Unpacking Japan
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 with someone who’s carved out their own, unique place in this beautiful country.
Episodes
Japanese teacher's secret to communication, with @NihongoDekita
Meet Sayaka, a Japanese teacher known for her work on her channel Nihongo Dekita. She sits down to talk to us about her own journey to English fluency, discovering a passion for teaching language, and how she built her brand and Japanese school online.--0:00 Intro0:50 How Sayaka learned English10:26 Studying teaching abroad 22:52 Work for company hiring immigrants in Japan27:54 Starting her own te
Sitting down with the U.S.'s first manga professor
Meet Kofi Bazell-Smith, the United States' first manga professor. He sits down to talk to us about the rules, form, and history of manga, his work in teaching and cultural relations, as well as his own projects as an artist.--0:00 Intro0:50 Start in martial arts5:16 Deciding to take manga seriously10:30 Studying with a manga professor13:38 The rules of manga19:13 How this experienced changed h
Why are so many Tokyo apartments not foreigner friendly?
Meet Sandul, a real estate agent in Tokyo. He sits down to talk to us about the reality of renting, the difficulties of renting as a foreigner or student, and how to settle in as a new resident in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Sandul1:27 Scholarship in Japan10:00 Sri Lankan student association14:27 First job in Japan21:47 Start in content creation25:27 Japanese house tour videos31:29 Why do people l
The reality of being an actor in Japan
Meet Christiane, an actress based in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about her work in theatre in improv, performing for Japanese vs. English audiences, and her roles in projects like Death Stranding and Godzilla.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Christiane5:42 Coming to Japan12:52 Start in acting16:09 Start in improv25:29 Performing improv in Tokyo37:19 Role in Shin Godzilla46:10 Being scouted for Death S
The ACTUAL challenges of renovating akiya in Japan
Today we sit down again with Anton Wormann, an akiya renovation specialist and content creator based in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about his renovation projects, the legal regulations about renovations in Japan, the failure and abandonment of his Chiba farm project, and the lessons he's learned along the way.--0:00 Intro0:49 Meet Anton1:38 First commercial project7:41 Documenting the wo
What Japanese comedy school is REALLY like
Meet Dan Wilson, a Tokyo-based comedian performing manzai and stand up between America and Japan. He sits down to talk to us about going to comedy school and finding a manzai partner, signing to and leaving an agency, and the ins and outs of the Japanese comedy world.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Dan2:09 Growing up half Japanese in America8:05 Discovering Japanese comedy16:02 Going to comedy school25:09 G
How Hori Benny became Japan's best anime tattoo artist
Meet Hori Benny, a tattoo artist and owner of Invasion Club tattoo studio in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about the history and changing culture of Japanese tattoos, his own grueling apprenticeship, the challenges of running a tattoo business in Japan, and his own anime-inspired "otattoo" style.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Hori Benny7:14 JET Programme in Kagoshima14:21 Introduction to tatt
Does Japan still need nuclear?
Meet Akira Tokuhiro, a Japanese Canadian nuclear engineering professor based in Ontario, Canada. He sits down to talk to us about the current and future role of nuclear as a clean energy source, Japan's response to incidents like Fukushima, and how we can move towards carbon net zero.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Akira9:06 Interest in nuclear19:25 Types of reactors24:04 Working in Japan28:36 Japan Ato
I was a confused kid—growing up half Japanese in Thailand, with Aki Yamaguchi
Meet Aki Yamaguchi, a Thai-Japanese content creator and MC living and working between both countries. She sits down to talk to us about growing up in an international school abroad, finding her own identity and starting a visual kei band, and how her unique background led her to where she is today.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Aki1:16 International school in Thailand7:19 Embracing Japanese side11:27 Findi
What it takes to be a Japanese rickshaw driver
Meet Kenny, a rickshaw driver in Asakusa, Tokyo, who sits down to talk to us about what its like to work as one of these traditional tour guides. He tells us about his professional rugby career, his plans to open a mochi shop, and what it takes to be a rickshaw driver.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Kenny2:08 Starting as a rugby player6:25 Going pro10:37 Playing in Australia18:52 Looking back on rugby caree
Is Japan's attitude towards tattoos changing?
