Just Japan Podcast

In this Episode, Kevin chats with Tokyo-based entrepreneur, Gregorio. Gregorio is an American who came to Japan in 2008 as a university student and worked for years working in various industries. During the pandemic, he started Monsta Sweets, a cookie company! He made cookies and sold them at pop-ups in Tokyo. He has now opened a full-time brick-and-mortar "Monsta Sweets" shop in Tokyo. Listen to...

In this episode, Kevin chats with Japanese pop culture expert, Matt Alt. Matt is a Tokyo-based writer who writes extensively about how Japanese pop culture has impacted the world. He has written books about Japanese folklore with his wife, Hiroko Yoda, and worked extensively as a translator and localization expert for the Japanese gaming industry. They talk about Japanese toys, pop culture, folklo...

In this episode Kevin shares an amazing conversation with James Reynolds, a British extreme weather and natural events filmmaker based in Tokyo, Japan. James has been traveling the world for almost 20 years filming volcanoes, typhoons, and the aftermaths of earthquakes and tsunamis. James has arguably the most exciting job in Japan! His job stalled during the cover years, but he is now back in the...

In this episode of the podcast, Kevin O'Shea chats with his friend Kevin Tarpey about exploring rural Japan on foot. Kevin Tarpey lives in rural Shimane Prefecture and is an epic hiker and walker. He has taken many walking adventures such as Shikoku's 88 Temples Pilgrimage and he writes a regular column for a local newspaper about his walking adventures in Japan. Kevin sees Japan in a way many exp...

Kevin chats with Hiroshima-based Sustainable Travel Consultant, JJ Walsh, in this episode. Joy has lived in Japan since the 1990s and is an entrepreneur, content creator, consultant, and very inspirational person. She helps businesses as well as individuals lead more sustainable lives in Japan. They talk about her "Japan origin story" and the Seek Sustainable Podcast. They also chat about being a...

In this episode we chat with Jason, the man behind napajapan.com . NapaJapan is one of the best places online to buy Japanese snacks, candy, drinks, and other delicious treats. Jason first appeared on the podcast in 2015. We catch up and learn all about how Jason started his snack business in Japan, how he weathered the cover storm as an online retailer, and a lot more. There's also a big treat, i...

In this episode, we are back with Jim Mullins, an expat resident of Japan for 33 years. We catch up on his life lately and chat about inflation in Japan. Is it as noticeable as in other countries? Mully also tells us about what he's been up to lately. The conversation even turns to shaving and shaving supplies in Japan! Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98...

We are back and we chatted with Pee Jay about teaching at universities in Japan. Pee Jay talked about this topic in episode 27 in August of 2014. A lot has changed since then and we learn a little about this long-term expat in Japan and how to get a job teaching at universities in Japan. What is it like to find work? What are the conditions like once you start working in a university? If you are c...

In the Fall of 2023, Tony Dot Vega walked the entire Tokaido Road. He walked 500 km from Kyoto to Tokyo. This would be an amazing and challenging adventure for anyone, but Tony's journey was even more incredible because he did it sol and he's legally blind. Listen to Tony's amazing Japan story. Kevin chats with Tony about how he learned to speak Japanese, how he originally came to Japan, and how h...

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. Sign up for th...

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 ma...

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. Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podca...

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. She talks ab...

We are back! Are you still out there listening? 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 seeking th...

International educator and podcaster, Kevin O'Shea brings you some interesting takes on a long life living abroad in Asia. The Just Asia Podcast profiles fascinating expats living across Asia doing amazing things. He talks to people in Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and more. Listen to their stories and be inspired by the lives they lead.   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcas...

International educator and podcaster, Kevin O'Shea brings you some interesting takes on a long life living abroad in Asia. From the quirky facets of life in Japan to living under covid restrictions in China. Kevin talks about food, travel, raising 3rd culture kids, gardening, teaching at international schools, and a lot more. International living has a lot of ups and sometimes downs. Next stop…Mal...

It's been almost 3 years and we are back! Just Japan Podcast host stops by to say, "Hello" with his son Kai. They give some life updates and talk about his new podcast! The Supernatural Japan Podcast has a little something for every Japan enthusiast! SUBSCRIBE today!   Supernatural Japan on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan/id1616675498   Google Podcasts: htt...

After several years working as a reporter for NHK news, returning guest, Adam Walsh will return to Canada to continue his journalism career there. Adam talks about some of the highlights of his time covering Japan as a journalist and what its like to live and work Japan. Home of the podcast: https://justjapanstuff.com/ Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

200 episodes! Past guests join Kevin to chat about 200 episodes of the Just Japan Podcast! Join in the fun! Trivia and silliness are the order of the day! Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

What's the deal with Japanese whiskey? Why has it become so famous? Is it really that good? In this episode of the JJP, we chat with writer Brian Ashcraft about the history of whiskey in Japan. We also chat about his work with Kotaku, the Japan Times and the books he's written. Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast   Home of the podc...

What does it take to get a university job in Japan? This week we chat with university instructor PeeJay. He talks about the qualifications you need to work in Japanese universities and how to find work. Get ready, episode 200 is coming soon!   Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast   Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @m...

Like Japanese food? Wanna see lots of it on YouTube? This week, in Episode 197, we chat with Eric Berg, aka, Ericsurf6 of YouTube fame! This Japan-based food vlogger has seen a great deal of success over the years on YouTube and his channel is going stronger than ever. If you like Japan and food, then you'll enjoy this interview!   Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com   Twitter: @madformaple  ...

This week on the Just Japan Podcast we have a special treat. You get to listen to two chats Kevin had with regular guest PeeJay from 10 years ago! These chats are from their old collaborative YouTube channel, Two Beers in Asia. Next week, Kevin will be back with a regular and up-to-date interview! Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapan...

In this episode, we chat with Kyoto, Japan-based filmmaker, Felicity Tillack about her full-length film, Impossible to Imagine which is set in Kyoto, Japan. We discuss this exciting project as well as other fascinating creative projects she has worked on in the past. Podcast page: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

In Episode 194, Kevin catches up with long time friends of the show, Andrew Higgins and Mully! They catch up and chat about what they are currently doing in Japan. It's been awhile and we're happy to be back. Home of the podcast: http://justjapanstuff.com Twitter: @madformaple New Podcast: Making Better Teachers Podcast http://makingbetterteachers.com