The Japan for Beginners Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sam
The show that helps you be a better visitor to Japan! With tips on how to behave, cultural insights and scavenger hunt challenges, Japan for Beginners is your first step to ticking off your itinerary without ticking off the locals.
From casual noodle bars to Japanese-style pubs, to fancy kaiseki multi-course dinners, Japan has a vast array of dining options. What should you expect when you sit down to eat? In our final episode for the season, Japan for Beginners looks at some basic things you might encounter when you’re at the table ready to chow down.
- Mystery sound: 00:05
- Intro: 00:45
- Tip #1: 01:03
- Tip #2: 02:47
- Tip #3: 04:40
- Tip #4: 05:49
- Tip #5: 06:46
- Tip #6: 07:28
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 09:46
- This week’s sound: 10:08
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
It's hard to find a bad meal in Japan. Convenience stores and shops on the street offer a bevvy of delicious snacks, drinks and full meals. But how is eating and drinking in public perceived in Japan? Just because you can, does it mean you should? Find out more in this week’s episode.
- Intro: 01:26
- Tip #1: 02:34
- Tip #2: 02:57
- Tip #3: 03:24
- Tip #4: 05:10
- Tip #5: 06:08
- Long distance trains: 06:37
- Walking and eating: 06:59
- Alcohol in public: 07:43
- Convenience store eating: 09:58
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 10:14
Links
- Episode 3: Rubbish
- Kamakura, Japan, asks tourists not to eat while walking
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
It's another bonus episode! So far, my tips have been to help you not tick off the locals. In this episode, I thought I'd better include one that will help you not get run over by the locals.
“Surely I can use my credit card and handover my cash like anywhere else, right?” You wouldn’t be wrong to assume that, but a cash-based society like Japan has certain rituals and customs that come with the territory. Get a bit more insight into how things work when it comes to money in Japan.
- Bad behaviour alert: 00:43
- Intro: 02:24
- Tip #1: 04:27
- Tip #2: 07:18
- Tip #3: 08:09
- Tip #4: 10:18
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 11:13
- This week’s sound: 11:48
Links
- Uruguayan rugby players damage Kumamoto nightclub
- Japan launches cashback reward to offset tax rise
- Consumer Tourist Hotline
- Bonus Tip #2
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
Today’s post supplements episode four, which was on Shoes and shoe-related things.
Look at that well-mannered young woman above! I spotted her a few weeks ago. She checks all the boxes for appropriate behaviour because:
- She's removed her shoes before placing her feet on the seat
- She's not taking up more space than necessary
- She's not an adult
Meanwhile, THIS guy below violates several social norms:
There's enough room for him to cross his legs, so for now the leg crossing isn't so much of an issue. However, removing your foot from your shoe in public? Not cool. I caught several side eye glances from passengers who came into the carriage.
Yes, I know the foot is socked and the socks are hole-less. But the likelihood of stench is higher.
Don't treat public spaces like they're your lounge, people!
This episode is part two on Movement -- that is, how to get from A to B in Japan without adding to the chaos. Check out this week’s three tips.
- Intro: 00:22
- Tip #1: 00:49
- Tip #2: 01:39
- Tip #3: 04:56
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 05:54
- This week’s sound: 06:57
Links
- Escalator manners
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
It's a bonus episode! Japan is full of different genres of restaurants and bars, including the Japanese pub or izakaya. My friend Saya has an important public service announcement for all izakaya first-timers.
Links
- Amuse bouche
- Consumer Tourist Hotline
- Updated Show & Share Cards
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
How do you move from A to B without adding to the chaos? There are certainly written rules, but a lot of them are unwritten. Your host, Sam is here to give you some tips on movement.
- Intro: 00:39
- Tip #1: 01:28
- For more info on space, check out episode 2: 03:35
- Tip #2: 05:05
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 07:57
- This week’s sound: 08:39
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
Today's post follows up on episode five, where I talked about umbrellas and umbrella etiquette. As promised, here’s an example of a shared umbrella stand at a train station.
This particular one was at the bottom of some stairs and in front of the entrance to some loos.
Can you see the Chinese character for umbrella? Isn’t it the best?!
Should I bring an umbrella to Japan? What are some things to consider when using umbrellas in Japan? Tell me about used umbrella condoms already! Find out more about umbrellas and umbrella etiquette in this week’s episode.
