146. Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji (The Golden and Silver Pavilions)

Akiya are abandoned homes found all over Japan—some listed for shockingly low prices. Join Jason and Paul as they explore what it’s like to try to buy one, from navigating the listings to understanding the hidden challenges.Topics Covered:Why are there so many vacant houses?Can foreigners buy akiya?How to search for an akiyaHow to choose an akiyaHow to buy an akiyaHow to renovate an akiyaLiving in an akiyaIs it worth it?Join our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Kyoto is full of famous temples, but few are as iconic—or as confusingly named—as Kinkakuji and Ginkakuji. Join Jason and Paul as they dig into the history behind these two landmarks, explore what makes each one special, and explain why the silver Pavilion isn’t actually silver.Topics Covered:HistoryKinkakuji (The Golden Pavilion)Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion)Join our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Japan might be known for its sushi and ramen, but its street food scene is just as exciting. From takoyaki and taiyaki to yakitori and beyond, join Jason and Paul as they dive into some of Japan’s best street eats — and share where to find them! Topics Covered:TakoyakiYakitoriIkayakiTaiyakiYakisobaYaki-imoYaki TomorokoshiTako TamagoKaraageKobe BeefGyozaKorokkeSenbeiSoft CreamKakigoriDangoCrepesChoco BananaBobaWhere to Find Street FoodJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Japan is full of things to love - and a few things that might drive you a little crazy. Join Jason and Paul as they discuss the best and worst aspects of exploring Japan!Topics Covered:PlanesTrainsHotelsFoodWalkable CitiesConveniencePolitenessCustomer ServiceBathroomsOnsenHistoryHikingCity LifeJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Known as the "City of Trees," Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region and a great place to learn about the culture and history of northeastern Honshu. Join Jason and Paul as they explore the city and uncover the story of its founder—a samurai with the coolest nickname ever.Topics Covered:HistoryLoople Sendai: Zuihoden — Sendai City Museum — Sendai Castle — Tohoku University Museum of Natural History — Miyagi Museum of Art — Osaki Hachiman Shrine — Jozenji-dori — Sunmall Ichibancho Shopping District — Date no Gyutan HonpoOther Sights: Sendai City Tomizawa Site Museum — Rinnoji — Dai Kannon — Earthquake Heritage Arahama Elementary SchoolSendai Port: Umino-Mori Aquarium — Mitsui Outlet Park — Sendai Port Central Park — Kirin Beer FactoryEvents: Sendai Tanabata Festival — Pageant of StarlightDay Trips: Matsushima Bay — Ishinomaki/Tashirojima (Cat Island) — Zao Kitsune MuraHow to get to/around SendaiJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Japan is home to a variety of fascinating — and sometimes terrifying — bugs and insects, from summer’s singing cicadas to giant hornets and everything in between. Join Jason and Paul as they dive into the world of Japan’s bugs—both the beloved and the infamous!Topics Covered:Cultural SignificanceFamous Bugs: Cicadas — Giant Hornets — Fireflies — Stag Beetles — Rhinoceros Beetles — SilkwormsSeasonal Bugs: Butterflies — Dragonflies — CricketsCommon Pests: Mosquitoes — Cockroaches — Centipedes — SpidersJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Japan offers a wide range of unique experiences, from cherry blossom viewing and high-speed train rides to exploring ancient temples and sampling the local cuisine. Join Jason and Paul as they rate and discuss some common experiences that visitors are likely to have in Japan!Topics Covered:KonbiniTemples and ShrinesHanamiMaid CafesHikingEatingShoppingShinkansenArcadesJapanese GardensJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their third week of sightseeing!Topics Covered:KamikochiMatsumoto: Matsumoto Castle — Yabuhara to Narai-juku — Matsumoto City Museum — Nawate Shopping Street — Nakamachi Shopping Street — Daio Wasabi Farm — Ishii Miso — Agatanomori ParkOmiya: Omiya Bonsai Village — The Railway MuseumTokyo: Shibuya Parco — Rainbow Karaoke Shibuya — THE MUSIC BAR -CAVE SHIBUYA- — Mount Takao — Meiji JinguHakone: Yama no Chaya — Owakudani — Hakone CheckpointTokyo: Denimio — AkihabaraJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their second week of sightseeing!Topics Covered:Nagoya: Coffee House Kako — Nagoya Castle — The Tokugawa Art Museum — SCMAGLEV and Railway ParkInuyama: Showa Alley — Dondenkan (Matsuri Museum) — Inuyama Castle — Urakuen — Momotaro ShrineHikone: Hikone Castle — Genkyuen — Rakurakuen — Yume Kyobashi Castle RoadOmihachiman: Kawara Museum — Hachimanyama Ropeway — Borderless Art Museum NO-MAYoro: Site of Reversible DestinySekigahara: Sekigahara Battlefield Memorial Museum — Sengoku Armor MuseumTakayama: Hikaru Museum — Takayama Sky Park — Hida no Sato Open Air Museum — Squirrel Forest Hidayama Wild Grass Nature Garden (Risu no Mori) — Matsuri no Mori Museum — Miyagawa Morning Market — Takayama Showa-kan Museum — Tofu Cuisine Noguchiya — Funasaka Sake Brewery — Hida Takayama Retro MuseumJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!

Jason and Paul recently returned home from a trip to Japan. Join them as they discuss their itinerary and recount their first week of sightseeing!Topics Covered:Kumano Kodo: Kii-Tanabe — Guest House Kiyohime — Takijiri Oji — Chikatsuyu — Guest House MUI — Kumano Hongu Taisha — Yunomine Onsen — Minshuku YunosatoOsaka: Shin-Osaka Station — Tempozan Ferris Wheel — Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan — Naniwa Kuishinbo Yokocho — Namba ParksNagoya: Atsuta Jingu — Shirotori Garden — Osu Shopping Street — Osu Kannon Temple — Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology — Sky PromenadeJoin our Discord community!Become a member on Patreon!