Travel by Matt S. As a big (big) fan of Koei Tecmo’s Nioh, over the past year or so, I’ve become quite fascinated with the central character in that game – William Adams, or “Samurai Bill”, as I like to refer to him. Nioh is only very loosely based on…
Read MoreTravel by Matt S. So, I’m back in Japan for a short holiday, and figured I’d do what I usually do and share a couple of pieces about my time here. Because, after all, Japan is an interesting place to visit. One of the first things I did on landing…
Read MoreTravel by Matt S. Osaka isn’t my favourite place in Japan. That’s not to say it’s a terrible place, of course – it’s a city filled with delights. It’s just that I generally prefer Tokyo as far as Japan’s big cities go, and if I’m going to get out of…
Read MoreTourism by Matt S. When I look at how the media is reporting on virtual reality, one of the things that I keep seeing is that, because VR technology missed those early predicated sales figures set down by PR outfits looking to build hype, then the technology itself must therefore…
Read MoreTourism by Matt S. The first major thing I did on my trip in Japan this year was attend the annual Hatsune Miku Expo and concert that is held at this time of year. It’s a special year, as it’s the tenth anniversary since Miku herself was unleashed on the…
Read MoreMatt’s in Japan now, so this podcast was actually recorded a little ahead of time. Nonetheless, we did find some great stuff to talk about. First up we talk about Japan itself; some of the things to get up to while you’re there (it’s not just about anime and games,…
Read MoreTravel by Matt S. Let me tell you something about coffee and summer in Japan. Japanese summers are brutal. They’re hot, and the rare cooler day is still humid. It’s the kind of weather that makes me so incredibly uncomfortable, and I wish that all the good stuff that happens…
Read MoreTourism by Matt S. Yeah, it wouldn’t be a trip to Japan without spending time in Akiba, the Mecca to otaku, nerds, geeks and weeaboos the world over. Despite the city’s reputation for being the place where sweaty socially-awkward men go to indulge their fantasies, Akihabara is actually a vibrant…
Read MoreTourism by Matt S. This is my third Tokyo Game Show, and this year it’s the biggest the show has ever been, with a bustling indie game area, dedicated VR and eSports sections, and hall after hall hosting all of the biggest developers and publishers. TGS is so large that…
Read MoreTourism by Matt S. Japan can be exhausting. The energy of the city, as well as the sheer number of things to do, means that often, even when you’re out for a relaxing day in a beautiful area like Hakone, you find yourself walking… and walking… and walking. A quick…
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