Japan Station: A Podcast About Japanese Culture & the Japanese Language

On this episode of Japan Station, Kevin Tarpey joins us to talk about what it was like doing Shikoku's famous 88 Temple Pilgrimmage and why Japan is such a great place for long-distance walking. 👉Topics Discussed * Why Japan is such a great place for long-distance walking * About the famous Shikoku 88 temple pilgrimmage (Ohenro, お遍路) * What it's like walking the 88 temple pilgrimmage * How long it took to walk the 88 temple pilgrimmage in Shikoku * How much distance Kevin covered per day while doing the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About getting blisters while walking the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the importance of pacing yourself while doing long-distance walks * The customs surrounding the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the stampbook/passport used while on the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the "traditional" clothing pilgrims often wear while doing the 88 temple pilgrimmage * Why you should use the hakui/vest while doing the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the custom of Osettai * About walking on roads in japan * About walking the most rural area of the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the official English guidebook for the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the importance of preparing for a long-distance walk * Memorable experiences on the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About walking Cape Muroto * About eating paella at the lodging on Cape Muroto * About booking accomodations while on the 88 temple pilgrimmage * What accomodations might cost while on the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About "free lodging" on the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About henro huts * How knowing some Japanese can enrich your experience on the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About the finishing the 88 temple pilgrimmage * About th Hagi Okan and what it is like walking it * About Kevin's upcoming walks * About liquid intake and bathroom planning while on long-distance walking * And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! * Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB [https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB] 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi * Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content * Support on Patreon [https://patreon.com/japankyo] https://patreon.com/japankyo * Support via a one time donation! * Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo [https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo] * Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega [https://venmo.com/tonyrvega] * Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega [https://paypal.me/tonyrvega] 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo. * Get 10% of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan [https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan] 👉Links, Videos, Etc. Don't forget to follow Kevin Tarpey on Instagram! * @thegreenhoof (https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhoof/) [https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhoof/] 👉Follow on Social Media * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews [https://twitter.com/japankyonews] * Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social] * Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega [https://instagram.com/tonyrvega] * The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist [https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist] * Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews [https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews] * Website: https://japankyo.com/ [https://japankyo.com/] * Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony [https://x.com/thevegatony]

On this episode of Japan Station, we learn about traditional Japanese indigo dyeing from Sally Hancox, one of the co-owners of AiAii Worshop & Shop on Awaji island. This is a conversation to dye for! Sorry, I couldn't help myself. 👉Topics Discussed * About AiiAii Worshop & Shop * About the aizome (indigo dyeing) process * About farming and preparing indigo for dyeing * Why Sally Hancox ended up farming and working with indigo * What are the benefits of natural indigo dyeing * About the workshops at AiAii * About Awaji * How to get to Awaji * How to get in touch with Sally for scheduling indigo dyeing workshops, etc. * And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! * Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB [https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB] 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi * Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content * Support on Patreon [https://patreon.com/japankyo] https://patreon.com/japankyo * Support via a one time donation! * Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo [https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo] * Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega [https://venmo.com/tonyrvega] * Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega [https://paypal.me/tonyrvega] 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo. * Get 10% of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan [https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan] 👉Links, Videos, Etc. For more info an AiAii Workshop & Shop on Awaji, check out the links below * AiAii Website: https://aiaii.blue/ [https://aiaii.blue/] * AiAii Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aiaii.blue/ [https://www.instagram.com/aiaii.blue/] 👉Follow on Social Media * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews [https://twitter.com/japankyonews] * Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social] * Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega [https://instagram.com/tonyrvega] * The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist [https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist] * Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews [https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews] * Website: https://japankyo.com/ [https://japankyo.com/] * Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony [https://x.com/thevegatony] *

