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PODCAST

Rambling Ramsbothams

Zeb & Annie Ramsbotham

Ever wondered what it"s like living as a foreigner in Japan? We"re Annie & Zeb Ramsbotham, and while our Japan journey might be rambling, we hope this podcast isn"t! Join us as we move from the United States to Ishikawa Prefecture, work in the JET Programme, explore Japan by bike, and navigate our new home. We"re looking forward to having you along for the adventure. If you"re enjoying the podcast we"d appreciate you subscribing and reviewing it on your preferred podcast platform! And as always

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All Episodes

46:13

Ibukiyama Bike Race, Kanazawa's Oldest Shrine, and...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/04/16

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50:33

Cherry Blossom Picnic in Kanazawa & the Japanese Food...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/04/08

This week Kanazawa has been covered in pink cherry blossoms! We talk about getting to enjoy a hanami (flower viewing) picnic on the Sai River, where the tradition of these picnics started, and typical things you might eat and drink to celebrate.Speaking of food, we’ll also talk about the Japanese “food pyramid” or the dietary recommendations, and compare them to American food and nutrition.Articles we mentioned:Economic impact of cherry blossoms:

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47:03

Shimanami Kaido and End of the School Year

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/04/02

This week we’re talking about one of Japan’s most famous cycling routes (the Shimanami Kaido), soy sauce that spends three years in an open fermentation, and what the end of the school year is like here. It’s Spring Break in Japan, and the cherry blossoms are just starting to bloom! More about the... Shimanami Kaido: https://shimanami-cycle.or.jp/cycling/en-02.html Tobishima Kaido: https://setouchicycling-tobishima.jp/ Yumeshima Kaido: https://cycling-ehime.com/en/routes/the_yumeshima_kaido/ Okamoto

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46:13

Riding the New Hokuriku Shinkansen Extension From...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/03/26

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50:46

Moving To A New Country - Vernal Equinox & Big Life...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/03/19

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48:40

Scenic Berumonta Train, Eating Eel Bones, & Mister...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/03/12

We got to ride the Berumonta, a scenic train in Toyama Prefecture! This train has a sushi chef on board, you can get sake delivered to your seat, and there are even local fans that wait along the line to wave as it goes by. Here’s more info about the train: http://berumonta.jp/You can reserve seats for this train by asking at any green JR ticket station window! English info about the train here: https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/train/berumonta/We also talk about the origins of Mister Donuts, the

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51:18

Tourism Vocabulary, Friends’ Visit, and Mountain...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/03/05

This week we read a listener email about a farm in Wakayama, talk about our friends visiting from Australia, and why there are so many “Little Kyotos” in Japan. We also talk about language in travel writing and tourism vocabulary, and mountain biking in Gunma Prefecture. Join our newsletter! https://www.ramblingramsbothams.com/newsletterLinks to things we discussed:Wakayama farm from a listener’s email: https://www.ryunohara.com/Is Kanazawa really a “Little Kyoto”?:

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52:56

Japan's Unlikely First Astronaut, Kids Menus &...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/02/26

This week we talk about cycling along the Tedori River Canyon Road in Ishikawa, aizuchi, talking to yourself, food on kids menus around the world, nearly naked men, and the first person Japan sent to space.We have a new monthly newsletter! Sign up at www.ramblingramsbothams.com/newsletterMore about…The Tedori River area in Ishikawa: https://hakusan-geo.jp/en/area/234/The first Japanese astronaut: https://neojaponisme.com/2011/06/07/japans-forgotten-first-astronaut/Aizuchi:

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48:33

Sake, Samurai Swords, Giant Peach Babies, & Tiny Bars

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/02/20

We have a new monthly newsletter! Sign up at www.ramblingramsbothams.com/newsletterThis week we’re talking about train deals to save money on a trip to Kanazawa, the emperor’s birthday, sake brewing, giant peach babies, samurai swords, and tiny bars. Here are some links to things we discuss:Hokuriku Ouen Ticket Announcement: https://soranews24.com/2024/02/16/new-jr-shinkansen-inclusive-rail-pass-is-a-huge-bargain-great-way-to-help-out-a-region-in-need/JR Rail’s Announcement (in Japanese):

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46:28

Third Places, Kanazawa Cafes, & Cardinal Directions...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/02/13

Thanks to National Foundation Day in Japan, Zeb had a day off from school this week! We got to spend the day in Kanazawa city, having lunch and checking out a new cafe. Annie also saw ten thousand dandelion puffballs in a small & interesting art gallery named Himito on the Saigawa River.Speaking of cafes and lunch spots, we also talk about the concept of “third places,” and unique examples of these in Japan. Finally, we talk about describing cardinal directions in Japanese. Did you know that the

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43:53

Celebrating Setsubun, Throwing Beans, and Travel...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/02/06

