Listen to the show here 5.7mb, 6 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed<

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2010 Summer Special: Mt. Fuji Challenge

Make sure you check out parts one, two and three which are all arranged in reverse order on the front page of JapanPodshow.com

It is HIGHLY RECCOMENDED that you download the original files and not watch them on YouTube as the quality is much better. They’re about 120mb each. Direct download links for Quicktime / iTunes friendly movie files:

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

In part three we’re giving away a Premium Japanese language course from www.japanesepod101.com worth $180!

In part 4 of the final show in series 1 of JapanPodshow, George and Joseph are joined in bed by some special guests from Victorian era London – otherwise known as members of the Tokyo Players. Hear all about their upcoming Christmas show Mrs. Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge

Following that, it’s time for George and Joseph to say goodbye for this series, which they do in musical style.

The music over the closing credits is by our talented friend Nobuki Ueda.

Thanks to everyone for all of their support throughout the series – we couldn’t have done it without you.

How to watch this episode:

• Subscribe in iTunes to get it on your iPod / iPhone / media player
• Watch the embedded video below
• Download the file here (iTunes required. High quality m4V file, 122mb)

Please note: YouTube seems to have had some problems converting this video so it ‘stops and starts a bit. Please download the original high quality version for optimal viewing pleasure.

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Japan Podshow Episode 12 part 4

In part three of this video special from the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo, things really hot up as George and Joseph go to bed.

After a troubled night’s sleep they get back into gear by doing the first ever live performance of the song they made up on the spot – ‘Weekend at the Ritz’.

Following that they have some listeners’ feedback from someone who things they could do better than the boys…

Hear Japan WINNERS! George provides the drum roll as the winners of our HearJapan.com competition are announced!

COMPETITION! Win a $180 Japanese language course!

Finally, George and Joseph announce the HUGE competition to win an annual subscription to the www.japanesepod101.com Premium Japanese language course, worth $180!

To enter, just email hello[a]japanpodshow.com with the answer to this question:

How many million downloads has Japanese Pod 101 had since it launched?

You might find the answer on their front page. An approximate answer will allow you to enter the prize draw, so check out www.japanesepod101.com now.

25% Discount for all JapanPodshow listeners!

Watch the podcast to get the secret code which will give you 25% off any purchase made over at www.japanesepod101.com

Make sure you check out Episode 4 when George and Joseph find a few other people in their bed …and say goodbye.

How to watch this episode:

• Subscribe in iTunes to get it on your iPod / iPhone / media player
• Watch the embedded video below
• Download the file here (iTunes required. High quality m4V file, 122mb)

Please note: YouTube seems to have had some problems converting this video so it ‘stops and starts a bit. Please download the original high quality version for optimal viewing pleasure.

Post from: Japan Podshow

Japan Podshow Episode 12 part 3

Stay tuned in part three as George and Joseph enter the grand bedroom…

How to watch this episode:

• Subscribe in iTunes to get it on your iPod / iPhone / media player
• Watch the embedded video below
• Download the file here (iTunes required. High quality m4V file, 121mb)

Please note: YouTube seems to have had some problems converting this video so it ‘stops and starts a bit. Please download the original high quality version for optimal viewing pleasure.

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Japan Podshow Episode 12 part 2

Split into 4 parts, this musical adventure 49 floors above the city sees numerous visitors to George and Joseph’s luxury suite.

Join them in bed and enter their competition to win a Japanese language course worth US$180! See the debut of their classic song, ‘Weekend at the Ritz’ – and find out what Bob Crachit’s wife is doing beneath the covers.

Here in Part 1, George and Joseph arrive at the hotel, check out the spa and gym, and are then suprised by a knock at the door…

Make sure you check out parts two, three and four too for the glorious climax!

How to watch this episode:

• Subscribe in iTunes to get it on your iPod / iPhone / media player
• Watch the embedded video below
• Download the file here (iTunes required. High quality m4V file, 120mb)

Please note: YouTube seems to have had some problems converting this video so it ‘stops and starts a bit. Please download the original high quality version for optimal viewing pleasure.

Post from: Japan Podshow

Japan Podshow Episode 12 part 1

In this extra episode of Japan Podshow, George and Joseph (shouldn’t that be Joseph and George?) are coming to you live from the Metropolitan Art Space in Ikebukuro.

Listen to the show here 32mb, 30 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed.

At the Sumo

On the show today we’re putting on weight and going to the Sumo at Ryogoku kokugikan. It was day 9 of one of the six annual Grand Sumo Contests, and in the last two hours we saw some of Japan’s top wrestlers throwing their weight around. You can see the video we shot at the Grand Sumo Hall here.

In this podcast, hear more about the sumo experience, including a story about the food that they wrestlers eat and where you can try it – whilst watching the wrestlers grazing in their stable.
Check tournament dates and seat availability on the official English Grand Tournament site. You can buy tickets here (Japanese only).

Interview: Hear Japan

This week’s entrepreneur interview is with Nathan, founder of www.hearjapan.com, one of the world’s best online stores for DRM-free Japanese music. Hear how Nathan first became interested in Japanese music when here as an exchange student, how he grew the business and what challenges he’s faced (the full version of this podcast will be out shortly on our sister podcast Making it in Japan).

Competition – Win credit for Japanese music downloads!

PLUS: FREE downloads for all listeners!

In this week’s competition we’re giving away credit for downloads from www.hearjapan.com.

• First Prize: ￥5,000 yen
• Second Prize: ￥2,500
• Third Prize: ￥1,500

Closing date for entries: 27th October 2009

Entering is easy – just listen to the podcast and you’ll know what to do!

￥200 of credit for use on www.HearJapan.com for all listeners

How to get your credit:

1. Register with Hear Japan
2. Do what we tell you to do on the podcast and then email us at hello [@]  Japanpodshow.com with your Hear Japan username (please allow a little time for credit to be processed)

Music played in the interview included Water On feat. Akino Arai, Ant’s Planet, Okane o haratte! and Kobune Okiba no Ie.

