Unpacking Japan

Produced by ZenStudio
  • 4.7 (3)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
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. Host: Tobias Bieker Production: A. Magdych Editing: L. Nicholas, J. Sketchley Social: J. Sketchley Design: M. Koga

  1. 2D AGO

    What it's like to work in Japan's hometown revival program as a foreigner

    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 different country from Japan. -- Follow Justin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinarandall https://justinrandall.studio.site https://www.instagram.com/justinarandall_ Follow us on our social media: https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapan Subscribe 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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 2m

  2. 6D AGO

    How Japanese rakugo is different than Western comedy

    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 Kouseinen https://www.instagram.com/sanyuutei_kouseinen https://www.youtube.com/@sanyuteikouseinen https://kouseinen.com Follow us on our social media: https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapan Subscribe 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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 23m

  3. JUL 1

    Japanese sake is the old man's drink – how can you make it "cool"?

    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 alcoholic drinks, as well as what it will take to make sake as common as wine in the global market. Follow and check out Heaven Sake:https://www.instagram.com/heavensakehttps://www.heavensake.comhttps://jp.heavensake.com/jaFollow us on our social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 9m

  4. JUN 27

    How David Hewett became one of Japan's most renowned artists

    Today we're joined by one of Japan's most renowned artists, David Hewett. David has lived in Japan for 32 years and has become well known for his contemporary art which has been displayer in galleries and hotels due to it's unique style that that blend Western and Japanese techniques. David talks to us about what it's like being an artist 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 art: https://hewett.jp/ https://hewett.jp/ja/#switch https://www.instagram.com/david.hewett https://www.youtube.com/@davidstanleyhewettsjapan7805 Follow us on our social media: https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cda https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapan Subscribe 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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 16m

  5. JUN 24

    Why traditional Japanese boatbuilding is dying and this American is their last chance to preserve it

    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 Douglas:https://www.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/https://www.instagram.com/douglasbrooksboatbuildinghttps://www.youtube.com/@DouglasBrooks-wz3fihttp://blog.douglasbrooksboatbuilding.com/Follow us on our social media:https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 14m

  6. JUN 21

    How Peter Barakan became Japan's most recognizable English TV host

    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 Peter: http://peterbarakan.net https://www.instagram.com/petebarakan/?hl=en https://x.com/pbarakan https://www.livemagic.jp/ Follow us on our social media: https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japan https://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapan https://www.x.com/unpacking_japan https://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapan Subscribe 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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 26m

  7. JUN 17

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

    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 Endigo:https://www.instagram.com/endigopinkhttps://www.instagram.com/pinkdollxoxo_https://www.youtube.com/@endigomusichttps://www.youtube.com/endigohttps://x.com/EndigoPinkhttps://x.com/pinkdollxoxo_https://www.facebook.com/endigoskybornFollow us on our social media:https://open.spotify.com/show/2YrHVOAvn4tddEGGclYMtP?si=564959cca6a74cdahttps://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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 7m

  8. JUN 13

    How being punched by a teacher in Japan changed his life forever

    Today kendo master and historical researcher, Alex, joins us to talk about his unexpected journey into the world of kendo as we deep dive into the practices and cultural background surrounding the way of the sword. Follow Alex Alex's website https://www.instagram.com/alex.bennett_budo_culture/?hl=en https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuEFJrxMVIzIix3QVD5mkUA https://www.kendo-world.com https://www.instagram.com/kendo_world https://www.twitter.com/kendoworldmag https://www.facebook.com/alex.bennett.3597789 https://budobooks.jp/ Follow 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 https://careers.zen.group/en/

    1h 33m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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 Bieker Production: A. Magdych Editing: L. Nicholas, J. Sketchley Social: J. Sketchley Design: M. Koga

Information

  • Creator
    Produced by ZenStudio
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Produced by ZenStudio
  • Show Website
    Unpacking Japan

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