Made in Japan-- Conversations with Meljo Catalan

The craft beer scene in Japan has avalanched into a diverse yet enriching scene in Japan; the OG’s encourage the promising, the promising spark interests to the unaware. Then there are spaces and platforms that not only want to bring in customers but more importantly create and sustain communal warmth that is inviting to anyone feeling loneliness, disillusion and isolation especially the behemoth...

There is a Japanese proverb, “十人十色” which literally translates to “10 people, 10 colors” or familiar in English, “Different strokes for different folks”. Meet Nahnah, who came to Japan equipped with all ten colors painting bold, vibrant strokes on a blank Japanese social canvas. Aside from founding his fashion/fragrance house, Klaass, He brings different communities together through his inviti...

I’m back and starting the eighth season, we’re visiting a small Vietnamese joint celebrating its 5th anniversary this month. Meet Hung, a charismatic, soft spoken owner and chef of Hung’s Kitchen. Nestled between Izakayas and Pachinko parlors near Kamata Station, this welcoming restaurant attracts those craving authentic Banh Mi and Pho. Even though his food speaks volumes, Hung’s excellent servic...

On my final episode this season we revisit a guest that has been the Puerto Rican ambassador of Japan through the lens of his music. Eto, (@boicuaenjapon) has been spearheading and showcasing the essence of Reggaeton in Japan while collaborating with local like-minded artists expressing their love for Puerto Rican music and culture. I was fortunate enough to have Eto on before our New Year holiday...

To quote the poet, Robert Frost, “ Two roads diverged in a wood and I— I took the one less travelled by, And that has made all the difference.” I’m back once again with another musical artist who has took the road less traveled. Meet Demsky, a Canadian beat maker based in Tokyo yet traversed the globe and soundscapes in life. I’m fired up to promote his latest album, “Jugaad” as well as he being t...

It’s been awhile posting up an athlete worth showcasing but growing up from a US state that injected basketball at such a young age, I’m hyped to introduce you to Michael. He’s been making a name for himself on the court in this country even before the inception of the Japanese B. League, Japan’s top men’s pro basketball league. This is the story of one of Japan’s most successful professional athl...

To quote Maya Angelou, “A bird doesn’t sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.” Meet my new “Boet”, Keagan. He arrived to Japan with an arsenal of songs waiting to be unleashed. Little did I know that he would be the minstrel bird this country didn’t know it deserved as well as humor that I didn’t expect. He channels bards of the past and present and I’m sure ears will perk...

Sweet dreams are made of these and who am I to disagree. I’m back with a fresh new band dropping in the Tokyo scene. Meet Lucas and Nayokenza, two artists/musicians that have unbreakable musical synergy which led them to create Moondahlia, a lo-fi, chillout project which I’m happy to promote. Unsurprisingly we all had similar tastes and I felt these were two rad dudes with vision, purpose and crea...

There’s an old Japanese proverb “ennoshita no chikaramochi” (縁の下の力持ち),  “the powerful person that holds up the house“ or “the unsung hero”.  Meet Brandon, I don’t know if he can carry a house but he is the founder of Tokyo Vibes. An event/ community space which brings together art and music lovers in the Tokyo area.  This social gathering is a wonderful opportunity for those looking to netw...

On the seventh season of Made In Japan Podcast, we start with equating the first capital of the U.S. , Philadelphia with the OG downtown center of of commerce in Edo/Tokyo , Nihonbashi. Meet Kousuke and Tomomi, who’ve glued both city areas from opposite ends of Earth with a hoagie; the Philly cheesesteak. To my surprise yet unsurprisingly, they’ve managed to make this beloved Philly sandwich a mag...

From the volcanic region of Bicol, Philippines to the quiet shores of Shizuoka, Japan, meet Kei, who exemplifies the fire and water of Philippines and Japan.   I’m honored to share her story of blending roots as well as her discovering new shades of her identity as she starts her modeling career in Japan.   She also happens to be an excellent brownie baker with her new business called “ Brownie Sh...

To be or not to be, that is the way of the “Manga-ka” or Manga artist.  I’m back diving deep into the business of what it means to strive as a successful Manga artist.  Meet Tatsumi, whom at a young age found passion and with his talent which caught the attention of the giants of the manga publishing world.  I was grateful he took time to come and chat with me about what it takes to live and die i...

