Helping you better understand Japan and the Japanese language one question at a time.
Every episode Tony and Ryan--two guys with master's degrees in Japanese Language & Linguistics--draw on their experiences in Japan and extensive research in both Japanese and English to shed light on all aspects of Japan.
From the many interesting quirks of the Japanese language to obscure Japanese history, as well as busting misconceptions about Japan held by both Japanese peole and Westerners, Tony and Ryan cover it all. In the process they have a few laughs and sometimes even end up uncovering information that can only be found in Japanese.
Episodes are released at least once a month (on the 7th). Bonus episodes are released on the 21st.
Is there something that puzzles you about Japanese society? Or is there something in Japanese media/pop culture that you want us to explain? If so, then send an email with your question to ichimon@japankyo.com. While we can't promise that we'll be able to answer it, we'll definitely do our best to address it in some way.
Ichimon Japan is a production of JapanKyo.com. For full show notes, visit japankyo.com/ichimonjapan.
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This is the last episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast! But don't worry, the show isn't really ending!
Topics Discussed
Why I decided to end Ichimon Japan
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show!
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Eikaiwa vs JET vs University Teaching: Which is the better English teaching job in Japan? | Ichimon Japan 80
Episode 80
Wednesday, March 20, 2024 • Duration 54:37
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about what the best kind of English teaching in Japan is: Eikaiwa, JET Programme (ALT) or university teacher.
Topics Discussed
What it is like working in an eikaiwa school in Japan
What the salary is for an eikaiwa teacher
The good and bad about working at an eikaiwa school (private language school)
What it is like being an assistant language teacher (ALT) on the JET Programme
How much you can earn while on the JET Program
The good and bad about being on the JET Program
What it is like teaching english at a college in Japan
What the requirements are for becoming an English teacher at a university in Japan
What the salary is like for an English teacher at a university in Japan
Which job pays more: Eikaiwa, JET or university teacher
What vacation is like for English teachers at Japanese univesities
What the contract/term limits are like for English teaching positions at universities/colleges in Japan
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show!
Links, Videos, Etc. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
What is wasei eigo? (Funny "Japanese" English) | Ichimon Japan 71
Episode 71
Friday, April 21, 2023 • Duration 41:18
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is wasei eigo? (Funny "Japanese" English)
Topics Discussed
What wasei eigo is
About English sounding words made in Japan
tenshon ga takai
pākā
How SNS is not English
arubaito
nōtopasokon
buraindotacchi
misu
misesu
rippukurīmu
hocchikisu
OL
sararīman (salaryman)
shīchikin
interi
haiso
furonto
hōmu
chakku
majikkutēpu
majikku
majikkumirā
Gpan
jampāsukāto
wagomu
atakku
faito
charenji
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why is Japanese TV so bad?
Topics Discussed
Why Japanese TV is so "terrible"
About Japanese variety TV shows
How most TV around the world aren't remarkable
How Japanese TV shows can be useful for watching TV
How Japanese TV game shows are not crazy
How the idea of Japanese game shows being crazy is not true
About Takeshi's Castle
How many Japanese TV shows are staged
Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!! 1989 ‧ Variety show ‧ 0 seasons
About Downtown Matsumoto
About Waratte wa Ikenai
About telop (teroppu)
About national news programs in Japan
About late night radio in Japan
About anime's popularity around the world
About why some media from Japan does not get popular outside of Japan
Anime localization
About Hajimete no Tsukai
About You wa Nani Shi Nippon e
Movies in Japan
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
If you would just like to do a one time contribution, then please go to our Ko-fi page.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
What is the lesson of Urashima Taro? | Ichimon Japan 69
Episode 69
Tuesday, February 21, 2023 • Duration 52:15
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is the lesson of Urashima Taro?
