Rephonic
Artwork for Books on Asia
Japan
Bitcoin
Mt. Gox
Yakuza
Japanese Media
Korea
Tokyo Vice
Shintoism
Cryptocurrency Crimes
Satoshi Nakamoto
Japanese Literature
Racism
Nissan Scandal
Olympus Scandal
Unification Church Scandal
Japanese Culture
Japanese Gardens
Silk Road
Japanese Legal System
Mark Karpeles

Books on Asia is your guide to finding quality books on Japan and Asia, including travel, literature, current events, and culture. Explore Asia in-depth. Hosted by Amy Chavez.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes74Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelArtsSociety & CultureBooks

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Books on Asia

Latest Episodes

Bruce Rutledge and Chin Music Press

John talks to Bruce Rutledge, founder of Chin Music Press, about running an independent Asia-focused press, the origins of the company in Tokyo, and the move to Seattle, where Chin Music now has a bookstore in Pik... more

Steven Herman spent 1990-2006 in Japan, most of those years with Voice of America. He served as South East Asia Bureau Chief as well as North East Asia Bureau Chief for the Korean Penninsula & Japan. Over his 16 years living in Japan he covered the K... more

John Ross speaks with English travel writer and photographer David Leffman about his new book, A Murder in Yunnan: The Unsolved Killing of a British Diplomat on China’s Southwestern Frontier. The conversation begins with David’s own long engagement w... more

Amy discusses the relationship between anti-foreign sentiment, overtourism, and tourist manners in Japan. Protests in Kyoto, Kamakura, and Tokyo claim that overtourism negatively impacts the daily lives of locals. Right-wing populist groups like the ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

7am
7amSolstice Media
Politics Now
Politics NowABC Australia
BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press
BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain PressJohn Ross and Eryk Michael Smith
The Foreign Affairs Interview
The Foreign Affairs InterviewForeign Affairs Magazine
Sinica Podcast
Sinica PodcastKaiser Kuo

Recent Guests

David Leffman
Travel writer and photographer, author of A Murder in Yunnan
Author, Books on Asia interviewee
Episode: David Leffman "A Murder in Yunnan"
Angus Waycott
Author and travel writer whose works include Sado, Island of Exile
Episode: Replay: Angus Waycott Walks Sado Island
Robert Norris
Author and long-time resident of Japan, memoirist and novelist
Author / Writer
Episode: Robert Norris on Living and Writing in Japan
Lee Moore
Author of China's Backstory, The History Beijing Doesn't Want You to Read
Author, Books on Asia topic expert
Episode: China's Backstory with Lee Moore
Tim McGirk
Author of The Wondrous Elixir of the Two Chinese Lovers
Plum Rain Press (publisher mentioned in episode)
Episode: Simon Winchester’s Biography of Joseph Needham (with Tim McGirk)
Thomas Bird
Author of Harmony Express Travels by Train Through China
Harmony Express (Earnshaw Books)
Episode: Harmony Express: Travels by Train through China with Thomas Bird
Carol Isaak
Photographer and author of Seasons Lan Su Garden
Episode: Carol Isaak on Portland’s Lan Su Chinese Garden
Ted Goossen
Translator with extensive experience in translating Japanese literature.
Episode: Ted Goossen on Translating Hiromi Kawakami's "Third Love"
Mark Kitto
Writer, entrepreneur, and author of "China Running Dog"
Episode: What's it Like to Live in China? Mark Kitto on China Running Dog

Host

John Ross
Interviewer and guide for interview segments; co-host in many episodes

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Informed and insightful

    Having listened to all seven podcasts to date, all you need to know is that Amy Chavez is an informed and insightful interviewer. Five stars!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Yet Another Vancouver Mike
    Canada5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Excellent for listeners who love deep dives into East Asian cultures and books
Thoughtful, informed interviews with a clear, curious host
High-quality guests and engaging literary discussions

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#86
Italy/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#149
Italy/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Replay: Angus Waycott Walks Sado Island
Q: What surprised you most about the island's history and culture?
He highlights the island's blend of folklore, religious practice, and practical concerns (like boats and roads), and how these elements are woven into everyday life rather than presented as distant, exotic stories.
Replay: Angus Waycott Walks Sado Island
Q: Tell us how the walk around Sado Island came about.
Waycott describes his goal to walk around Sado after researching exile sites, turning the journey into a method of gathering both observational details and historical context that would enrich the book.
China's Backstory with Lee Moore
Q: Can I tell you the deep, dirty secret of academia?
Lee explains that academia often fails to communicate subjects engagingly unless there's a more relaxed, beer-friendly atmosphere, which he uses as a stylistic approach in his writing and presentation.
Book Talk: Korea
Q: What titles have you chosen for our chat?
I'm starting off with one of your titles, In Korean Wilds and Villages by Sten Bergman.
Book Talk: Korea
Q: Can you say a little about it?
The Cuttlefish is a humorous novel about a struggling writer living a profligate life in the fictitious nation of Sukhan.

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 Books on Asia

What is Books on Asia about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on non-fiction and literary explorations of Asia, with a strong emphasis on Japan. Episodes frequently feature author interviews, translations, and deep dives into cultural history, travel writing, and how literature intersects with place. Guests range from travel journalists to translators and scholars, offering accessible storytelling that sheds light on regional histories, contemporary culture, and the ways books shape understanding of Asia. A few standout threads include guided tours of specific places (gardens, islands, guidebooks), careful translations of Japanese literature, and thoughtful conversations about memory, identity, and cross-cultural exchange. The show is particularly notable for its characterful host wh... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Books on Asia?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Books on Asia. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Books on Asia and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Books on Asia get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Books on Asia, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Books on Asia?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Books on Asia, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Books on Asia have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Books on Asia has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Books on Asia?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Books on Asia:

1. 7am
2. Politics Now
3. BOOKISH ASIA with Plum Rain Press
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. Sinica Podcast

How many episodes of Books on Asia are there?

Books on Asia launched 5 years ago and published 74 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 Books on Asia?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Books on Asia?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Books on Asia from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Books on Asia?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Books on Asia. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Books on Asia?

Recent guests on Books on Asia include:

1. David Leffman
2. Angus Waycott
3. Robert Norris
4. Lee Moore
5. Tim McGirk
6. Thomas Bird
7. Carol Isaak
8. Ted Goossen

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days