*“Yesterday, I Went to Mars ♡”*

Episode Summary In this episode, we explore the fascinating connection between creative design and culinary skills through the lens of a recent trip to Taipei. We'll dive into why exceptional designers seem to excel at cooking, how our sensory experiences shape our creative expression, and preview an exciting eyewear event coming to Tokyo that celebrates personal transformation through the art...

Episode Summary In this episode, we explore a unique eyewear event coming to Tokyo that brings together the worlds of classic and avant-garde eyewear design. Japan's first-ever Taiwan Classico trunk show features 170 exclusive frames and celebrates how glasses can transform our personas and self-expression. Taiwan Classico Trunk Show : The first Japanese exhibition of this popular Taiwanese br...

In this episode, I share my fascinating first encounter with a speakeasy bar in Taipei. Learn about these secretive establishments that originated during America's Prohibition era and how they've evolved into today's craft cocktail hideaways. I'll take you through my experience ordering without a menu and watching a skilled bartender create a smoky, cinnamon-infused whiskey cocktai...

In this episode, we explore why meat products like ham and sausages are strictly banned from being brought into Japan. After a personal experience at the airport, I dug into the reasons—diseases like foot-and-mouth, bird flu, and African swine fever (ASF) that could harm livestock. We’ll look at why these rules have tightened over the years, the real risks behind them, and how they differ from com...

I love traveling—the freedom, the food, the unexpected lessons. I want my middle school daughters to explore the world too. But on a flight from Taipei, news of human trafficking in Myanmar, China, and Europe made me pause. How do I share travel’s joys while warning them about real risks?

In this episode, I share my experience of exploring Taichung, Taiwan , a city that offers a calmer and more refined atmosphere compared to Taipei. From the spacious high-speed rail station to the laid-back city vibe , Taichung exudes a sense of relaxation and elegance . I visit the stunning Taichung National Theater , designed by renowned architect Toyo Ito , and explore my friend's eyewear bo...

In this episode, I’m sharing a day I spent exploring Taipei with my friend, a glasses designer. Taiwan’s awesome—great food, not too far from Japan, and way cheaper than Hong Kong these days. I’ll talk about the cool vibe at 7-Elevens with beer parties, how LINE Pay’s everywhere, and a nostalgic hot spring with old Japanese tunes. It’s close, comfy, and full of surprises—I’m already planning a lon...

Join us for a concise exploration of how some of China’s most priceless cultural artifacts ended up in Taipei’s National Palace Museum. We’ll delve into the museum’s roots in the Chinese Civil War, when Nationalist forces fled mainland China with treasures from the Forbidden City to protect them from the ravages of the Cultural Revolution. These artifacts—including the famous Jadeite Cabbage—now s...

In this episode, I’m reading my latest blog post straight through—about landing in Taipei today with no internet and ending up walking 7km to my hotel. I’ll share how my trusty ahamo didn’t work, how a last-minute eSIM didn’t save me, and how I barely made check-in in the heat. Plus, a funny moment asking a local for help—only to see them use Google Maps—and a realization about how much I lean on...

In this episode, I’m digging into "familiarity"—how it’s comfy but can hold us back from new challenges. I’ll share how escaping the familiar, like backpacking in India or climbing Everest, flipped my world and made life more fun. Familiarity’s great for smooth days, but stepping into the unknown opens new paths. Small moves—like a new route or dish—can spark something big. I’m still cha...

In this episode, I’m riffing off a blog I wrote yesterday about a talk I gave at my daughter’s middle school. I told the kids that "if you’re not failing, you might not be growing," and it reminded me of a Goethe quote: "He who moves not forward, goes backward." It’s a simple idea—if you’re not pushing ahead, you’re sliding back. For me, failure’s just the starting line. It mea...

I’m Makoto from "Makoto Glasses," and welcome to this episode. Today, I’m sharing a talk I gave at my daughter’s middle school about living life your way. The kids asked me some great questions, and I ended up talking for 45 minutes straight—maybe a bit much, but the discussion afterward saved me. I figured I’d sum it up here for you. It’s all about finding what excites you, whether you’ve got a d...