On this episode, let’s head out to a quaint but comfortable beach town of Hiratsuka, Japan.  About ninety minutes southwest of central Tokyo, lies a craft beer bar/brewery blasting heavy metal on some days and showing matches of its local soccer club on other days.    Converging different types of crowds in one place for the love of craft beer and supporting its community, meet Davido and Yggdrasi...

What do you get when you mix punk rock, Emperor Go-Daigo and the rise of abandoned property in rural Japan?  Meet Matt, co-founder of AKIYAZ, a real estate brokerage and Akiya lifestyle services firm helping clients purchase an Akiya (abandoned property) in Japan’s countryside as well as helping connect to the local community to ensure a seamless integration to rural Japan life.  Post-Covid, the r...

I’m back and this time the sensei has become the student about life inside and away from Japan. Meet Hiroe, a “Kikokushijo”, or commonly in English, a returnee. Hiroe belongs to the first wave of Japanese children that relocated overseas due to orders from their parents’ companies during the 1970’s. Her story is a unique personal lens to life going back and forth to Japan. She also happens to be l...

Warning:  Do not listen to this episode on an empty stomach.  Meet Jeremy, a born and raised New Yorker, reggae head, and former Brooklyn based record store owner.  Along with his wife Maiko, opened “Freeman Shokudo” in a quaint yet hip neighborhood in Shibuya city ward.  Specializing in barbecue, pastrami sandwiches, falafel and whatever Jeremy feels like smoking or pickling, I get the sense this...

Welcome to the first episode of my series, “Made (and Served) in Japan”, which I will showcase restaurateurs, cafe/bar owners and any small business establishment in the hospitality industry in Japan. To kick off, meet Thomas, chef and co-owner to a popular bar/brewery in the trendy neighborhood of Shimokitazawa, Tokyo. Coaster Tokyo attracts both locals and foreigners visiting Japan with a variet...

Mel finally sits down with one of the most intriguing and unabashed guests of this podcast.   Meet Felisia,  who’s been creating content based on her ever-evolving journey of life with and without Japan.  As an outlet, her platform quickly became a conduit for her fans to embrace self-acceptance.  Felisia is a testament for those seeking a life outside their home country that there is pain; but th...

Fire fights fire,  iron sharpens iron and in our darkest hour, talent has the potential to be unleashed.  Meet Lisa, a recent transplant to Japan who didn’t waste a moment during the outbreak of Covid to capture through photos what the average Japanophile dream to encapsulate life in the streets and nature of Japan.  Currently the Digital Content Director at Tokyo Weekender, Lisa is just getting s...

It’s been awhile MIJ listeners! After attending the 15th anniversary of the Nakameguro taproom , I decided to revisit one of my first episodes of this podcast to give it a little polish and have new listeners know about Baird Beer, one of the pioneers of Japan based craft beer. It’s still one of my favorite chats I’ve had on this pod and for new listeners, I hope you feel it too. To donate and buy...

“It’s a fairytale “, according to my friend, DJ aka DTD, an artist who developed and prospered in the Atlanta, Georgia art scene who eventually brought his talents to the Tokyo jungle.  His quick strides into the local community brought my attention to his art and most importantly his passion.  I appreciate DJ taking his time to share his story as he will undoubtedly make his mark in Jap...

When I look back to my first few years of Japan, there is one Tokyo native that helped shape my identity and feel accepted in the local community.  Meet my kindred spirit and one of my oldest Japanese friends, Ryuta.  He was one of my first students I’ve taught in Japan that soon became my brother from a Nihon-Jin mother.  Ryuta, his wife Nao, along with their precocious toddler, Umi-chan joined m...

Dear Listeners,  Season 4 is a wrap.  Thank you all for sticking around and listening!   Stay tuned. To donate for the production of this podcast check out my Ko-fi page .   To contact and listen to all the episode check out my Linktree.  

It’s time once again to showcase an up and coming singer who’s been getting a lot of buzz in the Tokyo Jazz and R&B scene.  Meet Chloe, establishing herself in Japan as a musical force to be reckoned with.  Alongside with her group Pajaumi, an international neo-soul and experimental jazz quintet, they are making waves in their scene domestic and internationally.  Chloe is also o...

Ramen (or as the purists will say, “Chuka-soba” 中華そば）has been the trendiest cuisine exporting out of Japan after sushi. Meet my homie, Frank, a die hard Ramen enthusiast who’s made a sudden career change becoming a popular ramen blogger as well as a charming, sought-after Tokyo ramen tour guide. Frank has built enough street cred to bring tourists to some unknown tasty ramen joints as well as...