Now what gets me the most is that I actually used to watch wrestling in college. I thought it was pretty funny and, to be honest, it really is like the male version of a soap opera. At any rate, I wasn’t prepared for the announcers also being dressed up. Check it out. There is a pro-wrestling center in Arike that that Yurikamome goes by, right between Ariake Tennis no Mori and Ariake stations. Not sure if its affiliated, but its certainly something to check out.

Another cell phone cast recorded last week sometime, maybe even two weeks ago. I spend some time talking about learning how to communicate and the purpose of language learning.

Show Notes

• Walking back from Kamata
• A lot of talk about “communication” and “communicating”
• Check out Rich Pav’s Japlish Podcast

Well, I finally did it. I launched a Mogulus channel. But rather than force it on people here, you can check it out at the following link below. Right now, all of the video podcast episodes are in rotation along with some Japanese commercials in-between.
What is Mogulus you ask? Well, its like streaming episodes on ABC except you get my video episodes with cooler commercials instead. It’s worth it just for the Andy Warhol bit! If you are bored, go get a watchin’.

Watch the Finding Japan Mogulus Channel

This link comes in from Scott Lockman over the twitter today. Check this out if you like cool flash animation, Japanese-type drumming, and electronic music. A fun little flash piece for you all to enjoy.

Link to Tokyo Drum Machine

Alex and I had an impromptu drink review session after returning from Asakusa last week to grab some yaki-niku. Listen as we bring you through ears through a journey of thirst quenching Chu-Hi’s from both Suntory and Kirin. Some non-serious topics to lighten me up after this crazy week of studying and exams. Enjoy!
Show Notes:

• Intro by Alex
• Dueling Suntory and Kirin drinks
• Suntory 196 Ume
• Kirin Apple Nouveau Chu-Hi
• Final Fantasy Potion Drink

In this episode, I get the podcasting done while commuting back home after a long day of work on Monday. Since time is short, its time to find creative ways to squeeze in the content. I think this format works and if you can get over the cell phone quality, I think its a keeper! Hope you enjoy!

• Thanks for the feedback on episode 43
• Maximizing time with my new schedule
• The 7AM to 8PM schedule
• Study on the train between school and work
• Podcast on the phone between work and train and school and train
• Trains stopped
• Got hit with two late trains on Monday
• Nice to see the daylight in the morning while on the train
• Get out of jail free card paper for being late
• Addendum to Office Episode
• Document check sheet
• (sorry for the wind in Tsukishima)
• Spa flyers
• Short trip to Lawson’s
• Scaring people by talking to myself
• Funny in-store music
• Nice “LAWSONS!!!” right when I left
• Talking about my things I want to do list

This show is a little heavy. I talk about culture and learning about what my responsibility to my country might be. A little retrospective, a little forward looking, and a little bit of Oni Koroshi sake for the show. I also throw in an audio bit from the redubbed GI Joe PSAs that I love. Enjoy.

Show Notes:

• Shout out to San who’s closer to Japan right now
• Discerning Asian languages
• Culture
• Distance from my country
• Cultural interactions within Japan
• My responsibility back to my country
• Quick story about umbrella (somewhere in there)
• GI Joe PSA – Japanese Version (watch on YouTube)

I’m in a funk, there are no two ways around it. Well, actually just been really busy and have been enjoying the relaxing with the little free time I have. I do manage to bang out a few topics. Hope it works. Here we go.

Show Notes:

• Japanese school boys
• Thanks for the 作文 feedback
• Better Japanese support in OS X Leopard
• Japanese-English dictionary and thesaurus
• Feature list
• WWWJDIC Online Dictionary
• Windows XP Japanese Input Help
• Shimizu Mega-city Pyramid
• Wikipedia link
• Hope it gets built before I die
• Discovery Channel Extreme Engineering Interactive Site Link
• Meta Talk
• Ronald Donald MacDonald
• Coffee episode update
• Should I start a Mogulus Channel?
• Almost bought an iPod touch

In the meantime, I figured I’d share a little bit of my essay that I’m writing for my class. Since I compose on the computer and then transcribe to practice writing, I find this approach has the added benefit of allowing me to share it quickly with those who might be interested. Just a quick comparison with my last 作文 post and I can see that enough though I’ve come quite far, I still have so far to go.

So here it is with warts and all. I will be correcting it later this week. Mangled Japanese, 1, 2, 3 …. イコウ！!

新しい仕事との出会い

今、東京に住んで、日本語を勉強しながら保険会社で働いています。日本で、勉強の方がいいと思っています。そして、自分の国の文化が分かるために別の国の文化知っていることが大切だと思います。

大学の卒業の後で、すぐ会社に入りました。あの会社で甘んじました。あの日、ヘッドハンターに電話をもっらて、しゅうぎょうきかいのために電話した人がほかの人に会うか聞きました。モールの食堂に会いたくてあまり会わなかったのに、「はい」と言いました。

それで仕事をチェンジして、きょうりょうが上げました。それから、いつもより大きくて大切なことをしたり、いろいろな任をしたり、だんだんスキールアープしたりしました。この会社は先のに比べると面白くて楽しかったです。七年間ぐらいそうして、国際経営修士の勉強のてめにもう一度学校に入るのが決めました。仕事をやめるつもりでしたが、終わりませんでした。私のうちは日本の支社があるので、日本でもしごとが出来て、びんぼになりませんでした。

もし、私はあのモールに行かなかったら、日本の会社で働いていないかもしれません。最近よく日本語を話したり、この会社を手伝ってあげていったりするので、面白いのではないでしょうか。

I’m too tired to write the translation since its after midnight and I actually wrote it in Japanese, not starting with an English outline. Perhaps some of my kind correctors will just dump their translation into the comments to see how well it lines up with what I thought I wrote. (^_^)

HINT: It talks about how my last job interview was at a food court and how that chance encounter has led me to be working in Japan. Without it, I may not be in Japan and I certainly wouldn’t be working where I am.

This picture was taken during the matsuri Alex and I participated in earlier this year. Much like how this little one feels, that’s how I feel today. The weather is finally starting to cool down and although the work is picking up, the spirits are not getting down.