- Intro: 00:34
- The umbrella/kasa Chinese character: 00:45
- Typhoon 01:08
- Umbrella Fun Fact #1: 01:43
- Umbrella Fun Fact #2: 02:43
- Tip #1: 03:58
- Used Umbrella Condoms: 05:10
- Tip #2: 09:09
- Tip #3: 09:58
- Parasols & Sunbrellas: 11:21
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 12:42
Links
- Episode 3: Rubbish
- Bonus Episode 1
- Umbrellas and Diversity
- Japan for Beginners Blog
- A Tokyo Umbrella Sharing Service
Follow
- Twitter: @jpforbeginners
- Web: japanforbeginners.libsyn.com
I've got a downloadable freebie for you! More details in the episode.
Links
- Show & Share Cards
Japan isn't the only country with a shoes-off-inside culture. In this episode, we look at the where, who and most importantly, the why when it comes to shoes, socks and slippers in Japan.
- Intro: 00:35
- Tip #1: 01:00
- Tip #2: 03:33
- Tip #3: 05:06
- Tip #4: 06:28
- Tip #5: 07:52
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 09:49
- Bonus Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 11:04
- Shitennoji Flea Market 12:21
Links
- Tatami mats
- Shitennoji Flea Market
- The Japan for Beginners Blog
Follow me on Twitter @jpforbeginners
I spotted this poster on my train the other day:
Image: Osaka Monorail Co. Ltd.
My translation of the main heading: One person’s fun, is another’s frustration.
The English in small print says "While on the train, please spare a thought for the sounds that may disturb those around you."
I think they meant to say “..spare a thought for the people around you”, 'cos the sounds look like they’re having a grand time!
For all of September 2019, the train lines in the Kansai region of Japan are holding their annual 'Watch your manners' campaign, and this poster is part of that.
For more information on sounds and noise in Japan, check out episode 1 (Noise) of the Japan for Beginners podcast.
Surprise! It's a bonus episode! Every place you walk into and out of as a customer will have someone greeting you in some way. Feeling overwhelmed with how to respond? Language teacher Masa shares with us a tip on what to do.
Rubbish. Trash. Garbage. Whatever you call it, we all need to make a bigger effort to reduce the amount of waste we produce. How does rubbish and recycling work in Japan? What can you do to help keep things clean and tidy? Find out in this week's episode.
- Introduction: 00:38
- The Big Four categories: 01:30
- Rubbish & recycling terminology: 01:52
- Tip #1: 03:35
- Tip #2: 06:20
- Tip #3: 08:25
- Tip #4: 11:16
- Tip #5: 12:24
- Osaka’s Maishima Waste Management Factory: 13:33
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 14:15
Links
- Japanese soccer fans clean up their trash after game
- Giving Disposable Chopsticks a Lifecycle (Japan for Sustainability)
- Maishima Waste Management Plant Tour
Today's blog post accompanies the Space episode of the Japan for Beginners podcast.
This is a poster that's been on a few train lines in Kobe as part of an ongoing “backpack awareness” campaign.
My translation of the main heading would be: Is that backpack of yours a pain in the arse to others?
It goes on to outline three common “backpack moves”:
- The Double Pack Press
- The Backpack Wall
- Block the Gate
You get the idea: Don't smush people, block exits and entrances, and definitely don't separate children from their mothers, you MONSTER.
How mindful are you of the space you take up? In Japan, space is even more of a premium, so find out how you can be a better visitor when it comes to space.
- Intro: 00:30
- Tip #1: 03:41
- Tip #2: 05:07
- Tip #3: 06:19
- Tip #4: 08:33
- Tip #5: 10:20
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 11:48
- A note on Japan's big beasties: 12:41
Links
- Takkyubin Luggage Delivery Service
- What happens if you get arrested in Japan
What kind of sounds and noises should you expect to encounter? How careful should you be with noise? And why? Find out more in episode one.
- Intro: 00:08
- Four typical sounds/noises: 00:30
- Tips: 04:35
- Tip #1: 04:44
- Tip #2: 05:40
- Tip #3: 07:08
- Tip #4: 08:18
- Tip #5: 09:01
- Scavenger Hunt Challenge: 10:25
Links
- The Simpsons go to a sushi restaurant
Japan has always been a popular tourist destination and tourist numbers have continued to skyrocket. With the 2020 Olympics just around the corner, Japan will experience unprecedented levels of visitors.
While tourism helps the local economy, it inevitably costs in other ways. There is plenty of information out there on how to get what you want out of Japan, but not so much on how to give back. This podcast aims to point you in the right direction.
Thanks for checking it out!