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about scandals in Japan. My guest Dr. Igor Prusa tells about how scandals in Japan work, how they surface and how entertainers/business people/politicians who get caught in scandals try to deal with them. This is a truly SCANDALOUS episode. Sorry, couldn't resist. 👉Topics Discussed * The characteristics of a Japanese scandal * About the Noriko Sakai scandal * Why the Sakai Noriko scandal was such a big deal * What celebrities caught in scandals are expected to do * About the press conferences often seen after a scandal rises to the surface in Japan * About scandals in the Japanese corporate world * About political scandals in Japan * About the Johnny's/Johnny & Associates scandal * About the massive Fuji TV scandal * About the infamous 10 hour Fuji TV press conference and why it was so long * About why the Fuji TV scandal was such a big deal * About the Nakai Masahiro scandal * How outside pressure/foreign media/online media/weekly tabloids play an important role in the life cycle of a scandal * And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! * Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB [https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB] 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi * Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content * Support on Patreon [https://patreon.com/japankyo] https://patreon.com/japankyo * Support via a one time donation! * Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo [https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo] * Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega [https://venmo.com/tonyrvega] * Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega [https://paypal.me/tonyrvega] 👉Links, Videos, Etc. Here is the link to the article by dragoner that was mentioned in this episode * Scandal in Japan: Transgression, Performance and Ritual (Japan Anthropology Workshop Series) [https://www.amazon.com/Scandal-Japan-Transgression-Performance-Anthropology-ebook/dp/B0BX9KR3KZ/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibHNq6ek6CI&list=RDibHNq6ek6CI&start_radio=1 👉Follow on Social Media * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews [https://twitter.com/japankyonews] * Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social] * Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega [https://instagram.com/tonyrvega] * The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist [https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist] * Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews [https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews] * Website: https://japankyo.com/ [https://japankyo.com/] * Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony [https://x.com/thevegatony]

This episode was originally released as episode 3 of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Today's Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do Japanese train stations do that? Topics Discussed * The train system in rural areas versus urban areas in Japan * Trains in Kagoshima and Ishikawa * What a Wanmanressha (one man trains) is * Unmanned rural train stations * Why Japanese train stations use cute songs to indicate a train is about to depart * Hasshamero (train departure melodies) * The use of Nogizaka46's song "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" as a train departure melody * The logic behind train departure melodies * A brief history of train departure melodies in Japan * How the song "Yappa Sukiyanen" by Uashiki Takajin was adapted into a train departure melody after his death in 2014 * How Osaka locals prefer to use "Umeda" when referring the the area in and around JR Osaka Station * Why there are lines and numbers on the train platforms * How to line up when waiting for a train * Women only train cars * The use of high-pitched noises (17 khz) to disperse people loitering at train stations in Japan * Standing versus walking on escalators * How Japanese railway companies are trying to get people to only walk on escalators * Japanese people's reluctance to stop walking on escalators * Why standing on escalators can be faster than walking * Why Japanese train stations use blue LED lights on platforms * The claim that blue LED lights are extremely effective at preventing suicide * The role of seken no me (世間の目, the public gaze/the eye of society) on Japanese trains and at Japanese train stations * Train etiquette * The claim that cell phones interfere with pacemakers * Putting on makeup on Japanese trains * How there's a part-time job in Nagoya where people stand on the escalator all day in order to stop people from walking on escalators * And more! Listen to Ichimon Japan on [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1492400997" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Apple Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9pY2hpbW9uamFwYW4ubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Google Podcasts[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/japankyocom/ichimon-japan-a-podcast-by-japankyocom" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Stitcher[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://open.spotify.com/show/1ZVgnljVM8gcR1ar98eK0D" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]Spotify[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/mv3zr-ad2df/Ichimon-Japan-A-Podcast-by-Japankyo.com" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]PodBean[/btn] [btn btnlink="https://ichimonjapan.libsyn.com/rss" btnsize="medium" bgcolor="#0568bf" txtcolor="#ffffff" btnnewt="1" nofollow="1"]RSS[/btn] Sources, Links, Videos, Etc. You can support the show by donating via Venmo or Paypal. * Venmo (@TonyRVega): https://venmo.com/tonyrvega [https://venmo.com/tonyrvega] * Paypal.me: http://paypal.me/tonyrvega [http://paypal.me/tonyrvega] You can check out the Citylab article that is mentioned multiple times during this episode via the link below. * The Amazing Psychology of Japanese Train Stations [https://www.citylab.com/transportation/2018/05/the-amazing-psychology-of-japanese-train-stations/560822/] As mentioned in this episode, Nogizaka Station on the Chiyoda Subway Line uses an adapted version of the Noguzaka46 song "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" (English translation: Your Name is Hope). You can listen to the original version of "Kimi no Na wa Kibō" via the YouTube video below. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9E2OXutknVY[/embed] Another song mentioned in this episode is "Yappa Sukiyanen" by Yashiki Takajin. Following the death of Takajin in 2014, an adapted version of this song was used for a period of time as the departure melody of JR Osaka Station. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GrOq7VY7lM[/embed] The video below explores the question of whetherit is faster to stand or walk on an escalator. It finds that in theory about 80 people per minute can use an escalator when one side is reserved for walking. However, up to 112 people can use an escalator when people stand on both sides. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX11cxeW6hA[/embed] You can check out the 2012 study that sparked the "blue light prevents suicide" craze via the link below. Note: many articles written after the publication of this study cite a 2013 study. However, this appears to be the same study and it is dated as 2012. It is possible that this is a preliminary version. * Does the installation of blue lights on train platforms prevent suicide? A before-and-after observational study from Japan (By Tetsuya Matsubayashi, Yasuyuki Sawada, Michiko Ueda) [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230861160_Does_the_installation_of_blue_lights_on_train_platforms_prevent_suicide_A_before-and-after_observational_study_from_Japan] Numerous researchers have looked into the results of the 2012/2013 blue light study since it was originally plublished. In doing so, they have called into question its results. One such researcher is Masao Ichikawa of the University of Tsukuba. You can read his 2014 follow-up study via the link below. * Reconsidering the effects of blue-light installation for prevention of railway suicides [https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/56654804.pdf] Here is the 2019 BBC article mentioned during this episode that helpsput into doubt the idea that blue lights prevent suicide. * Japanese train companies appeared to have found that soothing blue lights could reduce the rate of suicides at station. But does the "nudge technique" really work? And if so, how? [https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190122-can-blue-lights-prevent-suicide-at-train-stations] If you would like to check out episode 31 of the Japan Station podcast, which focuses on the skakuhachi, check out the link below. * Japan Station 31: A Conversation with a Shakuhachi Master (Christopher Yohmei Blasdel) [https://japankyo.com/2020/02/japan-station-podcast-about-shakuhachi/] If you want to learn even more about Japanese tains, then you should check out the Japankyo article below. * All About the Chūō Shinkansen and the History that Led to the Creation of the Fastest Train in the World [https://japankyo.com/2020/01/interesting-japanese-news-chuo-shinkansen-linear-motor-car-l0-fastest-train/] We Want Your Questions Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com [ichimon@japankyo.com]. Special Thanks Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/user/apolxcore], Twitter [https://twitter.com/apolxcore], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/apolmusic], Fiverr [https://www.fiverr.com/apolxcore]) Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R. Follow Japankyo on Social Media * Instagram (@TonyRVega) [https://instagram.com/tonyrvega] * X/Twitter (@JapankyoNews) [https://twitter.com/japankyonews] * Facebook (@JapankyoNews) [https://www.facebook.com/japankyonews]