I went up to Asakusa today to head on over to Starbucks for some studying, had an excellent conversation with the folks who try to get money out of tourists for donating to earthquake victims, and am now enjoying getting my life a little organized here at home. The windows are open and there is a nice cool breeze. Do I need any other reason to post to the blog.

Apparently not. Enjoy the pic!

Show Notes

• Genki Intro
• Audio Clip from Monday night
• New School Schedule and feeling mellow on a Monday evening
• Nice to see Tokyo skyline at night again
• Since Monday
• Stressing out
• What does one want to do with their life?
• “Reading” David Whyte’s – The Heart Aroused
• Celebrating a difficult week complete with a Shirokirin Beer
• Drink Review
• 2 SA’s – Calpis Fizz Light Style
• 1/2 SA – Nikka, Natural Mizuwari
• Trying to do math while drinking whiskey
• NEWSFLASH: Convenience stores in Japan are the first place new drinks are released!
• Check out Way of the Grape
• Next topic will have to wait

Scott Lockman’s latest episode beat me to the punch on the sumo update, but his update on sumo was much more informative than mine so go check it out. If you want audio from sumo, you can get that in this next episode. Recorded right after I was able to get my cord fixed last week, I touch upon sumo and a few other topics. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

• More about my power cord
• AppleCare rules!
• Homelessness in Japan
• The guy under the bridge
• The guy who asked me for “hungry”
• The guys who live in Internet cafe’s
• Only in Japan – strangest vending machine to date
• Sumo Wrestling
• Audio clip
• Zombie cleaning crew
• Audio clip

Be warned, there is footage of the actual shooting as well as the sad aftermath two minutes later as Nagai-san lay helpless in the streets of Rangoon.

My thoughts certainly go out to those in Burma fighting for freedom and I hope that those who have lost their lives find comfort in the days too come.

Link to story

On my way to Akiba (Akihabara), I speak on a few topics after discovering a huge fire hazard in my apartment. Find out more by listening below.

Show Notes:

• Walking to Akihabara
• Crazy thing with my power adapter
• A little gear-talk
• School starts on October 1st for me – skipping a level, suicide?
• Politics
• Too much politics research
• Waiting for Scott’s “What’s Up America”
• Being away from home and how it affects your views
• Darth Vader
• Looking like him
• Dream I had about him when I was a kid
• Tattoos in Japan
• More insights on work
• Emergency rescue kit bag
• Sleepy time
• Power using MS Excel
• My rant about “Lifehacking”
• The podcaster biorhythm
• Follow-up story

I first found this sign on “Help Island”. Pretty encouraging to see the use of Japanese even in the introduction section. This area is like a sandbox and full of just random things.

But I was able to find Japan city pretty easily. I only explored one area since the area I wanted to go to was not available at the time. Notice the grid map over my left shoulder which shows all of the land areas for Japan City. This is my “I am the master of Japanese Text” pose.

In Japan city, I quickly met some people. The person all the way on the right then proceeded to give me some items that I was able to keep – including a maid-cafe thing that follows you around. When you double-click on it, it brings you to a maid-cafe. I could have sworn I saw this guy at Tokyo Game Show. Something fishy here.

Ahh, but certainly like real life. It all goes downhill real quick. This Mr. Slick turned into Ms. Lush and proceeded to drink large beers and stumble around wildly. Though it sounds immature, all interactions were in Japanese so it did have at least some education aspect for me.

Overall, I think Second Life has some potential for learning another language. Japanese support within the program is great and definitely has some advantage to your helping your reading skills. Also, since the last time I have checked out Second Life, there is also voicechat, which makes conversing with people in their language that much easier.

I want to explore some more as I get some free time, but at least for now I’ve gotten myself situated and can find some other areas to practice Japanese in. Now, if I can only find that maid cafe in Akiba… (^_-)/

Man and beast collide… well not really. But we did get to hang out with some deer. Enjoy the sites of us interacting with some deer on the island of Miyajima during our vacation in this quick 3 minute video, complete with mellow music for your deer-viewing enjoyment.

Notice he goes right for the star in that photo!

Seems like this turned out to be the review episode. A Kanji dictionary, a great g4 video podcast to share, and some podcasting software review action. Is this podcast really about Japan?! And why do I mention sheep being on the radio? Find out if you listen here. Let’s go!

Show Notes:

• Intro
• Getting motivated to bring out some more content
• Review of Kanji Sonomama Rakubiki Jiten DS Dictionary
• Who should get it
• Where you can get it
• Play Asia
• Features
• G4 Code Monkeys
• Great clip from a great online show
• iTunes RSS Feed here
• Other G4 podcasts
• Review of Ubercaster
• Podcasting tool
• Great functionality
• Poor performance in editing
• Update: Turning off waveforms really helps though
• Update: Ubercaster is now available for a discount, see the site for details.

Alex joins in for the conversation about our Mt. Fuji experiences. We get sidetracked a little bit first with a few random topics: movie theaters in Asakusa, and the saga of our washing machine. I originally thought this would be a multi-topic episode including the review of the Nintendo DS dictionary and Ubercaster, but alas it wouldn’t fit – we’ll save that for episode 37.

Picture above is for SanNakji: “Yes those are vending machines”. Alex and I hope you enjoy this nearly hour long episode!

Show Notes:

• Intro
• Movie Theaters in Asakusa
• Washing Machine Troubles
• Mount Fuji
• Getting to Mount Fuji
• Stations
• Descent
• Wrap Up

I’ve never seen a RED umbrella before. Should I be worried? Apparently a typhoon is on the way. A co-worker says that the above-ground trains are often stopped when a typhoon comes. Since I take the simply wonderfully sky-high-above-windy-terrain-to-begin-with Yurikamome line every day on my way to work, I’m wondering if tomorrow/Friday might be my first real commuting adventure here in Japan.

Unfortunately, we haven’t seen Mr. Yaki Imo in a while so we’re not quite sure if we will ever get to eat one. But if he comes back, rest assured I will be the first one on my block waiting for that sweet delicious treat. Enjoy!

Oh, and here are the lyrics to the song. Let’s all sing along.

