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PODCAST

Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio

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. Host: Tobias

society & culture

All Episodes

01:34:10

Tokyo Portfolio explains why the Japanese real estate...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/29

Today we invite back Alex from Tokyo Portfolio to talk more in depth about the changes to Japan's real estate market. Tokyo Portfolio is a team of real estate experts made by expats who specialize in real estate in Tokyo, often showcasing Japan's most expensive luxury properties on their YouTube channel. Today we go over the changes with Tokyo Portfolio over the last year since our first interview as well as the overall state of real estate in Japan and the changing view that there may be

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01:08:09

Meilyne on building GeeXPlus and the secrets to its...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/26

Today we talk to Meilyne, the director and president of Tokyo based content creator management company GeeXPlus! Meilyne and her team at GeeXPlus help bring content creators to Japan and provide various management services, and she has helped start and produce projects such as Trash Taste. Meilyne talks about getting started in this industry, what it's like moving from Tokyo to a countryside island in Japan, what management companies look for in content creators, and more.Follow

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01:08:19

Professional cosplayers in Japan need to be PERFECT...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/22

Meet Yuriko Tiger, a professional cosplayer who sits down to talk with us about her 10-year career in Japan. She tells us about her beginnings in the idol industry, her viral appearance on Japanese TV, and the challenges of being the official cosplayer for some of Japan's biggest IP.--0:00 Intro0:53 Meet Yuriko Tiger1:59 Yuriko's start doing idol dance covers4:53 Origin of the name Yuriko Tiger7:19 Being scouted as an idol12:15 Yuriko's viral moment16:42 Being a talent on Japanese TV20:36 Getting

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00:57:42

What life is like for a bunny girl hostess in Tokyo...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/15

Today we sit down with bunny girl hostess Silvie, who talks to us about what life is really like as a bunny girl in Japan. We talk about the interactions with customers, safety, explain the ranking system, and many of the questions people often think of when hearing about this unique part of Japan's culture.Follow Silviehttps://www.youtube.com/@silviethequeenhttps://www.instagram.com/silvie_the_queenhttps://www.tiktok.com/@silviethequeenFollow us on our social

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01:11:49

The adventurous life of the first J-vlogger (and why...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/12

Meet Kurt, aka @softypapa , an early j-vlogger who started uploading videos to YouTube all the way back in 2006. Kurt sits down to talk to us about his early YouTube fame, starting a business and going bankrupt in Japan, and what losing everything taught him about life.As well, he tells us about his journey moving back and forth from Japan, starting over from nothing, before finally coming back to Japan to retire.Follow Kurt: @softypapa

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01:22:26

Economist debunks Japan's "stagnant" economy

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/08

On today's episode we talk with Jesper, A.K.A the Japanoptimist, an economist with a unique perspective on Japan's current economy. Jesper is bullish on Japan's economic future and the opportunities for change that seem to be approaching quickly. Today he'll go over the reasons why he has a positive outlook despite the strong current wave of bearish perspectives that others seem to have.Follow Jesper:Follow us on our social

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01:04:15

Psychologist talks mental health issues faced by...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/05

Meet Mira, a Serbian psychologist practicing in Japan, treating foreign residents and travelled Japanese patients. She sits down to talk with us about mental health in Japan, and her work with traditional and RTT therapy.--0:00 Intro0:54 Meet Mira 1:08 What brings you to Japan 1:30 Were you interested in Japan before coming 3:38 Expectations of Japan 4:20 Psychology in Japan vs Overseas 6:24 Studying in Japan 8:21 Noticing differences in how research is understood in Japan 10:34 Pursuing a PhD in

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01:05:08

Reporting on the dark side of Japanese society, with...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/08/01

On today's episode we sit down with CNN international correspondent, Hanako Montgomery, who covers breaking news and fascinating stories in Japan & other regions of Asia. We discuss what it's like reporting on breaking news, the importance of proper journalism on society, and the intricacies that go behind covering controversial stories. Hanako has worked for not only CNN but also companies like Vice and NHK, and today she share's her insights and advice for those interested in pursuing

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00:59:08

NieR Automata singer J'Nique Nicole on performing...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/29

Today we talk to J'Nique Nicole, singer-songwriter who you may have heard from games like NieR: Automata, Final Fantasy, or Street Fighter. J'Nique tells us about her journey in Japan in the music industry, advice for those looking to pursue a career as a singer, and how NieR completely changed the trajectory of her career.Follow J'Nique

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01:01:53

How this theater instructor is saving Japan's dying...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/25

