Just Asia – Details, episodes & analysis

Have you ever heard of Chikara Ishi 力石  or Strength Stones in Japan? Probably not. Kevin chats with Osaka-based strength athlete, David Dunlap about the history of stone lifting in Japan. Now, an almost lost sport, Chikara Ishi was once renowned and revered around Japan. Today,  strength athletes such as David and the World’s Strongest Man, Martins Licis are trying to put the sport back on the map in Japan. Learn more about this fascinating piece of Japanese history.

Follow David on YouTube (Nobei Power):

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

Follow David on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/nonbei.power

Check out the Strength Unknown video with Martins Licis and David:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CEjK9haKSQ

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the AWESOME GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

We are back with another fantastic conversation about Japan. Kevin chats with Dave in Osaka, one of the original Japan live-streamers. If you’re interested in seeing Maiko in Kyoto or festivals throughout Japan, Dave’s YouTube and Twitter are the places to be. He started back in the days of Periscope and continues to create great content with amazing cultural and travel connections. 

Follow Dave in Osaka:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaveInOsaka

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveinOsaka

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the AWESOME GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

In this episode, Kevin revisits an interview he did for the Supernatural Japan Podcast. Kevin chats with Richard Guilbeault, a Canadian expat in Asia. Rich (MiddleAgedExpat on YouTube), traveled to Bibai, Hokkaido in Japan to investigate what is supposed to be one of the most haunted places in Japan. He explored the infamous abandoned Round Schoolhouse. What did he discover?

Check out the original interview from the “Supernatural Japan Podcast”:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan-episode-2-hokkaidos-round-schoolhouse/id1616675498?i=1000556282395

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the AWESOME GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

We are back after a summer hiatus! In this episode Kevin chats with Pee Jay and Sarah, two long-term Japan expats. They discuss the importance of having hobbies while living abroad. They specifically chat about a fun geolocation game called Munzee which gets people outdoors, discovering the world around them. 

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Munzee Maniacs Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/munzee-maniacs-podcast/id1538817096

Sarah on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkobe/

Pee Jay On Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/kansai_pee_jay/

In this episode, Kevin chats with Kyoto-based writer and guide, Phillip Jackson. Phillip is the author of “Hidden Paths - Walking Historical Kyoto”, a book that gets you off the beaten track to see amazing sites in Kyoto that aren’t crowded and filled with history. He is also the author of “Paranormal Kansai” a book looking at the spookier sides of this region of Japan. Phillip shares his insights into local tourism and tells some fascinating stories about hiking in Kyoto and the paranormal side of this region. 

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the NEW GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Check out everything Phillip Jackson is doing:

Hidden Paths Kyoto: https://www.hiddenpathskyoto.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pjacksonmusic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hiddenpaths-walkinghistori588

It’s the first episode recorded in Japan! This week Kevin chats with Orrin Heath a photographer based in Nagano Prefecture in Japan. He captures Japan on film and shares his insights into the hobby of film photography. He tells us where he gets older film cameras in Japan as well as the film. He also gives great advice to listeners who may be interested in getting into film photography. 

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the NEW GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Follow Orrin’s Film Photography and more about Japan:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nirro04

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nirro04/

Darkroom: https://orrinheath.darkroom.com/

What’s it like to work in a university in Japan? How do I get a job like this? In our final episode recorded in Mainland China, Kevin chats with Japan-based expat, Pee Jay about working in universities in Japan. Pee Jay shares his “Japan origin story” and talks about how he transitioned from teaching in public schools, to private schools and then to universities. He also talks about how the Cover years were in Japan and how, as a result, many universities have been forced to evolve.

There will be no new episode next week.

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the NEW GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Follow Pee Jay on Intsagram: @kansai_pee_jay

https://www.instagram.com/kansai_pee_jay/?hl=en

Follow and Listen to the Munzee Maniacs Podcast (hosted by Pee Jay and Kevin):

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/munzee-maniacs-podcast/id1538817096

How does a foreigner get into the game development industry in Japan? What is IRL live streaming? In this episode, Kevin chats with Matt Papa, AKA MegaMattTV about all these things. Matt is originally from the United States but has spent many years living in both Osaka and Tokyo. He works in games, is a Twitch content creator, and does some really cool live streams around Tokyo with friends! 

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the NEW GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Follow Matt on Twitch:

https://www.twitch.tv/MegaMattTV

Follow Matt on Twitter:

https://twitter.com/MegaMattTV

In this episode, host Kevin O’Shea chats with Brian Waters, a forensic scientist who teaches at a university in Fukuoka. Brian appeared on many episodes of the Just Japan Podcast and now makes his debut on Just Asia. Growing up in America, Brian first came to Japan on the JET Program. He later worked for the LA County Coroner’s Office and then made the move to Japan where he is raising his family. Brian’s story is a very interesting one indeed! 

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the NEW GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Follow Brain Waters:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyTwoYen

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mytwoyen/

In the epodes, host Kevin O’Shea chats with Shawn Morrissey. Shawn is a Canadian who has called South Korea home for more than 20 years. Shawn is a folklorist, storyteller, heritage interpreter, writer, and travel guide. He leads tours for Seoul Hike as well as the Dark Side of Seoul. Shawn is also the author of books such as “The Dark Side of Seoul: Weird Tales from Korean Lore.” Shawn talks about how his interest in all things spooky as well as Korean folklore developed as well as how he developed a career in the Korean travel industry. 

Follow the Podcast on social media:

Join the NEW GROUP:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/652187626755803

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple

Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev
Instagram (nature stuff): https://instagram.com/shizenwildlife
YouTube: http://youtube.com/@busankevin 

Find Shawn here:

Dark Side of Seoul

https://www.darksideofseoul.com/

Seoul Hike:

https://seoulhike.com/

Arthropod:

Kevin O'Shea Insect Loving Educator

https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/arthro-pod/id920537000?l=en&i=1000612824240

©Copyright Kevin O'Shea 2023