17 episodes

Dive deep into the world of Japanese subculture with host Stephen T. M. as we explore the most influential music, literature, and cinema the country has to offer. From iconic artists to hidden gems, we seek a more complete comprehension of Japan's media landscape, offering unique insights into its modern cultural identity along the way. Join us for an enriching journey filled with travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and intriguing facts about Japan's greatest creative minds and how they’ve inspired people worldwide.

Japan Media Tour Stephen TM

    • Society & Culture

Dive deep into the world of Japanese subculture with host Stephen T. M. as we explore the most influential music, literature, and cinema the country has to offer. From iconic artists to hidden gems, we seek a more complete comprehension of Japan's media landscape, offering unique insights into its modern cultural identity along the way. Join us for an enriching journey filled with travel tips, restaurant recommendations, and intriguing facts about Japan's greatest creative minds and how they’ve inspired people worldwide.

    Bloodthirsty Butchers - Your Favourite Band's Favourite Band

    Bloodthirsty Butchers - Your Favourite Band's Favourite Band

    Episode 17 is all about the incredibly consistent post-hardcore band Bloodthirsty Butchers. This cult classic rock band was part of the early migration from Hokkaido to Tokyo in the late 80s and early 90s. Beloved by music enthusiasts and other bands, they never achieved true mainstream success, but are nevertheless legends in the Japanese music scene. We also talk about Supercar, the Far East Network, and izakaya.





    Nikka Bar Rita:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/pyVagrMjK9ZcCLXa6



    Nomidokoro Tanaka Tanaka:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/6jGSqaVyzfg56oAX7





    My Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/JapanMediaTour



    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_XbCjaodWzdrCNnOKA5vg

    • 35 min
    Pokemon (Gen. 1) - The Games That Defined the Heisei Era

    Pokemon (Gen. 1) - The Games That Defined the Heisei Era

    Our 16th instalment brings us back to the 90s with the games that defined the Millennial generation, Pokemon. It's the highest selling franchise of all time, and it's still going strong. We also talk about Japanese bugs, retro vending machines, and yokai.





    Used Tire Mart Sagamihara Store - Vending Machine Corner

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZtbGL3zC3NkNnzHu8



    Kitchen Punch:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/DrLuUnnkrvDv85on7





    My Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/JapanMediaTour



    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_XbCjaodWzdrCNnOKA5vg

    • 39 min
    Tampopo (1985) - The Greatest Food Story Ever Told

    Tampopo (1985) - The Greatest Food Story Ever Told

    Episode 15 looks at Juzo Itami's 1985 masterpiece, Tampopo. Billed as a "Ramen Western", it's a parody of the Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960s. Tampopo also happens to be one of the best food movies of all time. We also talk about love, sex, and conformity in 80s Japan.





    Soba House Konjiki-Hototogisu:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/5gSvGXuS9g9b9eUz5





    My Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/JapanMediaTour



    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_XbCjaodWzdrCNnOKA5vg

    • 43 min
    City Pop - Revisiting the Iconic Sounds of 80s Japan

    City Pop - Revisiting the Iconic Sounds of 80s Japan

    In episode 14 we dig deep into City Pop, the sophisticated music of Japan's bubble era in the late 1980s. City Pop made a comeback in the late 2010s, with artists like Mariya Takeuchi and Miki Mastsubara inspiring genres like future funk and vaporwave. We also talk about anime, karaoke, and the Tokyo club scene.



    Henry's Burger:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/PcqsXQ4KZv2HAB879



    Womb:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/wqBcs9SwWsqahuRR6





    My Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/JapanMediaTour



    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_XbCjaodWzdrCNnOKA5vg

    • 34 min
    Akira Toriyama - Farewell to a Shonen Manga Legend

    Akira Toriyama - Farewell to a Shonen Manga Legend

    Episode 13 is a tribute to Akira Toriyama, the man who introduced the world to shonen manga and anime. People always say that they miss 80s and 90s manga and that it just looked so much better. Well, a lot of the nostalgic style we love and miss was created by Toriyama, from Dr. Slump, to Dragon Ball. We also talk about Shonen Jump magazine, Nagoya's cuisine, and kaiju.



    Misen Ramen Imaike:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/XAgCz6at5gvbNL8j7



    Pizzeria Braceria Cesari:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/9LzPKP8SSi6m49yt9





    My Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/JapanMediaTour



    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_XbCjaodWzdrCNnOKA5vg

    • 33 min
    Yayoi Kusama - Why Her Art is More Relevant Now Than Ever Before

    Yayoi Kusama - Why Her Art is More Relevant Now Than Ever Before

    In episode 12 we discuss the life of the prominent Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. She has been a trendsetter for almost a century, and is one of the most important and impactful artists of the modern era. We also talk about castles, mental health, and Andy Warhol.





    Naoshima Island:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/19UnsfU7EzQ2J4du8



    Matsumoto Castle:

    https://maps.app.goo.gl/ydhLgo2zb2vrTaKKA





    My Twitter:

    https://twitter.com/JapanMediaTour



    YouTube:

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL_XbCjaodWzdrCNnOKA5vg

    • 36 min

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