At the end of the interview George and I talk about Omodaka.

Music

We are played out today by Water On feat. Akino Arai, a HearJapan.com artist.

Listener’s Feedback

Thank you everyone for your feedback! If you have sent any in the last 10 days we’ll be including it in our final show.

Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Write a review in iTunes
Email us [hello at japanpodshow.com]
Phone us – numbers on our contact page
Skype us
Comment on our site
Comment on our YouTube channel

…and remember, the show isn’t over until the cockeral crows!

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Episode 11.5: DRM-free Sumo Wrestlers

Join Japan Podshow as we bring you live commentary on some stunning bouts, which see wrestlers flying, pushing, hugging and falling on photographers.

We’re talking about the tournament in Episode 11.5 of Japan Podshow, out shortly here.

Your viewing options:

• Download the video here [mv4 format for iTunes 45mb]
• Watch the video embedded below
• Subscribe to our iTunes feed
• Subscribe to our RSS feed
• Watch it on our Facebook Fan Page (which we invite you to join!).

Post from: Japan Podshow

Video: Sumo Special

Listen to the show here using the player below the elephant43mb, 47 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed.

Intro: The musical begins

We’re not sure what came over George and Joseph, but they decided that they were going to come up with songs on the spot to provide links between sections in this episode. The fun starts with a musical intro.

The streets of Harajuku

Join George and Joseph as they head down to Harajuku to meet the characters who gather there on a Sunday. There’s the man in black who loves to dance, a group of cosplayers, a Brazillian man who has flown 30 hours only to be disappointed (but makes up for it by wearing a psycho rabbit mask), and the man who dresses as a schoolgirl and impersonates a butterfly, the legendary Koichi Yamada. What do the tourists who are there think about all this?

Watch the video: The characters of Harajuku! See the video in High Definition on the Japan Podshow YouTube channel.

Entrepreneur interview: John Daub, Weblish Media Ltd.

This is an extract of the full interview which you can hear over at Making it in Japan.

Weblish Media Ltd, established in 2007, is an educational entertainment network, with videos distributed via iTunes to over 100,000 regular subscribers. John’s video series Vocabulary Generator was ranked the No. 1 video in Japan for 10 weeks, and the network has up to a million downloads per month.

In this interview, John tells us of his motivation for starting the company, and how it has grown. What effect has John’s experience of travelling to over 70 countries had upon his videos, and how can horses and llamas help students to learn Japanese?

John also talks about the help he got from Jetro, and what the future holds for Weblish. Listen to the full interview here.

Learning Japanese – Another prong

Joseph and George have a shared prong (learning Japanese tip) this week. They reccomend The Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar series from the Japan Times.

Competition Time

Listen up to see if you are the lucky winner of Kat McDowell’s new album, Echoes over the ocean

Win a song about you, performed live (and filmed) in Shibuya!

Yes, Joseph and George will perform it live,  for you, in front of the Hachiko statue in Shibuya, and video it for you.

Get your entries in now by email!

Listener’s feedback

Thank you again for your feedback! This week we have another tip-off about George impersonating an Australian DJ, and a very nice comment from our No.1 (and only?!) fan in California!

Details of how to submit your feedback below.

Music: Nobuki Ueda – Live in the Kitchen

In this episode we are very fortunate to have a professional musician perform live in our kitchen studio. Nobuki Ueda (www.nobukiueda.com), whose album Seven Songs from Lab is available in the Japan iTunes Store and from Amazon, is also a friend of the Pokya family. He performs the song ‘Seimei’ (‘Life’).

Nobuki is performing live at Shinjuku Jam on the 3rd October 2009 – More info.

Watch the video in almost-High Definition on our Facebook page

…and remember, the show isn’t over until the cockeral crows!

We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Write a review in iTunes
Email us [hello at japanpodshow.com]
Phone us – numbers on our contact page
Skype us
Comment on our site
Comment on our YouTube channel

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Episode 11: Harajuku and the Weblish Wonder

Listen to the show here 43mb, 47 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed.

Onsen experience

Joseph, George and Honor

Joseph and George share a few stories from the bath, and Honor Dargan of www.tokyotopia.com is also on hand to tell us about Tokyo’s no.1 onsen / spa – LaQua Spa – and to explain why the earth moves when you go there.

Interview: Kat McDowell

This week’s interview is with Kat McDowell (http://www.katmusic.jp) Kat is a professional singer song writer who has just released her first full album here in Japan. Her story is an inspiring one – find out what she did in order to reach the stage she’s now reached, and what advice she has for other aspiring singers. The agency Kat mentioned was Dag Music.

Kat’s official music site: www.katmusic.jp
Kat’s MySpace page
Kat’s YouTube channel
Kat’s new album on CD Japan
Video: Singing with grandma
Kat on Twitter

Kat also provides live music for the show, with two songs from her new album Echoes over the Ocean.

Competition time

George and Joseph announce the lucky winner of the Cirque du Soleil Zed Theatre Tokyo ticket giveaway – and winners of our Japanese goody bag competition.

This week, you can win a copy of Kat McDowell’s new album!

Listener’s feedback

We have some very special feedback this week, with a phone message from not-from-illinois Mark …and a surprise for George from Australia!

All this and more in Episode 10

…and remember, the show isn’t over until the cockeral crows!

We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Write a review in iTunes
Email us [hello at japanpodshow.com]
Phone us – numbers on our contact page
Skype us
Comment on our site
Comment on our YouTube channel

Post from: Japan Podshow

Episode 10: Onsen Experience

Listen to the show here 49mb, 52 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed.

See the promo video here

Interview: Jeffrey Rowe – acting and modeling in Japan

There’s an extract of an interview with media producer, actor, model and trainer Jeffrey Rowe who, with Jet Set Inc, is seeking to bridge the gap between East and West in the entertainment industry. What does he recommend for others wanting to work in these fields in Japan?

