Japan Station: A Podcast About Japan by JapanKyo.com

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Japan Station: A Podcast About Japan by JapanKyo.com

JapanKyo.com

47 minutes 42 seconds

A guide to MOVING in Japan | Japan Station 206/Ichimon Japan 73
This ia rebroadcast of epsode 73 of Ichimon Japan originally released on 7/21/23.

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is it like moving in Japan?
Topics Discussed
- About what it's like moving in Japan
- When people in Japan usually move
- What it costs to move in Japan
- Why people in Japan usually move in March
- Expenses associated with moving in Japan
- About rent prices in Japan
- Rent subsidies for JET Program participants
- Setting up internet in Japan
- About finding an apartment in Japan
- About reikin/key money
- The cost of hiring a moving company in Japan
- Disposing of large garbage in Japan
- Noticing the government that you have moved
- And much more!
Listen to Ichimon Japan on
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Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.

And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
- Support on Patreon
If you would just like to do a one time contribution, then please go to our Ko-fi page.
- Support JapanKyo on Ko-fi
Links, Videos, Etc.
Get 10% off on your Mobal data & voice SIM plan.
- https://mobal.com/tonyjapan
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media
Full Show Notes
- https:///japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
23 April 2026, 12:27 am
55 minutes 21 seconds

He's walked 30,000+ km across Japan! | Japan Station 205
On this episode of Japan Station, we're joined by Jake Davies, a resident of Shimane Prefecture who has walked over 30,000 km in Japan. He talks about his experiences walking around Japan and what it's like living in Shimane, one of Japan's least populated prefecture.
👉Topics Discussed
- Why Jake Davies moved to Shimane Prefecture
- What it's like living in rural Shimane Prefecture
- Why Jake Davies started doing long distance walks in Japan
- How Jake Davies walked over 30,000 km in Japan
- Where Jake Davis sleeps while doing long distance walks in Japan
- About walking the Sea of Japan costline
- About walking Shikoku's 88 temple pilgrimage (Ohenro)
- About sleeping outside during a typhoon while doing the Shikoku pilgrimage
- How long it took Jake to walk around the island of Shikoku
- How long it took Jake to walk around the island of Kyushu
- About walking across Shodoshima
- About walking the Oki islands in Shimane
- About walking the Kunisaki Peninsula
- About Jakes blog, ojisanjake.com
- About the different regions of Shimane
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
Check out Jake Davis' blog to keep up to date with his adventures walking around Japan.
- ojisanjake.com: https://www.ojisanjake.com/
👉Follow on Social Media
21 April 2026, 3:55 am
51 minutes 38 seconds

This Japanese pilgrimage should be more famous! A 5-day trip to the Kumano Kodō (plus crazy conbini socks) | Japan Station 204
On this episode of Japan Station, travel writer Jennifer Bain joins us to talk about one of Japan's most ancient and famous pilgrimages: the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道). We also talk about Japanese convenience stores and the famous conbini socks.
👉Topics Discussed
- What the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) is
- How to get the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) is
- An example of a five day itinerary on the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) pilgrimage
- About Daimonzaka and Kumano Nachi Taisha
- About mikan and oranges in the Kumano area
- About lodging along the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道)
- How old empty schools have been converted into lodging on the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道)
- How to walk the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道) in a faster and easier way
- About the weather along the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道)
- A funny encounter with a local on the Kumano Kodō (熊野古道)
- About a custom convenience store tour in Osaka
- Some recommendations for food to eat from Japanese convenience stores
- About the famous Japanese convenience store socks people are going crazy for
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
Check out Jennifer Bain's Japan articles.
- Why Women Who Love the Camino Should Walk Japan's Kumano Kodō: https://journeywoman.com/destinations/asia/japan/why-women-who-love-the-camino-should-walk-japans-kumano-kodo/
- Footbathing And Flower Trekking In Northern Japan's National Parks: https://www.nationalparkstraveler.org/2025/09/footbathing-and-flower-trekking-northern-japans-national-parks
For more of Jennifer Bain's work:
- Website: https://jenniferbain.co/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesaucylady/
👉Follow on Social Media
15 April 2026, 2:09 pm
11 minutes 49 seconds

