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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio
Japan
Tokyo
Osaka
Cultural Differences
Food Journalism
Abe Assassination
Women In Media
Gender Inequality
Olympics
Media Freedom
Chocolate Ramen
Animation
Video Games
Trend Forecasting
Japanese Culture
Mario
Final Fantasy
Textile Industry
Sustainability
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 weeklyEpisodes200Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Latest Episodes

Meet Harry, an indie music promoter working in Tokyo. He sits down to talk to us about his love of Japanese indie music, the mind-boggling variety of acts you can find, and how you can get tickets as a foreigner in Japan.

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0:00 Intro

0:44 Meet H... more

Meet Shibuya Kaho, a writer, cosplayer, and livestreamer from Tokyo. She sits down to talk with us about her time as a journalist, her book on the AV industry, and her current life as a streamer and cosplayer.

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0:00 Intro

4:17 All-girls school i... more

YouTube

Meet Zhafira, an Indonesian content creator who spent several years in Japan growing up, returning to Indonesia and coming back to Japan as an adult. She sits down to talk to us about her life between countries and the challenges faced by Japanese Mu... more

YouTube

Meet Dani, a content creator from Venezuela also known as the guy in the fox mask. Dani sits down to talk to us about his journey to Japan, what it was like for him to work here, the reality of being a Japan content creator, and where the heck the ma... 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.

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Recent Guests

Evie Bunniex
Tokyo-based content creator focusing on J-Fashion and feminism in Japan
Independent creator
Episode: How safe is Japan for women? ft. eviebunniex
Tove Bjoerk
Professor specializing in early modern Japanese literature
Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Saitama
Episode: Why early kabuki performances were banned
Chai Kanda
Founder of Shiki Properties, a real estate investment and management company
Shiki Properties
Episode: The effect of Japanese housing regulations on tourism
Sora the Troll
Translator, voice actor, and content creator on YouTube
Episode: How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Dr. Osama Ibrahim
Ophthalmologist in Japan, originally from Egypt
Keio University, Ishikawa General Hospital
Episode: How do Japanese people react to a foreign doctor?
Kazu Tsubota
Professor with an international team of researchers at Keio University
Episode: How do Japanese people react to a foreign doctor?
Luna (Andromeda)
An active member of the LGBTQ community, known for her work in drag and advocacy, co-founder of the magazine Iwakon.
Iwakan
Episode: Why being transgender was never an issue in Japan
Kodo Nishimura
Buddhist monk, artist, and author of 'Be Who You Are.'
Episode: Gay Japanese monk's secret to a fruitful life ft. Kodo Nishimura
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

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

4.7 out of 5 stars from 77 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 States7 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 Kingdom8 months ago
  • Informative

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saohsmt
    Japan9 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
#88
Japan/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#209
Austria/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The reality of "Japan" content ft. @foxmaskdaze ​
Q: How do you balance authenticity with the competitive landscape of creators in Japan?
Dani emphasizes sharing personal perspectives, researching interesting places, and avoiding sensationalism, while using the mask as a bridge to authenticity and inclusivity.
The reality of "Japan" content ft. @foxmaskdaze ​
Q: When did content creation become a serious pursuit for you?
It started around 2019 as a photography hobby, gradually building into a full-time venture after a viral video and growing audience demand.
Why early kabuki performances were banned
Q: What drew you to studying Kabuki and the diary of Ichikawa Danjuro II?
The initial curiosity was sparked by a classroom observation and a chance encounter with a diary that revealed backstage life, leading to a longer research trajectory focused on theater management, daily life, and how Kabuki survived economic and political pressures.
How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Q: What made you interested in the first place to kind of create videos and put them out there?
Sora started his YouTube channel upon the encouragement of friends, initially aiming to create comedic content and share gameplay clips but later transitioned to focusing on his identity and cultural commentary.
How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Q: Where did this meme come from?
The meme originated from people's assumptions about Sora's nationality based on his online presence and video content, leading to widespread debate over whether he could truly be Japanese.

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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How many subscribers and views does Unpacking Japan have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Unpacking Japan 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 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. Zero: The Climate Race
5. History of Japan

How many episodes of Unpacking Japan are there?

Unpacking Japan launched 3 years ago and published 200 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?

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.

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What guests have appeared on Unpacking Japan?

Recent guests on Unpacking Japan include:

1. Evie Bunniex
2. Tove Bjoerk
3. Chai Kanda
4. Sora the Troll
5. Dr. Osama Ibrahim
6. Kazu Tsubota
7. Luna (Andromeda)
8. Kodo Nishimura

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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