San Fransokyo

Vivian Qu
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PLACES & TRAVEL

An American podcast, abroad in Japan. This is a show about two Americans living in Japan and trying to make sense of all the cultural differences, hopefully creating a lifestyle that is a mashup between the best aspects of both cultures.

  1. 03/16/2020

    Episode 12: Reverse Culture Shock

    “This is maybe is just kinda mean—What most people talk about on the street or in a cafe or something, is just kinda… dumb.” — Dru This is our longest episode yet — here are a few highlights of what we cover: - Why did we come back? Plus discussions of the optimal time to leave Japan- The argument for not becoming fluent in a foreign language- Japanese vs. American bureaucracy- Different levels of cleanliness and ease of public transportation in Tokyo and San Francisco- Circle of influence vs. circle of concerns- Long term vs short term reverse culture shocks SHOW NOTES Check out Bic Camera walkthrough and Bic Camera ads that were used for the background foley work at 11:20. While we won’t be recording more episodes, I’ll be publishing more travel information from our time as locals in Japan 🛩🧳🇯🇵🏯 MUSIC LIST Venetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubShibuya by Bad SnacksMizuki by Bad SnacksDreamy Flashback by Kevin MacLeodTribal War Council by Doug Maxwell/Media Right ProductionsDark Alley Deals by Aaron KennySpy Suite By Quincas MoreiraHalf Day by Bad SnacksAmerican Frontiers by Aaron KennySaving the World by Aaron KennyEasy Saturday by Bad SnacksDelightful Life by Jekk

    58 min

  2. 01/31/2020 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode! Unintentional Background Noise

    “There's some audiophile somewhere who's like 'oh god this is going to give me ear cancer' ... the audiophile appreciates good foley work, it's unintentional background noise that's--I mean, I'm not an audiophile but if I was, that's what I imagine the snobbery to be.” — Dru SHOW NOTES Next episode will be our final episode! Stay tuned for our final thoughts and reflections about Japan. MUSIC LIST Venetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubWallflowers by Bad SnacksDelightful Life by Jekk

    6 min

  3. 12/30/2019 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode! Smack in the Face

    “It was like Dennis was trying to smack this woman in the face. She recoiled in fear as if he were attacking her.” - Dru This time, we tell stories about:- New hobbies that we’ve picked up (like wagashi!)- Japanese beach vacations- Dealing with food spoiling and small refrigerators- Visiting the Tokyo Treasure Islands (specifically Oshima)- How well humor translates- Angry Japanese waitresses- Making fun of our friend at Disney Sea SHOW NOTES Stay tuned for one more bonus episode coming up, plus a final wrap-up episode that will be a send-off for this podcast (😢)! We have taken both the Buddha Bellies Wagashi - Japanese sweets and tea-making lesson class and Simply Oishii’s Wagashi (mochi) course in Tokyo. Check out our wagashi attempts on our instagram @sanfransokyopodcast by clicking here. MUSIC LIST Venetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubCherry Blossom - Wonders by Kevin MacLeodEasy Saturday by Bad SnacksNew Moon by Bad SnacksIsland Coconuts by Aaron KennyAway by GeographerWallflowers by Bad SnacksChristmas Village by Aaron KennyMizuki by Bad SnacksDelightful Life by Jekk

    27 min

  4. 08/19/2019

    Episode 11: Slow March Into the Grave

    “This is going to go down as one of the--if not the best--year of my life. It's all downhill from here. Just... a slow march into the grave.” — Dru We discuss:- Terrace House as a metaphor for what we learned about living abroad- Discounting the fear of moving abroad and being more risk-seeking- “Distinctly” vs. “typically” Japanese- Our time in Japan as a “time of chaotic growth”- Storytelling and whether or not to care about having impact on others- The difficulty of learning Japanese and our current language ability after one year- What we think will change once we get back to the US SHOW NOTESThis is our longest episode yet! Keep a look out for an upcoming bonus episode with outtakes and discussion topics that couldn’t make it into this episode. You can watch Terrace House: Opening New Doors on Netflix. Vivian is currently watching the latest season of the show, Terrace House 2019-2020. The style of the intro and autro commentary inspired by the great host of the Imaginary Worlds podcast, Eric Molinksy. MUSIC LISTVenetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubTake It Easy by Bad SnacksTrying by Eleventyseven…Ready For It? by Taylor SwiftSmile by Jeremy BlakeDelightful Life by Jekk

