Tokyo as seen from Mori Tower in Roppongi.
89. Tokyo
Tokyo is the world’s biggest metropolis, the capital of Japan, and one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this megacity and discuss the many things to see and do there!
Topics Covered:
History
Shinjuku: Kabukicho — Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden — Golden Gai — Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building
Shibuya: Shibuya Crossing — Hachiko Statue — Shibuya 109 — Shibuya Scramble Square — Meiji Jingu — Yoyogi Park
Akihabara: Chuo Dori — Maid Cafes — Electronics — Arcades — 2k540
Asakusa: Sensoji Temple — Kappabashi Dougu-gai — Sumida Park — Skytree
Harajuku: Takeshita Street — Daiso (100 yen shop) — Pure Blue Japan (Denim shop)
Shimbashi: Kagaya
Roppongi: Roppongi Hills — Mori Tower — Mori Art Museum — The National Art Center Tokyo
Ginza: Wako Clock Tower
Kichijoji: Inokashira Park — Ghibli Museum
Ueno: Ueno Park (Zoo, Tokyo National Museum) — Ameyayokocho (Hinoya, Americaya)
Ikebukuro: Sunshine City
Tsukiji: Retail Market
Odaiba: Gundam — Rainbow Bridge — Toyota MegaWeb — Tokyo Big Sight — teamLab Borderless — Aqua City (Ramen Theme Park)
How to get around Tokyo: Suica — JR Pass — Hyperdia — Google Maps
Halloween in Shibuya, 2016.
The main hall at Sensoji.
Dried wakame seaweed (left) and the same amount of seaweed reconstituted in water (right).
86. Seaweed
Nori (left) is a type of seaweed often used in sushi or ramen, and when shredded it is called kizami nori (right) which is used as a garnish for things like noodles and rice bowls.
Umi budo, or “sea grapes”, popular in Okinawa.
Various types of seaweed are used in all sorts of Japanese foods, from sushi to soups to okonomiyaki to desserts. Join Jason and Paul as they learn about this versatile ingredient!
Matsuyama Castle
84. The Shikoku Region
Ritsurin Garden
Sanuki Udon
Shikoku is one of the main islands of Japan and has a unique history, beautiful natural scenery, and a traditional feel. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the Shikoku region of Japan!
Topics Covered:
Shikoku Pilgrimage
History
Tokushima Prefecture: Naruto Whirlpools — Iya Valley (Vine bridges) — Anan Coast — Awa Odori Festival — Nagoro (Doll village) — Sobagome Zosui
Kagawa Prefecture: Naoshima (Art island) — Shikoku Village — Konpira Shrine — Ritsurin Garden — Ogijima — Sanuki Udon
Ehime Prefecture: Shimanami Kaido (Biking trail) — Dogo Onsen — Matsuyama Castle — Uwajima Castle — Mount Ishizuchi — Uwajima Gaiya Matsuri — Uchiko (Kamihaga Residence, Yokaichi Old Town) — Goshiki Somen
Kochi Prefecture: Kochi City Market — Kochi Castle — Yoshino River — Sakamoto Ryoma Memorial Museum — Kitagawa (Monet’s Garden) — Yosakoi Festival — Katsuo Tataki
How to get to/around the Shikoku Region
Traditional masks for sale in a shop window.
White miso, a variety that is fermented for a relatively short period of time.
A booth at 1Kara, a new chain that specializes in solo karaoke.
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
80. The City of Nikko
Lake Chuzenji and Mt. Nantai
Edo Wonderland
Nikko is a popular tourist destination for domestic and international tourists due to its natural beauty, important temples and shrines, and relaxing onsen. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this historic city!
