ABNRML JAPAN

We discuss the legend of the first foreign-born Samurai in Japan, Yasuke. Thanks for tuning in!

TIME CODES
02:55 Topic Introduction
04:10 Who Yasuke was and what led him to Japan
10:22 When he rose to prevalence in Japan, where he resided, and how Japanese people felt about him
20:53 Why his legend is so captivating
27:26 Upcoming and current story adaptations via film, series, and more.

We react to common romance norms, discuss amatonormativity, and cap it off with trendy Valentine foods in Japan this year. Tune in for a laidback discussion.

TIME CODES 
01:35 Listener Question: Favorite Japanese Dessert 
03:17 Topic Introduction: Romance Norms 
13:15 “13 Tips to Make a Good Relationship Great” 
28:04 “Unhealthy Social Norms for Relationships" 
46:26 “5 Ways Amatonormativity Sets Harmful Relationship Norms for us all" 
50:32 Closer Convo: Trendy Valentine Food Trends in Japan

We discuss the creative lifestyle, pressures, imposter syndrome, tips, and more. Tune in for a laidback discussion.

TIME CODES
01:35 Podcast Updates 
03:17 Topic Introduction: Creative Lifestyle, Mediums, & Goals 
13:15 Pressures, Downsides, Imposter Syndrome 
28:04 Techniques to cope with IS 
46:26 Upsides and Personal Benefits 
50:32 Tips for easier Creative Output
57:06 Closer Convo Segment: Japanese Conbini Storytime & Coronavirus

The Yuki Onna, a supernatural snow spirit, often described as a beautiful woman who floats throughout snowy nights and mountains looking for lost travelers to prey on. We talk about her origin and legends across Japan. We also review the 1965 film Kwaidan: Japanese Ghost Anthology of the Yuki Onna and the 2016 Yuki Onna film at the end of the episode. Thanks for tuning in!

TIME CODES
02:01 Listener Question: Fave Anime Series 
07:35 Topic Introduction 
09:19 Part 1- Yuki Onna’s Origin 
15:19 Part 2- Her Legends Across Japan 
36:53 Yuki Onna in Popular Culture 
42:44 Closer Convo: 1965 / 2016 Yuki Onna Movie Reviews

These crime cases still contain some mystery 'til this day, tune in to hear the wicked details of the Poisoned Milk in Saitama Prefecture (1960) and the Paraquat Vending Machine Poisonings throughout Japan (1985). Content Warning: Mentions of suicide and death. Not for minors. Listener discretion is advised. 

TIME CODES
02:00 Listener Question Segment 
03:50 Topic Introduction 
05:42 Part 1- Pesticide Milk Murders 
25:47 Part 2- Vending Machine Paraquat Poisonings 
39:39 Closer Convo Segment 

We talk about the differences of New Years traditions and the culture of “New Year, New Me.” Thanks for tuning in!

TIME CODES 
05:05 Listener Question Segment 
09:45 Topic Introduction 
16:21 Popular Resolution Practices 
22:45 “New Year, New Me” Culture 
30:06 Traditions in Japan vs America 
45:12 Resolution Regrets 
54:45 2020 Intentions 
1:00:32 Closer Convo Segment 

We answer your questions about love, relationships, sexuality and more!

TIME CODES
02:58 Topic Introduction
03:55 Developing healthy communication
08:52 Pro’s Con’s married in Japan
15:50 Japan’s Valentine’s Day & White Day
20:54 Throwing in the towel
26:45 Crushes
36:34 Married and working together
41:07 Monogamy, Open, etc
45:10 LGBTQ+ vs straight relationships
51:50 Problematic exes, "situationships"

When Fusako Sano was nine years old, she vanished after school in 1990. She was abducted and held captive for nine years. This case took place in Niigata prefecture and often referenced as the “Niigata girl confinement incident”. It holds record of the longest confinement kidnapping case in Japan. Tune in to hear the details of this crime incident and what happened to Sano. Content Warning: Mentions of physical abuse and violence. Not for minors. Listener discretion is advised.