In this episode, I share stories from preparing to speak at my daughter’s middle school. I’ll answer kids’ questions about my biggest challenges—like climbing Everest, failing at a space venture, or running an eyewear shop—and my love for glasses, which can totally change how you see the world. I’ll also dish on my hilarious embarrassing moments, family tips, and lessons from traveling 50+ countri...

In this episode, I share stories from preparing to speak at my daughter’s middle school. I’ll chat about why I love eyewear—how glasses can shift your perspective and spark joy—and my big adventures, like climbing Everest or dreaming of Mars. I’ll also spill the beans on facing fears, training for strait crossings, and lessons from marathons. Inspired by Die Hard heroes and Think and Grow Rich , I...

In this episode, I share stories from my life as I prepare to talk at my daughter’s middle school. From climbing Everest to running eyewear shops, I’ll chat about why I love glasses—they can totally change how you see the world and yourself. I’ll also spill the beans on my daily workouts (like swimming 5 km or wearing weights at work), big challenges (marathons, Mars dreams), and what I’ve learned...

In this episode, we dive into why Google Maps doesn’t handle walking directions well in Seoul—and why I can’t stop using it anyway. I’ll share how Google Maps nails public transit and GPS in Korea, but stumbles on those twisty alleys and underground passages I love exploring. Turns out, Korean security rules, local apps like NAVER and KakaoMap, and Google’s priorities are behind the limits. But do...

In this episode, I recount my early-morning run in Seoul, where I underestimated the -7°C weather and nearly regretted skipping gloves. Despite the biting cold, the clear air and neatly maintained paths near N Seoul Tower offered a surprisingly refreshing experience. I also talk about the stark contrast between Seoul’s chilled streets and its toasty indoor heating, highlighting why proper winter g...

we take a closer look at Seoul, a city known for its modern skyline, well-maintained streets, and efficient public transit—yet also home to a curious practice in some older buildings where flushing toilet paper is discouraged. We discuss how this custom emerged from narrow pipe systems and less dissolvable paper in decades past, and how contemporary infrastructure upgrades are changing restroom ha...

Join us on this exciting episode of "Eyewear Revelations" as we dive into the upcoming event, "Eyewear Personality – Discovering a New Me," on March 23, 2025, at Takino River Flames in Tokyo. Hosted by eyewear enthusiast T and gadget-loving Makoto from Makoto Eyewear, this podcast explores how classic and avant-garde glasses can unlock a new side of your personality. Discover T’s fiery passion for...

In this episode, we explore how AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AR (Augmented Reality) can reshape daily life—from simpler eye checkups to smarter remote work—and even help us prepare for future missions to Mars. Our host, who has 15 years of experience running an eyewear shop, talks about blending that expertise with cutting-edge technology to create genuinely useful solutions. If you’re curious...

This episode dives into the evolving nature of programming education and why it’s about so much more than memorizing code syntax or mastering specific tools. Drawing inspiration from Sam Altman’s assertion that true programming education focuses on creative problem-solving, we’ll explore how AI is shifting the way we learn and innovate. We discuss how the rapidly changing landscape—from the era of...

In an age where AI can handle much of the creative process—like selecting the perfect pair of glasses—the true differentiator remains our ability to connect personally. This episode explores how the “democratization of influence” has shifted the way we communicate, with more people than ever stepping onto the public stage to share their ideas. Yet, while technology drives efficiency, it risks dimi...

This episode dives into the growing fascination with batteries, sparked by visions of Mars exploration and survival in extreme environments like Everest. We examine how these scenarios highlight the need for safe, long-lasting energy storage solutions. We also explore the rising trend of decentralized energy: imagine every household generating and storing its own power, turning neighborhoods into...

Meta (formerly Facebook) and Spain’s BCBL (Basque Center on Cognition, Brain and Language) are collaborating on a research project called “Brain2Qwerty.” By using noninvasive devices like EEG and MEG, they collect brainwave data while volunteers type on a keyboard, training an AI to predict text based on these signals. Early tests show up to 80% accuracy—especially promising with MEG—though equipm...

I recently brought back Ray-Ban x Meta glasses from Italy—still unavailable in Japan—and discovered just how convenient voice-activated photo and video capture can be. In this episode, I also discuss my favorite camera, the Insta360 X4, and how even small features can dramatically change the way we capture experiences. While these new devices and AI tools come with their share of risks and quirks,...