Finding Japan

Please excuse the episode’s long intro; I’ve been up to things and I talk about them. This one gets heated in the best possible way as Stefhen and I discuss Black/African identity vis a vis Japan and what it means to live a biracial/multicultural life and so on. Stefhen’s done some cool things, so check … Continue reading "Black Passenger Crossing the Bridge"

Another day, another ep! This one is some rough and easy (just how I like it?) Japan talk with good friends Simon and Gus from San Francisco about our numerous adventures in Japan. Drinking competitions, jail, girls, more jail… enjoy! Please forgive my vocals. Due to technical difficulties, Simon and Gus sound fantabulous but my … Continue reading "Episode 88 – Omoide-banashi (Reminiscing) with the Boys"

Tim Andersen is back to talk more startup in Japan. We get the update on what happened to his startup project Musby. Spoiler, it didn’t go as planned. However, it’s all good. Tim has no quit and continues to apply lessons learned as a project manager at Edocode. If you didn’t get a chance to … Continue reading "Episode 87 – Startin’ Up, Movin’ Up with Tim Andersen"

Excited to have my akogare (we talk about this word) Terri MacMillian on the show. We talk about her music management experience (Pizzicato Five?!), life in Japan in general, her favorite actor (super cool), and of course we get a touch ornery about Black Lives Matter.

A quick primer on ways to say Black Lives Matter in Japanese. [Kokujin no inochi wa taisetu] – Black Lives Matter (are important with no implied too) [Kokujin no inochi koso taisetu] – It is Black Lives that Matter, Black Lives Matter! (Indeed!), more so than others [Kokujin no inochi mo taisetu] – Black Lives … Continue reading "FJ Quickie Quickie Eew Wee – BLM in Nihongo"

Thank you to those of you who have been listening to the shorter quickiesodes. More are coming but for now, here’s a full-length episode! Host emeritus Chris is back with me (socially distantly) to discuss these unusual times with comparisons between the US and Japan. And everyone’s favorite bovine friend gets a mention.

Eew wee, indeed. Today’s episode is about natto or fermented soybeans! Get some more smelly, slimy, and stringy info here!

This time its the racial sexually amped duo of Bedtime Eyes and Almost Transparent Blue.

Another quick episode for these Corona times… the 1962 classic novel The Woman in the Dunes .

A quick episode for these Corona times… the 1960 classic film The Naked Island.

Join Terrance and Christopher for a conversational reconnect as Terrance braves the wintry tundra of Connecticut for a long overdue in-person recording from our two hosts. Get some insight on what residency in Tokyo feels like after many years and the challenges that returning to the United States presents after many years in Asia. Special … Continue reading "Episode 84 – Konechikatto Chatto"

It’s been a long time in the making, but we’re finally reviewing one of Japan’s most famous novels: Kawabata Yasunari’s, “Snow Country”. As one of Terrance’s absolute favorite books and only recently read by Christopher, we discuss the finer points of the novel, its context, and what we make of the imagery and plot.

Join Terrance and Christopher with dualing audio as they journey to the summit of Mount Takao, a small mountain just west of Tokyo. This sound-seeing (sound scene) tour includes some lively discussion on Japanese films, accents, future nature sabbaticals, and disaster scenarios. What more could you ask for?

On this episode Terrance sits down with a Kobe friend, Tim Andersen to talk about his startup Musby. They catch up a little and go over their common background of being halfies growing up in Japan. They talk Musby’s goal of bringing language learning together with other interests – it really is a great idea … Continue reading "Episode 81 – Tim Puts the Pieces Together with Musby"

It’s Finding Japan’s 80th show! Terrance is joined in celebration with his friend and veteran Japan raconteur Todd Rucynski. Todd’s been in Japan for a long time has done everything from the good ol’ gaijin mainstay of teaching English to owning video stores (wuh?) to appearing on Japanese TV. They sat down at his secret … Continue reading "Episode 80 – Todd Always Stands His Ground"

It’s been awhile but we’re excited about this episode. Terrance’s guest is the always hungry, always charismatic Shaka Haynes. Shaka works with Terrance at the world famous fruit shop. More importantly, he’s making moves in the world of entertainment bringing his experience producing and promoting artists to the Japan scene. They talk about how he … Continue reading "Episode 79 – Three Moves Ahead with Shaka Haynes"

This is a very personal and special episode in which Terrance talks about his experiences in the Japanese slammer. Many of you may know what happened but just to make things clear, the matter is settled, he’s ok, he doesn’t have a record, and technically it was detention, not imprisonment. Chris Rock has a joke … Continue reading "Episode 78 – I Ain’t Ever Been To Jail"

It’s been awhile but the Godfather of Finding Japan, Chris, is back in the land! Chris and Terrance have teamed up to continue bringing our discoveries and observations of this sometimes mystifying, almost always interesting country. In this episode we get you caught up with what’s been going on with our lives, as well as … Continue reading "Episode 77 – The Finding Continues"

The co-host on today’s show is the Artistic Mr. Mertens. Craig and Terrance talk about the Oscars, do a bit of a detour into the LGBT situation in Japan and in general, and most importantly pimp his current art exhibition Ladies First. If you’re in the Osaka area check out Ladies First at Cafe Absinthe: … Continue reading "Episode 76 – Artistic Mr. Mertens and His Ladies"

Another day, another episode. This time it’s a laid back interview over wine and cheese with Brian J. at Freestyle in Shibuya. Brian’s had a few adventures around the world and we talk about how came he from Italy to the US and then to Japan and how music shaped his journey.