The Japan for Beginners Podcast

The show that helps you be a better visitor to Japan! With tips on how to behave, cultural insights and scavenger hunt challenges, Japan for Beginners is your first step to ticking off your itinerary without ticking off the locals.

Sitting down to eat 11/05/2019

Sitting down to eat What should you expect when you sit down to eat? In our final episode for the season, Japan for Beginners looks at some basic things you might encounter when you’re at the table ready to chow down. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11885123

Eating & drinking in public 10/29/2019

Eating & drinking in public Eating and drinking in public. Where can you do it? And what can you eat or drink? How about booze? Find out more in this week’s episode. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11795165

Bonus Tip: Don't cross Ozzie style 10/24/2019

Bonus Tip: Don't cross Ozzie style It's another bonus episode! So far, my tips have been to help you not tick off the locals. In this episode, I thought I'd better include one that will help you not get run over by the locals. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11720459

Money 10/22/2019

Money A cash-based society like Japan has certain rituals and customs that come with the territory. Get a bit more insight into how things work when it comes to money in Japan. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11720300

Shoes: Good and bad train behaviour in the wild 10/17/2019

Shoes: Good and bad train behaviour in the wild Today’s post supplements , which was on Shoes and shoe-related things. Look at that well-mannered young woman above! I spotted her a few weeks ago. She checks all the boxes for appropriate behaviour because: She's removed her shoes before placing her feet on the seat She's not taking up more space than necessary She's not an adult Meanwhile, THIS guy below violates several social norms: There's enough room for him to cross his legs, so for now the leg crossing isn't so much of an issue. However, removing your foot from your shoe in public? Not cool. I caught several side eye glances from passengers who came into the carriage. Yes, I know the foot is socked and the socks are hole-less. But the likelihood of stench is higher. Don't treat public spaces like they're your lounge, people! /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11584574

Movement: Part 2 10/15/2019

Movement: Part 2 This episode is part two on Movement -- that is, how to get from A to B in Japan without adding to the chaos. Check out this week’s three tips. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11574440

Bonus Tip: But I didn't order this! 10/10/2019

Bonus Tip: But I didn't order this! Bonus tip! Japan is full of different genres of restaurants and bars, including the Japanese pub or 'izakaya'. My friend Saya has an important public service announcement for all 'izakaya' first-timers. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11524313

Movement: Part 1 10/08/2019

Movement: Part 1 How do you move from A to B without adding to the chaos? There are certainly written rules, but a lot of them are unwritten. Your host, Sam is here to give you some tips on movement. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11495924

Umbrellas: Shared umbrella stand 10/03/2019

Umbrellas: Shared umbrella stand Today's post follows up on , where I talked about umbrellas and umbrella etiquette. As promised, here’s an example of a shared umbrella stand at a train station. This particular one was at the bottom of some stairs and in front of the entrance to some loos. Can you see the Chinese character for umbrella? Isn’t it the best?! <heart eyes emoji> /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11491286

Umbrellas 10/01/2019

Umbrellas Should I bring an umbrella to Japan? What are some things to consider when using umbrellas in Japan? Tell me about used umbrella condoms already! Find out more about umbrellas and umbrella etiquette in this week’s episode. Subscribe for full show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11433332

Bonus: Announcement #1 09/26/2019

Bonus: Announcement #1 I've got a downloadable freebie for you! More details in the episode. Subscribe for full show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11398847

Shoes 09/24/2019

Shoes Japan isn't the only country with a shoes-off-inside culture. In this episode, we look at the where, who and most importantly: the why when it comes to shoes, socks and slippers in Japan. Subscribe for full show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11334755

Noise: Kansai's 2019 'Watch Your Manners' Campaign 09/21/2019

Noise: Kansai's 2019 'Watch Your Manners' Campaign I spotted this poster on my train the other day: Image: Osaka Monorail Co. Ltd. My translation of the main heading: One person’s fun, is another’s frustration. The English in small print says "While on the train, please spare a thought for the sounds that may disturb those around you." I think they meant to say “..spare a thought for the people around you”, 'cos the sounds look like they’re having a grand time! For all of September 2019, the train lines in the Kansai region of Japan are holding their annual 'Watch your manners' campaign, and this poster is part of that. For more information on sounds and noise in Japan, check out episode 1 (Noise) of the Japan for Beginners podcast. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11322500

Bonus Tip: How do I respond to all these greetings? 09/19/2019

Bonus Tip: How do I respond to all these greetings? Surprise! It's a bonus episode! Every place you walk into and out of as a customer will have someone greeting you in some way. Feeling overwhelmed with how to respond? Language teacher Masa shares with us a tip on what to do. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11265044

Rubbish 09/17/2019

Rubbish How does rubbish and recycling work in Japan? What can you do to help keep things clean and tidy? Find out in this week's episode. Subscribe for detailed show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11264207

Space: Kobe's 'Backpack Awareness' Campaign Poster 09/11/2019

Space: Kobe's 'Backpack Awareness' Campaign Poster Today's blog post accompanies the Space episode of the Japan for Beginners podcast. This is a poster that's been on a few train lines in Kobe as part of an ongoing “backpack awareness” campaign. My translation of the main heading would be: Is that backpack of yours a pain in the arse to others? It goes on to outline three common “backpack moves”: The Double Pack Press The Backpack Wall Block the Gate You get the idea: Don't smush people, block exits and entrances, and definitely don't separate children from their mothers, you MONSTER. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11208578

Space 09/10/2019

Space How mindful are you of the space you take up? In Japan, space is even more of a premium, so find out how you can be a better visitor when it comes to space. Subscribe for full show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11159405

Noise 09/03/2019

Noise What kind of sounds and noises should you expect to encounter? How careful should you be with noise? And why? Find out more in episode one. Subscribe for full show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11074691

Welcome! 09/01/2019

Welcome! Welcome to the Japan for Beginners podcast! What is this podcast about? Who is your host? Find out here. Subscribe for full show notes. /episode/index/show/japanforbeginners/id/11072504

The Japan for Beginners Podcast

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