Meet Manami Ozakaki, an author who writes books on Japanese arts and culture. She sits down to talk to us about the history of Japanese tattoos, the artists who made them, and how Japan's tattoo culture is changing in the modern era.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Manami7:31 Moving to Japan16:23 Writing for magazines18:25 Manami's books24:53 History of Japanese tattoos29:05 Tattoo conventions34:45 I
How to ACTUALLY make a career of teaching in Japan
Meet Jake, an international school principal living in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about the reality of teaching in Japan, including what people should expect, what companies do, and how to actually build a career teaching here..--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Jake5:11 First time in Japan12:15 First experience as a teacher20:44 A career in teaching English27:38 The reality of being an ALT36:51 The rol
The reality of growing up half Indian in Japan
Meet Priyanka, an Indian-Japanese entrepreneur who sits down to talk to us about her life growing up as a hafu in Japan. She tells us about being the only hafu in Japanese school, winning Miss World Japan in 2016, her time on reality TV show Love is Blind Japan, and her work as a model and entrepreneur.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Priyanka4:46 Moving to California12:22 Moving back to Japan14:14 Bullying
Demystifying Japanese home cooking
Meet Nancy Singleton Hachisu, a cookbook author living on a rural farm in Saitama. She sits down to talk to us about coming to Japan, discovering the beautiful simplicty of Japanese farm food, and writing her cookbooks on Japanese home cooking.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Nancy5:32 Coming to Japan11:09 Impressions of the food17:12 Moving to a farm23:05 Homeschooling and edible schoolyard32:24 Writing a c
What it's like building multiple businesses in Tokyo
Meet Lauren Rose Kocher, an entrepreneur and CEO of multiple businesses in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about her journey to Japan, working in the Japanese music industry before leaving to start her own business, and inheriting businesses from her late husband.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Lauren4:30 Teaching English in Japan8:58 Entering the music industry15:09 What the music industry is like19:05
Born and raised as an Indian in Tokyo (as a film director)
Meet Ameya, an Indian director born and raised in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about growing up in Japan, her entry into the Tokyo art scene, and her work as a film director.--0:45 Meet Ameya1:20 Growing up Indian in Tokyo11:37 Realizing how society views you14:50 Joining the creative industry19:18 Stepping behind the camera23:04 Making connections28:03 Becoming a filmmaker37:14 Shooting for
The Noh professor: what even Japanese people don't understand about Noh
Meet Richard, a professor of Noh and Asian performing arts at Musashino University in Tokyo, as well as the founder and director of Theatre Nohgaku. He sits down to talk to us about the art and history of Noh, common misconceptions that foreigners and Japanese people have, and his own journey to the Noh world in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet Richard6:56 What is Noh?11:42 The yooooooooo17:24 Noh vs.
