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
The Shimabara Rebellion, Yokai and More! (Charles Kowalski) | Japan Station 136
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Shimabara Rebellion, yÅkai and more with the author of the Simon Grey books, Charles Kowalski.
👉Topics Discussed- What is the Shimabara Rebelli…
The Etymology of TAMAGO and Other Egg Stuff (Japanese Plus Alpha 01) | Japan Station 135
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the etymology of the Japanese word for egg (tamago) and other interesting quirks of this word! Note: This is actually an episode of Japanese Plus Alpha…
The Tale of Genji Explained (Dr. Lynne Miyake) | Japan Station 134
about, it's its significance and its fascinating manga adaptations.
👉Topics Discussed- What The Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari) is about
- The historical significance of The Tale of Genji
- The influen…
10 Words Only in Japanese DEBUNKED?! | Japan Station 133
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about 10 words that only exist in Japanese and how Japanese may not be as unique as you think it is.
👉Topics Discussed- x
- x
- What komorebi means and what it…
The Weak Yen & Rural Japan: Why They Matter | Japan Station 132
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the importance of revitalizing rural Japan, the negative impact of the weak yen on Japan, and more with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge.
👉Topics Discussed- Wha…
Japan's UNBELIEVABLE DOG Pilgrimages | Japan Station 131
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about how dogs in Japan used to go on religious pilgrimages (maybe?).
👉Topics Discussed- About religious pilgrimages in Japan
- About the 88 temple pilgrimage…
MY NEXT BIG ADVENTURE! The Miyajima Challenge Explained! | Japan Station 130
On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about the Miyajima Challenge: my upcoming walk from Kyoto to Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture.
👉Topics Discussed- About the Miyajima Challenge
- Why I am walki…
Osaka ComicCon: Should You Go? | Japan Station 129
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about Osaka ComicCon. Is worth attending? What should you expect? Listen to find out!
👉Topics Discussed- About Osaka ComicCon
- What you should expect at Osak…
Walking Historical Kyoto with Phillip Jackson | Japan Station 128
On this episode of Japan Station, writer and Kyoto expert Phillip Jackson tells about some great walking areas in Japan's ancient capital city. WARNING: This episode will make you want to go to Kyoto…
10 Japanese Words I Learned from ANIME | Japan Station 127
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about Japanese words we learned by watching anime.
👉Topics Discussed- How you can use anime, manga and video games to learn Japanese
- And more!
Why Japanese Folklore MATTERS! | Japan Station 126
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about Japanese folklore with Thersa Matsuura of the Uncanny Japan podcast.
👉Topics Discussed- About Japanese folklore
- About yokai
- About Japanese superstitio…
Unexpected Japanese Word Origins: FART | Japan Station 125
This time we're taking a deep dive into the history of the Japanese word for fart: onara. Where did it come from? What is its true meaning? What is its link to a secret ancient language spoken hundre…
The Real Reason I Walked from Kyoto to Tokyo | Japan Station 124
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about why I decided to walk the old Tokaido Road in 2023 and the impact it had. This episode features a speech I did for the 2024 state convention of the Haw…
Why Learning Japanese is POINTLESS (for most..) | Japan Station 123
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about why you shouldn't try to learn Japanese.
Topics Discussed- How AI and translation software are making it unnecessary to learn Japanese
- How learning Ja…
How Akira Toriyama Changed the World & My Life | Japan Station 122
On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the manga creator Akira Toriyama and his impact on the world and my life.
Topics Discussed- About the passing of manga creator Akira Toriyama
- About th…
We Bought a Geisha House! About Geisha House Atami | Japan Station 121
On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking to the owners of Geisha House Atami and learning about what it's like to buy an old house in Japan, restore it and more!
Topics Discussed- About Geish…
My 3 Worst Japanese Mistakes | Japan Station 120
On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about the worst 3 mistakes I made while learning Japanese.
Topics Discussed- About the history of Kabosu the Shibainu and the Doge meme
- About three of the wo…
Why there's a DOGE statue in Japan! | Japan Station 119
On this episode of Japan Station, we learn about the new statue of the famous Kabosu the shibainu (a.k.a. Doge) that was erected in Sakura City, Chiba Prefecture. Are you ready to go on "the Doge Pil…
Happy New Year 2024! | Japan Station 118.5
Subscribe to the JapanKyo YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/@japankyonews Watch the Tokaido Challenge video series
Part 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYU41Z0G4Uc&t=6s
Part 2
5 TIPS to Make Your Japan Trip GREAT!😊| Japan Station 118
On this episode of Japan Station, licensed travel guide Miyuki Seguchi shares 5 travel tips that will help you make the most out of your next visit to Japan.
Topics Discussed- What the process is l…