I'm your host, Owen Pearson. People often talk about Tokyo, but there's a special kind of magic here in Osaka. Is Osaka really the friendliest city in Japan for LGBTQ+ folks? To help us find out, we're joined today by a very special guest. Let's get into it.

Hello everyone. Welcome to today's episode, the podcast for Oscar Gay Travel. On this episode, we are joined by Jou, an amazing 27-year-old who lives in Tokyo, but lived for his first 18 years in Tokyo in Osaka. So, right now, he lives in Tokyo, but he grew up in Osaka. Is that where your family is still in Osaka?

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, they are in Osaka, too.

>> Oh my gosh. Well, thank you so much for joining us on this episode.

>> I'm so glad to be here.

>> Yes. Can you tell everyone what is your fashion sense? Cuz I love your star ring. What are you wearing? Like, what is this your everyday look?

>> No, I like now I'm so obsessed with stars. I bought a lot of star things and

>> so cute

>> everyday like street casual street vibes.

>> Street vibes. Yes.

>> Very like LA of you street style

>> cuz I was in I was in America. I was in San Diego for one year.

>> So that's where you learned English.

>> Yes. Okay.

>> And I love LA. Yes. I love watching movies

>> when I was young and I love LA. I was in I lived in America and I like American culture.

>> How did you get to America? Like living in America for one year

>> in California like how did that happen?

>> What what do you mean?

>> Like did you apply for uh exchange program

>> language school? I language school English. Yes.

>> Okay. So similar to like how America has language programs for abroad. You did one for it. That's so cool. Oh my gosh. And would you ever go back to America or?

>> Oh, that's my dream. I want to work I want to work in the US

>> someday or I want to move to the US someday.

>> Okay. Well, I mean, I work in travel content creation full-time. So, maybe we can work that out together, you know?

>> Yes.

>> Something where we travel, help you get to America. There's so many amazing tourism boards and organizations that want more gay travelers from foreign countries to come to America. So, I think you'd be a great fit. I don't know if it's a passion of yours.

>> We can be good friends.

>> Yes, that'd be great. I would love that. Well, it's so great to meet you. So great to have you here. Um, Osaka is such a hidden gem. I feel like people know Japan as Tokyo, right? Or they go to um Okinawa or Hiroshima or they go to Hokkaido for snowboarding or skiing. But Osaka is right there too and it's so beautiful right next to Kyoto. Can you tell us more about growing up in Osaka?

>> Okay. M I was I was I lived in Osakas uh until I graduated. I graduated from my high school. So I was in I was in Osaka for about 17 years and I think the most attractive point in Osaka is people's fliness like they they flry and

>> they don't have a lot they have less boundary to be friends.

>> I can see that

>> when I compared to people in Tokyo. This is my opinion but yes

>> everything is an opinion here.

>> Yes. So for me it was so easy to be to to make friends and to make my like community to to make to broaden my community.

>> Yes, that's my Yeah, I think it's the biggest point.

>> Yeah, that's It sounds like you were able to make friends really easily in Osuka. Was that something that was easy for you also in your family? Like can you tell us more about your family dynamic? Like do you have siblings?

>> Okay. Okay. My I have my older brother and younger sister.

>> Okay. So you have the middle child. Yes.

>> You know, do you know what they say about the middle child?

>> What? What?

>> In America, the middle child is often the forgotten child.

>> What do you mean for?

>> So, in American households,

>> the oldest child is always like the experiment. Like they get all the discipline from the parents and they're like the responsible one. The youngest one is often like the baby. So, they're like spoiled.

>> That's

>> And then the middle one is like they're like,

>> "Oh, what happened to them?"

>> They No one really pays attention. Did you feel that growing up in Osaka?

>> Yeah, kind of. Kind of. Kind of. But

>> you know, as you know, me and my family, especially my mother is really close.

>> So, I don't feel like I I was forgotten about him. But yeah, the my sister they she was she

>> got killed a lot because she's the youngest. So,

>> so you see that too? It's the same. Okay. So, it's confirmed. It's the same in Japan.

>> Okay.

>> So, as you said, you're close to your mom.

>> Did you come out early to your mom or did you not have to come out to your mom? Like,

>> how was that with your mom growing up?

>> Yeah. I actually I didn't come up because she knows

>> she knows. So, I didn't come up, but

>> Yeah. Yeah. We But since I was child,

>> we were just talking about the the guys.

>> Yeah. Like for example, um when I was 15,

>> okay,

>> my first land celebrity clutch, yeah, was Ricky Martin.

>> Ricky Martin.

>> Ricky Martin. That's a great

>> And I told her, I told my mom like he's so handsome and I like him.

>> And she made my birthday cake with like Ricky Martin pictures.

>> Co.

>> Yes. I want to show you.

>> I need to see this picture. People are going to want to know. Your mom has to share it with us, too.

>> That's such a supportive mom. I I feel like that's a big shock in general for everyone. Like, you're talking about boys, celebrity crushes.

>> It's not I think not not normal nor typical. That's not typical.

>> It's not typical, but there are some I think some gay people, some LGBT people that do have usually the mom is more supportive, I would say,

>> more than father.

>> Father, I think so. From a basic stereotype, right?

>> Not for everyone. Everyone's story is so unique. M.

>> So, I love that your mom is supportive cuz we need more support in this world and I think it's so cool that your mom did that. Like, now I want a Ricky Martin cake. I think mine would be not Ricky Martin. It'd probably be Bad Bunny.

>> Bad Bunny. Oh, yeah.

>> Cuz especially after the Super Bowl, did you watch?

>> Of course.

>> Ricky Martin, your celebrity crush.