Matcha Samurai on on the state of Japan content
Meet Matcha Samurai, a Japanese creator known for his infectious laugh. He sits down to talk to us about his identity as someone from Kochi, his life abroad in London, and being a creator with the role of assumed Japanese culture expert.A big thank you to our colleagues from ZenMarket for sponsoring this episode. Interesting in buying anything from Japan? Find out more here: https://go.zenmarket.j
What it's like playing in a Japanese orchestra
Meet Harald Naess, a trumpeter for the Kyoto Symphony Orchestra. He sits down to talk to us about moving to Japan, learning Japanese while finding a common language in German, and the differences in work ethic and performance in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Harald4:14 First music study6:35 Arriving in Japan10:00 Differences playing in Japan14:05 Japanese approach to music18:39 First performance in
From salaryman to drag bar: a conversation with Japan's biggest diva
Meet Sylvia Manchester, a self-titled Natural Born Diva working as an entertainer and drag bar host in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about her studies abroad, interest in queer literature, coming out, and the birth of the Sylvia Manchester character.A big thank you to our colleagues from ZenMarket for sponsoring this episode. Interesting in buying anything from Japan? Find out more here:https
The reality of being gay in Japan ft. Will from Japan Gay Guide
Meet Will, a host and content creator for Japan Gay Guide in Tokyo. He tells us about how his love for the band Perfume brought him to Japan, what being gay in Japan is like, and his work in LGBT tourism with Japan Gay Guide.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet Will5:30 Arriving in Kagoshima10:35 Coming back to Japan17:49 Being gay in Japan vs. Sydney25:45 What is Japan Gay Guide?28:40 Japan as a safe haven32:58
The British comedian who became an honorary Kansai Japanese
Meet Lawson, a British creator who first came to Japan living in Kobe and Nishinomiya, where he quickly picked up the Kansai dialect. Now living in Tokyo, he's become known for his fluent dialect as a foreigner.A big thank you to our colleagues from ZenMarket for sponsoring this episode. Interesting in buying anything from Japan? Find out more here:https://go.zenmarket.jp/unpackingjapan--0:00
Genoa's very unique journey to Japan – from cult to Okinawa to going viral
Meet Genoa, a content creator with a very unique life that brought him to Japan. He sits down to talk to us about growing up in a cult, before leaving and eventually coming to Okinawa as an exchange student in high school, and his current life preparing for studying at language school and going viral sharing his experiences in Japan. A big thank you to our colleagues from ZenMarket for sponsoring
What it's like growing up in a "foreign bubble" in Japan
Meet Gia, a Korean born creator who grew up in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about her very multicultural and multilingual life in Japan, from international school to Waseda University.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Gia5:17 Internation school in Tokyo9:25 Applying to Waseda12:39 Growing up in a foreign bubble16:28 Student life at Waseda20:07 Studying at Waseda22:43 International school vs. university
Sitting down with Japan's most unconventional influencer
Meet Bernd Kestler, a German knitter living in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about moving to Japan in the 80s, his love for knitting, and exactly how he's established this unconventional career in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Bernd7:08 First interest in knitting12:32 Knitting in Japan14:55 Knitting full-time16:54 Knitting in Japan vs. Germany22:27 Understanding knitting designs24:03 Japanes
How Tokyo breeds third spaces
Meet James Farrer, Professor of Sociology and Global Studies at Sophia University. He sits down to talk to us his sociology study in China and Shanghai, before moving to Tokyo and finding his own community by studying the third spaces that exist in the restaurants around train stations.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet James3:32 Shanghai in the 90s8:27 Studies at Fudan University12:18 Coming to Japan15:34 Fin
How kfel became a real life magical girl
Meet Kristine aka Kfel, a Filipino Canadian content creator based in Tokyo completing what she calls "magical girl sidequests." She sits down to talk to us about her interest and subsequent internship in Japan, her journey to fluency, going viral on TikTok, and becoming a magical girl--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Kristine7:07 Internship in Japan18:47 Start in content creation20:58 Getting her fi
Journalism in Japan in the age of rising nationalism
Meet River, a correspondent for the New York Times based in Japan. She sits down to talk to us about Japan's current political and economic climate, the life of a journalist in Japan, and the role of a journalist in the age of social media.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet River4:40 Deciding to stay in Japan9:05 Being a journalist in the Trump presidency12:18 Start at WSJ and Bloomberg16:11 Being unbiased
