Unpacking Japan

Епизоди

• 
  Does Japan still need nuclear? 24.07.2026 1ч 33мин

  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 Atomic Energy Agency30:58 Japan's reactors33:51 Nuclear safety and earthquakes37:12 What happened at Fukushima39:38 Government response44:05 How reactors are shut down54:06 Restarting reactors56:08 Life cycle of a nuclear plant58:28 Problems with prolonged shutdown1:00:50 Current public opinion1:05:54 Nuclear's role in carbon net zero1:14:22 Regaining confidence in nuclear1:19:42 Developing nuclear technology1:21:49 Expanding global nuclear energy1:28:00 How to educate about nuclear--Follow Akira:https://x.com/TokuhiroAkiraFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  I was a confused kid—growing up half Japanese in Thailand, with Aki Yamaguchi 21.07.2026 1ч 6мин

  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 Finding her own style13:20 Starting a band20:38 Bringing the band to Japan25:50 Start of MC career31:33 Covid and growing on TikTok44:32 Addressing stereotypes online47:40 Aki's unique opportunities50:40 Branching out to English content59:22 Content between languages1:03:01 Aki's message to the dreamersFollow Aki: @akinoyuutsu https://www.instagram.com/akinoyuutsuhttps://www.tiktok.com/@aki_yamaguchihttps://www.facebook.com/akinoyuutsupage/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  What it takes to be a Japanese rickshaw driver 17.07.2026 56мин

  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 career21:53 Mochi shop26:30 Becoming a rickshaw driver33:04 Work as rickshaw driver36:52 Tour guide in & out of Tokyo43:37 Working with rickshaw company45:10 Secret to good service49:37 Plans for mochi shop51:43 Most difficult skill for rickshaw drivers--Follow Kenny:https://www.instagram.com/asakusa_rickshawhttps://www.tiktok.com/@kenny_rickshawFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  Is Japan's attitude towards tattoos changing? 14.07.2026 1ч 12мин

  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 Is perception of tattoos changing?37:35 The beauty of tattoos42:26 Japanese tattoo artists59:28 How to find artists1:05:06 Japanese book culture--Follow Manami:https://www.maki23.comhttps://www.instagram.com/manami.tokyoFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  How to ACTUALLY make a career of teaching in Japan 10.07.2026 1ч 15мин

  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 role of teaching companies43:12 Teaching licenses48:00 Becoming principal1:02:11 What people should know1:06:15 What should change--Follow Jake: @jakejapanjapan Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  The reality of growing up half Indian in Japan 07.07.2026 1ч 28мин

  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 in Japanese schools25:53 Becoming a model30:51 Entering Miss World Japan34:57 The elephant trainer thing40:27 Winning as a hafu50:56 Start as an entrepreneur1:03:03 Love is Blind1:16:35 Moving to London1:20:22 Learning ikebana1:25:02 Looking back--Follow Priyanka:https://www.instagram.com/priyankayoshikawa/https://open.spotify.com/show/4iVGYMYvEtksY766NhicEq?si=b20f3f83bbcf4ba0https://x.com/priyayoshikawa @AuthenticallyMe-podcast Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  Demystifying Japanese home cooking 03.07.2026 1ч 21мин

  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 cookbook38:54 What you should know about Japanese food43:11 How to incorporate Japanese ingredients51:03 Publishing a book in Japan1:07:04 Current projects1:16:27 Where to start with Japanese cooking--Follow Nancy:https://www.nancysingletonhachisu.com/https://www.instagram.com/nancyhachisu/https://www.facebook.com/nancy.hachisuFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  What it's like building multiple businesses in Tokyo 30.06.2026 1ч 29мин