The ORIGINS of "scammy" SAKURA | Japan Station 203
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about the origins of the word sakura. No not that sakurai. The other sakura. The scammy kind of sakura. Also we're talking about madorā.
👉Topics Discussed
- The possible origins of the word sakura (サクラ)
- Why sakura means a fake "scammy" customer
- What a madorā is
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
None
👉Follow on Social Media
7 April 2026, 9:10 am
1 hour 3 minutes

Why breakfast deals in Japan are CRAZY now | Japan Station 202
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about the rise of Japan's $3.5 billion breakfast industry and why Japan is currently in the midst of it's 4th "breakfast boom."
👉Topics Discussed
- What a typical Japanese breakfast consists of
- The history of breakfast in Japan
- Breakfast in the Edo Period
- Breakfast in Edo vs Kansai during the Edo Period
- Japan's four "Morning Booms"
- What 'morning" (モーニング, mōningu) is
- The origin of "morning" in Aichi Prefecture
- The rise of kissaten (cafes) in 1950s Japan
- About Rūe Burajiru (ルーエぶらじる), a restaurant in Hiroshima thought to have been the first to offer "morning service" (モーニングサービス, mōningu sābisu)
- The rise of McDonald's breakfast in Japan
- The rise of hotel breakfasts in Japan
- Whether you should get breakfast in hotels
- About Toyoko Inn's "free" breakfast
- About the 2010 breakfast boom
- About Japan's pancake boom
- About the fourth morning boom going on now
- Why more restaurants in Japan have started offering very cheap breakfast options
- How restaurants in japan are trying to offer breakfast for 300 yen or less
- About Saizeriya's breakfast service "Asasaize"
- About KFC's breakfast options
- Why breakfast options are so cheap in Japan
- About service at gyudon places like Yoshinoya and Sukiya
- About breakfast at Sakaba Fukuro in Ikebukuro
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
None
👉Follow on Social Media
1 April 2026, 3:43 am
59 minutes 41 seconds

Akihabara is DYING? How Ikebukuro Became Japan's New Otaku Capital | Japan Station 201
On this episode of Japan Station, we're joined by Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith to talk about the current status of Akihabara and the rise of Ikebukuro as Japan's newest capital of all things anime, manga and otaku culture.
👉Topics Discussed
- Whether Akihabara is dying
- The history of Akihabara
- How Akihabara has evolved in recent years
- What locals think of Akihabara today
- How Mercari has impacted Akihabara
- The price of anime figures/merch in Akihabara
- The decline of AKB48
- Why Akihabara has changed in recent years
- The rise of Ikebukuro as Japan's new otaku capital
- How the Toshima ward government is focusing on developing Ikebukuro as Japan's new anime/otaku capital
- Neagtive attitudes towards otaku culture in Akihabara
- How Akihabara paved the way for Ikebukuro's rise as an otaku center of Japan
- The future of Akihabara
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
Check out Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith's books about Akihabara and otaku culture.
- The Ethics of Affect: Lines and Life in a Tokyo Neighborhood: https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12657/50996/1/9789176351567.pdf
- Otaku and the Struggle for Imagination in Japan: https://www.amazon.com/Otaku-Struggle-Imagination-Patrick-Galbraith/dp/1478006293
Check out Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith's other appearances on Japan Station.
- Japan Station 30: Understanding "Otaku" and Akihabara w. Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith: https://japankyo.com/2020/01/japan-station-podcast-about-akihabara-history-otaku/
- AKB48 (Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith) | Japan Station 38: https://japankyo.com/2020/05/japan-station-podcast-history-japanese-aidoru-akb48/
- Obscenity, Censorship & Erotic Comics in Japan (Patrick W. Galbraith) | Japan Station 59: https://japankyo.com/2021/02/eromanga-erotic-comics-japan/
👉Follow on Social Media
21 March 2026, 5:10 am
53 minutes 58 seconds

Is Yamaguchi cursed to have"ugly" girls? (Places in Japan Known for "Beautiful" & "Ugly" Women) | Japan Station 200/Ichimon Japan 50
This is a re-broadcast of an episode originally released on 8/21/21.