What it takes to be a translator for Square Enix
Meet Paula, English localization lead at Square Enix in Japan. She sits down to talk to us about how she broke into the localization industry, misconceptions about game translation, what it was like to work on titles like Final Fantasy and Secret of Mana, and how she got the chance to sing for Final Fantasy XIV.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Paula2:11 Teaching on the JET Programme9:45 Start in localization
The reality of being a black woman in Japan
Meet Avril Haye-Matsui, a professor at Aichi Prefectural University in Nagoya. She sits down to talk to us about the reality of being black in Japan, raising mixed black children here, how people treat black people can vary depending on what country you're from, and --0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Avril3:36 Arriving on the JET Program9:16 Staying and moving to academia14:57 Research on identity in Japan
Why Japanese universities are becoming more international
Meet David Kornhauser, Director of Global Communications at Kyoto University. He sits down to talk with us about how Japanese universities are becoming more international, his work in science communication, and the proliferation of nobel prizes from Kyoto University.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet David3:15 Rediscovering Japanese roots9:46 International bubble universities12:41 PR for Tokyo Electric Power17
The challenges of being a single mother in Japan
Meet Dr. Harriet Ocharo, an applied AI researcher from Kenya working in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about coming to Japan on the MEXT scholarship, moving to Tokyo to work in the tech industry, and her experiences as a single mother here in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Harriet4:55 Why Japan?8:13 MEXT scholarship10:25 Arriving at a Japanese university20:17 Cultural surprises27:02 Move to Tokyo
Japanese fashion from a sociological perspective
Meet David, a writer based in Japan, who sits down to talk with us about the origins of Western fashion and culture in Japan. He tells us about how Western fashions are brought over, common misconceptions people have, and how Japanese culture actually develops over time.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet David5:04 Moving to Japan12:35 Unpacking the myth of Japanese culture23:02 Interest in fashion25:56 Evoluti
Understanding jirai-kei and Japan's fashion subcultures
Meet Yumechi, a fashion creator living in Tokyo and working for the brand ACDC RAG. She sits down to talk to us about the birth of fashion subcultures, how trends change over time, and her work in the Japanese fashion subculture world.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Yumechi2:47 Interest in j-fashion9:56 Finding a community through fashion13:06 Gyaru and lolita today15:02 What makes j-fashion trends so inter
The reality of being a mixed artist in Japan
Meet Shala, a singer, dancer, and musician who was born in Nagoya and grew up in London. She sits down to talk to us about her career across the 2 countries, and her identity as a biracial and bicultural artist.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Shala4:03 Interest in music6:54 Interest in dancing11:09 Growing up mixed in London13:16 Moving back to Japan15:48 Dance career in London25:53 How being Asian affected
What happened to PiNKII's idol career
Meet PiNKII, an artist producing what she calls "domme-pop," and former jpop idol. She sits down to talk to us about her first interest in idol culture, moving to Japan with the help of an unscrupulous man, and how she left that all behind to become the artist she is today.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet PiNKII4:33 First coming to Japan8:11 Posting her own idol dance videos11:56 Getting "disc
Sitting down with a renaissance samurai
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 Will5:15 Discovering aikido9:06 Homestay in Japan13:17 Tokyo in 197217:38 Deciding to come back to Japan21:46 Returning in the 80s24:10 Practice of marti
Sofubi: The rabbit hole of Japan's designer toy industry
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 license events, and everything that goes into creating these toys.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Cory4:58 What are sofubi?8:44 Why so many kaiju?9:54 What&#
Berry's idol life could be an anime
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 Intro0:44 Meet Berry 5:07 Berry's idol dream8:08 The SORB3T incident15:58 Turning her setback into an opportunity24:01 Debut as a soloist28:45 Are
What life in a 1970s Japanese farmhouse was like
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 Intro4:05 Living in a dojo7:48 Moving to an old farmhouse14:21 Deciding to stay long-term19:48 Life in Hamamatsu22:27 Karen's dance class24:24 Whe
