This is another week of all feedback. The email pile is getting shorter and shorter. Again, lots of excellent questions, with hopefully some helpful answers. We introduced a new segment called “Places in Japan”. This week we focused on Tokushima which is in the Shikoku region of Japan. Pretty interesting stuff. As always, don’t forget to email [...]

Listen Now:

Welcome back to the Josh in Japan podcast. I know that some might be skeptical about the podcast now that I’m in Florida, but please don’t worry. I’m still just as tuned in to what’s going on in Japan as I was before I left. Now that I am only a student, you might even say [...]

Listen Now:

Hey everyone. It’s been a while since I’ve talked to you all so I just wanted to give you all a quick little update as well as test out the advanced podcasting features of my new iMac with Garageband 3. So, I should be getting shows out within the next week or two. Talk with you [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #40, I go over more feedback… What, did you expect anything else? I break the pile down a little bit, but there is still tons of great questions still flowing in. Once I finish all the feedback, I won’t remember what it’s like to just talk about a topic! I play some great promos: Mignon [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #39, I make my return from the podcasting dead, and come back kicking! I cover a ton of emails, and barely scratch the surface of going over all the feedback I received while I was gone. I let everyone know what was happening with the family and I, and why I was absent from [...]

Listen Now:

Hey everyone! Just here to give a little bit of an audio update for those who don’t get a chance to ever visit the blog. Enjoy.

Listen Now:

In Episode #38, I talk all about how to cook in Japan. This isn’t so much about how to make specific dishes, but the basics about meal selection, kitchens, and appliances. We go over what to do when it’s time to pack a lunch, where to buy kitchen stuff, and how you can either stay healthy [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #37, I give you the second part of my family’s recent vacation to Hiroshima, Osaka and Kyoto. Lots of adventures, trials and tribulations. I talk a lot about my second favorite place on the vacation, and give you an insider’s view of Universal Studios Japan. You also get to see what kind of fun my [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #36, I start to discuss our vacation from last week. We went to Hiroshima, then Osaka, and lastly, Kyoto. Part 1 will cover Hiroshima and all the rainy fun we had down there. I started to record the entire show, and was only 1/2 way done and was already at 1 hour and 16 [...]

Listen Now:

The following script is also linked in audio form with the “podcast” icon below. Thanks, Josh This is Josh from the Josh in Japan Podcast. Recently I was informed by a person named MEL K. DIXON of Tokyo that he (or she) was using my Podcast in their English class for secondary education students here in Japan. MEL [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #35, I discuss how and why to give a gift in Japan. This may not seem to be the most important topic I’ve ever discussed, but once you get here, you’ll totally understand. Gift giving in Japan is a very rich tradition, and if you want to live as a purposeful member of the [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #34 I discuss almost everything you need to know if you’ve been planning on getting a visa to live in Japan. It’s actually not as difficult to live here in Japan as a foreigner than it is to live in the US as a foreigner. The application process is much more streamlined, and [...]

Listen Now:

***Second Try at Posting*** Well, here’s the second part of the bargain that I agreed to. The much anticipated FEEDBACK SHOW…… ok, well, the almost anticipated feedback show. Either way, here it is. So, for the first time since I started podcasting, I have a show for everyone on a Tuesday (2 days after making a previous [...]

Listen Now:

Thank you all for sticking it out with me, and thanks also to those who answered the survey here on the blog. This week’s show is all about Amusement Parks. Who in their right mind doesn’t love going to an amusement park with their family? I cover everything from Tokyo Disney Land to the abandoned amusement [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #31, I take everyone on a virtual soundseeing tour of a day in my shoes. Well, not really a full day, more like a couple hours of taking my family to the park. I haven’t done one of these in a while, and decided to go for it since I was having such a [...]

Listen Now:

Sorry about the post error folks! I forgot to change the file name when cutting and pasting this weeks episode into the blog. Here is the correct link to EPISODE #30. I changed it in the original post as well. Sorry, but hey, only one screw up for 2:00 A.M. isn’t bad!

Listen Now:

In Episode #30, I discuss how Japanese people stay fit. We talk about how Japanese poeple “diet”, and how the food choices you make while in Japan will have a direct impact on how you feel. The myth about all Japanese food being good for you is discussed. Also, we talk about the different health fads [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #29, I discuss what the average weather in Japan is like. I keep it nice and general, and go through all of the different seasons. If you’ve ever wanted to know when to visit Hokkaido, I’ll be sure to tell you. That, and you’ll be sure to figure out what my least favorite season [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #28, I finally get down to it and talk a little bit about dating. It took me long enough to get off my butt and put this out, so please be happy with it! I wanted to wait until the wife and I could go out and reminisce about our dating days, but with [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #27, I do a little bit of podcast housekeeping. My email has piled up once again after taking almost 2 weeks off. Other than that, I give a brief interpretation of the results of the Podtrac Survey. Lots of interesting stuff learned…. The show is too long, I ramble too much, and my wife [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #26, I discuss the current way that Japanese receive their healthcare. I discuss many different parts of the Japanese National Healthcare System from normal checkups to ambulance services, to normal inpatient hospital stays. If you’re new to Japan, you need to know some of this info if planning on staying a while. Promos this week came [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #25, I answer all of the email that has piled up after not doing a show for almost 2 weeks. Almost all emails I received are answered. This show is not one for those in a hurry to learn. This is the longest episode yet! I apologize for those who have limited storage [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #24, I welcome my good friend Drew to the basement studio. We discuss schooling for the typical Japanese kid, and our perceptions of what they go through. We also discuss mannerisms, and how people here in Japan are polite, but not in the way we think of it as gaijins. Many many things are [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #23, I discuss how the typical Japanese person goes the mile to become a relaxed, melted blob of human flesh. We talk about all kinds of relaxation techniques from what the typical person does every day, to how they plan their trips to include a relaxing getaway. We also find a way to burn $3,000 [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #22, I discuss the traditional Japanese New Years rituals. Unlike the request I received about where in Japan to party the new year in, I discuss how to celebrate New Years as a typical Japanese person would. Learn all about rice cakes unlike you know them, the Japanese version of Rockin’ New Years Eve, [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #21, I discuss the Japanese Public Safety System. We go over all of the different facets of Public Safety, from Fire to Police, and everything in between. Learn about how serious the paid firefighters are about their jobs, and how non-serious the volunteers are. Learn how the ambulance system works, and how if you [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #20, I discuss the vast number of Holidays here in Japan. The average Japanese citizen gets more holidays off each year than the average American. Find out how many, and where to work if you want over 24 days off each year! We go over each of the Japanese holidays, and discuss what to [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #19, I discuss the history of the Japanese Imperial Family, their role throughout history, and their role as modern day figures of Japanese culture and society. I apologize first off for putting the show up so late. I have just had a very busy weekend, and just have not had the time until now [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #18, I cover all of the emails that have collected over the last two weeks. Thanks for your patience, and again, I apologize for taking a week off. You will definitely notice a change in my voice with this show….. at least I cut out the coughs! We received some excellent questions [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #17, I discuss what kinds of pets are common here in Japan. I let you know where and how to get a dog or cat, how much they will be, and what kind of weird and wacky stuff they have for sale here for pets. Make sure to listen closely because there’s something here [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #16, I discuss all kinds of different shopping in Japan. This is a very broad topic, and I apologize in advance for not being able to be more specific, but I feel that I covered some good points about where and how to shop in Japan. The promos for this week were from The [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #15, I discuss how to do your shopping at a major grocery store here in Japan. If you’re going to live in Japan for any amount of time, this is vital information! You don’t want to look like a fool when going grocery shopping. I’ll lay it all out there and explain what [...]

Listen Now:

In episode # 14, I discuss what crime is like here in Japan, and what is being done to stop it (and there’s not much to stop). I focus on crime, police, and the legal system a bit. Many emails read, busy week overall! Make sure to visit the forums, drop a line and let me know [...]

Listen Now:

Well folks, here it is, the show you’ve all been asking for…… AKIHABARA! All it is is a bunch of broken pieces of recording from my iriver and the same set of crappy mics from episode #12. For those of you just joining us, I took a weekend, and went up to Tokyo to take a [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #12, I discuss my recent trip to Tokyo. I ended up spending two days checking out the Apple Store in Ginza, a Capsule Hotel in Shinjuku where I spent the night, and the infamous district of Akihabara. For this week, I play the clips I recorded while on my way to the Apple Store, [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #11, I discuss what happened today with the elections here in Japan for the Lower House of the Diet. Find out if Prime Minister Junichiro Koizume was removed from his position as Prime Minister, and find out why the hell they even had elections with only a one month warning……. Oh, and today is [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #10, we discuss what television is like here in Japan. Sorry for not writing back in response to many of your emails! This has been a very hectic week! We discuss many things about TV, so if you’re a couch potato, but want to go to Japan, this is your episode! The following are the [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #9, I read an email from one of my favorite movie characters, from office space. Bill had some great “out of the box” questions that didn’t focus too much on one particular subject. Join us as we go over some questions that the typical gaijin might have about life in Japan. Our “Japanese Phrases of [...]

Listen Now:

In episode#8, I discuss the wonderful magic of cell phones in Japan. If you have any comments or suggestions, please let me know by sending me an email to josh@joshinjapan.com, or leave a comment here on the blog. This episode is hosted on libsyn this week. If you experience any slow downloads or down times, please [...]

Listen Now:

In Episode #7, I talk about all of the different vending machines you may find in the wonderful land of the rising sun. The audio levels on this episode are very shitty! Please excuse the LOUD intro music. My monitor levels weren’t exactly what I was actually recording at! The “Japanese Phrases of the Week”…… ã�¯ã�?ã?�ã�¾ã�?ã�¦ã??hajimemashite (ha-gee-may-mahshe-tay) “it’s [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #6, I discuss how to do your banking in Japan. Also, a new portion of the show was added…… the weekly “Japanese Phrases of the Week”…. now you can learn from my limited Japanese skills As always, email me at josh(at)joshinjapan.com if you have any comments, suggestions, corrections, gripes, moans, bitches, whatever…. Also, [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #5 we discuss TRAINS, TRAINS, TRAINS…… How do you buy a ticket for a train in Japan? How do you figure out how much to pay? What is that dude doing to that girl in the school uniform?!?!?! You’ll find out with this episode! As always, if you have any questions, comments or concerns, [...]

Listen Now:

In episode #4, I discuss how to get a drivers license, the different vehicles, types of drivers you may experience, and the different types of roads that we have here. I have searched far and wide, and found some of what I promised you in the podcast……. Here are the Road Signs that I promised you. [...]

Listen Now:

well, sorry for the delay, I had a busy shift filled weekend so my sunday deadline just wasn’t going to be kept. here in episode #3, we talk about lodging. hotels, houses, and everything in between. as always, if you have any comments, concerns, or questions, please feel free to email me at josh@joshinjapan.com. as for [...]

Listen Now: