So Japanese

It can be a little nerve racking trying to understand all the formal customer service speech Konbini staff will throw at you when you visit Japanese convenience stores. We’re here to give you some insight on the common questions/phrases you’ll hear when shopping at a Konbini so you can buy your Fami chicken without stress!
日本でコンビニ行ったとき、コンビニスタッフが喋る堅苦しい顧客サービスの言葉をすべて理解しようとするのは、少し緊張しませんか。ファミチキンをストレスなく購入できるよう、コンビニでの買い物時によくある質問やフレーズに...

Japan is famous for its onsen or hot spring resorts but there’s also sentou or public baths. Learn about about the difference between    sentou and onsen, the perks of super sentou and the touchy subject of tattoos and Japanese bath culture + are there yakuza friendly baths?
日本は温泉で有名ですが、実は銭湯もあります。 銭湯と温泉の違い、スーパー銭湯の楽しい特典、そして、タトゥーと日本の風呂文化などのデリケートなテーマについて紹介していきます。 あと、 ヤクザに優しい風呂はありますか?是非最後までお楽しみ下さい!!

Support the Show.

https://lin...

We’re talking Hanami! Japan’s season for appreciating cherry blossoms aka sakura. Most people are now familiar with hanami and sakura viewing festivities around Japan so we’re focusing on sharing our experiences of hanami from a native POV and a foreigner’s POV. Plus tips on navigating hanami as a tourist and how to avoid those hanami crowds! 
今回は花見です！日本を代表する花、英語ではチェリーブロッサム、またの名を‘’桜‘’を楽しむ季節がやってきました。今やほとんどの人が日本各地の花見や桜を見る祭りを知っていま...

We’re saying good bye to an old friend whose manga and anime inspired millions of people around the globe from fellow artists to world leaders, forever cementing his place in pop culture world wide. Toriyama Akira, the manga artist famously known for the Dragon Ball series sadly passed away March 1st of this year so  this episode we’re giving thanks and little tribute to his career …
私たちは、世界中のアーティストから世界の指導者に至るまで、数百万人の人々にインスピレーシ...

This is a 2 part episode that looks at the rise of ramen’s popularity in North America over the past decade or 2 and how big names like Momofuku’s Noodle bar influenced and inspired the evolution of the ramen scene. Ryusuke and Matt breakdown what styles of ramen are trendy, common “mistranslations” as well as cultural differences between ramen here vs ramen in Japan. 
今回のエピソードは2部構成で、過去10年から20年の間に北米でラーメンの人気がどのように高まったか、そして"...

We all know Japan has a special love for all things cats so much so there is actually a national CAT DAY called Neko no Hi (猫の日) held every Feb. 22. This episode we’re introducing Cat Day and talking about some of the top most cat things you can encounter in Japan from Cat cafes and cat islands to iconic cat characters and cat celebrities! Celebrate all things cats in Japan with us for Cat Day! 
皆さんご存知かと思いますが、日本には猫への特別な愛着があり、それ...

This is a 2 part episode that looks at the rise of ramen’s popularity in North America over the past decade or 2 and how big names like Momofuku’s Noodle bar influenced and inspired the evolution of the ramen scene. Ryusuke and Matt breakdown what styles of ramen are trendy, common “mistranslations” as well as cultural differences between ramen here vs ramen in Japan. 
今回のエピソードは2部構成で、過去10年から20年の間に北米でラーメンの人気がどのように高まったか、そして"...

Looking at the recently released Studio Ghibli animation and OSCAR NOMINATED film ‘The Boy and the Heron’! AKA ‘Kimitachi wa Do Ikiru ka?’ We look at the symbolism and hidden meaning behind Miyazaki’s supposedly “last film”. Did you “get it” after the first viewing? How many times have you watched the Boy and the Heron? Listen to our interpretations of the film but be warned SPOILERS AHEAD. 
最近公開されたスタジオジブリのアニメーションであり、オスカーにノミネート...

This is the first in our Nanashi series or “No Name” episodes where we talk about whatever topics we want  (related to Japan of course!) and see where it takes us! This episode jumps from hitchhiking in Japan to cycling the Shimanami Kaido and stopping at Dogo Onsen with a bonus tale involving a weird encounter with a Japanese cult…
第一弾「ナナシ」シリーズ!!いわゆる「名前のない」エピソードです。日本にちなんだ色んなことについて、何が話題に上がるかわからないけど、とにかく自由に話していきます！今回は、マットが日本でヒッチ...

　Is it an “R” sound? Or “L” sound? Neither？ Or maybe both? There are some sounds unique to Japanese that are hard to translate but that goes both ways! This episode looks at how certain sounds are identified and pronounced between Japanese and English.
「R」の音？それとも「L」の音？どっちでもない？それとも両方？日本語には翻訳が難しい独特の音がいくつかありますが、それは両方の意味で当てはまります。このエピソードでは、日本語と英語の間で特定の音がどのように識別され、発音されるのかを話していきます。是非最後までお楽しみ下さい!!

　Listen extra closely as we messed up o...

Diving Deeper into Studio Ghibli: Discover how Studio Ghibli got its unique name, learn about its visionary founders, and explore the influential figures who have shaped its enchanting stories and unforgettable animation.
スタジオジブリの深層に迫ります：スタジオジブリのそのユニークな名前はどこから来てどのように決まったのか、他人とは違う素晴らしいセンスの創設者たちを探りながら、魅力的な物語と忘れがたいアニメーションを形作ってきた影響力のあるジブリのキーパーソン達について話していきます。是非最後までお楽しみ下さい!!

Support the Show.

https://...

Step back into the golden era of Japanese video gaming. This episode spotlights the transformative 80s and 90s, highlighting how legendary consoles like Super Nintendo, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn shaped today's gaming world. Discover the enduring legacy of these innovative decades in a journey filled with nostalgia and groundbreaking revelations.
日本のビデオゲームの黄金時代、80年代と90年代にタイムスリップ!!このエピソードでは、スーパーファミコン、プレイステーション、セガサターンなどの伝説...

Step back into the golden era of Japanese video gaming. This episode spotlights the transformative 80s and 90s, highlighting how legendary consoles like Super Nintendo, PlayStation, and Sega Saturn shaped today's gaming world. Discover the enduring legacy of these innovative decades in a journey filled with nostalgia and groundbreaking revelations.
日本のビデオゲームの黄金時代、80年代と90年代にタイムスリップ!!このエピソードでは、スーパーファミコン、プレイステーション、セガサターンなどの伝説...

Ever wondered how Christmas in Japan differs from the West? In this episode, I'll take you through the streets of my childhood during the holiday season in Japan – a world of dazzling lights, unique customs, and, yes, Colonel Sanders in a Santa hat! Get ready for an enchanting ride through a Christmas experience like no other, full of personal stories and cultural wonders.
日本と欧米のクリスマスについてどんな違いがあるか考えたことはありますか？このエピソードでは、日本での...