Why there's a DOGE statue in Japan! | Japan Station 119

This time we're taking a deep dive into the history of the Japanese word for fart: onara. Where did it come from? What is its true meaning? What is its link to a secret ancient language spoken hundreds of years ago in Japan? We're answering all those questions and more!   SUPPORT Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/japankyo Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/japankyo   Listen to the Japan Station Podcast! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-about-japan-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968   Follow on X https://twitter.com/japankyonews   Visit JapanKyo.com for more https://japankyo.com/

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about why I decided to walk the old Tokaido Road in 2023 and the impact it had. This episode features a speech I did for the 2024 state convention of the Hawaii Association of the Blind. Topics Discussed Why I walked the Tokaido in 2023 What my goal was How I raised awareness of the blind & visually impaired community by walking from Kyoto to Tokyo And more! Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. The Tokaido Challenge Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYU41Z0G4Uc&list=PL7ALB_S1KyWunL6kIbGu_Vtmswe1qxlHq Hawaii Association of the Blind: https://hawaii.acb.org/ Tony Dot Vega on X: https://twitter.com/thevegatony Subscribe to JapanKyo on YouTube JapanKyo on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about why you shouldn't try to learn Japanese. Topics Discussed How AI and translation software are making it unnecessary to learn Japanese How learning Japanese is pointless for most people Why you should learn Japanese Reasons people would want to study Japanese And more! Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. The Tokaido Challenge Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYU41Z0G4Uc&list=PL7ALB_S1KyWunL6kIbGu_Vtmswe1qxlHq For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the manga creator Akira Toriyama and his impact on the world and my life. Topics Discussed About the passing of manga creator Akira Toriyama About the impact and influence of Akira Toriyama on the US and the world About the impact of Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z About the popularity of the Dragon Ball franchise around the world About discovering Dragon Ball in Peru And more! Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. The Tokaido Challenge Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYU41Z0G4Uc&list=PL7ALB_S1KyWunL6kIbGu_Vtmswe1qxlHq For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking to the owners of Geisha House Atami and learning about what it's like to buy an old house in Japan, restore it and more! Topics Discussed About Geisha House Atami About Atami About the history of Atami About what it's like buying an old house in Japan Whether you should buy a cheap abandoned house in Japan What you should be aware of before you try to buy a house in Japan What can be annoying about buying an old house in Japan What you can expect when you visit Geisha House Atami And much more Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. Geisha House Atami Links Geisha House Atami Website: https://www.geishahouseatami.com/ Geisha House Atami X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/GeishaHouseA Follow JapanKyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) https://www.facebook.com/JapankyoNews/ X/Twitter (@JapankyoNews) https://twitter.com/japankyonews My Personal X/Twitter (@TheVegaTony) https://twitter.com/TheVegaTony Instagram (@JapanKyoNews) https://instagram.com/japankyonews YouTube (@JapanKyoNews) https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com  

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about the worst 3 mistakes I made while learning Japanese. Topics Discussed About the history of Kabosu the Shibainu and the Doge meme About three of the worst mistakes I made while learning Japanese About the importance of studying Japanese outside of the classroom The funniest mistake I ever made while speaking Japanese About the word toire And much more Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. Here's all th Tokaido Challenge Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYU41Z0G4Uc&list=PL7ALB_S1KyWunL6kIbGu_Vtmswe1qxlHq Follow JapanKyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) https://www.facebook.com/JapankyoNews/ X/Twitter (@JapankyoNews) https://twitter.com/japankyonews My Personal X/Twitter (@TheVegaTony) https://twitter.com/TheVegaTony Instagram (@JapanKyoNews) https://instagram.com/japankyonews YouTube (@JapanKyoNews) https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com

