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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

01:11:34

40 years of crazy stories from a Japanese wedding singer

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/31

Today we talk to Greg Irwin, a voice actor, MC, and wedding singer living in Japan. Greg shares what it’s like to hear your own voice all over Japan—from train stations and commercials to iconic roles like Street Fighter. We also dive into the experience of voicing characters that become part of people’s childhoods, his journey into Japanese voice acting, and the cultural quirks of working in Japan’s entertainment industry.Follow Greg:https://www.gregvoice.net/https://www.youtube.com/@gregjapan

en

01:14:42

How Japanese pop culture conquered the world ft. Matt...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/28

Today we talk with Matt Alt, a writer, translator, and long time resident of Japan who you may recognize from appearances on Japanology. Matt shares how his childhood fascination with Japan shaped his life and career, and reflects on cultural changes, soft power, and the evolving image of Japan around the world.Follow Matt:httpes://www.mattalt.comhttps://www.instagram.com/altmattalthttps://www.youtube.com/@AltMattAlthttps://www.x.com/Matt_Althttps://www.blog.pureinventionbook.comFollow

en

01:04:10

What life is like after 20 years as a professional...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/24

Today we talk to Jenn, a professional mahjong player and content creator based in Japan. She shares her journey into the world of Japanese mahjong, what sets it apart from other styles, and what it's like to be part of a male-dominated gaming industry in Japan. From the cultural nuances of the game to building a career around a passion, Jenn breaks down the tiles and the taboos in this insightful episode.Follow

en

00:58:59

The challenges of doing business between Africa and...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/21

Today we talk to Serges, a multi-business entrepreneur based in Japan. He shares his journey from Africa to Japan, and how he founded companies like Dove Innovations and Japan Connect, which bridges Japanese and international businesses through strategic partnerships. We dive into the cultural differences in business practices between Africa and Japan, entrepreneurship as a foreigner, and building a meaningful network in Japan’s corporate world.Follow

en

00:48:23

What it's like to gain citizenship after growing up...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/17

On this episode we talk to Idai, a successful model in Japan, even being featured in Vogue. We talk about her unique experience growing up black in Japan and how she became comfortable in her own skin. We also talk about her model career and the various ways in which things differ for her in Japan as opposed to other Japanese models.Follow Idai:https://www.instagram.com/idaishe_ohttps://www.instagram.com/ales_shopFollow

en

00:59:21

More people should know about Japan's gun martial art

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/14

Today on Unpacking Japan, we’re joined by Matt, a gunner and Japanese interpreter from Matsumoto, Japan, with deep knowledge of Japan’s lesser-known gun history. We dive into the fascinating and world of guns in Japan—from the first introduction of firearms to samurai warfare, to how guns were eventually restricted and removed from everyday life. Matt breaks down the unique relationship Japan has had with firearms over the centuries and how that has shaped modern perspectives.Follow

en

00:55:55

Japanese MMA is actually insane

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/10

On this episode we talk with Stephane, an MMA fighter in Japan. Stephane goes in depth about being an MMA fighter, like what it's like to learn various kinds of fighting styles, dieting for weigh ins, the business side of getting fights and making money, as well as how MMA culture and rules are different in Japan.Follow Stephane:https://www.instagram.com/smashmuayhttps://www.facebook.com/SmashMuayThaiFollow us on our social

en

00:52:17

Why people love Japanese bento boxes

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/07

Today we talk to Thomas, entrepreneur from France who came to Japan and started Bento & Co. a business aimed at selling bento's online for an overseas market. Thomas also founded his next business Shipping & Co., and today we'll talk about what it takes to be a successful entrepreneur in Japan and how to follow through on your ideas for businesses.Follow

en

01:40:00

The writer who brought the world's attention to...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/10/03

In this episode we talk to writer and photographer Craig, who talks about getting his books published in Japan, how to be a respectful tourist in Japan, and how going on long walks can cure many of life's ailments.Follow Craig:https://craigmod.com/https://www.instagram.com/craigmod/https://bsky.app/profile/craigmod.comFollow us on our social

en

01:26:05

What can we ACTUALLY do with abandoned Japanese...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/30

