11 Sacred High City, Sacred Low City (Dr. Steven Heine)

Episode 11 of the Japan Station podcast is here and this time we're exploring the city of Tokyo. Dr. Steven Heine is the director of the Asian Studies Program at Florida International University and author of the book Sacred High City, Sacred Low City: A Tale of Religious Sites in Two Tokyo Neighborhoods. In this episode we talk about: The history of Tokyo Why Tokyo is laid out the way it is The differences and similarities between the Shitamachi and Yamanote areas of Tokyo The differences and similarities between the Inarichō and Akasaka neighborhoods of Tokyo Why Inarichō is the "Akihabara of butsuden" (Buddhist altars) What a gendai (contemporary) butsudan is The relationship between the fox god Inari, the legendary creature tengu, and the Sōtō sect of Zen Buddhism Whether Japanese people are religious The 1984 Juzo Itami film Osōshiki (The Funeral) Some not so well-known sites to check out during your next visit to Tokyo And much more! By the end of this episode you'll have a newfound appreciation for the city of Tokyo.

Om Podcasten

Helping you understand everything you should know about Japan. Interviews with Japan experts, deep dives into Japanese culture and society, and plenty of laughs; every episode host Tony R. Vega sheds light on a different aspect of Japan. Whether you're planning a visit to Japan, learning Japanese or just have a passion for all things Japan, we've got something for you! Common topics include ・Japanese culture ・Deep dives into the Japanese language ・Japanese history ・Japanese food ・Japan travel tips ・Japanese pop culture: anime, manga, movies, etc ・The stories of foreigners living in Japan ・And more! Episodes release on the 1st and 21st of the month. You can reach us via email: mail@japankyo.com About Tony R. Vega Tony R. Vega is the founder of JapanKyo.com, creator of The Anime Linguist YouTube channel, professional MC, and lifelong Japan enthusiast. He has a particular passion for the Japanese language which led him to obtain an M.A. in Japanese language and linguistics from the University of Hawaii. Tony is also legally blind and dedicated to raising awareness of the blind and visually impaired, as well as the problems these individuals face.