The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language
120 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 470 ratingsFor people who want to visit Japan, live in Japan, and learn Japanese. Please excuse the tangents.
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Episodes
Counting in Japanese with Your Karate Teacher Sensei Jeff
July 30, 2018 14:00 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBHi, it's me, Sensei Jeff. I'm here to teach all you white belts how to count in Japanese. Punch! Punch! Punch! (Actually, we teach you how to count from zero to uh... a mysterious number. And, we teach you how to count in the Japanese style, rather than the Chinese style that's more common. It's a pretty neat episode, despite sounding so basic. Read more about it in our article!) https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/counting-in-japanese Featuring: Koichi, Michael, and Mami (for the first time!)
Japanese Whisky (ft. Brian Ashcraft)
July 24, 2018 13:00 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBGet Brian's Book, Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit → https://amzn.to/2NAEqPR Michael and Koichi interview Brian Ashcraft–author of several Japan-related books–about his latest book, Japanese Whisky: The Ultimate Guide to the World's Most Desirable Spirit. He tells us what makes Japanese whisky "Japanese" as well as what a whisky rookie should try first (and where to get it).
O Genki Desu Ka?
July 10, 2018 14:15 - 1 hour - 62.3 MBRead more about Genki: http://www.tofugu.com/japanese/genki-meaning/ Everyone learns "o genki desu ka" when they begin their Japanese language education. But the truth is real people don't say it that much. So, how do you ACTUALLY use genki? We cover genki's use cases, its history, etymology, and more.
ちょっと, a Little Word That Means a Lot
June 13, 2018 21:20 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBRead more about ちょっと in our article: http://www.tofugu.com/japanese/chotto/ We talk about ちょっと. At first it seems like a simple, little word. But, it actually has many meanings and ways to use it. We cover most of them, I think.
Ways to Improve Your Japanese Pronunciation
May 23, 2018 08:07 - 1 hour - 64.6 MBIn this episode we get into Japanese pronunciation. Whether you are a beginner, advanced, or fluent, you'll find something in this episode that will help you to improve your pronunciation. To read more, check out our (really in-depth) guide: https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/japanese-pronunciation/
Getting Into 込む Compound Verbs
May 15, 2018 14:00 - 1 hour - 119 MBPrefer reading instead? We wrote a whole article about this (even more example sentences included!) https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/komu-compound-verbs Have you ever seen the Japanese verb 込む? On its own, it means "to be packed" or "to be crowded." But, this verb is also used in compound verbs... 255+ of them, in fact! You may have seen examples of this in your studies: 入り込む, 切り込む, 駆け込む, the list goes on and on. The problem is, the way that 込む affects the first verb (we'll call that V1) dif...
Podcast Updates! New Season and Secret Guests!
April 02, 2018 17:40 - 7 minutes - 6.88 MBThe Tofugu Podcast is taking a break for a couple of weeks while we prepare Season 2 of our prolific podcast and interview a special guest that is near and dear to our hearts!
How to Lead a Group of Friends Around Japan
March 20, 2018 00:30 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBTraveling around Japan in a large group (10 or more) may seem impossible. But let me tell you, friends, it is very possible. In fact, the Tofugu team recently went on a trip to Japan organized and led by our very own Koichi. In this episode, he tells you how he planned an weeklong international trip for 15 people. He got everything together, led everyone around, made sure everyone was taken care of—all with zero mishaps. If you dream of showing your friends Japan, listen to this episode so...
White Day, Japan's Sequel to Valentine's Day
March 12, 2018 23:54 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBValentine's Day 2: PAYBACK! That should be the name of "White Day," Japan's sequel to Valentine's Day, which is exactly one month later, on March 14. But what does one do on White Day, exactly? All the gifts has been given. All the love received. What's left? Boy howdy, to understand what's going on, Koichi, Kanae, and Michael discuss how Japan's Valentine's and White Days work in tandem to create one-two marketing punch that'll embiggen your waistline and ensmallen your wallet.