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Is Yamaguchi cursed to have "ugly" girls? We also discuss other places in Japan known for having many beautiful/ugly women.
Topics Discussed
- The three most scenic views in Japan
- What the Sandaibijin (三大美人) is
- What places in Japan are most known for having beautiful women
- Fukuoka (Hakata), Akita, and Kyoto's status as places in Japan known for having many beautiful women
- How Kanazawa/Ishikawa/Kaga is known for having beautiful women
- Some theories about why Hakata, Akita and Kyoto (supposedly) have so many beautiful women
- The theory that short days and humid climate contributes to the white and moist skin of Akita's women
- How white/fair skin is considered beautiful by many in Japan
- The theory that the women of Kyoto are cultured and refined so that results in there being so many beautiful women in Kyoto
- The theory that collagen consumption via motsunabe and chicken helps produce the beautiful women of Hakata
- How pleasure districts might be connected to the impression that Akita, Fukuoka, and Kyoto have many beautiful women
- The idea that the Sea of Japan side of Japan is home to many beautiful women
- The theory that genetic mixing may be a reason for why the Sea of Japan side of Japan supposedly has so many beautiful women
- What the Sandaibusu (三大ブス) is
- The three places in Japan known for having "ugly women"
- Sendai, Nagoya, and Mito's status as the three places in Japan known for having many ugly women
- The theory that claims Tokugawa Yoshifusa sent groups of "ugly" women to Sendai, Nagoya, and Wakayama
- Nagoya's reputation as a boring place
- The so-called urban legend that women from Yamaguchi are all ugly
- The story of Oman's curse as a possible explanation for why women from Yamaguchi are supposedly ugly
- Throwing snakes at women
- And much more!
Listen to Ichimon Japan on
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Support on Patreon
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.

And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
- Support on Patreon
Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.
Get 10% off a voice & data SIM card plan by using my mobal affiliate link.
- https://mobal.com/tonyjapan
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- https://mechanekosushi.com/
Here are some of the Japanese language articles found when researching the topic of this episode.
Don't forget to check out the latest episodes of the Japan Station podcast via the links below.
- Black Box: Discussing the Shiori Ito Story (Allison Markin Powell Part 1) | Japan Station 72
- You Know What I Mean? On Translating Japanese Fiction (Allison Markin Powell Part 2) | Japan Station 73
Support the show by picking up a t-shirt at KimitoDesigns.com.
- Check out Kimito Designs
Japanese Vocabulary List
Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.
- Bijin
- Busu
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.
Follow Japankyo on Social Media
- Facebook (@JapanKyoNews)
- Twitter (@JapanKyoNews)
Full Show Notes
- https:///japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
15 March 2026, 8:49 am
12 minutes 17 seconds

What is a shijūkata? (Age related Japanese words) | Japan Station 199
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about interesting words related to aging and shoulders and a weird ECC commercial.
👉Topics Discussed
- 四十肩ō
- And much more!
- 👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
- 👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
- Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
- Ko-fi: https://www.ko-fi.com/japankyo
- Venmo: https://venmo.com/tonyrvega
- Paypal.me: https://paypal.me/tonyrvega
- 👉Affiliate Links
- Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
- Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
- 👉Links, Videos, Etc.
- Here is the Kinman commercial featuring the foreign guy saying he ate 28 Kinman.
- 👉Follow on Social Media
- X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/japankyonews
- Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/tonyrvega.bsky.social
- Tony R. Vega Personal Instagram: https://instagram.com/tonyrvega
- The Anime Linguist YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theanimelinguist
- Japan Station YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews
- Website: https://japankyo.com/
- Tony R. Vega Personal X/Twitter: https://x.com/thevegatony
- What shijūkata (ū四十肩) is
- What gjūkata (五十肩) is
- What arasā (アラサー) is
- What arafō (アラフォー) is
- What arafifu (アラフィフ) is
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
None
👉Follow on Social Media
7 March 2026, 7:21 am
1 hour 1 minute

