The Nomadic Japan Podcast

Nomadic Gaijin
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Semiweekly

Go beyond the tourist trail and into the real Japan with Nomadic Gaijin. Hosted by Luke MacQueen, a Twitch and YouTube partner, van-life adventurer, and voice actor who’s spent nearly two decades exploring Japan, alongside co-host Zev, an adventurer in search of powder, ryokans, hidden gems, and great whisky. From unique stories to nightlife, travel, food, and culture, episodes will deliver authentic stories, special guests, and insider perspectives on Japan.

  1. Sep 5

    10 Years on Twitch, 3D Art, Pokémon & Japan! – The Story of Vulpsie | Part 2

    The story continues! In Part 2 of our conversation with Vulpsie, we dive deeper into her life as a professional 3D artist, sculptor, and longtime Twitch streamer. We talk about the realities of turning art into a career, 3D modeling, Pokémon, gaming, streaming for more than a decade, and her connection to both Japan and the United States. Along the way, we share stories from years of streaming, traveling, creating, and experiencing Japan together. If you missed Part 1, start there to hear how Vulpsie discovered sculpting, entered the early days of Twitch Creative, transitioned into professional 3D work, and eventually worked on officially licensed Pokémon figures. 🎙️ The Nomadic Japan PodcastConversations, stories, hidden gems, and life in Japan from people who actually live it. #Japan #Podcast #3DArt #Twitch #Pokemon #JapanLife #Vulpsie #NomadicJapanPodcast

  2. Aug 30

    10 Years on Twitch, 3D Art, Pokémon & Japan: The Story of Vulpsie | Part 1

    What does it take to turn a love of art into a career spanning traditional sculpting, Twitch, 3D modeling, and even officially licensed Pokémon figures? In this episode of the Nomadic Japan Podcast, I’m joined by my longtime friend Vulpsie, a 3D artist and veteran Twitch streamer whose life and creative career have taken her between Japan and the United States. In Part 1, we go back to how Vulpsie discovered sculpting almost by accident in art school, spent years working with traditional clay, and eventually made the jump into digital sculpting and professional 3D work. We also dive into her 10 years on Twitch, including the early days of Twitch Creative and just how much the platform has changed since then. We talk about growing up between the U.S. and Japan, Japanese language struggles, our chaotic first meeting during Halloween in Shibuya, art school, jet lag, and the unexpected paths that can turn a hobby into a career. Later, Vulpsie shares what she’s creating today, from original characters and Japanese-inspired creatures to 3D printing and building an original world of her own. We also get into her professional work creating officially licensed Pokémon models, including figures that have appeared in major U.S. stores. And because neither of us can stay on topic for very long, expect plenty of detours involving immortal clay, centipede assassination techniques, terrible pottery, phone privacy screens, and the surprisingly complicated question of whether we could kill a cow. This is Part 1 of our conversation with Vulpsie. Part 2 coming soon! Find Vulpsie:Twitch: twitch.tv/vulpsieDiscord: discord.com/invite/ouoWebsite: vulpsie.com Find Nomadic Gaijin:solo.to/nomadicgaijin

  3. Aug 23

    🇯🇵 Why Okinawa Feels Nothing Like the Rest of Japan | The Nomadic Japan Podcast

    Okinawa is unlike anywhere else in Japan. In this episode of The Nomadic Japan Podcast, Luke and Zev dive into what makes Japan’s tropical southern islands so unique, from their Ryukyuan history and years under American rule to the food, music, people, beaches, and culture that still set Okinawa apart today. Zev shares stories from his recent trip through Naha and Ishigaki, while Luke looks back on his own experiences visiting Okinawa over the years. Along the way, we talk Shuri Castle, Okinawan food, Awamori, habu snakes, island nightlife, American influence, beautiful beaches, and some of the strange history that once meant traveling between Okinawa and mainland Japan required a passport. Plus, we answer community questions about visiting Okinawa, including how long to stay, getting around, and when to go.

  4. Jul 25

    Chiba Prefecture Episode: Beyond Narita...Surfing, Monorails & Hidden Gems in Chiba Prefecture

    Most travelers pass right through Chiba Prefecture on their way from Narita Airport to central Tokyo—but they’re missing out on one of Japan’s most fascinating regions! In this episode of the Nomadic Japan Podcast, we explore the incredible diversity of Chiba. We break down engineering feats like the floating Umihotaru service area and the suspended Chiba Urban Monorail, check out suburban powerhouses like Kashiwa and Makuhari, hit the coastal surf towns along Kujukuri Beach, and visit unique attractions like Doggy's Island resort and the historic town center of Narita. What We Cover: Floating engineering feats & upside-down monorails Kashiwa’s nightlife & Makuhari’s convention scene Chiba's Pacific coastline, surfing culture & underwater observation towers Quirky retreats: Futtsu Cape & Doggy's Island Narita Airport history & the ancient Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple Links & Resources: Support the Podcast / Join our Community: https://www.patreon.com/nomadicgaijin Follow us on Instagram: @nomadic.gaijin Official Website: https://nomadicgaijin.com

  5. Jul 10

    Ehime Prefecture Episode

    Ehime is one of Japan's least visited prefectures, but it might also be one of its most rewarding. This week we talk about the Shimanami Kaido, Matsuyama, Imabari, famous local foods, beautiful scenery, funny travel stories, and why Shikoku deserves far more attention than it gets. Plus, as always, plenty of unexpected Japan trivia and tangents along the way.

