

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

Oct 7, 2025 • 52min
Why people love Japanese bento boxes
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 Thomas:https://en.bentoandco.com/https://www.shipandco.com/en/https://www.instagram.com/bentoandcojapanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@bentoandcojapanhttps://www.facebook.com/BentoandcoJapanFollow us on our social media:https://unpacking.jp/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/

Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 40min
The writer who brought the world's attention to underrated Japanese cities
This session features Craig Mod, a writer and photographer based near Kamakura, known for his dedication to documenting underrated Japanese cities. He shares insights on respectful tourism, the joys of long walks in Japan, and how these pursuits have influenced his literary career. Craig discusses his journey into indie publishing, creating tactile books, and the challenges of translating his work for international audiences. He also recalls striking encounters on his walks and the importance of promoting lesser-known locales in Japan.

Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 26min
What can we ACTUALLY do with abandoned Japanese buildings?
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 media:https://unpacking.jp/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/

Sep 26, 2025 • 1h 16min
How Tokyo Lens finds Japan's most interesting people
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 Norm:https://www.youtube.com/tokyolenshttps://www.youtube.com/TokyoLensExplorehttps://www.instagram.com/tokyo_oneFollow us on our social media:https://unpacking.jp/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/

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 23min
What people don't understand about the anime industry
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 us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://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/

Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 3min
What it takes to be a published manga author in Japan
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 work:@keikokuplinneakataja.comhttps://www.instagram.com/keikokup/https://www.x.com/keikokuphttps://www.tiktok.com/@keikokup?lang=enhttps://www.patreon.com/keikokupFollow us on our social media:https://unpacking.jp/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/

Sep 16, 2025 • 50min
How Wakkyai gaslit Japan into thinking cap throwing is a real sport
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 Wakkyai:https://www.youtube.com/@wakkyaihttps://www.instagram.com/wakkyaihttps://x.com/wildkumadaFollow 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/

Sep 12, 2025 • 1h 10min
What people don't understand about otaku culture ft. @AroundAkibaTV
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 Akiba:https://kaikoku.co.jp/en/home/https://www.facebook.com/KaikokuJPhttps://www.youtube.com/@kaikoku7490https://www.instagram.com/kaikokujp/https://www.youtube.com/@AroundAkibaTVhttps://www.instagram.com/aroundakibatvhttps://x.com/aroundakibatvhttps://www.twitch.tv/aroundakibatvhttps://www.facebook.com/aroundakibatvFollow 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/

Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 20min
Matt vs. Japan's secret to Japanese fluency
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 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/

Sep 5, 2025 • 1h 9min
Ryokan owner shares the secret to Japanese hospitality
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 us:https://unpacking.jp/https://www.youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://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/