Japan Station: A Podcast About Japanese Culture & the Japanese Language
Helping you understand everything you should know about Japan.
Interviews with Japan experts, deep dives into Japanese culture and society, and plenty of laughs; every episode host Tony R. Vega sheds light on a different aspect of Japan. Whether you're planning a visit to Japan, learning Japanese or just have a passion for all things Japan, we've got something for you!
Common topics include
・Japanese culture
・Deep dives into the Japanese language
・Japanese history
・Japanese food
・Japan travel tips
・Japanese pop culture: anime, manga, movies, etc
・The stories of foreigners living in Japan
・And more!
Episodes release on the 1st and 21st of the month.
You can reach us via email: [email protected]
About Tony R. Vega
Tony R. Vega is the founder of JapanKyo.com, creator of The Anime Linguist YouTube channel, professional MC, and lifelong Japan enthusiast. He has a particular passion for the Japanese language which led him to obtain an M.A. in Japanese language and linguistics from the University of Hawaii. Tony is also legally blind and dedicated to raising awareness of the blind and visually impaired, as well as the problems these individuals face.
- Update frequency
- every 12 days
- Average duration
- 47 minutes
- Episodes
- 184
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2025
Telling Time in the Edo Period! Obscure Japanese Vocabulary & Etymology | Japan Station 156
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about vocabulary and phrases related to telling time during the Edo Period! This is a surprisingly deep and interesting topic no matter whether you're …
Japan's DEADLY Treat: MOCHI Explained! | Japan Station 155
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about one of Japan's most iconic foods: mochi. Learn all about the history, lore and consumption practices of this important Japanese food!
👉Topics Dis…
Supernatural Stories from JAPAN (Kevin O'Shea) | Japan Station 154
On this episode of Japan Station, supernatural stories, Japanese folklore, Japanese urban legends and more with Kevin O'Shea, host of the Supernatural Japan podcast.
👉Topics Discussed- About the Sup…
Eikaiwa vs JET vs University Teaching: Which is the better English teaching job in Japan? | Japan Station 153 (Rebroadcast)
Originally released on 3/21/2024 as pisode 80 of Ichimon Japan.
On this episode of Ichimon Japan we talk about what the best kind of English teaching in Japan is: Eikaiwa, JET Programme (ALT) or univ…
How a J-Pop Star's Stomach Hair Resulted in a NEW Japanese Word (The Origins of Gyarandu/ギャランドゥ) | Japan Station 152
On this episode of Japan Station, I dig into the history of a fascinating example of Japanese slang: gyarandu (ギャランドゥ). This is a Japanese word that means refers to the patch of hair some people have…
Preserving Japan's SHOKUNIN Culture (Michael Magers) | Japan Station 151
On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to photographer and journalist Michael Magers. Michael has spent over a decade documenting shokunin (artisans/crafworkers) across Japan. During that time has …
What it's like running a bar in TOKYO! (Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky) | Japan Station 150
On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it's like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo…
The ORIGINS of "NEKO!" Digging into the ETYMOLOGY of the Japanese Word for "CAT" | Japan Station 149
On this episode of Japan Station, I examine the mysterious origins of the Japanese word for cat: neko. Trust me, there's a whole lot more to say about the topic than you might think!
👉Topics Discusse…
Murakami Haruki on FILM: A Guide to the Movie Adaptations of Japan's Most Famous Novelist (Marc Yamada) | Japan Station 148
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the many film adaptation of the works of Haruki Murakami, Japan's most well-known and commercially successful novelist.
👉Topics Discussed- Why is Haru…
What is ODEN? A Deep Dive into a Classic Japanese Winter Food | Japan Station 147
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about oden, one of Japan's most popular winter foods.
👉Topics Discussed- What is oden?
- Where to buy oden in Japan?
- What are the common igredients of oden?
- T…
This CLOSED Kyoto Hotel Let Me Stay the Night! Here's What Happened! | Japan Station 146
On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about what it was like staying at a new Kyoto hotel before it opened.
👉Topics Discussed- About Fushigina Yado
- Where Fushigina Yado is located
- About the theme…
3 Obscure Japanese Dishes You MUST Try! | Japan Station 145
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about three obscure Japanese dishes you need to try next time you're in Japan.
👉Topics Discussed- What is teppan spa (teppan supa, 鉄板スパ)?
- What is teppany…
A Guide to Japanese Hotels! Tips & Tricks for Japan Travelers | Japan Station 144
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about hotels in Japan! This episode will give you all the information you need to know before you come visit Japan. Plenty of tips, tricks and basic in…
The Senkaku Islands: What You Should Know (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 143
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Senkaku Islands with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge.
👉Topics Discussed- What and where are the Senkaku Islands? (尖閣諸島, senkaku shotō)
- About the history of…
Perilous Wagers: Gambling, Dignity, and Day Laborers in 21st-Century Tokyo (Klaus K.Y. Hammering) | Japan Station 142
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about life in Sanya--Tokyo's infamous day laborer district--with Klaus K.Y. Hammering.
👉Topics Discussed- What it is like being a day laborer in Tokyo's …
Why "Anime" Should be a Regional Designation | Japan Station 141
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the need for Japan to make the word "anime" a regional designation. The guest is Matt Alt, author of Pure Invention: How Japan's Pop Culture Conquered …
What is Dreamlapse Japan? A Talk with Photographer Gavin Heffernan | Japan Station 140
On this episod eof Japan Station, we talk to filmmaker and dark sky photographer Gavin Heffernan about his recent Japan-focused project Dreamlapse Japan.
👉Topics Discussed- About Dreamlapse Japan
- Ab…
That Time I Walked to Hiroshima from KYOTO! Tales from the Miyajima Challenge | Japan Station 139
On this episod eof Japan Station, we talk about some of the interesting things I experienced during my latest 400 km walk from Kyoto to Miyajima (Miyajima Challenge).
👉Topics Discussed- About the Mi…
The Past & Future of Earthquakes & Disasters in Japan (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 138
On this episod eof Japan Station, Dr. Robert D. Eldridge returns to talk about natural disasters in Japan, his work on Operation Tomodachi during the aftermath of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, Japan's …
10 Japanese Abbreviations & Contractions To Know! | Japan Station 137
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about Japanese abbreviations/contractions, give 12 examples and discuss their origins.
👉Topics Discussed- About abbreviations and contractions in Japanese
- A…