Stories from Translating Final Fantasy X feat. Alex O. Smith
March 05, 2018 23:48 - 1 hour - 80.3 MBFriend of the podcast, Alex O Smith returns! After two decades translating video games (including many Final Fantasies), Alex has accumulated quite a few stories from inside the Japanese video game industry. Some of his excellent tales include: - The incredibly insane task of voicing every line of dialogue in Final Fantasy X. - How he basically didn't sleep for two months. - Hanging out with smokers to gain allies at Squaresoft. - How he learned to compromise with big budget directors. - And ...
How to Make Friends in Japan
February 27, 2018 00:08 - 57 minutes - 52.6 MBIt's tough making friends in a new place. Different people have different ways of going about it. Throw in a culture and language barrier and it can be downright frustrating. For these reasons and more, visitors and new residents to Japan often worry about making friends. That's why the Tofugu Team got together with returning co-host Kanae (she's back!) to discuss the best ways to meet people and start friendships in Japan.
The Absolute BEST Japanese Learning Resources from 2017
January 29, 2018 19:51 - 1 hour - 98.3 MBRead the series: https://tfg.li/2oM5rYr --- After a year of collecting the best Japanese learning resources every month and delivering them straight to your eyeballs, Tofugu sits down to discuss which study tools are the best of the best. We divided all the resources into six categories. Then each host (Koichi, Michael, and Kristen) picked their favs before battling it out on the podcast field! Actually, they discussed it pretty civilly, but the result is the same: you now have a definitive ...
How to Get a Job at a Japanese Video Game Company feat. Ben Judd
January 22, 2018 20:51 - 1 hour - 80.1 MBIf you want to find your way into the Japanese video game industry, there's no better example we can point to than Ben Judd, a Capcom veteran responsible for giving Phoenix Wright his English voice. But we'll do you one better than just "pointing to him." We TALKED with him for over an hour about his experience breaking into Japanese work culture, establishing himself in the video game industry, and becoming a driving force in game production. In this interview, Ben reveals some secrets to ...
Tips on Passing the JET Program Interview
January 15, 2018 23:12 - 1 hour - 64.9 MBLearn how to ace the JET Program interview with our complete guide: https://tfg.li/2dgr4vm --- If you want to live and work in Japan, the JET Program is one of the best ways to do it. But it's a competitive program that requires you pass a high-stress, high stakes interview with three people grilling you for thirty minutes. That's why we talked with someone who has passed an interview AND run JET interviews for four years. It's actually Tofugu's own Michael! In this episode, he and Koic...
Answering Your Own Questions About Japanese
December 26, 2017 17:52 - 1 hour - 55 MB"Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and he'll stop emailing you about free fish." - Koichi (probably) Learning Japanese on your own can be challenging. Especially when you need clarification about abstract concepts, how to pronounce kanji, and how native speakers use certain words. We're here to show you that you can answer your specific questions about Japanese. Kristen and Michael discuss different methods to answering questions that will arise while study...
The Challenge of Bringing Japanese Rock to America feat. Robby Takac from the Goo Goo Dolls
December 19, 2017 01:25 - 1 hour - 62 MBRunning a record label that brings Japanese rock music to the US is not easy. But if anyone can do it, it’s Robby Takac, the bassist for the Goo Goo Dolls. He knows the ins-and-outs of the music industry pretty well; his band has double and triple platinum records and a globetrotting tour schedule. We talked to Robby about his record label, Good Charamel, which produces albums for Japanese bands like Pinky Doodle Poodle, the MOLICE, and Osaka-based punk rock institution Shonen Knife. He re...
Learning Japanese and Secret Ways to Visit Japan: Advice from Loretta "Kemushichan"
December 11, 2017 21:37 - 1 hour - 65.8 MBYouTuber Loretta "Kemushichan" has been making videos about Japan and the Japanese language for over 10 years now. And because of her expertise, we asked her to write an article for us (which you can read here: https://tfg.li/2C46DcV) and invited her on the Tofugu Podcast to drop some knowledge bombs. Knowledge bombs liiiiiiike... - The secrets she used to discover hidden exchange programs and other free ways to live in or visit Japan. - The study methods she used to get her spoken Japanese...
