This week Mat and Devin have a miniature time traveling mission all the way to three weeks ago, as we delve into the traditions and history of New Year in Japan.

We explain the entrenched TV traditions, the symbolic, traditional foods that suspiciously resemble dad jokes, and the most expensive fish in the world.

As always, if you want to get in touch or find ways to support the show, please check out our patreonor instagram pages and feel free to email us as well.

Instagram:instagram.com/unfoldingjapan_podcast/

Patreon:patreon.com/UnfoldingJapan

Email:unfoldingjapan2025@gmail.com

First of all apologies for the long delay! We had a busy run in to the Christmas/New year holidays with work and then family commitments, but we're back and we've got a special episode on castles to get right back into it!

We take you through the history and design of these magnificent structures, from early simple hill forts to the majestic, later warring states beauties. Learn all about how and why they were constructed, and maybe gain a few tips on the best one's to go and visit if you come to Japan, including Devin's very own Matsumoto, barely a mediaeval cannon shot's distance from his house!

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 prize themselves off the white sandy beaches of Okinawa and instead sit down to a performance of shamisen and sake, accompanied by a professional entertainer known as a Geisha.

Or, we would if that was remotely feasible, so, in lieu of the real thing, we will take you through the origins and roles of the Geisha, the courtesans they are often confused with, and dispel a few myths along the way

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 conclude the epic deep dive into all things Okinawa, we have giant fruit bats in downtown Naha, 'sea grapes', tips and favourite places to go, and the thorny issue of the continued American and Japanese military presence throughout the islands.

As always, if you wantto 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 are finally back podding together, and we ended up having so much fun that we went way over time, so we split it in half, this now being part 2 of 3 episodes on Okinawa! We begin by getting a little distracted by autumn in Japan from last episode, and a few recollections of his wedding, before picking up with the transfer of power from America to Japan, thoughts on the differences in personality and time-keeping culture of the Okinawans vs the Japanese, and a mini deep dive into the famous snake liquor!

As always, if you wantto 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 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