Outland Japan

Outland Japan fills a gap that most Japan travel media ignores entirely: the rural, regional, and wild parts of the country that exist far beyond Tokyo and Kyoto. Hosted by Peter Carnell, a freelance tour guide based in northern Nagano, the podcast transports listeners to mountain villages, remote coastlines, and agricultural communities that rarely appear in travel guides. Peter's perspective is shaped by years of actually living and working in these areas, giving his storytelling an authenticity that armchair travel writing cannot match. With 65 episodes across four seasons and a perfect 5.0-star rating (albeit from a small number of reviewers), the show has built a dedicated audience among travelers looking for something beyond the standard tourist circuit. Episodes explore topics like snow country culture, the realities of rural depopulation, traditional crafts that survive in small towns, and outdoor adventures from hiking to river fishing. The production quality is notably high for an independent podcast, with atmospheric sound design that puts you in the setting. The show is currently on hiatus between Season 4 and Season 5, with Peter balancing production against guiding work and family life, but he has confirmed the show will return. The existing catalog is well worth exploring, especially if you are planning to venture outside the big cities. Each episode functions as both a travel recommendation and a piece of long-form journalism about a Japan that most visitors never see.