How to Learn Japanese with Anime (And Why Maybe You Shouldn't)
December 04, 2017 23:25 - 1 hour - 55.1 MBResources for learning Japanese we talk about in this episode: - Using SRS to Learn Japanese: https://tfg.li/2ila3Q1 - How to Study Japanese with Sentences: https://tfg.li/2iOtnc6 - Language Shadowing: https://tfg.li/2AMWZgW === "You can learn Japanese from anime!" You’ve probably seen promises like these floating around the Internet. Maybe you’ve secretly hoped they’re true. We’re here to tell you THEY ARE TRUE! But just because you CAN learn Japanese from anime, it doesn’t mean you SHOULD...
The Lifestyle Behind Japanese Clothing Brand Kiriko
November 27, 2017 23:10 - 53 minutes - 48.9 MBThere’s a clothing brand here in Portland that Koichi is a big fan of. It’s called Kiriko. What makes Kiriko special? The company makes clothing out of reclaimed Japanese fabric, some of it over 100 years old. But more important, they promote taking time to appreciate simplicity and quality. That’s why they sell more than just clothing; ceramics, coffee makers, backpacks. You could make an entire Kirko life. And that’s what we talked about with Kiriko’s founder, Katsu. We wanted to know wha...
Foreigner Forgiveness: What Happens When You Screw Up in Japan
November 20, 2017 22:54 - 1 hour - 59.2 MBWhen visiting or living in Japan, you may be worried about making mistakes: speaking informally to a superior, using chopsticks awkwardly, or bowing at the wrong degree. Things like this cause a lot of anxiety for foreigners in Japan. But we’re here to tell you about foreigner forgiveness. Basically, don’t worry so much. But on the other hand, don’t not worry enough. Some foreigners stretch this goodwill thin by taking advantage of peoples’ kindness for their own benefit. That’s not so good....
Tofugu Answers 50 of YOUR Questions: The Tofugu Podcast 50th Episode Special
November 13, 2017 22:26 - 1 hour - 70.5 MBWe’ve been doing this Tofugu Podcast thing for 50 episodes now (hooray!) so we decided to celebrate by answering listener questions. We asked you for your most burning questions and you sent us a ton! We picked the 50 best and sat down to answer them all in one fantastic podcast episode. I’m sure after this, all your questions about Japan, Japanese language, and Tofugu will be answered forever. Sure, this means the end of the Tofugu Podcast, but that’s a small price to pay for unlimited kn...
Visiting Tokyo’s Festival and Drum Museum
November 06, 2017 23:00 - 22 minutes - 20.3 MBRead more about Japanese festivals here: https://tfg.li/2hb8Fij There’s nothing better than a Japanese festival. Drums, mikoshi, dancing, food. It’s a magical experience. But Japanese festivals don’t just "happen." They take a lot of hard work and equipment. And some of the best festival equipment comes from a 150 year old shop in Tokyo called Miyamoto Unosuke. This shop is one of the top suppliers of festival gear in Japan. And if you love intricately carved portable shrines inlaid with ...
Tofugu’s Favorite Japanese Ghosts and Monsters
October 30, 2017 21:46 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBRead more: https://tfg.li/2A1ph47 Yokai is Japan’s category for monsters, ghosts, demons, and pretty much any spooky or fantastic creature you can think of. And there are hundreds upon hundreds of fun yokai to learn about. With Halloween on the way, Michael and Kristen discuss their eight favorite Japanese ghouls; some terrifying, some creepy, and some just plain weird. Turn down the lights, light some candles, and settle in for some unsettling Japanese ghosts and monsters.
Our Favorite Japanese Learning Resources from Tofugu’s "What I Use to Study Japanese" Article Series
October 23, 2017 21:45 - 1 hour - 74.4 MBSince March, we’ve been publishing articles in a series called "What I Use to Study Japanese" (you can read them all here: https://tfg.li/2h3u8Kr). In each article, a Japanese language learner tells us what they use to study and the methods they followed to get the language ability they have today. Over the past seven articles, we’ve seen patterns, techniques, and resources that helped us look at learning Japanese in new ways. In this episode, the Tofugu team shares their thoughts on the ser...