How Micaela became one of the first full-time j-vloggers
Meet Micaela, a vlogger based in Fukuoka, Japan. She sits down to talk to us about going to Japanese high school and music school, working as a full-time influencer at an agency in early YouTube, and her current life in Fukuoka.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet Micaela3:05 First interest in Japan 6:25 Was Miyazaki a personal choice?8:02 High school in Japan 13:11 Why Japan became home14:36 Choosing Kyushu ove
Meet Japan's Mr. Rogers of math
Meet Peter Frankl, a Hungarian mathematician living in Japan. Peter sits down to talk to us about his life and journey to Japan, his NHK series for children, and why he thinks the Japanese have a mathematician's mindset.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Peter5:14 Arriving in Japan in 198210:08 Researching in Japan15:04 Peter's fascination with math19:51 Japanese people are kind of like mathematicians2
If you think you know Japanese music, you don't
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.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Harry7:05 Interest in Japanese music12:21 Japanese music has EVERYTHING22:18 Favorite stories26:51 How to support the scene32:12 Helping foreigners get ticke
Sitting down with Shibuya Kaho about her life as a writer & cosplayer
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.--0:00 Intro4:17 All-girls school in Japan7:57 Journalism internship11:48 Time as a sports journalist17:58 Book about the AV industry23:18 Reaction from the industry29:52 Suing the AV industr
The reality of being Muslim in Japan
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 Muslims and Muslim immigrants here.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Zhafira4:24 Growing up Muslim in Japan8:31 Going to school as a Muslim in Japan11:10 Culture sh
The reality of "Japan" content ft. @foxmaskdaze
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 mask came from.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Dani6:37 Start in content creation9:24 Content creation process13:06 Becoming a full-time creator16:52 How to stay
How safe is Japan for women? ft. eviebunniex
Meet Evie, a fashion model and content creator living in Tokyo. Evie sits down to talk to us about her interest in Japanese fashion, how Japanese styles are being taken overseas, and her own fashion and feminism content.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Evie5:44 Coming to Japan for fashion8:57 Where subcultures come from11:19 Foreign view on subcultures12:12 Moving to Japan16:35 Job hunting in Japan21:11 Star
Why early kabuki performances were banned
Meet Tove Bjoerk, a professor of Japanese culture and kabuki researcher at Saitama University, who sits down to talk to us about the history of kabuki. She tells us about the origins of kabuki performances, how it's evolved throughout the years, and the secret to why it remains so successful to this day.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Tove8:48 Interest in theatre9:56 Interest in Ichikawa Danjuro14:24 Wh
The effect of Japanese housing regulations on tourism
Meet Chai Kanda, CEO of Shiki Properties in Kyoto, who sits down to talk about Japan's short-term rental market. He talks about his work restoring machiya for vacation rentals, Japan's tourism boom, and how regulations affect Japan's tourism industry.--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Chai1:07 What brought Chai to Japan2:07 Chai’s childhood in Japan2:27 Leaving Sydney for Japan2:51 Chai’s original
The father of Japanese capitalism warned us this would happen
Meet Ken Shibusawa, an economist and great-grandson of Eiichi Shibusawa, the father of Japanese capitalism. He sits down to talk to us about moving to Japan to rediscover his roots, discovering his great-grandfather's writings, and his own finance career in social entrepreneurship and connecting Japan to Africa.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet Ken3:30 Moving to Japan9:06 Starting a finance career in the
How Sora the Troll learned to be proud to be Japanese
Meet Sora, a voice actor from Japan*, who sits down to talk to us about his life and career. He tells us about his struggles with his identity and how weebs helped him learn to be proud of his country, his journey from English teacher to voice actor and creator, and the absolute state of Japan content.*yes really--0:00 Intro0:46 Is Sora actually Japanese?4:21 How weebs changed his perception of Ja
This traditional Japanese theatre will be gone in 20 years
Meet Chloé Viatte, a French professor and bunya ningyo joruri puppeteer, who sits down to talk to us about this rare Japanese theatre. She tells us about her journey to Japan and interest in puppeteering, how these puppets are operated, and why they might disappear forever.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Chloe5:35 Planning to move to Japan7:35 First time in Japan10:03 Life in Niigata12:06 Interest in Kunio
How do Japanese people react to a foreign doctor?