TIME CODES
03:49 Case intro
04:04 Part 1: The Abduction
11:10 Part 2: Life in Captivity
28:02 Part 3: Sano’s Discovery
38:20 Part 4: Satō’s Prosecution

We discuss what it’s like spending the holidays overseas while taking care of your mental health during that experience. Tune in for a laidback discussion. Love Q&A question submissions are now *closed*

TIME CODES
02:34 Topic Introduction
04:34 Going back home for the Holidays
13:00 Staying abroad during the Holidays
25:39 Expecting visitors
28:38 Our travel preferences & throwback stories
45:32 Holiday Traditions
51:27 Closer: Favorite Holiday foods

Today we have a special guest, Jeannette aka Spiffy Penguin, joining us to talk about her experience while on an exchange program at a Japanese university. We also dive into J-Fashion, anime, and more! Love Q&A question submissions are now *closed*

TIME CODES
01:47 J-Fashion & cosplay
12:38 Experience & difficult adjustments
21:11 Funny reactions from people in Japan
36:53 Japanese University exchange program
47:58 POC characters in anime
57:13 Would you rather
1:02:30 Closer: Weeb & otaku culture thoughts

We wanted to get a bit more personal for y’all by answering some questions about our life before moving to Tokyo. We dive into past jobs, skills, friendships, favorites, things we miss, university life, and more. Love Q&A question submissions are now *closed*

TIME CODES
02:50 Topic Introduction
05:26 Questions & Answers

Halloween has become more popular in Tokyo, Japan. Tune in to hear about our experience.

TIME CODES
02:21 Differences: Trick or Treating? Parties. Costumes. Ghosts & Horror
12:59 Popular Events: Amusement parks, Parades, Cosplay
23:07 Our Halloween Experiences in Japan

We get spooky again 👻 Japan has a rich history of ghost stories and folklore about the afterlife. If that’s your cup of tea, you’ll love this episode. Stay tuned for the end where we review a movie based on the Kuchisake Onna. Content Warning: Some stories have mentions of suicide and assault. Listener discretion is advised.

TIME CODES
01:18 Topic Introduction
02:36 PART 1: Real World Urban Legends
02:43 Yamashita’s Hidden Treasure
05:10 Sony Timer
07:53 Curse of the KFC Colonel
11:00 Shinjuku Robot Building
13:48 PART 2: Supernatural Japan: Yokai, Yurei
16:44 Hanako san of the Toilet
20:19 Aka Manto: Red Cape
23:25 The Haunted Taxi Ride
28:07 PART 3: Scary Ass Urban Legends
28:28 Teke Teke
38:55 Kuchisake Onna: Slit Mouth Woman
55:38 Kuchisake Onna Movie Review

Today we a have special guest, Aneesh from The Good Times Podcast, joining us to talk about our collective trip to India. Stay tuned for the end where the hosts briefly discuss their experience during Typhoon 19 Hagibis in Tokyo.

TIME CODES
01:15 Guest Introduction
02:23 First impressions of India
10:30 Travel Essentials
14:40 Post 10 year reflection
27:14 Tips for traveling to India + Debunking Myths
36:56 Q&A about Tokyo
48:51 Closer: Would You Rather Question Game
1:05:12 Bonus: Typhoon 19 Hagibis Experience

We highlight Non-Binary Identities in Japan. Our Enby host, Ash (they/them) leads this conversation. Tune in for a laidback discussion.

TIME CODES
02:27 Topic Introduction
07:58 Part 1: Current Non-Binary Landscape in Japan
22:27 Part 2: Visibility Progress
31:22 Part 3: Japanese Gender Vocabulary
44:03 Part 4: Legal Struggles of Non-Binary Gender Identities (NBGI)
52:35 Part 5: International Legal Recognition of NBGI
1:06:42 Topic Closer

Unsettling child murders committed by a 14 year old teen in the late 90’s in Kobe, Japan. Often known as “the grisliest murder in memory in Japan." Content Warning: Mentions of Violence. Not for minors. Listener discretion is advised.

TIME CODES
02:23 Case intro
04:11 Part 1: Who is Boy A
06:15 His early life
09:58 Part 2: His crimes
20:46 The letter
25:02 Detention? Prison?
37:40 Part 3: Returning to society
50:19 Part 4: His book & vanity site

We share solid tips to stay prepared during your time in Japan. Tune in for a laidback discussion.

TIME CODES
02:00 Staying clean and hygienic
04:32 Apps for your phone
19:19 Identification
22:05 Cash, Credit, Debit?
24:45 Survive walking culture
26:44 Wifi and Data
30:18 Transportation
33:09 Travel Insurance
34:38 The four seasons and weather
39:48 Staying connected overseas
42:40 Our favorite seasons to travel within Japan

We share myths we’re tired of hearing and debunk them. Tune in for a laidback discussion.
   

TIME CODES
03:06 Is Japan Actually Safe?
09:36 How Clean Are We Talking?
16:20 Are They Truly "Kind"?
20:27 Anime's True Audience
25:48 The Perfect Gaijin
30:00 Can You Really Be Vegan Here?
37:30 SO MANY PEOPLE !
42:05 What should other countries adopt from Japan? 

