The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty In this episode, Michael, Koichi, and Kristen talk about their top onsen experiences. We discuss our initial impressions with onsen, how their first time getting naked in front of a bunch of people went, break down some myths and fears surrounding onsen, and even talk about monkey poop. Learn why Koichi thinks public onsen are better, nobody cares if you're naked, and how Michael almost became an internet celebrity for his "buns".

Visit our guest: http://www.altjapan.com/ This week Michael sits down with the co-founder of AltJapan, Matt Alt, to discuss the content and process of localizing ancient Japanese texts by the original yokai scholar, Toriyama Sekien, to create his new book, "Japandemonium Illustrated." They discuss the arduous process Matt and his team went through to find, translate, and annotate these Edo period texts. This is a must-listen for aspiring translators and students of Japanese. It provides a fascinating look into the process of localization and the history of Japanese publishing. To hear more from Matt and AltJapan, check out the links below: AltJapan: http://www.altjapan.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Matt_Alt *New Book!* Japandemonium Illustrated: https://www.amazon.com/Japandemonium-Illustrated-Encyclopedias-Toriyama-Sekien/dp/0486800350

Visit our guest at: http://www.spoon-tamago.com/ This week, Michael has a conversation with the creator and curator of Spoon & Tamago, Johnny Strategy. As an architecture expert, Johnny gives Michael (and you) four excellent Tokyo walking tours that show off some of Japan's most stellar buildings. Johnny also touches on the Japanese design scene and what his experience was like growing up in Japan. Plus, there are a some neat anecdotes like the time Johnny ruined Studio Ghibli for everybody and the time Johnny changed the course of One Punch Man. To hear more from Johnny, check out the links below: Spoon & Tamago: http://www.spoon-tamago.com/ S&P eShop: https://shop.spoon-tamago.com/ Curated Tokyo Guides: http://www.spoon-tamago.com/tokyoguide/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SpoonTamago

Find us at: www.tofugu.com/ This week Koichi and Michael discuss the advantages of going to Japan to learn Japanese rather than spend time and money in a classroom. They offer practical advice for making your trip to Japan an impactful learning experience and a fun, long-lasting memory. Topics include: - One (basically) free trick to get a ton of random Japanese people to talk to you, in Japanese, so you can have non-stop conversation practice while in Japan. - When to get the really cheap airplane tickets to Japan. - Getting over your fear of talking to strangers (that speak Japanese). - How being in Japan is like a "natural SRS," and how it guides you to what you need to learn next (something very difficult for teachers to do). - How to make convenience stores, police officers, and people trying to get you into their restaurant into language practice partners. - How flying to Japan, renting a hotel room, and eating three meals a day can be cheaper than taking a class. - What to do to prepare yourself for your learning vacation, so you can get the most out of your time there. Show Notes: Learning kanji and vocabulary resource (preparing for your trip to get the most out of it): https://www.wanikani.com

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week Koichi and Michael talk to Zack Davisson, an award winning translator, writer, and Japanese folklore expert to discuss yokai. From the well known kappa to the obscure nebutori, Zack covers it all in this week's podcast! What you can take away from today's episode: - What is a yokai? - Different types of yokai - History of Japanese folklore - Different types of folklore - Japan's views on ghosts - Koichi's views on ghosts If you'd like to hear more from Zack, visit his blog: https://hyakumonogatari.com/ Zack's Twitter: https://twitter.com/ZackDavisson Zack's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaidankai/ Zack's books: https://hyakumonogatari.com/book-store/

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Strap in, folks. This is a long one. We invited Jack and David from SakéOne, a local sake brewery in Oregon, to come to the Tofugu office so we could learn how to taste sake. And boy, did we taste some sake. They brought six bottles, three domestic and three imported, and drank our way to knowledge about the sake brewing process, different types of sake, and how Michael is actually a grain of rice. Here's some things you'll learn in today's episode: - How sake is made - Why sake tasting is more fun than wine tasting - Why American sake, historically, hasn't been that great (and why that's changing) - Prefectures that make the best sake - Why sake doesn't give you hangovers - The different types of sake - What foods pair well with sake - If sake is better chilled or warmed - The future of the sake business Big thanks to Jack and David from SakéOne for trekking all the way to our office and bringing so much delicious booze. We had a great time. Everybody, go check out what SakéOne has to offer: website: http://sakeone.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SakeOne Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakeoneoregon/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SakeOne/

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Koichi and Michael talk with Kay from the Japan National Tourism Organization (that's the Japanese government's official travel promotion arm, btw) about 5 prefectures worth visiting. Of course, this doesn't include Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. No, these are hidden gems, prefectures that you may not have known about. If you're looking for a unique and memorable Japan travel experience, you're gonna wanna listen to this one all the way through. The prefectures Kay talks about have a lot to offer, and you could spend weeks in any one of them. So before you plan your Tokyo vacation, listen to this podcast and see if you don't change your plans. Get in touch with JNTO: Facebook: www.Facebook.com/visitjapan Twitter: https://twitter.com/Visit_Japan Website: us.jnto.go.jp

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty In this episode, Michael talks with Helen McCarthy, one of the top anime researchers ever. She wrote the Anime Encyclopedia and the first book on Miyazaki in English. She founded the UK’s first anime magazine, and was instrumental in growing anime fandom throughout the 90s and 2000s. Helen talks about: - Her meeting with Miyazaki. - What anime fandom was like before there was anime fandom. - How she founded and ran the first anime magazine in the UK. - The time she saw a beautiful man. - Why Makoto Shinkai is not the next Miyazaki (yet). - Where anime fandom is headed. If you’d like to hear Helen’s speak on cosplay, she’ll be at FANS Conference on March 18th at Yamanashi Gakuin University. Admission is free. Info can be found, Here in Japanese: http://bit.ly/2mu9m9L Here in English: http://bit.ly/2hoMvtG For more from Helen, check out her many books on Amazon: http://amzn.to/2mJVkl4 Helen’s website: https://helenmccarthy.wordpress.com/ Helen’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/tweetheart4711

