Ohazassu Podcast

Sacred Shrines, Light-Filled Tunnels & Tsunami Alerts and Word of the Day In this episode, I share info and scenes from recent trips to Ise Shrine in Mie Prefecture and Echigo Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture where the art installations really took my breath away. There was also a huge tsunami scare this week across Japan. As always, there's a Word of the Day at the end of the episode too. Thanks for...

How did Toyotomi Hideyoshi make his enemy believe that he built an entire castle overnight?! I visited Ishigakiyama Ichiya Castle this week to find out. Some recent news: Stumbled upon an article last week about tourist drivers in Japan and licensing. As always, there were some interesting bits of trivia that I learned. And of course, there is the usual Word of the Day - related to the recent unpr...

Hi everyone, and welcome to Episode 91 on Ohazassu with John. In today's episode, a quick update on a cashback experience with my new Philips toothbrush. There are two exhibitions that I stumbled upon that I'd like to share: 1. Capcom at Nagoya City Art Museum 2. Ancient Egypt at Toyota City Museum If you follow me on X, you'll know I went to Legoland Japan in Nagoya on the weekend. It was a surpr...

Welcome to Episode 90 of Ohazassu Japan. If you follow me on X, you'll know that I recently went back to Australia to visit and spend time with my family. It was an interesting trip, during which I made some observations and reflected on a few things. Doesn't it make things interesting when you live in another country long term? Some views and opinions evolve - some stay the same. As always, there...

Full list of episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoldb0aQndBdlSCKIZ7b-KKRbBHaZEEXA Welcome to Episode 89! - A porcelain coffee dripper from Origami. Beautiful design, perfect pour-over! - Apologies: A couple of dad jokes 😅 - Exploring Odaka Ryokuchi Koen & Shonai Ryokuchi Koen on two wheels. - Hunting down Japan’s cheapest vending machines—because every yen counts! - Where to fin...

In Episode 88 of Ohazassu, I share thoughts from a recent Japanese language learning poll I ran on X, where 72% of respondents said learning Japanese is hard. I explore why that might be—from kanji struggles to limited phonetic range—and reflect on how modern tools like AI can be both helpful and harmful to long-term retention. I also get personal about dealing with isolation as an expat in Japan,...

Who hasn't paid their NHK fees??? Over $100,000 in dues uncovered! I also gush over my favorite coffee-themed stationery gem, soak in the magic of Japan's cherry blossom season, and share how I’m tackling smartphone addiction with my daughter—all while boosting our Japanese language skills. And don't miss the exciting updates on the Ohazassu website overhaul—it's finally happening, and I’m aiming...

Welcome to Episode 86 of the Ohazassu Podcast! Use the below timestamps to jump around to any section 😊 Plum Blossoms 0:37 Skype 1:24 Doctors 5:02 Amazon 19:51 Police 23:15 Frypan 28:22 Word of the Day 32:10 Link to instructions for seasoning a steel frypan: https://youtu.be/eS4h8x5M0do?si=3Bj7PuDzxn-4Fcfz Thanks for tuning in! Follow us on X (Twitter) and Instagram 👇 https://x.com/ohazassu http...

Welcome to Episode 85 of the Ohazassu Podcast! Follow us on X (Twitter) and Instagram @ohazassu Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ohazassu-podcast--5905520/support .

Welcome to Episode 84 of the Ohazassu Podcast! Here's a little list of things along with their timestamps. Thanks for tuning in! You can also catch the video version of this podcast episode over on our YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/6IkpOMkjpFY?si=udYBVxGFYGvqqZZa Drones 2:09 Origami Exhibition 5:45 Trip to Osaka 6:57 Train Tips 7:44 Stationery 13:47 Coffee Update 17:06 Word of the Day 19:00...

🔴 Battling Fatigue 🔴 Wallpaper 🔴 Hatsumode 🔴 Kyoto Adventures 🔴 A Unique Exhibition 🔴 Japan’s Pasta Surprise! 🔴 Word of the Day Shoutout to Phillip (https://x.com/pjacksonmusic) for the Kyoto travel tips. == Links == Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ohazassu-podcast--5905520 X (Twitter): https://x.com/OhazassuPodcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ohazassu Become a supporter of...

We’re kicking off the year with exciting stories and tasty adventures! Here’s what’s on today’s episode: 🎉 A big, heartfelt Happy New Year to all our listeners! 🚄 A trip to Niigata via bullet train! Along the way, we visited Sengen Shrine in Shizuoka—2,000 years of history and beauty. 🍠 Sweet potato perfection! I've settled on the ultimate way to enjoy this winter favorite. Word of the Day: Don...

