Podcast Summary: Absolutely Not

Episode: Bonus: Arigato Gozaimasu with Jeff Daniels
Host: Heather McMahan
Guest: Jeff Daniels
Date: March 27, 2026

Overview

Heather McMahan and her husband, Jeff Daniels, deliver a candid, hilarious, and detail-rich recap of their recent trip to Japan. The episode is driven by their unique chemistry, banter, and irreverent take on travel, blending both practical tips and culture shocks with stories of marital navigation. Topics include Japanese etiquette, food, planning challenges, and the joys/frustrations of traveling together.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Jet Lag, Resetting, and the Power of Travel

• Heather felt emotionally and physically “reset” by the trip, using travel as an escape and a way to recharge her nervous system.
  • “Going to Asia almost reset my central nervous system...I feel like I’ve come back a better person.” – Heather (01:39)
• Jeff was pleasantly surprised by the lack of jet lag, thanks to good sleep on the plane.
• Both emphasize travel as essential for growth and recommend pushing outside of your comfort zone.

2. Japanese Cultural Immersion: Language, Bowing, and Respect

• The McMahans made efforts to assimilate, always attempting a bit of Japanese with “arigato gozaimasu.”
  • “We may speak to you in English for 99% of the sentence, but we always ended it with a arigato gozaimasu.” – Jeff (04:06)
• Bowing is omnipresent, from 7-Eleven to fine dining.
  • “You’re bowing at the 7:11. You’re bowing as you walk into your hotel. It just felt so kind and wonderful and warm.” – Heather (04:45)
• Both agree Japanese society’s baseline of respect is a stark contrast to America’s—everyone knows how to behave and there’s a palpable, communal understanding.

3. Shohei Ohtani Mania & Japanese Baseball

• Ohtani is a national icon, featuring on advertising everywhere.
  • “Shohei Ohtani is contributing at least 10% of Japanese GDP to the economy, at least.” – Jeff (07:15)
• They ditched a highly anticipated Michelin Wagyu dinner (paid a steep cancellation fee) to attend a World Baseball Classic game at the Tokyo Dome.
• The Tokyo Dome experience:
  • Stadium seats were tiny (“King Kong and Godzilla” jokes).
  • Fans are extremely respectful—even cheering for the opposing team.
  • Quiet compared to American ballgames; organized cheering sections.
  • Concession stands serve gourmet bentos, not basic hot dogs.
    • “You want octopus balls, you want soybean paste and some sort of lemon yuzu curd latte – they got it.” – Heather (11:01)
  • “Anime keg girls” serve beer quietly with backpacks—not yelling, just giggling.
• Disappointment: The hyped Tokyo Dome ice cream sandwich underwhelmed.
  • “That may have been the most disappointing thing that we experienced in all of our Japan travels.” – Jeff (13:24)

4. Convenience Store Heaven: 7-Eleven, Lawson’s & Family Mart

• Japanese convenience stores are “otherworldly”—incredibly clean, well-stocked, and offer fresh, unique foods.
• The legendary 7-Eleven egg salad sandwich gets rave reviews from Jeff; even for those who don’t usually like egg salad.
  • “If you really know what you’re doing, you go ahead and get a little chicken strip and you throw it in between the buns, make yourself a little sando.” – Jeff (17:20)
• Snacks, ice cream bars, magical digestive elixirs, and surprisingly good bread are all highlights.

5. The Elevated Food Culture

• Japanese culture is characterized by attention to detail and the pursuit of perfection.
  • “They are dialed with everything they do...they take the best things from all over the world and perfect them.” – Heather (18:21)
• Pizza Studio Tamaki in Tokyo:
  • Described as “the best pizza” either have ever eaten—salty, umami, melted five-cheese Bismarck pies, and runny egg, all served in a minimalist space with few seats.
  • “Whether it be Italy, America, wherever – this was the best Neapolitan pizza I’ve ever had in my life.” – Jeff (22:59)
• Reservations require precise advanced planning and/or help from hotel concierges.
  • “You can’t just be like: I don’t know where we want to go tonight; we’ll figure it out. That’s not the way in Japan.” – Jeff (25:20)

6. Kyoto, History, and Michelin Meals

• Comparison: Tokyo is busy and vibrant; Kyoto is intimate, historical, and quiet.
• Favorite Kyoto meal at Badu (offshoot of Monk, featured on Chef's Table) is described:
  • Three-person staff, residential setting, omakase (chef’s choice) tasting, and “the best cabbage” Heather ever had.
• Sumi Zumido Kyoto (birthday dinner) is one of the rare restaurants with a party atmosphere.
  • Most high-end dining in Japan is shockingly affordable compared to the US—$100 for two at a chef-driven spot vs. $1000 for comparable experiences in NYC.
  • “Every omakase and chef-driven experience was like $100 for two people...It was outrageously expensive to do any of these experiences anywhere other than Japan.” – Heather (34:27)

7. Cleanliness and Organizational Genius

• Streets and shops are impeccably clean and safe.
  • “There was not a tumbleweed, a hair, a cigarette butt, a vermin, a bug, a firefly. Nothing on the streets.” – Heather (34:54)
• The famed Japanese train (Shinkansen) is orderly, seats are spacious and comfortable, and the experience is entirely unlike riding trains in Europe or America.
  • “Whatever you’re doing, Amtrak, you need to start doing that.” – Jeff (36:08)
• Their recommendation: Do the fish market your first day, as you’ll be up early due to jet lag.
  • Tsukiji Market: “The best tuna I’ve ever had. I don’t think anything will ever beat that.” – Jeff (39:38)
  • Special soy sauce there is nearly balsamic in thickness and flavor.

