Just Japan Podcast Just Japan Podcast

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