John Koons, outdoor adventurer and 'man about the globe', visits The Japanofiles Podcast to discuss his reasons for moving to Nagano Prefecture, and to talk about his recent experience of hiking around Tohoku, the northernmost region of Japan's Honshu island.

For this episode of The Japanofiles Podcast, Erin King talks about her lifelong interest in Japan, and about various other Japan-related topics -- language study, her work situation in Nagano Prefecture, thoughts on Japanese cultural identity, and more.

Episode 14 of The Japanofiles Podcast features a discussion with Daniel Martin, an American from Oklahoma. Daniel first came to Matsumoto as a university student, and he now lives and works here. Our conversation covers various topics, including Daniel's experience as a student in Japan and how that contrasts with his present life as a shakaijin.

For this episode of The Japanofiles Podcast, I am joined by Mark Brierley, another long-time resident of Matsumoto.  Mark talks about his early interest in Japan and about his various work experiences.

Richard Robinson, the man who brought Halloween to Matsumoto, is my guest for this episode.  In addition to explaining why he organized the annual Halloween in Matsumoto event, Richard talks about his early interest in Japan, as well as his reasons for moving to Matsumoto.

This "kiri-otoshi" episode of The Japanofiles Podcast features short discussions with six different guests.

This week I talk with Ian Beattie, a self-employed carpenter and long-time resident of the Matsumoto area. Ian shares his thoughts on a variety of topics related to housing and the construction business in Japan.

This installment of The Japanofiles Podcast explores two aspects of traditional Japanese culture. The first segment presents a visit to a Japanese harvest festival, the Taimatsu Matsuri (Torch Festival), which is held every autumn in Asama Onsen. The second segment is a discussion about kyudo, Japanese traditional archery.

After presenting a few of the autumn sounds from my neighborhood, I talk with Karen Ricks about her reasons for coming to Japan, and about the many activities she's involved in here in Matsumoto.

This episode of The Japanofiles Podcast features a discussion with Kevin Leahy, translator of the popular Vampire Hunter D series of Japanese novels. Kevin talks about his childhood encounters with Japanese culture; his decision to work in Japan; his interest in many genres, including horror, science fiction, manga and animation; how he became a professional translator; and his experiences translating the Vampire Hunter D novels.