Richard Robinson, the man who brought Halloween to Matsumoto, is my guest for this episode.  In addition to explaining why he organized the annual Halloween in Matsumoto event, Richard talks about his early interest in Japan, as well as his reasons for moving to Matsumoto.

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This "kiri-otoshi" episode of The Japanofiles Podcast features short discussions with six different guests.

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This week I talk with Ian Beattie, a self-employed carpenter and long-time resident of the Matsumoto area. Ian shares his thoughts on a variety of topics related to housing and the construction business in Japan.

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This installment of The Japanofiles Podcast explores two aspects of traditional Japanese culture. The first segment presents a visit to a Japanese harvest festival, the Taimatsu Matsuri (Torch Festival), which is held every autumn in Asama Onsen. The second segment is a discussion about kyudo, Japanese traditional archery.

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After presenting a few of the autumn sounds from my neighborhood, I talk with Karen Ricks about her reasons for coming to Japan, and about the many activities she's involved in here in Matsumoto.

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This episode of The Japanofiles Podcast features a discussion with Kevin Leahy, translator of the popular Vampire Hunter D series of Japanese novels. Kevin talks about his childhood encounters with Japanese culture; his decision to work in Japan; his interest in many genres, including horror, science fiction, manga and animation; how he became a professional translator; and his experiences translating the Vampire Hunter D novels.    

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In this episode of The Japanofiles Podcast we discuss housing. The conversation explores the good and bad of living in various types of rented accommodation, including dormitories, houses and apartments, and also touches on buying property in Japan.

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Have you ever considered teaching in Japan?  Episode 5 of The Japanofiles Podcast features Sean Mehmet, who talks about his experiences as a private school instructor and as an Assistant English Teacher (AET) with the JET Programme, as well as his current work as an Associate Professor at a Japanese university. Sean also shares his thoughts on getting a job teaching English in Japan. In addition, he talks about his Canadian ancestors' ties to Japan, which span back to the 1800s.

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For this episode of The Japanofiles Podcast, Leslie Tokiwa, a fourth-generation Japanese American, joins me to talk about her experiences living and working in Japan. Topics include teaching English through the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Programme and performing Japanese traditional music as a member of two different taiko drum ensembles.

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In Episode 3 of The Japanofiles Podcast, I talk with Jai Heward about his experience of buying a house in Japan.

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This episode of The Japanofiles Podcast begins with a short introduction to the Asama Onsen hot springs area of Matsumoto City. Next, David Gray, the owner of an English language school in Matsumoto, joins me to talk about his experiences teaching and running a business in Japan.

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Welcome!  For this inaugural episode of The Japanofiles Podcast, I introduce Matsumoto City and Nagano Prefecture, Japan. I then talk with some of the participants in the Tour de Utsukushigahara hillclimb bicycle race. I'm also joined by Darryl Pearce, who shares some of his experiences as well as one of his original blues compositions.  

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