In this episode, Kevin chats with one of the original Japan YouTubers (jvloggers), Kurt Bell, aka, Softypapa. In the early days of YouTube, Kurt made fascinating videos about his life in rural Shizuoka and brought us along on countless hiking adventures in the deep forests and mountains. We explored abandoned villages and learned about long forgotten shines with Kurt. After 10 years in Japan, he returned to America. After 10 years in California, Kurt is on the verge of retirement and will return to Japan to continue his rural adventures. Learn more about his amazing story in this episode!

Kurt on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@softypapa

Kurt on “X’:

https://twitter.com/softypapa

Socials:

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life):

https://instagram.com/jlandkev

https://instagram.com/japannightscenes

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

In this Episode, Kevin chats with Tokyo-based entrepreneur, Gregorio. Gregorio is an American who came to Japan in 2008 as a university student and worked for years working in various industries. During the pandemic, he started Monsta Sweets, a cookie company! He made cookies and sold them at pop-ups in Tokyo. He has now opened a full-time brick-and-mortar “Monsta Sweets” shop in Tokyo. Listen to his fascinating story about starting a business from scratch in Tokyo.

Follow Monsta Sweets:

X: https://twitter.com/Monsta_Sweets

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/monsta_sweets

Check out our website!

https://justjapanstuff.com/

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter if you'd like to receive it!

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

Support the Podcasts on Patreon:

patreon.com/JustJapanPodcast97

Socials:

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/japannightscenes

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

In this episode, Kevin chats with Japanese pop culture expert, Matt Alt. Matt is a Tokyo-based writer who writes extensively about how Japanese pop culture has impacted the world. He has written books about Japanese folklore with his wife, Hiroko Yoda, and worked extensively as a translator and localization expert for the Japanese gaming industry. They talk about Japanese toys, pop culture, folklore, and a lot more. Matt also talks about his latest book, “Pure Invention” all about many of the Japanese inventions that had huge impacts on the rest of the world.

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

Support my podcasts and other creative endeavors on Patreon:

patreon.com/JustJapanPodcast97

Follow all the things Matt Alt does:

https://www.mattalt.com/

Check out Matt Alt’s books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Books-Matt-Alt/s?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_27%3AMatt+Alt

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev

Japan Night Scenes: https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes

Email: justjapanpodcast@gmail.com

In this episode Kevin shares an amazing conversation with James Reynolds, a British extreme weather and natural events filmmaker based in Tokyo, Japan. James has been traveling the world for almost 20 years filming volcanoes, typhoons, and the aftermaths of earthquakes and tsunamis. James has arguably the most exciting job in Japan! His job stalled during the cover years, but he is now back in the full swing of things. Kevin later shares some listener requests tales of odd transportation events in Japan. This interview originally aired on the Just Asia Podcast in 2023.

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

James on X: https://twitter.com/EarthUncutTV

EarthuncutTV on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/earthuncuttv

Support the Podcasts on Patreon:

patreon.com/JustJapanPodcast97

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev

Japan Night Scenes: https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

In this episode of the podcast, Kevin O'Shea chats with his friend Kevin Tarpey about exploring rural Japan on foot. Kevin Tarpey lives in rural Shimane Prefecture and is an epic hiker and walker. He has taken many walking adventures such as Shikoku’s 88 Temples Pilgrimage and he writes a regular column for a local newspaper about his walking adventures in Japan. Kevin sees Japan in a way many expats and travelers do.

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

Follow Kevin Tarpey's rural Japan adventurers:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhoof

Support the Podcasts on Patreon:

patreon.com/JustJapanPodcast97

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (Japanese night shots and toys): https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

Kevin chats with Hiroshima-based Sustainable Travel Consultant, JJ Walsh, in this episode. Joy has lived in Japan since the 1990s and is an entrepreneur, content creator, consultant, and very inspirational person. She helps businesses as well as individuals lead more sustainable lives in Japan. They talk about her “Japan origin story” and the Seek Sustainable Podcast. They also chat about being a travel guide in Japan and buying and renovating old homes.

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

Seek Sustainable Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seek-sustainable-japan/id1520832272

Joy on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbjRdeieOLGes008y_I9y5Q

Support the Podcasts on Patreon:

patreon.com/JustJapanPodcast97

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

In this episode we chat with Jason, the man behind napajapan.com. NapaJapan is one of the best places online to buy Japanese snacks, candy, drinks, and other delicious treats. Jason first appeared on the podcast in 2015. We catch up and learn all about how Jason started his snack business in Japan, how he weathered the cover storm as an online retailer, and a lot more. There's also a big treat, if you use the code “justjapan20” at checkout, you can get a 20% discount on an order from napajapan.com! ALSO….support our NEW Patreon campaign!

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

Do some amazing Japanese snack shopping today:

https://www.napajapan.com/

(Discount code: justjapan20)

NapaJapan on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/napajapan/

NapaJapan on facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/napaJapan/

SUPPORT the new pattern campaign:

patreon.com/JustJapanPodcast97

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

TikTok: @busankevin2

In this episode, we are back with Jim Mullins, an expat resident of Japan for 33 years. We catch up on his life lately and chat about inflation in Japan. Is it as noticeable as in other countries? Mully also tells us about what he’s been up to lately. The conversation even turns to shaving and shaving supplies in Japan!

Sign up for the FREE Just Japan Podcast newsletter:

https://mailchi.mp/12afe98c5d57/just-japan-podcast

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: http://facebook.com/justjapanstuff

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev

YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin

TikTok: @busankevin2