The full interview with Jeffrey will soon be available on a new podshow from Pokya.jp, Making it in Japan, to be launched later this week.

Jeffrey can also be found on @jeffreyroweTwitter.

Earthquakes in Japan

This past week we’ve had a few big earthquakes here in Japan – George and Joseph discuss what it was like to feel them, and what steps can be taken to make sure you’re amongst the first to know that one is on it’s way.

Learning Japanese

George and Joseph provide some more prongs in their multi-pronged approach for learning Japanese

Interview: Jamie Lano – how to become a successful manga artist

We also have an interview with Jamie Lano, a self-taught manga artist from Seattle who, through hard work and persistency has made it into a top Manga publishing company and is working on the sequel to one of Japan’s all-time most popular manga series.

Jamie also presents Pop’n’ Press, a children’s TV program for TV Asahi.

Hear what advice she has for others looking to succeed in the manga industry!

COMPETITION TIME: WIN TICKETS TO THE CIRQUE DU SOLEIL THEATRE TOKYO – ZED

That’s right, we’re giving away a pair of tickets to see the fantastic ‘Zed’ performed at the Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo.

Entering is easy – just watch our special episode of Japan Podshow - Cirque du Soleil Zed Special – (the answers might be found in the interview with Gemma in both long and short versions). Send in your answers to the two simple questions by email to hello [at] japanpodshow.com and you could be a winner!

Win gorgeous Japanese lacquer mouse pads, fans or mini-happi!

If you don’t live in Japan, we have other prizes for you – some beautiful laquer mouse pads, miniature happi coat decorations or fans. Answer a simple question and email it to us to be in with a very good chance of winning!

When you enter, let us know if you have a preference for a lacquer mouse mat, a mini-happi (actually a folded cloth!), other lacquer-wear, or a mini-fan.

Competition answers should be sent to hello [at mark] japanpodshow.com

Listeners’ Feedback

We also have listener’s feedback – the Illinois saga continues – and George suddenly demonstrates a talent Joseph never knew he had!

Music: Teh Shirts

Teh Shirts perform ‘Hands Fold’. Check them out on MySpace and Facebook

Feedback welcomed!

You could:

Thanks for listening!

Post from: Japan Podshow

Episode 9: Manga and Modelling in the Land of Quakes

(Subscribe so you don’t miss it!)

Ever since they were children, Japan Podshow presenters George and Joseph had wanted to join a circus. Following months of clowning around in the Japan Podshow studio, in the summer of 2009 they were fortunate to be invited behind the curtain at the world-famous Cirque Du Soleil Theatre Tokyo (“Circus of the Sun” シルク・ドゥ・ソレイユ シアター東京.

Click here to subscribe to Japan Podshow and watch it on iTunes / your iPod / iPhone / media player. Or, download the short version direct from here [.mp4 56mb]

Cirque du Soleil

Founded in 1984, this incredible company [official site] now has 16 shows running around the world – in Las Vegas alone over 9,000 people witness the spectacle on a daily basis.

Zed

In the Autumn of 2008 Cirque Du Soleil’s first permanent show in Japan, Zed, opened to the public in a special purpose-built theatre next to Tokyo Disneyland [official site].

Hearing rave reviews from friends, George and Joseph realised that this was their chance to learn about what goes on behind the curtain at Cirque du Soleil Tokyo, and perhaps to even try out their routine in a bid to get into the show.

There are two versions of this video docucast: a 10 minute short, and the 20 minute director’s edition.

The 9min preview video

Designed for people who are impossibly busy, this video will give you an overview of George and Joseph’s adventure. This is the version that has been added to the podcast feed.

The Full story

Japan Podshow: Behind the curtain at the Cirque du Soleil Zed Theatre Tokyo from japanpodshow on Vimeo.

The full version of the documentary is for those who would like a real insight into the Cirque du Soleil Tokyo Theatre and includes

An interview with Gemma Segarra, Publicity Manager

who tells us about

• The history of the theatre
• The families of performers
• How she feels when she sees her friends walk the highwire
• If George jumped, would Joseph catch him?

Interview with a clown – Anatoli Akerman

Was Anatoli always destined to be a clown, or is he the black sheep of the family?
Is Joseph’s fear of him only to be expected?

Interview with audience members after the show

How would you feel if you’d just seen the show?

Backstage in the wardrobe department

George and Joseph are presented with two very special costumes in which they will try out their new routine. Do they have what it takes to get in? Do we find out, or will we have to wait for the sequal?

George and Joseph would like to extend special thanks to Gemma Segarra, Anatoli Akerman, the wardobe department, the audience members gave their feedback, and all at Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo for making this possible.

We welcome your feedback

What did you think of the docucast? Is there something you’d like us to cover on an upcoming show? Get in touch!

You can

• Comment on this blog
• Join our Facebook group
• Follow us on Twitter
• Skype or phone us
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel
• Subscribe to our Vimeo Channel (for long videos)
• Subscribe to our uStream channel (for when we live stream during recording sessions)

Subscribe to Japan Podshow for more updates from the creative team at www.Pokya.jp

iTunes
RSS feed

See you soon!

Joseph and George

Want to see the show yourself? Check out the Cirque du Soleil Tokyo Theatre here.

Post from: Japan Podshow

Exclusive: Behind the curtain at the Cirque du Soleil Theatre Tokyo

The long-awaited episode 8 is now out …and jam-packed with Japan Podshow goodness.

Listen to the show here 49mb, 52 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed. If you have a slow internet connection we have a lower-quality version (also MP3) which you can download here.

Back from their solar eclipse travels, George and Joseph have a lot of treat in store – kicking off with an interview with Hiko Saemon (aka Simon) of YouTube fame.