Today we talk to entrepreneur Matt, who shares with us his diverse experiences during his Journey in Japan including moving here because of music, creating his own hot sauce, surviving a tsunami during the 3-11 disaster, and his passion for revitalizing rural communities and akiya.Follow Matt:https://www.mkultraman.com/https://www.instagram.com/matthewbketchumFollow us on our social

en

01:16:23

How Tokyo Lens finds Japan's most interesting people

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/26

Today we sit down with Norm from Tokyo Lens to talk about his 20+ year journey starting from a sudden passion for the shamisen, turning it into a profession, and how it then evolved into the content creation he is doing to this day. Norm shares with us his story, as well as the many lessons he's learned about being a creative and pursuing a life where you explore your own self interests.Follow

en

01:22:57

What people don't understand about the anime industry

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/23

Today we talk to Bellamy, an animator and character designer living in Japan who has worked on projects such as the animated series The Digital Circus. We explore what it takes to produce an episode with a team of animators, stereotypes about the anime industry, and what it takes to draw anime "authentically".https://www.bellamybrooks.com/https://www.instagram.com/bythebelle/https://www.x.com/bythebelleFollow

en

01:02:46

What it takes to be a published manga author in Japan

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/19

On this episode we talk to Linnea, a Manga illustrator based in Tokyo who illustrates for series such as Idol Royale. We dive into her journey becoming a full-time illustrator in Japan and what it's like breaking into the competitive manga industry. Linnea also shares what it's like working with publishers and all the things an illustrator needs to consider when creating manga panels.Follow Linnea and her

en

00:50:25

How Wakkyai gaslit Japan into thinking cap throwing...

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/16

Today we sit down with Wakkyai, a Japanese comedian and content creator who grew up in California before returning to Japan. Wakkyai shares what it’s like to grow up in Japan with an international background. We explore his experiences teaching Japanese, how he navigates identity and culture, and the unique challenges and rewards of living in Japan as someone who’s both an insider and outsider.Follow

en

01:10:14

What people don't understand about otaku culture ft....

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/12

Today we sit down with Tristan, founder of Kaikoku Ko. and Around Akiba TV, and talk about his love for exploring Akihbara's unique culture. We'll discuss the unique cultural experiences that have evolved in Akihabara, the different ways it has changed over the years, and Tristan's journey creating his own business in Japan.Follow Kaikoku and Around

en

01:20:01

Matt vs. Japan's secret to Japanese fluency

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/09

On this episode we talk with Matt from ⁨@mattvsjapan⁩ to talk about his method for efficiently reaching fluency in a language, and his personal journey to becoming known as one of the best Japanese speaking Westerners online.Follow Matt:https://www.youtube.com/@mattvsjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/mattvsjapan_/https://x.com/mattvsjapanhttps://www.skool.com/mattvsjapan/about?ref=e3fd412621664aebb2953a273e3dbab2Follow

en

01:08:51

Ryokan owner shares the secret to Japanese hospitality

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/05

Today we talk to Tyler, the owner of a traditional Japanese ryokan in Gunma Prefecture. We discuss what it’s like running a ryokan as a foreigner in Japan—from building an outdoor onsen bath by hand, to navigating guest expectations and preserving Japanese hospitality culture. Tyler also shares stories of trial, error, and joy that come with life in the Japanese countryside.Follow Tyler:https://kamesei.jp/enhttps://www.instagram.com/kameseiryokanFollow

en

01:11:25

Architect explains Tokyo's unique skyline

Unpacking Japan ·

2025/09/04

In today's episode we talk to Astrid, an architect who talks to us about the journey of becoming an architect in Japan, the differences in regulations in Japan vs the West, and the rewarding feeling of leaving an architectural mark on a city.Follow Astridhttps://www.klein-dytham.com/https://www.instagram.com/klein_dytham_architectureFollow us on our social

en

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

en

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

en

161 results

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