The Back of Japan

Hey ya summer-lovin' Backers, 'Tis the season to get out and get your hands dirty. No, not with organized crime, but with a gloves and a spade. For a guy with lame white thumbs instead of green, Zach Galifianakis' short but satisfying series "This is a Gardening Show" was an inspiration that yielded some actually lasting results. Dig it, and grow some cilantro, yo! On this episode, I have the grea...

Hey ya full-bloomin' Backers! Despite the horrible-sounding moniker, remember those good ol' nostalgic "aught' years? iPods, George W. and chunky highlights galore! In terms of music, it was a rock revolution by way of New York, and all documented in music journalist Lizzy Goodman's riveting and raw "Meet Me in the Bathroom". Love bands that start with definite artic...

Hey all you spring chickens, 'Tis Paddy's Dee, an' even if yer not a man o' the cloth or a fan o' potatoes, ya should lend yer ears... (ahem) OK enough. If Conan' O' Brian's recent Oscar hosting duties got you seeing orange, check out his podcast, "Conan O' Brian Needs a Friend" for a great hang (and yes, his estate has paid me HANDSOMELY for this endo...

You sequel-lovin' Backers! No time for the preamble!  Part 2 with me and Charlie, waxing and waning about the Corridor of Lights, ONLY in Joetsu, Niigata. If you missed it this year, bookmark this page (https://joetsukankonavi.jp/tomoshibi/) for updates and event info. And if you're short on wheels, hit up Charlie Stratton for a ride (I'm sure he won't mind).  Spring's coming,...

Hey all you illuminated Backers, The groundhog may have seen his shadow, but that doesn’t mean you can’t beat the winter blues with the power of music. Enter Japan’s King of City Pop: Tatsuyo Yamashita and his bumpin’ summer album, “For You”. Track after track of consistently sunny tunes guaranteed to whisk you back to the Bubble Era and right onto some beach in July.  However, for those who RELIS...

Welcome to 2026, you resolution-makin'/breakin' Backers! No doubt you've all had a wonderful start to the year. However, if not, perhaps the missing ingredients were a bunch of shoeless hobbits, graying wizards, magic rings and CGI battles. Sure sure - it's a New Year, New You, but kicking things off at the Shire? It's the smoking/drinking/weight-loss/new-hobby/finish-your-nove...

Long time, no see, you bundled Backers! True, it's been awhile, but it's all justifiable, thanks to a new unhealthy obsession with a Nintendo game designed for younger people with way more time and patience. Yes: it's Silksong. If you haven't heard, it's for the best. It. Will. Ruin. Your. Life. In. The. Most. Beautiful. Way. Speaking of beauty, you can't enjoy a Niigata fa...

Hey all you crisp/cool Backers! Yes indeed, the " ber " months are upon us again! This season give Columbus Day and pumpkin spice the cold shoulder, and head straight to your local library. 'Tis the season for your nose to be stuck inside the pages of a great read, specifically the wild world of Mikhail Bulgakov's posthumous masterpiece, "The Master and Margarita". No s...

The twilight of summer is upon us, Backers! Ruuuun! Or... Head straight to your local Taco Bell, where it's HOT HOT HOT all year long, and you can cool off with the refreshingly turquoise (and healthy) Baja Blast. If that's not entirely in the cards, then Option 2 awaits... This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Lord Kenshin Festival in Joetsu, Niigata, the event honoring the eponymo...

Hey you summer-lovin' Backers! 'Tis a somber somber episode for our host, as he looks mortality in the face and presses the record button at a certain age. Music helps, especially City Pop queen Miki Matsubara and her debut LP Pocket Park (in mint-condition). Give it a spin and feel the Bubble Economy vibes! Speaking of Japan's roaring 80s, we're showing some love to the Joetsu Shi...

Hey you full-bodied Backers! Pardon my French, but we're heavy under its influence these days, especially our appétits. Croquettes, little fried things stuffed with other things, aren't easy to ruin, but will Josh find a way? Or will it be a révolution de la cuisine? Speaking of French influence, we're tipping our flutes to Kawakami Zenbei, not only the Father of Japanese wine, but a p...

Hey all you stainless-steeled Backers! We're on the cusp of May, which means warm weather and even warmer cuisine, particularly the kind that causes gastrointestinal issues. Chilli con Carne is the name of the game these days, but will it lead to inflamed ulcers and increased bathroom time? A deliciously spicy way to go! Cutting to the quick, this month we're covering the renowned area of...