焼き芋〜〜、焼き芋〜〜〜、石焼〜〜〜〜〜〜き芋〜〜〜、焼き芋〜〜〜

yakimo~~, yakiimo~~~, ishi ya~~~~kiimo~~~~~, yakiimo~~~~

roasted potato, roasted potato, stone roasted potato, roasted potato

This is a short slideshow of some sights and sounds captured in Asakusa during the Tanabata festival. The history and meaning behind the Tanabata festival is quite romantic and really quite interesting. Check out some more info here on Wikipedia.

Enjoy the mellow music and shades of blue as I walk you through Asakusa to Ueno taking in the sights and sounds of the festival. This is a larger frame size file but the download should be very short, only about 4MB or so. Make sure you download and view it. Viewing it here on the website will not let it display in its full size.
If you like this format, please let me know. I would love to get some feedback on it. This type of video podcast is very fun to put together and doesn’t take much time. I’m using what I’ve learned from Stuart Isset’s piece I featured back in April.

Translation according to Kotaku:

Hello, this is Iwata from Nintendo. You may not know from an outsiders point of view, but being a director is really hard! When things are really busy and stressful we (us directors) may look tired and sick, then people may feel sorry for us! But in my case, it’s the opposite, I get fatter and fatter, so then people don’t think I’m stressed at all!

No only if I could understand enough to play entire games in Japanese.

Show Notes:

• Intro
• Katakana difficulty and reading tips
• My personal story about Katakana difficulty
• Some tips
• Don’t assume they’re English words
• Translate after saying it
• Have fun
• Regain Commercial
• Japanese commercials in general
• Original blog post about Regain commercial from Marxy
• Link to YouTube Regain commercial
• What commercials say about the culture of a society
• Work / life balance – is it really here in Japan?
• Only in Japan
• Special guest joins us for Only in Japan
• Links to the signs
• Reading 1
• Reading 2
• Reading 3
• Reading 4
• Music: “The World is Moving Too Fast” by Drye Glassmeyer courtesy of The PodsafeMusic Network
• Japanese music for inspiration
• YMCK
• 
• Description of Nerd-core music?
• YMCK Official website
• Samples
• “8 Bit Magical Tour”
• “Kira Kira”
• Marxy
• 
• Marxy’s Blog
• Marxy’s Site with Music Links
• Sample Track
• “Beaus in Disarray” on Creation Centre website
• Outro
• Thanks to people who have commented
• Outro track – “Neoplasticism vs. De Stijl” by Marxy

I’m BACK in the saddle again! I’m BACK!!! I’ve had that song stuck in my head all day. Get whatever song you have stuck in your head right out by listening to this next episode and me making excuses why I’ve been gone so long. I semi-experiment with new podcasting software that will “hopefully” make me more “productive” and provide a small music interlude at the end related to the movie Akira.

Show Notes

• Introduction and updates
• Where’s Calling Tokyo Calling
• New setup for podcasting
• Vacation Overview
• Things I notice being back in Tokyo
• Tokyo is really clean
• I feel at home in Tokyo, I think
• I’ve turned into “scary man”
• Indonesian Gamelan Music
• Clip from Akira
• Performance from ad-hoc matsuri in Shinjuku

Rather then post them, and become slightly out of order, I will be creating some newer episodes this week and posting them as I go. I will bring the other material back in at another point. There is too much fun to share now.

I realize it’s been over three weeks, but I hope the wait will be worth it. In the meantime, make sure you check out Inochi-kun.

(direct video link)

Click the link above to download the video. It looks like a series of three mini-commercials. (I call them this because Japanese television is famous for short-short commercials, almost less than 4-5 seconds at times). However, I can’t quite put my finger one what is going on here. Aphex-Twin anyone?

I found a site that seems to be a launch site for either a television show or character, here the character is quite promininent. I also found a bit of research on the origins of the Japanese word Inochi.

Can someone help clue me is as to what is going on here!?! I feel somewhat violated and yet concerned at the same time. If I ever hear a child in Japan singing the song in this video, I think I might run away in fear.

At any rate, enjoy the video. The subtitles are accurate so non-Japanese speakers can enjoy too.

Having lots of fun here in Tokyo and surrounding areas. For Fuji-san, we will be taking some audio at each stop so you all can get the heavy breathing experience as we attempt to climb to the top.

More to come next week! Stay tuned!

Having fun without a bike, find out why in today’s episode. Also, I talk a little bit about Tanabata and share some audio from the Tanabata parade in Asakusa from about 3 weeks ago. Lots has been going on but we’ll keep the episodes coming out. Enjoy.

Show Notes:

• Playing Battlefield 2142
• A few more comments on Japanese rain
• Getting my bike stolen
• Japanese police
• My bike description
• Hanko or no hanko
• Dealing with the feelings afterwards
• Tanabata
• Short description of the mythology behind Tanabata
• Audio tour of the parade
• Brief update on what’s going on
• Big vacation coming up
• Thanks for the downloads
• More material post-vacation coming

(IMAGE/REUTERS)

Seems like I’ve been dodging these things in my sleep since I’ve been here. This past weekend we have had both a typhoon and an 6.6-6.8 earthquake in Japan. The earthquake occurred in Kashiwazaki approximately 160 miles northwest of Tokyo. Though I was awakened this morning by my bed moving softly side to side, I didn’t occur to me until Alex and I were at the Panasonic center watching the damage from the Northwest side of Japan that it was actually so large.

Even further, the water level was significantly higher and much more “muddy” in the rivers. Alex and I initially thought that it was due to the typhoon but I have just learned that the earthquake also caused some minor tsunamis warnings that had suspended bullet train service, and temporarily shut down the worlds largest nuclear reactor earlier in the day today.

My experiences with earthquakes so far has been fairly mild. I think its primarily because Tokyo doesn’t get hit directly with so many earthquakes. But I think its interesting that I usually sleep through them or get woken up gently by them. My personal experiences with earthquakes and what I see on the TV is so highly mismatched at this point. Very strange. At any rate, I am ok and there were only a few deaths from this past set of natural occurings.

Its coffee time again. Join me for round two of my discussion with Fred on the finer points of Japanese coffee. If you’re not sick of hearing the word “coffee” yet, you will be after this episode. Grab a cup and enjoy!

