SAVAGE JAPAN PODCAST

The Savage Japan Podcast is a series of soundseeing tours, interviews, and personal observations being recorded by an artist/athlete/filmmaker exploring and studying in Japan. The listener becomes a traveling companion and is immersed alongside the host during an extremely diverse series of adventures.

Locations and topics covered include activities in and around mountains, rivers, cities, villages, castles, trains, temples, shrines, museums, martial arts, festivals, food, cultural events of all types & many unusual discoveries, as well as issues involving the challenges faced while studying the language and developing friendships in my favorite foreign country.

The Living in Japan - Japan Photo Journal website is a separate photography, geotagging, and Japan information site created to work in tandem with the podcast episodes found here at SavageJapan.com.

At JapanPhotoJournal.com, there are interactive maps beneath each photo that reveal exactly where the photos were taken and where the Savage Japan podcast episodes were recorded.
-Dan

SAVAGE JAPAN / SAVAGE SNOW
The Savage Japan Podcast is a collection of the Japan episodes from the Savage Snow Podcast. If you might prefer to be subscribed to the feed that includes all the Japan content plus a few stories and adventures revolving around independent film/creative technology subjects (cameras, HDTV & related), snowboarding, whitewater kayaking & more, and exploring in Colorado, Switzerland & the world, please visit the Savage Snow Podcast site.

Struggling with Racism in Japan

Heian Jingu Shrine Entrance, Kyoto, JapanSmart Car in Kyoto, Japan in front of the Kyoto Art Zone

Episode 5 is killing me.

I sort of wish I could’ve faced this topic deeper into the podcast, but maybe it’s good that it turned up so early; there will be fewer listeners to be offended this early on.

This podcast may not be the appropriate venue for exploring my personal views on the subjects of race, religion and discrimination as I do in upcoming episode 5, but it would be cowardly not to with this important topic that has plopped itself in front of me unexpectedly.

The actual incidents of discrimination I’ve experienced in Japan were not nearly so difficult to deal with compared to coming up with what I want to say to piece this episode together. And the connection to Islam in this story makes it irresistible and necessary to tie in the religion aspect that is so particularly relevant in this case.

I’m committed to outputting these Savage Japan podcast episodes in the order they occur, so this production challenge has to be faced and dealt with now before I can move on to all the happier and easier to produce stuff that lies ahead, much of it already recorded.

Episode 5 is largely finished, but I need to sleep on it a couple more days and possibly do some more whittling before letting it be heard.

For the few persons out there who might be observing this small, fun (though at the moment laborious) project take shape, I felt I had an obligation to write something here and let you know what’s going on.

A nice thing about this podcast is that I don’t have to create much new content during the editing process. There is very little additional content needed to be generated beyond the hello and goodbye clips. I typically just pare down the soundseeing audio & interviews, and the shows are mostly done. That paring down process is not a small task, but it is nice that I already have most of the content I need when sitting down to edit.

Episode 5 is definitely an exception and the subject matter, along with some of my not-so-popular beliefs regarding the subject matter, makes this a tough one to crank out. It’s coming though.

I hope 1 or 2 of this podcast’s 3 listeners are tolerant enough to hang in there and don’t choose to unsubscribe after they hear the next recording. :-)

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Savage Japan Podcast Biweekly Schedule

Kyudo Archery Targets and Arrows at Kyoto Archery FacilityKyudo students pass the time with Nintendo DS and Sony PSP handheld game systems while waiting for their turn in a Kyoto kyudo archery examination.

Episode 1 – Introduction to Savage Japan
Episode 2
– Traveling to Japan, Colorado to Kyoto

Episode 3
– Kyoto Budo Center

Episode 4
– Arashiyama, Kyoto’s West Side

Episode 5
is planned to be released Friday, September 3rd.

To jump start the show, I was able to make this biweekly podcast a weekly podcast for the first few episodes, mostly because of being so far ahead with the accumulation of content.

I’m still way ahead with acquisition, but not so far ahead in the editing process. I think it’s better to under promise and over deliver when it comes to podcasts, instead of the other way around.

So for the next few months, during which time I will be continuing in a heavy acquisition mode, I’ll be releasing a new show every other Friday (US time).

I anticipate rotating through cycles where I output an episode every other week when I’m in acquisition mode in Japan, and then playing catchup by outputting episodes weekly when I’m back in Colorado.

I’ve got what I think is some pretty cool stuff already recorded and I’m excited about getting it out to interested persons in the weeks and months ahead. I hope a few people find the shows worthwhile. Thanks for discovering this podcast so early in its existence.

I’ll be adding new photographs regularly leading up to the release of the images’ corresponding podcast episodes. I’ve already learned it’s pretty much impossible to try and load them all on the same day I post a new show. :-) So I’ll be adding them consistently between shows, often with daily additions.

Please stop in at JapanPhotoJournal.com for visual connections to past and upcoming Savage Japan podcast episodes.

————————————————————————————
You may listen to episodes using the media players on site.
or
Subscribe here for free automatic delivery via iTunes of only
the Savage Japan episodes from the Savage Snow Podcast.
or
Subscribe here for free automatic delivery via iTunes of all
Savage Snow Podcast episodes, including the Japan episodes.
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Ideas and suggestions are welcome!

