Large eyes and a round face are common attributes of kawaii characters as exemplified by this Pikachu doll at the Pokemon Center in Osaka.
The town of Kojima is the birthplace of Japan’s denim industry, and their Jeans Street is a neighborhood filled with shops where local denim companies sell their goods.
68. Denim
The pink selvedge ID and inseam on this pair of Momotaro jeans are references to the peach in the Japanese folktale about Momotaro, a.k.a. “peach boy”.
Jeans hanging over Kojima Jeans Street.
Fading on a slubby pair of jeans from Pure Blue Japan.
The leather patch on a pair of Oni Denim jeans.
Did you know that Japanese denim is widely considered to be among the best in the world? Join Jason and Paul as they learn about what makes Japanese denim so great!
Kagami mochi, a traditional new year’s decoration.
67. Mochi
Yakimochi, a grilled piece of mochi filled with sweet red bean paste.
Mochi is a popular rice-based food in Japan that has been considered sacred since ancient times. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about how it is made, its cultural significance, and the many types of dishes that can be made with mochi!
Tashirojima (a.k.a. Cat Island) off the coast of Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region.
66. The Tohoku Region
The Tohoku region of Japan, consisting of six prefectures in northeast Honshu, is known for its mountains, winter sports, onsen resorts, and natural scenery. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what there is to see and do in the Tohoku region!
Topics Covered:
History
Fukushima Prefecture: Oze National Park — Goshikinuma Ponds — Ouchi-juku — Kitakata Ramen
Miyagi Prefecture: Jozenji-dori — Kokubuncho — Ichibancho Shopping Arcade — Sendai Daikannon — Tomizawa Site Museum — Zuihoden Mausoleum — Gyutan (Beef Tongue) — Zundamochi — Sendai Asaichi Morning Market — Tashirojima (Cat Island) — Zao Kitsune Mura (Fox Village) — Ishinomaki — Zuiganji Temple — Matsushima Bay Islands
Yamagata Prefecture: Zao Onsen Ski Resort — Yamagata City — Somaro Maiko Teahouse — Ginzan Onsen — Yonezawa Beef — Yamagata Cherry Festival
Akita Prefecture: Kanto Festival — Kakunodate — Namahage Museum — Nyuto Onsen — Kiritanpo — Akitakomachi Rice — Hinai Chicken
Iwate Prefecture: Jodogahama Beach — Ryusendo Cave — Hiraizumi — Chusonji Temple — Geibikei Gorge — Kitakami Tenshochi Park — Wanko Soba — Maezawa Beef — Abalone
Aomori Prefecture: Nebuta Festival — Shirakami-Sanchi — Sanriku Fukko — Oirase Stream — Aoni Onsen — Osorezan — Black Garlic
How to get to/around the Tohoku Region
A pachinko parlor in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
The village of Shirakawa-go as seen from the Shiroyama Viewpoint.
64. Shirakawa-go
Furusato, one of the many gassho-zukuri farmhouses where you can stay overnight!
Shirakawa-go is a quaint mountain village nestled in the Japanese Alps that is known for its beautiful views and a unique architectural style called gassho-zukuri. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the many things to see and do in this picturesque village!
Topics Covered:
History
Gassho Zukuri Houses
What to see/do: Open-Air Museum — Wada House — Kanda House — Nagase House — Shirakawa Kaido Street — Shiroyama Viewpoint (Tenshukaku Observatory) — Tajima House Museum of Silk Culture — Myozenji Temple — Hachimangu Shrine — Shirakawa-go no Yu (Foot bath)
Events: Snow-Dyeing Ceremony — Cherry Blossom Viewing (Hanami) — Rice-Planting Festival — Doburoku Matsuri
Food: Doburoku (Unrefined sake) — Hida Beef — Suttate Nabe (Hot pot) — Fish — Gohei Mochi — Tochimochi — Soba
Travel Tips
Momotaro (Peach boy), one of the most popular figures in Japanese folklore who is also now the mascot for a denim brand.
The control panel for a Japanese toilet with a built-in bidet.
Soba and sushi served with real wasabi that you can grate yourself.
Colorful koi in a pond at Sensoji, a temple in Tokyo.
The main hall of Kiyomizu-dera with the city of Kyoto in the distance.
54. Kyushu Journeys (Interview)
Join Jason and Paul as they speak with Simon and Moo, the owners and operators of a Kyushu-based travel agency called Kyushu Journeys!
Find Kyushu Journeys online:
https://www.facebook.com/kyushujourneys
Okunoin, the largest cemetery in Japan.
Osaka Castle.
52. The City of Osaka
Osaka is one of the largest cities in Japan and was traditionally considered the country’s economic hub. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the sights, sounds, and tastes of this bustling metropolis!
Topics Covered:
History
Umeda: HEP Five Ferris Wheel — Umeda Sky Building
Shinsaibashi: Amerika-mura (America Town)
Namba: Dotonbori — National Bunraku Theater — Kuromon Market — Nipponbashi Den Den Town
Shinsekai: Nostalgia — Kushikatsu
Shitennoji Temple
Abeno Harukasu
Sumiyoshi Taisha
Osaka Castle
Osaka Bay: Universal Studios Japan — Kaiyukan (Aquarium) — Maishima Pottery Museum
Food: Takoyaki — Okonomiyaki — Udon — Oshizushi — Ramen
How to get to/around Osaka