Meet Osama Ibrahim, an Egyptian opthamologist practicing in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about getting his medical license here, his work as a researcher, and the challenges he's had as a foreign doctor in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet Ibrahim4:21 Coming to Japan8:07 PhD in Japan14:49 Overcoming the language barrier19:35 Getting a Japanese medical license26:03 Passing the exam30:07 Treating
Is it hard to move to Japan at middle age? ft. @ChaniJapan
Meet Chani, a teacher and content creator that sits down to talk with us about moving to Japan at almost 50. She tells us about her first homestay experience in Japan, life as a teacher bringing her students here, buying an akiya here and her big move to her next stage in life.--0:00 Intro0:44 Meet Chani2:52 Homestay in Japan6:03 Move back to Japan9:55 Moving back at 5019:34 Japanese teacher to En
Why being transgender was never an issue in Japan
Meet Luna, a model living in Tokyo who performs as a drag queen under the name Andromeda. She sits down to talk with us about being queer and transgender in Japan, and why older people keep asking her why being trans is considered an issue--0:00 Intro0:45 Meet Andromeda6:18 Moving to Japan & working at fashion company11:17 Life in the Japanese fashion industry12:54 Interest in kimono17:33 Podc
Gay Japanese monk's secret to a fruitful life ft. Kodo Nishimura
Meet Kodo Nishimura, a Pure Land Buddhist monk. He sits down to talk with us about growing up in a buddhist temple as a gay man, learning to understand himself studying abroad, and rediscovering his own calling as a monk. --Follow Kodo:https://www.kodonishimura.com/https://www.instagram.com/kodomakeup/https://www.tiktok.com/@kodomakeuphttps://x.com/kodonishimura @KodoNishimuraMakeup Follow us:ht
Peppe's long journey to becoming a published mangaka (and how Terrace House changed his life)
Meet Peppe, an Italian mangaka who gained international attention after his appearance on the reality show Terrace House. He sits down to talk with us about his journey to Japan and struggle to get published while studying Japanese and working as a fashion model, to his time on Terrace House just as he was making his debut as a serialized mangaka.--0:00 Intro0:46 Meet Peppe6:20 Deciding to move to
How Tokyo Llama found their dream house in Japan
Meet Jaya, a content creator documenting renovating his dream house in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about finding the ideal akiya, the auction process, and everything they've put into renovations so far.--Follow Jaya:www.youtube.com/@TokyoLlamahttps://www.instagram.com/tokyo_llama/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapa
Why the tea ceremony is unlike any other Japanese art
Meet Randy Soei, a tea master from Canada, who sits down to talk with us about why the tea ceremony is unlike any other Japanese art. He talks to us about his history with martial arts, the role of tea in Japanese culture, and the beauty of the tea ceremony.--Follow Randy:https://15-1a.com/https://www.instagram.com/soei151a/https://www.facebook.com/ranhoteihttps://x.com/ranHoteiFollow us:https://u
Is Japan's matcha industry a bubble?
Meet Ian, founder of e-commerce tea platform Yunomi Life, who sits down to talk with us about the state of Japan's matcha industry. He tells us about the sudden growth of the tea industry, how sustainable it is, competition from countries like China, and the whether or not the matcha industry is really a bubble.--Follow Ian:https://yunomi.life/https://www.instagram.com/yunomiteahttps://www.ins
Do Japanese baseball fans like foreign players?
Meet Trevor, a baseball journalist reporting on the Hanshin Tigers to foreign and overseas fans. Trevor sits down to talk to us about the importance of Japanese baseball, his own journey to Japan, and why Tigers fans are so passionate about their team.--Follow Trevor: https://x.com/thehanshintigerhttps://trevorraichura.substack.com/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking
What being trans in 90s Japan was like (and how it's changed today)
Meet Tiffany, an LGBTQ+ consultant & speaker, who sits down to talk with us about her life in Japan as a trans woman from the 90s to today. She tells us about her own experiences, her work in a cabaret bar, and her work as an activist and documentary filmmaker today.Follow Tiffany: https://www.tiffanyrossdale.com/https://www.instagram.com/tiffanyrossdaleofficial/https://x.com/DJTokyoHottiehttp
8 million gods: understanding Japan's unique spirituality
Meet Hiroko, an author and translator who sits down to talk to us about Japan's unique spirituality. She tells us about shinto, buddhism, and how the ubiquity of temples and jinja in Japan affects how even Japanese people perceive their own spirituality.Follow Hiroko:https://www.hirokoyoda.com/https://www.instagram.com/hi_yoda_1/https://x.com/Ninetail_foxQFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https:/
The economist behind Japan's sudden commitment to "womenomics"
Meet Kathy, an economist who coined the term "womenomics" back in 1999. Kathy sits down to talk to us about her career as an economist, her work in promoting womenomics, and her women-focused investment philosophy.Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@un
The strange logic behind Japan's constant media scandalsold
Meet Igor, an author and Japanese media scholar from Ambis University in Prague, who sits down to talk to us about Japan's history of media scandals. He talks about the social psychology behind scapegoating, the public desire for retribution, and how society's elites can play the game to their own advantage.Follow Igor:https://www.instagram.com/igorprusa/https://x.com/PrusaIgorFollow us:https://un
What it takes to be a Japanese race car driver ft. Hana Burton
Meet Hana, a Japanese-American race car driver, who sits down to talk with us about her life and career. She tells us about her journey into the racing world, cultural differences between Japan and the West, and what it takes to be a Japanese race car driver.Follow Hana:https://www.youtube.com/@hanaburtonhttps://www.instagram.com/hanubuu_https://x.com/hanubuuFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://
What you should know before opening a restaurant in Japan
Meet Alan, owner of Kyojin stewhouse in Shimane, who sits down to talk to us about the challenges of running a restaurant in Japan, and why he pivoted his business to shipping quality frozen food across the country.Follow Alan:https://www.kyojin-company.com/https://www.instagram.com/alan.kyojin.stewhouse/http://www.youtube.com/@kyojinstewhousehttps://www.facebook.com/kyojinStewhouse/Follow us:htt
How to solve Japan's overtourism problem ft. YamaTrips
Meet Tony, an entrepreneur and travel consultant who sits down to talk to us about his work helping promote tourism in rural Japanese towns. He sits down to talk to us about marketing strategies, complications of overtourism, and his own journey to and from Japan.Follow Tony: https://yamatrips.com/https://www.instagram.com/yamatrips/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpackin
The challenges of tourism for a small Japanese town
Meet Victoria, a local ambassador for Bizen, Okayama, who sits down to talk to us about her work promoting tourism for a small Japanese town. She talks about her time on the Rural Revitalization Program, her transition to independent business owner, and how she found her place as a foreigner in rural Japan.--Follow Victoria:https://www.instagram.com/letsvisitbizen_okayama/https://www.tiktok.com/@h
How underground black queer culture ended up in Tokyo
Meet Kinshasa, an American ballroom commentator, who sits down to talk to us about how underground black queer culture ended up in Tokyo. Kinshasa tells us about the history and importance of ballroom culture, how queer Japanese women brought it over to Japan, and how it evolved to be what it is today.--Follow Kinshasa:https://www.instagram.com/kinshasa_basquiatFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https
Why being a chef in Japan is so exciting
In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we meet Julien, a talented French pastry chef who turned his childhood passion for sweets into a thriving patisserie in Tokyo. From growing up in France to navigating the challenges of running a pastry shop in Japan, Julien shares his journey through culinary school, working in Michelin-starred kitchens, and adapting French techniques to Japanese tastes.Follow J