Show Notes:

• Milk teas, bubble teas, what’s going on here?
• Fred thinks Doutor is the best in the world
• In-shop Doutor iced coffee discussion with Alex
• Internet Cafes / Denny’s Coffee (Millstone)
• Coffee Crown
• Trend of instant coffee

This was recorded a while ago so my outro comments may seem out of context. Hope you like it anyway. Cheers!

Storm troopers in Akiba!

Video killed the podcast star. Well, I’m certainly no star, so I guess I have nothing to worry about.

Today’s episode comes in video form. This little gem has been on my hard drive for over 2 months! Finally time to get it out as I rev up for some more audio goodness. In this episode, you can watch me play Sega Initial-D, my favorite arcade game at the moment. Why is it my favorite? Well because I have a little Initial-D IC card license that allows me to save my progress. So it’s much more satisfying to know that my 100円 coins are going to a pointless accomplishment that can be tracked, rather than just a pointless activity.

Caution, this is poorly edited and for video game nerds only. Editing my camera phone footage doesn’t exactly jive with Final Cut Pro at the moment. But do check out the vibration effect from the camera phone. It’s like you’re really there playing the game with me! (^_^)

Does this mean more trips to Manga-cafe’s and Akiba searching for obscure anime titles for me? Perhaps, perhaps not. I think the current formula for FJ works well. But it is nice to get the notice without even trying. Thanks Newtype and thanks again Matt for noticing and sending it my way.

Its been 8 days, what’s wrong with me?! Find out more by tuning in here. I share a little bit of my personal life and plans for the next few days, talk about some scary little Japanese girl, answer questions about Japan and more. 行きましょう！

Show Notes

• Quick update
• Short story about Harajuku girls
• Planning my summer vacation
• Kobe Beef episode with some ideas.
• School update
• Presentation trip with my professor
• Lessons learned from his teaching style
• Sound scene (seeing) tour: Japanese Little League Game
• Story: Scary Little Girls!!
• Only in Japan: Pineapple Kit Kat
• 
• Click for a larger picture
• Questions:
• Answered today: “Easy or hard to meet Japanese people on more than just a superficial level?” (From San from SNA Podcast)
• Quick chat about my friend
• Japanese people really similar to American people in “worldliness”
• Tangent: Youth Culture article in BusinessWeek
• 6-month future self question: “What do you think American can learn from Japan and what thing would you like to see in your own country that Japan has?” (Also from San from the SNA Podcast)
• Wrap up and thanks

I have no excuse not to post another episode except for the fact that my belly is full and I feel sluggish. I promised my fiancée that I would write more along with the podcasts so I think I will start that now. Sometimes its much easier to write in fact, so I think I will enjoy this little departure for a moment.

I’ve got quite a few good topics coming up. I tried making a cooking-cast again but I didn’t turn on the recorder for the second part. I sat there happily making my dinner talking to myself for a good 20 minutes before realizing it, and by the time I did, dinner was done. At any rate, here is my creation. Its a combination of tempura fried pork (is that weird, I’m not even sure) and some delicious vegetables. To top it all off, the secret sauce, also known as tonkatsu sauce. This stuff is amazing.

This weekend I went to Arakawa park on the edge of the Arakawa river. It was pretty peaceful. Since it was a nice day out, I decided to try to go a bit further than I usually do. About 45 minutes away by bike, it was a perfect outing to break up my studying last Sunday. I also caught some audio of the local baseball team kids’ chants. Pretty interesting to hear the difference between what we used to say and how these kids say whatever it is they are saying. I will try to decode it later but I’m sure some of my Japanese speaking friends will know it right off the bat.

Besides that, things are good. Since there is no homework tonight, I’m going to head off to bed a little early and enjoy the evening just relaxing. New podcast out later this week with some excellent topics: Scary little girls, less sushi-eating in Japan, and a bit of Japanese fashion. Until then…

Show Notes:

• Quick Updates
• Catching up with school because of Hashika
• Been in Japan over 90 days!
• Japanese rain, its different, for real!
• Preparing for summer vacation
• Matsuri
• How I got involved in this matsuri
• Photos from the Sanja Matsuri
• Outfits / Tabi / Happi
• Photos from the matsuri I was in
• Mikoshi
• What I had to do
• Shaking the Mikoshi around in front of a guys house
• (Kim Chi break)
• The aftermath
• “Ssa Ssa Ssa Sssaaaa” guy
• What I think I learned
• Impromptu Only in Japan – neighborhood music
• New Finding Japan Segment
• LTMFS (listen to find out what this means)
• Way to ask your own question
• Email: christopher [a t] findingjapan [d o t] com
• Voicemail: check the sidebar
• Outro and thanks

The office episode has finally arrived, 6 weeks after I had started to do the recordings. Get the skinny on my first 6 weeks in a Japanese office, differences I have found, comparisons I was able to make. Though I’m sure there is much more I could have said, I at least hope that the parts I left in are interesting.

Show Notes:

• Introduction
• Japanese office observations
• My initial viewpoint – short history
• American cube-life
• Physical layout – Oobeya seido (大部屋制度)
• Organizational structure
• Vibe of a Japanese office
• Speed of response
• Attentiveness to particular details
• Meeting formalities
• Planning things ahead
• IT worker stereotypes
• Slouch guy
• Hypochondriac guy
• Sweaty guy
• Japanese working hours
• Prevalence of company commitment
• Omiage as an example of this commitment
• East coast US / Japan time difference advantage
• Side Topic: Yurikamome Peeps?
• Things I take for granted
• Knowing when you are understood
• Explaining complex topics
• Outro and thanks
• Tokyo Calling
• Kobe Beef Show
• HerroFlomJapan
• Hello From Michigan
• SNA Podcast
• Life in the Shadows
• Dicks and Janes
• Music featured in the podcast – Pthalo (scroll to bottom to find albums)

This weekend was totally wrecked by a really late, but fun, Saturday night / Sunday morning. I spent most of the day Sunday recovering just watching movies and enjoying some downtime. My fiancée always tells me I push myself too hard, so I took some “me” time the other day. I need to listen to her more often.