Hello from snowy Ishikawa once again! We’re starting off this week by answering some listener questions - has the “coming of age day” cut off divided friend groups? We also talk about clickbait when it comes to travel and promoting Japan.Finally, February 3rd was Setsubun (節分), or the “seasonal division” marking the day that winter ends and spring begins! We celebrated by throwing beans at the devil and silently eating our ehōmaki (恵方巻). Japan Tourism Statistics:

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52:14

Snowy Kenrokuen Garden & Superstitions in Japan

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/01/30

This week we visit Kenrokuen (兼六園) in the snow, very early one morning! Zeb included some recorded soundbites from our walk - did you know that every morning there’s a time you can enter the garden for free? We also talk about a coworker’s tip for making supermarket sushi taste better, a kotatsu river boat, and some superstitions from Japan. You can see the snowy photos Zeb took of Kenrokuen here: https://www.ramblingramsbothams.com/blog/a-kenrokuen-snow-dayMore info about the garden grounds:

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37:09

Government Dating App, Kotatsu Train, and Japanese...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/01/23

This week we talk about a new dating app in Japan created by the Tokyo government, the history of kotatsu (& a kotatsu train), and a special stamp collecting event in Wakayama Prefecture for cyclists. We also talk about strawberry day, the phrase ichigo ichie (一期一会), and other Japanese idioms (or yojijukugo). Links for some things we reference: Where we learned about the Tokyo Dating App: https://japantoday.com/category/features/lifestyle/tokyo-government-to-release-official-dating-app

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51:52

Burning New Years Decor, Your “Rebirth Year”, and...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/01/16

Should you visit Kanazawa right now? What do you do with New Years decorations after the celebrations end? When do you eat kagami mochi? We’re talking about these questions this week, plus the annual Japanese university entrance exams, soy sauce ice cream, why turning 60 is so special, and the unluckiest ages to turn. Tourism Updates From Ishikawa Prefecture: https://www.ishikawatravel.jp/en/news/regarding-the-2024-noto-peninsula-earthquake/Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese

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49:16

Noto Earthquake Updates, Dragons, and Kanji of the Year

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/01/09

This week we’re happy to be recording from back in our apartment! We’ll start with an update on how things are going after the Noto Earthquake, and some news about the area. Donations for the Ishikawa Earthquake can be given to the prefecture directly through this link: https://www.pref.ishikawa.lg.jp/suitou/gienkinr0601.htmlEnglish information on donating to Noto Earthquake relief fund can be found here (a non-exhaustive list):

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46:42

Our Ishikawa Update, 24 Hours After the Noto Earthquake

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2024/01/02

This is a slightly different episode than normal, but here are some updates regarding the earthquake that happened here in the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecuture, and spread widely across the west coast of Japan. We are safe and things are generally ok in Uchinada - we are thinking of those farther up the peninsula and hope that everyone stays safe!-----Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to @ramblingramsbothams on Instagram to see

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51:36

Shared Spaces, Snowmen & Ban on Wheels in Japan

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/12/26

This week we talk about shared spaces that we wish existed, how you make a snowman in Japan, this year's JET Programme video contest, and the restriction on wheeled vehicles during the Edo Period rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu.JET Program Video Contest details: https://jetprogramme.org/en/videocontest/More about the wheeled vehicle restrictions: https://d-arch.ide.go.jp/je_archive/english/society/wp_je_unu9.htmlhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/way-shogun-180975196/Listen to the end of every

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17:55

Field Trip Bonus Episode: Snow Day In Kanazawa

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/12/24

It's the first snow of winter here and we're taking you with us on a walk around Kanazawa City! Close your eyes and imagine you're joining us for a cozy train and bus ride, some cafe visits, walking through snowy shrines, playing gacha pon machines, and enjoying a soba lunch. We hope you like this "field trip" format - let us know if you want more of these style episodes! Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to

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57:54

Pizza, Pass Hunting, and Bicycle History in Japan

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/12/19

This past week was Zeb's birthday! We celebrated with pizza - but how is pizza in Japan different from pizza in the US? We also get into the history of the bike in Japan, when it first arrived, and how Japan popularized a niche version of cycling in the 70s called "Pass Hunting" (峠の狩り). Also this week, are city bikes called Mama-chyari or Chyarinko? How do you measure essay length in Japanese writing? And do you use a "Poke-ball" to catch Pokemon in Japan?The @niigata0252

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53:13

Going to the Dentist in Japan, Godzilla, and High...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/12/12

This week we visit the dentist for the first time in Japan - we found out what a tooth cleaning was like, how much it cost, whether anesthesia is an option for pain, and even had a filling replaced. We also saw the new "Godzilla Minus One" in theaters, and got to ride bikes with some of Zeb's high school students during a Saturday team cycling practice.Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to @ramblingramsbothams on Instagram

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