Japan By River Cruise

Ollie is in Tokyo and Fukuoka (and Hong Kong and KL and Brighton and London and Edinburgh...)

Little message from Ollie to say that he's heading to Japan as part of his stand-up comedy tour. Tickets are available with a big JBRC discount if you use the promo code JBRC.  https://tickets.olliehorn.com/tokyo - Friday May 5th @ Good Heavens https://tickets.olliehorn.com/fukuoka - Saturday May 6th @ Shimokitazawa - Tickets now on sale for Brighton Fringe previews and Edinburgh Fringe 2023 too! https://tickets.olliehorn.com/brighton - End of May https://tickets.olliehorn.com/e...

Fancy a Cheeky Valentine's Show? (live show announcement)

Links to tickets! Get your tickets ASAP for guaranteed entry! https://peatix.com/group/12083451/events ★ Support this podcast ★

The official round-up of 2022 (every single news story) [Part 2: July~December]

We did it! The second half of all of the news that came out of Japan in 2022. All of it. And we don't get side tracked or distracted by other chats.  ★ Support this podcast ★

The official round-up of 2022 (every single news story) [Part 1: January~June]

Part one of a (potential?) two-part run down of every single news story that came out of Japan in 2022. ★ Support this podcast ★

Why was Shinzo Abe killed? (w/Jake Adelstein)

Shinzo Abe was assassinated. But did he deserve it? Jake Adelstein gets remarkably close to making the case that he did.

Tokyo, City of Dreams/Permissive Zoning Policy (w/Joe McReynolds)

Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction. Cruises to deal with inflation and heat stroke. Topics discussed on this episode include: What to remember about your successes or failures on the JLPT Bobby's continuing BBQ tribulations and the experience of working together as husband a...

Biden Time! (w/Michelle Ye Hee Lee)

Joe Biden's Straight Talk Express comes to Asia! WaPo Bureau Chief Michelle Ye Hee Lee joins us to talk about what Biden took away from his time in Japan. If he's anything like most Americans, we're betting that list includes a Hello Kitty T-shirt and a fake sword. Ferris Wheel and Kintsugi River boats! Topics discussed on this episode include: How much we POTENTIALLY appreciate Elon Musk Bobby's BBQ shop gets even closer to completion Ollie rails against the propertied class ...

Marching into April/Japanese Castles (w/Oleg Benesch)

Japan Scholar Oleg Benesch joins us to to talk about the past, present, and future of Japanese castles, and break down the debates around them, proving that when it comes to historical Japanese strongholds, things aren't always black and shiro. Bobby and Ollie mourn the loss of some of their river cruise sponsors, and play catch up. Topics discussed on this episode include: Our new, hopefully temporary show format Ukraine, Covid, North Korea, #japantravelban and other topics we'...

Quick update - we're coming back!

Imagining a Militarized Japan and then Laughing (w/Tom Phuong Le)

Author of Japan's Aging Peace, Tom Le, stops in to talk about Japan's security concerns and help us think about an important hypothetical question. Ok, Japan, you CAN have a military. NOW WHAT? Ollie's river cruise recommendation is actually in Ukraine this week, but don't worry, if you wait long enough, it'll come to you. Bobby learned a little bit about haiku so he thinks he's better than you. Topics discussed on this episode range from: What you can expect from Disney's Japan...

Locked Out of our $500 Abandoned House (w/Alex Kerr)

Author Alex Kerr may be single-handedly responsible for the current global spotlight on restoring old Japanese country homes, so we talk to him about how these homes may be at the forefront of a new style of Japan tourism... if tourism in Japan ever happens again. Ollie shows us how YOU can go home again, as long as you do it by river cruise. Bobby's pleased to see more Japanese river cruise companies adopting American business practices re:COVID-19. Topics discussed on this epi...

JBRC HOLIDAY SPECIAL 2021, YAY!

If you'd like to be entered for a chance to win Baye McNeil's book "Hi, My Name is Loco and I'm a Racist," Ann Kilzer's 禁 calligraphy, or one of three JBRC merch packs, please tweet and share your favorite episode from this year with a recommendation, and be sure to tag us in it! Archive is here! Alternatively, you can also enter by retweeting your favorite JBRC twitter joke from the year with a recommendation to follow! We love you guys, and we'll be back with more next year! ...

Married to Our Research (w/Joy Hendry)

Author of the new book, "An Affair with a Village" and leading UK expert on Japan, Joy Hendry joins us to discuss a whole variety of things, like MEXT Scholarships, marriage, and other things that end up letting us down. Ollie gets Scandinavian with it. Bobby is surprised to find out there are as many as two. Topics discussed on this episode range from: How the current entry ban is affecting Academia Joy's perspective on the situation as someone who's been doing fieldwork in Ja...

Fumio, Fumio, Whatfore art thou, Fumio? (w/Tobias Harris)

Abe-ographer (The Iconoclast) Tobias Harris stops by to break down the power dynamics in the LDP, speculate on whether or not Kishida's going to get a belated honeymoon (and whether or not his wife will have to stand during it), and discuss why what kills US, makes Kishida stronger. Ollie does what we in the media do best: gives a platform to bigots. Bobby discovers that the stuff he loves is now devoid of humor, but at least it's more expensive than it's ever been. Topics discus...

Kat(akana) Got Your Tongue? (w/Dr. Wes Robertson)

Why do foreigners in Japan speak in Katakana? Well, Bobby does it because the TV director told him it's funnier that way. But Dr. Wes Robertson has actual NON-anecdotal research into writing system/pronoun choices and how calling yourself ORE isn't conveying what you think it is. Ollie reminds us that loose lips sink ships. Bobby comes to terms. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Brian getting himself into some hot water. Scholars of the sakoku-jidai The New Entry B...

All in the Same Boat, But We're in Steerage (w/Thalia Harris)

Thalia Harris stops by to talk about second-class citizenship in Japan during the pandemic, and also has such an interesting story about the Titanic that we had NO CHOICE but to actually talk about a cruise ship. Ollie recommends a ship that will have to change its name now. Bobby thinks Maezawa Yuusaku is wasting his money. Topics discussed on this episode range from: The Netflix Cobbo Beebo Remake, and how, boy, oh boy, it sure is something. Brian's prospects  How Thalia got...

Need a Leader? Try Kishida! (w/Motoko Rich)

NYT Tokyo Bureau Chief Motoko Rich gets onboard to talk about Kishida's first month in office. What has he done so far? What does his administration mean for Japan? And the most important test of a Japanese government official: how well can the man mull? Ollie recommends a river cruise that succeeds, but at what cost? No cost. Bobby makes a point about the secularization of Christmas that no one has ever made before.  Topics discussed on this episode range from: How the time ha...

The Runaway Bride (w/Aya Shimada)

Aya Shimada tells us what the fuss over Princess Mako's nuptials tells us about Japan's treatment of women, how the media affords privacy rights to the famous, and Ollie remembered that he thinks wedding stuff is over-priced again. Bobby knows which one of the two Rising Sun post-covid cruise options he wants to take. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Why Aya thinks Japan has what she calls a "purge" culture How bullying is used in Japan to isolate and force out und...

Burakku Purin: The UK-Japan Trade Deal (w/Pernille Rudlin)

Business consultant Pernille Rudlin helps us look back on the largely disappointing post-Brexit trade deal between Japan and the UK, which may have only been signed because Japan is sympathetic when it comes to saving face. Ollie remembers that people used to be shorter.   Bobby gets an exclusive Aso Taro hot take on the silver lining of the death of the planet. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Bobby's NEW BBQ BUSINESS Brian's Time Off Pooey Rivers British Values a...

Bonus Extras from E83 (w/Chelsea Schieder)! (No episode this week)

We're really sorry to say we were unable to get an episode to you this week, so enjoy these extras that were previously released only to our monthly members. Thank you sincerely to everybody who still supports this show by listening to the show each week, interacting with our nonsense on Twitter, and especially those who are kind enough to throw a bit of money behind the project. We really appreciate you - we'll be back soon!

The Hair Police (w/Anne Crescini)

Anne Crescini talks about how Japanese schools don't have the resources to properly combat bullying, because those resources get used on student hair color and fingernail length. Ollie FINALLY starts studying Japanese again.   Wait, wow WAS Bobby looking at the Holocaust before? Topics discussed on this episode range from: Brian's Birthday The HELL that is the PTA and how her experiences with it affected Anne's Japan-facing online persona How horrible it is to have to join a li...

How Many Nobel Prizes Does it Take to Make You Japanese? (w/Mary Kobayashi)

Syukuro Manabe and some other people win the Nobel Prize, illustrating a lot about how and why Japan claims  people as Japanese. We talk to Mary Kobayashi about how she defines her Japanese identity, and how media representation works to define "Japanese..." as sexy, anime robot. The average age of Ollie's friends is getting lower. Bobby recycles. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Brian's back! Performance anxiety and the introvert/performer paradox Syukuro Manabe'...

The Secret Ingredient is Entitlement (w/Marc Matsumoto)

Japan's likely new Prime Minister, Marc Matsumoto talks about how to wield Japanese recipes responsibly, and more. Ollie's doing another podcast's work for them. Bobby looks at the new, very strict, tourist entry dress code . Topics discussed on this episode range from: NO PRE-RECORDED MESSAGE FROM BRIAN A question that is decidedly outside of Marc's expertise Successful predictions Marc's technique driven food content Demystifying Japanese cooking Japanese chefs hoarding s...

Japan's Ready-For-Prime-Time Players (w/Derek Wessman)

Who will be Japan's next Prime Minister? Japanese Margaret Thatcher? The often shaken AND stirred Kono, TARO Kono? Mr. Speak-softly-and carry-no-nukes? Or Woman woman? Former Diet Aide Derek Wessman tells us "the thing" about each of the four candidates. Ollie's disappointed that the new boat doesn't work with the old charger. Bobby is tired of Japan asking him if he's cold. Topics discussed on this episode range from: How hard we all tried to avoid this. Something that's...

A Delhi-cate Predicament (w/Dr. Megha Wadhwa)

Ollie's going to eat both of those pizzas by himself, but HEY, it's his birthday. Bobby looks at the river cruise unions ALLS-WELL-THAT-ENDS-WELL philosophy. Topics discussed on this episode range from: The "rulebook for integration" in Japan, and why it's never been properly translated.  The actual rulebooks that are actually made in an attempt to help non-Japanese integrate in the way Japanese people want.  Ollie's black and white striped t-shirt  The lowdown on the Indian c...

A Dehli-cate Predicament (w/Dr. Megha Wadhwa)

Ollie's going to eat both of those pizzas by himself, but HEY, it's his birthday. Bobby looks at the river cruise unions ALLS-WELL-THAT-ENDS-WELL philosophy. Topics discussed on this episode range from: The "rulebook for integration" in Japan, and why it's never been properly translated.  The actual rulebooks that are actually made in an attempt to help non-Japanese integrate in the way Japanese people want.  Ollie's black and white striped t-shirt  The lowdown on the Indian c...

World Suicide Prevention Day (w/TELL outreach director Selena Hoy)

Selena Hoy, outreach director from Suicide Prevention Lifeline, TELL, stops by to talk about the different cultural approaches to managing mental health, and why English-speakers in Japan can benefit from a service like TELL, in one of the rare episodes where we ask you to support something that ISN'T our riverboat. Ollie recommends a cruise that may have set their sights a little high. Bobby recommends a cruise that DEFINITELY did. SUPPORT THE JBRC TEAM in the STEP-UP CHALLENGE ...

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (w/Hiromu Nagahara)

Hiromu Nagahara talks about Princess Mako's engagement and upcoming move to New York and the split in Japanese public opinion, between nationalists, who are angry, and normal people, who don't care. Ollie pays close attention to the head chopping facilities list on this week's cruise recommendation. Bobby does NOT like that thing that you all like. Topics discussed on this episode range from: How sometimes it's okay to just do something to connect Hiromu's recommendation for a ...

The Big 97: Sometimes We Like Japan (w/Brian)

An hour-long celebration of JBRC's 97th episode! We take a moment to catch up and make sure Ollie is actually surviving, roast some headlines, and have an extremely rare discussion about some things we love about life in Japan. Ollie recommends a river cruise that thinks you should quit nursing that beer, pussy. Bobby tells a group of people how they can get what they deserve. Topics discussed on this episode range from: A service that provides MORE than everything you need to ...

Land of the Rising Floodwaters (w/ Dr. Wesley Cheek)

After the unprecedented rain and landslides in western Japan, disaster sociologist Dr. Wes Cheek talks about the country's future, and how facing the climate crisis may require never-before-seen levels of "shikata-ga-nai." Ollie recommends a climate change simulating cruise that is ALREADY behind the times. Bobby throws some classic comedic misdirection in your face. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Whatever happened to all those RAINBOW HATS? Updates with Ollie's co...

Paralimited Access (w/Mark Bookman)

Disability activist and historian Mark Bookman talks about how accessibility progress is bolstered by the international spotlight of the Paralympics but hampered by the lack of accessibility at the policy-making table. Ollie interrogates the patriarchy. Bobby seems pretty consumed by his anxiety about how much time we have left. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Ollie's disastrous start to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and how a Brian intervened to save the Day How ...

Vax Passports: Valid in Participating Locations ONLY (w/Magdalena Osumi)

Japan Times Journalist Magdalena Osumi updates us on Japan's border entry sitch, and outlines Japan's new "vaccine passport" system, which could help lift some restrictions when entering certain countries (Not Japan, tho). Ollie is MIA and Bobby won't even watch the pirated stuff. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Brian's big debut What happened with the Belarusian Olympic sprinter who criticized her coaches on Instagram Differences in public reactions to the above ...

Stairy Stories (w/Lindsay Nelson)

What's that awful groaning sound?? Nope, it's not us talking about the Olympics, it's Japanese horror! Lindsay Nelson tells us all about the world of scary Japanese movies, and seven days later, we die. Ollie recommends a battery powered river cruise that has run into a familiar problem. Bobby used to like that quote about how on a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero, but now he's worried that the long enough timeline isn't long enough. Topics disc...

Bursting the Press Bubble (w/Oscar Boyd)

The Olympics have begun, but more importantly, the MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE OLYMPICS HAS BEGUN! Officially accredited press person Oscar Boyd tells us about all of the rules the press are ignoring, and why he's rooting for American Samoa. Ollie recommends an Amazon sponsored river cruise that helps teach you how to save the planet, while having one foot out the backdoor. Bobby cleans up some poop. Topics discussed on this episode range from: How Oscar broke both his arms The stres...

The Spectatorless, Segregated, Chinese Olympics (w/Meshida)

Japanese comedian Meshida talks what it's like to be a Japanese resident of Tokyo during the ramp up to the Olympics, and how yeah, we're "witnessing history," but so were Black Death survivors. Ollie recommends a cruise that accidentally discovers what's more popular than "canal." Bobby gets into the rainy season cruise spirit. Topics discussed on this episode range from: What Anti-Japanese Groups actually think about the Olympics How Brian's Eikaiwa work is going Bach-kaicho...

The Spectatorless, Segregated, Chinese Olympics

Japanese comedian Meshida talks what it's like to be a Japanese resident of Tokyo during the ramp up to the Olympics, and how yeah, we're "witnessing history," but so were Black Death survivors. Ollie recommends a cruise that accidentally discovers what's more popular than "canal." Bobby gets into the rainy season cruise spirit. Topics discussed on this episode range from: What Anti-Japanese Groups actually think about the Olympics How Brian's Eikaiwa work is going Bach-kaicho...

"Sustainable Japan Comedy," or "Recycling Content" (w/Dogen)

Dogen drops by to talk about keeping professional and personal separate, how to mine the same old Japan for new jokes, and to settle the issue of whether or not sarcasm exists in Japan, which is great, because NO ONE ELSE has EVER had ANYTHING to say about it. Ollie recommends a River Cruise that teaches the traditional Japanese custom of "commercialism." Bobby finds out what's gonna happen to all of those bafflingly useless technological marvels from SoftBank. Topics discussed o...

Summer Sonic Lineup Lines Up for a Visa (w/Unseen Japan's Noah Oskow)

Unseen Japan's new manager Noah Oskow stops by to talk social media social justice, how Summer Sonic's hopes to skip the visa application line up for THEIR lineup, and how Olympic Fever is on the rise, starting with the Ugandan Team... Ollie talks about the harder to get delicacies available aboard the Olympic Athlete's Dining Cruise. Bobby has news about GariGari-kun doing something VERY GROSS and VERY ON BRAND. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Noah's beef with a "K...

Japan in the Golden Age of Consent (w/Dr. Alexandra Hambleton)

A 50-yr-old Japanese lawmaker says it would be "absurd" if he got arrested for sleeping with a 14-yr-old. The fascinating, funny Dr. Alexandra Hambleton talks about the issues surrounding this story, and also demonstrates how to deny consent when she refuses to let us scan her zairyuu card. Ollie continues to be British. Bobby continues to think way too highly of his parenting abilities. Topics discussed on this episode range from: What every father really wants for father's day...

A Japan Less Traveled (w/Alisha Ivelich)

Japan's closed borders mean that foreign production crews can't get in to produce Japan travel features, so creator Alisha Ivelich is taking the opportunity to fill the demand with a Japan travel series that actually cares about Japan. Ollie recommends a privacy-focused cruise that, due to the ToS, we are not allowed to tell you about. Bobby looks at how our favorite indoor river cruise, "It's a Small World," is getting a little smaller. Topics discussed on this episode range fro...

Localized Pain (w/translator Sarah Moon)

Sarah Moon, anime and game translator, talks about her journey from "weeb suspicious of translation," to "translator that weebs are suspicious of," in the great anime circle of waifu. Ollie recommends a cruise for animal lovers but not loved animals. Bobby looks at how one river cruise company is leveraging the power and lack of power of petitions. Topics discussed on this episode range from: This Nike Japan Commercial: New Girl, New Play What to do you if you want to do stuff,...

Bonus: No More Olympic Cutbacks! (w/Rochelle Kopp)

Go sign the petition!  And here's your eco/anti-olympic activism vocab list: 剪定 (せんてい、sentei) pruning of trees 伐採 （ばっさい、bassai) felling of trees 請願書 (せいがんしょ、seigansho) petition 署名者 (しょうめいしゃ、shoumeisha) signers of a petition ★ Support this podcast ★

Japan's Gay Ideal: Macho Matcha Man? (w/Dr. Thomas Baudinette)

Author of "Regimes of Desire: Young Gay Men, Media, and Masculinity in Tokyo," Dr. Thomas Baudinette talks about Japan's young gay men and the emotional damage done by the pressure to act out their gayness in an unfortunate way, namely emulating straight dudes. Ollie's recommendation is pretty worthless this week, because there's NO WAY you don't already know about it. Bobby greats ready for Pride on a river boat and sets some google alerts for Hashimoto Kotoe and Sugita Mio. To...

Five Rings That Rule Us All (w/Matt Alt)

Author of "PURE INVENTION," (sorry) Matt Alt takes us through his latest for the New Yorker on "Japan's Olympic Sized Problem." If you want to find out just WHAT exactly that Olympic-sized problem is, you'll have to listen to the show. Ollie recommends a cruise that features a very traditional brand of online-connectivity. Bobby seeks adventure on the high... rivers. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Ollie's continued transformation into man who lives in his mum's ba...

Comfort Women: Why Deny? (w/Chelsea Szendi Schieder)

Japanese history scholar Chelsea Szendi Schieder talks about the inconsistent ways Japan chooses to deal with the dark chapters of its past and how denial is NOT just a river with some amazing cruises. Ollie looks into how the Sumidagawa River Cruise is finally adapting to foreign widths. Bobby makes a joke that hinges on ignoring the difference between a ワクチン and a 予防接種 Topics discussed on this episode include: Chelsea's book Coed Revolution about the female voices in social mo...

What is Visual Kei? (w/Sarahphina)

Music industry and Visual Kei Insider Sarahphina teaches Bobby and Ollie about stuff they're totally unfamiliar with, like X Japan, Japanese rock fandom and humility. Ollie looks into a river cruise dating service for vaccinated singles. All ten of them. Bobby organizes the kind of tourist activities HE wants the foreign Olympic athletes to experience. Topics discussed on this episode include: This Tweet Ollie's lack of decoration and decorum Sarahphina's amazing cottage core ...

Games Japan ACTUALLY Wants (w/Stephen Case)

Co-founder of Tanuki Games, Stephen Case talks about the relationship between community building and quality of life abroad and how the rhythms of Japan expat experience have changed during the past year. (They're f***ed.) Ollie recommends a river cruise that's partnered with Elon Musk, so you know it's got its priorities in line. Bobby does a quick self-exam to make sure we're not liable for fraud. Topics discussed on this episode range from: How many memberships Brian should b...

Hiroshima's First Annual PCR-Palooza (w/JJ Walsh)

Sustainable travel consultant JJ Walsh (and everyone else in Hiroshima) gets a free PCR test! Here's hoping this saliva-filled undertaking amounts to more than just spitting into the wind. Ollie recommends our first ever Fukushima based river cruise, with some pretty interesting side effects. Bobby recommends a Ramadan cruise that should make things WAYYYYY easier for all of our practicing Muslim listeners. Topics discussed on this episode range from: What Ollie did to pay his r...

The Children are the Mirai (w/Jason Mitchell from Nihongodomo)

Jason Mitchell, from Nihongodomo, a resource for parents "raising kids in Japanese," stops by to talk about how his parenting process is basically the opposite of Bobby's, by which we assume he means, HE'S doing a GOOD job. Ollie makes the most of an online resource to gather river cruise recommendations, while he still can. Bobby is on the worst trip ever, and it's affecting his ability to make light parody. Topics discussed on this episode range from: Brian's kids Jason and h...

Japan Stories: More Wack, Less Fact? (w/David A McNeill)

David McNeill explains why sometimes the ancient art of jya-narizamu intersects with the even more ancient art of bullshitto, and how exoticizing foreign countries meant the British newspaper industry died a little slower than it could have done. Ollie recommends a cruise that maritime insurers hate. Bobby explores which Covid variants will form part of the Olympic boating legacy. Topics discussed on this episode range from: What 'soap talk' means and how much of a thing it's...