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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio
Japan
Tokyo
Japanese Culture
Anime
Osaka
Youtube
Cultural Identity
Japanese Language
Cultural Differences
Animation
Akiya
Cosplay
Community Engagement
Content Creation
Urban Development
Buddhism
Identity
Sake
Kyoto
Philippines

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 weeklyEpisodes249Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Latest Episodes

Meet Keiko Fukuichi, a Japanese freelance translator, who sits down to talk to us about her experience translating games, particularly indie darlings Undertale and Hades. She talks to us about nuances of Japanese translation, the biggest challenges s... more

YouTube

Meet Ray, an entrepreneur running a ryokan in Toyama. He sits down to talk to us about his experience in the hospitality industry, his interest and move to Japan, and his challenges establishing a business under the government's new regulations.

Aft... more

YouTube

Meet Derek, co-founder of YukiHomes, a service that helps people overseas buy cheap homes in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about his own journey buying an akiya in Japan and running a business from overseas, as well as how YukiHomes fits into Jap... more

YouTube

Meet Martin Fackler, a journalist and author based in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about his career in China and Japan, what went into reporting his biggest stories, and the problems with Japan's kisha club system.

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0:00 Intro

0:50 Meet Mar... more

YouTube

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

Martin Fackler
Former Bureau Chief, New York Times in Tokyo; journalist with long-time focus on Japan and Asia
New York Times, Bloomberg, AP, Wall Street Journal, The New York Times (Japan)
Episode: The problem with Japanese mainstream media
Philip Arnil
Photographer and writer, author of Tokyo Jazz Joints
Photographer and author
Episode: Why Japan's jazz cafes are more important than ever
Roland Nozomu Kelts
Author, journalist, editor, and scholar specializing in Japanese pop culture and culture industry
Author of Japanamerica; editor of Monkey; documentary filmmaker
Episode: How did anime get so popular overseas, when Japanese companies did not care?
Sandul Winska
Content creator and real estate agent in Tokyo
Self-employed/Real estate agent
Episode: Why are so many Tokyo apartments not foreigner friendly?
Dan Wilson
Comedian in Japan, podcaster, performer
Badon Kadonk / Badon Kadonku (co-host)
Episode: What Japanese comedy school is REALLY like
Hori Benny
Tattoo artist, owner of Invasion Club
Invasion Club (Osaka/Tokyo)
Episode: Tattoo artist explains traditional Japanese apprenticeships
Aki Yamaguchi
MC and content creator; half Thai and half Japanese, based in Bangkok
Episode: I was a confused kid—growing up half Japanese in Thailand, with Aki Yamaguchi
Kentaro Sato
Former professional rugby player turned rickshaw tour guide and mochi entrepreneur
Independent entrepreneur in Japan and Netherlands
Episode: What it takes to be a Japanese rickshaw driver
Priyanka Yoshikawa
Miss World Japan, entrepreneur, reality TV participant
Independent
Episode: The reality of growing up half Indian in Japan

Host

Tobias Bieker
Host of Unpacking Japan

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 120 ratings
  • Excellent podcast on Japan!

    I’m shocked to see that this show only has a few ratings so far on Apple Podcasts. Tobi is an incredible interviewer and gets the most out of his guests. This show is worth a listen!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anotherauthor_
    United States3 months ago
  • A different view of Japan

    I love his style of interviewing. The host lets the guest shine and seems to be interested in learning and asking just the right questions to keep the conversation interesting. He does his homework so he gets the most thoughtful answers. I will be visiting Japan this Fall and these episodes give a different perspective than travel podcasts. Thank you for what you do.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    K Twist
    United States4 months ago
  • 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 Statesa year 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 Kingdoma year ago
  • Informative

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saohsmt
    Japana year ago

Listeners Say

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

Some critics note repetitive interview structure or background music can be distracting.
Listeners praise the host's thoughtful, nonjudgmental interview style.
Guests and topics are varied, with strong emphasis on authentic cross-cultural perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#181
Japan/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How did anime get so popular overseas, when Japanese companies did not care?
Q: What changed your mind about the Japanamerica project and the idea of writing a book for a broader audience?
Conversations with editors and a realization that writing for a general audience—especially for a father figure who loved pop culture—could tell a more human story about Japan's influence, not just a dreary fact dump.
How did anime get so popular overseas, when Japanese companies did not care?
Q: When did you decide to move to Japan, so to say?
It was 1998, a commissioned assignment that led me to take the JET Programme in Osaka and begin living and writing there.
The problem with Japanese mainstream media
Q: How do you see the future of journalism with AI and changing reader behavior?
AI may assist with search and information gathering, but humans are needed for original, non‑commodity storytelling. The value of trusted brands like major newspapers persists as readers seek reliable, on‑the‑ground reporting in an overload of information.
The problem with Japanese mainstream media
Q: What was the hardest part of reporting the Fukushima disaster from on the ground?
Gaining access to accurate information amid conflicting narratives, dealing with limited data, and balancing fast reporting with context and fairness. He explains the early reliance on evacuee stories and outside sources (NRC, IAEA) before getting first-hand plant access, all while considering the risks to safety and credibility.
Why Japan's jazz cafes are more important than ever
Q: What has the Tokyo Jazz Joints project evolved into beyond photography?
It grew into a long-running archive and book, then expanded to a podcast that captured conversations with owners and masters, offering a broader narrative that photographs alone couldn't convey, and helping the world discover these venues.

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?

The show centers on foreigners who have built meaningful lives in Japan, exploring the intersections of culture, entrepreneurship, arts, and everyday life. Episodes often feature founders, artists, journalists, and creatives who share intimate journeys—from navigating language and immigration processes to building businesses, documenting subcultures, and shaping cross-cultural understanding. Notable strengths include in-depth, long-form conversations, practical insights for expatriates or aspiring entrants into Japan's scenes, and a curiosity-driven approach to Japan's evolving arts, tech, and real estate landscapes. A distinctive thread is the emphasis on personal origin stories linked to broader social and economic questions, such as prop... more

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How many listeners does Unpacking Japan get?

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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. The Austin and Arthur Show|生の英会話
2. Sightseeing Japan
3. 裏技英語
4. Misa Yuka Podcast
5. 世界とつながる|IU-Connectの公式 Podcast

How many episodes of Unpacking Japan are there?

Unpacking Japan launched 3 years ago and published 249 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. Martin Fackler
2. Philip Arnil
3. Roland Nozomu Kelts
4. Sandul Winska
5. Dan Wilson
6. Hori Benny
7. Aki Yamaguchi
8. Kentaro Sato

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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