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty In this episode, Michael and Koichi talk to Kanae the intern about the incredible gambling expertise she amassed from the one game of Hanafuda she played against her grandpa. They discuss the history of gambling in Japan, all the various Japanese chance games, and the future of gambling under PM Abe's new gambling law. Take a chance on us. You won't regret it. Unless you lose. Which you won't. Because you're listening to us. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Michael and Jamal sit down to talk with music journalist and label owner, Ian F. Martin, about the Japanese underground rock scene as detailed in his new book “Quit Your Band!”. As a journalist, Ian has written for presitgious publications such as The Guardian and The Japan Times, is an avid blogger and has been in the Japanese underground music scene for 10+ years. As a label owner, he is able to offer a unique insight into both sides of the music scene in Japan as a member of the media and a passionate patron of the art. Learn about the intricacies of navigating the underground scene as an outsider, the present state of said scene, and the sometimes harsh reality of the Japanese music industry itself. This a must listen for casual fans and aspiring rockstars alike. Ian's Most recent label releases: * Nakigao Twintail - They're the band whose song lyrics gave me the idea for the book title and they're great. Wacked-out, oddball punk. * Lo-shi - The most recent release on the label. They're both French guys, but very much "made in Tokyo". Instrumental post-rock/electronica. * Looprider - Probably the most eclectic and prolific band I've worked with recently. Everything from J-Pop to hardcore to shoegaze to metal to noise to progressive rock. * Hyacca - They're participating in a short Canadian tour in May. Smart, imaginative, really intense postpunk. * Bumbums - "Tokyo-based pocket-Fugazi". Album coming soon-ish. * P-IPLE - Noise-punk party band. Album on its way. Ian's recent favorites: * Panicsmile - Experimental punk/alternative. * Falsettos - Off-kilter indie rock/new wave. * Soloist Apartment/Second Apartment - Minimal wave/industrial. * Jailbird Y - Heavy, loud noise-rock. * Rebel One Excalibur - Really tight, drilled post-hardcore. * Sonotanotanpenz - Fragile-sounding, playful experimental acoustic music with intricate vocal interplay. Ian's favorite venues in Tokyo: * Koiwa Bushbash * Akihabara Club Goodman * Shinjuku Motion * Shimokitazawa Three * Higashi-Koenji Ni-man/Den-atsu (20000V) * Higashi-Koenji UFO Club More Ian Martin * Get Ian's Book, "Quit Your Band:" http://amzn.to/2lEbVnE * Twitter: https://twitter.com/ianfmartin * His Label: https://callandresponse.jimdo.com * Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/callandresponse iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Michael and Kristen talk with veteran video game translator Alexander O. Smith about the essential elements of good translation, especially when it comes to video games. Alex has worked on such hit games as Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy XII, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. From these experiences, he's gained a lot of insight into what makes a good translation (and what makes a bad translation). If you're thinking of pursuing a career in video game localization, pay attention to what Alex has to say. You'll need more than just amazing Japanese ability. There are many more elements that go into an excellent translation. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Koichi and Michael talk with James, founder of http://www.altinsider.com/ to find out what it takes to get the most out of your life in Japan. James was an ALT in Japan for 8 years. During his time teaching English, he hit a wall and started to feel burned out. Classes were repetitive and he needed a change. So he MADE a change. On this episode, James shares the strategies he developed to turn his team-teaching life around. After he started using these tips in his daily life, work became fun and his level enjoyment of life in general went up. If you're in a similar situation (or are thinking of teaching in Japan someday listen to this episode. James' advice is solid (Michael's note: I can attest to this) and will do a lot to help you enjoy your life in Japan more. For more from James, check out his website: http://www.altinsider.com/ podcast: http://www.altinsider.com/thepodcast/ twitter: https://twitter.com/AltInsiderFY facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ALTInsider/ instagram: https://www.instagram.com/altinsider/ youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3YsSXHGSv-17CT43PvsSjQ/videos iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Japan's most popular idol group, AKB48, has just launched a new sister-group called STU48. What makes this new sister-group different from the many, many, many, many, many others? This one is performs only on the sea. That's right, we finally get a maritime idol group. Michael and Koichi are joined by Kanae the intern to discuss the impact this has on the nation. Shiver ye timbers and batten down the glowsticks. It's time to kind of rock out to a new kind of sea shanty. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Tofugu's own Kristen traveled to Japan recently, but there was one problem: she's a vegetarian. You'd think Japan would be a veggie-friendly country, but no. Learn all about the trials and triumphs of travel in Japan as a vegetarian. It can be done, just take Kristen's advice and prep for yourself for the vegetarian wasteland. Happy Cow: https://www.happycow.net/ Printable Cards: http://www.justhungry.com/japan-dining-out-cards Notes: The movie Kristen talks about in the podcast where Ken Watanabe is a truck drive is called "Welcome Back, Mr. McDonald" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Welcome_Back,_Mr._McDonald iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay

Get more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty We talk to Peter Lackner--who runs jobsinjapan.com--about how to find a job in Japan. Turns out, Peter knows how to make it happen, no matter who you are (and how much education you have). Get a job in Japan: https://jobsinjapan.com DISCLAIMER: About a year after this podcast posted, Peter wrote back to us to let us know JESP, J-Wave, and WaveUSA aren't great programs and actually have been up to some shady business he didn't know about at the time of this recording. So he rescinds his endorsement of these programs and recommends you avoid them. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay