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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
Oden
Neko
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes229Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationSociety & CulturePlaces & TravelLanguage Learning

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

Latest Episodes

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the unique cultural and geographic quirks of life in Miyagi Prefecture.

👉Topics Discussed

• Where Miyagi Prefecture is located

• The population of Miyagi Prefecture

• Miyagi's mild weather

• W... more

YouTube

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about "May sickness" and "June sickness." What are these sicknesses? Are they real? Should you be concerned?

ðŸ'‰Topics Discussed

• What is gogatsubyÅ (äº"津病)

• What is rokugatsubyÅ (六月病)

... more

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the origins of the famous custom of Japanese World Cup soccer/football fans cleaning stadiums after a match is over. Where did this custom originate? Who started it? Why do they use blue garbage bags? W... more

On this episode of Japan Station, we're joined by the first confirmed American to climb Japan's "100 famous mountains" (hyakumēzan, 百名山): Wes Lang. We also talk about his experiences climbing Japan's tallest mountains and more.

👉Topics Discussed 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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Recent Guests

Wes Lang
Creator of Hiking in Japan blog and channel; travel consultant
Hiking in Japan / Japan Travel Consulting
Episode: He climbed Japan's 100 FAMOUS mountains
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
Jennifer Bain
Toronto-based travel writer and author of articles about Kumano Kodō
Freelance travel writer
Episode: This Japanese pilgrimage should be more famous! A 5-day trip to the Kumano Kodō (plus crazy conbini socks) | Japan Station 204
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

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
    5 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
    5 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.

This Japanese pilgrimage should be more famous! A 5-day trip to the Kumano Kodō (plus crazy conbini socks) | Japan Station 204
Q: What stood out about the konbini socks tour in Osaka, and was there a guide for that experience?
The konbini socks tour was organized through Arigato Travel in Osaka, focusing on local Lawson, Family Mart, and 7-Eleven socks; having a guide helped locate limited-edition socks and provided insider recommendations on what to buy and where to eat.
This Japanese pilgrimage should be more famous! A 5-day trip to the Kumano Kodō (plus crazy conbini socks) | Japan Station 204
Q: Could you give us an idea of the itinerary and how much walking you did each day?
The first day was the hardest with several hours of uphill walking; you then had options to stop early or continue a bit more, and by the last day many chose a no-walking option, using buses to connect between sights rather than continuing on foot.
He climbed Japan's 100 FAMOUS mountains
Q: Could you tell us about the winter rescue experience?
We got lost in a poorly marked area during a winter ascent, had no GPS or reliable maps, waited through a blizzard, called for help, and eventually found a trail back to a village late at night; it underscored the importance of preparation and staying calm in emergencies.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

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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. History of Japan
2. Abroad in Japan
3. The History of English Podcast
4. Sidedoor
5. Hapa英会話 Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 229 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. Wes Lang
2. Cuauhtemoc Velazquez
3. Daniel Legare
4. Jake Davies
5. Jennifer Bain
6. Dr. Patrick W. Galbraith
7. Alex Litz
8. Ami Eldridge

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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