Topics Covered:
History
Shinkyo Bridge
Rinnoji Temple
Toshogu Shrine
Futarasan Shrine
Taiyuin (Mausoleum of Tokugawa Iemitsu)
Tamozawa Imperial Villa
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
Okunikko Region: Lake Chuzenji — Kegon Falls — Senjogahara Hiking Course
Imaichi: Watanabe Sahei Shoten — Cedar Avenue
Kinugawa Onsen
Theme Parks: Edo Wonderland Nikko Edomura — Tobu World Square
Food
How to get to/around Nikko
Hibiki blended whisky from Suntory, Japan’s oldest whisky company.
A life-sized Gundam on display in front of Diver City, a shopping mall in Odaiba, Tokyo.
Magome, a post town on the Nakasendo, an ancient trail connecting Kyoto and Edo.
75. The Chubu Region
The peak of Mount Fuji as seen from the 5th station (about halfway up the mountain).
The Japanese Alps, a series of mountain ranges that divide the Chubu region’s two distinct climatic zones.
A small alley in Kanazawa’s Higashi Chayagai, a historic entertainment district with traditional teahouses where geisha perform.
The Chubu region is located in central Honshu between the Kanto and Kansai regions. It is characterized by rugged mountains and also contains an important symbol of Japan, Mount Fuji. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the amazing things to see and do in this oft-overlooked region of Japan!
Topics Covered:
History: Tokaido Trail — Nakasendo Trail
Aichi Prefecture: Nagoya Castle — Inuyama Castle — Atsuta Jingu — Tokugawa Art Museum — SCMaglev and Railway Park — Toyota Kaikan Museum — Nagashima Resort — Atera-no-Nanataki Falls — Miso Nikomi Udon — Gohei Mochi
Shizuoka Prefecture: World Tea Museum — Kunozan Toshogu Shrine — Kakegawa — Mt. Fuji — Izu Peninsula
Gifu Prefecture: Gifu Castle — Shirakawa-go — Takayama — Ukai Fishing — Gujo-Hachiman — Furukawa
Niigata Prefecture: Koshihikari Rice — Ponshukan Sake Museum — Yuzawa — Sado Island
Yamanashi Prefecture: Kofu — Fuji Five Lakes — Fuji-Q Highland — Shosenkyo Gorge
Nagano Prefecture: Zenkoji Temple — Myoko Togakushi Renzan National Park — Togakure Ninja School — Chibiko Ninja Mura — Matsumoto Castle — Daio Wasabi Farm — Jigokudani Monkey Park — Kiso Valley
Fukui Prefecture: Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum — Eiheiji Temple — Tojinbo
Ishikawa Prefecture: Kanazawa — Geisha Evenings in Kanazawa — Kenrokuen Garden — Myoryuji (Ninjadera) — Noto Peninsula — Kaga Onsen
Toyama Prefecture: Toyama Castle — Toyama Municipal Folkcraft Village — Ikeda Yasubei Shoten — Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route — Toyama Bay (Firefly Squid)
How to get to/around the Chubu Region
74. Arcades (Game Centers)
A multi-floor Taito Station arcade in Akihabara.
Taiko no Tatsujin, a rhythm game where you can play traditional Japanese drums along to music.
A SEGA game center near Akihabara Station.
Video game arcades are ubiquitous in Japan where they are known as “game centers”. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the history of this innovative industry and learn about the many amazing games that can be found at Japanese arcades!
The Great Buddha of Kamakura.
72. The City of Kamakura
The view of Kamakura from Hase-dera.
Kamakura is a city steeped in history and tradition and is now a popular tourist destination. Join Jason and Paul as they explore this former capital of Japan and learn about the many things to see and do there!
Topics Covered:
History
Near Kamakura Station: Wakamiya Oji — Dankazura — Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine — Komachi Street
Hase: Kotoku-in (Great Buddha) — Hasedera
Enoshima
Temples: Hokokuji — Engakuji
Festivals: Chona Hajime Shiki — Setsubun Matsuri — Kamakura Matsuri — Kusajishi-shiki — Fireworks — Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Reitaisai
How to get to Kamakura