Voicemail Comment Line: 888-326-7282
Savage Snow Main Website
Savage Snow Main Podcast
Dan Savage [Email]

Episode 4 – Arashiyama, Kyoto’s West Side

Arashiyama's Togetsukyo Bridge on the West Side of KyotoLamborghini Countach in Kyoto, Japan

In this Savage Japan episode…

  • Morning Sounds of Kyoto
  • 100 Yen Shop walk through
  • Arashiyama Sightseeing - Exploring in beautiful Arashiyama on the west side of Kyoto.
  • Togetsukyo Bridge (Arashiyama)
  • Hozugawa River & Hiking Trails (Arashiyama)
  • Arashiyama/Sagano Summit Observation Deck
  • Topics discussed include Japan Travel Seasons

In episode 4 of the Savage Japan podcast, we start out with some of the sounds I wake up to each morning in Kyoto. Then while running some errands, we venture inside a 100 yen shop before deciding on a whim to take an unplanned bicycle trip to Arashiyama, Kyoto’s famous sightseeing area on the far west side of the city. Also, the best times to visit Japan are discussed during this episode.

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Living in Japan – Photo Essays connected to this episode

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You may listen to this episode using the media player below.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of only
the Savage Japan episodes from the Savage Snow Podcast.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of all
Savage Snow Podcast episodes, including the Japan episodes.
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Voicemail Comment Line: 888-326-7282
Savage Snow Main Website
Savage Snow Main Podcast
Dan Savage [Email]

Program Length: 00:33:41

Episode 3 – Kyoto Budo Center

Japanese Kyudo Archery at the Kyoto Budo CenterJapanese rooftops in a heavy rain during typhoon season in Kyoto, Japan.

In this Savage Japan episode…

  • Japanese Kyudo Archery at the Kyoto Budo Center
  • Kendo (bamboo sword fighting sport)
  • Short, fun & informative conversation over dinner with my Japanese house mates.

In episode 3 of the Savage Japan podcast, we start off with a walk around the Nijo Castle area before setting off for a nighttime visit to the Kyoto Budo Center. Located just around the corner from the Heian Jingu shrine, the Kyoto Budo Center is a martial arts training facility owned by the city of Kyoto. It is also the site of Butokuden, the oldest martial arts training hall in Japan. This episode wraps up with a dinner conversation at the restaurant 309 The Canteen on Sanjo Dori.

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Living in Japan – Photo Essays connected to this episode

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You may listen to this episode using the media player below.
or
Subscribe here
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the Savage Japan episodes from the Savage Snow Podcast.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of all
Savage Snow Podcast episodes, including the Japan episodes.
————————————————————————————

Voicemail Comment Line: 888-326-7282
Savage Snow Main Website
Savage Snow Main Podcast
Dan Savage [Email]

Program Length: 00:29:30

Episode 2 – Traveling to Japan, CO to Kyoto

Japanese Mobile Phone in ColoradoInside the Haruka Express Train, Osaka to Kyoto

In this Savage Japan episode…

  • Soundseeing Adventures en route from Colorado to Kyoto
  • Secret Truth about visas and maximum length of stay for US tourists in Japan
  • Navigating Train Decisions after landing in Japan
  • Phone Options for visitors to Japan

In episode 2 of the Savage Japan podcast, we travel halfway around the world and make our way to Kyoto via the Haruka Express Train after arriving at the world’s largest airport terminal, Osaka’s Kansai International (KIX). The adventure has begun!

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Living in Japan – Photo Essays connected to this episode

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You may listen to this episode using the media player below.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of only
the Savage Japan episodes from the Savage Snow Podcast.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of all
Savage Snow Podcast episodes, including the Japan episodes.
————————————————————————————

Voicemail Comment Line: 888-326-7282
Savage Snow Main Website
Savage Snow Main Podcast
Dan Savage [Email]

Program Length: 00:30:58

New Episodes – Every Friday!

Savage Japan Podcast iTunes LogoFor the handful of people who may have discovered Episode 1 of this podcast already, thank you for being an early adopter! :-)

I wanted to let you know that I’ll be uploading new episodes every Friday (US time). Episode 2 will be uploaded this Friday, July 23.

One bit of good news regarding how much time it has taken me to get this podcast launched is that I have quite a few episodes already recorded and several of them already edited.

The temptation for me now is to upload a bunch of shows all at once, but I’m sure I would regret that later. I expect there will come a time when I’ll be very happy to have the buffer of a few programs to keep the podcast flowing without interruption.

Since I’m well ahead in the accumulation of content…
Instead of uploading an episode twice a month as was my original plan, I’m going to maintain a weekly schedule uploading new episodes every Friday for the first few weeks.

I’ll be submitting the Savage Snow main podcast feed (that includes the Japan content) to iTunes today, and if all goes smoothly with that process I will later this week submit this Savage Japan feed (Japan content only).

Voicemail Comment Line: 888-326-7282
Savage Snow Main Website
Savage Snow Main Podcast
Dan Savage [Email]

Episode 1 – Introduction to Savage Japan

Dan Savage at Lake Dillon in Summit County, ColoradoIn this Savage Japan episode…

  • What type of content can be expected from this new Japan podcast?
  • Who is making the Savage Japan podcast and why?
  • Should you subscribe to Savage Snow or Savage Japan?
  • This episode also includes a discussion about Kyoto, Asia’s most popular travel destination.

This introductory recording will give you an idea of what to expect in the weeks and months ahead as we explore together in Japan.

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Living in Japan – Photo Essay connected to this episode

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You may listen to this episode using the media player below.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of only
the Savage Japan episodes from the Savage Snow Podcast.
or
Subscribe here
for free automatic delivery via iTunes of all
Savage Snow Podcast episodes, including the Japan episodes.
————————————————————————————

Voicemail Comment Line: 888-326-7282
Savage Snow Main Website
Savage Snow Main Podcast
Dan Savage [Email]

Program Length: 00:14:50

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