Produced by ZenStudio

Unpacking Japan

Society EN ↓ 231 episodes

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 BiekerProduction: A. MagdychEditing: L. Nicholas, J. SketchleySocial: J. SketchleyDesign: M. Koga

Author

Produced by ZenStudio

Episodes

Everything you need to know about buying anime figures in Japan 22.09.2023 1:09:02

Meet Rodrigo, a figure collector living in Osaka, who tells us about his journey to Japan, his love of figures, and the unique Japanese second-hand market. Follow Rodrigo: https://www.instagram.com/bojapon/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://you...

The history of veganism in Japan 17.09.2023 1:02:10

Meet Alin, a vegan activist from Germany, who teaches us about how his vegan lifestyle has evolved in a city known for its seafood-centric cuisine. Follow Alin: www.vegjp.com https://www.facebook.com/groups/VeganActionsJapan/ https://instagram.com/veganactionsjapan https://instagram.com/kantanvegan Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacki...

Understanding the history of the Japanese tea ceremony 08.09.2023 1:15:41

Meet Olga, a tea ceremony master from Russia, who teaches us about the intricacies of this traditional art, as well as her own journey from student to master. Follow Olga on her social media: https://www.instagram.com/olyats4/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpac...

The struggles of being a female DJ in Japan 01.09.2023 53:30

Meet DJ Itssu, an Indonesian-Japanese artist who shares the challenges of working and performing in Japanese nightlife, as well as her own experiences as a foreigner in Japan. Follow Itssu on her social media: https://www.instagram.com/itssuofficial_/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https...

Fashion designer breaks down Japanese streetwear 25.08.2023 1:04:47

Meet Zane, an American fashion designer living in Osaka, who teaches us how he blends traditional Japanese clothing with modern aesthetics. Follow Zane's business on his social media: https://www.instagram.com/hinomaru_jpn/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpa...

What life is like running a Tiki bar in Japan 18.08.2023 1:05:32

Brandon and Kim sit down with us to share their experiences running the only Tiki bar in the Kansai area, and the challenges they face as small business owners in Japan. Find Brandon and Kim's business here: https://www.instagram.com/thekazanroom Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https...

Why Japan struggles with entrepreneurship — Building a femtech company in Japan 11.08.2023 1:01:50

Meet Anna, the CEO and founder of Japanese FemTech company Flora, who shares her challenges running a business as a foreign woman in Japan's tech industry. Find Anna's business here: https://www.flora-tech.jp/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapa...

The challenges of developing esports in Japan 04.08.2023 1:08:44

Meet Alexander, an event planner specializing in esports, who teaches us about the challenges and future of the industry in Japan. Follow Alexander: https://www.instagram.com/alexander_ito_ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpacki...

Japanese vs. Western drag — interview with a foreign drag queen in Osaka 28.07.2023 51:49

Drag Queen KiraKira shares her journey into Osaka's drag scene as a foreigner in Japan. Follow KiraKira: https://www.instagram.com/kirakira_ofcl/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts Subscribe for more in-dep...

Why flying cars could be the future of Japan — Urban Air Mobility 21.07.2023 1:04:33

Meet Asa, founder of startup Urban Air Mobility, who shares his journey and challenges as an entrepreneur in Japan. Follow Asa: https://skyscape.site/ https://www.instagram.com/skyscape.site/ https://twitter.com/SkyScapeKK https://www.linkedin.com/company/skyscapejapan/ https://www.facebook.com/skyscape.jp/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.c...

What life is like running a cafe in Japan 14.07.2023 1:01:41

Meet Jacky, an American barista and coffee roaster, who shares his challenges living and working as an expat in Japan, as well as his view on the future of the Japanese coffee industry. Follow Jacky: https://www.instagram.com/yukicoffeefarm/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tik...

The Challenges of IRL Streaming in Japan 07.07.2023 1:00:50

Lito Cruz from ALitoBitofJapan shares the challenges he faces as an IRL streamer broadcasting from Osaka, Japan. Follow Lito: https://www.youtube.com/@ALitoBitofJapan https://www.instagram.com/alitobitofjapan/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https:/...