On this episode we talk with Larisa, a stage manager that founded and is director of International Stage Academy. She talks about what it's like teaching performing arts in Japan and the ways in which theater education can be improved in Japan's theater scene to help students find success. We discuss what it takes to make it to Broadway, the differences in theater education in Japan vs the West, the reasons why Japan's theater scene is struggling to grow, And how to solve these issues

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00:46:04

What life is like for immigrants working in Japan's...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/18

Follow Eillen:https://www.tiktok.com/@Eillen78Follow us on our social media:https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanSubscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global e-commerce company in Osaka? Our parent company ZenGroup is hiring! To learn more, check out

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01:04:37

Bridging Vietnamese and Japanese cultures through music

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/14

Today we talk with Khôi, founder of the rock band Kurrock which blends Vietnamese and Japanese to create a unique musical experience. Khoi explains what it's like creating a band in Japan, working with the cultural differences, navigating challenges, and finding Kurrock's musical identity.Follow Khôi and

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01:25:15

Why she quit a dream job at NASA to lead space...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/11

Today we sit down with Janelle, a former Nasa operations engineer, and current Flight Director working on lunar missions at a private space company in Tokyo. We dive into what it's like working in such high stake environments, what it takes to carry out a space mission, manning the control center, and the endless opportunities space exploration means for mankind. Hear all about her journey working with space, and also how quitting a dream job as a literal rocket scientist at NASA for an

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01:02:01

What it's like to work in Japan's hometown revival...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/08

In this episode we talk with Justin, a journalist who is based in Hokkaido working on rural revitalization programs. Justin explains the ways in which programs aim to keep lesser known rural communities alive through revitalization efforts including tourism PR, social programs, and a variety of other ways of stimulating the local economy. We also talk about what it's like living in Hokkaido with it's rich and unique cultural history, and the ways in which it can feel like an entirely

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01:23:22

How Japanese rakugo is different than Western comedy

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/04

Today we talk with Sanyutei Kouseinen, one of the few foreigner professional rakugo performers. We talk about the differences between Western and Japanese comedy, what it's like to perform the traditional Japanese art as a foreigner, and the hard apprentice journey one must take to become a rakugo storyteller.Follow Sanyutei Kouseinenhttps://www.instagram.com/sanyuutei_kouseinenhttps://www.youtube.com/@sanyuteikouseinenhttps://kouseinen.comFollow us on our social

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01:09:06

Japanese sake is the old man's drink – how can you...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/07/01

Sitting down with us today is co-founder of Heaven Sake, Carl, who is aiming to expand the Japanese sake industry in foreign markets by creating an iconic sake brand that shows off both the elegance and rich flavors of the traditional Japanese drink, as well as redefining it's image from the "old man's" drink to a more contemporary and luxurious feel. Carl talks us through what makes sake unique to other alcohols and why it can be seen as the healthiest, and most versatile of the

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01:15:53

How David Hewett became one of Japan's most famous...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/06/27

Today we're joined by David Hewett, an artist who has lived in Japan for 32 years and has become well known for his unique abstract art that has been displayed in Hotels, exhibitions, and galleries world wide. David talks to us about what it's like in the art world in Japan, what it takes to be a commercial artist these days, and the challenges he's experienced pursuing art in Japan.Follow David and check out his

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01:14:25

Why traditional Japanese boatbuilding is dying and...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/06/24

Today we talk to Douglas, a boatbuilder who specializes in building traditional Japanese boats and has made an effort to keep this seemingly dying cultural tradition alive by learning from various masters around Japan. Not only does Douglas publish his research and teach at university classes, but his expertise has also allowed him to work on FX's Shogun as a consultant for maintaining historical accuracy for the boats used on the show.Follow

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01:26:24

How Peter Barakan became Japan's most recognizable...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/06/21

Meet Peter Barakan, who you may know from NHK's Weekend Japanology (Now called Japanology Plus). Peter has hosted various TV shows as well as radio broadcasts introducing all kinds of music to both Japan and overseas. After living in Japan for over 50 years, Peter shares his experience in the industry and the various insights he learned along the way ranging from working at record labels to hosting NHK's longest running TV broadcast.Follow

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01:07:24

Visual Kei to Final Fantasy: Endigo's Journey to Japan

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/06/17

Today we sit down with Endigo, a metal singer and overall musical artist who produces music, performs vocals for video games, and blends many genres to produce a truly unique catalogue of work. Endigo explains their experience finding their niche in Japan and how Japan's take on music and genres have also helped them discover things about themselves and their style as well.Follow

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163 results

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