    49 min

  5. 05/31/2019

    Episode 10: Diametrically Opposed

    “There are a lot of moments where people start to develop one mental image of Japan and then they just get hid by something that seems so diametrically opposed to that. You get a lot of people going, ‘Huh?’ It builds up an expectation and then knocks it down, much more than other countries I’ve been to.” — Dru In this episode we cover:- The existence and mingling of zen and weird Japan- “What Japanese people think American people think Japanese is like”- 1,000 year old trees in Omiya Bonsai Village- Otakus and weaboos channeling the true spirit of Japan- Japan creating all our favorite childhood pop cultureSHOW NOTESHere are links to the articles and videos that I used as reference in the ending section of the episode.- “Bonsai” [Quartz Obsession]- “Kodawari” [Medium]- “An Unusual Way of Speaking, Yoda Has” [The Atlantic]- “Lots of Harry Potter Books in China, Not All By the Author” [New York Times]- “China Cracks Down on Foreign Children’s Books” [The Guardian]- “The Death and Resurrection of Japan’s Used Panty Vending Machine” [Tech In Asia] And, as promised, here is the summary of “Harry Potter and the Big Funnel” (from NYT): “After six years at Hogwarts, Harry Potter becomes an intern sorcerer and is assigned to teach at the Honiton School. Harry has a painful time in his aunt’s house, as Dudley has met a belly-dancing girl. As Harry prepares to report to his job, Bat Bug warns him disaster awaits. At the school, his students become wooden stools one after another. Harry doesn’t know whether an evil student is behind this, or if his old benefactor Hagrid is making a mistake, or if the shadow of Voldemort has returned. Did it have something to do with the big funnel?” MUSIC LISTVenetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubHalf Day by Bad SnacksPowerup! by Jeremy BlakeStar Wars Cantina Theme (8Bit Remix Cover Version) by 8 Bit UniverseHarry Potter Soundtrack - Hedwig’s Theme 8-Bit by Miles_MetalDelightful Life by Jekk

    31 min

  6. 05/08/2019

    Episode 9: The Color Plink

    "It's a very light plink... it's almost like a whitish color." - Vivian In this episode, we cover: - What a cherry blossom season actually looks like- How it is different living here versus visiting during spring- Our ranking of the best seasons to come to Japan- The long-awaited Huel mid-roll ad To try out Huel yourself, use our referral code at bit.ly/sanfransokyo-huel. (DISCLAIMER: Huel does not actually sponsor us) MUSIC LISTVenetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubLeveled Up! by Bad SnacksGaiety in the Golden Age by Aaron KennyCity Night Lights by Bad SnacksDelightful Life by JekK

    22 min

  7. 04/09/2019

    Episode 8: One Year Left to Live

    In this episode, we cover: - How to maintain health and fitness while hosting visitors- Cultivating a sense of wonder for the place you live- Resetting habits/routines when moving to a new country MUSIC LISTVenetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubSpace Racer by Bad SnacksDelightful Life by JekK

    18 min

  8. 02/18/2019

    Episode 7: Shower for Your Butt

    In this episode, we cover: - missing a utility bill payment- traveling salesman-slash-milkman- possible credit card scams, and- the wonders of Japanese toilets and bathrooms.MUSIC LISTVenetian Blinds by Ping Pong ClubKawaii by Bad SnacksEnglish Country Garden by Aaron KennyI Knew a Guy by Kevin MacLeodEnigma by Kevin MacLeodDelightful Life by JekK

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

An American podcast, abroad in Japan. This is a show about two Americans living in Japan and trying to make sense of all the cultural differences, hopefully creating a lifestyle that is a mashup between the best aspects of both cultures.

Information

  • Creator
    Vivian Qu
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2020
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    San Fransokyo