Just Japan Podcast - 232: Revisiting the Benton Homestead on Omishima Island

Want to get away from the crush of tourists in Japan and see a less known side? If so, then Phillip Jackson is your guy! Phillip is the author of many books, including Hidden Paths Kyoto, Paranormal Kansai, and Paranormal Japan. He’s a tour guide, writer, musician, and someone who can tell some tremendous historical tales about Japan.   Find Phillip Jackson online: https://www.hiddenpathskyoto.com/     Check out the Supernatural Japan Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan/id1616675498     Follow Kevin O’Shea (host) on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff/ X: https://x.com/MadForMaple YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin

In this episode, we revisit Evan and Dani Benton from the Benton Homestead on Omishima Island in Ehime, Japan. They have purchased two akiya (abandoned homes) and turned one into the Benton Guesthouse. We first met them in episode 219. They have done so much since then. We chatted about their farming on the island, how their abandoned home renovations are going, beekeeping, appearing on American television and much more. This is another great episode for anyone dreaming of buying and renovating an old home in Japan.    You can learn about everything Evan and Dani are doing here: https://bentonhomestead.com/ Follow me on Social Media:  Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff/ X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple Instagram (travel and life): https://instagram.com/jlandkev  

Tony R. Vega joined us once again. Tony is an American podcaster and Japan content creator featured in episode 208. Last year, he walked the entire 500 km of the Old Tokaido Road, and this Fall, he walked from Kyoto to Yamaguchi Prefecture. That’s a fantastic feat for anyone, but even more so for Tony since he is legally blind. Listen to his amazing story and listen to his podcast, Japan Station. Tony online: https://japankyo.com Tony on X: https://twitter.com/thevegatony Japan Station Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-about-japan-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968     Follow Kevin O’Shea (host) on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff/ X: https://x.com/MadForMaple YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin

Have you heard about the famed 88 Temples Pilgrimage on Shikoku? In this episode, host Kevin O’Shea chats with his friend Kevin Tarpey. Kevin is based in rural Japan and is a walker and explorer. 2 years ago, he walked the entire 88 Temples Pilgrimage on Shikoku. Kevin is a born storyteller and adventurer and shares his amazing story with all of us. If you have a taste for adventure in Japan, then this is the episode for you!   Follow Kevin Tarpey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegreenhoof Follow Kevin O’Shea (host) on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff/ X: https://x.com/MadForMaple YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin

In this episode Kevin chats with Tokyo-based entrepreneur, Joseph Tame. Joseph tells the story of how he created the successful media and creative agency, Wild Tame. Joseph also shares his amazing stories of being a pioneering live-streaming pioneer in Japan. He has live-streamed the Tokyo Marathon for 16 years and is well-known for his running art. Enjoy his awesome story!   Follow Joseph online: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamegoeswild/ Wild Tame: https://www.wildta.me/     Follow Kevin on social media: BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff/ X: https://x.com/MadForMaple YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin

In this episode we chat with Karune Walker, the host of the “Train-ing Japan” Podcast. This is the ultimate podcast for all fans of trains in Japan. If you are into trains and traveling around Japan via train, you’ll want to listen to this conversation and follow the “Train-ing Japan” podcast!   Train-ing Japan on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/train-ing-in-japan/id1568907812   Train-ing Japan on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2T3yBnUqfsGmXbxjcKZq67         Follow the Just Japan Podcast and Kevin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin

Meet John from the OHAZASSU podcast! John hails from Australia but has been based in Nagoya for some time. Kevin and John chat about life in Japan and his fantastic podcast that brings everyday practical advice about life in Japan.   Ohazassu Podcast (Linktree): https://linktr.ee/ohazassu       Listen to “Tales from Kevin”: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-kevin/id1767355563     Follow the Just Japan Podcast and Kevin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin

Tales From Kevin - a new storytelling podcast  Hosted by Kevin O’Shea. A mix of stories, thoughts, and experiences from a life lived in many places. Whimsical tales from a man from Canada with fingers and toes in many countries. -   Tale 1: I Got a Monkey Golden Shower A life currently lived in Malaysia can mean lots of different wildlife encounters. Kevin introduces the podcast and discusses having an endangered monkey release its bladder from above. Things get grim, but somewhat funny all at the same time. Welcome to the new storytelling podcast.   FOLLOW my new show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tales-from-kevin/id1767355563   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/07HXqsUXmFCFLWUJ8RpaKZ   Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ac207b88-dbb6-4ca6-8e9e-34a1ecbf5289/tales-from-kevin  

In this episode we get to hang out with Okayama-based Dave Olson. This inspiring Canadian shares many amazing stories, insights, and worldly experiences. From his adventures as a youth to mushroom farming in Tottori, to internet startups in Vancouver, he's done so much. Now Dave lives in Okayama with his beautiful family and shares his experiences and thoughts on personal archeology and much more with all of us. You'll all want to follow Dave and see what he's up to next! https://daveostory.com/       Follow the Just Japan Podcast and Kevin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin   Nature Talks Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nature-talks-podcast/id1579829311

Douglas Brooks is an American researcher, writer, teacher, and boatbuilder. He is passionate about preserving the disappearing tradition of Japanese boatbuilding. He has written 6 books on the topic and his book, “Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding” is the only comprehensive guide on the topic. He has apprenticed under 9 Japanese masters and shares his knowledge with others around the world. Douglas recently was hired as a consultant on the Hulu/Disney/FX miniseries “Shogun” to help construct boats and supply boats for the series. Douglas chats with Kevin about his story, preserving these disappearing Japanese traditions, and what listeners can do also to preserve disappearing traditions in Japan.     Photo credit (podcast art): Brett Simison See everything Douglas is doing: http://douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/ Follow Douglas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/douglasbrooksboatbuilding Boat building blog: http://blog.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/         Follow the Just Japan Podcast and Kevin: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/justjapanstuff X: https://twitter.com/MadForMaple Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev https://www.instagram.com/japannightscenes YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin Nature Talks Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast