- 14
- Episodes
- 6
- Ratings
- 2023
- First episode
- 15K
- YouTube views
About My Time in Japan
I'm Paul-chan, an Army vet, web developer, gamer and Japanese enthusiast. My Time in Japan is a journey revisiting my experiences of adapting to new cultures and blundering through language barriers while serving as a Latter-day Saint missionary in 2009 and 2010. From the lush mountains of the Chūgoku Region to the very southern tip of Kyūshū, we dive into journal entries, local history, mission stories, and more. Connect with me on your favorite Social Media platforms at https://paul-chan.one
- Publisher
- Paul-chan
- Category
- society & culture
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- No
- First episode
- 6 May 2023
- Latest episode
- 12 Jan 2026
Latest episodes
14 episodes in the feed.
12 Jan 2026
Minisode - Happy New Year / あけおめことよろ
Minisodes for My Time in Japan will include brief updates, extra context, or other bonuses for the show. This minisode includes an overview of the new Podcast Cover Art and an announcement around episode markings for content that may include faith-related topics.Music Provided by NCMFYTIntro: Colorful Cat - Playground Link: https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw?si=Rndj6_JLTh2TtKx7 (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw?si=Rndj6_JLTh2TtKx7)Background Music One: Domitori Taranofu - Sakura's LifeLink: https://youtu.be/tZXmTc4W_o0?si=BBouPSrpkBHV9pfO (https://youtu.be/tZXmTc4W_o0?si=BBouPSrpkBHV9pfO)Background Music Two: Domitori Taranofu - Dreams of Japan (Extended Mix)Link: https://youtu.be/RsZRAh19oio?si=KeEch0V_5cB6HsEv (https://youtu.be/RsZRAh19oio?si=KeEch0V_5cB6HsEv)
22 Jul 2025
Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place / 前門の虎後門の狼
For this episode's Latest Word, we're digging into the linguistics behind the phrase... you guessed it, "caught between a rock and a hard place." Ty, one of the missionaries I served with in Japan, will be joining us soon but I introduce him in this episode along with some of the lessons I learned while serving with him. We also dive into some more of the cuisine I was introduced to while living in Izumo, and touch on other topics such as missionary fitness, mental health, and the art of the beverage run! Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PJo2fPvxFRAHgQJLu4cn72xaj6quwtyzls0E-b6yH30 (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PJo2fPvxFRAHgQJLu4cn72xaj6quwtyzls0E-b6yH30) Q&A: Would you like to be featured in our next Q&A segment? Send your questions via DM (Insta / Threads, Bluesky, X, TikTok) or email them to podcast@paul-chan.one (mailto:podcast@paul-chan.one) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a Patron at https://patreon.com/paulchankazoku ( https://patreon.com/paulchankazoku). The free tier will give you access to all my normal updates, but feel free to join one of the higher tiers if you want some extra goodies or just want to help support what we're doing! Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one/) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv/) a few times a week around 9 or 10 PM Mountain Time! Intro and Outro Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw) Colorful Cat - Kon Watch: https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg)
2 Dec 2024
Hills and Mountains / 岡と山
Paul-chan shares his adventures in Southwestern Japan, exploring Okayama and the surrounding hills and mountains, uncovering hidden gems and unique experiences.
30 Oct 2024
My Time in Japan S1 E10: The Tales of Izumo / 出雲物語
This may not be Ba Sing Se, but there are still secrets to be discovered! Join Paul-chan as he shares a few vignettes, including some spookie moments apropos for the Halloween season! Videos referenced in this episode: The seriously shocking backstory of the Bug Pokemon, Paras (https://youtube.com/shorts/5MilekEEQ7k?si=glOUTxLa3aFc308a) (Kyota Ko) But we’re speaking Japanese 日本語しゃべってるんだけど (https://youtu.be/oLt5qSm9U80?si=mai4T2Vv43CCQ4be) (Ken Tanaka) Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14EUqZdpmhvhYY_piTP1pl6jCifBa5Y-VCo5VeZdqOhY (https://docs.google.com/document/d/14EUqZdpmhvhYY_piTP1pl6jCifBa5Y-VCo5VeZdqOhY) Would you like to be featured in our next Q&A segment? Send your questions via DM (Instagram / Threads) or email them to podcast@paul-chan.one (mailto:podcast@paul-chan.one) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support), or visit my Ko-fi page at https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14 (https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14) Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv) a few times a week around 9:00PM Mountain Time! Intro and Outro Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw) Colorful Cat - Kon Watch: https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
20 Aug 2024
My Time in Japan S1 E9: The Groceries of Sin / 罪の食料品
We start off with a new segment: The Latest Word. You'll then learn useful tips about Banking and Grocery Shopping in Japan before revisiting one of the darkest days in Paul-chan's history... 😂 Articles mentioned in this episode: I'm an American mom living in Japan, and grocery shopping here is a far superior experience than it is in the US (https://www.businessinsider.com/grocery-shopping-in-japan-versus-us-biggest-differences-photos) (Business Insider) Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JNAMfbV0rAAe31BhU1CZq03Vv6kzAm_Cpd4liK4XG6k (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1JNAMfbV0rAAe31BhU1CZq03Vv6kzAm_Cpd4liK4XG6k) Would you like to be featured in the Q&A segment? Send your questions via DM (Instagram / Threads) or email them to podcast@paul-chan.one (mailto:podcast@paul-chan.one) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support), or visit my Ko-fi page at https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14 (https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14) Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv), once or twice a week around 9:00PM Mountain Time! Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw) Colorful Cat - Nakabeni Watch: https://youtu.be/tj8AezwaTJw (https://youtu.be/tj8AezwaTJw) Stream: https://soundcloud.com/ncmfyt/colorful-cat-nakabeni (https://soundcloud.com/ncmfyt/colorful-cat-nakabeni) Domitori Taranofu - Birds and Kids on the Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/psIqFtfbjg0 (https://youtu.be/psIqFtfbjg0) Stream: https://soundcloud.com/ncmfyt/domitori-taranofu-birds-and-kids-on-the-playground (https://soundcloud.com/ncmfyt/domitori-taranofu-birds-and-kids-on-the-playground) Colorful Cat - Kon Watch: https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
30 Jul 2024
My Time in Japan S1 E8: Dreams and Déjà Vu / 夢と既視感
Join us as we dive into Paul-chan's eccentric "dream theater" and have an introspective conversation about déjà vu. We also discuss over-tourism in Japan during this episode's Q&A segment. Articles mentioned in this episode: Japan, famously polite, struggles to cope with influx of tourists (https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/05/15/japan-over-tourism-fuji-kyoto/)(Washington Post) Experiencing Déjà Vu? Neurologists Explain What It Means and Why It’s Happening (https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/experiencing-d%C3%A9j%C3%A0-vu-neurologists-explain-what-it-means-and-why-it-s-happening/ar-AA1jRHXD?ocid=socialshare&pc=U531&cvid=c8327daacb81478fa13c36db9b2147d7&ei=15) (MSN) Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sCYMURPlX5A5LBhWo-S16rZhbOwMzS4s_LYdkTCwGq0/edit?usp=sharing (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1sCYMURPlX5A5LBhWo-S16rZhbOwMzS4s_LYdkTCwGq0/edit?usp=sharing) Would you like to be featured in the Q&A segment? Send your questions via DM (Instagram / Threads) or email them to podcast@paul-chan.one (mailto:podcast@paul-chan.one) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support), or visit my Ko-fi page at https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14 (https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14) Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv), once or twice a week around 9:00PM Mountain Time! Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw) c152 - liminal fields Stream: https://soundcloud.com/ncmfyt/c152-liminal-fields (https://soundcloud.com/ncmfyt/c152-liminal-fields) Domitori Taranofu - Sakura's Life Watch: youtu.be/tZXmTc4W_o0 (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FtZXmTc4W_o0&token=d56774-1-1722311664210) Stream: ncmfyt.band.link/SakurasLife (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fncmfyt.band.link%2FSakurasLife&token=33020e-1-1722311664210) Domitori Taranofu - Dreams of Japan (Extended Mix) Watch: youtu.be/tZXmTc4W_o0 (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FtZXmTc4W_o0&token=d56774-1-1722311664210) Stream: ncmfyt.band.link/SakurasLife (https://gate.sc/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fncmfyt.band.link%2FSakurasLife&token=33020e-1-1722311664210) Colorful Cat - Kon Watch: https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
16 Jul 2024
My Time in Japan S1 E7: Season One Interlude / シーズン1間奏
The hiatus is over! Join us as we go over the roadmap for where this podcast is headed and reflect on a poignant Japanese song. Episode Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1x8KLmeyv_O69ENLO5mPdSz3zclbwvmggGKK8oJHsLqg/edit?usp=drive_link (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WRtWCDhwk6svFuhfJC6_3b8gepRy2QrYP0-VISafebU/edit?usp=sharing) Would you like to be featured in the Q&A segment? Send your questions via DM (Instagram / Threads) or email them to podcast@paul-chan.one (mailto:podcast@paul-chan.one) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support), or visit my Ko-fi page at https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14 (https://ko-fi.com/paulchan14) Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv), once or twice a week around 9:00PM Mountain Time! Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw), Colorful Cat - Sharegaki (https://youtu.be/ci7VzBglgiM?si=N_YeoO54jVSO5Zrr), Domitori Taranofu - Cold Cold Snowfall in My Soul Extended Mix (https://youtu.be/RpOEfRtFEfg?si=iuU4DAdH9EZ61fls), and Colorful Cat - Kon (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Stream: Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/user/7y5d4d6w7tbtt23a4b1hcpyg8?si=79fdb75bb9c94ff8) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
25 Oct 2023
My Time in Japan S1 E6: Here Comes the Train / 電車が参ります