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Japanese word funiki (雰囲気) and other words that aren't read the way they are written. 👉Topics Discussed * About the Japanese word funiki (雰囲気) * What the correct way to read/pronounce funiki is * Whether you should read funiki as fun'iki （ふんいき) or fuinki (ふいんき) * Why so many people pronounce funiki incorrectly * About words like manin (満員) and zenin (全員) and why people often pronounce them incorrectly/differently from how they are written in kana * About 音位転換 (onitenkan)/metathesis in Japanese words * About Akihabara vs Akibahara * What a funiki ikemen (雰囲気イケメン) is * And much more! 👉Subscribe to the Podcast! * Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968 [https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968] * Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB [https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB] 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi * Support on Patreon [https://patreon.com/japankyo] https://patreon.com/japankyo * Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo [https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo] 👉Links, Videos, Etc. This is the 2021 article I mention in the update portion of this episode. * 「雰囲気」←“ふいんき”と読む時代が来る？　大学教授が指摘　「秋葉原」や「山茶花」など前例に [https://jocr.jp/raditopi/2021/07/18/360380/] 👉Follow on Social Media * X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews [https://twitter.com/japankyonews] * Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social] * Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega [https://instagram.com/tonyrvega] * The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist [https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist] * Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews [https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews] * Website: https://japankyo.com/ [https://japankyo.com/] * Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony [https://x.com/thevegatony]