Learning Japanese Part 1: Interview with Hiko Saemon

Hiko Saemon is the creator of original, inspiring bilingual videos on YouTube, designed for learners of Japanese who would like to see a bit more of the ‘normal’ Japan (and less of the singing on trains), and Japanese YouTubers who like to watch quality content from non-Japanese producers. In this interview he tells us how he got into YouTubing, why he has a healthy right-wing fan base, and how it was that he came to be so good at Japanese.

Simon is also working hard to promote the use of Creative Commons in Japan – check out the Creative Commons YouTube channel here.

Here’s one of his videos by way of introduction.

You can find Simon online in the following places

Hiko Saemon You Tube channel (Japanese with English subtitles)
Hiko Talk YouTube channel (English with some Japanese subtitles)
Hiko Saemon on Blog TV

In the interview Simon also mentioned Ken Tanaka’s You Tube Channel, and Kevin Cooney’s BlogTV channel.

Here’s Simon’s guide to Learning Japanese fast!

George and the JET Programme

Next up, George reveals all as he tells us about the JET programme – a Japanese Government ‘scheme’ that places English-speaking university graduates in schools as teachers all across the country every year. It’s the doorway to Japan that many non-Japanese enter through. But what’s it like? Listen to George tell us how he found it to be a little tough at times.

Learning Japanese Part 2: A multi-pronged approach

Learning Japanese is back!! After a three year break (it first featured on A Year in Japan) this section is back to help you get on with mastering the language.

Each week we’ll be giving you a couple of tips, or ‘Prongs’ as we prefer to refer to them. This week we start with some BIG ideas to consider. Keep listening for more detailed advice in future episodes.

The book Joseph talked about was Remembering the Kanji: Complete Course on How Not to Forget the Meaning and Writing of Japanese Characters v. 1 .

Photography Top Ten!

and The View From Japan

Shane Sakata of the Nihon Sun then joins us to bring us news of a new collaborative photo site called A View From Japan. Every day one of their talented contributors posts a new image from Japan, to give you a pictorial insight into the country they call home.

Shane also provides us with the Photographer’s Top Ten for when coming to Japan – what you can’t afford to miss with your lens! Check out her accompanying article here.

Joseph also mentions Alfie Goodrich’s site, and his only photo-documentary of Tsukiji Fish Market.

Listener’s Feedback

Wow! We had some great feedback this time. Thank you!!

You can provide feedback via email hello (at mark) japanpodshow .com, facebook, skype, twitter …and you could even write a review for us on iTunes!

Live-cast! – iPhone 3G Giveaway!

Yes, it’s finally the time for us to give away the Japan Podshow-branded iPhone 3G. For this we are using the latest technology for choosing competition winners – The Food Processor of Doom combines with the Thermos of Terror. Not only that, this was live-cast over the internet to ensure no cheating was involved.

The audio version of the podcast contains an extract from the audio of the following video

Win Japanese chocolates and and an amazing water pistol!

Listen to the show or watch the video above to find out how you can enter. The email address you need is hello (at mark) japanpodshow .com.

Music

Music used in the background of this episode was:

After All by Alexander Blu (used in the first half)

Tryad – Waltz into Moonlight (used in the second half)

Thank you for listening! We look forward to receiving your feedback!

Post from: Japan Podshow

Episode 8: Learning Japanese (and the Food Processor of Doom)

In this special short episode of Japan Podshow George calls in via Skype from China for an update on the total solar eclipse.

Listen to the show here 8.3mb, 10 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed

With much of Japan witnessing only a 70% partial solar eclipse, many serious eclipse-chasers headed off to China to witness minutes of total darkness.

George was one such person, and in this mini-special, recorded the day after the eclipse, he tells us what it was like to witness a complete eclipse.

He also talks about busking in China, and some strange food that he’s been eating.

Joseph also talks a little about the climb up Mt. Fuji to view the eclipse over here.

Post from: Japan Podshow

Post-eclipse special: 100% Shanghai

In this special short (relaxed) episode of Japan Podshow (which is not episode 8!) we find George and Joseph sitting in a park in Ikebukuro talking about the Total Solar Eclipse on the 22nd July 2009.

Listen to the show here 12mb, 13 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed

George will be heading to China to witness the eclipse in its full glory, whilst Joseph will be scaling the heights of Mount Fuji to attempt to set several world records including:

- The first live broadcast from the top of Japan’s 3,776 metre Mount Fuji utilising the just-launched DoCoMo 3G network

- The first podcast to have been recorded on top of a live volcano under a solar eclipse

- The first time that The Sound of Music has been performed in the crater of a volcano causing it to errupt

IMPORTANT TIMES TO NOTE for Live Streaming:

• Tuesday 21st July 22:00 JST (14:00 BST / 13:00 UTC) - Start of hike
• Wednesday 22nd July 04:39 JST (Tuesday 21st 20:39 BST / 17:39 UTC) - Sunrise from the peak of Mt. Fuji
• Wednesday 22nd July 10:00 JST (02:00 BST / 01:00 UTC) - Start of the solar eclipse
• Wednesday 22nd July 15:00 JST (07:00 BST / 06:00 UTC) - Leave Mount Fuji

Japan podshow has created a special page where you can follow all the action as it happens:

Special live feed page for the FujEclipse hike: http://japanpodshow.storytlr.com/

We’ll be using Twitter (@japanpodshow @tamegoeswild) Flickr YouTube AudioBoo and possibly (network allowing) uStream.

An alternative feed can be found here

In the event that we are able to use uStream to stream live video (it all depends on the speed of the network on the summit) that will be available here:

Online video chat by Ustream

The weather looks set to be terrible, so it should be a lot of fun!

You can participate by sending twitter tweets containing the tag #fujeclipse

George and Joseph also talked about their new mini-podcasts, Japan Podshorts – read about that and subscribe here.

Look forward to seeing you there! (in a figurative sense).

Normal Japan Podshow service will resume when George is back from China at the end of July.

