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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

59:32

Miyazaki's New Film, Movie Theaters in Japan, Marine...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/07/18

This week we talk about seeing Miyazaki's new movie, "How Do You Live?" (君たちはどう生きるか), or the english title, "The Boy and the Heron." Don't worry, no spoilers! What are Japanese movie theaters like? Did the marketing plan work well for Miyazaki's last film?We also talk about Zeb's weekend "mission" in town with other English teachers, how his debate contest practice went, and Marine Day. To celebrate Marine Day (or Ocean Day), we got to enjoy a beach

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56:29

Aliens, Japanese Festivals, Pet Stores, and JET...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/07/11

This week we're responding to a listener email about extraterrestrial life, talking about the Noto Abare Matsuri, or the "fire and violence rampage festival," and discussing the pay that language teachers receive while on the JET Program. We're also talking about Tanabata, the festival that celebrates long-distance relationships, and what Annie was surprised to see in a nearby Japanese pet store.Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese

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58:22

Hydrangeas, Cycling Routes, Japanese Work Culture,...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/07/04

This week we talk about hydrangea flowers (one perk of rainy season!), discuss work culture with Japanese and American friends, and mention cool things we saw on our bike rides this weekend (including Wakutama-kun, the onsen egg mascot of Wakura, and Sekidousan, a nearby holy mountain).Here's the Honko-ji temple's website if you are in the area and want to admire some hydrangea flowers: https://honko-ji.jimdofree.com/Here's the Wakura Onsen website for more about Wakutama-kun:

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61:13

Animals, Anime, and Air Conditioners

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/06/27

This week we're talking about cool new animals we saw on bike rides, anime recommendations from listeners, Japan's tourism statistics, debate contest judging, our new Japanese class, and saying goodbye to our futon! How long into the Ishikawa summer do you think we can last before turning on our AC for the first time?...Here's the article Zeb referenced about the movie Belle, and the real-life town in Kochi prefecture where the movie protagonist lives:

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57:41

One Year Podcast Anniversary!

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/06/20

This week is our anniversary! Well, the anniversary of starting this podcast! We'll talk about why we started it, how our podcasting setup changed, revisit questions about Japan that we had in our first episodes, and share some plans we have for the future. We'll also read an email from a listener, and talk a little about Kinosaki Onsen in Hyogo Prefecture.What would you like to hear from this podcast in the future? Let us know, and thank you for listening! Listen to the end of every

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52:43

Japan's Ice Cream Capital, Gunma JBCF Cycling Race,...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/06/13

This week we went back to Gunma Prefecture for another one of Zeb's JBCF road cycling races! We talk about how the racing went, and also the hotel we stayed in at Shima Onsen. We visited Sekizenkan, a Taisho Era bath house that is one of Japan's oldest, with a red bridge that is rumored to have inspired the bath house bridge in Miyazaki's Spirited Away. Back in the Kanazawa area, we've been sampling some of the many ice creams available in the so called "Japanese Ice Cream

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53:13

Hyakumangoku Festival in Kanazawa & Guest Podcast...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/06/06

We're starting this week's episode with a crazy update on the drone we found in the river! But, the main event from this past week was the Hyakumangoku Festival, an annual parade and weekend celebration in Kanazawa. We'll talk about the history behind the festival, the meaning of the name, and highlights from the parade. Also this week, we talk about Zeb's guest appearance on the podcast, "Japan Station." Thanks to host Tony Vega for the great conversation! You can find

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53:35

Listener Questions, Types of Kimono, & Grocery Store...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/05/30

This week, we answer some listener questions! We'll talk about different types of kimono, whether there's a specific day of the week to visit shrines, and new grocery store staples for us. It's also about the time of year when other JET Programme participants are hearing back about their placements! If you're a 2023 JET, we'd love to hear where you got placed!Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to

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53:17

Bike Racing in Nagano, Japan's Secret Hot Spring...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/05/23

This week's episode is about Zeb's most recent bike race weekend in beautiful Nagano Prefecture! He raced a hill climb event starting in Otaki and riding up Mt. Ontake (a sacred and active volcano) with 4000' of elevation gain. We also got to stay in an onsen ryokan (a hot spring inn) that's part of Japan's "Secret Hot Spring Society," and admired the beautiful turquoise water in Kiso River. The Nezamenotoko Gorge in Agematsu and the Atera Valley were both

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37:52

Uchinada Kite Festival, Tooth Fairy, and Birthdays in...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/05/17

This week we're reading a couple emails from listeners! One with tips on renting city bikes in Kanazawa, and another with a question about making friends in a foreign country. We're also talking about the Uchinada World Kite Festival this past weekend, what kids in Japan do with their baby teeth, and special birthdays in Japan. Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to @ramblingramsbothams on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes

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46:29

Earthquakes in Ishikawa Prefecture, All You Can Eat...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/05/10

For the first time, this podcast episode is also available as a video! Check out our brand new YouTube channel @RamblingRamsbothams (the video quality will continue to improve as this was the first try!) :) As for the content, this week we're talking about a couple big earthquakes that happened here on the Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture (up to a 6.5 of 7 on the Shindo Scale out in Suzu!) We're also talking about bikepacking in Japan, getting your bike out of the airport, and

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46:07

Bike Racing in Gunma, School Turned Museum, Golden...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/05/03

Giveaway News! In this episode we mention a postcard mailing for anyone who gives this podcast a review! The first 6 people to write reviews will get a hand-painted watercolor postcard mailed from Japan, with a frog on it for good luck (Kaeru means both frog and "to return" in Japanese, which is why they're seen as symbols of good fortune returning!) Anyone after those 6 will receive paper frog stickers as a small token of good luck as well! Make sure to email us

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50:27

Tonami Tulip Fair, Japanese Library Cards, Meeting...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/04/27

This past week we went to the Tonami Tulip Fair in Toyama Prefecture, one of the biggest Tulip Festivals in Japan! There were 3 million tulips of 300 different varieties, and we also got to enjoy some new (to us) cycling routes in that prefecture.Also in this episode we talk about getting a library card, Zeb getting to meet the new First Year students, starting the drivers license process (International Drivers Licenses only last one year), and preparations for another cycling road race weekend

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42:14

Leasing A Car In Japan, New School Schedules,...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/04/22

We finally got a car! We also immediately let the battery die... But aside from that mistake, it's been another great week in Uchinada. Zeb has a new school schedule with the JET Programme, some friends from the US visited, and we're enjoying spring weather (and sounds). One spring sound we're not enjoying so much are the "election cars" - more on that in the episode. Finally we'll talk about JR Pass pricing news, and the new My Number (my nyamber) cards for

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76:22

Field Trip Episode! Come With Us and Our Family on a...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/04/16

This episode format is a little different than usual because we're taking the recorders out of the house and along with us on a trip! Not just any trip through Japan though...Annie's family is visiting from the USA! We'll bring you along through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Kanazawa, so you can hear all the city sounds, nature noises, and first reactions to traveling in Japan. We start with the more modern sights in West Tokyo (Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku), and then head to more traditional

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51:50

Peak Cherry Blossoms, Alphabetical Sorting in...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/04/04

It's been peak cherry blossom week here in the Kanazawa area, and this week we're talking about hanami and enjoying the sakura blossoms on bike rides around town! We also talk about going to the new Ishikawa Prefectural Library, how you sort things in a language without an alphabet, our new car lease, and JET Programme results.Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to @ramblingramsbothams on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes

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47:38

Road Racing in Shizuoka, Renting A Car In Japan, &...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/03/29

We rented a car, drove to Shizuoka Prefecture, and had our first Japan cycling road race experience! It was Zeb's first race with the Japan Bicyclist Club Federation (JBCF) - how did the races go? How is road racing in Japan different? How do you do a cycling road trip without a bike rack?We also talk about riding through tea fields in Shizuoka (this area is the leading producer of tea in the country!), what a kei car (keijidosha, 軽自動車) is, and how toll roads work. Here's more information

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49:43

Spring Equinox, School Sports Day, New Foods, and No...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/03/22

We're recording this on Shubun no Hi (春分の日), or the Spring Equinox, which is also a public holiday in Japan! This week we talk about the arrival of cherry blossoms, sports day at school, and mask-wearing guidance being eased. We also got to try some new foods at an izakaya this week, including firefly squid, ochazuke (tea over rice), and bai-gai shellfish. 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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44:44

We Rode Bikes to Ono in Fukui Prefecture! Japanese...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/03/15

It's finally spring, and this past weekend we got out the bike bags again for another cycling trip through the Japanese countryside! This time we were heading to Fukui Prefecture, to the city of Ono. We rode by Hakusan National Park, along the Tedori River, on the Tedori Canyon Cycle Path, and hiked up to see the view of the Ono Castle.We'll talk about why we chose this location, how we pack the bikes, what route we took, Ono's castle and dinosaurs, and the guesthouse we stayed

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43:55

Zeb's Pro Cycling Team Spot, High School Graduation...

Rambling Ramsbothams ·

2023/03/08

If you listened to last week, we have an update on Zeb's Japan Pro Cycling opportunity! We're looking forward to traveling to some races - hopefully starting at the end of this month!We also talk about the high school graduation ceremony at Zeb's school, and what getting a haircut is like in Japan.Listen to the end of every episode to hear our Japanese "words-of-the-week," and head to @ramblingramsbothams on Instagram to see behind-the-scenes photos.Have a question or idea

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