Podcast - Go For Gaijin

Eric talks about his 30th birthday trip to Taiwan, including to the incredible Taroko Gorge, during the Japanese national holiday Golden Week.

Eric talks to his friend and NYTimes Bestselling author Adam Rubin about Japanese toilets and women, Jumanji, and karaoke, and Adam makes a plea to Eric's mom to appear on the podcast. Order Adam's new book Big Bad Bubble on Amazon! And his older books too!! And for the record, the band's name is actually AKB48 and it has 48, not 38, members.

Eric talks to his Japanese friend Yoshie about her many businesses and Japanese styles and grooming habits.

Eric rambles about a smattering of subjects, including the Japanese respect for lawyers and the Japanese sense of humor. Read more on "kawaii," which means cute, and its pervasiveness in Japanese culture here.

Eric talks to his friend Jon "La Tortuga Bonita" Frapart about being a nurse, Bruce Springsteen, and the company physical, and answers some of Jon's questions.

Eric talks with his friend Ryan Malleus, G4G's resident baseball expert, about his Japan celeb-filled night out and the "Curse of the Colonel." Diamond Rocks Rock Rock Loudness Akira Takasaki Curse of the Colonel

Eric takes his listener through the morning ritual at his Japanese workplace. BBC News Article from 2004 on Japanese company songs.

Eric attends the Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Man Festival) in Okayama, Japan and tries to make sense of the madness. More information plus photographs here and here.

Eric talks with his close friend Michael Fodera, a filmmaker from Queens, NY. www.michaelfodera.com www.lunarcypictures.com

Eric finds out about Osaka Bluegrass Appreciation Night from his waitress at a Thai restaurant, shows up, sits in, and is truly blown away by the Japanese love for folk/country/bluegrass/Americana. Note: This one's extra special and longer than usual because the last ~8 minutes consists of recordings of several of the Japanese performers.

Eric talks about some aspects of work he left out of Episode 2 and discusses the lunch situation in the office.

Eric ventures outside of the hotel/apartment for excursions to a yakiniku restaurant, some expat bars, and a few clubs.

Eric talks about his job working for a Japanese company and the differences between the American and Japanese workplace.

Eric summarizes why he's in Japan and goes over a few initial thoughts.