Post from: Japan Podshow

Pre-Eclipse Special – Climbing Mount Fuji (intro)

Listen to the show here 40mb, 43 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed

Note about the Japan Podshow livestream on uStream: In this episode Joseph and George make numerous references to live-streaming. Unfortunately, due to technical issues this video is not available. However, we did film the competition section on a second camera, and those videos are available on our Facebook Page.

In this episode:

Japanese weddings:

We kick of with some news from George about a wedding that he attended last week – an extraordinarily extravagent affair which at the end of the day saw him being given a catalogue of expensive gifts from which he was to choose a present – for himself!

WWOOF JAPAN

As the title of this week’s episode suggests, we’re going to be taking a look at Wwoofing.

It was almost a decade ago that Joseph first joinded WWOOF Japan – Willing Workers on Organic Farms http://www.wwoofjapan.com. In this episode Joseph talks to Glenn in Sapporo – founder of Wwoof Japan.

Members of this fantastic organisation are able to stay with any of hundreds of families across Japan who are engaged in organic farming, or who otherwise have organic lifestyles/businesses. Wwoofing is not only a great way to travel a country over an extended period of time on a small budget, but is also a fantastic way to see more than the shiney-touristy surface that is promoted in the guide books. You get to learn about the culture, learn the language, make friends and a create a wealth of precious memories. Thoroughly recommended!

What brought George and Joseph to Japan?

Following listener requests, George and Joseph decide to reveal a little information about their dark pasts. This week Joseph tells us what path it was that led him to Japan.

Week 6 Otaku Encyclopedia Competition results!

We announce the winner of the Otaku Encyclopedia competition – our most-entered competition to date! Following accusations of competition-rigging, Joseph and George decide to film the drawing of the winner from the hat of doom – see the video on their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pokya for the evidence.

WIN AN IPHONE!!!

Yes, you can win an iPhone 3G with Japan Podshow – and it’s easy to enter! Just listen to this episode for further instructions!

The photo we talk about in this epsisode is here

Terms and conditions below.

Listener Feedback!

WOW! We had a tonne of feedback this week – thanks to everyone who contacted us – listen to the show for our comments on what you had to say.

Check out our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pokya

Music

Finally: music this week is provided by Her Space Holiday, with the Japanese Gum Dental Mix. Find them at
http://www.herspaceholiday.com/

Thanks for listening – and we look forward to hearing from you!

iPhone competition info:

If you don’t have a Facebook account, you can enter by leaving a comment on this post – just tell us why YOU should win the iPhone 3G.

The iPhone being given away is a 16GB black iPhone 3G. It is contract free, and will work on the Softbank network in Japan. It may work on networks in other countries but we are unable to guarantee this.

The iPhone will come with new headphones, USB cable, mains adapter and box.

If the winner wishes to use this as a phone in Japan they will need to sign up with Softbank. They will not need a 2-year contract, thus this competition is ideally suited to students who will not be in Japan for more than a year or so.

What will it cost to use it:

Softbank will charge a one-off 2835 yen registration fee. The following are then payable on a monthly basis:

- White Plan (980 yen)
- S Basic (350 yen)
- Data plan (unlimited plan is recommended at 5985 yen)

You will need the following at the time of registration:
- Alien registration
- Passport
- Japanese bank account or credit card

Post from: Japan Podshow

Episode 7: Wwoof Wwoof! The iPhone Giveaway

Listen to the show here 34mb, 33 mins, MP3

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed

Entrepreneur Interview: James Rees

It’s a jam-packed episode, featuring two interviews: the first is with James Rees, an entrepreneur based in Tokyo who operates an import-export business, making use of Japan’s hidden ‘naishoku’ system (hosuewives doing piecemeal work at home to earn a few extra pennies, as seen in ‘The Last Samurai’), and a niche market that he discovered through his interest in …carp fishing. As well as giving an overview of how his business works, James talks about the problems he’s faced, and gives some advice to others wanting to set up their own companies.

Interview: Patrick Galbraith, author of The Otaku Encyclopedia

The second interview is with Patrick Galbraith, author of the brand new book The Otaku Encyclopedia: An Insiders Guide to the Subculture of Cool Japan
- a copy of which you can win in this week’s competition. Patrick, a regular contributor to Metropolis Magazine (which features Patrick’s book as it’s front-page story this week, and the podcast of which features Joseph once a week) knows more about Otaku sub-cultures in Japan than anyone else would dare to know – what started as a 600 page volume of his own notes on Otaku has now become a fantastic 200 page A-Z of everything Otaku you might find in Tokyo.

There’s more information about Patrick in our Guest section.

WIN A COPY OF THE OTAKU ENCYCLOPEDIA!

In this week’s competition you have the chance to win a copy of the enclyclopeadia – just email your answer to the VERY EASY QUESTION to hello [at] japanpodshow.com

Winners of www.Rinkya.com commission from Episode 5

Congratulations to all of our winners of the Rinkya.com commission competition. The following people have each won $20 for use on the the fantastic Japan Auction & Online Shopping Service. For those of you who didn’t win, remember that it’s free to sign up with Rinkya – so go check them out!

Winners:

Listener’s feedback

Thank you for all the feedback this week,

Band of the Week: Johnsons Motorcar

This week’s music is provided by Johnsons Motorcar. Blackie does the honors of introducing the band with a short interview: they’re a very lively Irish band who can often be found playing in Tokyo and beyond. Check them out on MySpace!

We welcome your feedback – you can phone us, skype us, join our facebook group, comment on our blog, twitter us @japanpodshow, or email us hello[at]japanpodshow.com

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Episode 6: Otaku Attack!

Need a hand?

In the second of their Welcome to Akiba video-shorts, Steve Nagata and Joseph Tame take a look at some of the weird and wonderful things you can find on the streets of Akihabara.

From body parts to fake mobile phones, you name it, Akiba has it.