Everything you need to know before buying a car in Japan 30.06.2023 58:31

Meet Rory, a Canadian expat, who sits down to teach us about the challenges of obtaining a driver's license and buying and owning a car in Japan. Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts Subscribe for more in-dep...

What being queer in Japan is REALLY like 23.06.2023 52:11

Meet Klepto, who sits down to teach us about the current state of LGBTQ rights and acceptance in Japan, and the challenges LGBTQ people face here. Follow Klepto on her social media: https://www.instagram.com/kleptodayo/ https://twitter.com/kleptoyade Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https:...

How this foreigner used YouTube to break into the Japanese music industry ft Dr. Capital 16.06.2023 1:12:31

Meet Dr. Capital, an American music teacher making educational videos for his Japanese YouTube channel, who sits down to share with us his experiences breaking into the music industry and writing a book in Japanese. Follow Dr. Capital: https://www.youtube.com/@DrCapital https://www.instagram.com/dr.capital/ Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.co...

The struggles of finding transgender healthcare in Japan 10.06.2023 1:01:59

Meet Chari, a nonbinary individual, who shares their challenges living and receiving gender healthcare in Japan. Follow us on our social media: https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Follow us on our social media: https:...

The challenges of doing street photography in Japan 02.06.2023 54:31

Meet Noel, a British street photographer, who shares his challenges living and working in Japan, as well as the philosophy behind his art. Follow Noel on his social media: https://www.instagram.com/shidareyanagi/ https://www.facebook.com/shidareyanagi1 Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan http...

What you REALLY need to succeed as a musician in Japan 26.05.2023 46:58

Meet Winz, an American singer and musician, who shares his challenges breaking in to the Japanese music industry. Follow Wiz: https://www.instagram.com/winz40/ https://winzworld.amebaownd.com/pages/5240522/profile https://www.facebook.com/winbtjr https://lalaenglish.amebaownd.com Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://w...

From 4 to 400 employees in 10 years – life as an entrepreneur in Japan 20.05.2023 42:25

Meet Slava, CEO of ZenGroup, who shares his journey as an entrepreneur building a company from 4 to 400 employees over the course of 10 years. Check out ZenGroup: https://zen.group/ https://zenmarket.jp/ https://zenpop.jp/ https://zenplus.jp/ https://lp.zenplus.jp/zenpromo-overseas-promotion-service Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpac...

How this Bulgarian man became one of Japan's most popular photography YouTubers 12.05.2023 42:38

Meet Ilko, a portrait photographer who shares his challenges living and working in Japan, as well as growing one of Japan's biggest photography channels. Follow Ilko: https://www.youtube.com/@ilkoallexandroff/ https://www.facebook.com/ilko.allexandroff.photography https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilkoallexandroff/ https://www.instagram.com/ilkoallexandroff/ https://twitter.com/ilkoallexandrof Fo...

What it's like running a retro game bar in Osaka's liveliest nightlife district 05.05.2023 42:13

Meet Matt, a retro game bar owner in Osaka, who shares his challenges running a business over 12 years in Japan. Check out Matt's bar: https://www.instagram.com/spacestationosaka/ https://www.facebook.com/SpaceStationOsaka Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpac...

Japanese idol fan meets are crazy 28.04.2023 47:55

Meet Yin Chi, a jpop fan living in Osaka, who tells us about her experiences in Japanese idol concerts and fan meets. Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japa...

Japanese vs. western cosplay scenes 26.04.2023 50:10

Cosplayer Klepto breaks down Japan's cosplay scene and shares her personal challenges cosplaying in Japan. Follow Klepto: Twitter: https://twitter.com/kleptoyade Tumblr: https://kleptocos.tumblr.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kleptodayo/ A few of the many cosplayers Klepto admires: Gelus https://twitter.com/gelus_noise https://www.instagram.com/gelus_noise/ Masan https://twitter.co...

Everything you need to know about gambling in Japan 20.04.2023 1:04:17

Meet Rory, a gambling expert, who shares his insights on Pachinko, Crane games, and Japan's unique gambling market. Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in J...

HR professional explains how to survive the Japanese job market 17.04.2023 49:30

HR professional Charley breaks down the ins and outs of the Japanese job market. Follow us on our social media: https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts Subscribe for more in-depth discussions about life in Japan! Interested in working at a global...