Just Japan Podcast

In this Episode, Kevin chats with Tokyo-based entrepreneur, Gregorio. Gregorio is an American who came to Japan in 2008 as a university student and worked for years working in various industries. During the pandemic, he started Monsta Sweets, a cookie company! He made cookies and sold them at pop-ups in Tokyo. He has now opened a full-time brick-and-mortar “Monsta Sweets” shop in Tokyo. Listen to his fascinating story...

In this episode, Kevin chats with Japanese pop culture expert, Matt Alt. Matt is a Tokyo-based writer who writes extensively about how Japanese pop culture has impacted the world. He has written books about Japanese folklore with his wife, Hiroko Yoda, and worked extensively as a translator and localization expert for the Japanese gaming industry. They talk about Japanese toys, pop culture, folklore, and a lot more. M...

In this episode Kevin shares an amazing conversation with James Reynolds, a British extreme weather and natural events filmmaker based in Tokyo, Japan. James has been traveling the world for almost 20 years filming volcanoes, typhoons, and the aftermaths of earthquakes and tsunamis. James has arguably the most exciting job in Japan! His job stalled during the cover years, but he is now back in the full swing of things...

In this episode of the podcast, Kevin O'Shea chats with his friend Kevin Tarpey about exploring rural Japan on foot. Kevin Tarpey lives in rural Shimane Prefecture and is an epic hiker and walker. He has taken many walking adventures such as Shikoku’s 88 Temples Pilgrimage and he writes a regular column for a local newspaper about his walking adventures in Japan. Kevin sees Japan in a way many expats and travelers do.

Kevin chats with Hiroshima-based Sustainable Travel Consultant, JJ Walsh, in this episode. Joy has lived in Japan since the 1990s and is an entrepreneur, content creator, consultant, and very inspirational person. She helps businesses as well as individuals lead more sustainable lives in Japan. They talk about her “Japan origin story” and the Seek Sustainable Podcast. They also chat about being a travel guide in Japan...

In this episode we chat with Jason, the man behind napajapan.com. NapaJapan is one of the best places online to buy Japanese snacks, candy, drinks, and other delicious treats. Jason first appeared on the podcast in 2015. We catch up and learn all about how Jason started his snack business in Japan, how he weathered the cover storm as an online retailer, and a lot more. There's also a big treat...

In this episode, we are back with Jim Mullins, an expat resident of Japan for 33 years. We catch up on his life lately and chat about inflation in Japan. Is it as noticeable as in other countries? Mully also tells us about what he’s been up to lately. The conversation even turns to shaving and shaving supplies in Japan!

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We are back and we chatted with Pee Jay about teaching at universities in Japan. Pee Jay talked about this topic in episode 27 in August of 2014. A lot has changed since then and we learn a little about this long-term expat in Japan and how to get a job teaching at universities in Japan. What is it like to find work? What are the conditions like once you start working in a university? If you are considering working in...

In the Fall of 2023, Tony Dot Vega walked the entire Tokaido Road. He walked 500 km from Kyoto to Tokyo. This would be an amazing and challenging adventure for anyone, but Tony’s journey was even more incredible because he did it sol and he’s legally blind. Listen to Tony’s amazing Japan story. Kevin chats with Tony about how he learned to speak Japanese, how he originally came to Japan, and how he took on the Tokaido...

We are back with another fantastic conversation about Japan. Kevin chats with Dave in Osaka, one of the original Japan live-streamers. If you’re interested in seeing Maiko in Kyoto or festivals throughout Japan, Dave’s YouTube and Twitter are the places to be. He started back in the days of Periscope and continues to create great content with amazing cultural and travel connections.

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Have you ever heard of Chikara Ishi 力石 or Strength Stones in Japan? Probably not. Kevin chats with Osaka-based strength athlete, David Dunlap about the history of stone lifting in Japan. Now, an almost lost sport, Chikara Ishi was once renowned and revered around Japan. Today,  strength athletes such as David and the World’s Strongest Man, Martins Licis are trying to put the sport back on the ...

In this episode, Kevin chats with Jim Mullins, aka, Mully. Jim has called Japan home for 32 years and appeared on the Just Japan Podcast more than 20 times. Kevin and Jim catch up on life and talk about Jim’s years as a content creator in Japan. They also chat about what has kept Mully in Japan for so long and even about his Podcast, the Mully’s Place Podcast.

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Kevin has a fantastic chat with television producer and Japan-based personality, Riki Ohkanda. Riki has a passion for celebrating the Japanese kimono and other aspects of traditional living in Japan. She can often be seen on Twitter sharing her impressive kimono knowledge and fashion and was recently featured on an NHK World television program about the iconic traveler, Isabella Bird. She talks about how she arrived i...

We are back! Are you still out there listening? In this episode, we chat with Casey Bean, an American living in Ishikawa Prefecture 石川県. He talks about how he found his way to Japan, life in a slower-paced area of Japan, and his podcasts, The Bean Pod, and Ishikawa Summit to Sea. We also talk about forest gardening, chickens, and recording original music, and Casey advises listeners seeking the...

International educator and podcaster, Kevin O’Shea brings you some interesting takes on a long life living abroad in Asia. The Just Asia Podcast profiles fascinating expats living across Asia doing amazing things. He talks to people in Japan, South Korea, China, Malaysia and more. Listen to their stories and be inspired by the lives they lead.

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International educator and podcaster, Kevin O’Shea brings you some interesting takes on a long life living abroad in Asia. From the quirky facets of life in Japan to living under covid restrictions in China. Kevin talks about food, travel, raising 3rd culture kids, gardening, teaching at international schools, and a lot more. International living has a lot of ups and sometimes downs. Next stop…Malaysia for even more f...

It’s been almost 3 years and we are back! Just Japan Podcast host stops by to say, “Hello” with his son Kai. They give some life updates and talk about his new podcast! The Supernatural Japan Podcast has a little something for every Japan enthusiast! SUBSCRIBE today!

Supernatural Japan on Apple Podcasts:

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