Countless short breaks have been canceled, and summer holidays too, with the coronavirus pandemic. If you canceled your travel plan to the land of the rising sun and dream about your next journey, we’ve got something for you. Whether you want to learn more about Japan or just bored looking for something to do, these podcasts will provide you with knowledge, entertainment, and discovery about the country. Have a look through and see if there’s something for you!
JAPAN 2.0
Two guys podcasting about the obscure side of Japan you haven’t heard about but probably should.
Listen to: Tokyo Extravaganza: Part 2 – Shibuya, Harajuku, and Omotesando Walking and Talking HERE
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VOICES IN JAPAN
On the Voices in Japan podcast, discover what Japan is REALLY like with Burke and Ben, two expat friends, who live in Japan. On the podcast, every week, they share their personal stories and experiences of life there. They talk about all sorts of topics such as customs, traditions, special holidays, food, sports, and much much more.
Listen to: Sex Establishments in Japan (with Japanese Comedian Meshida) HERE
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HERITAGE RADIO NETWORK
What is Japanese food? Sushi? Ramen? Kaiseki? What about Izakaya? What exactly are they? Akiko Katayama, a Japanese native, New York-based food writer, and director of the New York Japanese Culinary Academy, will tell you all about the real Japanese food and food culture. Her guests will range from a sake producer whose family has centuries of sake-making history, to a great American chef who pushes the envelope of Japanese cuisine. Japanese cuisine is demystified here!
Listen to: What Is Special About Japanese Food Culture? Former Private Chef To The Ambassador To Japan Caroline Kennedy explains how she came across while she worked as the chef for the American Ambassador to Japan, why she decided to stay in Japan when the job was completed, what is special about Japanese culture for her, and much, much more! HERE
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SAMURAI ARCHIVES JAPANESE HISTORY PODCAST
Japanese history, from ancient Japan to the end of the Samurai and all points in-between culture, warfare, literature, and interviews. Simply stated, their mission is to bridge the gap between the popular and the academic, and to bring the world of academic Japanese history accessible to a wider audience through discussion of topics and authors in an informative but informal manner.
Listen to: EP161 The 2019 Shuri Castle Fire P1
In late 2019, Shuri Castle in Okinawa burned down in a fire. Multiple buildings were burned, as well as a whole host of irreplaceable cultural artifacts. Dr. Travis Seifman talks about the history of the castle, what was lost, and what the castle means to the Okinawans. HERE
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DISRUPTING JAPAN
Disrupting Japan is the first and largest startup podcast in Japan where you can hear from people who are changing Japan from the bottom up. They tell a story that is optimistic, creative, and insightful and of course completely different for what we hear from the officials.
Listen to: Why Japan’s Geisha are disappearing in the social media age. HERE
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THE JAPANOFILES PODCAST
This podcast, which began in 2009, presents interviews that have been recorded in Japan. Most of the interviewees are native English-speaking foreign residents of Nagano Prefecture who live in the greater Matsumoto area. They share their stories about living and working in Japan. The host of this Japan podcast, Dave Carlson, is a long-time resident of Matsumoto.
Listen to: Episode 74: Life in Togura Kamiyamada. Tyler Lynch drops by to talk about life in Togura Kamiyamada, a hot-spring resort area about 40 miles NE of Matsumoto. Besides running a traditional Japanese inn, Tyler has also been involved in many interesting projects to help promote tourism and local businesses. HERE
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UNCANNY JAPAN
Author and American expat, Thersa Matsuura, uses her fluency in Japanese to research into the unique parts of the culture that are little known to western audiences such as legends, folktales, and superstitions.
Listen to: Bon Odori: Dancing with the Dead
Bon Odori or Bon Dancing is a summer tradition held all over Japan. It’s a chance for families to get together and have an enjoyable time dancing to rhythmical music. Seeing as how the Obon season is also when ancestors visit from beyond the grave, they, too, can take part in the festivities if they wish. HERE
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LEARN JAPANESE POD
Learn Japanese Pod is a podcast that teaches you natural Japanese that native speakers use. No boring Japanese textbooks allowed.
Listen to: Podcast 32: Making dinner plans with a friend
In this podcast, Ami and Alex teach you how to make dinner plans with your friends in natural fluent Japanese. You’ll also learn how to talk about a restaurant or bar you always go to. HERE
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TRASH TASTE
Trash Taste is a highly anticipated anime podcast exploring anime, manga, and otaku culture with top anime YouTubers Joey from The Anime Man, Garnt from Gigguk, and Connor from Cdawgva, and occasionally special guests.
Listen to: The Most BORING Anime | Trash Taste #14 HERE
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