Episodes
In This Episode: šŸŸ¢ Outdoor Japan Magazine Discover an incredibly useful Japan outdoor magazine! I share where you can grab your free copy, packed with tips for enjoying the great outdoors in Japan. šŸ”µ Congrats, Tony! A big shoutout to Tony for completing his epic 900 km walk across Japan over the past two years! šŸŸ” My Recent Purchases šŸ˜€ - Dymo Label Embossing Machine: A handy (and nostalgic) tool for labeling and organizing. - DJI OSMO Mobile 6 Gimbal: This new gadget is a game-changer for...
Published 11/16/24
Published 11/16/24
In This Episode: 1. Introduction to Japan Safe Travel on X If youā€™re traveling or living in Japan, Japan Safe Travel is an account to follow on X. They provide real-time updates in English on train outages, earthquakes, weather alerts, and more. Iā€™ll share how this account can be a lifesaver for anyone needing reliable updates in English. 2. Thinking and Dreaming in Another Language Ever caught yourself dreaming in another language? I continue my book review and dive into the fascinating...
Published 11/07/24
In This Episode: 1. Three Great Japanese Language Learning Books Looking for effective tools to boost your Japanese learning? Iā€™m sharing three of my favorite Japanese language learning books that have helped me along the way. Whether you're a beginner or looking to level up, these books are a must-read for language learners. 2. Addictive Japanese Netflix Series Iā€™ve been hooked on a recent Japanese Netflix series, and Iā€™m here to recommend it! Tune in to find out what it is, why itā€™s so...
Published 10/25/24
In This Episode: 1. Cheap Ways to Call Overseas from Japan Need to make international calls without breaking the bank? In this segment, I share some of the best, budget-friendly ways to call overseas from Japan, including apps, services, and other clever solutions to stay in touch with loved ones abroad. 2. The Convenience of Kanji Characters in Japanese Kanji may seem tricky, but theyā€™re also incredibly efficient! I dive into the convenience of kanji characters in daily life, showing how a...
Published 10/17/24
In This Episode: 1. Shoutout to Dave! A huge shoutout to Dave for helping us set up the RSS URL for our YouTube podcast playlist. His expertise saved us a ton of time and got things running smoothly. Thanks, Dave, for the assist! 2. Inflation in Japan Even the cheapest snacks for kids are feeling the pinch! I talk about the recent price hikes in Japan, including a favorite affordable snack thatā€™s risen by a huge percentage! 3. Money-Saving Hacks for Furniture in Japan Looking to furnish...
Published 10/10/24
In This Episode: 1. Nintendo Museum Opened in Kyoto Today Itā€™s official! The highly anticipated Nintendo Museum has opened its doors in Kyoto. Join me as I talk about what this museum means for gaming fans, what you can expect to see, and why itā€™s a must-visit for anyone passing through Japan. 2. Impact of AI on English Speaking Jobs in Japan AI is reshaping industries worldwide, and Japan is no exception. I go into how AI is affecting English-speaking jobs in Japan, particularly in the...
Published 10/02/24
Welcome to episode 72! 1. My Japanese Language Journey It all started in junior high school back in Australia! In this episode, I share how my journey with the Japanese language began, the challenges I faced learning, and how itā€™s shaped my life. From classroom basics to real-world fluency, hereā€™s a deep dive into my language story. 2. The NHK Guy & Getting Exempt from Fees Have you been visited by the NHK guy? Wondering how to deal with those unexpected knocks on the door? I explain...
Published 09/30/24
In This Episode: 1. The "Noren" in My YouTube Videos Ever wondered about the beautiful fabric that hangs behind me in my YouTube videos? It's called a norenā€”a traditional Japanese fabric divider often seen hanging in doorways of shops and homes. In this segment, I share the history behind noren, and why I chose it as part of my YouTube setup. 2. Things I Love About Japan Japan has so many incredible aspects that Iā€™ve come to appreciate. In response to Riki / Paprika Girl's question about...
Published 09/25/24
Welcome to Episode 70 of our video podcast! šŸŽ™ļø In this episode, we dive into the wonderful world of stationery stores in Japanā€”truly a paradise for enthusiasts! Weā€™ll share the poll results revealing everyoneā€™s favorite spots to shop for unique stationery treasures. But itā€™s not all fun and paper; we also discuss the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many expats experience while living in Japan. Weā€™ll touch on practical tips, including the importance of having an emergency evacuation...
