In Part 1 of Episode 5, Jason is joined by Charlie Orr from Inside Japan to explore one of the most important — and most overlooked — aspects of planning a Japan trip: the seasons. Charlie explains why every season brings a completely different Japan, from the food and festivals to the very philosophy of daily life.

The conversation dives deep into cherry blossom season — what makes it magical, why it's so hard to time, and crucially, how to avoid the crushing crowds at famous hotspots like Kyoto and Tokyo by venturing to smaller cities like Kochi on Shikoku Island. Charlie shares the Hanami tradition of cherry blossom viewing parties, complete with blue tarpaulin mats, nighttime illuminations, and picnics beneath the petals.

The episode then turns to Japan's underrated summer season — festivals, yukata-clad crowds, extraordinary fire ...