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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
Olympics
Chocolate Ramen
Gender Inequality
Media Freedom
Animation
Video Games
Trend Forecasting
Japanese Culture
Final Fantasy
Mario
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 weeklyEpisodes206Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for Unpacking Japan

Latest Episodes

Meet William Reed, also known as the renaissance samurai. He sits down to talk us about moving to Japan in the 1970s, his lifelong practice of martial arts and calligraphy, and his passion for teaching Namba, the samurai walk. 0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Wil... more

Meet Cory, a sofubi (soft vinyl toy) producer under his company Science Patrol. Cory sits down to talk to us about getting into sofubi, learning the trade and setting up his company here, creating officially licensed merchandise for Japan's one-day l... more

Meet Berry, an idol from California performing in the group himi♡chuu. She sits down to talk to us about chasing her childhood dream of becoming an idol, turning an internet hate mob into an opportunity, and finally coming to perform in Japan.--0:00 ... more

YouTube

Meet Karen Hill Anton, a writer who first came to Japan in the 1970s. She tells us about living in a martial arts dojo before moving to an old farmhouse and raising her children in the countryside, and sharing her experiences here as a writer.--0:00 ... 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

Karen Hill Anton
Writer and commentator; long-time resident of Japan
Japan Times; author
Episode: What life in a 1970s Japanese farmhouse was like
Peter Frankl
Mathematician and public figure in Japan
Hungarian Academy of Sciences; collaborator with international mathematicians
Episode: Meet Japan's Mr. Rogers of math
Shibuya Kaho
Writer and cosplayer with a background in journalism and AV industry work
Independent creator
Episode: Sitting down with Shibuya Kaho about her life as a writer & cosplayer
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?

Host

Tobias Bieker
Host of the show; focuses on Japan through immigrant, entrepreneur, and arts perspectives.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 83 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 States8 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 Kingdom9 months ago
  • Informative

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saohsmt
    Japan10 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 Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Episodes consistently offer intriguing, diverse topics and authentic perspectives.
Some listeners note the host can interrupt and background music is distracting.
Listeners praise professional, nonjudgmental questioning and engaging guests.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#191
Singapore/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#245
Japan/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Sitting down with Shibuya Kaho about her life as a writer & cosplayer
Q: What sparked your transition from journalism to writing and later to cosplay and content creation?
She explains a desire for variety and creative control, moving away from a traditional, majime newsroom path toward freelance work where she could tell her own stories and pursue projects she found meaningful, including publishing a book about the AV industry.
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.

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?

This show centers on the lives of foreigners who have made Japan their home, exploring culture, business, and arts through personal journeys. Episodes span issues like immigrant experiences, entrepreneurship, safety and feminism, traditional arts, housing and regulatory environments, and cross-cultural media. A notable strength is the willingness to surface nuanced, insider perspectives—from religious and minority communities to property markets and craft traditions—often blending personal narrative with broader social context. The conversations frequently highlight practical realities for newcomers and seasoned residents alike, such as navigating regulations, building communities, and carving out authentic narratives in Japan.

What makes ... more

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How many listeners does Unpacking Japan get?

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What are the audience demographics for Unpacking Japan?

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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.

How many episodes of Unpacking Japan are there?

Unpacking Japan launched 3 years ago and published 206 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.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Unpacking Japan?

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What guests have appeared on Unpacking Japan?

Recent guests on Unpacking Japan include:

1. Karen Hill Anton
2. Peter Frankl
3. Shibuya Kaho
4. Evie Bunniex
5. Tove Bjoerk
6. Chai Kanda
7. Sora the Troll
8. Dr. Osama Ibrahim

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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