Finding Japan Feed

Episode 29 – Coffee Episode II | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 40:55

Its coffee time again. Join me for round two of my discussion with Fred on the finer points of Japanese coffee. If you’re not sick of hearing the word “coffee” yet, you will be after this episode. Grab a cup and enjoy! Show Notes: * Milk teas, bubble teas, what’s going on here? * Fred thinks Doutor is the best in the world * In-shop Doutor iced coffee discussion with Alex * Internet Cafes / Denny’s Coffee (Millstone) * Coffee Crown * Trend of instant coffee This was recorded a while ago so my outro comments may seem out of context. Hope you like it anyway. Cheers!

Episode 28 – Playing Initial D | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 0:03:57

Episode 28 – Playing Initial D | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 3:57

Video killed the podcast star. Well, I’m certainly no star, so I guess I have nothing to worry about. Today’s episode comes in video form. This little gem has been on my hard drive for over 2 months! Finally time to get it out as I rev up for some more audio goodness. In this episode, you can watch me play Sega Initial-D, my favorite arcade game at the moment. Why is it my favorite? Well because I have a little Initial-D IC card license that allows me to save my progress. So it’s much more satisfying to know that my 100å†† coins are going to a pointless accomplishment that can be tracked, rather than just a pointless activity. Caution, this is poorly edited and for video game nerds only. Editing my camera phone footage doesn’t exactly jive with Final Cut Pro at the moment. But do check out the vibration effect from the camera phone. It’s like you’re really there playing the game with me! (^_^)

Episode 27 – Attempt #3 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:46:00

Episode 27 – Attempt #3 | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 46:00

Its been 8 days, what’s wrong with me?! Find out more by tuning in here. I share a little bit of my personal life and plans for the next few days, talk about some scary little Japanese girl, answer questions about Japan and more. è¡Œãã¾ã—ã‚‡ã†ï¼ Show Notes * Quick update * Short story about Harajuku girls * Planning my summer vacation * Kobe Beef episode with some ideas. * School update * Presentation trip with my professor * Lessons learned from his teaching style * Sound scene (seeing) tour: Japanese Little League Game * Story: Scary Little Girls!! * Only in Japan: Pineapple Kit Kat * * Click for a larger picture * Questions: * Answered today: “Easy or hard to meet Japanese people on more than just a superficial level?” (From San from SNA Podcast) * Quick chat about my friend * Japanese people really similar to American people in “worldliness” * Tangent: Youth Culture article in BusinessWeek * 6-month future self question: “What do you think American can learn from Japan and what thing would you like to see in your own country that Japan has?” (Also from San from the SNA Podcast) * Wrap up and thanks

Episode 26 – Matsuri | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:48:12

Episode 26 – Matsuri | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 48:12

Show Notes: * Quick Updates * Catching up with school because of Hashika * Been in Japan over 90 days! * Japanese rain, its different, for real! * Preparing for summer vacation * Matsuri * How I got involved in this matsuri * Photos from the Sanja Matsuri * Outfits / Tabi / Happi * Photos from the matsuri I was in * Mikoshi * What I had to do * Shaking the Mikoshi around in front of a guys house * (Kim Chi break) * The aftermath * “Ssa Ssa Ssa Sssaaaa” guy * What I think I learned * Impromptu Only in Japan – neighborhood music * New Finding Japan Segment * LTMFS (listen to find out what this means) * Way to ask your own question * Email: christopher [a t] findingjapan [d o t] com * Voicemail: check the sidebar * Outro and thanks

Episode 25 – Office Episode | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:40:03

Episode 25 – Office Episode | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 40:03

The office episode has finally arrived, 6 weeks after I had started to do the recordings. Get the skinny on my first 6 weeks in a Japanese office, differences I have found, comparisons I was able to make. Though I’m sure there is much more I could have said, I at least hope that the parts I left in are interesting. Show Notes: * Introduction * Japanese office observations * My initial viewpoint – short history * American cube-life * Physical layout – Oobeya seido (å¤§éƒ¨å±‹åˆ¶åº¦) * Organizational structure * Vibe of a Japanese office * Speed of response * Attentiveness to particular details * Meeting formalities * Planning things ahead * IT worker stereotypes * Slouch guy * Hypochondriac guy * Sweaty guy * Japanese working hours * Prevalence of company commitment * Omiage as an example of this commitment * East coast US / Japan time difference advantage * Side Topic: Yurikamome Peeps? * Things I take for granted * Knowing when you are understood * Explaining complex topics * Outro and thanks * Tokyo Calling * Kobe Beef Show * HerroFlomJapan * Hello From Michigan * SNA Podcast * Life in the Shadows * Dicks and Janes * Music featured in the podcast – Pthalo (scroll to bottom to find albums)

Episode 24 – Interview Project | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:22:22

Episode 24 – Interview Project | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 22:22

This episode is about my Japanese language ability, or lack thereof. This week in class, we had to perform our second interview project where we interview students on campus. This time, I brought the recorder along. In this episode, I share the actual interview audio and reflect a bit on my ability after being in Japan for over two months now. Show notes: * Time shifted intro (What day is it really?) * Interview audio * Intro with Alex (from France) * First interview attempt (got “nai”-ed by 3 girls) * Second Interview * Third Interview * Fourth Interview * Some reflections after listening to the episode myself

Episode 23 – Miracle Fruit | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 0:18:00

Episode 23 – Miracle Fruit | File Type: audio/mpeg | Duration: 18:00

This was something I had been meaning to do since I arrived in Japan. Alex and I headed out to Namco Namja Town in Ikebukuro (map) this past Saturday in search of miracle fruit. I heard about miracle fruit about 6 months ago and was surprised to hear that it was available in Japan. I wrote myself a note and that note popped up in front of me this weekend so off we went. Miracle fruit is the common name of Synsepalum dulcificum, a berry containing miraculin which has the power to stop sour tastes in their tracks. Alex and I went out to find the Miracle Fruit Cafe in Namja Town and this episode is our audio experience of trying miracle fruit. Instead of show notes. I’m posting pictures and links here. The show is just us talking. Show Notes: * Miracle Fruit Wikipedia entry * Namja Town website * Links to Miracle Fruit photos from the restaurant

Episode 22 – The Battle Boat | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 0:01:09

Episode 22 – The Battle Boat | File Type: video/quicktime | Duration: 1:09

A short only-in-japan video episode segment to take you over the weekend hump. I’ve often walked by the Sumida River and have seen this very strange-looking boat sailing up and down the river. I stealthily hunted it down and have finally published here for the world to see. Alternate video link (Google Video)

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