On this episode of the Hidden Japan Podcast, I talk to Tim Bunting, a yamabushi who lives in beautiful Yamagata Prefecture.  For more information on Tim, you can access his website here: https://timbunting.com/ His YouTube channel is a must see - that's here: https://www.youtube.com/c/TimBunting        As always, massive thanks to Hidden Japan Travel for supporting this podcast. They are a licensed travel operator based in Matsuyama, Ehime, specialising in outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. They run multiday cycling and sea kayaking tours, food tours, fishing trips, cooking lessons, and awesome one day tours that help you truly explore Shikoku. Visit their website https://hiddenjapantravel.com  

On this episode of the Hidden Japan Podcast, I talk to Eric Chevallier who apprenticed with a traditional Japanese blacksmith for five years, making exceptional knives and bonsai scissors.  For more information about Eric, you can access his website here: https://www.desakai.com/  And the museum where he now works is here: https://www.sakaidensan.jp/en/crafts/knife  Thanks to Hidden Japan Travel for their support. They are a licensed travel operator based in Matsuyama, focusing on outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. They run multiday cycling and sea kayaking tours, food tours, fishing trips, cooking lessons, and awesome one day tours that help you truly explore Shikoku. Visit their website https://www.hiddenjapantravel.com for more information. 

On this episode, we talk with Rogier Uitenboogaart, a master Japanese paper maker, about his dedication to Washi and his life in the rural mountains of Shikoku, Japan.  Rogier runs the Kamikoya Washi Studio. Here's the link to his work: https://kamikoya-washi.com/english.   Thanks to Hidden Japan Travel for supporting this Podcast. Here's the link to their site: https://hiddenjapantravel.com. They can help with all your travel needs in Shikoku. They have great tours to help you see Shikoku differently and they can even organise washi-making workshops with Rogier.   

On this episode, we talk to Jess Brown about her life living and training with one of Japan's premier drumming groups. Thanks to Hidden Japan Travel for their support. They are a licensed travel operator based in Matsuyama, focusing on outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. They run multiday cycling and sea kayaking tours, food tours, fishing trips, cooking lessons, and awesome one day tours that help you truly explore Shikoku. Visit their website https://www.hiddenjapantravel.com for more information.