The Golden Pavilion Has Weird Ghosts (Ep. 166)
What happens when you think you know everything about Japan's most famous temple? I discovered I knew almost nothing at all about Kinkaku-ji. Its real name isn't even what most people call it – there'...
22 Feb 202514min
Walking in Old Japan: The Historical Gokaidō Routes (Ep. 165)
In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a stroll along the walking routes of Old Edo. There were five main ones, called go-kaidō - the five Edo routes, or the five historical roads of Japan. All fiv...
6 Feb 202518min
Fudō Myō: The Unshakable Buddhist Deity and Sacred Fire Ceremonies (Ep. 164)
In this episode, I'll be telling you about someone I've had a crush on for the past couple years, Fudō Myō, and also about a very cool fire ceremony that will burn away all your worldly desires, ignor...
15 Jan 202513min
Bodhidharma and Daruma Dolls: Zen Buddhism Origins (Ep. 163)
In today's episode, I'll be taking you on a journey that involves supernatural balance, a touch of kung fu fighting, cringeworthy acts of concentration, a lucky toy that heals disease and helps you ac...
6 Jan 202519min
The Salt God and the Magic of Salt (Ep. 162)
During the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami, the water rose to the exact edge of Shiogama Shrine and retreated. At Japanese funerals, you're given salt to sprinkle on your shoulders before going home. Tiny salt py...
17 Dec 202415min
Turbo Granny: Japanese Urban Legend of the Highway Phantom (Ep. 161)
You're driving through a tunnel at 140 kilometers per hour when you hear knocking on the back window. You glance over your shoulder and see an old woman with long white hair running alongside your car...
3 Dec 202417min
Japanese Kanji Animal Names: Sea Pigs, Dirt Dragons & Poetic Language (Ep. 160)
In Japanese, some animals have names so creative they sound like fantasy creatures. Dirt dragons. Sea pigs. House protectors. Ocean moons. Today I'm testing whether I can make you fall in love with k...
18 Nov 202418min
Go-Away Monkey: Original Japanese Horror Story by Thersa Matsuura (Ep. 159)
A disease-ravaged town. A stranger with a captive monkey. One woman who refuses to become a monster. When traveling performer Hanshiro arrives promising to grant wishes through his trained monkey Fu...
1 Nov 202457min
