Just Japan Podcast

In this update edition of the Just Japan Podcast, Kevin fills you in on where he has been and why you haven't heard the JJP in some time. He also talks about his new podcast all about education, the Making Better Teachers Podcast. Making Better Teachers Podcast: http://makingbetterteachers.com Twitter: @madformaple

In JJP 192, Kevin chats with Earth Uncut TV's James Reynolds and Kansai Pee Jay about the recent typhoon (Typhoon Jebi - Typhoon 21) that smashed into the Kansai region of Japan. This was the most powerful and destructive typhoon to hit the Kansai region of Japan in the past 50 years. Both James and Pee Jay experienced the typhoon first hand and share those experiences with you folks! Just Japan P...

In JJP 191, host Kevin O'Shea chats with the podcast's youngest guest, 8-year-old Kai (the host's son) about his experiences as a young student in Japanese elementary school versus an international school. Kai completed kindergarten and one semester of Grade One in Japan. He just finished his Grade One year at a large IB/PYP international school in Beijing. What are the differences in the eyes of...

In JJP 190, Kevin gives some updates while on summer holiday in Canada. There will be no regular episodes of the Just Japan Podcast until August 2018. New Twitter home: @madformaple http://twitter.com/madformaple New Japan Instagram feed: @japannightscenes http://instagram.com/japannightscenes Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff Home http://justjapanstuff.com

In JJP 189, host Kevin O'Shea talks about his experience with the Osaka Earthquake. Kevin and his family flew into Osaka from Beijing the night before the earthquake to start their summer vacation. He also discusses an appearance on The Weather Channel Podcast talking about the quake, plans while in Kobe for two weeks and the upcoming Just Japan Podcast meet up in Kobe, Japan! Follow the podcast o...

In JJP 188, Kevin O'Shea chats with acclaimed horror (and all things Japan-creepy) writer Thersa Matsuura about her writing as well as her podcast, Uncanny Japan. Thersa researches and writes about the darker side of Japan. She was nominated by the Horror Writer's Association for a 2017 Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Fiction Collection for her book, "The Carp-Faced Boy and Other T...

In JJP187, host Kevin chats about entertaining yourself in Japan, "way back when" versus now! Returning guests Andrew Higgins and Pee Jay talk about the different things they did for fun when they first arrived in Japan and their first few years in the country versus now. As you become more used to Japan and your life interests change, the things you do for fun change as well. Join the crew for a...

In JJP 186, host Kevin O'Shea reflects on some aspects of his time in Japan (solo episode this week). What were some mistakes he made while dealing with work and Japanese culture in general? Kevin also makes a counter to episode 184 (negative in Japan) and highlights a couple of friends who are happy and successful in Japan. Just Japan Podcast home online: http://justjapanstuff.com Facebook: http:...

In JJP 185, host Kevin O'Shea chats with Mike Cash, host of the Hanzai Podcast, a podcast about crime in Japan. The Hanzai Podcast is a weekly roundup of crime stories from around Japan as well as in-depth episodes about major crimes in Japan. If you like Japan and have an interest in true crime podcasts, you'll like the Hanzai Podcast. http://justjapanstuff.com/ Podcast Facebook Page: http://face...

In JJP 184 Kevin chats with returning guest Mully about negative foreigners in Japan. Whether living in Japan for a short time or long-term, you will inevitably run into negative foreigners. They seem to be the kind of people who complain about everything and are never happy. They also really seem to really dislike it when people say, "If you don't like Japan, then leave!" they also talk about mor...

IN JJP 183, Kevin chats with Tom from @BeingKansai on Twitter. @BeingKansai is probably the best source of cultural news and events going on in the Kansai region of Japan. If you are in Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, etc. and are not sure what to do on any given weekend, @BeingKansai will give you lots of ideas! Tom and Kevin discuss the end of Hanami season in Japan as well as the various seasonal changes....

In JJP 182, host Kevin O'Shea answers some listener questions about life in Beijing, China. After nearly 10 years of living and working in Japan, Kevin moved to Beijing last summer with his family for work. What is it like to live in China's capital city? What are the differences between Beijing and Kobe, Japan?  This episode is a solo show, a little different than usual, but something you'll enjo...

In JJP 181, host Kevin O'Shea chats with returning guest Brian Waters about being a parent in Japan. They talk about the cultural differences between Canada, America, and Japan in school and with regards to raising children. The pressure put on mothers with school PTO's, after school studying (juku) and future education plans. When you move from another country to Japan and decide to start a famil...