  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 Cyndi Lauper earthquake story31:50 Working at Sony44:50 Moving on47:32 Establishing her own company51:15 The COVID jackpot58:00 Expansion and burnout1:03:52 Having to leave her own company1:09:13 Lauren's late husband1:12:44 Starting a new company1:15:10 Converting defunct family business1:21:26 Looking back1:25:32 Husband's businesses--Follow Lauren:https://www.laurenrosekocher.com/https://www.instagram.com/laurenrosekocher/https://www.tiktok.com/@laurenrosekocherhttps://laurenrosekocher.substack.com/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  Born and raised as an Indian in Tokyo (as a film director) 26.06.2026 1ч 19мин

  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 big brands45:25 Differences shooting in Japan50:58 Ameya's first movie56:10 The creator economy1:02:35 Gaining confidence as a creator--Follow Ameya:https://ameya.click/https://www.instagram.com/ameya.click/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  The Noh professor: what even Japanese people don't understand about Noh 23.06.2026 1ч 34мин

  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. Kabuki20:14 Origins of Noh22:50 Where plays come from30:31 Richard's start in Noh35:30 Noh actor families41:05 Noh instruments47:57 Writing the book on Noh51:39 Popularity of Noh59:49 The Noh stage1:04:43 Modern Noh plays1:07:08 English Noh plays1:10:30 Noh masks1:23:17 Appreciating Noh--Follow Richard:https://www.theatrenohgaku.org/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  Matcha Samurai on on the state of Japan content 19.06.2026 1ч 5мин

  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.jp/unpackingjapan--0:00 Intro1:07 Meet Matcha Samurai3:14 Interest in studying abroad6:02 Arriving in London10:32 Start as creator13:08 Role as defacto culture expert17:40 Thoughts on "JaPaN" as a Japanese21:42 Why he doesn't monetize his videos23:26 Career in London25:40 Trying not to get cancelled31:25 Topics he avoids33:14 On his unique laugh39:52 Looking back on 10 years in London47:11 Kochi people are different51:46 Where to go in Kochi56:47 Why everywhere in Japan is so different59:12 Looking back1:03:01 What to know coming to Japan--Follow Matcha Samurai: https://www.youtube.com/@matcha_samuraihttps://www.tiktok.com/@matcha_samuraihttps://www.instagram.com/matcha_samuraiFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  What it's like playing in a Japanese orchestra 16.06.2026 1ч 15мин

  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 Japan24:00 Why Harald was selected28:12 Music is like noodles33:04 Impactful performances39:59 Orchestra group dynamics44:10 Bringing a younger audience45:17 Teaching Japanese students57:47 Looking back59:29 Sailing in Japan1:04:05 Getting a license1:08:56 Sailing experiences1:11:30 Why moving here was easy--Follow Harald:https://www.facebook.com/kyototrumpet/https://www.instagram.com/kyotoviking/https://open.spotify.com/artist/2xLfjz5BJ3y6LzJZP0YFIO?si=QMojHzocS52j8axopG12vgFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  From salaryman to drag bar: a conversation with Japan's biggest diva 12.06.2026 1ч 11мин

  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://go.zenmarket.jp/unpackingjapan--0:00 Intro1:07 Meet Sylvia Manchester6:35 First interest in drag7:54 Being gay in Tokyo vs. Britain12:10 Starting drag in Japan14:02 Queer literature and gay identity22:08 Start in drag bar24:54 Being closeted in a Japanese office27:37 Becoming a professional drag queen32:16 Golden Gai 35:45 Interest in Chanson41:30 Birth of Sylvia Manchester43:29 Busking in Tokyo47:15 Finding a place in the Tokyo drag community50:00 Translating Chanson to Japanese51:43 What Golden Gai is like58:32 Balancing drag and normal personas1:00:36 The Sylvia Manchester queendom1:03:40 Sylvia's literature reviews--Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  The reality of being gay in Japan ft. Will from Japan Gay Guide 09.06.2026 51мин

  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 Planning what to publish38:01 How views on LGBT have changed41:52 Where to go in Japan46:55 What's next--Follow Will: @willbennett2000 https://www.instagram.com/willbennett2000/https://www.tiktok.com/@willbennett2000Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  The British comedian who became an honorary Kansai Japanese 05.06.2026 1ч 5мин

