Just Asia

Have you ever heard of Chikara Ishi 力石  or Strength Stones in Japan? Probably not. Kevin chats with Osaka-based strength athlete, David Dunlap about the history of stone lifting in Japan. Now, an almost lost sport, Chikara Ishi was once renowned and revered around Japan. Today,  strength athletes such as David and the World’s Strongest Man, Martins Licis are trying to put the sport back on the m...

We are back with another fantastic conversation about Japan. Kevin chats with Dave in Osaka, one of the original Japan live-streamers. If you’re interested in seeing Maiko in Kyoto or festivals throughout Japan, Dave’s YouTube and Twitter are the places to be. He started back in the days of Periscope and continues to create great content with amazing cultural and travel connections.  Follow Dave i...

In this episode, we chat with Korea-based photographer Noe Alonzo. Over the years Noe has established himself as a talented photographer, capturing the the urban areas of South Korea and Japan at night. He talks about his content creation journey and how he took photography from being a hobby to a professional endeavor.  Noe shares his experiences and talks about how creators can evolve in what th...

In this episode, Kevin chats with Jim Mullins, aka, Mully. Jim has called Japan home for 32 years and appeared on the Just Japan Podcast more than 20 times. Kevin and Jim catch up on life and talk about Jim’s years as a content creator in Japan. They also chat about what has kept Mully in Japan for so long and even about his Podcast, the Mully’s Place Podcast. Check out Kevin's (and FOLLOW) ot...

In this episode, Kevin chats with Tokyo-based street photographer Victor Gonzalez. Victor's Frame of Travel Instagram and other social media sites highlight his amazing street and night photography in Japan. Victor is also well-known amongst the Japan spat community for his years of epic Mt. Fuji “Sea to Summit” climbs. He was on an original Just Japan Podcast episode talking about that very t...

In this episode, we chat with Kevin Tarpey, an American expat living in rural Shimane Prefecture, Japan. Kevin spends a great deal of his time looking at Japan through a different lens than most. He walks and hikes all over his region. Last year he even completed the 88 Temple Pilgrimage across the Island of Shikoku all on foot. Kevin is an insightful and reflective walker who also shares his expl...

In this episode, Kevin chats with extreme weather videographer and content creator, James Reynolds. James is based in Tokyo, Japan and has a rather unusual profession. He travels around Asia, getting in front of typhoons, capturing them on video, documenting the storms and their aftermaths. He was most recently in both Hong Kong and Taiwan in the fray with recent storms. James shares his amazing f...

In this episode, Indonesia-based to we chat with Bali, Indonesia-based Kenny Peavy. Kenny is a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and play. He currently works at the famed Green School Bali and has spent more than 20 years living in Asia. Kenny discusses his advocacy work with connecting children to the outdoors and chats about what it's like to live in Bali. Many of us only know of Bali...

In this episode, Indonesia-based to we chat with Bali, Indonesia-based Kenny Peavy. Kenny is a passionate advocate for outdoor learning and play. He currently works at the famed Green School Bali and has spent more than 20 years living in Asia. Kenny discusses his advocacy work with connecting children to the outdoors and chats about what it's like to live in Bali. Many of us only know of Bali...

In this episode, we chat with Everett Hill, Secondary Vice Principal at Concordia International School. He’s an American who is living and working in Shanghai, China. He talks with us about what life is like in one of Asia’s most iconic cities and the challenges of living there with his family during the Zero Cover Years. Everett gives listeners thinking of taking the plunge to work overseas some...

In this episode, Kevin revisits an interview he did for the Supernatural Japan Podcast. Kevin chats with Richard Guilbeault, a Canadian expat in Asia. Rich (MiddleAgedExpat on YouTube), traveled to Bibai, Hokkaido in Japan to investigate what is supposed to be one of the most haunted places in Japan. He explored the infamous abandoned Round Schoolhouse. What did he discover? Check out the original...

We are back after a summer hiatus! In this episode Kevin chats with Pee Jay and Sarah, two long-term Japan expats. They discuss the importance of having hobbies while living abroad. They specifically chat about a fun geolocation game called Munzee which gets people outdoors, discovering the world around them.  Follow the Podcast on social media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/6521876267...