Your viewing options:

• Download the video here [mv4 format for iTunes 38.7mb]
• Watch the video embedded below
• Subscribe to our iTunes feed
• Subscribe to our RSS feed
• Watch a larger version on our Facebook Group page (which we invite you to join!).

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Video Special: Welcome to Akiba – Body parts and something called ‘film’

Arudou Debito by Alfie Goodrich. For more of Alfie’s stunning photography from Japan visit www.alfiegoodrich.com

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Japan Podshow Special: Arudou Debito interview

Listen to the show here

Download it direct here, Subscribe and listen in iTunes or Listen via our RSS feed

Karaoke does of course play a vital part in keeping Japanese society moving, providing an opportunity for stressed out salarymen and swine-flu infected school children to relax and express themselves.

Entrepreneur interview: Heather Russell of Rinkya.com

Episode 5 also features an interview with Heather Russell, founder and president of http://www.rinkya.com – the fantastic Japan Auction & Online Shopping Service! Heather is a truly inspirational entrepreneur, and over the past 8 years has built www.rinkya.com up to be one of the most popular sites for people wanting to buy things from Japanese sites.

Competition time!

We’re GIVING AWAY $100 of Rinkya commision! Listen in to find out how you can win – entering is easy! Just listen to the show for the question – and you’ll find the answer on Rinkya.com – you might want to check out their blog too! (See the Rinkya Page in our Guests section)

Next on the show we introduce the kansai-based Nandeyonen podcast, available from http://nandeyanenyo.podbean.com/.

Meet Dr. Foster and Professor Wild!

The doctor and the professor are new contributors to Japan Podshow, and will be appearing on a regular basis. In addition to Japan Podshow, you’ll also be able to catch them on Tokyo’s Metropolis Magazine podcast, the Metpod http://www.metpod.com. The professor gives his reaction to some of the stories featured in Metropolis Magazine‘s Small Print section.

We then announce the winners of the episode 4 competition to win vouchers on Edufire – the online video learning platform. Congratulations to the winners who correctly identified the secret voice as saying ‘Zenmaisamurai’ and then a few days after release just ‘Samurai’: Perminder Suman, Sylvain vedrenne, Alexandre Coutu, Jeff Smith and Miako Kuran!

Check out Edufire today – there’s lessons available 24 hours a day, it’s easy to use, and there’s hundreds of subjects to choose from.

If you want to learn Japanese, we recommend Rainbowhill (aka Brett Fyfield), the incredibly popular instructor who featured on Japan Podshow episode 4.

Listener’s feedback

This week, that includes

@TokyoDan
@ShaneSakata
@Tokyotopia
@socialpreneur
@kelly62
@deizu
@papadimitriou
@michaelqtodd

Thanks also to messages from
BusanKevin and Vinai Norasakkunkit.

…and a very special thank you to Craig and Linda Martin of the Indie Travel Podcast, a fantastic resource for travellers and armchair travellers alike. Check them out!

Music: Daniel Edwards

We finish off with an interview and song from Tokyo-based musician Daniel Edwards, a very talented guy whose new single ‘Smile’ (and his entire back catalogue) is now available in iTunes. You can also check Daniel out on MySpace, and become a fan on Facebook. In the US, his single Smile is available from Amazon.com.

After the interview we hear “Heaven”, taken from his album “Curtain Call”.

There may even be a little bit of bonus material at the end of the show – The show ain’t over till the fat lady sings!

We LOVE getting your feedback! Join our Facebook group, skype us, email us, Twitter us (@japanpodshow) – we love hearing from our listeners, please do give us your feedback!

Background music in the Small Print section is “Calling from Japan” by Comfortable.

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Episode 5: Killer Karaoke

Listen here [Japan Discovered Special] or download here (MP3 8min 7.3mb). You can also subscribe for free in iTunes, or via our standard RSS feed.

From their website:

The Japan Discovered! weekly Japan Travel Tweetchat will be hosted by Honor Dargan and Shane Sakata.

Honor has made Tokyo her since 2001 and owns TokyoTopia, a website dedicated to Tokyo travel planning. Her Goal – “Tokyo Made Simple”
Shane has spent five and a half of the last fifteen years in Japan and owns The Nihon Sun, Japan’s Online Culture and Travel Magazine.

How does it work?
Every Friday at Noon (Japan Standard Time) we answer your Japan travel questions on Twitter for an hour. You ask, we answer, and if we can’t answer your question straight away we’ll tell you and follow up with the answer on the Japan Discovered! website.

Follow Japan Discovered on Twitter to be reminded of upcoming chats and visit the Japan Travel Tweetchat page to follow along and post your questions.

Check out their blog www.japandiscovered.com to learn more.

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Special: Japan Discovered – A live tweetchat about Travel in Japan

View the video by subscribing in iTunes, or view it on our Facebook group page here, or check it out on our YouTube channel, or download it direct from our server here (.mp4 format, 50mb) (n.b. Facebook and YouTUbe versions may still be being processed by their servers)

Emily (www.youtube.com/applemilk1988), well known for her videos online, proves that she’s more than just a film producer; having teamed up with guitarist Serey late last year she has been working on a number of hauntingly beautiful songs – one of which we bring to you in this episode of Japan Podshow – shot live at a bus stop near CC Lemon Hall in Shibuya.

60% discount for Japan Podshow Listeners!

The band is having its first live event on Saturday 23rd of May from 6.30pm in Shinjuku, and Japan Podshow listeners can get in for less than half price!

Just turn up at the door – and mention Japan Podshow!

It’s not just Emily’s band that’s playing, there’s also going to be a talk session and a meet and greet -

Oh, and did we mention that it’s also Emily’s birthday party?

• Website: http://ameblo.jp/c-cedille/
• Price: 1,500 yen (Japan Podshow listeners only – usually 3,800 yen!)
• Date: May 23rd, 2009
• Time: 6:30 DOORS OPEN, 7:00PM START ?:?? END
• Place: 東京・東京宣伝美術社 新宿駅東口より徒歩15分 Tokyo Senden Bijutsusha – 5 minute walk from Shinjuku station East exit
• Google Map

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Japan Podshow Music Video Special – C Cedille

Listen to the podcast now here or download it here.

