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The Kimi Kato Show

Kimi Kato

The Kimi Kato Show is your gateway to Japanese culture. We invite you to join us each week as we explore the vibrant world of Japanese pop culture and dive into the colorful world of Japan's music, anime, fashion, film, and cuisine.

As the Founder of Project Asteri, a boutique music label, Kimi connects artists with global audiences, effortlessly transcending borders and connecting East and West.

Having previously worked at Universal Music Japan, Kimi has introduced international sensations such as Ariana Grande, Black Eyed Peas, Carly Rae Jepsen, Hoobastank, Jack Johnson, Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Sum 41, and Taylor Swift. He has worked with renowned artists like Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams, Mariah Carey, and U2.

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S4 · E25
Friday · 1 hr
BUCK∞TICK
In this special episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi sits down with Hisashi Imai, guitarist, songwriter, and founding member of legendary Japanese rock band BUCK∞TICK. Nearly four decades after their 1987 major-label debut, BUCK∞TICK continues to evolve following the passing of longtime vocalist Atsushi Sakurai in 2023. Imai reflects on the band’s transition from five members to four, how their songwriting and roles have changed, and why limitations have actually opened new creative possibilities. The conversation also explores BUCK∞TICK’s evolving sound, the influence of hip-hop and dance music, the future of the band’s iconic aesthetic, their impact on generations of Japanese artists, and what excites Imai most about what comes next. Featuring music from SUBROSA, this episode is both a look back at one of Japanese rock’s most influential careers and a conversation about BUCK∞TICK’s next chapter. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: ⁠info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E24
Thursday · 33 min
Japan Music Journey: Shonan 02
In Part Two of The Kimi Kato Show’s Japan Music Journey through Shonan, Kimi heads to Enoshima and follows the legendary coastline aboard the Enoden railway. From the ancient story of Benzaiten and the five-headed dragon to Enoshima Shrine, Kimi explores the mythology that has surrounded the island for centuries. The journey then continues along the Shonan coast to Inamuragasaki, where samurai commander Nitta Yoshisada is said to have thrown his sword into the sea before the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1333. Along the way, we trace the Enoden through some of Kanagawa’s most iconic seaside scenery and explore how history, surfing, music, film, and generations of Japanese popular culture have transformed Shonan into much more than a beach destination. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E23
Thursday · 35 min
Japan Music Journey: Shonan 01
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi heads south of Tokyo to Shonan, Kanagawa’s iconic Pacific coastline and the birthplace of one of Japan’s most distinctive beach cultures. From the postwar Taiyōzoku “Sun Tribe” and the rise of Japanese surfing culture to the music of Southern All Stars, TUBE, and Shonan no Kaze, this episode explores how the sea, summer, youth, and music became inseparable from Shonan’s identity. Along the way, Kimi visits Inamuragasaki, Yuigahama, Shichirigahama, Kugenuma, and Chigasaki, while exploring umi no ie beach houses, summer fireworks, surf culture, and the experiences that make a Shonan summer uniquely Japanese. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 29 · 1 hr 4 min
Japan Music Journey: Niigata
From snow-covered mountains to the vast Echigo Plain and the roaring waves of the Sea of Japan, this episode takes you deep into Niigata Prefecture—Japan’s fifth-largest prefecture and one of its most quietly powerful regions. Just 90 minutes from Tokyo by Shinkansen, Niigata is a land of dramatic contrasts: 3-meter snowfalls that nourish Japan’s finest Koshihikari rice, nearly 90 sake breweries crafting world-class tanrei karakuchi, the legendary spirit of Uesugi Kenshin, and the newly recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sado Gold Mines. We explore the craftsmanship of Tsubame-Sanjo, the global rise of Snow Peak, the emotional scale of Nagaoka’s fireworks, and the unmistakable taste of Niigata—from Nanban shrimp to Le Lectier pears. Nature. History. Industry. Gastronomy.Niigata is not just a snow country—it’s a living philosophy of resilience, refinement, and pride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E22
August 23 · 33 min
Japan Music Journey: Yokohama 02
In Part Two of The Kimi Kato Show’s Japan Music Journey through Yokohama, Kimi explores the food, landmarks, communities, and ghost stories that shaped Japan’s great international port city. Discover Yokohama’s many “Japan firsts,” the fascinating history of Yokohama Chinatown, and the remarkable survival story of the iconic Red Brick Warehouses. Then, as night falls, the journey takes a darker turn into some of the city’s most enduring haunted locations and urban legends. From Chinatown and Napolitan spaghetti to historic warehouses and haunted bridges, this episode explores the resilience, international influence, and unexpected stories that make Yokohama unlike anywhere else in Japan. Host: Kimi KatoProducer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
August 23 · 36 min
Japan Music Journey: Yokohama 01
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi Kato begins a multi-part exploration of Yokohama, one of Japan’s most important and internationally connected cities. What started as a quiet fishing village on the shores of Edo Bay became the gateway through which modern Japan entered the world. Kimi traces the dramatic chain of events that transformed Yokohama from an obscure coastal settlement into one of the largest cities in Japan, beginning with Commodore Matthew Perry’s arrival in 1853 and the appearance of the infamous “Black Ships.” Listeners will follow the geopolitical tensions of the mid-19th century, learn about Japan’s 200-year policy of controlled isolation, discover the remarkable diplomatic negotiations that took place through Dutch and Chinese interpreters, and uncover the political crisis that ultimately led to the collapse of the Tokugawa Shogunate. The episode also reveals one of the greatest bureaucratic maneuvers in Japanese history: how the shogunate, attempting to keep foreign influence away from the main highways of Japan, redirected international trade to a small fishing village called Yokohama—accidentally creating the city that would become Japan’s primary window to the world. Featuring music from Kroi, Fujii Kaze, and Vaundy, this episode blends history, diplomacy, politics, international trade, and cultural transformation into the fascinating origin story of modern Yokohama. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E20
August 21 · 1 hr 6 min
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 08 - Asakusa
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi Kato concludes the Tokyo series with a journey to Asakusa, the historic heart of old Edo and one of Japan’s most beloved cultural districts. More than a tourist destination, Asakusa is a living connection to over 1,400 years of Japanese history, spirituality, craftsmanship, and community. Listeners will explore the legendary founding of Sensō-ji Temple in 628 AD, the story of the golden Kannon statue discovered by two fishermen on the Sumida River, and the evolution of Asakusa from a small riverside settlement into the spiritual center of Edo. Along the way, Kimi unpacks the origins of the name “Asakusa,” the mysteries of Japanese language and kanji pronunciation, and the unique relationship between Buddhism, Shintoism, and everyday life in Japan. The episode also takes a deeper dive into Tokyo’s hidden spiritual geography, examining the ancient concept of kekkai—protective sacred barriers that once defended Edo from misfortune. From Sensō-ji and Ueno’s Kan’ei-ji Temple to Kanda Myōjin Shrine, Taira no Masakado, and the legendary “Demon Gate” of Tokyo, listeners will discover a side of the city rarely covered in guidebooks. Kimi also explores Nakamise Street, Sanja Matsuri, the Sumida River Fireworks Festival, Yoshiwara, Tokyo Skytree, and the enduring spirit of shitamachi culture that continues to define Asakusa today. Featuring music from Kenshi Yonezu, Aimyon, SEKAI NO OWARI, Hoshino Gen, YOASOBI, and ONE OK ROCK, this episode blends history, folklore, religion, language, urban mythology, and modern Japanese music into a rich portrait of the neighborhood many consider the soul of Tokyo. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E19
May 30 · 1 hr 3 min
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 07 - Aoyama & Nishiazabu
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi Kato explores two of Tokyo’s most sophisticated and culturally layered neighborhoods: Aoyama and Nishiazabu. From the samurai origins of the Aoyama name under Tokugawa Ieyasu, to the transformation of the district into Tokyo’s center of international fashion, architecture, music, and creative culture, this episode traces the hidden history behind one of the city’s most elegant areas. Kimi takes listeners through Aoyama Cemetery, Omotesando’s world-famous architecture, the rise of Japanese designer fashion, and the internationalization of Minato Ward after World War II. The episode also dives into the fall of the samurai class during the Meiji Restoration, the Satsuma Rebellion, and the historical inspirations behind The Last Samurai, connecting Japan’s modernization directly to the neighborhoods listeners walk through today. Crossing into Nishiazabu, Kimi explores Tokyo’s hidden nightlife culture — the signless restaurants, late-night creative circles, and private social networks that shaped Japan’s entertainment world through the 1980s and 90s. The story of legendary restaurant Chianti, the rise of City Pop, Blue Note Tokyo, and the rediscovery of Miki Matsubara’s “Mayonaka no Door〜Stay With Me” reveal how this corner of Tokyo became one of the spiritual homes of modern Japanese music. Featuring music from Suchmos, Official HIGE DANdism, King Gnu, Fujii Kaze, Yuming, Matsubara Miki, and Yellow Magic Orchestra, this episode blends history, architecture, jazz, fashion, nightlife, and City Pop into a portrait of Tokyo at its most refined, creative, and quietly magnetic. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E18
May 17 · 1 hr
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 06 - Roppongi & Akasaka
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi Kato explores Roppongi and Akasaka — two neighboring districts that reveal Tokyo at its most international, political, artistic, and after-hours. From the six trees that may have given Roppongi its name, to the American military presence that transformed it into Tokyo’s nightlife capital, this episode traces how Roppongi evolved into a global crossroads of embassies, art museums, luxury towers, and late-night culture. Kimi also explores Akasaka’s quieter but deeply influential history — from samurai estates and firefly ponds to geisha culture, political backrooms, and Japan’s modern broadcasting industry. Listeners journey through Roppongi Hills, Tokyo Midtown, Mohri Garden, the Mori Art Museum, Tokyo Tower, the National Art Center, Hie Shrine, Akasaka Sacas, and Akasaka Hikawa Shrine, while uncovering stories of postwar recovery, urban redevelopment, geisha traditions, and Tokyo’s transformation into a modern global city. The soundtrack reflects the sleek, restless energy of modern Tokyo, featuring music from Vaundy, CHANMINA, ATARASHII GAKKO!, ZUTOMAYO, Ryokuoushoku Shakai, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, and Creepy Nuts. Blending nightlife, architecture, diplomacy, broadcasting, traditional arts, and contemporary Japanese music, this episode reveals why Roppongi and Akasaka remain two of Tokyo’s most layered and fascinating neighborhoods. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 8 · 1 hr 5 min
MONSTERS OF TOKYO in HOLLYWOOD
In this special guest episode of The Kimi Kato Show, Kimi Kato takes a one-week detour from the Tokyo neighborhood journey to spotlight MONSTERS OF TOKYO—Tokyo Comedy Bar’s flagship stand-up comedy showcase currently touring North America. Joined by comedians Daniel Wilson, Kansei Yasuda, and Shota Saimu, this bilingual episode explores the rise of Japanese stand-up comedy, the growing influence of Tokyo Comedy Bar, and what it means to bring Japanese humor to international audiences in English. From the traditions of manzai and rakugo to the emerging solo stand-up scene in Tokyo, Kimi and the guests discuss cultural differences in comedy, life on tour, performing across languages, and the unique identity each comedian brings to the stage. Featuring music from Number_i, Snow Man, ONE N’ ONLY, Mrs. GREEN APPLE, Sakanaction, Yorushika, and Official HIGE DANdism, this episode captures a new wave of Japanese entertainment crossing borders—not through anime or music this time, but through laughter. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E16
May 2 · 1 hr 3 min
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 05 - Ginza/Marunouchi
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi Kato explores Ginza and Marunouchi—two neighboring districts that represent Tokyo at its most elegant, powerful, and refined. From Ginza’s origins as a silver mint to its transformation into Japan’s premier luxury shopping district, and from Marunouchi’s former daimyō estates to its rise as the corporate heart of modern Japan, this episode traces how money, architecture, history, and culture shaped the center of Tokyo. Kimi takes listeners through Tokyo Station’s red-brick Marunouchi façade, Marunouchi Naka-dōri, Mitsubishi Ichigōkan Museum, KITTE, the Tokyo International Forum, Ginza 4-chōme, GINZA SIX, Tokyu Plaza Ginza, Kabuki-za, the Imperial Hotel, and Kyūkyodō—the site of Japan’s most expensive land for 40 consecutive years. The soundtrack reflects the polished, urban atmosphere of Ginza and Marunouchi, featuring natori, XG, HANA, Fujii Kaze, SIRUP, iri, and Official HIGE DANdism. Blending luxury, finance, architecture, kabuki, city pop sensibility, and modern J-pop, this episode reveals why Ginza and Marunouchi are not just districts of wealth—they are where Tokyo’s elegance, ambition, and cultural memory meet. Host: Kimi KatoProducer: Kimi KatoExecutive Producer: Jeremiah D. HigginsPowered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 24 · 1 hr 3 min
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 04 - Akihabara
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show: Japan Music Journey, Kimi Kato heads into Akihabara—Tokyo’s legendary Electric Town and the global holy land of otaku culture. From its origins as a postwar black market for radio parts to its rise as Japan’s electronics capital, Akihabara has continuously reinvented itself. Today, it is a dense cultural universe of anime, manga, video games, maid cafés, idol theaters, retro arcades, doujin culture, and specialty electronics shops—all packed into a few blocks around one of Tokyo’s most iconic stations. Kimi explores how Akihabara evolved from hardware to subculture, tracing the district’s connection to Japan’s consumer electronics boom, the rise of PC culture, the birth of AKB48, the underground idol scene, maid café culture, and the global expansion of anime music. The episode features a soundtrack that reflects Akihabara’s many identities, including Yoko Takahashi, AKB48, Dempagumi.inc, LiSA, YOASOBI, Creepy Nuts, and AKB48’s “Koisuru Fortune Cookie.” Blending history, music, technology, fandom, and pop imagination, this episode reveals why Akihabara is not just a district—it is one of the engines of modern Japanese pop culture. Host: Kimi KatoProducer: Kimi KatoExecutive Producer: Jeremiah D. HigginsPowered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 17 · 1 hr 3 min
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 03 - Shinjuku
THE KIMI KATO SHOW – Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 03 - Shijuku In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi takes listeners into Shinjuku—one of Tokyo’s most intense, layered, and unforgettable districts. Known as the home of the world’s busiest railway station, Shinjuku is a place where towering skyscrapers, neon nightlife, nostalgic alleyways, and quiet gardens all coexist within a few extraordinary blocks. From the electric energy of Kabukichō and the intimate postwar charm of Omoide Yokocho and Golden Gai, to the calm beauty of Shinjuku Gyoen and the fashion influence of Isetan Shinjuku, this episode explores how Shinjuku became one of the most dynamic urban spaces in Japan. Kimi also traces the district’s evolution from Naitō-Shinjuku, a historic post town on the Kōshū Kaidō, to the ever-changing global hub it is today. The episode is carried by a soundtrack that reflects Shinjuku’s many faces, featuring Sheena Ringo, Southern All Stars, Vaundy, imase, Kenshi Yonezu, Aimer, and King Gnu. Together, these songs capture the glamour, loneliness, speed, emotion, and after-dark atmosphere that define Shinjuku. Blending history, music, architecture, nightlife, fashion, and human intimacy, this episode reveals why Shinjuku is not just a district, but a city of contradictions—where chaos and calm, past and future, spectacle and solitude meet all at once. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 10 · 1 hr 1 min
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 02 - Shibuya & Harajuku
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, Kimi takes listeners into the heart of Shibuya and Harajuku—two of Tokyo’s most iconic districts and global symbols of youth culture, fashion, and creative energy. From the organized chaos of Shibuya Scramble Crossing to the colorful self-expression of Takeshita Street, the refined elegance of Omotesando, and the deeper streetwear roots of Ura-Harajuku, this episode explores how these neighboring areas became cultural engines that continue to shape trends in Japan and around the world. Along the way, Kimi traces the history of Shibuya and Harajuku from their early origins to their postwar transformation into centers of music, style, and individuality. The episode also highlights the powerful connection between place and sound, featuring a soundtrack that moves from King Gnu and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to Pizzicato Five, Vaundy, LEX, and YOASOBI—artists whose music reflects the pulse, attitude, and imagination of Tokyo. Blending history, fashion, nightlife, and pop innovation, this episode captures why Shibuya is energy, Harajuku is expression, and together they form one of the most influential cultural landscapes in modern Japan. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
April 4 · 1 hr
Japan Music Journey: Tokyo 01
Tokyo_01: The Pulse of a City Where Past and Future Intersect In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey, we begin our multi-part deep dive into Tokyo—Japan’s capital and one of the most dynamic cities in the world. Tracing its evolution from Edo to a modern metropolis of over 14 million people, we explore the contrasts that define Tokyo: tradition and innovation, order and intensity, history and hyper-modern life. At the core of this episode is music—specifically the sound of Tokyo itself. Through iconic city pop tracks like Mariya Takeuchi’s Plastic Love, Anri’s Last Summer Whisper, and Tatsuro Yamashita’s Ride on Time, we capture the emotional landscape of the city—its neon-lit nights, quiet solitude, and timeless sense of motion. Blending cultural insight with a carefully curated soundtrack, this episode sets the stage for understanding Tokyo not just as a place—but as a feeling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E11
March 20 · 1 hr 4 min
Japan Music Journey: Chiba
In this episode of The Kimi Kato Show – Japan Music Journey: Chiba, Kimi Kato takes listeners just east of Tokyo to explore a prefecture where ocean views, deep history, major industry, and unforgettable food all come together. From the Boso Peninsula, Narita Airport, and Tokyo Disney Resort to Kujukuri Beach, Sawara’s old-town charm, and Chiba’s rich farming and fishing culture, this episode reveals why Chiba is far more than just a gateway to Tokyo. The soundtrack stays rooted in Chiba’s musical legacy, featuring artists connected to the prefecture including BUMP OF CHICKEN, KISHIDAN, ELLEGARDEN, and more, alongside iconic J-pop and rock selections from YUURI, Tomomi Kahara, Mai Kuraki, and YOSHIKI & X JAPAN. It’s a vibrant journey through one of Japan’s most dynamic regions—where dreams, resilience, and everyday beauty meet. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 · E10
March 13 · 1 hr 4 min
Japan Music Journey : Gunma
In this episode of THE KIMI KATO SHOW, Kimi continues Japan Music Journey with a stop in Gunma Prefecture—a region of dramatic mountains, legendary hot springs, deep history, and powerful musical legacy. The show opens with the latest in Japan entertainment and global culture news, including the excitement of the 2026 World Baseball Classic, Samurai Japan’s title defense, Yu Darvish’s return to support the team, and the upcoming 2026 MLB season led by stars like Shohei Ohtani. From there, the journey moves into Gunma through music from some of the prefecture’s most influential artists, including BOØWY, BUCK-TICK, back number, FOMARE, Kyosuke Himuro, Ryoko Shinohara, and HOTEI. Along the way, Kimi explores Gunma’s geography, ancient history, mountain culture, Tomioka Silk Mill, and its status as a true onsen kingdom, with highlights like Kusatsu Onsen. The episode also dives into Gunma’s delicious local food culture, from konnyaku and Shimonita leeks to himokawa udon, okkirikomi, and yakimanju. A rich mix of music, culture, history, and flavor—this is Gunma, through the lens of The Kimi Kato Show. Host: Kimi KatoProducer: Kimi KatoExecutive Producer: Jeremiah D. HigginsPowered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
March 6 · 1 hr 2 min
Japan Music Journey: Ibaraki
In this episode of THE KIMI KATO SHOW, Kimi Kato takes listeners on a rich musical and cultural journey through Ibaraki Prefecture, one of Japan’s most underrated yet deeply fascinating regions. Located just over an hour from Tokyo, Ibaraki reveals a striking blend of natural beauty, layered history, regional pride, and powerful music. From the twin peaks of Mount Tsukuba and the vast waters of Lake Kasumigaura to the dramatic Pacific coastline, fertile plains, and the mountain valleys of Okukuji, this episode explores a prefecture where land, water, tradition, and innovation all meet. This episode’s soundtrack brings Ibaraki’s spirit to life through artists and songs connected to the prefecture, including Kome Kome CLUB’s “Kimi ga Iru Dake de” and “Roman Hikō,” Jun Isoyama’s “Soshite Mirai e,” Huwie Ishizaki’s “Wasuregataki,” Hayato Adachi’s “FANFARE,” Travis Japan’s “Still on a Journey,” and Elephant Kashimashi’s “Koyoi no Tsuki no Yō ni.” Together, these songs reflect the emotion, pride, resilience, and forward-looking energy that define Ibaraki. A place sometimes joked about as “Japan’s hidden last-place prefecture,” Ibaraki emerges here for what it really is: a destination full of beauty, character, history, and musical legacy. Host: Kimi Kato Producer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy Media Inquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 27 · 1 hr 2 min
Japan Music Journey: Tochigi
THE KIMI KATO SHOW — Japan Music Journey: Tochigi An hour north of Tokyo by Shinkansen, Tochigi shifts Japan’s tempo—from the hush of ancient cedar forests to the bright, everyday energy of Utsunomiya’s gyoza streets. In this episode, we travel through sacred architecture and volcanic landscapes—then translate it all into sound. We step into the gold-leaf world of Nikko Toshogu, part of the UNESCO-listed Shrines and Temples of Nikko (inscribed 1999), trace the high-altitude calm of Lake Chuzenji (1,269m), feel the impact of Kegon Falls (97m), and ride the 48 curves of Irohazaka as the mountains flare into autumn. As always, our journey is built on music. Tochigi’s frequency lives in the artists who carry its spirit—anchored by the honest, narrative drive of Kazuyoshi Saito, and expanding into modern J-pop and rock that captures both spiritual stillness and restless motion. Each track in this episode is chosen as a map: songs that breathe like Nikko’s cedar silence surges that hit like Kegon at full volume city pop energy for Utsunomiya nights dusk-colored ballads drifting over Chuzenji Because every prefecture has a landscape— but the unforgettable ones also have a sound. This is Tochigi: a gateway north of Tokyo, tuned to reverence and rawness— and unraveled, one song at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
February 13 · 1 hr 5 min
Kimi’s Japan Journey: 47 Prefectures Unraveled - Fukushima
Fukushima is Japan’s third-largest prefecture by land area — and one of its most layered. Just about 90 minutes from Tokyo by Tohoku Shinkansen, the landscapes open into three distinct worlds: Hamadori on the Pacific coast, Nakadori in the central basin, and Aizu in the snow country to the west. In this episode, we travel through Fukushima’s geography and seasons, step into ancient Jōmon civilization, trace samurai loyalty and tragedy in Aizu, taste iconic local foods like Kitakata ramen and enban gyoza, and confront the modern chapter that reshaped global conversations about disaster, energy, and recovery after March 11, 2011. This is Fukushima — not a single story, but a prefecture where multiple Japans coexist. Host: Kimi KatoProducer: Kimi Kato Executive Producer: Jeremiah D. Higgins Powered by: Project Asteri | Pantheon Media | Radio Candy MediaInquiries: info@projectasteri.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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