On this episode of Japan Station, we learn about the new statue of the famous Kabosu the shibainu (a.k.a. Doge) that was erected in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. Are you ready to go on "the Doge Pilgrimage?" Topics Discussed About the history of Kabosu the Shibainu and the Doge meme About the process of creating the Doge statue that is in Sakura City in Chiba Prefecture near Narita Airport About how the creation of the Doge statue was funded How the Own the Doge organization created the bronze Doge statue About connecting and communicating with the mayor of Sakura City in Chiba Prefecture About the Own the Doge organization About Atsuko Sato About auctioning off the couch seen in the original photo used in the Doge meme About the big unveiling ceremony of the Doge statue in November of 2023 About John Monarch's (creator of the Doge meme) role in the Own the Doge and Bronze Doge pprojects And much more Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. Here's all the relevent links Own The Doge X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ownthedoge Own The Doge Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ownthedoge/ Bronze Doge X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/BronzeTheDoge John Monarch X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/realjohnmonarch Smoke X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Smoke_theArtist Follow JapanKyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) https://www.facebook.com/JapankyoNews/ X/Twitter (@JapankyoNews) https://twitter.com/japankyonews My Personal X/Twitter (@TheVegaTony) https://twitter.com/TheVegaTony Instagram (@JapanKyoNews) https://instagram.com/japankyonews YouTube (@JapanKyoNews) https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com

Subscribe to the JapanKyo YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Watch the Tokaido Challenge video series Part 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYU41Z0G4Uc&t=6s Part 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-1WTOptzYY&t=18s Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMFnK5sN9mI&t=5s   Tony Dot Vega X/Twitter https://twitter.com/thevegatony JapanKyo X/Twitter https://twitter.com/japankyonews MAJISON X/Twitter https://twitter.com/majisonchan

On this episode of Japan Station, licensed travel guide Miyuki Seguchi shares 5 travel tips that will help you make the most out of your next visit to Japan. Topics Discussed What the process is like for becoming a licensed travel guide The importance of planning your trip to Japan Advice for making the most out of your trip to Japan How booking a tour can help you enjoy your trip in Japan even more 5 tips you should keep in mind when preparing to travel to Japan And much more Support on Patreon & Ko-fi  If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. See below for all the relevant links. Free resources for Japan travel planning The FREE step by step Japan Travel Guide: the 7 steps to creating your unique immersive travel experience: https://www.miyukiseguchi.com/travelguide The Japan Experts Podcast: https://podfollow.com/japan-experts Guided tours with Miyuki: The Uniquely Japan Tours in Central Japan: https://www.miyukiseguchi.com/tours Miyuki Seguchi Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/japan.experts Miyuki Seguchi Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/japanexpertsmiyuki Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/japanexperts Follow JapanKyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) https://www.facebook.com/JapankyoNews/ X/Twitter (@JapankyoNews) https://twitter.com/japankyonews My Personal X/Twitter (@TheVegaTony) https://twitter.com/TheVegaTony Instagram (@JapanKyoNews) https://instagram.com/japankyonews YouTube (@JapanKyoNews) https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about what it was like getting a massage by a maid in Akihabara. Topics Discussed About Akihabara Maid Reflexology Felicie About what it was like getting massaged by a maid in Akihabara About how much it costs to get a massage by a maid in Akihabara About getting a foot massage by a maid in Akihabara About whether you should get a massage by a maid in Akihabara And much more Support on Patreon & Ko-fi If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show! Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo Support on Ko-fi https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo Links, Videos, Etc. See below for the link to Felicie Akihabara Maid Reflexology Felicie (秋葉原メイドリフレクソロジー フェリシー): https://felicie-web.com/   Follow JapanKyo on Social Media Facebook (@JapankyoNews) https://www.facebook.com/JapankyoNews/ X/Twitter (@JapankyoNews) https://twitter.com/japankyonews My Personal X/Twitter (@TheVegaTony) https://twitter.com/TheVegaTony Instagram (@JapanKyoNews) https://instagram.com/japankyonews YouTube (@JapanKyoNews) https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews For More Visit JapanKyo.com For more of my Japan-focused content, visit the JapanKyo website JapanKyo.com