Before Fred and Terrance left Tokyo, we managed a round-table wrap-up of the weekend’s activities. Though the weekend did not go as planned, we still had a great time and summed up the weekend’s adventures along with Fred’s thoughts on Japan after returning after 5 years for a visit. Listen below!

Recently, Linda, Fred, Terrance and I made the trek up to the base of Mount Fuji to see the Fuji Yoshida Fire Festival. This festival marks the closing of the hiking trails for Fuji-san. The carrying of the mikoshi through town along with the noise is said to try to appease the goddess of Mt. Fuji so that the mountain will not erupt. Fires are lit from the center of the city all the way to Sengen-Jinja in order to impress the goddess. You can read more about the Fuji Yoshida Fire Festival by...

Fred joins in this episode to discuss the ever classic Japan pachinko parlor experience. After coming home from a round of yakitori, we enjoy a few beers on the way back to my apartment to chat about our experience. Listen to us get distracted by the ultrasonic teenage repellers down in Tsukiji.

So I sat down this evening to get my Logic setup all ready for another podcast, and I just couldn’t sit down and belt out some audio tonight. So instead, we do a video. A co-worker join myself and Linda for dinner the other night at a fabulous german beer hall restaurant in Hamamatsu-chou on Friday night. The beer was great, and the sausage was fantastic. And the beer was poured very stylistically. Enjoy!

You can be in Japan for many years and still see something new every day. This was the case when Linda and I recently noticed a new type of coffee machine at our local hospital here. Apparently this coffee machine shows a multi-angle live video feed of how your coffee is being prepared inside the machine. We’re quite sure its legit too since my coffee cup had a different color than the customer before me. And the coffee itself? Amazing! If you are ever in Saint Lukes hospital in the Tsukiji...

Hey everyone. Thanks for writing and for all of the comments and support. I figured it was well overdue and time for me to provide an update for what has been going on. In this episode, I take some time to address the gaps, give a brief update on our lives and adventures, and explain why things have been taking so long. We talk a bit about the last year and what’s changed and what is to come. Enjoy!

Well, its that time. Time again for another, and final, Finding Japan episode by yours truly. It took a while but in this episode, I say goodbye to Japan and all of the fun times that we had. At nearly two hours long, this episode highlights some of my favorite parts of Japan by revisiting clips from prior episodes. Come revisit the podcast with me as we tour through the experiences I had, things I learned, and people I have met. But rather than give a long-winded overview of the episode,...

Photo taken at the Panasonic Center in Ariake, Tokyo, Japan. Cardboard dinosaurs rule! Ok, well not really wrapping it up quite yet. Just some thoughts on paying my last rent payment here in Tokyo, a small request to all listeners, answering a letter to my future self, and more. Che-ch-che-ch-checka-check it out! Show Notes: * Paying my last rent payment * Listeners – submit your thoughts on your favorite part of FJ * Watching an excavator for 2 mins (sorry for leaving that in...

Hello everyone. Just a few thoughts I’m tossing out as a catch up episode. Join me for lunch on the bay as we sit, chat, and do a little catching up. Also, in this podcast, I was joined by a special feline guest. Tune in here. Show Notes * (none because I am lazy tonight)

You asked for it, you got it. Straight from my (old) studio to your ears. This episode is 100% sound tour. Put on a pair of nice headphones and sit back to relax to the sounds of the Japan. The following sounds have been recorded during the last year or so and have been collected for your listening enjoyment. Show Notes: * Short Intro * Clip1: 2007-05-31 Riding the Yurakuchou Line * Clip2: 2007-09-19 Ariake TOC Building 7-11 Guy with Music * Clip3: 2007-06-01 Crows at Waseda...

I feel like its quiet time. Join me for lunch in Ariake as I talk about what’s been going on with me over the past few weeks. Show Notes: * Intro – my favorite 7-11 guy * Quick Overview of What’s Been Up * Some Hakone ropeway / cable car Audio * Sounds like a spaceship docking bay, for real * Interlude – Unmoored (Again) by Fourstones (via ccmixter.org) * Some discussion about my visa problems earlier this month

You’ll have to wait until the end to get to the saxophone train on this one. No cheating and no fastforwarding. If so you’ll miss plenty, including some catch up chat, thoughts on what’s been keeping me so busy, and a beer review. 😀 Show Notes: * What’s been going on * Linda’s Arrival * Work * Meeting up with Saya * Meeting up with Scott and Karamoon * New Listeners * Responding to Blog Comments * Projects * Economics, finance, and work-related stuff * Explaination of how...

