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Japanese folklore can involve some very strange yokai, and not all of them are quite as well known as kappa or oni. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss some of the weirdest and most entertaining yokai they’ve come across. Topics Covered: Suppon no Yurei Futakuchi Onna Haradashi Ubume Zenihebi Hone Onna Uondo Kage Onna Shichinin Misaki Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

The Ainu are the Indigenous people of northern Japan, with a unique culture, language, and history that have long been intertwined with the island of Hokkaido. Join Jason and Paul as they explore Ainu traditions and beliefs, their relationship with nature, the history of Japanese assimilation and discrimination, and the ongoing revival of Ainu culture today. Topics Covered: History Language and Identity Society and Daily Life Clothing and Material Culture Cuisine Beliefs and Traditions Cultural Revival Where to Learn More Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

During the break between seasons, Sightseeing Japan is revisiting some favorite episodes from the past. In Japan, the term “idol” refers to attractive young entertainers who primarily sing, act, dance, and model, among other things. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this unique aspect of modern Japanese society!

During the break between seasons, Sightseeing Japan is revisiting some favorite episodes from the past. Kappa are dangerous reptilian water creatures from Japanese mythology. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the fascinating folklore behind this odd, cucumber-loving yokai! Topics Covered: History What Do Kappa Look Like? What Do Kappa Do?: Hobbies — Diet — Violence — Shirikodama How to Defeat a Kappa Public Perception Are Kappa Real? Folktales Where to Find Kappa in Japan: Kaiyodo Kappa Museum (Shimanto, Kochi Prefecture) — Sogenji Temple (Asakusa, Tokyo) — Kappabuchi Pool (Tono, Iwate Prefecture)

During the break between seasons, Sightseeing Japan is revisiting some favorite episodes from the past. Japan built its whisky industry based on techniques imported from Scotland and they now produce some of the most sought-after whisky in the world. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the delicious world of Japanese whisky!

Long before the arrival of Buddhism, Japan's spiritual traditions revolved around nature, ancestors, and countless kami. Join Jason and Paul as they take a closer look at the history and beliefs of Shinto. Topics Covered: History Kami Purification Rites of Passage Shrines Festivals The Creation Myth Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

Can spending time in the forest actually improve your health and well-being? Join Jason and Paul as they take a closer look at the Japanese practice of forest bathing and why it has gained attention around the world. Topics Covered: Books on Asia Interview History The Practice The Science How/Where to Participate Kyoto In Sound Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

What is it actually like to attend school in Japan? Join Jason and Paul as they examine everything from daily routines and school culture to uniforms, exams, and extracurricular activities. Topics Covered: Structure of Education System The Average School Day The School Year Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

From hidden Christian history to international trade and atomic tragedy, Nagasaki has one of the most unique stories in Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history, culture, and modern atmosphere of this fascinating port city. Topics Covered: History Peace Park Nagasaki / Hypocenter Park / Atomic Bomb Museum Urakami Cathedral Sanno Shrine One-Legged Torii Gate Suwa Shrine Nagasaki Museum of History & Culture Megane Bridge Kofukuji Sofukuji Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown Dejima Nagasaki Koshibyo Confucius Shrine and Historical Museum of China Oura Cathedral Glover Garden Mt. Inasa Huis Ten Bosch Gunkanjima (Hashima Island) Festivals: Lantern Festival — Nagasaki Kunchi Local Specialties: Castella — Champon — Sara Udon — Toruko Rice How to Get To/Around Nagasaki Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

From lakeside campsites to mountain forests, Japan offers some incredible places to reconnect with nature. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the culture, scenery, and practical side of camping in Japan. Topics Covered: Is Camping Popular in Japan? When to Camp What are Campgrounds Like in Japan? Types of Camping Best Places to Camp Gear What to Eat Etiquette and Rules Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

Japan’s nightlife is about more than just izakayas and whiskey bars. Join Jason and Paul as they dive into the weird, immersive, and unforgettable world of themed bars in Japan! Topics Covered: Science Bar INCUBATOR Deathmatch in Hell 8bit Cafe (and Game Bar A-Button) Record Bar Analog The Whales of August Planetarium Bar Muscle Girls Kiha (Train Bar) Kaiju Sakaba Shimbashi Axe Throwing Bar Hunters Bar Taishu Shusen Terumae Dogenzaka Church Bunny Bars Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

Japan is often cited as having one of the lowest crime rates in the world, but what’s really behind that reputation? Join Jason and Paul as they explore the cultural, social, and systemic factors that help keep crime low in Japan. Topics Covered: Social Cohesion Broken Windows Theory Economic Factors Legislation Koban and Community Policing Judicial System Underreporting Recent Trends Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their third week of sightseeing! Topics Covered: Sendai: Zuihoden — Sendai City Museum — Sendai Castle Ruins — Osaki Hachimangu Shrine — Sendai Mediatheque — Sunmall Ichibancho Shopping Arcade Yamagata: Risshakuji (Yamadera) — Zao Onsen Matsushima: Ojima — Kanrantei Tea House — Sightseeing Cruise — Zuiganji — Entsuin — Date Masamune Historical Museum — Fukuura Island — Matsushima Retro Museum — Matsushima Fish Market Sendai: Earthquake Heritage Arahama Elementary School — Daikannon — Rinnouji — Kirin Beer Factory Tokyo: teamLab Planets — Small Worlds — Kokyo Gaien National Garden Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their second week of sightseeing! Topics Covered: Otaru: Otaru Music Box Museum — Denuki Koji — Stained Glass Museum — Snow Light Path Festival Bibai Asahikawa: Asahikawa Winter Festival — VOCALO Bar Calc — Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Memorial Museum Biei: Biei Shrine — Four Seasons Tower — Town of Hills Folk Museum Misora Abashiri: Ice Breaker Aurora — Ryuhyo Glass Museum — Abashiri City Museum — Abashiri City Folk Museum — Abashiri-Jinja — Abashiri Prison Museum Sendai: Tomizawa Site — AER Observation Terrace Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!

Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their first week of sightseeing! Topics Covered: Kamakura: Tsurugaoka Hachimangu — Komachi Street — Hokokuji — Hatsune Antiques — Roast Beef Ono Hakodate: Uni Murakami — Morning Market — Kanemori Red Brick Warehouse — Hakodate Gokoku Shrine — Motomachi — City Museum of Northern Peoples — Lucky Pierrot — Mt. Hakodate — Goryokaku — Okushiba Soup Curry Noboribetsu: Jigokudani Sapporo: Sapporo Snow Festival — Tanukikoji Shopping Street — Tsudome — Sapporo Beer Museum — Sapporo Factory — Nijo Market — Norbesa Ferris Wheel Join our Discord community! Become a member on Patreon!