Why Ikea failed in Japan (and what we learned from it)
In this episode, we chat with Timothy an American entrepreneur and marketing expert who has spent over 30 years living and working in Japan. Timothy shares his journey from arriving with little more than a backpack to building a career in the Japanese business world, including launching his own branding agency. He offers candid insights into Japanese work culture, how trust and relationships shape
What life is like in a Japanese mountain village
Meet Emily, a documentary filmmaker working in Japan's rural revitalization program. Emily sits down to talk with us about moving to Japan and coming to terms with her Zainichi Japanese roots, what the quiet life in a Japanese mountain village is like, and her passion for foraging wild vegetables.A reminder from Emily: don't eat anything you haven’t positively identified and always forage
The Sword Specialist: Why swords are the Soul of Japan
Meet Paul Martin, one of the world's leading Japanese sword experts, who sits down to talk to us about the make and history of Japanese swords, regulations around ownership, and what we can do about Japan's disappearing art of swordmaking.Follow Paul:https://www.thejapanesesword.com/ @Paul_Martin_The_Japanese_Sword https://www.facebook.com/The.Japanese.Sword/https://www.instagram.com/thej
The harsh reality of adopting in Japan
Today we speak with Andrew, an American who became a foster and adoptive parent in Japan. He opens up about the challenges of navigating Japan’s child welfare system, cultural differences in parenting, and what inspired him to open his home to children in need. Andrew shares his personal journey, misconceptions people often have about adoption in Japan, and how he’s working to change the narrative
Tokyo Hoe Tales: How Yurie Collins is bringing stand-up comedy to Japan
In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we chat with the quick-witted half Japanese half American comedian Yurié Collins aka @babypinkhaus! Yurié opens up about her experiences growing up biracial in Japan and the US, her journey into stand-up comedy, and the cultural challenges and humor she navigates between both countries. From awkward family moments to hilarious audience interactions, this is an h
Emirichu's secret to creativity and avoiding burnout as a creator
Meet Emirichu, a popular artist and content creator known for her storytelling, animations, and deeply personal yet humorous content.From her unexpected start as a teacher to moving across the world, Emirichu opens up about adapting to life in Japan and how her art and voice have changed along the way. We also explore her anime influences, her love of fan culture, and what being an artist means to
The insane reality of video game music composers
On today's episode we talk to James, a video game music composer, to talk all about his musical journey and how it lead him to composing music for games and anime in Japan. We go over what it's like working as a western composer in Japan, joining a big company vs being independent, what makes a good song, and all the things a composer thinks about when creating music for video games.Follow
Japan's most misunderstood drink
In this episode of Unpacking Japan, we sit down with Chris Pellegrini, a leading expert on shochu and awamori, and the founder of Honest Drinks. Chris shares his journey from Vermont to Japan, how he fell in love with Japan’s traditional distilled spirits, and why shochu deserves more recognition globally.Follow Christopher:https://honkakuspirits.com/https://www.instagram.com/christopherpellegrini
History professor explains why Tokyo is built the way it is
Today we talk to Tristan, a historian and professor based in Nagoya, Japan. Tristan specializes in the history of Japanese urban development and infrastructure, and shares fascinating insights into how and why Tokyo is built the way it is. From Edo-era planning to post-war reconstruction and subway development, we explore how history has shaped the Tokyo we know today.Follow Tristan:https://x.com/
Recommended
FemTech Focus
Not Too Sensitive - Empowering Highly Sensitive People (HSPs) To Own Their Sensitivity
Mother Daughter Relationship Show
Skin Deep MDs with Dr. Mamina Turegano, Dr. Lindsey Zubritsky and Dr. Jenny Liu
girl talk 🎧🫧
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
LOVE SOMEONE with Delilah
Classical Christian Education
Veritas Vox - The Voice of Classical Christian Education
Enjoy Teaching Again | Elementary, Teacher Burnout, Student Behavior, SEL, Classroom Management
Entrepreneur Kids Legacy Show - Family Motivation, Business Boss Babies, Inspirational Speakers and Healthy fun food
McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