Improving Relationships in Japan Through Omiyage
October 16, 2017 18:11 - 59 minutes - 54.1 MBRead the article: https://tfg.li/2yrOp3K When living in or visiting Japan, there’s one simple thing you can do to make good relationships with Japanese people: omiyage. This art of gift-giving is steeped in tradition and has lots of rules to follow. Get it right and you’ll get off on the right foot with your host family and smooth over relations with co-workers. Get it wrong and… well, just don’t get it wrong. In this episode, Koichi and Michael talk about omiyage etiquette, where to buy, ...
How to Memorize Japanese Words Faster with Keyword Mnemonics
October 07, 2017 00:10 - 1 hour - 72.6 MBRead the article: https://tfg.li/2fRsA52 Memorizing Japanese vocabulary takes a lot of time and energy, and there's so much to memorize! This alone makes people give up before they even get started. But what if there was a way to alleviate this burden by making memories of Japanese words stick in your head almost instantly? You might not have to quit learning Japanese. In fact, you might just become fluent. In this episode, Koichi, Kristen, and Michael teach you how to use the keyword mnem...
Why Are Japanese Classes Disappearing from Your School?
September 29, 2017 23:08 - 1 hour - 58.4 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Why are Japanese classes disappearing from your school? Demand for Japanese classes at universities isn't decreasing. In fact, more people want to learn Japanese than ever before! Then why are Japanese teachers losing their jobs? Recently, Koichi met with a group of professional Japanese teachers to discuss problems facing them. In this podcast, he talks with Kristen and Michael about what he learned. The group brainstorms solutions for Japanese e...
What's the Difference Between On'yomi and Kun'yomi Kanji?
September 22, 2017 22:49 - 1 hour - 88.6 MBRead the article: https://tfg.li/2wMOjkR This is maybe the most frustrating aspect of studying kanji. You start learning 山 as やま. Cool, one kanji memorized. Wait... it can also be read as さん. Wait. All your other kanji have 2 or 4 extra readings too! Some are on'yomi. Some are kun'yomi. Why does this have to be so complicated?! It may seem confusing at first, but if you learn the difference between on'yomi/kun'yomi readings, where they came from, and how they work, we promise it will mak...
What to Do with One Day in Tokyo
September 15, 2017 23:27 - 1 hour - 68.7 MBGet your ideal day itinerary here: https://tfg.li/2fbRsb4 Oh no! The Tofugu Team has been kidnapped by Elon Musk and flown in his spaceship to Japan. He doesn't know how to have fun as a human, so he's forcing Koichi, Kanae, and Michael to show him what they would do with one day in Tokyo. If you're in Tokyo for a short visit, you can get some sweet travel tips from the team as they move from place to place, Elon Musk trailing slowly behind. Exciting destinations like: - A restaurant that ...
We Rented a Japanese Homeless Man
September 08, 2017 19:08 - 1 hour - 59.9 MBIn Japan last year, we rented a homeless person. Now, before you get angry at us for doing something terrible, listen to the podcast. It's not as ominous as it sounds. We wrote about this experience, too. If you want to read Homeless Kotani's story, you can do it here: http://www.tofugu.com/interviews/homeless-rental-kotani/ Be sure to subscribe to the Tofugu Podcast on iTunes or wherever podcasts go to die. iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Google Play: https://tfg.li/tofugu-gplay
The Japanese Craft Beer Movement feat. Beer Tengoku
September 01, 2017 19:23 - 1 hour - 61.7 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty If you've ever had beer in Japan, you probably know that there are only four of them: Asahi, Kirin, Sapporo, and Yebisu. But, there is a beer movement going on. Japanese craft beers are making a comeback in a big way. We talked to Beer Tengoku, a duo of professional Japanese craft beer drinkers (hey guys, the first step is admitting you have a problem), about the best and worst craft beers in Japan, and where to get them. Also, there was a blue bee...
Do You Need to Go to Japan to Study "Real" Martial Arts? Feat. Guillaume Erard
August 25, 2017 21:04 - 1 hour - 74.1 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty A lot of world famous martial arts started in Japan: Karate, Judo, Kendo, Jujutsu, and especially Aikido. But if you really want to study one of these fighting arts properly, like for real, you have to move to Japan and practice it there. Right? Maybe not. This week, we talked to Guillame Erard who has been practicing Aikido for 30 years. He moved to Japan just to study Aikido and has taught students all over the world. He breaks down the pros an...