I’ve got three great episodes planned coming up. A few weeks ago I went to the Sanja matsuri in Asakusa and captured some great audio and photos. I’m thinking of putting up an enhanced podcast or something similar to the Stuart Isset piece I mentioned before. Coffee episode 2 is still awaiting another review. If someone else wants to contribute before I get around too it, feel free. You may find yourself in coffee episode 2 – not sure what that means but I promise it will be fun. Also coming up, the Sake project and “letters to future me” segment.

I’m in “collection” mode, I need to get back into “edit” mode. ぼくはがんばっていますよ！

This episode is about my Japanese language ability, or lack thereof. This week in class, we had to perform our second interview project where we interview students on campus. This time, I brought the recorder along. In this episode, I share the actual interview audio and reflect a bit on my ability after being in Japan for over two months now.

Show notes:

• Time shifted intro (What day is it really?)
• Interview audio
• Intro with Alex (from France)
• First interview attempt (got “nai”-ed by 3 girls)
• Second Interview
• Third Interview
• Fourth Interview
• Some reflections after listening to the episode myself

This was something I had been meaning to do since I arrived in Japan. Alex and I headed out to Namco Namja Town in Ikebukuro (map) this past Saturday in search of miracle fruit. I heard about miracle fruit about 6 months ago and was surprised to hear that it was available in Japan. I wrote myself a note and that note popped up in front of me this weekend so off we went.

Miracle fruit is the common name of Synsepalum dulcificum, a berry containing miraculin which has the power to stop sour tastes in their tracks. Alex and I went out to find the Miracle Fruit Cafe in Namja Town and this episode is our audio experience of trying miracle fruit.

Instead of show notes. I’m posting pictures and links here. The show is just us talking.

Show Notes:

• Miracle Fruit Wikipedia entry
• Namja Town website
• Links to Miracle Fruit photos from the restaurant

In the MSP user the mail we have done. With the kindness of the Microsoft lord, seminar such as the usage of MSProject next month (June) it is opening schedule in [removed]. Because we adjust with either below, please inform about the circumstances of everyone.

Now I realize translating Japanese literally is not advisable for actual use, but it often serves my purposes well. But I’m glad I know enough about Japanese not to await the coming of the “Microsoft Lords”. ^_^/

A short only-in-japan video episode segment to take you over the weekend hump. I’ve often walked by the Sumida River and have seen this very strange-looking boat sailing up and down the river. I stealthily hunted it down and have finally published here for the world to see.

Alternate video link (Google Video)

This evening I had the great pleasure of participating in Scott Lockman’s Calling Tokyo Calling podcast series where he uses the new service Talkshoe to engage his listeners directly. After my first experience, I have to say, this type of format for doing audio is really compelling. I particularly like the collaborative aspect of running a show with your listeners and soliciting and reacting to real time text and audio feedback.

In this short 30 minute episode, he was able to react to a fellow podcaster here in Japan (myself), San from New Zealand who runs the SNA Cast, Matt in Tennessee and more. Even the after-party was a blast. It was great fun and it looks like Scott will be making this a regular feature so there will be more to come. Next week Scott has invited me back to comment on Japanese cell phones. Check it out.

This evening’s episode can be downloaded here or streamed by visiting the page here.

The coffee episode had landed! Well at least 1/2 half of it. Fred joins me live from Times Square as we discuss the ins and outs of various coffee experiences in Japan. Scott Lockman provides a cameo from Allez France in Tokyo. It’s always interesting in these parts.

And since I ended up having much more material than I anticipated, this special will be brought to you in two, yes two, episodes. Combine a little bit of background noise from the skype / laptop mic, and voila … a perfectly listen-able episode for your coffee curiosity satisfying pleasure. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

• Intro Music – “Hologram Jesus” by Pthalo
• Coffee Music – “Coffee Man” by Calvin Owens
• The “Detroit Story”
• Some high-level comparisons of coffee shops in Japan
• Starbucks
• Discussion on sugar types
• Coffee even at Mos Burger
• McDonalds
• Allez France (direct from Scott Lockman of Tokyo Calling)
• Vending Machine Coffee
• Boss coffee – since 1992
• Vending machine photo link we discuss
• “Black” coffee
• Coffee cans
• What makes vending machine coffee great
• Machine brewed coffee – Flavia machine at work

Original photo here (used via CC license)

In this video episode, come along with me and ride the Yurikamome most of the way to Shinbashi. Loosely edited, but you will get to see many of the strange buildings with unique architecture along the way, including the Fuji Television building. The “red” dot is my camera light, not a UFO. Enjoy!

I just wanted to remind everyone who reads, listens, or watches of the following options for this podcast / blog site. There are five feeds that you can subscribe to:

• The site feed will give you all of the blog posts. This feed is good for people who just want to read and aren’t really interested in all the fancy media.
• The regular podcast feed will get you ALL of the media, both audio and video episodes. Put this in your feed reader if you want it all. Additionally, if you have iTunes installed, you can use the iTunes feed instead.
• The audio only podcast feed is well, audio only.
• The video only podcast feed is well, video only.
• Finally, there is a comments feed if you are interested in keeping up with the chatter on this site.

I realize there are some people who enjoy the audio much more so I’m reminding folks of these options before posting new material. I have quite a bit of video that’s ready to go as well as more audio episodes. Stay subscribed!

You better believe it …. this episode is action-packed and quite possibly, the longest FJ episode to date! I managed to fit in the commute cast (complete with official PASMO song), dinner boats, slip on shoes, podcasting pre-cursors, supermarkets, transvestite bands, and more. What started as a short stint in the park on a beautiful Saturday afternoon turned into a full blown episode. Though its a bit windy and I often “pop” the microphone, I hope you all still enjoy.