Why Akita women are so beautiful (and other info about life in Akita) | Japan Station 198
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about what life in Akita Prefecture is like AND why women from Akita are (supposedly) so beautiful!
👉Topics Discussed
- Where Akita Prefecture is in relation to other prefectures in the Tohoku region
- About Akita's famous Kinman
- Why people in Akita like to say they've eaten 28 Kinman
- About how rural Akita is
- About the high number of bear attacks and fatalities in Akita Prefecture
- About Akita's status as one of Japan's highest rice producers
- About the Akita Komachi rice brand
- About Akita bijin
- About Akita's "beautiful women"
- Theories explaining why Akita is known for having beautiful women
- Whether the story saying that Satake clan took all of Ibaraki's beautiful women to Akita is plasuible
- The less sunlight and good water theories explaining Akita women's beautiful skin
- Kawahata geisha
- What the heck toppinpararinopū
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
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  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
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👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
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👉Links, Videos, Etc.
Here is the Kinman commercial featuring the foreign guy saying he ate 28 Kinman.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8nf5qjaeGQ
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1 March 2026, 10:13 am
58 minutes 31 seconds

Why you should visit YAMAGATA! | Japan Station 197
On this episode of Japan Station, Alex Litz of Expedition Japan joins us to talk about tourism in Japan, Yamagata Prefecture and places/events to check out during a visit to Yamagata.
👉Topics Discussed
- How Alex ended up in Yamagata Prefecture
- About studying abroad in Yamagata Prefecture
- About tourism in Japan
- What's so great about Yamagata? Places to visit in Yamagata
- Yamagata food
- Events and festivals in Yamagata
- The dialects of Yamagata
- Getting around in Yamagata
- And much more!
👉Subscribe to the Podcast!
- Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/japan-station-a-podcast-by-japankyo-com/id1440454968
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6lDoFFt4M0HyyKaVeDyKkB
👉Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
- Support for as little as $1 a month to get early access to episodes, ad free versions and occassional bonus content
  - Support on Patreon https://patreon.com/japankyo
- Support via a one time donation!
👉Affiliate Links
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
- Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
- Support by Buying a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
👉Links, Videos, Etc.
Here are the links to Expedition Japan and Alex Litz's Instagram.
- Expedition Japan Website: https://expedition-japan.com/
- Alex Litz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldfisho/
👉Follow on Social Media
21 February 2026, 7:02 am
1 hour 13 minutes

How do Japanese names work? | Japan Station 196/Ichimon Japan 28
This is a re-release of Ichimon Japan episode 28.

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: How do Japanese names work?
Topics Discussed
- How people in Japan normally state their family name before their given name
- The complicated history of naming practices in Japan
- Commoners being prohibited from using family names during the Edo Period
- The Meiji era laws that mandated every Japanese person take a family name
- The reluctance of some people to take a family name during the Meiji Period
- The fact that many (most?) people with the surname Satō (佐藤) are probably not descended from samurai
- The fact that many commoners were given last names based on the geographical features of the area in which they lived
- The story of how the Furo (風呂) family supposedly got their family name from Minamoto no Yoshitsune
- The most common family names in Japan in 2019
- How many Japanese family names there are
- The prevalence of rare Japanese last names
- The regional nature of some Japanese family names
- The convention of naming boys based on their birth order
- How it's easy to forget people's first names in Japan
- Some of the factors people in Japan consider when naming a baby
- Asking people in Japan about the kanji they use for their given name as a way to spark conversation
- The phenomenon of siblings having related names
- Interesting names in anime
- The practice of picking a baby name based on the way a name is written
- How much it usually costs to have a shrine pick a baby name for you
- What a seimeihandanshi is
- What it might cost you to have a seimeihandanshi pick a baby name for you
- A list outlining the most popular baby names in Japan of 2019
- The Japanese naming convention of tōriji
- How shorter names have become common in Japan in recent years
- How female names that end in -ko used to be more common
- And much more!
Note: Just for the sake of clarity, I'd like to point out that the story of the Furo family name did not occur during the Meiji Period (actually it probably never even occurred in the way it is normally told). However, because the story was introduced alongside the changes of the Meiji Period it's possible to be left with the impression that there was a connection there. There is no direct connection. The story was simply brought up as an example of the many interesting ways in which people in Japan acquired last names.
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Support on Patreon
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month and that comes with perks like early access to episodes, a shout-out at the beginning of a future episode, bonus content, and discounts to Kimito Designs. For $3 a month you get all that plus access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and its many quirks. Whether you are studying Japanese or just enjoy learning about language and linguistics, you'll enjoy Japanese Plus Alpha.