Published 09/19/24
This is the first time we're trying a video version on our new YouTube channel @ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC62BDk3vvAxYJWpxYh7psLg In today's episode we talk about: 1. Free internet at home 2. Aichi mishaps 3. Cheating / Affairs 4. Word of the Day
Published 09/12/24
Thanks for your patience; we're finally back! At long last, we've secured a regular schedule. Moving forward, we should be able to record a podcast on a weekly basis. Picking up where we left off, here are the show notes for today's episode: 1. Going overseas? You might need to get an international driver's license in Japan before departing. We talk about our experience in May when we got one in Japan before heading overseas. 2. Back in May, I had thoughts about moving to a beach, and now,...
Published 09/06/24
About our recent Hokkaido trip: We went to Kuromatsunai, Lake Toya and Sapporo! Travel news: Bullet trains/shinkansen to get private room/booth section from 2026! New Costco reseller/retailer "Cospopo". And of course, Word of the Day.
Published 05/03/24
Welcome back to Episode 66 of the Ohazassu Podcast straight from Japan! In today's episode, Microsoft invests a whopping $2.9 billion to supercharge AI infrastructure in Japan. We take a look at official medical care information provided by JNTO, ensuring tourists stay healthy and informed while exploring this amazing country. Plus, I'll spill the beans on my personal secret hack for conquering muscle fatigue, whether you're hitting the road or kicking back at home. And of course, we'll...
Published 04/16/24
Welcome to Episode 65 of the Ohazassu Podcast straight from Japan! In today's episode, we'll explore Japan's ingenious vending machine reward system that keeps your thirst quenched for free. Then, we look at a news story about everyone's surname becoming "Sato" by the year 2531. Stick around for a lively review of the latest open ear earphones. And don't miss our favorite segment, "Word of the Day," guaranteed to tickle your linguistic curiosity. So grab your headphones and tune in!
Published 04/15/24
Free computer disposal and collection in Japan. Some life wisdom we found on a tea cup in a humble Japanese grilled fish restaurant. Bespoke tours in Kamakura by Buddha Bamboo and Zen. Word of the Day.
Published 04/05/24
Been a while! Ohisashiburi and Gobusata, everyone! Welcome to March and to episode 63 of the Ohazassu Podcast. Since it's been a while, bit of a catch up to start off with. Things have been hectic, but OK. Today we covered kanji radicals (bushu) and how they can help us learn and remember characters. We also looked into some key differences between Australian and Japanese healthcare systems when specialists are involved. Been a while since we did a chapter review of the book Bilingual Life...
Published 03/18/24
Japanese kanji family names and why there seems to be more North and West in the case of ļ½žmura. New Japanese banknotes are coming later this year; we do a quick overview of the new designs and features. Quick review of an excellent new article by Retire Japan about university fees in Japan. And of course - Word of the Day!
Published 02/20/24
Sycophantic Starbucks. Seriously healthy snack options in Japan. Unique gift and souvenir ideas from Japan. Word of the Day.
Published 02/07/24
Oshibori Shock! Quick optometrist visit. Who's heating up potato salad? Bilingual Life & Reality book review (chapter 6). Word of the Day
Published 01/23/24
First episode for 2024. Earthquake and disaster prevention. About survival kits and local evacuation centers. Getting prescription glasses. Online machine translation and potential corporate data leaks. McDonald's seasonal dessert menu item starting on the 10th. Word of the Day.
Published 01/06/24
New mic and PC. Choc-mint sandwiches. Intro/Shout-out: Interesting Japan-related X and YouTube channel covers "Goroawase" which we looked at in Ep. 43. Bilingual Life & Reality: Chapter 5 Pt. 2 Borrowing. Word of the Day.
Published 12/20/23
End-Of-Year rubbish/garbage collection dates in Japan. KitKat meets Milo! Bilingual Life and Reality Chapter 5: Code-switching and Borrowing. Word of the Day
Published 12/05/23
Yutapon (reusable and waterless hot water bottles). Public photography rules and legal stuff. Dog owners have a lower risk of developing dementia. Word of the Day.
Published 12/04/23
Japan professor develops system allowing disabled people to play guitar. No video and livestreaming signs and rules in Japan. Bilingual Life & Reality book chapter summary review (chapter 4 continued). Wages and inflation. Word of the Day
Published 11/30/23