Just Japan Podcast - 235: Retiring in Japan with Kurt Bell

In the latest episode of the Just Japan Podcast, I welcome back returning guest Kurt Bell, better known as Softypapa on YouTube. When we last spoke, Kurt was in the U.S. with his Japanese wife, preparing for retirement and planning a move back to Japan. A year later, he’s made that dream a reality—retired, relocated, and now living in Japan full-time. Kurt shares his fascinating journey of purchasing and settling into an akiya (an abandoned house) in rural Japan and offers insights into his new lifestyle as a retired American resident. We also dive into his ongoing work as a well-known YouTube content creator and how his move has influenced his creative output and daily life.   Follow Kurt’s adventures: https://www.youtube.com/@softypapa     Support the podcast (Help fund the creation of new episodes): https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   LISTEN to my other podcast, Supernatural Japan: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan/id1616675498     Follow the podcast:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlandkev Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social X: https://x.com/MadForMaple Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551918404228&mibextid=LQQJ4d Email: [email protected]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin   NEW podcast companion blogs! https://justjapanstuff.com/

Do you love true crime, ghost stories, and paranormal mysteries? Then you’ll love Supernatural Japan  — where Japan’s most chilling true crime cases collide with ancient folklore and eerie urban legends. Each episode uncovers a new mystery: unsolved murders with ghostly connections, haunted places locals fear to enter, bizarre disappearances, and encounters with yōkai — Japan’s mysterious spirits and creatures. It’s part true crime, part supernatural, and completely addictive. Whether you're fascinated by Japanese culture, love horror stories, or just want something seriously spooky in your podcast queue — Supernatural Japan has a story for you. Perfect for fans of Morbid, Lore, and Unexplained, this show blends immersive storytelling, sound design, and deep research to bring Japan’s darkest tales to life. Search Supernatural Japan Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or anywhere you listen — and hit follow before something follows you. 👻   Podcast website.  

The Hibagon (ヒバゴン) is the Japanese equivalent of the North American Bigfoot. Many believe that it inhabits the areas around Mount Hiba in Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan. In this episode, we talk to Canadian author Kyle Brink. He has been researching Hibagon for many years and is based in Hiroshima Prefecture. He is the author of the book, “Hibagon: Japanese Bigfoot.” If you are a cryptids and Bigfoot lore fan, you’ll love this episode!    Kyle’s book:https://www.amazon.com/Hibagon-Japanese-Bigfoot-Kyle-Brink/dp/B08X6DX7KS Kyle’s YouTube channel with loads of Hibagon videos: https://www.youtube.com/@brinkbooks3492   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   Follow the podcast:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supernaturaljapan Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social X: https://x.com/MadForMaple   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551918404228&mibextid=LQQJ4d Email: [email protected]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin Website: https://supernaturaljapan.buzzsprout.com FOLLOW the Supernatural Japan Podcast: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/supernatural-japan/id1616675498 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/dedb712b-9800-4759-8158-e4af590710b4/supernatural-japan Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/35FkGE7Kc9bXFGpt37ZF2y?si=bd412e905adf45cc     Follow the podcast:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supernaturaljapan Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/madformaple.bsky.social Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551918404228&mibextid=LQQJ4d Email: [email protected]  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BusanKevin Website: https://supernaturaljapan.buzzsprout.com

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/   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin       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/   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin     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   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   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 Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   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!   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   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! Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   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.   Support the podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/busankevin   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