Unpacking Japan

Epizode

• 
  The new shibari rope artists of Japan 18.09.2026 1h 22min

  Meet Pablo Aida, a shibari artist who's been practicing in Japan for the last 10 years. He sits down to talk to us about discovering shibari, the philosophy and history behind it, the differences between shibari and kinbaku, and the common misconceptions of this still developing art form.--0:00 Intro0:50 Coming to Japan10:44 Deciding to stay12:42 Discovering shibari19:14 Shibari apprenticeship31:57 Why tie people up?41:05 Kinbaku vs. shibari vs. BDSM47:36 Does shibari have rules?51:40 Common shibari misconceptions54:16 Shibari and the power of surrender1:07:05 Shibari overseas vs. Japan--Follow Pablo:https://www.pabloaida.comhttps://aidamethod.studiohttps://www.instagram.com/pablo.shibariFollow 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/
• 
  Undertale translator explains EN to JP localization 15.09.2026 1h 20min

  Meet Keiko Fukuichi, a Japanese freelance translator, who sits down to talk to us about her experience translating games, particularly indie darlings Undertale and Hades. She talks to us about nuances of Japanese translation, the biggest challenges she's had, and her experiences studying abroad and learning English.--0:00 Intro0:50 How Keiko learned English5:10 Studying at Florida high school11:20 Deciding on translation as a career13:40 Translation school18:28 Interest in book translation23:44 Experience as a gamer25:35 First game translation project27:21 Limitations translating games to Japanese28:40 Taking on Undertale project30:12 Translating Papyrus33:40 Limitations of not using kanji38:41 Keiko's translation philosophy40:35 Translating puns, jokes, and memes43:54 Working with Toby "Radiation" Fox45:11 Translation workflow48:37 Do you play your own work?49:48 Translating Hades52:33 Translating old English55:41 Can you use difficult kanji?1:00:14 Translating with voice acting1:02:38 Changes in translation industry over 20 years1:06:07 Dealing with slang1:08:38 Looking back1:09:42 Are you worried about AI?1:12:55 Do you have time to play games?1:16:01 Studying vocabulary for Return of the Obra Dinn1:17:42 Is interest in foreign indie games growing?--Follow Keiko:https://www.instagram.com/keiko.fukuichi/https://www.facebook.com/keiko.fukuichihttps://x.com/keiko_fukuichihttps://note.com/kfukuichiFollow 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/
• 
  Is it actually possible to start a business in Japan as a foreigner now? 11.09.2026 1h 12min

  Meet Ray, an entrepreneur running a ryokan in Toyama. He sits down to talk to us about his experience in the hospitality industry, his interest and move to Japan, and his challenges establishing a business under the government's new regulations.After recording our interview, Ray thought it would be important to share his visa status. That segment has been added to the beginning of the interview for context.--0:00 Intro0:50 Ray's visa situation3:48 30 days to leave8:46 What now?11:27 Main interview—Why Japan?18:04 Finding a property to buy23:36 Business manager visa25:34 Bringing family to Japan28:46 Coming to Japan for Ray's children35:39 The real work begins37:01 Hotel licenses in Japan40:57 Building a team in Japan44:28 Setting up a restaurant/bakery47:57 Navigating the language barrier53:00 Joining the community in Toyama56:37 How Ray financed his hotel59:14 What he's learned since arriving1:01:32 Why you should visit Toyama--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/
• 
  Should non-residents be allowed to buy Japanese homes? 08.09.2026 1h

  Meet Derek, co-founder of YukiHomes, a service that helps people overseas buy cheap homes in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about his own journey buying an akiya in Japan and running a business from overseas, as well as how YukiHomes fits into Japan's problems with depopulation and gentrification.--0:00 Intro0:50 Buying their first home in Japan7:14 Skiing in Japan vs. the U.S.12:28 Why Japan?14:18 Discovering akiya18:49 Regulations on rental properties26:36 Why buy property in Japan?29:21 Should foreigners be allowed to buy property?32:19 Building community businesses34:15 Operating a business from overseas41:20 Getting stopped at the airport44:42 The "right" way to buy akiya?49:14 Aging ski infrastructure52:14 Dealing with an old Japanese house55:22 Next steps--Follow Derek:https://www.yukihomes.comhttps://www.instagram.com/yukihomesjapan @YukiHomes 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/
• 
  The problem with Japanese mainstream media 04.09.2026 2h 26min

  Meet Martin Fackler, a journalist and author based in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about his career in China and Japan, what went into reporting his biggest stories, and the problems with Japan's kisha club system.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Martin8:50 Advantages of a foreign journalist15:48 Journalistic autonomy29:20 Japanese bank extortion story37:42 Managing information as a journalist44:23 The Hainan incident49:15 Running from the Chinese police55:08 Responsibility to international conflict59:54 The Japanese banking crisis1:09:45 Responsibility as Tokyo Bureau Chief1:15:34 The Fukushima disaster1:31:45 Journalism vs. safety1:40:53 Why don't we know what happened?1:46:33 Failure of the Japanese media1:56:07 The Japanese press oligarchies2:06:28 Social media's influence on journalism2:19:28 Why AI can't do journalism2:22:53 Looking ahead--Follow Martin: https://x.com/martfackFollow 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/
• 
  Why Japan's jazz cafes are more important than ever 01.09.2026 1h 16min

  Meet Philip, an author and photographer who's spent years documenting Japan's jazz kissa, who sits down to talk to us about his work and the cafes he's explored in his book. He tells us about the history and culture of jazz kissa, and the growing interest in analogue culture.--0:00 Intro0:50 Coming to Japan on JET10:40 What he learned as a JET teacher19:54 Starting photography in Yokohama22:39 The importance of Bebop Square32:02 Next photography projects36:05 Documenting jazz kissa45:25 Origin of jazz kissa51:02 Why jazz kissa are so special59:34 Are jazz kissa dying?1:02:30 Looking back1:10:06 Future projects--Follow Philip:https://www.philiparneill.com/https://www.tokyojazzjoints.com/https://www.instagram.com/philiparneill/https://www.instagram.com/tokyojazzjointsFollow 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/
• 
  What it's like to live with invisible illnesses in Japan 28.08.2026 46min

  Meet Hanna, an activist who has been living with chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome, as well as PTSD. She sits down to talk to us about her experiences living with invisible illness in Japan, and her views on Japan's medial and social welfare systems.--0:00 Intro0:26 Some context from Tobi2:32 Meet Hanna3:14 When her pain started5:13 Response from doctors7:40 Realizing her situation is not normal9:39 Breaking free from her family12:27 What are Hanna's illnesses?13:50 Understanding her own life15:08 Starting social media17:37 Japanese health care/social support20:04 Daily life for Hanna23:13 Hanna's medication24:37 Social media response26:26 Has Hanna's messaged reached researchers?28:58 What should change in Japan?32:12 Starting a GoFundMe38:31 Hanna's goals39:59 Hanna's dreams42:14 How Hanna experiences pain44:41 Dealing with prejudice45:44 Message from Hanna--Follow Hanna: @hanna_with_pain https://www.instagram.com/hanna_with_painhttps://www.tiktok.com/@hanna_with_painFollow 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/
• 
  How did anime get so popular overseas, when Japanese companies did not care? 25.08.2026 1h 33min

  Meet Roland Kelts, an author known for his book Japanamerica: How Japanese Pop Culture Has Invaded the U.S. He sits down to talk to us about the anime industry and the spread of Japanese pop culture overseas, as well as his work on the upcoming documentary Tezuka: God of Manga.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Roland4:29 Building a stronger connection to Japan8:55 Joining the JET Programme to write about Japan15:20 Living alone in Japan24:04 Leaving Japan to build a career29:43 Writing Japanamerica36:40 Studying Tezuka and anime40:22 How otaku brought anime overseas45:34 The 4Kids incident47:49 Has the anime industry changed over 20 years?55:58 The Tezuka documentary1:00:14 Why Tezuka was so influential1:03:27 How Tezuka came to be1:06:44 Challenges of producing a documentary1:11:08 Looking back1:21:39 The power of pop culture1:26:03 The world viewed from Japan--Follow Roland:https://www.instagram.com/rolandkelts/https://x.com/rolandkeltshttps://www.japanamericabook.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/
• 
  Japanese teacher's secret to communication, with ⁨@NihongoDekita⁩ 21.08.2026 1h 7min

  Meet Sayaka, a Japanese teacher known for her work on her channel Nihongo Dekita. She sits down to talk to us about her own journey to English fluency, discovering a passion for teaching language, and how she built her brand and Japanese school online.--0:00 Intro0:50 How Sayaka learned English10:26 Studying teaching abroad 22:52 Work for company hiring immigrants in Japan27:54 Starting her own teaching company30:53 Growth on social media38:41 Hiring her own teachers40:37 How to make online lessons succeed49:05 Should you learn by watching TV?52:29 How to get fluent in a language57:02 Learning vocabulary1:04:54 Looking back--Follow Sayaka:https://nihongodekita.com/ @NihongoDekita https://www.instagram.com/nihongodekita/https://www.facebook.com/nihongodekita/https://www.tiktok.com/@nihongodekitaFollow 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/
• 
  Sitting down with the U.S.'s first manga professor 19.08.2026 1h 11min

  Meet Kofi Bazell-Smith, the United States' first manga professor. He sits down to talk to us about the rules, form, and history of manga, his work in teaching and cultural relations, as well as his own projects as an artist.--0:00 Intro0:50 Start in martial arts5:16 Deciding to take manga seriously10:30 Studying with a manga professor13:38 The rules of manga19:13 How this experienced changed him22:50 Manga as an academic art form26:48 Manga can be anything29:28 How Tezuka brought filmmaking to manga34:20 Becoming the manga professor37:52 Manga as a cross-cultural art form43:34 Is there a market for foreign manga?49:36 Kofi's manga53:39 Publishing manga57:28 Working with Japanese manga schools1:01:54 Exhibiting manga in an art gallery1:06:13 Kofi's work in US-Japan cultural relations--Follow Kofi:https://www.kofimanga.comFollow 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/
• 
  Why are so many Tokyo apartments not foreigner friendly? 14.08.2026 1h 9min

  Meet Sandul, a real estate agent in Tokyo. He sits down to talk to us about the reality of renting, the difficulties of renting as a foreigner or student, and how to settle in as a new resident in Japan.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Sandul1:27 Scholarship in Japan10:00 Sri Lankan student association14:27 First job in Japan21:47 Start in content creation25:27 Japanese house tour videos31:29 Why do people let you film their house?34:30 Start in real estate industry38:20 Foreigner friendly apartments?42:54 Biggest surprises in real estate47:07 What makes a good property?49:24 How long it takes to rent54:06 Where Sandul lives57:05 Sandul's favorite stories1:04:50 What people should know about his interviewees--Follow Sandul:https://www.instagram.com/sandulvinsuka/https://www.instagram.com/vinsuka.fromtokyo/https://www.instagram.com/japanhometours/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/
• 
  The reality of being an actor in Japan 11.08.2026 1h 13min

  Meet Christiane, an actress based in Tokyo. She sits down to talk to us about her work in theatre in improv, performing for Japanese vs. English audiences, and her roles in projects like Death Stranding and Godzilla.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Christiane5:42 Coming to Japan12:52 Start in acting16:09 Start in improv25:29 Performing improv in Tokyo37:19 Role in Shin Godzilla46:10 Being scouted for Death Stranding49:45 Performing motion capture56:40 Looking back1:01:04 Support group for female actors in Tokyo1:09:28 The magic of theatre--Follow Christiane:https://www.christianebrew.com/https://www.instagram.com/christianebrew/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/
• 
  The ACTUAL challenges of renovating akiya in Japan 07.08.2026 1h 19min

  Today we sit down again with Anton Wormann, an akiya renovation specialist and content creator based in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about his renovation projects, the legal regulations about renovations in Japan, the failure and abandonment of his Chiba farm project, and the lessons he's learned along the way.--0:00 Intro0:49 Meet Anton1:38 First commercial project7:41 Documenting the work9:43 The Chiba farmhouse13:26 The dream waterfall house16:05 Chiba farmhouse failure21:38 Lessons learned25:22 What you should know about akiya30:45 How to buy akiya responsibly33:52 How the tax system creates akiya36:38 Tokyo's anti-renovation legislation40:18 Anton's Japandi company43:16 Getting a real estate license48:56 Renovating the waterfall house1:01:34 How much did it cost?1:06:00 Next steps1:09:39 The power of social media1:13:04 Looking back--Follow Anton: @ANTONINJAPAN https://www.instagram.com/anton.injapanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@antoninjapanhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100091063962376-https://www.antoninjapan.comhttps://www.japandihouses.comhttps://www.japandirealestate.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/
• 
  What Japanese comedy school is REALLY like 31.07.2026 1h 21min

  Meet Dan Wilson, a Tokyo-based comedian performing manzai and stand up between America and Japan. He sits down to talk to us about going to comedy school and finding a manzai partner, signing to and leaving an agency, and the ins and outs of the Japanese comedy world.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Dan2:09 Growing up half Japanese in America8:05 Discovering Japanese comedy16:02 Going to comedy school25:09 Getting signed27:48 Manzai is a marriage33:48 Being funny as a non-native40:55 The reality of comedy agencies45:56 Social media & Japanese comedy53:54 Going independent1:01:48 Performing in English vs. Japanese1:12:01 Looking back1:15:35 How to do dirty comedy well--Follow Dan:https://www.instagram.com/danielywilsonhttps://www.tiktok.com/@danielywilson @Badonkadonk_official @SUPERGREATTIMETOKYO 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/
• 
  Tattoo artist explains traditional Japanese apprenticeships 28.07.2026 1h 31min

  Meet Hori Benny, a tattoo artist and owner of Invasion Club tattoo studio in Japan. He sits down to talk to us about the history and changing culture of Japanese tattoos, his own grueling apprenticeship, the challenges of running a tattoo business in Japan, and his own anime-inspired "otattoo" style.--0:00 Intro0:50 Meet Hori Benny7:14 JET Programme in Kagoshima14:21 Introduction to tattoo culture20:31 Tattoo apprenticeship in Osaka32:12 First time tattooing someone35:26 What makes a good tattoo44:22 Opening Invasion Club studio46:24 History of Japanese tattoos50:27 Japanese police vs. tattooers56:25 Otattoo style1:03:33 Benny's tattoo philosophy1:10:55 Taking on an apprentice1:14:32 Expanding to Tokyo1:22:23 Looking back1:26:40 What's next--Follow Hori Benny:https://horibenny.com/https://invasion.club/https://www.instagram.com/horibenny/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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  Does Japan still need nuclear? 24.07.2026 1h 33min

  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 1h 6min

  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 56min

  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 1h 12min

  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 1h 15min

  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/