How to Become a TV Star in Japan feat. Matthew Chozick
August 18, 2017 21:20 - 1 hour - 78.2 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty It’s totally possible for you, a foreigner, to move to Japan and become a TV star. That’s exactly what happened to our guest this week, Matt Chozick, who has appeared weekly on one of Japan’s biggest variety shows for the past five years. But he gets to be where he is because of all the Japanese practice he put in (and a generous portion of luck). Learn how you can follow Matthew’s method to learn Japanese IN JAPAN! FOR FREE! And when we say "lea...
Do You Have What It Takes to Be a Freelance Japanese Translator? feat. Nora Stevens Heath
August 11, 2017 17:28 - 58 minutes - 53.3 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty If you want to translate video games and anime, you’ll probably have to work freelance. That means no 9–5, no benefits. You’ll be working weekends and rushing work to your clients. That’s been the experience of our guest this week, Nora Stevens Heath, and she's loving every minute of it. Nora has translated A+ titles like Kingdom Hearts 2, Your Name, Assassination Classroom, and Mario Kart DS. Listen to our conversation with Nora and find out i...
When you go to Japan, Don't Make Any Plans
August 04, 2017 18:29 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty If you're having a hard time planning your trip to Japan, then don't! You can avoid all that stress of fitting everything into your schedule and trying to see the best spots by simply avoiding the planning. Taking the road less traveled can yield a more authentic experience and is a sure cure for the itch of adventure. This week Koichi, fresh off a trip from Japan, and Michael sit down to discuss the joys in exploring Japan with limited or no iti...
The 5 Best Japanese Learning Resources of 2017 (So Far)
July 28, 2017 18:25 - 1 hour - 62.5 MBIn January 2017, Tofugu started collecting the best, newest Japanese learning resources each month and reviewing them in a series (which you can read here: https://tfg.li/jlr2017). It's been six months since we started, and we've collected 32 new resources. Now it's time to reveal the best of the best! In this episode, Kristen tells you her 5 absolute favorite resources. As Tofugu's translator, she knows what it takes to study faster, better, and stronger. So if your progress is stuttering,...
Is the JET Program Right for You?
July 21, 2017 18:08 - 1 hour - 86.4 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty The JET Program recruits hundreds of new English teachers every year to live and work in Japan. You could be one of them. But before you apply, there are some things to consider. What is the salary like? What are the benefits? Do you get any support? And most importantly, what is living in Japan REALLY like? Jamal asks Michael, a former JET ALT and current President of JET Alumni Association in Portland, all these questions and more (a lot more)....
How to Protect Yourself from Japan's "Black Companies"
July 14, 2017 22:09 - 1 hour - 72.8 MBTo learn more about Japanese black companies, check out our article on Tofugu: https://tfg.li/2v0V0jv --- Do you want to work in Japan? Sure, we all do. But before you take that sweet new job with the Tokyo semiconductor conglomerate, maybe you should do some research to find out if it's a... BLACK COMPANY! (dun dun dun) "Black company" is the name Japanese people give to companies that are not so great to work for. Sexual harassment, unpaid overtime, required alcohol consumption, bullyin...
What Can You Do With a B.A. in Japanese Studies? Feat. ShinpaiDeshou
July 07, 2017 17:54 - 58 minutes - 53.8 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week, Michael and Koichi discuss career opportunities in Japanese Studies with Shinpai Deshou blog founder, Paula Curtis. Paula is well acquainted with the academic and professional aspects of Japanese Studies and dedicates her time in assisting others to further their careers along with contributors to the blog. Discussed in the episode: - What Japanese Studies entails - Options after getting your B.A. - Resources on finding and landing a ca...
Can You Live off Japanese Vending Machines for One Year?
June 30, 2017 18:46 - 1 hour - 65.5 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty What if you were forced to live using ONLY Japanese vending products for one whole year? Impossible, right? Maybe not. Koichi, Kanae, and Michael answer this question as they live through the scenario, step-by-step. Follow their journey from naked in Narita airport to living like royalty on the bounty of Japan’s vending services. After listening to this podcast, you’ll know every kind of Japanese vending machine there is, as well as WHY there ar...