Topics Discussed
The story of Urashima Taro
Discussing different versions of Urashima Taro
About the mysterious box (tamatebako) seen in Urashima Taro
How you shouldn't trust strange talking turtles
The history of the story of Urashima Taro
About the origins of Urashima Taro
About the ryugu no tsukai (oarfish)
A modern urban legend version of Urashima Taro involving opium
The unsatisfactory nature of the story of Urashima Taro
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
Is Weathering With You bad (About Tenki No Ko) | Ichimon Japan 68
Episode 68
Saturday, January 21, 2023 • Duration 01:22:57
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Weathering With You bad? (About Tenki No Ko)
Topics Discussed
The commercial success of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
The cultural impact of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
About the plot of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
Overall impression of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
The animation of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
Product placement in Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
The problem with the gun in Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
Kidnapping Hina
About the ridiculous coincidences of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
The cameos of Your Name characters
Hina's lightning powers
The huge problem with the chase scene in Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
The unclear and unmixed messaging of Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
Radwimps in Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
Makoto Shinkai movies
The meanings of the names of the characters in Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko
Whether Weathering With You/Tenki no Ko has some sort of message connected with climate change
And much more!
Links, Videos, Etc.
None
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
What is Christmas like in Japan? (About Japanese Christmas) | Ichimon Japan 67
Episode 67
Wednesday, December 21, 2022 • Duration 59:33
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Christmas like in Japan? (About Japanese Christmas)
Topics Discussed
All about Christmas in Japan
Japanese Christmas customs in Japan
All about fried chicken and Christmas in Japan
Why KFC is the thing to eat during Christmas in Japan
How Christmas is seen as a romantic holiday in Japan
Christmas light displays
About reserving KFC fried chicken for Christmas
About KFC's Premium Roast
About Christmas cake in Japan
The first Christmas in Japan in 1552
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to .
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
Is Japanese Women's Language an illusion? (About Japanese Women's Language) | Ichimon Japan 66
Episode 66
Monday, November 21, 2022 • Duration 01:00:03
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Japanese women's language an illusion?
Topics Discussed
About Japanese women's language
About gendered language in Japanese
How context affects people's speech in Japan
Directness vs indirectness
About politeness and "women's speech" in Japanese
About steretypical speech styles in Japanese
About direct and indirect indexicality
About Japanese first person pronouns
Constructing your identity via speech
Third person pronouns in Japanese
Avoiding third person pronouns in Japanese
About kare & kanojo
About sentence-final particles
The importance of experimenting with language
The relationship between intonation and sentence-final particles
Gay male speech
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
If you would just like to do a one time contribution, then please go to our Ko-fi page.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
What's the difference: Eikaiwa vs JET? (The Good & Bad of English Teaching in Japan) | Ichimon Japan 65
Episode 65
Friday, October 21, 2022 • Duration 01:09:52
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's the difference: Eikaiwa vs JET? (The Good & Bad of Teaching English in Japan)
Topics Discussed
About teaching English in Japan
About working in eikaiwa (English conversation school) in Japan
About working on the JET Programme
About working as an ALT
About the application process for getting an eikaiwa job
About the application process for getting into the JET Programme
A typical work day for English teachers in Japan
The problems with working in eikaiwa in Japan
The problems working as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in Japan
English education in Japan
Eikaiwa contracts & work hours
About NOVA going out of business About GEOS going out of business
About the collapse of NOVA and the aftermath
About life post eikaiwa/JET in Japan
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
If you would just like to do a one time contribution, then please go to our Ko-fi page.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
64 What's the difference: East vs West Japan? (Kanto vs Kansai)
Episode 64
Wednesday, September 21, 2022 • Duration 58:33
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What's the difference: East vs West Japan?
Topics Discussed
Some of the differences observed in East and West Japan (higashi and nishi nihon)
Differences in culture and food seen in Kansai and Kanto
Where the border between East and West Japan is
The difference in how people from East vs West Japan use escalators
About where Ishikawa is in relation to East vs West Japan
Theories about the origin of the escalator difference in East vs West Japan
The difference in hertz between East vs West Japan
About differences in syntax/language in East vs West Japan
Language differences in Kansai vs Kanto
Naosu vs Katazukeru/Shimau
Shoppai vs Karai/shiokarai
Sasareru vs Kamareru/Kuwareru
Makku vs Makudo
USJ vs Yuniba
Nikuman vs Butaman
Sauces used in East and West Japan
Taste preferences in East vs West Japan (Kansai vs Kanto)
Tamagoyaki/dashimakitamago in Kanto vs Kansai
Mochi in Kansai vs Kanto
How miso soup placement may vary depending on whether you are in Kansai or Kanto
About aburasoba
Ishikawa curry
What torotaku is
What monjayaki is
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese PlusAlpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.
And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
None.
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
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