We would love it if you subscribed in iTunes; Non-iTunes user? Here’s our standard RSS feed.

Join Joseph and George as they make their way up the street behind the Omikoshi (shrines), meeting people along the way who insist that we enjoy traditional Japanese Culture (and we did).

The podcast also features a very enthusiastic policeman with a whistle.

Tokyotopia – how to get into Tokyo from Narita International Airport

Honor Dargen is back! Having told us (in episode one) what happens when you arrive at the airport, Honor Dargen of Tokyotopia now tells us how to get into Tokyo.

For more information on the options honor mentions visit www.tokyotopia.com.

Hiragana Times Competition Winner!

In this episode we also announce the winner of the Hiragana Times competition! The winner receives a 12-month subscription to the electronic version of the Hiragana Times, a fantastic bilingual magazine that brings you up to date news and views from Japan – with all articles having direct translations and furigana, it’s suitable for any level. You can also listen to some of the sections online – and there’s even native support for users of the learning platform Smart.fm.

This week’s competition – 5 lucky listeners can win vouchers to use for free 1-on-1 lessons on Edufire, the only learning tool with live video

Brett Fyfield, an Australian teaching Japanese on the Edufire platform, introduces this week’s competition, in which you can win free tickets for lessons in ALMOST ANYTHING! Want to learn Japanese? Spanish? PHP? Photoshop? Or perhaps you’re a teacher yourself – give Edufire a go. It’s incredibly easy to use and gives you access to a huge pool of students and teachers worldwide.

Listen to the podcast to hear how you can enter the competition.

Brett Fyfield (also known as Rainbowhill) can be found in the following places: on Edufire on Blogger and on Twitter

Brett also mentions Smart.FM and Anki.

There’s listener feedback too! Thanks to News from the Other side; Kobe Kevin; supreme_nothing (Brian); Nick Ramsay; Tokyo Dan; Doug of Planet Japan; AnoBaka; Ongakuhenjin… and thanks to all our listeners for listening!

As always your feedback is welcomed.

Join our Facebook group; follow us on Twitter, write a review on iTunes, email or Skype us (24 hour answerphone enabled!)

You can alsosubscribe to us in iTunes here – this really helps us spread the word! For non-itunes users we have a standard RSS feed.

Thanks for listening!

Video: Kanda Matsuri

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Episode 4 – Kanda Festival

In Episode 3 of the longest running podshow ever produced by www.pokya.jp, George and Joseph go mobile and broadcast the show from a row boat on a pond in Meguro, Tokyo. [subscribe for free in iTunes]

Listen now.

Hannah the Hostess

From their watery studio they bring you an interview with Hannah the Hostess, who reveals what it’s like to work in Tokyo’s entertainment world. What does she have to do at her club …and what exactly do her clients expect of her?

Hiragana Times

We then have an interview with Mr. Hasegawa, founder of the Hiragana Times, one of Tokyo’s longest-running magazines catering for the foreign population in Japan, and those outside of the country interested in its customs and culture, and wanting to learn Japanese. Mr. Hasegawa tells us of how the Hiragana Times started out in the 1980s and how it has since evolved. Recently, they have teamed up with Smart.FM to bring you two free articles to study every month – click here to visit the Smart FM Hiragana Times page.

Competition TIme – win an annual subscription to the digital Hiragana Times!

To win an annual subscription to the digital edition of the Hiragana Times just listen to the show to hear what the question is. You’ll find the answer on page 17 of the latest edition of the Hiragana Times (May 2009), which is available from all good book stores. If you are not in Japan you can find the answer in the digital excerpt – click here to download it for free now! You can also listen to the audio here.

We announce the winner of last week’s Tokyo Comedy Store tickets: congratulations to @macduckston for his winning entry: “At first I thought maybe your show would be a CROCK, but then I gave it A DIAL. It’s all I WANI in a podcast!”

Mac wins two tickets to the Tokyo Comedy Store Crocodile Show, which is held every last Friday of the month in Shibuya (Fourth Friday Funny!)

More about the TCS

This is TCS’s 14th year of making Tokyo laugh. It was started by comedy-starved expats, and the motto of the show is “Funnier Than You Think We’ll Be!”

The location is The Crocodile in Shibuya, on Meiji Dori. Doors open at 7:15, and the show starts at 8:00pm

Show line-up: stand-up comedy in the first half, improv comedy in the 2nd half, and special guest performers on occasion

Reservations: Write to: reservations@tokyocomedy.com
Website: tokyocomedy.com

Listener’s Feedback

We have some very Zen feedback from one of our listeners this week via skype, listen in to join the trance. Thanks also to everyone for the feedback via Twitter.

Special thanks to Doug DeLong and Jen of Planet Japan Podcast for the kind words on their latest edition – very much appreciated – they helped inspire us to go into production!

Music provided by Natural Groove Inn

Finally, we play Switch On – スイッチオン by Natural Groove Inn. It’s taken from their EP ‘Rest or Stay’, available from iTunes here.

Super funky, acoustic groove. These few words encapsulate the spirit of NGI. Comprising five members, two guitars, violin, cajon and melodion, and hailing from Japan and England they make use of all their influences to compose and perform mostly original music. Having spent the last eleven or so years in the USA working professionally, they bring a polished yet natural style to the Tokyo music scene. Capturing what music is all about, that is, communication, emotion and fun, don’t miss this chance to check them out and experience a stay at the Natural Groove Inn.