  6. Jun 27

    Nagano Prefecture Episode

    Nagano is often known for its mountains, skiing, and apples, but there's so much more waiting beyond the postcards. In this episode, Luke (Nomadic Gaijin) and Zev share why Nagano has become one of their favorite prefectures in Japan, exploring everything from the historic streets of Matsumoto and the beauty of Zenko-ji Temple to hidden gems like Ueda and Narai-juku. Along the way, they swap travel stories, recommend unforgettable local food, hot springs, scenic drives, and some of their favorite places that many visitors overlook. The conversation also takes a few unexpected detours, from the legacy of the 1998 Winter Olympics and Japan's ancient travel routes to how samurai-era traditions still influence modern Japanese work culture today. It's a chill conversation filled with personal experiences, fascinating history, and plenty of laughs. Whether you're planning a trip to Nagano or simply enjoy discovering more about Japan, we hope this episode inspires your next adventure.  🎙️ The Nomadic Japan Podcast is a relaxed conversation about the people, places, culture, and experiences that make Japan so fascinating. Hosted by Luke (Nomadic Gaijin) alongside co-host Zev, each episode shares personal stories, hidden gems, local history, favorite discoveries, and conversations with guests who have their own unique connections to Japan.

  7. Jun 21

    Working in Japan's Gaming Industry ft. @MegaMattTV

    🎮 Ever wondered what it takes to break into Japan's gaming industry?In this episode of The Nomadic Japan Podcast, I'm joined by special guest MegaMattTV as we dive into his journey into game development, working in the gaming industry, and life in Japan as a creator and professional. We discuss how he got started, the challenges of breaking into the industry, what game development is really like behind the scenes, working culture in Japan, gaming trends, and plenty of stories from our experiences living here.Whether you're interested in video game development, working in Japan, gaming culture, or simply hearing unique life stories, this episode has something for you. 🎙️ Guest: MegaMattTV  @MegaMattTV  What would be your dream job in the gaming industry? Let us know in the comments!I do Twitch live streams like this all the time: https://www.twitch.tv/nomadicgaijinI also did a concurrent live stream on YouTube, so if you want to see more of this place, check it out!: https://youtube.com/live/cNCaFWMdGco?feature=shareLike my videos or live streams? Join the NGIJ discord community: https://discord.gg/BCc24PMqJU Social Media:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadic.gaijinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/NomadicGaijinJapanTwitter: https://twitter.com/Nomadic_GaijinTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nomadicgaijinTo support my channel/live streams, get behind the scenes access and more, check out my Patreon or Join YouTube membership direct through my channel (same content, choice of preferred method) Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/nomadicgaijinYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NomadicGaijin (and hit the join button!) Other ways to support Paypal: https://paypal.me/NomadicGaijinKofi: https://ko-fi.com/nomadicgaijin For access to all of these links in one place, check out my solo page: https://solo.to/nomadicgaijinFor my portfolio and business inquiries, check out my website: https://www.nomadicgaijin.com#japantravel #gaming #japan

  8. Jun 13

    Fukui Prefecture Episode

    On this week's episode, we talk about an area few people travel too called Fukui. For both of us, its a real hidden treasure. It' a place no one really sets out to visit when they come to Japan, but they really should and we talk about why today! Join Luke and Zev as we dive into life in Japan, travel adventures, gaming, anime, Japanese culture, content creation, and everything in between. At the end of each podcast we take questions from the NGIJ discord, if you'd like to submit some for us or about our next location, feel free to join and check the #podcast-questions channel!https://discord.gg/BCc24PMqJUThe two videos I did a few years ago related to this topic:Fukui Travel: https://youtu.be/DZQkreZxhf0?si=CgH11VlIIVDdK3kw$15,000 House in Fukui: https://youtu.be/Se4Q8U0Uac8?si=JokkPprWyRmhif8J

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About

Go beyond the tourist trail and into the real Japan with Nomadic Gaijin. Hosted by Luke MacQueen, a Twitch and YouTube partner, van-life adventurer, and voice actor who’s spent nearly two decades exploring Japan, alongside co-host Zev, an adventurer in search of powder, ryokans, hidden gems, and great whisky. From unique stories to nightlife, travel, food, and culture, episodes will deliver authentic stories, special guests, and insider perspectives on Japan.

Information

  • Creator
    Nomadic Gaijin
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Nomadic Gaijin
  • Show Website
    The Nomadic Japan Podcast