JJP 180 - Host Kevin O'Shea chats with Jim "Mully" Mullins about some listener questions about Japan. They talk Japanese and Chinese food, traveling in Japan and some "must see" travel destinations. Come on over to Just Japan Stuff (home of the podcast): http://justjapanstuff.com Follow the podcast on Twiter and Instagram: @jlandkev Check us out on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/busankevin

JJP host Kevin chats with guests Mully and Tomoko about owning a pet in Japan. If you're in Japan, what's the process you must go through to buy and license a dog? How do you deal with medical issues and expenses? What happens if your dog gets attacked by other dogs!? A lot of great information in this episode for those of you already in Japan or thinking of coming to Japan and getting a dog. Home...

JJP 178, host Kevin O'Shea chats with returning guest Pee Jay about the PyeongChang Winter Olympics and more specifically, the gold medal performance by Japanese skater, Yuzuru Hanyu. Pee Jay talks about Hanyu's history, recent injury and his performance at the Olympics. Olympians are more than just household names in Japan and top figure skaters are literally superstar! Home of the podcast - Just...

JJP host Kevin chats with Damian Hackett, an Australian teacher living in Japan. After nearly 15 years as a teacher in Japan, Damian is taking the leap from the education sector to the agricultural sector. That's right! He's about to become a farmer in Japan. Learn more about his fascinating story and how he and his family will move from urban Kansai to rural Hiroshima Prefecture to become farmers...

JJP host Kevin chats with Andrew Higgins (Higgins in Japan on YouTube) about surviving in Japan on an English Teacher's salary. Is it possible? How low are entry-level salaries and what does it take to earn more? They also discuss the PyeongChang Olympics and the news that YouTube just demonetized all of Logan Paul's videos (you'll remember the controversy surrounding him and Japan's "Suicide Fore...

JJP host Kevin chats with first time guest, Kaori about Awa Odori (Awa Dancing), a famous style of traditional dancing from Tokushima in Japan. Kaori explains what this style of dancing is and how she got involved in this very fun and energetic folk tradition in Japan. This week's show also features a piece by contributor Felicity Tillack about her really interesting Stay Japan experience. Come on...

In episode 174 of the podcast, Kevin chats with returning guest Felicity Tillack about her recent documentary, "Third Culture Kids in Japan." Felicity looked at the lives of people brought up in Japan, but have parents who are from other countries. They often find themselves in an interesting cultural dilemma. Learn more about some of the challenges these kids face. Come on over to Just Japan Stuf...

JJP host Kevin chats with Tokyo-based travel writer Rob Goss. Rob has written extensively about Japan for publications such as National Geographic and Lonely Planet and recently published a book about Japanese onsen and ryokan. Learn more about these traditional Japanese inns and hot springs and why you should experience them when you visit Japan. Come on over to Just Japan Stuff (home of the podc...

Japan loves all things cute and they love their mascots. In episode 172, Kevin chats with Chris, the man behind the popular Twitter feed @mondomascots. His feed and website are dedicated to the cute and whacky world of Japanese mascots. Chris talks about the endless parade of mascots throughout Japan and mascot culture. It's a fun episode about a very Japanese thing! Come on over to Just Japan Stu...

In Episode 171 of the podcast, host Kevin O'Shea chats with Josh Yates about writing in Japan and the Kyoto/Kobe Writer's Groups. A returning guest, Josh talks about his involvement in the local writing scene in the Kansai region of Japan as well as the Kyoto and Kobe Writer's Groups. If you are aspiring writer in this part of Japan, the Kyoto and Kobe Writer's Groups are wonderful ways to network...

In this Episode of the podcast, host Kevin O'Shea talks about the past year with the Just Japan Podcast and some goals for 2018. 2017 saw some highs and lows for the podcast and this year, some big things are planned! Kevin also shares some Japan travel tips to help you with your next visit to Japan. Home of the podcast - Just Japan Stuff: https://justjapanstuff.com/ Twitter and Instagram: @jlandk...

In this Episode of the Just Japan Podcast we learn more about therealjapan.com. Kevin chats with Rob, the person behind one of the best Japan-centric travel and culture websites out there. Learn more about what got Rob interested in Japan and what motivated him to start "The Real Japan." Find out how the site has grown over the years and where it is going. If you are interested in traveling or mov...