Back to School, all you Backers!

Well, at least me anyway. Class in session (for adults) and it's time to harvest what brain cells are left.

Speaking of harvest, it's that magical season in Japan again when that most humble - and crucial - of grains is collected and consumed: rice. And wearing the crown is the Niigata-native "koshihikari", but how did it get to the top? Where did the name come from? Who stepped in to provide the TLC? And why is a strapping rugby player in a commercial for it now??

The answer to these questions and more await! Grab yourself an rice ball and prepare to get educated, Back-style (BTW no homework).

Thank you for your attendance 🎒 📚 📘

Josh

Hey you sunburnt Backers!

The weather may be hot, but there's nothing hotter than a steamy bowl of gyūdon (beef bowl) in the summer.

Well, almost...

FUJI ROCK, BABY! Every year, a gaggle of artists make their way to Niigata to perform their hearts out, and we have none other than iconoclastic founder, Masahiro Hidaka, to thank. So, this week we trace Fuji Rock's humble roots (actually near Mt. Fuji) to its current home in the Back of Japan.

Stay hydrated, check out the event's wrap up video here and get your hands on a beef-bowl, for Back's sake! As promised: Cho Co Pa Co Cho Co Quin Quin

Laterrr, Beach Bums 🌞😎

Josh

Raising a glass today for Dear Ol' Dad, and the family that have to put up with him. To all ye who've sown seed (consciously or not), hope you had a great one!

Speaking of fathers, today we take a look at the extraordinary life of Maejima Hisoka. Born in Joetsu, Niigata, he's known as the father of the Japanese postal system, but digging deeper, we find that he was much more than that. From attacking the use of kanji, building railways and rubbing shoulders with modern Japan's early elite, this guy did it all.

Slip on your bathrobe and settle into your easy chair for a celebration of one of Japan's top pops!

References:

-https://www.japanpost.jp/corporate/milestone/founder/

-https://www.touken-world.jp/history/history-important-word/maejimahisoka/

-https://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/site/museum/maejimahisoka.html

-Kanji abolishing letter: http://bungeikan.jp/domestic/detail/675/

Thanks for listening and see you next time (give your 👨🏻 a call...),

👨‍💼Josh

'Tis a very special Back of Japan celebrating all the Moms out there for raising babies into men and women, even when we're still just big babies!

In the spirit of mamasitas, we're heading straight into Niigata's Furamachi district to shine a bright "red-light" on one of Japan's most beautiful - and maybe influential - geishas of all time: Shin Shonaiya. It's a classic rags-to-riches story, with connections to Niigata's renowned geisha scene, Niigata's Bandai Bridge and even Emperor Taisho himself!

Grab a Hallmark cards and pick out some flowers for this emotional episode!

References:

-https://n-cityguide.jugem.jp/?eid=213

-https://www.modevip.work/archives/4973506.html

-https://ameblo.jp/dzf999tea-party/entry-12284105150.html

-https://www.sakyukan.jp/clip01/clip58.html

-https://www.niigata-cci.or.jp/geigi

-https://moekire2.exblog.jp/11808598/

-https://moekire2.exblog.jp/14186586/

Thank you and see you next time! (give your mom a call...)

💗Josh

Hey all you Backers!

Spring is the time for growth and trying out new things, like watching FX's 2022 show, The Bear, and almost tasting the Michelin-worthy food in its kitchens.

Moreover, April showers may bring May flowers, but there are still plenty of petals to be seen, especially at Joetsu's annual "sakura hanami", or cherry-blossom festival. On this episode, we get to the roots of one of Japan's top three major night cherry blossom spots, from its origins as an aesthetic treat for Japan's troops, to a full-blown 17-day festival.

As next year will be the 100-year anniversary of the event, go ahead and reserve your place for a truly memorable, yet ephemeral, experience.

References:

-https://www.joetsutj.com/articles/52028357

-https://joetsukankonavi.jp/kanoukai/about/

-https://www.city.joetsu.niigata.jp/uploaded/attachment/142730.pdf

Support your local hanami and thanks for listening!

Josh

Top o' the mornin' to ya's, Back Lovers!

Not only has Spring sprung, but St. Patrick's Day is around the corner, which means lots of green socks, green beer and the pastoral sounds of Irish folk-rock band, The Pogues.

Keeping on the theme of green, we dig deep into the history of jade in Japan and Niigata's key role in its production, especially in the coastal city of Itoigawa. It's a winding tale filled with princesses, police and plenty of tectonic shifts.

References:

https://www.geo-itoigawa.com/eng/what/introduction.html

https://niigatameisan.hatenablog.com/entry/2018/02/20/102229

https://fmm.geo-itoigawa.com/event-learning/about_hisui/

https://en.unesco.org/global-geoparks/itoigawa

https://tjniigata.jp/outing/201907kaiunn_itoigawa/

https://www.city.itoigawa.lg.jp/3790.htm

Do some spring cleaning, put away that winter coat and enjoy a pint or two this this fine season. Happy St. Patrick's Day 🍀🐉

Hey all you Snow Bunnies,

It's full-blown winter all over, especially with Season 4 of HBO's awesome series "True Detective". Moonshine, murder and mountains of snow in Alaska's outback!

However, if that's not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to spend the colder months, and that's zipping down the beautiful Japanese mountains. We dive headfirst into the history of skiing in Japan with a retrospective on its founder: Major Theodor Edler von Lerch (try saying that 9x fast) and the impact of his legacy in Niigata that spread like wildfire all over Japan.

Moreover, you can also experience the thrill of a ski-themed celebration in February around Joetsu, Niigata with the Lerch Festival. So, lace up your boots, strap on your skis and feel the rush of winter's most popular sport in Japan!

References:

-https://www.snowcountry-instructors.com/2015-8-30-major-theodor-von-lerch/

-https://joetsu-stories.jp/2022/03/10/theodor-von-lerch-the-spy-who-introduced-skiing-to-japan-and-made-niseko-famous/

-https://joetsukankonavi.jp/lerch-fest/

Stay warm this winter, you guys!

Happy Holidays, Back Lovers!

Since you've all presumably been good this year, Santa's giving all of us a real treat: full bowls of steaming delicious ramen from Niigata! But not just any ol' bowl, no; these are Niigata's 5 Great Ramen (新潟５大ラーメン) from all over the prefecture.

We'll be stopping by the original shops, waxing over the stories and salivating over the mouth-watering soups, including:

1. Light Soy Sauce Ramen 

あっさり醤油ラーメン

三吉屋, 新潟県新潟市中央区西堀通5-829

Miyoshiya 

Nishiboridori, ５−829, Niigata Island, Niigata 

2. Niigata Miso Ramen 

新潟濃厚味噌ラーメン

新潟県新潟市西蒲区竹野町2454-1

Komadori

2454-1 Takeno-cho, Nishikan-ku, Niigata City

 3. Tsubame back fat ramen

燕三条背脂ラーメン

杭州飯店, 新潟県燕市燕49-4 · 杭州飯店

Hangzhou Hanten

49-4 Tsubame, Niigata, 959-1288

4. Sanjo Curry Ramen 

三条カレーラーメン

大衆食堂 正広, 新潟県三条市石上2-13-38

Masahiro,

2-chōme-13-38 Ishigami, Sanjo, Niigata 955-0084

5. Nagaoka Ginger Soy Sauce Ramen 

長岡生姜醤油ラーメン

青島食堂, 新潟県長岡市宮内3-5-3

Aoshima Shokudo

3-5-3 Miyauchi, Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture

Ramen is always delicious, but the dishes served in Niigata truly live up their "Great" status. If you're in the neighborhood, give them a shot!

Thanks for tuning in this year and we'll see you in 2024!

Happy holidays 🍜🎄❄️🎉

Josh