Ever wonder what its like to sit in someone’s pocket as they walk around Tokyo?? Now is your chance to find out! In this episode, I take a commute to Tokyu Hands leaving the recorder on for the full monty. I also talk about two fairly interesting topics. If you’re into sound tours, you’ll enjoy this episode. Show Notes: * Pre-show – explanation of show format * Current Laundry Setup * * Screwing around with my laundry machine * Walk to Kuramae * Hanging out with Scott from...

Let’s get deep again. I tried to mix it up with some pleasant thoughts, some interesting sights, and of course, always deep deep riveting commentary from yours truly (sarcasm goes to 11, you know). Show Notes: * Some thoughts about Saizeriya * Topic: Japan Makes You Busy * A bit about my lifestyle * Spending my time on the computer * “The Four Hour Separation” * 1 hr of screwing around * 1 hr of reading * 1 hr of art * 1 hr of life * [Musical Break] * Why is it...

Another short video post. This time, lets ride the Yurikamome 8-bit style! Enjoy!

It’s snowing in Tokyo, so what better way to spend it than bring you all with me on a trip to McDonalds for breakfast. In this episode, I tough it out through the muck and power-line slush bombs to chat about Japanese people and alcohol consumption. This episode is not very organized but there’s plenty to listen to and some music mixed in as well. Enjoy. Show Notes * Part One * It’s snowing * The guy who drank too much last night * Yakiniku 食べ放題、飲み放題 * Japanese...

See, the great thing about only having work now is that I have time to do stuff like this. This video is from the Osaka Aquarium, one of the largest in the world according to their website. In this clip, we get a good view of the main tank for a few moments while I rested amidst the gaggles of children.

Probably the fast episode I have ever put together, but a good one at that. I’ve got two main chunks of goodness in this episode. First, I talk a little about the CEO at my company and how I see Japanese companies changing. Second, we go on a sound tour of arcades in Ikebukuro looking for Guitar Hero. Will we find it? Listen in. Show Notes: * Working full time * CEO Story * Ikebukuro Arcade “Sound Tour”

A little different approach today. I take a stab at story telling and answer a letter from my future self. It finally came today! Show Notes: * School’s out! Well almost * Answering a letter to my future self * The Overcoat * Dan Carlin’s website * WNYC Radio Lab website * Brief comment about the awards thing

This is for all of you who have had trouble downloading the latest episode. I put a link in the blog post itself as well, which I think confused Feedburner. So because of that, here’s a quick repost. If you’ve already downloaded, I apologize but I wanted to make sure the people who were having trouble are able to get it.

Perhaps I should have accepted an award for the worst haircut-cast ever. At any rate, we’ve got two topics for you this time around. A bit about the award discussion from the previous blog post but even more from the center of cheap haircuts in Japan, QB House. Show Notes: * Leopard upgrade completed * Throat hurts – getting a cold? * Great discussion on the site, thanks! * Award Discussion * Make sure you check out JapanPodcasters.com * Brief listing of some of the podcasts...

I’m back in Japan finally. After a wonderfully great time with my family and friends, I’m back to the grind here in Tokyo. A quick update of my travels and some brief impressions after leaving and then returning to this country. Enjoy! Show Notes: * Arrived back in Japan * Been up for 22 and 1/2 hours * New toys from Christmas * Continental Airlines entertainment systems * Getting Into Tokyo – Narita Express vs. Keisei Skyliner * My occluded view of Mount Fuji * Impressions on...

Nothing fancy, just a quick holiday message to all of you. Happy Holidays!

Can you believe it, another coffee episode already!!! This time recorded completely live over Skype, warts and all. Joined by the illustrious Fred, we talk about his new coffee machine as well as do a short sound tour of some places to drink coffee in Japan. Come along for the ride with us and grab your cup of coffee! Show Notes: * Explosive laughing intro * Fred’s rant about podcasts * People who talk about how they make podcasts on their podcasts * Joking about the FindingJapan...

Short video clip from the Tokyo Game Show. I only had my cell phone on me that day so I was only able to get some small video. No narration or commentary, just some sights from the show. Hope you enjoy!