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Artwork for Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society

Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society

JapanKyo.com
Japanese Language
Japan
Japanese Culture
Tokyo
Kyoto
Edo Period
Kyushu
Neko
Oden
Anime
Travel
Japanese Folklore
Gyaru
Japanese Elementary Schools
Taisho Era Slang
Japanese Names
Geisha House Atami
Hiroshima
Buddhism
Tokaido Road

Japan Station helps you understand Japanese culture, language, and society on a deeper level. Hosted by The Anime Linguist, Tony R. Vega, the show features expert interviews and deep dives into topics you won't find anywhere else—sometimes with ridiculous tangents. Each episode dives into everything from Japanese language and linguistics to history, food, travel, and pop culture. You'll also hear ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes225Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationPlaces & TravelSociety & CultureLanguage Learning

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society

Latest Episodes

This is a rebroadcast of Ichimon Japan episode 47 (originally released 07/07/21).

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What was good and bad about your JET experience?

Topics Discussed • What the JET Programme is

• The various positions ava... more

YouTube

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about food you have to eat the next time you visit Fukushima.

👉Topics Discussed

• About the Grand Van Gogh Exhibit

• About the Pokemon Astronomical Observatory

• About Koriyama Black Ramen

• W... more

YouTube

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about Fukushima Prefecture! We're focusing on the geography, cultural quirks, language and food.

👉Topics Discussed

• About the geography of Fukushima Prefecture

• Where Fukushima is located

• A... more

YouTube

On this episode of Japan Station, filmmaker Cuauhtemoc Velazquez joins us to talk about Apparition, his new short film about a Tokyo izakaya that gets visited by the Virgin Mary.

👉Topics Discussed

• What Apparition is about

• What inspired Cu... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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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People also subscribe to these shows.

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History of Japan
History of JapanIsaac Meyer

Recent Guests

Cuauhtemoc Velazquez
Independent filmmaker, creator of Apparition
Independent filmmaker
Episode: The Virgin Mary inspired him to make a film in Japan
Daniel Legare
Editor/wreiter for Wasabi Magazine; wrote extensively on experiences as a fake priest in Japan
Wasabi Magazine (Canada/Hawaii-focused Japan coverage)
Episode: What's it like being a fake priest in Japan? | Japan Station 209/Ichimon Japan 04
Jake Davies
Resident of Shimane Prefecture; long-time walker, blogger
ojisanjake.com
Episode: He's walked 30,000+ km across Japan! | Japan Station 205
Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith
Associate professor; expert on otaku culture and Akihabara history
Senshu University
Episode: Akihabara is DYING? How Ikebukuro Became Japan's New Otaku Capital | Japan Station 201
Alex Litz
Director of Inbound Promotion for Expedition Japan
Expedition Japan
Episode: Why you should visit YAMAGATA! | Japan Station 197
Ami Eldridge
Founder of Sumizumi LLC, dedicated to rural revitalization through charcoal production and tourism.
Sumizumi LLC
Episode: How charcoal is saving this rural Japanese town (Ami Eldridge of Sumizumi LLC) | Japan Station 190
Hiroko Yoda
Co-author of the books 'Youkai Attack' and 'Ninja Attack', and author of '8 Million Ways to Happiness'.
Episode: Why "religion" in Japan doesn't make sense (to Westerners): A Talk with Hiroko Yoda | Japan Station 189
Sensei Martian
A traveler and Twitch streamer who walked 3,200 kilometers across Japan.
Twitch
Episode: He WALKED 3200 km across ALL of JAPAN! (Sensei Martian) | Japan Station 185
Shuhei Murakami
Stand-up comedian and aspiring actor, also a tour guide in Tokyo
Episode: Tokyo Tourist Traps: Are these popular Tokyo destinations worth your time? | Japan Station 180

Host

Tony R. Vega
Host of the show; founder of japankyo.com; The Anime Linguist; accessibility advocate.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 68 ratings
  • Superficial

    I started to follow the podcast to learn about Japanese culturre and was disappointed by the quality, no thorough review, no fact check … a lot of blabla based on wikipedia findings and vague sources

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    JuieEsther
    Switzerlanda year ago
  • Thanks for shining a light on such an important issue in Japan & everywhere ? it's more about just rape, law or inequality it's about basic human decency, respect and justice - I'll read the book even if it's hard

    Podcast Addict
    jjwalsh
    4 years ago
  • Thanks for shining a light on such an important issue in Japan & everywhere 🥰 it's more about just rape, law or inequality it's about basic human decency, respect and justice - I'll read the book even if it's hard

    Podcast Addict
    5
    jjwalsh
    4 years ago
  • Stop making sounds while your guests are speaking!

    It was hard even to give this 2 stars, in that the podcast is unlistenable due to the host making about 2 to 3 “mmm” noises every sentence his guests speaks. It’s effectively distracting to both the listener and the guests (as you can hear them frequently pause and almost loose track of what they were saying). Imagine a buttery voiced yoda constantly “mmm”ing throughout the interviews. It’s awful! Stop it! If the host can break this habit, it will be a fantastic podcast with very interesting top... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Minami Shou
    United States5 years ago
  • Amazing talks

    This is such an amazing podcasts it offers something different than the typical japan themed podcasts out there. The talks are diverse and cover a ton of different topics from foreign manga creators to Japanese cuisine inspired chefs. Antonio is a very pleasant interviewer and let’s his guests freely talk about their story without much interjection which is great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cvltvre
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many praise the host for allowing guests to speak and for thoughtful, lively interviews.
Listeners appreciate the depth and breadth of topics beyond surface-level Japan coverage.
Feedback highlights the show's mix of practical travel tips and cultural storytelling.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Virgin Mary inspired him to make a film in Japan
Q: How did crowdfunding fit into your production strategy?
Crowdfunding funded post-production and festival fees, while also helping to build an audience and test market resonance for the concept before wider distribution.
The Virgin Mary inspired him to make a film in Japan
Q: What were the biggest challenges in producing this in Japan?
Coordinating a relatively large cast in a tight studio space, finding the right Japanese crew, and securing affordable studio time with support for independent projects were key challenges, which were overcome with a dedicated local producer and careful planning.
The Virgin Mary inspired him to make a film in Japan
Q: What sparked the idea for this film and how did it start?
The idea came from a Mexican restaurant image of the Virgin Mary speaking Japanese; imagining how a Marian apparition would interact with Japanese culture sparked the concept and questions about religion and spirituality in Japan.
Why fans of the supernatural should visit Iwate Prefecture | Japan Station 208
Q: No, no, I have plenty of questions. So first of all, I want to expand on something you mentioned. You said these two cities are one hour away by train. Is that right?
Yes, the route from Tokyo to Shinhanamaki and then a short train ride to Tōno generally makes the two cities reachable in a compact itinerary, though the trains can be infrequent and require car flexibility for full exploration.
A guide to MOVING in Japan | Japan Station 206/Ichimon Japan 73
Q: What were the notable logistical challenges with internet installation?
Internet setup could involve pushing back installation timelines, with sales calls happening during setup, and some pressure from sales staff; the couple eventually secured fiber in their building, often at or just above the rent level.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive show that blends language, culture, history, travel, and pop culture through expert interviews and on-the-ground storytelling. Episodes frequently center on Japanese language nuances, regional cuisines, folklore, and experiences of foreigners living in Japan, often with practical takeaways for learners, travelers, and culture enthusiasts. Notable strengths include accessible language, a playful yet informative host style, and a wide range of guest expertise—from indie filmmakers and academics to tourism professionals and long-time travelers—making it a rich resource for nuanced Japan-focused conversations. The format often includes practical tips, cultural context, and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, which can be especially appeali... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Sightseeing Japan
2. Uncanny Japan
3. Abroad in Japan
4. History of Japan
5. You're Dead to Me

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 225 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Cuauhtemoc Velazquez
2. Daniel Legare
3. Jake Davies
4. Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith
5. Alex Litz
6. Ami Eldridge
7. Hiroko Yoda
8. Sensei Martian

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