In this episode, Kevin chats with Kyoto-based writer and guide, Phillip Jackson. Phillip is the author of “Hidden Paths - Walking Historical Kyoto”, a book that gets you off the beaten track to see amazing sites in Kyoto that aren’t crowded and filled with history. He is also the author of “Paranormal Kansai” a book looking at the spookier sides of this region of Japan. Phillip shares his insights...

It’s the first episode recorded in Japan! This week Kevin chats with Orrin Heath a photographer based in Nagano Prefecture in Japan. He captures Japan on film and shares his insights into the hobby of film photography. He tells us where he gets older film cameras in Japan as well as the film. He also gives great advice to listeners who may be interested in getting into film photography.  Follow th...

What’s it like to work in a university in Japan? How do I get a job like this? In our final episode recorded in Mainland China, Kevin chats with Japan-based expat, Pee Jay about working in universities in Japan. Pee Jay shares his “Japan origin story” and talks about how he transitioned from teaching in public schools, to private schools and then to universities. He also talks about how the Cover...

How does a foreigner get into the game development industry in Japan? What is IRL live streaming? In this episode, Kevin chats with Matt Papa, AKA MegaMattTV about all these things. Matt is originally from the United States but has spent many years living in both Osaka and Tokyo. He works in games, is a Twitch content creator, and does some really cool live streams around Tokyo with friends!  Foll...

In this episode, host Kevin O’Shea chats with Brian Waters, a forensic scientist who teaches at a university in Fukuoka. Brian appeared on many episodes of the Just Japan Podcast and now makes his debut on Just Asia. Growing up in America, Brian first came to Japan on the JET Program. He later worked for the LA County Coroner’s Office and then made the move to Japan where he is raising his family....

In the epodes, host Kevin O’Shea chats with Shawn Morrissey. Shawn is a Canadian who has called South Korea home for more than 20 years. Shawn is a folklorist, storyteller, heritage interpreter, writer, and travel guide. He leads tours for Seoul Hike as well as the Dark Side of Seoul. Shawn is also the author of books such as “The Dark Side of Seoul: Weird Tales from Korean Lore.” Shawn talks abou...

In this episode, we chat with Jason Reagin. Jason is an American educator, creator, and curriculum coordinator based in Beijing, China. Until recently he was based in South Korea where he worked and created the #DesignCast Podcast. He recently moved back to China, for the second time, with his family, during the very sticky and tricky Zero Cover days. Jason is now podcasting, creating art, and mak...

Just Asia 12 - Living in Small-Town Japan with Casey Bean In this episode, we chat with Casey Bean, an American living in Ishikawa Prefecture 石川県. He talks about how he found his way to Japan, life in a slower-paced area of Japan, and his podcasts, The Bean Pod, and Ishikawa Summit to Sea. We also talk about forest gardening, chickens, and recording original music, and Casey advises listeners s...

In this episode, host Kevin O’Shea chats with China-based expat, Scott Greer about his years in China. Scott is from Canada and has lived and worked in a number of places in China. He stuck things out through the very hard years of Zero Covid, and is now exiting China to start the next chapter of his life in Scotland. Scott is also a content creator who documents life in Shenzhen, China on Twitter...

In Episode 10 of the podcast, host Kevin O’Shea chats with China-based content creator and YouTuber Austin Guidry. Austin is originally from the United States and has called China home for more than 14 years. His YouTube channel, Austin in China, is one of the bigger channels that focuses on living in China. He also discusses the various places he’s lived in and how the challenges of the Zero Covi...

In Episode 9, Kevin has a fantastic chat with television producer and Japan-based personality, Riki Ohkanda. Riki has a passion for celebrating the Japanese kimono and other aspects of traditional living in Japan. She can often be seen on Twitter sharing her impressive kimono knowledge and fashion and was recently featured on an NHK World television program about the iconic traveler, Isabella Bird...

Our first episode with a guest! Kevin chats with Japan-based content creator Andrew Higgins. Andrew appeared on many episodes of the Just Japan Podcast. We catch up after several years. We chat about his 11 years in Japan and some of the ups and downs of living abroad in Japan.  Join the NEW GROUP: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803 Twitter:  https://twitter.com/MadForMaple...

This week Kevin talks about his son’s graduation from the equivalent of Japanese Primary school. His daughter’s last musical performance in China, guests coming on the podcast to share their stories, and more. He even talks about delicious Pokemon soda! Listen to the podcast about expat life abroad in China, Japan, and soon Malaysia.  Join the NEW GROUP: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/...