JAPAN DECODED

New Year shrine visits, Buddhist memorials during Obon, and the cheerful embrace of Christmas and Valentine’s Day—Japan’s everyday life is a seamless blend of faiths that might look puzzling from the outside. While surveys say roughly 70 percent of Japanese people identify as “non‑religious,” religious customs quietly shape the rhythm of daily life.

In this episode, we unpack the reality behind Japan’s “soft spirituality.”

• How Sh...

Japan is known for its clean cities and convenient public restrooms—but have you ever noticed how hard it is to find a trash can?

In this episode, we dive into an everyday mystery: why Japan offers an abundance of free, clean restrooms while public trash bins are almost nowhere to be found.

We talk about what it's like navigating the streets of Tokyo, the role of convenience stores, cultural attitudes toward cleanliness, and even how...

We’re talking about something super everyday in Japan—why so many people are still rocking masks.

We get into when we wear them, when we don’t, and all the little reasons behind it—like allergies, skipping makeup, or just not wanting to be seen. It’s not just about COVID anymore.

We also chat about stuff like sunglasses, tattoos, and how all of it ties into Japan’s social vibes. If you’ve ever been curious about the whole mask cult...

I shared a bit about Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, which is totally different from Osaka-style. Unlike the mixed batter of Osaka-style, Hiroshima’s version is layered with cabbage, pork, noodles, and egg. A lot of us from Hiroshima get annoyed when people call it “Hiroshimayaki” — that’s not a real thing to us. I also recommended some good Hiroshima-style spots in Tokyo. These days I only eat it occasionally, but growing up in Hiros...

Is the "serious Japanese" image really true? Punctuality, clean streets... but what's the reality?

In this podcast, we delve into the hidden side of Japanese "seriousness."Why are they so punctual? Why are the streets so clean? What's behind their work ethic?From personal questions, we explore Japanese stress and cultural backgrounds.Going beyond stereotypes, we seek to uncover the real essence of the Jap...

Japanese convenience stores, or konbini, are known for their incredible convenience and variety. Whether it’s grabbing a quick meal, paying bills, or picking up a package, they offer a wide range of services that go far beyond just selling snacks and drinks. But what’s it like to work at one? With so many tasks to handle—operating multiple payment systems, preparing hot food, managing ticket sales, and more—it’s often said to be on...