Guess who’s of legal age, Backers??  But before we imbibe, Josh takes his family on an unfortunate visit into the mind of Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger at his eponymous museum; a retrospectively bad idea. Will his son be scarred for life? Can one separate the alien from the artist? Time will tell!  Yes indeed, The Back of Japan turns 21, and in honor of this auspicious episode, we’re hosting and hoi...

Hey youz backers, No time for love (or preamble), Dr. Jones! It's Part 2 of our chat with Charlie Stratton and Willem Kortekaas about Niigata's longest Gangi-dōri (雁木通り), or covered eaves that are a crucial part of the Snow Country's heritage. Thanks for listening and stay warm! Josh

Have a ♥️, my beloved Backers!  This month there’s plenty of passion—and surreal disorientation—going around with a trip down David Lynch lane, including a Twin Peaks binge, and an immediate Mulholland Drive followup. Heartily recommended…but just space them out and make sure you’re in a safe space. Speaking of safe spaces, this week we’re taking a stroll into the snow country of Joetsu, Niigata u...

It’s Christmas time, you holly-jolly Backers!  Thanks to you, it’s been a great year and what better way to bring things to a close then with a food coma, brought on by an onslaught of hearty food. Will Josh’s decision to cook Beef Bourguignon cause immense delight, or instant diarrhea? It’s anybody’s guess!  In honor of Hokuriku (and the holiday), we’re throwing the spotlight on Japan’s original...

Happy Thanksgiving, you Backers! First off, I’m THANKFUL for you and your ears on this holiday, but not so sentimental towards stuffing. It’s a calorie-filled overhyped breaded garnish, not a necessity! Rant over.  Today, we’re digging deep (pun intended) into the history of Niigata’s own Sado Gold Mine, from its roots as a medieval silver haven to its role in fueling Japan’s national ambitions du...

Backer, beware... A cauldron of fear awaits you! 'Tis the midnight hour when we delve into Niigata's strange creatures: the yokai . Seven spooky monsters stand ready to chill your bones, freeze your blood, and, just perhaps, melt your heart. The gang's all here: Nekomata, Yuki-onna, Yukitaro, Yama-otoko, Azuki Arai, Danzaburou Tanuki, and Yasaburobasa. Will you survive this onslaught of eerie enti...

Back to School, all you Backers! Well, at least me anyway. Class in session (for adults) and it's time to harvest what brain cells are left. Speaking of harvest, it's that magical season in Japan again when that most humble - and crucial - of grains is collected and consumed: rice. And wearing the crown is the Niigata-native "koshihikari", but how did it get to the top? Where did the name come fro...

Hey you sunburnt Backers! The weather may be hot, but there's nothing hotter than a steamy bowl of gyūdon (beef bowl) in the summer. Well, almost... FUJI ROCK, BABY! Every year, a gaggle of artists make their way to Niigata to perform their hearts out, and we have none other than iconoclastic founder, Masahiro Hidaka, to thank. So, this week we trace Fuji Rock's humble roots (actually near...

Raising a glass today for Dear Ol' Dad, and the family that have to put up with him. To all ye who've sown seed (consciously or not), hope you had a great one! Speaking of fathers, today we take a look at the extraordinary life of Maejima Hisoka. Born in Joetsu, Niigata, he's known as the father of the Japanese postal system, but digging deeper, we find that he was much more than that....

'Tis a very special Back of Japan celebrating all the Moms out there for raising babies into men and women, even when we're still just big babies! In the spirit of mamasitas, we're heading straight into Niigata's Furamachi district to shine a bright "red-light" on one of Japan's most beautiful - and maybe influential - geishas of all time: Shin Shonaiya. It's a cl...

Hey all you Backers! Spring is the time for growth and trying out new things, like watching FX's 2022 show, The Bear, and almost tasting the Michelin-worthy food in its kitchens. Moreover, April showers may bring May flowers, but there are still plenty of petals to be seen, especially at Joetsu's annual "sakura hanami", or cherry-blossom festival. On this episode, we get to the r...

Top o' the mornin' to ya's, Back Lovers! Not only has Spring sprung, but St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, which means lots of green socks, green beer and the pastoral sounds of Irish folk-rock band, The Pogues. Keeping on the theme of green, we dig deep into the history of jade in Japan and Niigata's key role in its production, especially in the coastal city of Itoigawa....

Hey all you Snow Bunnies, It's full-blown winter all over, especially with Season 4 of HBO's awesome series "True Detective". Moonshine, murder and mountains of snow in Alaska's outback! However, if that's not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to spend the colder months, and that's zipping down the beautiful Japanese mountains. We dive headfirst into the hist...