Understanding Christmas in Japan (About Japanese Christmas) | Japan Station 187/Ichimon Japan 67
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
Release Date: 12/09/2025
He's walked 30,000+ km across Japan! | Japan Station 205
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, we're joined by Jake Davies, a resident of Shimane Prefecture who has walked over 30,000 km in Japan. He talks about his experiences walking around Japan and what it's like living in Shimane, one of Japan's least populated prefecture. 👉Topics Discussed Why Jake Davies moved to Shimane Prefecture What it's like living in rural Shimane Prefecture Why Jake Davies started doing long distance walks in Japan How Jake Davies walked over 30,000 km in Japan Where Jake Davis sleeps while doing long distance walks in Japan About walking the Sea of Japan costline...
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This Japanese pilgrimage should be more famous! A 5-day trip to the Kumano Kodō (plus crazy conbini socks) | Japan Station 204
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, travel writer Jennifer Bain joins us to talk about one of Japan's most ancient and famous pilgrimages: the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道). We also talk about Japanese convenience stores and the famous conbini socks. 👉Topics Discussed What the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) is How to get the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) is An example of a five day itinerary on the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) pilgrimage About Daimonzaka and Kumano Nachi Taisha About mikan and oranges in the Kumano area About lodging along the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) How old empty schools have...
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The ORIGINS of "scammy" SAKURA | Japan Station 203
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about the origins of the word sakura. No not that sakurai. The other sakura. The scammy kind of sakura. Also we're talking about madorā. 👉Topics Discussed The possible origins of the word sakura (サクラ) Why sakura means a fake "scammy" customer What a madorā is And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content https://patreon.com/japankyo ...
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Why breakfast deals in Japan are CRAZY now | Japan Station 202
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about the rise of Japan's $3.5 billion breakfast industry and why Japan is currently in the midst of it's 4th "breakfast boom." 👉Topics Discussed What a typical Japanese breakfast consists of The history of breakfast in Japan Breakfast in the Edo Period Breakfast in Edo vs Kansai during the Edo Period Japan's four "Morning Booms" What 'morning" (モーニング, mōningu) is The origin of "morning" in Aichi Prefecture The rise of kissaten (cafes) in 1950s Japan About Rūe Burajiru (ルーエぶらじる), a restaurant in Hiroshima...
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Akihabara is DYING? How Ikebukuro Became Japan's New Otaku Capital | Japan Station 201
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, we're joined by Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith to talk about the current status of Akihabara and the rise of Ikebukuro as Japan's newest capital of all things anime, manga and otaku culture. 👉Topics Discussed Whether Akihabara is dying The history of Akihabara How Akihabara has evolved in recent years What locals think of Akihabara today How Mercari has impacted Akihabara The price of anime figures/merch in Akihabara The decline of AKB48 Why Akihabara has changed in recent years The rise of Ikebukuro as Japan's new otaku capital How the Toshima ward government...
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Is Yamaguchi cursed to have"ugly" girls? (Places in Japan Known for "Beautiful" & "Ugly" Women) | Japan Station 200/Ichimon Japan 50
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
This is a re-broadcast of an episode originally released on 8/21/21. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Yamaguchi cursed to have "ugly" girls? We also discuss other places in Japan known for having many beautiful/ugly women. Topics Discussed The three most scenic views in Japan What the Sandaibijin (三大美人) is What places in Japan are most known for having beautiful women Fukuoka (Hakata), Akita, and Kyoto's status as places in Japan known for having many beautiful women How Kanazawa/Ishikawa/Kaga is known for having beautiful women Some theories about why Hakata,...
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What is a shijūkata? (Age related Japanese words) | Japan Station 199
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about interesting words related to aging and shoulders and a weird ECC commercial. 👉Topics Discussed 四十肩ō And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content Support on Patreon...
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Why Akita women are so beautiful (and other info about life in Akita) | Japan Station 198
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about what life in Akita Prefecture is like AND why women from Akita are (supposedly) so beautiful! 👉Topics Discussed Where Akita Prefecture is in relation to other prefectures in the Tohoku region About Akita's famous Kinman Why people in Akita like to say they've eaten 28 Kinman About how rural Akita is About the high number of bear attacks and fatalities in Akita Prefecture About Akita's status as one of Japan's highest rice producers About the Akita Komachi rice brand About Akita bijin About Akita's "beautiful women" Theories explaining...
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Why you should visit YAMAGATA! | Japan Station 197
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
On this episode of Japan Station, Alex Litz of Expedition Japan joins us to talk about tourism in Japan, Yamagata Prefecture and places/events to check out during a visit to Yamagata. 👉Topics Discussed How Alex ended up in Yamagata Prefecture About studying abroad in Yamagata Prefecture About tourism in Japan What's so great about Yamagata? Places to visit in Yamagata Yamagata food Events and festivals in Yamagata The dialects of Yamagata Getting around in Yamagata And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Support for as little as $1 a month...
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How do Japanese names work? | Japan Station 196/Ichimon Japan 28
Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society
This is a re-release of Ichimon Japan episode 28. On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do Japanese names work? Topics Discussed How people in Japan normally state their family name before their given name The complicated history of naming practices in Japan Commoners being prohibited from using family names during the Edo Period The Meiji era laws that mandated every Japanese person take a family name The reluctance of some people to take a family name during the Meiji Period The fact that many (most?) people with the surname Satō (佐藤) are probably not descended from samurai The...
info_outlineThis is a re-broadcast of episode 65 of the Ichimon Japan podcast (originally published on 12/21/2022).
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Christmas like in Japan? (About Japanese Christmas)
Topics Discussed
- All about Christmas in Japan
- Japanese Christmas customs in Japan
- All about fried chicken and Christmas in Japan
- Why KFC is the thing to eat during Christmas in Japan
- How Christmas is seen as a romantic holiday in Japan
- Christmas light displays
- About reserving KFC fried chicken for Christmas
- About KFC's Premium Roast
- About Christmas cake in Japan
- The first Christmas in Japan in 1552
- And much more!
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If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
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We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)
Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.