Welcome to Episode 81! 🔴 A hilarious encounter at a convenience store in Yokohama. 🔴 Nagoya makes headlines: an unexploded WWII bomb found! 🔴 Exploring the birthplace of bullet trains—an engineering marvel. 🔴 Japan’s quirky mannequins that will have you doing double-takes. 🔴 Delicious platform treats you must try when riding Japan’s bullet trains. 🔴 The oddest burger yet at Burger King Japan...

🔴 Freelancer Protection Act in Japan A major update for freelancers in Japan! I discuss the new Freelancer Protection Act that came into effect on November 1, 2024, and how it aims to support independent workers. 👇 Links 👇 Atsuro's YouTube video summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQcddoOAt0c Official PDF Summary (Japan Ministry of Health, Labor, Welfare): https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/00...

🍁☕ Ep. 79 - Magical Fall Colors, Sumo Coffee, Family Support In This Episode: 🟢 Korankei: A Magical Fall Destination Discover Korankei, a breathtaking spot in Aichi Prefecture known for its vibrant fall colors. I share highlights from my visit, including Sanshu Asuke Yashiki, a historic village brimming with antiques, arts and crafts. Perfect for an exciting autumn day trip! 🔵 Sumo Coffee from...

In This Episode: 🟢 Outdoor Japan Magazine Discover an incredibly useful Japan outdoor magazine! I share where you can grab your free copy, packed with tips for enjoying the great outdoors in Japan. 🔵 Congrats, Tony! A big shoutout to Tony for completing his epic 900 km walk across Japan over the past two years! 🟡 My Recent Purchases 😀 - Dymo Label Embossing Machine: A handy (and nostalgic) too...

In This Episode: 1. Introduction to Japan Safe Travel on X If you’re traveling or living in Japan, Japan Safe Travel is an account to follow on X. They provide real-time updates in English on train outages, earthquakes, weather alerts, and more. I’ll share how this account can be a lifesaver for anyone needing reliable updates in English. 2. Thinking and Dreaming in Another Language Ever caught yo...

In This Episode: 1. Three Great Japanese Language Learning Books Looking for effective tools to boost your Japanese learning? I’m sharing three of my favorite Japanese language learning books that have helped me along the way. Whether you're a beginner or looking to level up, these books are a must-read for language learners. 2. Addictive Japanese Netflix Series I’ve been hooked on a recent Japane...

In This Episode: 1. Cheap Ways to Call Overseas from Japan Need to make international calls without breaking the bank? In this segment, I share some of the best, budget-friendly ways to call overseas from Japan, including apps, services, and other clever solutions to stay in touch with loved ones abroad. 2. The Convenience of Kanji Characters in Japanese Kanji may seem tricky, but they’re also inc...

In This Episode: 1. Shoutout to Dave! A huge shoutout to Dave for helping us set up the RSS URL for our YouTube podcast playlist. His expertise saved us a ton of time and got things running smoothly. Thanks, Dave, for the assist! 2. Inflation in Japan Even the cheapest snacks for kids are feeling the pinch! I talk about the recent price hikes in Japan, including a favorite affordable snack that’s...

In This Episode: 1. Nintendo Museum Opened in Kyoto Today It’s official! The highly anticipated Nintendo Museum has opened its doors in Kyoto. Join me as I talk about what this museum means for gaming fans, what you can expect to see, and why it’s a must-visit for anyone passing through Japan. 2. Impact of AI on English Speaking Jobs in Japan AI is reshaping industries worldwide, and Japan is no e...

Welcome to episode 72! 1. My Japanese Language Journey It all started in junior high school back in Australia! In this episode, I share how my journey with the Japanese language began, the challenges I faced learning, and how it’s shaped my life. From classroom basics to real-world fluency, here’s a deep dive into my language story. 2. The NHK Guy & Getting Exempt from Fees Have you been visited b...

In This Episode: 1. The "Noren" in My YouTube Videos Ever wondered about the beautiful fabric that hangs behind me in my YouTube videos? It's called a noren—a traditional Japanese fabric divider often seen hanging in doorways of shops and homes. In this segment, I share the history behind noren, and why I chose it as part of my YouTube setup. 2. Things I Love About Japan Japan has so many incredib...

Welcome to Episode 70 of our video podcast! 🎙️ In this episode, we dive into the wonderful world of stationery stores in Japan—truly a paradise for enthusiasts! We’ll share the poll results revealing everyone’s favorite spots to shop for unique stationery treasures. But it’s not all fun and paper; we also discuss the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many expats experience while living in...

This is the first time we're trying a video version on our new YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC62BDk3vvAxYJWpxYh7psLg In today's episode we talk about: 1. Free internet at home 2. Aichi mishaps 3. Cheating / Affairs 4. Word of the Day Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ohazassu-podcast--5905520/support .