In this episode, Mat is forced to go solo due to Devin's recent nuptials, but do not be alarmed, he will be back and raring to go very soon! As it is, a shorter episode where Mat looked out of his window and gained inspiration from the season around him. We have fish guts, blood red leaves, and dangerously high festival floats to bring in the new season!
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon:patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email:unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
Many apologies for the delay for the latest episode, however, in partial recompense, we have the first bumper episode in a two part series on Japan's southern islands, the Okinawa island chain, in this episode Mat and Devin unfold the layers of Okinawa's unique history and geography, that have shaped its past and continue to mold its future, from it's pristine coral beaches to unfortunate attempts to woo the emperor of China.
As always, feel free to get in touch or help support the show using the links below
Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this weeks episode, Mat and Devin unfold the complexities of the Japanese language itself, learn all about the mysterious origins of the language, it's fiendishly complicated writing system, and even how the Japanese insult each other using different levels of politeness.
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this episode Mat and Devin take on the bears of Japan (not literally of course!), they explore the different types of bears, where they are found, and why attacks are on the rise. More importantly, they have some tips on how to avoid having a dangerous encounter with a bear, and what Japan is trying to do about this growing problem.
As always, if you want to get intouch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon orinstagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this episode Mat and Devin, fresh from the chaos of 20th Century Japanese history (see last week if you're confused!) take on an altogether lighter topic, the ubiquitous Japanese drinking establishment known as the izakaya. They explore the origins, their place in society, and what and who you might find if you ever decided to go to one. And you'll find out if the izakaya really deserves the name Japanese pub or not!
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this episode Mat and Devin bring you all up to date on the history of Japan, in by far the longest episode yet (apologies!) We cover the end of the shogunate, the Meiji restoration, all the way through the various wars of expansion that culminates in the big one: WWII. Finally we briefly touch on Japan's remarkable economic recovery post war and the state of play as it is today.
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this episode Mat and Devin continue their discussion of the very first Unfolding Japan road trip! On this episode they move through Yamagata, visiting 'the greatest park in Japan' head to a village in the mountains frozen in time, and on to a holiday home in the mountains where the emperor himself has a pad, before finally visiting possibly the most beautiful river in all of Japan.
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this episode Mat and Devin recount their adventures on the very first, albeit accidental, Unfolding Japan road trip! Travel along as they devour various kinds of insect, do dangerous jumps from cliffs along the 'Amalfi Coast' of Japan in Niigata, and experience the emptying of Japan's countryside first hand.
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this episode, Mat and Devin continue their foray into Japanese history, starting at the end of the Heian period and the decline of the emperor, moving on to the rise of the shogun, civil war, the closing off of Japan, and eventually the empire striking back with the Meiji Restoration.
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In this Episode, Mat and Devin take you on a whistle stop tour of Japan from the earliest prehistory all the way to the Heian Period of classical Japan. The first of two planned episodes to give listeners a little overview, before more in-depth history episodes in the future.
As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show please check out our patreon or instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.
Instagram: instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
In celebration of Devin's upcoming nuptials, this week Mat and Devin take a look at the weird and wonderful world of Japanese weddings, from their surprisingly recent history, the religious underpinnings, and the rise of the fake western style wedding.
As always, if you like the show, check out our instagram page and Patreon for more information and ways to support us.
Instagram: @unfoldingjapan_podcast
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
Mat and Devin take a look at the super popular Ramen, delving a little into it's origins, major types and their own personal favourites. It's a huge topic that you can only scratch the surface of in an hour, but hopefully it will inspire you to go and slurp a bowl yourself!
Please feel free to get in touch at the below addresses:
Instagram: @unfoldingjapan_podcast
Patreon: patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Email: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
For the first ever in depth episode of the Podcast, Mat and Devin take a closer look at the phenomenon of Akiya - empty houses. A growing phenomenon in Japan and one that has started to gain some international recognition, this week we dig down into what exactly is an Akiya, why there are so many of them and why they are increasing. We also take a look at some of the things being done to address the issue, as well as a tentative prognosis for the future. Our very first full length episode, so go easy on us!
email us at: unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com
And find us on Patreon, if you'd like to support us.
https://patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan
Just a short introduction to us, and to the podcast, welcome to Unfolding Japan!
Hosted by Mat Owens & Devin Hurt
Theme by:
shakuhachi stretching 29 by PhonosUPF --https://freesound.org/s/500725/ -- License: Creative Commons 0