We share our reflections of our first year vs our second year living in Tokyo, and some goals that we have for the upcoming years.

TIME CODES
1:35 First year reflection
14:56 Second year reflection
24:42 First year unexpected adventures
31:55 Second year unexpected adventures
38:34 What’s gotten easier? + Skills gained
50:18 Goals for upcoming years in Japan
57:55 Would we recommend people moving to Japan?

Ash speaks on their experience working with the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme aka JET. From the application process, how it’s like teaching in Japan, the pro’s and con’s, and general advice. Enjoy this interview style episode!

TIME CODES
2:03 Why JET?
4:02 Application process
6:15 Early Departure, Summer arrivals, Upgrades
11:42 Pre-arrival & Packing
22:00 Prefecture Placement
26:30 Teaching Level: Primary, Secondary?
30:23 Suburb vs. City JET experience
38:24 Is knowing Japanese necessary?
43:32 What has the JET experience taught you?
51:19 Dislikes & Likes
1:00:57 Advice for those applying

We’ve been living outside of the States for two years now and homesickness definitely creeps up still. We talk about how that experience is and how we deal with it.

TIME CODES
1:53 Homesickness - when, why, what we miss
14:00 How we cope
19:35 Tips and Suggestions - Habits, Comfort zones, Mental Health, and more

Tokyo 2020 Olympics are approaching and we discuss the changes we’ve seen over the past two years in regards to Japan’s preparation for the huge influx of tourists they’re about to host.

TIME CODES
4:00 Changes we notice - English, Payment methods, Smoking
15:52 Japan’s experiments and goals - AI’s, Bans, Recycle Projects, New trains
36:19 What we foresee happening - Crowds, Culture clash, Vlogging, Treatment

We talk about gender identities & expressions, LGBTQ+ in Japan, and cap it off with a personal Q&A. Check out this in-depth part 2 of our two part series.

TIME CODES
1:04 Gender Identities & Expressions
21:40 LGBTQ+ in Japan
54:48 Personal Q & A

We talk about the gender binary, assigned sex ≠ gender identity, sexuality, and romantic attraction. Check out this in-depth part 1 of our two part series.

TIME CODES
4:12 The binary and how it affects gender
6:20 Assigned Sex
24:20 Sexuality
35:20 Romantic Attraction

Japan is notorious for smaller clothing sizes. How is that experience for people who need more than that? We discuss fatphobia in Japan, shopping for bigger sizes, and more.

TIME CODES
6:20 Clothes we packed for moving to Japan
15:03 How clothes shopping is like here
20:42 Stores that sell bigger sizes
29:20 Shoes for larger feet
37:45 “Western sizes”
48:05 Fat phobia
59:04 Finding your confidence

Interracial Marriage? Family Approval? Cultural differences? We answer common questions about interracial relationships.

TIME CODES
2:15 Our nationality, race & ethnicities
5:06 Is race important?
8:03 Parent reactions & family disapproval?
13:26 Cultural food
21:20 Biggest challenge
30:25 Mixed children
37:20 Race fetishes
46:30 What we like about each others cultures
50:30 Our first expectations dating outside our race

Digital music is extremely popular, but has Japan caught up with the trend? We discuss the differences of how music in analog form, such as CD’s, vinyl, cassettes, are still thriving here.

TIME CODES
1:50 The land of analog media
8:28 Why are CD’s popular?
15:40 JPOP & KPOP
23:07 MP3 players are IT
36:40 Concerts
43:03 Ticket buying
49:05 Appropriation of Black music culture
54:25 Japanese music we like

Toxic behavior is a serious relationship killer, and it's not always easy to detect. We share our experience with toxicity and discuss how to find red flags in relationships with solid tips on how to protect your energy.

TIME CODES
04:20 What makes a person toxic to us
10:33 Toxic Behavior 101 + Red flags
30:26 Are you the toxic one?
51:02 How to stop being toxic
54:10 Protect your energy
1:06:53 Finding positive people

Our first episode! Tune in to hear us talk about the moving process and how we adjusted to living in Japan compared to how it was like in Texas.

TIME CODES

4:15 Differences of Both Cities
26:17 The Moving Process
29:50 Down Sizing
34:46 Legal Document Prep
43:12 Having Connections Back Home
45:00 Flying Separately
48:53 Adjusting to a Foreign Country
51:45 Language Barrier
54:09 Walking + Transportation
56:36 Restaurants + Markets
58:44 Card to Cash Society