

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

Sep 22, 2023 • 1h 9min
Everything you need to know about buying anime figures in Japan
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Sep 17, 2023 • 1h 2min
The history of veganism in Japan
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.comhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/VeganActionsJapan/https://instagram.com/veganactionsjapanhttps://instagram.com/kantanveganFollow us on our social media:https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Sep 8, 2023 • 1h 16min
Understanding the history of the Japanese tea ceremony
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Sep 1, 2023 • 54min
The struggles of being a female DJ in Japan
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Aug 25, 2023 • 1h 5min
Fashion designer breaks down Japanese streetwear
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Aug 18, 2023 • 1h 6min
What life is like running a Tiki bar in Japan
Join Brandon and Kim, American Tiki Bar Owners in Japan, as they share their journey in opening a Tiki bar in Kobe. They discuss their fascination with Tiki culture, challenges of running a bar in Japan, managing business and cocktail development, building a Tiki community, engaging in a Tiki trivia game, exploring an iconic Tiki bar in the US, and the history and significance of the Kon Tiki expedition.

Aug 11, 2023 • 1h 2min
Why Japan struggles with entrepreneurship — Building a femtech company in Japan
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Aug 4, 2023 • 1h 9min
The challenges of developing esports in Japan
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Jul 28, 2023 • 52min
Japanese vs. Western drag — interview with a foreign drag queen in Osaka
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/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/

Jul 21, 2023 • 1h 5min
Why flying cars could be the future of Japan — Urban Air Mobility
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/SkyScapeKKhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/skyscapejapan/https://www.facebook.com/skyscape.jp/Follow us on our social media:https://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://www.instagram.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.x.com/unpacking_japanhttps://www.tiktok.com/@unpackingjapanhttps://youtube.com/@unpackingjapanshorts 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/