Japan By River Cruise

Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction.

Show Notes

Joe McReynolds is co-author of a new book about how flexible micro-spaces create the spontaneity and vitality of Tokyo, and how so much the city is built on the often very niche dreams and passions of its citizens, and also slash-fan-fiction.

Cruises to deal with inflation and heat stroke.

Topics discussed on this episode include:
  • What to remember about your successes or failures on the JLPT
  • Bobby's continuing BBQ tribulations and the experience of working together as husband and wife
  • The challenges of mass producing sauce
  • Ollie's latest stand-up adventures and how things are finally looking up for him a bit
  • Ollie's thoughts on therapy and clarity
  • Gratitude for your continued patience and support
  • Joe's book Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City
  • How different zoning restrictions create kind of spaces/businesses that we're used to seeing in Japanese cities
  • Japan's narrow, dingy, alleyways and how they became a vibrant part of city life
  • The sheer massive NUMBER of drinking/dining establishments and how they're sustainable
  • Barriers for opening restaurants in the states and UK, as opposed to Japan
  • The difference between what people WANT to do, and what laws make it possible for people to do
  • Weird business operations hours with Shimokitazawa as a test case
  • Running a business versus doing something you enjoy with your life/time
  • Which district of Tokyo does Joe find fascinating and what does the district teach us about the creation of real physical pockets of subculture
  • How countries choose to restrict or not restrict people's creative endeavours
  • Why Joe's background in National Security Analysis helped him tackle this topic
  • How the cityscape of Tokyo is built out of people's dreams and allows for self-exploration
  • The control that landlords/land-owners wield over the tone/vibe of the city and local economy
  • How concern with property value affects possibility
  • Bobby's experience with selling products out of his home kitchen and getting the permissions to do that/open a restaurant
  • How much do we trust strangers with our (food) safety?
  • Japanese reactions to food poisoning outbreaks when they happen and Japanese reactive policy in general
  • Cultural essentialism?? Shokunin, Otaku, and Bukatsu
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Extras this time include conversations about:
  • The Robot Restaurant
  • Chinese Militarism and Security Policy
  • AND SO MUCH MORE
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Social Media Links:

Joe McReynold's Twitter | Emergent Tokyo: Designing the Spontaneous City

Ollie Horn: Twitter | Instagram

Bobby Judo: Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

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What is Japan By River Cruise?

Stand-up comedians Bobby Judo and Ollie Horn purport to report on the Japanese river cruise industry each week.