8. Shopping, Don Quijote & The Marital “Tourist Tango”

• Don Quijote is described as “Buc-ee’s on overdrive without the gas,” mixing snacks, electronics, vapes, luxury bags, and more (43:14).
• Jeff’s mission: Japanese knives and specialty pans (egg pan for tamago).
• Golf shopping is generally underwhelming except for one notable store, Divot.
• Heather experiences “sensory overload” and major FOMO, overwhelmed by TikTok recommendations and choices.
• Discussion on how travel exposes quirks in their relationship:
  • Heather wants more “active participation” from Jeff in shopping; Jeff prefers to let her browse alone.
  • “I want you so far up my ass, Jeff, you know this. I want you breathing down my neck going, ‘Oh, I love those socks.’” – Heather (54:27)
  • Both joke about their respective planning styles, with Jeff the organized Virgo and Heather the free-spirited enthusiast.

9. Rose & Thorn: Top Memories and Minor Gripes

• Rose: “The quality time we get to spend together.” – Jeff (45:52)
• Thorn: Tokyo Dome ice cream sandwich and Heather’s “excited anxiety.”
  • “You get a little anxious sometimes traveling…trying to squeeze so much into the abbreviated time that we had there.” – Jeff (46:02)

10. Reflections on Japan, Travel, and Advice

• Japan is “the perfect first step” for those new to Asia—different, but not intimidatingly so.
  • “If you’ve never been to Asia, Japan is the perfect first step because it is just insane.” – Heather (56:44)
  • “You won’t feel like it’s totally different either.” – Jeff (57:15)
• For future travelers:
  • Plan meals and experiences far in advance.
  • Don't expect spontaneous walks into restaurants.
  • Embrace the culture: try bowing, basic language, 7-Eleven food, and local customs.
• Both prize the “memories made together” above all.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I am so passionate about travel. And we love to give you guys the tips and tricks...we are good travel buddies. As complicated as you are...When we are abroad...hold my hand, we are a team.” – Heather (01:39)
• “Matthew McConaughey thinks he has his finger on the pulse of American marketing. He doesn’t stand a fucking chance against Ohtani.” – Heather (07:07)
• “Japan is walking with a little extra pep in their step because they don’t have doo-doo butts.” – Heather (11:12)
• “They are dialed with everything they do. They perfect everything.” – Heather (18:21)
• “If you’re not planning three months out to get reservations at some of these places, good fucking luck to you.” – Heather (21:06)
• “There’s no idea of no-showing or canceling or being 20 minutes late to a dinner reservation.” – Heather (08:32)
• “There were deals to be had…And the shopping is so incredible.” – Heather (46:54)
• “No, you standing back outside listening to your podcast on the streets of Tokyo, stressed me out more.” – Heather (52:31)
• “The thorn was your anxiety. Probably...trying to squeeze so much into the abbreviated time.” – Jeff (46:02)
• “Making memories with Godzilla and King Kong.” – Heather (57:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:26] – Jet lag and travel’s emotional impact
• [03:19] – Apprehensions about traveling to Japan; language barrier
• [04:45] – Bowing and Japanese respect culture
• [06:34] – Baseball in Japan and Shohei Ohtani’s popularity
• [11:01] – Tokyo Dome food and stadium culture
• [13:24] – Overhyped ice cream sandwich disappointment
• [14:14] – 7-Eleven, snacks, and the magic of convenience stores
• [18:21] – Japanese culinary perfection & pizza revelation
• [27:56] – Kyoto vs. Tokyo, fine dining experience at Badu
• [34:54] – Cleanliness and urban feel
• [36:04] – Train experiences (Shinkansen, differences from Europe/US)
• [37:53] – Fish market advice and how to plan your visit
• [42:47] – Shopping experiences: Don Quijote, kitchenware, golf
• [45:52] – Rose and thorn: marriage travel highs and lows
• [56:44] – Reflections, advice, and why Japan is the ultimate intro to Asia

Final Takeaways

• Japan is a dream destination for travelers seeking culture shock and comfort in equal measure—plan ahead, cherish the details, and bring a sense of openness (and a capacity for snacks).
• For couples, travel magnifies both strengths and quirks—embrace the chaos and lean into the team dynamic.

For travel recs, tips, and more, Heather promises a full Insta recap and welcomes DM questions.