Come hop on a train bound for Matsue! Also, let's talk about Japanese vending machines! Episode Transcript (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1WRtWCDhwk6svFuhfJC6_3b8gepRy2QrYP0-VISafebU/edit?usp=sharing) Would you like to be featured in the Q&A segment? Send your questions via DM (Twitter, Instagram) or email me at podcast@paul-chan.one (mailto:podcast@paul-chan.one) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv), every other evening around 9:00PM Mountain Time! Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw), Colorful Cat - Iridescent (https://youtu.be/BCeQBocMBzc?si=h1fsdPk_Xq3KK-RQ), Domitori Taranofu - Forget (https://youtu.be/qlu_HhKwYG0?si=TKKB2XTBP_bS-4w7), Colorful Cat - Kōbai-Iro (https://youtu.be/38TwIsGqwcQ?si=RGvcEh6Y4HK6_Jwi), and Colorful Cat - Kon (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Stream: Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/user/7y5d4d6w7tbtt23a4b1hcpyg8?si=79fdb75bb9c94ff8) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
26 Sept 2023
My Time in Japan S1 E5: The Sakura Festival in Unnan / 雲南市の桜祭り
Delicate pink blossoms, chicken nuggets, and Hanami Dango... Oh my! Episode Transcript If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live at paulchan.tv (http://paulchan.tv), every other evening around 9:00PM Mountain Time! Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw), Colorful Cat - Byakuroku (https://youtu.be/stvDwzM9wvs?si=B_3OXOo3EmndaLGn), Colorful Cat - Kon (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Stream: Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/user/7y5d4d6w7tbtt23a4b1hcpyg8?si=79fdb75bb9c94ff8) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
20 Jun 2023
My Time in Japan S1 E4: Izumo Taisha / 出雲大社
Discover one of the most significant Shinto Shrines in Japan. Episode Transcript (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ILOaDVtRpuCc3AD-q1KZINqKERGH76oTYzqSVXATh_k/edit?usp=sharing) If you are enjoying My Time in Japan, please consider becoming a supporter by contributing at podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw), Colorful Cat - Yanagizome (https://youtu.be/gyQmvULwhIc), Colorful Cat - Kon (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Stream: Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/user/7y5d4d6w7tbtt23a4b1hcpyg8?si=79fdb75bb9c94ff8) Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/paulchan14 target=), most evenings around 9:00PM Mountain Time! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
13 Jun 2023
My Time in Japan S1 E3: The Road to Izumo / 出雲への道
Paul travels to the city of Izumo, encountering a slight hiccup. Episode Transcript (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p7o47K4AruubUzmbFVi85ieInEkGde55ys7ZLNPHuiI/edit?usp=sharing) Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw), Domitori Taranofu - Akihabara (https://youtu.be/nw_T7qbr8E8), Colorful Cat - Kon (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Stream: Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/user/7y5d4d6w7tbtt23a4b1hcpyg8?si=79fdb75bb9c94ff8) Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/paulchan14 target=), most evenings around 9:00PM Mountain Time! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
22 May 2023
My Time in Japan S1 E2: Hiroshima / 広島
Landing in Hiroshima, Paul learns about the city and makes a connection to its past. Episode Transcript (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HRGA4O4yL1pXcP_7pAiCSLtUqnmWVHhqMfNtBIMvRnE/edit?usp=share_link) Visit paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) for Paul-chan's social media handles and other content. Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw), Colorful Cat - Nakabeni (https://youtu.be/tj8AezwaTJw), Colorful Cat - Kon (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Stream: Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/user/7y5d4d6w7tbtt23a4b1hcpyg8?si=79fdb75bb9c94ff8) Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/paulchan14 target=), most evenings around 9:00PM Mountain Time! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
15 May 2023
My Time in Japan S1 E1: Introduction - "Jikoshokai" / 自己紹介
You are about to embark on a journey that will take you all over Japan, from the heart of Tokyo to the southern tip of Kyushu and beyond! Paul tells the story of his transition from basic training recruit to Japan-bound missionary. Music provided by NCMFYT Tracks: Colorful Cat - Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw (https://youtu.be/mkPFWv1xWsw) Colorful Cat - Kōbai-iro Watch: https://youtu.be/38TwIsGqwcQ (https://youtu.be/38TwIsGqwcQ) Colorful Cat - Kon Watch: https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg (https://youtu.be/fdFLSIxhHhg) Trailer Music: Domitori Taranofu - Just a Playground Watch: https://youtu.be/tU3ucZtTru8 (https://youtu.be/tU3ucZtTru8) Don't forget to catch Paul-chan live on Twitch (https://twitch.tv/paulchan14 target=), once or twice a week around 9:00PM Mountain Time! For other content and all of Paul-chan's social media handles, visit https://paul-chan.one (https://paul-chan.one) --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
6 May 2023
Trailer
You’re about to embark on a journey across the land of the rising sun. Here’s a taste of what you’ll experience while listening to My Time in Japan. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support (https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mytimeinjapan/support)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
- YouTube views
- 14,963
- Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
- Apple Podcasts (US)
- 5.0 / 5
- 3 ratings
- Spotify
- 5.0 / 5
- 3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 31 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
- Quality
- 20
- Social presence
- 0
- YouTube
- 72
- Engagement
- 32
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