Show Notes:

• I screw up the episode number so I substituted it with a mac voice
• Commute Cast
• Material from last month’s discussion with Alex
• PASMO song – watch it here
• JR Rail Pass
• Student Passes
• The One Card I Need – PASMO Student Pass
• Dinner boats in the Sumida River
• Slip-on-shoes
• More Talk about Podcasts
• Pre-cursors to podcasting
• Listener material from Japan
• NPR’s Lost and Found Sound – The Vietnam Tapes of Lance Corporal Michael A. Baronowski
  
• When this project is finished, I will put it on archive.org
• Japanese supermarket experiences
• My latest tachinomi experience
• A night without English
• Meeting the manager of a transvestite synth-pop band
• Only in Japan – Playboy Logo branded items
• Closing
• Various thanks
• 10% of FJ traffic last month came from Tokyo Calling
• Request to other Japan podcasters

Show Notes:

• Part I – AM
• Planned material ahead, ごめん、ね！
• Coffee episode audio is recorded
• Quick stop at the conbini
• Police officers – part two
• Thinking more with an open mind
• Boredoms – buy the album at the iTMS
• Part II – PM
• What’s going on at work
• More open mind blabber
• “Summer Madness” by Kool and The Gang
]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/15/202/feed/ 3 0:18:01 Just a quick 18 minute update for episode 18. I really didn’t plan it that way, weird. One main topic and a bunch blabber divided into two parts. Enjoy! Show Notes: Part I – AM Planned material ahead, ごめん、ね！ Coffee episode [...] Just a quick 18 minute update for episode 18. I really didn’t plan it that way, weird. One main topic and a bunch blabber divided into two parts. Enjoy! Show Notes: Part I – AM Planned material ahead, ごめん、ね！ Coffee episode audio is recorded Quick stop at the conbini Police officers – part two Thinking more with an open mind Boredoms – buy the album at the iTMS Part II – PM What’s going on at work More open mind blabber “Summer Madness” by Kool and The Gang Podcast, Thoughts Christopher S. no no http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/13/201/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/13/201/#comments Sun, 13 May 2007 04:53:51 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/13/201/

(title translation: Where are you from?)

Wow! That’s all I can really say.

I’m sitting here this morning drinking my coffee and exploring Google analytics. This wonderful site tells me today that requests from exactly 69 countries have occurred for content on this site in the past year.

I started this project as a diary to keep track of my trip, my experiences, what I’ve seen and heard for my family, future children, or perhaps a curious soul sometime in the future. I certainly did not expect such response, and such a global one at that. Arigatou!

But while it may be fun to think that so many people have visited, it’s even more amazing to me that I don’t know many of the people who come from these countries, let alone much about the countries themselves. My experiences in the world are still so limited and I wish I could travel to many of these places in the future.

So, feel free to put up a quick hello on the comments and let me know where you’re may be from. I’d love to learn more about some of the readers of this FindingJapan a little better. Right now, feeling a little like I’m naked on stage. I can’t decide if its best to put clothes on or imagine the audience naked too. ^_^

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/13/201/feed/ 1 http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/06/199/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/06/199/#comments Sun, 06 May 2007 12:32:33 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/06/199/

I took the chance during this rainy day to walk around Asakusa and just spout random thoughts into my cell phone. Listening back, it wasn’t all that bad so I’m posting it as a podcast episode. This one feels a little more intimate and fun I think. Plus, there is all sorts of great things to listen for in the background. Enjoy!

Show Notes:

• Another haircut at QB House
• Looking for headphones in Asakusa
• Eating breakfast at Denny’s (menu photo 1 / menu photo 2)
• Comments on restaurants in general
• Children’s book I’m reading
• Link to Amazon.co.jp page for it
• 
• Coffee episode coming soon
• Comments on various store fronts I pass by
]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/06/199/feed/ 1 0:13:49 I took the chance during this rainy day to walk around Asakusa and just spout random thoughts into my cell phone. Listening back, it wasn’t all that bad so I’m posting it as a podcast episode. This one feels a little more intimate and f[...] I took the chance during this rainy day to walk around Asakusa and just spout random thoughts into my cell phone. Listening back, it wasn’t all that bad so I’m posting it as a podcast episode. This one feels a little more intimate and fun I think. Plus, there is all sorts of great things to listen for in the background. Enjoy! Show Notes: Another haircut at QB House Looking for headphones in Asakusa Eating breakfast at Denny’s (menu photo 1 / menu photo 2) Comments on restaurants in general Children’s book I’m reading Link to Amazon.co.jp page for it Coffee episode coming soon Comments on various store fronts I pass by Podcast, Thoughts Christopher S. no no http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/05/196/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/05/196/#comments Sat, 05 May 2007 09:32:29 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/05/196/ This evening I sat down to do a writing exercise that is due next Monday. We have to turn in two short writings about our Golden Week weekend. Since I spent most of mine up until Thursday sick, I tried to describe this as best I could in Japanese. I’m really passionate about the subject right now.

Anyway, in reading my short story, I was pretty proud of it so I’m posting it here. The Kanji I know I’ve included as well. I think there are probably many mistakes, but again that’s the goal of having homework corrected. Feel free to butt in if you see something glaringly wrong and can’t possibly stand me handing in something like this. But its probably better I get it corrected so I learn something.

わたしのゴールデンウィーク＃１

ゴールデンウィークのあいだじゅうに、私はかぜでした。先週の日曜日から今週の日曜日まででした。たいへんでした。月曜日に、ぐすりやへ行きました。そのぐすりのねだんは１６５０円でした。くすりや員は、私に「毎日、三回一つをたべて下さい」って言いました。それから、そうしました。でも、私は木曜日まで、もうかぜでした。だから、木曜日にクリニックへ行きました。いしゃは、私にもっといいぐすりをくれました。私は「本当にありがとうございました」って言いました。うちにかえって、ねました。金曜日も、ねました。

Translation

My Golden Week

During golden week I had a cold. It was from Sunday of last week to this Sunday. It was terrible. On Monday, I went to the medicine store. The price of the medicine was 1,650 yen. The medicine store guy told me, “Take one three times every day”. So, I did it. But, on Thursday I still had a cold. So, on Thursday I went to the clinic. The doctor gave me some better medicine. I said, “Really!!, Thank you very much”. I returned to my house and went to sleep. I also slept on Friday.

Right! I’m off to write the second on talking about my experiences in Ueno Park and Asakusa today. I saw 50s greaser dancers and got denied entry to a restaurant because of my gaijin status. What fun!!

