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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio
Japan
Tokyo
Osaka
Cultural Differences
Food Journalism
Women In Media
Abe Assassination
Olympics
Gender Inequality
Chocolate Ramen
Media Freedom
Animation
Video Games
Trend Forecasting
Buddhism
Final Fantasy
Mario
Sustainability
Textile Industry
Forest Gardening

Unpacking Japan explores Japanese arts, culture, and business through the lives of foreigners who have made this amazing country their home. While we’ve all seen vlogs and movies showing Japan from a pop culture perspective, Unpacking Japan tells the stories that get left by the wayside—the immigrants, the entrepreneurs, and the artists. Tune in every week for an authentic, inspiring conversation ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes188Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Latest Episodes

Meet Luna, a model living in Tokyo who performs as a drag queen under the name Andromeda. She sits down to talk with us about being queer and transgender in Japan, and why older people keep asking her why being trans is considered an issue

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0:00 ... more

YouTube

Meet Kodo Nishimura, a Pure Land Buddhist monk. He sits down to talk with us about growing up in a buddhist temple as a gay man, learning to understand himself studying abroad, and rediscovering his own calling as a monk. --Follow Kodo:www.ko... more

YouTube

Meet Peppe, an Italian mangaka who gained international attention after his appearance on the reality show Terrace House. He sits down to talk with us about his journey to Japan and struggle to get published while studying Japanese and working as a f... more

YouTube

Meet Jaya, a content creator documenting renovating his dream house in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about finding the ideal akiya, the auction process, and everything they've put into renovations so far.--Follow Jaya:www.youtube.com/@TokyoLlamah... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Randy Soei
Tea Master of the Urasenke School of Tea Ceremony
Urasenke School of Tea Ceremony
Episode: Why the tea ceremony is unlike any other Japanese art
Hiroko Yoda
Author and expert on Japanese spirituality
Episode: 8 million gods: understanding Japan's unique spirituality
Kathy Matsui
An economist and co-founder of the all-female venture capital firm Empowers.
Empowers
Episode: The economist behind Japan's sudden commitment to "womenomics"
Igor Prusa
A university professor specializing in media studies and scandals in Japan
Metropolitan University of Prague
Episode: The strange logic behind Japan's constant media scandalsold
Hana Burton
Racing driver for Big Boss Wear Team Tom's in Japan, primarily in the Kyujo Cup, an all-women's racing league.
Big Boss Wear Team Tom's
Episode: What it takes to be a Japanese race car driver ft. Hana Burton
Kinshasa Basquiat
Ballroom commentator and cultural ambassador for the queer community in Japan.
Episode: How underground black queer culture ended up in Tokyo
Timothy Connor
Founder and President/CEO of Sinovate, a company that helps foreign brands enter the Japanese market.
Sinovate
Episode: Why Ikea failed in Japan (and what we learned from it)
Yurié Collins
Comedian and actress who returned to Japan to pursue stand-up comedy
Tokyo Comedy Bar
Episode: Tokyo Hoe Tales: How Yurie Collins is bringing stand-up comedy to Japan
James Landino
Game and anime composer
Episode: The insane reality of video game music composers

Host

Tobias Bieker
Host of the podcast, known for engaging interviews exploring the intersection of Japanese culture and the experiences of foreigners living in Japan.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 68 ratings
  • Professionalism

    I have a lot of appreciation for how well Tobias presents himself. He asks questions in a nonjudgmental way like a true journalist. The guests and topics are interesting. I highly recommend!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    anotherunnecessaryopinion
    United States5 months ago
  • Great podcast on Japan

    Really enjoying the 9 July 25 episode, especially as an ex-JET. Really interesting to hear about the remotes areas of Hokkaido! My one suggestion is that the host sounds a bit quiet and muffled whereas the guest sounds louder and clear. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Erica Crump
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Informative

    The contents themselves are very intriguing and gripping. I will definitely listen to all the episodes!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saohsmt
    Japan7 months ago
  • Nice

    Good podcast to learn abut expat life in Japan.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ぴーちゃん\(^o^)/
    Japan2 years ago
  • Has potential

    Some of the guests seem potentially interesting, but the podcast is let down by the host regularly interrupting and the very annoying continuous background music, both of which make this a difficult listen

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Gloopy Puff
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many find the topics intriguing and relatable, especially those with ties to expat life in Japan, offering a unique perspective on cultural integration.
Some feedback points to occasional technical issues affecting clarity, but the overall content quality frequently shines, making the podcast worth listening to.
Listeners appreciate the insight and storytelling of the host, highlighting a professional presentation style that fosters a respectful dialogue with guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#163
Japan/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Peppe's long journey to becoming a published mangaka (and how Terrace House changed his life)
Q: How did you pursue your dreams?
Peppe researched online, learned Japanese, and eventually found a way to study and work in Japan.
Peppe's long journey to becoming a published mangaka (and how Terrace House changed his life)
Q: What brought you to Japan?
The dream of becoming a manga artist, which he discovered in his teenage years.
Why the tea ceremony is unlike any other Japanese art
Q: How did the tea ceremony move from a hobby towards something you wanted to dedicate yourself to?
A realization hit after being on a scholarship program that I should pay back by committing more to the tea ceremony, thus I decided to dedicate myself fully.
Why the tea ceremony is unlike any other Japanese art
Q: What is it that was important for you about this way, this do, that is kind of the common denominator for all of these?
It teaches about actual strength through devotion and practice, focusing on a balance rather than sheer power.
How Tokyo Llama found their dream house in Japan
Q: What did you find when you originally got into it before this got so popular?
Jaya initially associated Akiya with abandoned houses but discovered it simply refers to empty houses, many of which are in good condition but not listed for sale.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Unpacking Japan

What is Unpacking Japan about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the intricate stories of foreigners navigating life in Japan, this podcast offers a unique lens on the intersections of Japanese culture, art, and business. Each episode features authentic conversations with diverse guests, ranging from immigrant entrepreneurs to local artists, who share their experiences and insights. Listeners can expect to learn about challenges faced while adapting to a new culture and the innovative ways in which these individuals contribute to the rich tapestry of Japanese life. This exploration not only celebrates personal journeys but also sheds light on lesser-known cultural narratives, making it an engaging choice for anyone curious about the complexities of Japan through the eyes of its foreign reside... more

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How many listeners does Unpacking Japan get?

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Which podcasts are similar to Unpacking Japan?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Unpacking Japan:

1. Abroad in Japan
2. The Austin and Arthur Show|生の英会話
3. 世界とつながる|IU-Connectの公式 Podcast
4. CROSSTALK 英会話
5. 台本なし英会話レッスン

How many episodes of Unpacking Japan are there?

Unpacking Japan launched 3 years ago and published 188 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Unpacking Japan?

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What guests have appeared on Unpacking Japan?

Recent guests on Unpacking Japan include:

1. Randy Soei
2. Hiroko Yoda
3. Kathy Matsui
4. Igor Prusa
5. Hana Burton
6. Kinshasa Basquiat
7. Timothy Connor
8. Yurié Collins

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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