>> Yeah, this still I like Martin and

>> Maruma. Do you know Maruma?

>> Maruma. He is so gorgeous.

>> Yes. I like I think I like like Latin.

>> Latin. Okay. L vibes. Okay. Cool. Yeah. He He What What does he do? He's a singer, too, right?

>> His singer. Yes.

>> Okay. So, you like you like the singers?

>> Yeah.

>> Can you sing?

>> No. No. No. No. No. Maybe someday.

>> Okay. So, we're not we're not going to see you stepping into music.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

>> But what what are your hobbies then? What do you like to do?

>> I really like watching movies on Netflix. And I can even see my face on it. No. And Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I like watching movies. But actually like I

>> Netflix is great. Yeah, movies are great.

>> I watch maybe more than two or three movies in a week.

>> Wow.

>> Every week. And Yeah. And I also go to the theater.

>> Cinema. Yeah.

>> Cinema. Cinema. With my fans and also alone.

>> Yes.

>> I think so too. Especially during um like COVID time. But then even before I would take myself on a date and go to the movies sometimes.

>> Wow. Is it okay? Is it to go to the theater?

>> In America it's okay. Um, especially cuz we used to have something called a movie pass. I think we still do. So you would get one or two free movies every week

>> and if you don't use it then you lose it. So you have to go to the movies. So sometimes my friends can't go but I still want to see the movie.

>> I think it was it was we were prohibited. I think in the era we cannot go outside. So I was just watching Netflix somewhere.

>> I think as long as you wore a mask and then they like had separation like like 6 feet at least.

>> Yeah. Yeah. The same. Yeah. Those are wild times. So, what movie genres do you like to watch?

>> Like horror, comedy.

>> Oh, yeah. I love horror.

>> Me, too.

>> You like

>> I love horror movies.

>> You know, like my friends don't like it. So, we can always go to go out alone. So, yeah, we can we can watch

>> cuz we I have a bunch of gay friends and we love watching horror movies. So, sometimes we would watch once a month and then we talk about it. So, yeah, it's really fun. You can join.

>> Yes, please do.

>> Yes.

>> My boyfriend doesn't like um horror movies. I forced them to watch movies with you.

>> Yes. Yes. Do you more is it because So this is one important take about horror movies.

>> They say that cuz I studied psychology in um university and you I believe studied marketing.

>> Yes. Marketing on loan.

>> Oh, law. We're going to talk about that in a second. So, a lot of people say from a psychological standpoint that the LGBT community and horror movies have a lot in common because people often assume something about someone based on their looks, how they look

>> and also there's like a lot of like disgust or hatred towards the community. So actually a lot of people in America at least really resonate towards horror movies because they relate to it how society sees them

>> and usually like there's a lot of like you feel the guilty person is this person

>> like sometimes in like scream or in general. It's interesting.

>> So interesting. I just watch maybe just for the you know

>> excitement. The adrenaline

>> adrenaline. Yes.

>> Yeah. Me too actually. I I like being scared.

>> Scared.

>> Yeah. Okay. Okay. So, going back to your career, your your bachelor your in America it's called bachelor's degree. What is it called in Japan?

>> It's like what is your degree called like uh university in in Japan?

>> Gaki.

>> Gakshi. Gakshi. Okay. So, did you where did you study uh marketing and law? Actually I was in the my university was a kind of like unique when I was entered the my university I was my major was science.

>> Oo

>> but I changed to the law.

>> Okay.

>> When I was uh second grade.

>> Yes.

>> Wow.

>> So actually like I studied like a lot of

>> Yeah. A big genre many different things. So science what made what made you interested in science first? I love to study chemistry.

>> Chemistry. Chemistry.

>> Oh, okay. Okay.

>> And actually like I don't know why, but I got a good score.

>> Wow.

>> That's why like I I really I liked more. You're like, "Oh, I'm good at this."

>> Yes. Yes. Yes. So, why not explore more? Okay. Okay. So, that sounds good. So, you're not a singer, but you're maybe a scientist in the future. And then what made you step into law like that studying that that's so

>> when I was um in my university I have to choose like which um I have to choose the major major

>> then I just realized oh I didn't studied like law or other boke like

>> boke thing I mean

>> humanities

>> humanities humanities yeah

>> I was just doing math and chemistry and bi biology or something. So, no maybe it's so fun to develop in my mind and

>> yes.

>> Okay. So, it sounds like you had the support from your mom and you're able to figure out what you wanted to study. So, what do you do for work now then for mom?

>> Well, I'm working in the cosmetic company.

>> Oh, wow.

>> Yes. I like fashion. I like I really like fashion and also like beauty thing and

>> like trendy thing

>> and I also like I wanted to do a marketing.

>> Yes. So

>> that's the right space to be in then. Marketing I feel like is so trans transparent to other fields

>> and cosmetics is so cool too cuz it's important to take care of your skin espe men also should take care of their skin right. It's so important. Do you have a favorite like skin care routine or products you're using that you can let us know about?

>> Um I do a lot of skincare routine.

>> Yeah. Yeah.

>> I always do I I always use cleansing oil

>> like

>> important

>> men's like I don't know like my friends don't use cleansing oil. They just use the salt.

>> So

>> salt to wash their face.

>> Are they straight?

>> No. No. No. They

>> I don't know. Maybe. Maybe we don't know

>> but they stress. So I always teach them you need to use you need to use kind of you need to use

>> toner toner serum.

>> Yes.

>> Oh, my moisturizer sunscreen.

>> They just use soap and

>> to sleep. So

>> well, just make give them one step the one thing at a time right so then they'll okay

>> but I can see your skin is glowing so it looks good. Okay.

>> So toner. Okay.

>> Now let's pivot a little bit back to Osaka. Growing up in Osaka you had a supportive mom. Um, did you also have friends that you were out to or anyone like that?

>> Yes, I came out I I came out to all my friends. No.

>> Mhm.

>> And to to close friends.

>> Close friends. Yeah.

>> When I was high school student, I just told them, "Oh, I'm gay. I like boys." And they said, "Oh, yeah, I know."

>> Something like that. Yes.

>> So, it was not

>> it was not a problem for me.

>> Okay.

>> Yes. That's really cool. Did you when you came out to them, they said, "Oh, we knew or no big deal." So, how did you feel personally like after that? Like,

>> oh, I was I was a bit anxious

>> anxious

>> because I don't know how they react. I didn't know how they react and I thought

>> some of them said we'll say could say,

>> "Oh, no. It's a gloss or discussing something like that."

>> It's possible.

>> It is possible, right? But nobody say say to me I don't know like maybe I was lucky but yeah

>> that was so flee

>> the freedom is so important right like I think that's the feeling I felt when I came out to my brother my friends I was like oh freedom

>> like and even if you have a bad reaction or a good reaction it's freedom it's like oh I can be myself now cool

>> that's so cool now can you tell us anything about like how dating was in Osaka when you were a kid or did you not date at all

>> I I of not

>> okay

>> dating because I moved to Tokyo when I was 18 so

>> but actually like this is just my opinion people in in Osaka

>> they are more handsome than Tokyo people

>> I think

>> wow

>> I think

>> I think I think that's amazing opinion I think so too no but I I cuz I I don't have too much experience

>> when I first came to Japan I did date a little bit

>> and people in Osaka were more friendly

>> friendry energy is attractive.

>> So, I can see that too.

>> And I'm not talking about their face or appearance. I'm

>> they atmosphere.

>> Yes.

>> Are like more

>> I don't know more masculine

>> because people in Tokyo they more they are more sophisticated.

>> Sophisticated.

>> They shave so well. their their skin is growing and you know like they they are muscle

>> but in know but people in Osaka they are more natural natural I think so

>> yeah I can feel more like

>> m mascine

>> yeah that's why

>> so you related more like you were attracted more to people in Osaka okay

>> that's so cool so now you live in Tokyo what are some things that are different about Tokyo and Osaka that you can share with us from your opin opinion

>> essence Yeah.

>> Or things that you miss about Osaka that you're like, "Oh, this is this is Tokyo for sure. This is not what Osaka maybe like the the friendliness that's that's a a lot difference because when I was in Osaka

>> the pe for example the people next sitting next to me in the restaurant

>> people just talk to me like oh what did you what are you eating it looks so good and we can be friends but in Tokyo I live in Tokyo for 8 years but I have never experienced like this

>> really

>> they are none they have a bit

>> like a barrier

>> very barrier a big yes

>> I can see that yeah cuz Tokyo is such a busy city like it really is I think there's so like

>> I don't know a couple million people in Tokyo

>> and Osaka might be I don't know the exact number but I know it's smaller

>> so maybe people in Tokyo maybe they've given up on connecting outside their clicks. Cuz I see that happen a lot in bigger cities in America too.

>> It's very hard to find people unless you find them in your work or you find them in a club or something that you're doing actively. Otherwise, you cannot meet people, right? Maybe that's the case. Okay.

>> Oh, that's so cool. So, Osaka sounds like the place to be.

>> Yes.

>> Can you tell us any of your favorite food spots in Osaka?

>> I I don't have any specific spot.

>> That's okay. But I like food like we call

>> is made of flowers. Flowers.

>> Flour.

>> Yes. And I eat maybe two times or one one more than once in a week.

>> Do you cook it or you buy it?

>> My father made it made.

>> Okay.

>> His okonomiyaki is really good. And

>> okonomi that's my favorite okonomyaki. Like I always that's the first place we went to when I was in Osaka and then

>> if ever I am craving something it's usually okonomyaki or unagi unagi.

>> Oh

>> but naggi is expensive.

>> I know.

>> So I don't try I try not to crave it too much.

>> Oh okay.

>> Okay.

>> So so those are all your favorite foods.

>> So then what kind of food do you have now that you live in Tokyo?

>> Live in Tokyo?

>> No. But because in Tokyo there's everything.

>> It's overwhelming. Yeah.

>> Yes. Yes. That's why I sometimes I eat Mexican,

>> Indian, Japanese, Chinese, Korean, everything.

>> Yeah, there's so much culture in Japan. I feel like people sometimes stereotype Japan as only Japanese people, but there's such a diverse community here of immigrants and people living here.

>> Um, so based on that experience of living in Osaka and Tokyo,

>> do you like to travel? Do you like to go to other places or have you been to other countries?

>> Other countries?

>> Yeah. Besides America,

>> I really like traveling.

>> I've been to China.

>> Oh, wow.

>> I've been to Guam. Like America Guam. Yeah.

>> And New York

>> and San Diego as I said.

>> And Europe. I was

>> for one and a half month I was traveling in Europe.

>> Wow.

>> By myself.

>> And yeah, I'm always open to for driving.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yes.

>> So tell us more about that experience in Europe. Like when you're if you're because I feel like Europe or in general when you meet new people,

>> people often ask, "Oh, where are you from?" So what do you what do you say? How was that experience?

>> It was so good because it everything was different from Japan like the no building. Yes. The building

>> like I I could I felt like I'm in the movie or something. Like European buildings are looks so

>> very timeless, right? timeless and old and traditional. Yes.

>> And yeah, everything was new for me and the people

>> none at all. But

>> they are just like I stayed in like host host because I was younger and I didn't have much money. And there are so many travelers also. And when I say I'm from Japan, they are so curious and they just ask me, "Oh, like how is the life in Japan?" And

>> and even now I have some friends from that experience.

>> Oh, that's good.

>> Yes. And it was Yeah, it was good.

>> I That's why I love traveling. You make so many international friends.

>> But then also, it's true when you say you're from Japan, people are interested.

>> Cuz I don't know about you, but all my friends always say, "Oh, I want to go to Japan." I want to come back to Japan. Is that for you, too?

>> Yes. Yes. Yes.

>> Okay. So, you're very lucky then to be born and raised in Japan. That's so cool.

>> Yeah. Can you tell us more about I would love to know more about your childhood with your your father.

>> Um, you talked about your mom, but can you let us know about your dad?

>> Oh, I didn't I didn't talk to talk with him about my sexuality, but he he knows he knows. Yes. because my mom's talking with me. So,

>> that makes sense.

>> Yes. But he al he knows but he didn't he don't he doesn't n talk with me directly. Yes. Directly.

>> I don't know why. Maybe he's he he cares he

>> he cares me. That's why he he don't talk to me directly. But yeah.

>> Is that a conversation you would want to have one day? Yeah, maybe. Maybe I actually like I really don't care. Like I I can I can talk with him, but if if I have maybe boyfriend someday, I can I want to introduce him to my father

>> or something? Yes.

>> And do your siblings still live in? You have your sister and your brother?

>> No, my brother lives in Kagawa.

>> Kagawa. Okay.

>> Yes. And my sister lives in Yokohama.

>> Okay. Are you guys close?

>> Yes, we we are so close. And we have a group chat

>> and like talk talk every day.

>> That's so cute.

>> Yes.

>> Your group chat is probably online, right?

>> Everyone in Japan uses line.

>> Line. Yes.

>> What's your favorite uh emoji to use online?

>> The

>> You can say Japanese, too, if you It's easier.

>> Angel. Angel. Angel emoji.

>> Oh, angel emoji. That one's so innocent and cute.

>> Angel emoji. I'm hungry. Angel emoji.

>> Yeah, I'm so angry emoji. Yes, I can use

>> I feel like those emojis ex describe your energy so well, right? Like

>> I wish American emojis could do that so specific like feeling

>> so good.

>> And I and I usually use the sweat

>> sweat emoji.

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

>> But in the US it's kind of like sexual meaning. I don't know sweat emoji.

>> It's hot.

>> The three the three water. Are you

>> I use a lot but in the US I think

>> it's kind of something

>> for what does it mean for you?

>> For me

>> like anxious

>> upset yeah anxious upset

>> I need to hurry up or something.

>> Maybe we can show that emoji right here being

>> that one. Yeah. In America it means very different.

>> Yeah, right.

>> So if you're talking to your American friends, they might think you're a very sexual person. my my co-workers

>> they like I texted him the emoji and

>> he was like what was that

>> like what did I do

>> yes I was surprised oh this this means different for him

>> that's so interesting yeah like that's that's a big culture difference for sure in America it's like it's like oh like almost like a desire

>> or it could mean something else like

>> they're like something has finished

>> ah okay

>> yes Yes.

>> Yeah. So that don't don't do that when you're in America.

>> Okay.

>> Unless you know unless it's that situation.

>> Yeah. Yeah. That's funny. Okay. Um, are there cuz I know Osaka has their own dialect. I want to know like what other like specific words in Osaka are only for Osaka. What is

>> like what like you know like okini or ha like what words are just for osaka

>> it's it means no

>> no

>> what else

>> what is

>> what else

>> something

>> is like or right in English

>> like Right. Right. Right. Yeah.

>> Oh, that's cool.

>> Yes. Strong band.

>> So I when I talk with Tokyo people,

>> I use

>> Mhm.

>> But I cannot forget forget.

>> So you still use it?

>> Yes, you use it.

>> I see. Okay. So I heard you also have a lot of co-workers that are also Kansai dialect or froma.

>> How did how did that happen? You just naturally became friends or

>> Yes, Yes, Yes. Like

>> I don't know why but I have some like close coworkers.

>> Yeah.

>> Usually they are from Kai like Osaka or Kyoto. They they don't they don't speak Kaiib but I can feel oh they from

>> maybe Osaka or something. Yes. I don't know why, but maybe the vibes or

>> There's definitely vibes, right? Like it's like you feel the energy. It's like the kai energy.

>> Okay. Cuz I'm for me, I'm half hau.

>> So when I'm I always can know who else is hau. I'm like that person is mixed

>> or so you can tell.

>> Yes.

>> You know, we can tell the gay people.

>> Yes. Gay people. Gay gay.

>> Gay.

>> So it's the same thing.

>> The same.

>> But do you have a good gayar?

>> Yes. 95% I can tell.

>> Really?

>> In a in my workplace? Yes. I can feel Oh, he's

>> uh he is

>> he he's Yes.

>> Okay, that's cool. I mean, that must help you a lot then. For sure. But then do you other a lot of like friends that you have that are non-binary or trans?

>> Oh, some some of them. Yes. Yes.

>> That's so cool. I think we as a LGBT community, right, like identify as

>> gay

>> or bisexual or whatever. We need to support every LGBTQ.

>> Yes. Yes.

>> But even you know for me it's kind of difficult to understand

>> like every everything because I'm gay but I so I cannot

>> I want to understand but it's you know difficult

>> like how non-binary people have questions or something. Yeah.

>> It's kind of difficult. So yeah.

>> Yeah. I think that's where we have to ask the questions. some of the other people on this podcast, they're they represent nonbinary community. So definitely listen to those episodes as well because we have so many guests and people from different backgrounds. So I think it's so important even though we're all identifying LGBTQ, we have different stories and different stories in Osaka. So I think it's so exciting that

>> you we have that curiosity and you have that curiosity too

>> because it's important to say, "Oh, I don't know, but I want to know instead of just ignoring it." So I think that's amazing to have. I can um tell you about other podcast.

>> Yes, exactly. Jo, so earlier you talked about um the differences in masculinity, attractiveness in Osaka versus Tokyo. I wanted to talk more about that

>> cuz I feel like a lot of people who come to Japan, you know,

>> come because not only the food, the culture, but they also like

>> um

>> the people that they can potentially date or go on a date with or who they're attracted to. So, can you explain more what does when you were saying men in Osaka are more masculine, what does that mean?

>> Uh, it means they I don't know they they kind of act like act act like straight people more more than more than the people in Tokyo. I feel

>> more masculine.

>> More masculine. Yes. Yes.

>> Cuz in America, we have terms I don't know if Japan has these. America, we have terms like bear

>> or otter. Ah, yes.

>> Twink.

>> That means looks, isn't it? Yeah.

>> Yeah. Looks. So,

>> but I'm You're talking about

>> inside. Yeah. Personality are more muscular. Okay.

>> It looks not that different, but I mean, yeah, the inside.

>> So, then maybe the terms would be like mask versus fem, right? Cuz a lot of fem can be a little bit more like sassy or more into the fe their femininity. And masculine is maybe more macho. They like going to the gym and like doing more like thirst traps. Do you know what a thirst trap is?

>> I don't know. What is that?

>> You don't know what a Okay. Thirst trap like it's where you kind of post something sometimes on your close friends on Instagram or so you post like your your body like but like

>> to the close friends.

>> Yeah, some people do that.

>> I don't have that friends but is is it just friends or

>> sometimes some people do that just to like people interested in the takeaway? It's not really quote unquote friends. Okay.

>> But there it's like cuz I know I saw on Tik Tok once a bunch of girls were like um you post something on your story and 5 minutes later he doesn't even like it.

>> So you post something on your story

>> waiting for that person to like the photo.

>> Ah

>> that's like a thirst trap.

>> I'm not posting this for anybody but alerting. Yeah.

>> Have you ever posted a thirst trap where it's like

>> no because I have I can send to directory. Oh, direct. I'll see your direct DM. I like it.

>> Yeah. I don't know why to to put the

>> So, you don't need to trap.

>> Yes.

>> Okay. I love that. You don't need to trap anyone.

>> I've never tried, but I if I did,

>> I would send to the DM.

>> Okay. Okay. Yeah. I like that. That's cute.

>> Okay. So, Osaka, man. I feel like there's a bar in Osaka called Eagle. Have you ever been there?

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yes.

>> I feel like that one is more like bears, right?

>> Yes. True. And have you have you been there before?

>> Yes, I've been there maybe two twice or

>> And then what other like bars have you been to? Um, in Tokyo or Japan in general?

>> I've been to club

>> club

>> club in Tokyo.

>> Mhm.

>> But I don't have much energy now. But two years ago, 3 years ago, yes, I've been to

>> Yeah, We're both We're getting older. So it's like

>> Yes.

>> Invite us to your house parties. nice dinner with your gay friends.

>> Yes, I can sleep everywhere. So, yeah.

>> Okay, that's cool. Okay. And now I want to know more about your okonamyaki order.

>> What do you order for the toppings? Cuz there are so many types of okonamiyaki, right? People maybe not know that Osaka has a different style than let's say um

>> my favorite. Yes. My favorite

>> okonomyaki.

>> There are so many types of okonomyaki. And I have favorite three toppings. Mochi

>> and mento

>> menntico and cheese.

>> Cheese.

>> So that seems very like chewy.

>> Mochi is so chewy. Like chewy rice

>> and then cheese. It makes it flavorful.

>> Oh my gosh. And mennto. What? How would you describe meno?

>> It's like fishy.

>> Fishy. Yes. Like salty.

>> Salty. Very salty.

>> Salty.

>> And we learned before we were doing the podcast, Jabu puts salt on everything.

>> Yes. Even for sushi. Even sushi. I'm gonna try that.

>> What kind of sushi? What kind of sushi do you put salt on? Like

>> like

>> every everything like

>> Oh, everything like salmon. Oh, okay. I'm gonna try it. It looks a little bit.

>> Okay. So, I really like okonamiyaki.

>> Uh, the osaka style is kind of like the pancake style, right?

>> Pancake style.

>> Like a cabbage.

>> Ah, yes.

>> With flour.

>> And then um Hokkaido.

>> Hokkaido.

>> But how do they do it with noodles?

>> Hiroshima.

>> Hiroshima. Hiroshima does with noodles. And then is there there's another type too,

>> right?

>> Do you remember? Is there there's a third type?

>> Oh, what is monayaki?

>> This that's not okonomyaki, but

>> it's the group. It's the same group.

>> Same group as okonomyaki. Monjayaki is like group

>> and is from Tokyo. Tokyo. Yeah. I I also like

>> and that one's a little bit more like liquidy,

>> but people sometimes put like seafood in it, meat, and it's very like acquired taste, but it's like you eat it even with like a little bit like a little spoon. It's so cute.

>> You can use the

>> Yeah. Yeah. You flip it up and down. It's super cute. Yeah. I I think if you never tried it before, you should try it at least once.

>> Yes. Because people don't need because of because of their their looks.

>> But it tastes so good.

>> It tastes really good. You need to try it. But then I think Jou's okonomiyaki order is really good. Mochi cheese and menntico.

>> Everyone should try his order.

>> Yeah, I think you can eat in all all restaurants. Yeah, they have these toppings.

>> Yeah, for me as long as I have lots of green onion and mayo, I'm happy. That's all I want. Like so much green onion. Like

>> the ratio. So I want to eat okonom. I want the same ratio of okonomi with green onion. Like same amount. You like you like green just it tastes so fresh and it balances cuz okonom is so heavy

>> like you only need one or two and then you're so full,

>> right?

>> But it's kind of healthy cuz it's mainly cabbage.

>> Yes. Yes.

>> Okay. So, thank you for telling us that.

>> Um, so going back to your mom and going back to Osaka, right? You live in Tokyo now, which is amazing. When you go back home, uh, what do you do when you're back home? Like where do you go? What do you see? to meet my friends of course because oh yeah my to meet my friends from elementary school and junior high school and high school and I also go shopping with my mom with my family and yeah sometimes not at all just chill at home.

>> Where do you guys go shopping? um area and also and I I also like the the area called Nagazaki. It's the

>> farther a bit farther from the station. There are so many a lot of

>> cafes. Cafes and

>> thrift shop.

>> Thrift stores. Yeah. Thrift stores. Yeah.

>> And like Yes. Clothing

>> cuz you mentioned you love fashion.

>> Yes. Yes. So you guys shop for clothes mainly then? Fashion?

>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

>> Okay. Okay. I love thrifting too. I think thrifting in America versus Japan thrifting is like we like to look and look for designer clothes for really cheap or find more vintage stuff.

>> But do you feel like vintage shopping is afford affordable like cheap?

>> It depends.

>> Yeah.

>> Some some of them are really cheap. Some of them are really you know expensive. So you can, you know, you can do a lot of window shopping and you need to choose.

>> That's true.

>> What do you What do you look for when you're thrifting with your mom and friends?

>> I don't know. Like none at all.

>> Like what catches your eye when you're shifting through all the clothes? You're like, "Oh,

>> how how uniqueness

>> unique?"

>> How unique. I don't want to be the same same person as Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't I just want to choose like how unique it is in color, shape.

>> Yeah. Yeah. I don't think you wear like very basic stuff here. Right now you're wearing like really cool baggy like cargo army pants.

>> Yes.

>> And then your hoodie is called This is Never That. That's so unique.

>> They are from Korea, I think.

>> Oh, Korea.

>> Korea has really high fashion too, I think. So,

>> yeah. And then you're wearing an LA hat.

>> And I always wear the

>> hat. It's nice.

>> Okay. And would you say your colors like your favorite color is like more

>> Oh, today I don't have the pink things, but I like my favorite is pink.

>> Pink is now I have now I like blue pop like other colors. I I'm interested in using other colors.

>> Well, the Sakura season is is happening now.

>> So, the Sakura can be pink and you can stand out more in the

>> That's cute. Like actually like I choose I don't know I changed my clothes color

>> depends on the seasons like in Japan like spring maybe like pink and red and

>> like warm colors

>> warm colors warm

>> in the winter like yellow or green or something and in the winter maybe blue.

>> Okay.

>> Yes.

>> Yeah. I think color is so important. I've actually when I came to Japan 2 years ago

>> I did a color analysis. Have you ever done that? It was so unique. Like I got to learn

>> my my

>> I've never tried but yeah, it's

>> warm fall autumn like my mainly my favorite color is green and then the colors I got were mainly green. So I was Oh

>> that's good like I was wearing the right color for my skin tone.

>> Yeah. So I think you would love to do a color analysis like I think it would be so interesting.

>> Yeah.

>> But I hope you get pink.

>> I think I think cuz we have we both have tanner skin like darker skin. So I think because of that like we look good in like pinks, browns, greens,

>> not blue bluish thing.

>> Yeah. I mean

>> cuz like if you have paler skin those will look better on the complexion

>> but it's it's all mix it's all mix and match like fashion is about confidence I think. Right.

>> I Yeah. Yes. Yes.

>> So I think you look confident cuz you feel confident.

>> Yes. All colors suits you if you have confidence.

>> Yes. I agree. Hopefully. Yes. Yes.

>> Yes. Did you always have this confidence? Cuz I feel like people who meet you or see you, they're like, "Oh, Jo has so much confidence."

>> That's that was my first opinion of you. Like you were such a confident person with such a positive energy. Were you always like this?

>> Yeah. Yeah. I don't know.

>> Yes. Since I was child maybe

>> I have confidence. I don't know. Like I if you don't have I think you should pretend to have confidence,

>> right? Yeah,

>> like people if you don't have confidence, people don't listen to your opinions, you know. Oh, you know, right.

>> But if you have confidence, if you don't have,

>> but even if you don't have,

>> if you think you have,

>> maybe the confidence will happen.

>> Yes. In America, we call it fake it till you make it.

>> Fake it. So, fake it till you make it. So, it's like even if you cannot do it, just

>> pretend. M.

>> And for me, it often works like just pretend you're like, "Oh,

>> yes, I know what I'm talking about."

>> But as long as it's with like a positive attitude and not being negative to anyone, I think it's really good.

>> Okay. Okay. So, I want to know more about what your plans are for the future. Like what are you what are your goals for the future? Yeah. Uh not at all but as I told before I want to someday I want to work in work abroad. I don't know maybe in marketing field. Yeah.

>> But yeah I want to move to maybe US or Australia. I don't know but I think uh living in different countries is you can experience new things.

>> So yeah that's my yeah future goal or yeah

>> that's so cool. So you want to work in a traveling space

>> use your marketing background to help that.

>> That's so cool. I we've learned recently also from a past episode or a future episode, we learned that um Melbourne and Osaka are like neighboring sister cities, sister countries. Yeah,

>> Melbourne.

>> Yeah, Australia. Yeah, like they have connection like long history.

>> Oh, maybe Melbourne is in near future.

>> Yes, maybe.

>> I've never been to Australia, but

>> me too. I don't know anything about it.

>> Yeah, but yeah, I want to go there.

>> Okay.

>> I have many friends there. So,

>> are they Japanese?

>> They're Japanese. Yes. Oh.

>> Um, skip it. I cannot tell it.

>> Okay,

>> that's for we can talk about that after.

>> Okay.

>> Nice. Nice. Okay. So, you have your future plans right now. What is your like your day-to-day routine? Like what do you do every day?

>> A day routine.

>> Yeah.

>> Day not day routine.

>> Daily routine.

>> Like what do you do when you wake up and throughout the day? When I

>> I I wake up if I don't have some schedule, I will wake up I I wake up at maybe 12 or 1:00 p.m. They just eat lunch. Yes, they just eat lunch and go to gym. Gym and

>> but just watching movies

>> and go to the coffee just drinking coffee and think of like the contents of my YouTube channel now.

>> So yeah, that's

>> Yes, you have a YouTube channel now. I think you like while we're talking, you just launched it yesterday. Yes. Yes. But I

>> Congratulations.

>> I'm not finished editing. I think I didn't know it's I didn't realize it's so tough.

>> It is.

>> So I respect you.

>> Thank you work.

>> It takes time. I've been doing it for like 10 years.

>> So tough.

>> Maybe you could do an episode on Osaka like your your a daily life of Jou in Osaka. I think that would be cool.

>> Maybe with my mom or something.

>> Yeah. Oh my god. Your mom would be so

>> hopefully with you.

>> Yes. And I'm down to the episode. This maybe it can be an extension of this. one episode of your mom and then me and then we can do your friends. Oh my god, your childhood friends would be so that would be so cool cuz I think it's so cool that you still have childhood friends from Osaka. I think nowadays as adults it's so hard for us to maintain friends and keep friendships alive.

>> So for you to say like oh when you go back to Osaka you see your childhood friends.

>> Yes. So they

>> yeah I when I text them

>> they just reply me oh let's meet or something. Oh yes,

>> that's me so close and I have a lot of like

>> I'm not I'm

>> I care the

>> the friendship. You

>> care about the friendship. Yeah. So,

>> and it's important to maintain the friendship by

>> um consistency like you have to have a it's called a two-way street, right? Like if only one person is reaching out, then it doesn't feel

>> like authentic friendship. So, if both sides reject, I think that's so beautiful cuz friendships matter so much, especially I think for the gay community.

>> Um, something we call chosen family.

>> It's about having people that you choose to love, people that you choose to be with is important just as much as family.

>> So, I think that's so cool that you have friends like that.

>> That's beautiful.

>> Thank you.

>> I want Let's go get Okonomyaki.

>> Yeah. Yes, of course.

>> To show us our favorite spots.

>> I can even make make for you. Oh my god, I would love that. That would be so fun. Um, yeah. Okay, skipping beat. We actually have a globe right in front of us on this podcast episode. If you're not watching it, um, you're listening. Um, you've talked about traveling the world.

>> So, what about traveling in Japan? Like, what as someone who's from Osaka, where else in Japan have you gone that you're like, "Oh, that's an amazing spot to go to."

>> Oh, like when you travel Osaka, it's really close to Kyoto. Mhm.

>> So you definitely should visit Kyoto. You know, Kyoto has most traditional Japanese feel

>> vibes, right?

>> So it's good.

And also like Hokkaido.

Mhm.

They're so cold in the snowy, but white white cloud. White snow. White snow. Yes.

Snow, right?

It's so everywhere is white.

So much white. Yeah.

Yes. You know in in Osaka in Tokyo it's kind it is not easy to see the snow.

Okay, I didn't know.

So for even for me, and like it's so new.

New.

Yes.

Wow, do you snowboard or ski or have you tried?

I do snowboard, but not not very good.

I like I like.

You like it, okay.

And in Hokkaido there are so many like um animals and nature, you know.

In Tokyo they are not so they don't have nature.

Kind of, you have to take a train outside of the city.

Yes.

So in I love that you mentioned Kyoto, cuz Kyoto is so close to Osaka and people forget that like they're really neighboring.

Just one hour, like less than one hour by train.

So it's really easy to.

And there's also which is famous for all the deer.

So it's Osaka has so much to offer in that vicinity, but then if you want to go far away to see snow, it takes time.

That might take a little time, but I think it's worth it.

Yes.

Awesome. So you've been to many places, it seems.

Have you ever been to like southern parts of Japan?

Just Okinawa.

Okay, that's beautiful.

Just Okinawa. Okinawa is great though.

Yeah. Yeah. With my friends. And.

Yeah, even for Japanese, I think it's uh the place for sightseeing or.

Vacation.

Vacation. Yes.

Did you take family vacations growing up with your family?

Yeah. But not not in Japan. We we go to the cir or like other countries.

So not but my my family like visited Tokyo in K Yokohama area to see my my me and my sister.

So.

Yes.

That's so cool. So you've been to Guam. What what do you like what do your parents do for work exactly, if you don't mind me asking?

Uh my father is Oh, it's difficult to explain in English, but.

You can say in English.

Chyoplastics.

Chiropractor.

Kyopla.

Yeah. Yeah.

Oh, so.

My mom is just another wife.

Wife.

That's a very hard job.

Housewife. It's hard. Yes, I know.

It's.

She's a full-time mom to you.

So, she she has a lot of work.

Yes.

For all three of her kids.

That's awesome, though. Okay. Chiropractor. Yeah. That's That means you're never never going to have a bad broken back.

Yes.

And I was I was doing volleyball.

Oh, volleyball.

In my high school.

And sometimes I you know like crap and.

Mhm.

Cramp.

Yeah.

Yes. He he just.

Fixed it.

Wow.

That's so lucky.

I played volleyball too a little bit. Yeah. A couple years. I love.

Your position.

I was usually excetter.

Oh, me too.

I was set. I was.

Or I would like be like server in the back.

Yeah.

Depending cuz some I'm tall, but then some people are more taller than me.

Really?

Yeah.

I'm the smallest as you know.

No, I don't. I didn't know. You could be tall.

Confidence looks taller.

Ah.

Exactly.

That's why I have I have confidence.

Have you ever I Cuz you could also wear heels. Have you ever worn heels before?

Heels?

High heel.

High heels. No.

No. No. But what? Like that.

The stiletto?

Uh, no. I don't. I've never tried.

You did?

I I fell though. It's so hard.

Ah.

Yeah. But sometimes I wear like combat boots cuz they have more length.

Ah.

You know, like height. So that's a good trick too if you want to be very tall.

I have just, but not not so high. Just two two centimeters or something.

That's still something. Okay. So we've talked about fashion, we've talked about food and your family. Um, I would love to know more about where you think Osaka in general is going for travel.

Like do you think more people are going to come to Osaka because of Tokyo and Japan being a hot spot or do you think.

Oh yeah. Okay.

Yeah.

I love Tokyo, but Tokyo is kind of.

Uh they mix culture, right?

Mixed culture.

Mixed culture. So you can you can be definitely excited.

Yeah.

But you cannot I think it's not like more it is little New York or something.

New York.

It doesn't really It feels like New York a little bit.

New York City.

So you can be excited, but not feel Japan.

I think it's so fun, but yeah.

But Osaka, Kyoto, the Ka area, you can feel more more like traditional Japan and more local thing.

So maybe yeah, that's good. I I really recommend to to visit Kai and Osaka area for tourist.

Yeah.

I think it's a different experience. It gives people a different perspective and sense of Japan as a whole.

Yeah.

And especially the Kai area as a whole, right? It's not just like there's so much.

You can move to Kyoto, not a lot of places, but in in Kanto.

In Tokyo.

Maybe it will be just Tokyo.

So you can.

Yeah. I always recommend to people if you come to Japan, maybe do one or like one to three days in Tokyo and then go.

To.

Right.

Yes.

Kai.

Exactly.

Nice. Okay. So I want to know also like if you had your last meal on earth, do you know this question?

Like last day on earth, what would your meal be? Like all the foods you would want, anything you want.

I have I have one in my mind.

Only one?

Yes.

What is it?

Uh not from Osaka, but yakiniku.

Yeah, I love yakiniku.

Can you explain what yakiniku is to anyone who doesn't know?

It's Japanese style.

Mhm.

skewer.

Then beef.

Beef.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Not steak. Skewer. Stick. Skewer. Stick.

Japanese style barbecue.

Barbecue.

Barbecue. Well, we had a brain fart. Barbecue. Japanese barbecue.

And I have some um favorite restaurant in Osaka.

Oh, what is it called?

Mandio.

Mando.

Mando. Mandio.

Mando.

Mando. Yes. Okay.

Everyone look it up. It's there. Okay. How about you?

That is a great question. I think No.

It's so typical.

No, I don't. Unless it's like In-N-Out. Have you ever had In-N-Out?

Yes, because I was in San Diego.

In-N-Out is really good, but I definitely would have unagi.

Unagi.

Unagi is my favorite. My mom told me cuz my my mom's side is from Saga and my I never got to meet my grandparents, but my mom said my grandfather her dad's favorite dish was unagi.

So I knew I inherited that from him.

So unagi and then like a banana milkshake.

And then maybe like salmon sashimi.

Salmon sashimi.

Yeah.

You like fish?

I love fish. Yeah. Seafood. Lobster would be great, too.

Have you ever had like a lobster roll?

Lobster? Yes.

It's expensive, though.

It's expensive.

Yeah. I have expensive taste.

Yeah.

Yeah. Uni. I've just tried maybe just once or twice.

All right. But Yakiniki was great. I would I would I would have that with you, too. I would be satisfied with my last meal.

Oh, that's so fun.

So, now you live in Tokyo.

Do you miss Osaka? Would you ever move back to Osaka?

Yeah, of course. Of course I miss Osaka someday.

I want to I want to like go back to Osaka again.

But but yeah, like the big com company like companies are you know located in Tokyo.

So true.

When you work I think Tokyo is you know the them best.

Especially for marketing.

Yeah. Marketing. Yes.

I see. Yeah. A lot of people I hear from smaller prefectures have to move to Tokyo for their work nowadays.

Yes.

Okay. But if in your dream world, you would want to move back to Osaka.

Yeah.

Would you would you say Osaka is like a good place to like raise a family or retire?

Yeah. I think Yeah. It's not it's not like Yeah. I want I want to move to Yeah. Osaka.

Is your mom did your parents want to stay there forever?

I don't know.

Maybe they Yeah, I think. Yeah.

They really like Osaka.

So.

I like Osaka, too. So, I don't blame them.

Okay. Dang, we've talked about so much.

I need to think about more questions.

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