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/05/196/feed/ 6 http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/04/195/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/04/195/#comments Fri, 04 May 2007 13:11:22 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/04/195/

Is it true? Is it true? An audio episode?! Yes, I know its been a while but I pulled up my bootstraps and got myself in front of the mic for a good hour today. After editing out all the coughs and false starts, this one comes down to about 41 minutes or so. A full episode follows, complete with a brief sound scene at Mos Burger, only in Japan segment, and two big topics. Listen to my gravel-like voice in true stereo as I whisk you through the Japanese medical experience and my reflections on the park.

Show Notes:

• Golden Week and what I’ve been doing
• Being sick in Japan
• This cold is kicking my ass
• Pharmacy / medicine store experience
• Japanese medicine
• Japanese clinic experience
• Armpit thermometer
• Comments on Japanese health-care system
• Park visit today
• Had to get out of the house
• Listening to Jazz while biking through Tokyo
• Comparing Japan to New York
• Mos Burger Sound Scene [3 mins]
• Only in Japan: How many dogs can you take to the park??
• Japanese park teaches me to relax and enjoy life
• Another story about my bike
• Proof that I’m not the only manly-man riding a mama-chari bike
• Updates
• Computer work
• Yurikamome video footage
• New episodes
• Hi’s and Hello’s
• Rock concert podcast ending [it takes for ever]
]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/04/195/feed/ 6 0:41:56 Is it true? Is it true? An audio episode?! Yes, I know its been a while but I pulled up my bootstraps and got myself in front of the mic for a good hour today. After editing out all the coughs and false starts, this one comes down to about 41 minut[...] Is it true? Is it true? An audio episode?! Yes, I know its been a while but I pulled up my bootstraps and got myself in front of the mic for a good hour today. After editing out all the coughs and false starts, this one comes down to about 41 minutes or so. A full episode follows, complete with a brief sound scene at Mos Burger, only in Japan segment, and two big topics. Listen to my gravel-like voice in true stereo as I whisk you through the Japanese medical experience and my reflections on the park. Show Notes: Golden Week and what I’ve been doing Being sick in Japan This cold is kicking my ass Pharmacy / medicine store experience Japanese medicine Japanese clinic experience Armpit thermometer Comments on Japanese health-care system Park visit today Had to get out of the house Listening to Jazz while biking through Tokyo Comparing Japan to New York Mos Burger Sound Scene [3 mins] Only in Japan: How many dogs can you take to the park?? Japanese park teaches me to relax and enjoy life Another story about my bike Proof that I’m not the only manly-man riding a mama-chari bike Updates Computer work Yurikamome video footage New episodes Hi’s and Hello’s Rock concert podcast ending [it takes for ever] Podcast, Thoughts Christopher S. no no http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/02/193/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/02/193/#comments Wed, 02 May 2007 11:55:07 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/02/193/

Yeeeesssssssss. Here it is. The episode you’ve all been waiting for, “Biking Through Tokyo”. I hope I didn’t talk it up too much prior to this. I edited this over the weekend. The footage had been sitting on my drive for about 2 weeks, just dying to be put to good use.

I had to be a little creative with the editing since alot of it was bumping. It’s alot like drinking too much coffee the way it runs now. Please don’t eat anything while watching this. Hopefully you will enjoy some of the sights of Tokyo as I did on that day. Oh, and instead of shownotes, here are delicious time-code notes where I’ve marked points of interest that I don’t mention in audio.

Show Notes

• 0:00 – Fancy-schmancy intro as always
• 1:00 – The dreaded Nissan’s Business Japanese makes a guest appearance
• 1:06 – Note the super-secure bike lock
• 1:37 – じてんしゃ is Japanese for Bicycle (pronounced “ji-tenn-sha”)
• 1:47 – That is a highway on/off ramp
• 2:18-2:25 – If you look closely, you can almost see the kitty-cat sticker on the bell. LOL
• 2:58 – Ferrari
• 3:40 – Notice how many different types of sidewalks there are yet??
• 3:47 – I pedal through people in Asakusa-bashi w/o touching my feet on the ground – You have no idea how hard it was to navigate that with one hand and film at the same time. ^_^
• 4:22 – The Asahi Beer building

Special thanks to Gustav Young from Oddioblender for letting me use the track “Frantic Footsteps” for this video. Please check out the site for more great glitchy nerdcore music. I listen to this album constantly!

Alternative video link (Google Video)

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/05/02/193/feed/ 5 0:04:49 Yeeeesssssssss. Here it is. The episode you’ve all been waiting for, “Biking Through Tokyo”. I hope I didn’t talk it up too much prior to this. I edited this over the weekend. The footage had been sitting on my drive for abo[...] Yeeeesssssssss. Here it is. The episode you’ve all been waiting for, “Biking Through Tokyo”. I hope I didn’t talk it up too much prior to this. I edited this over the weekend. The footage had been sitting on my drive for about 2 weeks, just dying to be put to good use. I had to be a little creative with the editing since alot of it was bumping. It’s alot like drinking too much coffee the way it runs now. Please don’t eat anything while watching this. Hopefully you will enjoy some of the sights of Tokyo as I did on that day. Oh, and instead of shownotes, here are delicious time-code notes where I’ve marked points of interest that I don’t mention in audio. Show Notes 0:00 – Fancy-schmancy intro as always 1:00 – The dreaded Nissan’s Business Japanese makes a guest appearance 1:06 – Note the super-secure bike lock 1:37 – じてんしゃ is Japanese for Bicycle (pronounced “ji-tenn-sha”) 1:47 – That is a highway on/off ramp 2:18-2:25 – If you look closely, you can almost see the kitty-cat sticker on the bell. LOL 2:58 – Ferrari 3:40 – Notice how many different types of sidewalks there are yet?? 3:47 – I pedal through people in Asakusa-bashi w/o touching my feet on the ground – You have no idea how hard it was to navigate that with one hand and film at the same time. ^_^ 4:22 – The Asahi Beer building Special thanks to Gustav Young from Oddioblender for letting me use the track “Frantic Footsteps” for this video. Please check out the site for more great glitchy nerdcore music. I listen to this album constantly! Alternative video link (Google Video) Podcast Christopher S. no no http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/30/191/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/30/191/#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2007 03:35:27 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/30/191/

Click here for the original flickr photo with notes.

