the owner of the shop where toruko raisu was invented Why the descendant of the creator of toruko raisu hates toruko raisu What is in toruko raisu Why toruko raisu should not be called toruko raisu What is in toruko raisu? About different variations of toruko raisu About Hiroshima tsukemen About Nagasaki's famous Sasebo burger And more 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. No links this time. 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

2 Feb 44min

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about hotels in Japan! This episode will give you all the information you need to know before you come visit Japan. Plenty of tips, tricks and basic information! 👉Topics Discussed About the various kinds of hotels in Japan Tips for booking hotels in Japan at cheap prices How much Japanese hotel rooms tend to cost About the size of Japanese hotel rooms How to find hotel rooms in Japan at cheaper rates than what you see online About business hotels like APA hotel and Toyoko Inn About luxury hotels and hotels owned by companies not from Japan About automated hotels like Henn Na Hotel and Livemax The pros and cons of hotels that are completely automated Why capsule hotels are a rip off About breakfasts in Japanese hotels About net cafes About keys and refrigerators in Japanese hotels About cargo container hotels About hotels in rural Japan How prices for hotels in Japan have gone up in recent years And more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo 👉Links, Videos, Etc. No links this time. 👉Follow on Social Media X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Website: https://japankyo.com/ Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony

22 Jan 58min