And it goes without saying that if you sign up, you'll also get my undying gratitude. Thanks in advance!
- Support on Patreon
- Mobal Link
  Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
  - Get 10% off of Mobal's Voice & Data plan: https://www.mobal.com/tonyjapan
Get a T-Shirt!
Support the show by getting a t-shirt!
- MechaNekoSushi.com
Sources, Links, Videos, Etc.
Here are some of the main Japanese-language sources that were used when doing the research for this episode.
Here are some of the main English-language sources used when doing the research for this episode.
- A Long History of Japanese Names
  - This is the Tofugu article mentioned during this episode.
- The Japanese Naming System - Morphology and Semantics of Individual Names by Anja Collazo
  - This is the thesis mentioned during this episode.
- Japan's Name Culture: The Significance of Names in a Religious, Political, and Social Context by Herbert Plutschow
Here are the Ichimon Japan episodes mentioned during this episode.
- Why are school rules in Japan so strict? (All About Kōsoku) | Ichimon Japan 23
- What is seppuku? (The Basics of Samurai "Suicide") | Ichimon Japan18
Here is the latest episode of Japan Station.
- Yūrei, Ghosts & Yōkai, A Chat w. Zack Davisson | Japan Station 50
If you would like to check out the Kimito Designs shop, then use the link below. Remember to use the coupon code OPENING10 when you check out to get 10% off (valid until the end of 2020).
- Visit KimitoDesigns.com
Japanese Vocabulary List
Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.
- Myōji
  - 苗字 : 苗字(P); 名字(P) 【みょうじ】 (n) (See 名前・2) surname; family name
- Namae
  - 名前 : 名前(P); 名まえ【なまえ】 (n) (1) name; (n) (2) (See 名字) given name; first name;
- Furo
  - 風呂【ふろ】 (n) (1) (See お風呂) bath; bathing; bathtub; bathroom; (n) (2) bathhouse; public bath
- Kenkō
  - 健康【けんこう】 (n) (1) health; (adj-na) (2) healthy; sound; fit; wholesome
- Futoi
  - 太い【ふとい】 (adj-i) (1) fat; thick; (adj-i) (2) deep (of a voice); thick; sonorous; (adj-i) (3) daring; shameless; brazen; audacious
- Seimeihandan
  - 姓名判断【せいめいはんだん】 (n) (yoji) fortunetelling based on writing or pronunciation of one's name
- Iemoto
  - 家元【いえもと】 (n) head of a school (of music, dance); head family of a school
- Himawari
  - ひまわり (n) sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
- Tsumugi
  - 紬 : 紬; 紡ぎ【つむぎ】 (n) pongee; soft thin cloth woven from raw silk
- Tsumugu
  - 紡ぐ【つむぐ】 ; (v5g,vt) (1) to spin; to make yarn; (v5g,vt) (2) to spin (a tale); to assemble (e.g. words); to put together
- Kotoba o tsumugu
  - 言葉を紡ぐ : 言葉を紡ぐ; 言葉をつむぐ【ことばをつむぐ】 (exp,v5g) (poet) to express in a refined fashion; to weave a web of words
- Wa
  - 和 : 和(P); 倭【わ】 (n) (1) (和 only) {math} sum; (n) (2) (和 only) harmony; peace; (n,n-pref,adj-no) (3) Japan; Japanese-style
We Want Your Questions
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to [email protected].
Special Thanks
Opening/Closing Theme: Produced by Apol (YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Fiverr)

Ichimon Japan cover art: Produced by Erik R.
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- Twitter (@JapanKyoNews)
Full Show Notes
- https:///japankyo.com/ichimonjapan
15 February 2026, 5:12 am
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