Tofugu Answers Your Weird Japan Questions: Volume One
June 23, 2017 18:45 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty For the first time ever, members of the Tofugu staff sit around and answer your Japanese language, living, and visiting questions. We answer questions like: - Are the Yakuza dangerous? - How old do you have to be to be an ALT through JET? - Should you go to a nomikai even if you don't drink alcohol? - Have we ever eaten Crayons? - Should someone live in Japan for six months or twelve? - And more? Probably? We didn't check carefully, so there...
Where to Stay in Japan When You Don't Stay in a Hotel
June 16, 2017 18:23 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Hotels are easy, comfortable, and consistent. But did you know that there are other--sometimes odd--places that you can spend the night? Michael and Koichi talk about their experiences staying in love hotels, capsule hotels, manga cafes, business hotels, ryokans, hostels, and more. Be sure to stay in one of the places if you can. They're experiences worth trying (and much cheaper than hotels usually, too)! iTunes:https://tfg.li/tofugu-podcast Goog...
The Efficiency Myth (and How Japanese Resources Fake Efficiency)
June 09, 2017 18:14 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty There's a good chance that you're using a Japanese resource that's merely tricking you into thinking you're being efficient. These companies make more money, and you get a false sense of "feeling good" and "feeling like you're making progress." In actuality, you aren't learning nearly as effectively as you could be, not to mention efficiently! In this episode, Michael and Koichi argue that actual efficiency has more to do with "creating the right ...
A Food Itinerary for Your Japanese Vacation
June 02, 2017 18:22 - 56 minutes - 51.9 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty Visiting Japan and don't know what to eat? Sushi and ramen are great, but you don't want to spend your vacation eating the same things every day. That's why Michael and Kanae discuss their favorite Japanese foods (and where to find them), so you can step off the plane ready to eat. Whether you're a picky eater to the steel-stomached vacuum, this podcast has something for everyone. Oh, and if you think you've tried everything Japan has to offer, K...
Where Does All This Free Manga Come From? Feat. Kewl0210
May 26, 2017 18:27 - 1 hour - 70.8 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week, Koichi and Michael chat with Kewl0210, a manga scanlator. For those who don't know, a scanlator is a person who scans, translates, and uploads manga online for free. This practice is highly controversial in the translation community and technically illegal. Michael and Koichi discuss the many facets of this practice, including: - How to learn Japanese through scanlation - Where scanlators source their manga - How they choose which manga...
Is Japanese Class the Best Way to Learn Japanese?
May 19, 2017 16:18 - 59 minutes - 54.9 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty The whole gang gets together this week to discuss learning Japanese in a classroom. Everyone on the show has had different experiences learning Japanese, so it's an especially interesting look into the process. If you're currently in or considering taking a Japanese class, this is an essential listen. You'll hear a range of perspectives from: - Kristen's traditional route - Koichi's mixed educational experiences - Michael's self-taught journey - K...
Interpreting for Osamu Tezuka feat. Frederik Schodt
May 12, 2017 17:15 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week, Michael and Koichi get the opportunity to chat with writer, translator, and interpreter, Frederik Schodt. Fred is known for working closely with the “God of Manga” himself, Osamu Tezuka, as a translator and interpreter. He is also one of the first writers to help bring manga to the western world with his landmark book, "Manga! Manga! The World of Japanese Comics." Fans of Osamu Tezuka (and manga in general) will enjoy this interview wit...
Do Japanese People Stereotype Foreigners?
May 05, 2017 21:21 - 43 minutes - 40.1 MBGet more from us at: https://tfg.li/2fEcRty This week the whole gang comes together to discuss their personal experiences with discrimination in Japan. Join us as we try to navigate this complex issue without painting Japanese people with a “broad brush.” In this episode, we discuss: - What it means to be “accepted” by Japan - Passive & active curiosity - Why Michael stared down a foreigner - Why old Japanese ladies hate Koichi
The Tofugu Team's Top Onsen Experiences
April 28, 2017 16:55 - 36 minutes - 33.2 MBGet 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".
Translating Historical Texts (That Have Never Been Translated Before) feat. Matt Alt
April 21, 2017 16:46 - 44 minutes - 41 MBVisit 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 f...