Natural Groove Inn will be playing live in Kichijoji in May 2009. Click here for more info

Please send us your feedback

We’d love to get your feedback. You can contact us

- by phone using the numbers on the right of this page (Japan / UK/ USA local rates)
- via skype
- facebook group
- Twitter

Video extracts of this episode in production

My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-04bd84492060ac10b7b43e7e4c395373}

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Japan Podshow Episode 3: The Hiragana Hostess

After a whole week without sleep we’ve finally got episode two out to you – trying to squeeze those maids into an 8 minute slot was pretty tricky.

Listen to or download the show here.

In this episode:

Interview: Nick Ramsey of JapanSoc

We start off with an interview with Nick Ramsey – founder of www.Japansoc.org and www.japansoc.com – the full interview will be made available within a few days on this site – if you’d like to know when it’s out make sure you subscribe to our twitter feed.

The Japan Tourist Top Ten

We then have Shane Sakata of The Nihon Sun presenting the Japan Tourist Top Ten – What Not To Do – check out the accompanying post on The Nihon Sun.

Made in Akihabara – the Maid Cafe Experience

Next up, Joseph tells the story of his trip to MaiDreamin, a maid cafe in Akihabara. Listen in as Joseph and his friends are made to say cutey things to make their food taste better, and then an audio insight into a dramatic game of Jenga …and the batsu game that followed, in which Joseph and his friends are made to look like complete fools… All in the name of experience.

Background music in the maid cafe section was Eezeebro01 by Alex Brooke, talented producer of the Learn Japanese Pod.

Competition Time

Who has won the Poken?

Congrats to:

• @Szotasensei for their Poken amazing entry
• @TokyoDan for his pokogrified tweet;
• @AnoBaka for her threatening threat

…and on to this week’s episode – win tickets to the Tokyo Comedy Store Crocodile Show

More about the Tokyo Comedy Store

This is TCS’s 14th year of making Tokyo laugh. It was started by comedy-starved expats, and the motto of the show is “Funnier Than You Think We’ll Be!”

The location is The Crocodile in Shibuya, on Meiji Dori. Doors open at 7:15, and the show starts at 8:00pm

Show line-up: stand-up comedy in the first half, improv comedy in the 2nd half, and special guest performers on occasion

Reservations: Write to: reservations@tokyocomedy.com
Website: tokyocomedy.com

To enter, send us your tweet with the magic word in!

Listeners’ Feedback

We’ve got listeners feedback – who is that crazy girl on Skype?

Music

Background music in the maid cafe section was Eezeebro01 by Alex Brooke, talented producer of the Learn Japanese Pod. Thank you Alex.

Captain Yamaguchi is our band of the episode, playing Serotonin – check them out on MySpace.

Contact / Feedback

As usual, we welcome feedback – help us shape this podcast by contacting us via any of the 3 billion channels we have open.

First off, we have a 24 hour jPodline, ready to take your messages. If you’re in Japan, the UK or the US, simply use your local number. Listeners in other countries can of course also use these numbers, although they will be charged at the standard international rate (depending on their calling plan).

You could also use:

• Our contact form (below)
• Skype
• Facebook
• YouTube
• Twitter
• Flickr
• uStream TV

You can also join our public chat on Skype:

You can submit suggestions for blogs or other Japan-related websites for us to feature on the podcast by bookmarking them with japanpodshow on www.delicious.com

You can also email us at hello [at*mark] japanpodshow.com Feel free to email audio files and videos (up to 20mb – over 20mb they can be transferred via skype if you give us a ping!)

Or of course you can comment on any post here on the website.

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Japan Podshow Episode 2: The Jenga Maid

The best way to listen is to subscribe to our feed in iTunes [non-iTunes users, download the software for free here].

You can also subscribe using any other RSS reader [feed]

or listen direct using our handy player.

Japan Podshow Episode 001 – Konnichiwa!

Japan Podshow is experimental – we would welcome any and all feedback – comment below or use any of the other options as shown on our contact page.

Thanks for listening!

Show Notes

Episode One is packed full of Japan Podshow goodness:

• Meet George and Joseph
• Japan News: the North Korean Missile of Peace
• Interview: We spoke to Ken and Adam from Genkii.com
  • Genkii were interviewed at the Appliya Party
  • Their virtual world for the iPhone, Sparkle, can be found here
  • Download Sparkle direct from the Apple App store
    here
  • Learn more about their Interactive comic project here
• Honor Dargen of www.tokyotopia.com provided the section on what to do when you arrive at Narita Airport – her notes to accompany this section can be downloaded here.
  • Make sure you visit www.tokyotopia.com
  • Why not enter the TokyoTopia video competition!
• POKEN!
  • In our interview we talked with STÉPHANE DOUTRIAUX
  • Check out the site at www.doyoupoken.com/
  • Get a Poken of your own!
• In our music section we talked with John Janzen of FatBlueMan
  • Fat Blue ManOfficial website
  • YouTube channel
  • The Blog
    
  • Buy the album in iTunes or cdbaby

Listen to it now by using the player / link on this page

Music

Background music was provided by

George can be found on Twitter @mediocore, and joseph @tamegoeswild

We have a few of our own comments about this episode already: 1) it’s not Japan-orientated enough. Needs more japan-ness; 2) the background music was too loud, especially in the FatBlueMan interview section; 3) The sections are too long (thoughts?); the podcast is too long, resulting in the file size being a little on the bloomin’ big side.

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Episode 1 – Konnichiwa!

In this taster, you’ll meet the hosts, George and Joseph, and hear what they have planned for you when the series kicks-off proper in April 2009.

Within a few days of this being published we’ll have an iTunes feed available for you to subscribe to. We’ll notify the world here, and on Twitter.

Initially we’ll just be releasing .mp3 versions, but in the future you can expect fully funky interactive audio-video medleys of greatness.

Listen now!.

We’d welcome your feedback, either via this blog, on Twitter @japanpodshow, on skype or facebook.

We also have a 24-hour answerphone to take your messages – the wonders of modern technology means you can call us from the UK, the US or Japan using a standard national rate number – just call the number for your country.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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Episode Zero – the non-episode trailer