  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 Intro1:07 Meet Lawson4:36 Learning Japanese7:41 Studying Japanese in university10:19 Coming to Japan16:11 Becoming a salaryman25:18 Origin of name Honmani Lawson29:51 Move to comedy videos36:39 How Japanese comedy works 41:42 Reacting to videos as a foreigner43:22 Learning Japanese comedy48:08 Does this interfere with your job?52:14 How comedy changed his life in Japan54:30 Looking back58:31 Impact of his platform--Follow Lawson: @honmanilawson https://www.instagram.com/honmanilawson/https://www.tiktok.com/@honmanilawsonhttps://honmanilawson.com/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  Genoa's very unique journey to Japan – from cult to Okinawa to going viral 02.06.2026 1ч 2мин

  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 this episode. Interesting in buying anything from Japan? Find out more here: https://go.zenmarket.jp/unpackingjapan--0:00 Intro1:07 Growing up in a cult5:07 Reactions to cult story9:55 Interest in Japan study abroad13:02 Arriving in Okinawa17:26 Life in Okinawa21:14 Japanese high school25:43 Comparisons to American school33:42 Going viral41:28 Thoughts on social media career48:02 Genoa's view on "Japan" content51:21 Consulting Japanese on his comedy53:09 Working with brands56:04 Language school in Japan --Follow Genoa:https://www.instagram.com/genoaorion/https://www.tiktok.com/@genoaorion@genoaorionFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  What it's like growing up in a "foreign bubble" in Japan 29.05.2026 58мин

  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 in Japan26:17 University life29:46 Content interviewing other students33:40 Transitioning to full-time creator36:02 Japanese vs. foreign viewers39:44 Waseda vs. other universities43:32 Looking forward46:02 Being Christian in Japan51:56 Seoul Sista podcastFollow Gia: @gialores  https://www.instagram.com/gialores/https://www.tiktok.com/@gialores Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  Sitting down with Japan's most unconventional influencer 26.05.2026 1ч 20мин

  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 Japanese knitting designs28:33 Guiness record blanket for Tohoku37:07 First knitting book42:29 Japanese yarn44:28 How the book affected his career46:51 Translating knitting concepts to Japanese49:36 Collaboration with Komeda Coffee54:10 Knitting creative projects58:55 Japanese color palettes1:01:30 Those spiky things on the table1:08:51 Looking back1:16:29 Knitting innovation--Follow Bernd:http://berndkestler.com/ ⁨@BerndKestler⁩ https://www.instagram.com/berndkestler/https://www.facebook.com/bernd.kestler/https://linktr.ee/berndkestlerFollow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  How Tokyo breeds third spaces 22.05.2026 1ч 12мин

  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 Finding community in Tokyo18:14 The reality of Midnight Diner21:20 Experiences as an outsider28:42 Differences in Tokyo neighborhoods33:53 Street food in Japan?37:02 James's NHK program41:42 Differences between Tokyo and Shanghai46:23 Foreigner-run restaurants50:50 Challenges telling stories on TV55:10 Kabukicho nightlife59:30 How comparable are Tokyo and Shanghai really?1:02:36 Have you found your place in Tokyo?1:09:24 The paradoxical freedom of big cities--Follow James:https://www.nishiogiology.org/https://www.instagram.com/japanfoodresearch/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesfarrer/Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/
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  How kfel became a real life magical girl 19.05.2026 1ч 24мин

  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 first sponsor26:52 The struggle of bringing cats to Japan33:09 How Kfel got so fluent41:47 Moving to Japan43:55 Finding a community here48:17 How Japan changed her videos50:34 How girl walk in Tokyo56:28 Working with GeeXPlus1:01:12 Advice for aspiring creators1:04:05 Getting into cosplay1:07:40 What's next1:09:57 Kfel's favorite anime1:13:07 What makes a good anime?1:15:28 Kfel's struggle with identity--Follow us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/unpackingjapanhttps://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshortshttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/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/