I’ve got a bit of energy so I had to do something today. The last two days I’ve been sick in bed. But I have not had a lack of entertainment. Twittering from bed, games, movies, and phone calls are all allowed. Why is being sick as an adult so much more fun than being sick when I was a kid?

Seriously though, I feel like a truck hit me in the head and I’ve got a busy two days ahead so I hope I’m able to head out tomorrow. The strangest things have been coming out of my nose and throat today. But alas, がんばります！　^_^

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/30/191/feed/ 6 http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/29/189/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/29/189/#comments Sun, 29 Apr 2007 03:30:04 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/29/189/

(Photo used with Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 License – Original)

A few days ago, I had to head down to the Tokyo Regional Immigration bureau. What fun!! However, there was one redeeming result of the trip: I was able to ride the Tokyo Monorail. I’m fairly familiar with most of Tokyo’s transportation systems, but I had never ridden this particular line. It was a great experience. If you visit Tokyo, I recommend you make it a point to ride this line, second to the Shinkansen of course.

What is different about the Tokyo Monorail from other lines is it is completely above ground. Sure, most of the JR lines are as well, but the Monorail soars above neighborhoods and between buildings – a feat that the JR lines do not accomplish. When you ride JR, you see track and rocks as you ride in an area specifically laid out for train travel. When you ride the Tokyo Monorail, you literally fly past buildings and over people as they tend to their daily lives.

I hope you enjoy this short video. I had to use a little different method to put it together since it came primarily off my cell phone.

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/29/189/feed/ 5 0:05:05 (Photo used with Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 License – Original) A few days ago, I had to head down to the Tokyo Regional Immigration bureau. What fun!! However, there was one redeeming result of the trip: I was able to ride t[...] (Photo used with Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0 License – Original) A few days ago, I had to head down to the Tokyo Regional Immigration bureau. What fun!! However, there was one redeeming result of the trip: I was able to ride the Tokyo Monorail. I’m fairly familiar with most of Tokyo’s transportation systems, but I had never ridden this particular line. It was a great experience. If you visit Tokyo, I recommend you make it a point to ride this line, second to the Shinkansen of course. What is different about the Tokyo Monorail from other lines is it is completely above ground. Sure, most of the JR lines are as well, but the Monorail soars above neighborhoods and between buildings – a feat that the JR lines do not accomplish. When you ride JR, you see track and rocks as you ride in an area specifically laid out for train travel. When you ride the Tokyo Monorail, you literally fly past buildings and over people as they tend to their daily lives. I hope you enjoy this short video. I had to use a little different method to put it together since it came primarily off my cell phone. Podcast, Travel Christopher S. no no http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/25/187/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/25/187/#comments Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:29:03 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/25/187/ I have my iTunes pointed at del.icio.us for crawling of videos with Japan related content. Today something amazingly touching and very creative showed up in my iTunes. Below is a link to a movie of photographs by Stuart Isset.



©2007 Stuart Isett/www.isett.com (used with permission)

This piece is truly moving, giving a great sense of the intimacy of Japanese life, the highs and the lows, and things one doesn’t see when they take the tourist route.

If you are at least interested in Japan or at the very least, love great photography, please download this and watch it. Also, check out Stuart’s site or his Flickr photos. Over here, I’m learning that finding Japan is also about finding other people’s impressions of Japan. This truly is an inspiration, perhaps for future episodes. Thanks Stuart!

Video Link

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/25/187/feed/ 4 http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/24/182/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/24/182/#comments Mon, 23 Apr 2007 22:22:31 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/24/182/

This episode is the first ever, Finding Japan <=> Tokyo Calling crossover episode. Not really sure what else to call it. I met up with Scott Lockman from Tokyo calling a few weekends back. We spent very little time getting to know each other since we had already known each other through our respective podcasts. However, we did share the common interest in technology, the future of podcasting and more.

This interview occurred in a noisy hotel front coffee shop in Tokyo. If you can stand the background noise, please listen. Enjoy!

Show notes:

• A brief chat on the creative process and writing every day
• Formats of podcasts / how Tokyo Calling developed
• Why do people listen to podcasts?
• Privacy and the Internet
• Future of social networking

I’d like to thank Scott for taking time out of his busy day to chat. Hopefully this won’t be the last of such episodes.

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/24/182/feed/ 5 0:24:43 This episode is the first ever, Finding Japan Tokyo Calling crossover episode. Not really sure what else to call it. I met up with Scott Lockman from Tokyo calling a few weekends back. We spent very little time getting to know each other since we [...] This episode is the first ever, Finding Japan Tokyo Calling crossover episode. Not really sure what else to call it. I met up with Scott Lockman from Tokyo calling a few weekends back. We spent very little time getting to know each other since we had already known each other through our respective podcasts. However, we did share the common interest in technology, the future of podcasting and more. This interview occurred in a noisy hotel front coffee shop in Tokyo. If you can stand the background noise, please listen. Enjoy! Show notes: A brief chat on the creative process and writing every day Formats of podcasts / how Tokyo Calling developed Why do people listen to podcasts? Privacy and the Internet Future of social networking I’d like to thank Scott for taking time out of his busy day to chat. Hopefully this won’t be the last of such episodes. Podcast, Thoughts Christopher S. no no http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/22/184/ http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/22/184/#comments Sun, 22 Apr 2007 02:22:24 +0000 Christopher http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/22/184/

Last weekend Alex and I attempted to make hot dog animals based on the instructions on the back. How well did we do? Find out here. This is a short video on the results we were able to achieve with our limited culinary skills.

Alternative video link (Google Video)

]]> http://www.findingjapan.com/2007/04/22/184/feed/ 0 0:02:38 Last weekend Alex and I attempted to make hot dog animals based on the instructions on the back. How well did we do? Find out here. This is a short video on the results we were able to achieve with our limited culinary skills. Alternative video lin[...] Last weekend Alex and I attempted to make hot dog animals based on the instructions on the back. How well did we do? Find out here. This is a short video on the results we were able to achieve with our limited culinary skills. Alternative video link (Google Video) Podcast Christopher S. no no