Japan Station helps you understand Japanese culture, language, and society on a deeper level. Hosted by The Anime Linguist, Tony R. Vega, the show features expert interviews and deep dives into topics you won't find anywhere else—sometimes with ridiculous tangents.
Each episode dives into everything from Japanese language and linguistics to history, food, travel, and pop culture. You'll also hear stories from foreigners living in Japan, giving perspective on life in the country beyond the usual guidebook tips. Whether you're learning Japanese, planning a trip, or just passionate about Japan, each episode delivers insight, humor, and useful information.
Topics we explore include:
・Japanese culture and society
・The Japanese language (learning, linguistics, nuance)
・Japanese history and traditions
・Food, regional specialties, and travel tips
・Anime, manga, and pop culture
・Experiences of foreigners living in Japan
・And much more
Contact: mail@japankyo.com
About the host
Tony R. Vega is the founder of JapanKyo.com and creator of The Anime Linguist YouTube channel. He holds an M.A. in Japanese language and linguistics from the University of Hawaii and has hosted Japanese-language content for native speakers. As a legally blind creator, Tony advocates for accessibility while offering a perspective on Japan and its language that few can match.
Site
RSS
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
How I got my CHEAPEST Japan ticket EVER! | Japan Station 183
Episode 183
Friday, November 14, 2025 • Duration 30:12
On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about how I was able to save money on airfare for my latest trip to Japan. I also share how I almost lost money due to a luggage issue and I talk about why regional JR passes can save you lots of money while traveling in Japan.
👉Topics Discussed
How I get the cheapest plane ticket to Japan ever
About smartfares.com
Why you should check how many bags you are allowed to check in on a flight
About regional JR passes and why they can be better than the national JR pass
Use my Mobal affiliate link to get a 10% discount on their voice & data plan. Their voice & data plan is perfect for those who want a Japanese phone number while in Japan. Using this link gets you a discount and it provides me with a small commission which I use to fund JapanKyo.
88 Digging Up Japanese Lost Media: Discussing Saki Sanobashi, the Mysterious Akihabara Tape & More (Alex from Sakura Stardust)
Episode 88
Friday, April 1, 2022 • Duration 44:40
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking with Alex from the Sakura Stardust YouTube channel. She tells us about Japanese lost media and digs into some specific examples like Saki Sanobashi and the mysterious Akihabara cassette tape.
About Alex (Sakura Stardust)
Alex runs the popular YouTube channel Sakura Stardust. In her videos Alex focuses primarily on Japanese lost media. She has covered everything from internet mysteries to lost anime and more.
Topics Discussed
How Alex from the Sakura Stardust became interested in Japan and the Japanese language
The evolution of the Sakura Stardust YouTube channel
The abundance of lost media videos and creators on YouTube
About Japanese lost media
The case of the mysterious Akihabara cassette tape
Dealing with copyright issues as a YouTuber covering Japanese media
About Totally Not Mark's copyright problems with Toei Animation
About Saki Sanobashi (Go for a Punch)
Whether we think Saki Sanobashi exists
Finding a recording of the NHK show Monster School
About Sazae-san
Alex (Sakura Stardust)'s process for doing research in Japanese
Japanese internet slang
About visiting Japan
Future plans for the Sakura Stardust YouTube channel
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
87 Uncovering the World's Oldest Shark Attack: A Chat w. J. Alyssa White
Episode 87
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 • Duration 54:08
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about archaeology in Japan and the case of Tsukumo No. 24, the world's oldest known shark attack. Our guest for this episode is J. Alyssa White from the University of Oxford.
About J. Alyssa White
J. Alyssa White is a PhD candidate in Archaeology at the University of Oxford. Her research focuses on. Her research focuses on the trauma found in skeletal remains from the southwestern Japanese archipelago during the end of the Jōmon hunter-gatherer period through the early Yayoi agricultural period (ca. 2500 BC – 250 AD). She is also one of the researchers who worked ont he fascinatingly unique case of Tsukumo No. 24 (the world's oldest known shark attack).
Topics Discussed
How J. Alyssa White became interested in archaeology, Japan and the Japanese language
Kyoto University's collection Jōmon era remains
How J. Alyssa White got started in the fields of Japanese archaeology and biological anthropology
About Japanese archaeological site reports
Discovering the remains of Tsukumo No. 24
Archaeological sties in Japan
Characteristics of archaeological sites in Kyushu
Burial practices (pit burials, shell mounds) in prehistoric Japan
Archaeology in Japan
What we can learn from skeletal remains
About the case of Tsukumo No. 24
How it was determined that Tsukumo No. 24 was likely killed by a shark attack
What injuries the remains of Tsukumo No. 24 exhibits
Jōmon era ritual tooth extraction
J. Alyssa White's research on the changes and violent conflict seen during the transition from the Jōmon to the Yayoi periods
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to , a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
86 J-EN Translations: Chatting About Learning Japanese, Translation & More w. Jenn O'Donnell
Episode 86
Tuesday, March 1, 2022 • Duration 53:05
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about translation, learning Japanese and more with translator/podcaster Jenn O'Donnell.
About Anna Lughezzani
Jenn O'Donnell is a Japanese to English translator and podcaster. She lives in Osaka where she works as a Localization Director for a video game company. She also produces the podcasts The Translation Chat and Otafu Susume.
Topics Discussed
About how it was that Jenn began learning Japanese
Working on farms in Fukuoka
Learning Japanese as someone with dyslexia
On the struggle to get work as a Japanese-English translator
On becoming a freelance Japanese to English translator
About some of the pitfalls often seen in media translation
False friends in Japanese/English
Denotation vs connotation
Examples of some Japanese to English translations Jenn enjoys
About the Miracles at the Namie General Store translation
About the English translation of The Miracles at the Namiya General Store
About the English translation of the All You Need Is Kill novel
About translating a novel vs manga/anime/light novels
About The Translation Chat podcast
About the Recommendation from My Otaku Spouse (Otafu Susume) podcast
About The Faraway Paladin (Saihate no Paradin)
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
To keep up to date with Jenn and her projects, make sure to follow her on Twitter. Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
85 The Japanese Job Hunt Grind: On Shūkatsu & Gender (Anna Lughezzani)
Episode 85
Tuesday, February 15, 2022 • Duration 51:23
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about Japan's stressful job hunting process (shūkatsu) and how it--along with work in general--can be even more stressful and difficult for women in Japan.
About Anna Lughezzani
Anna Lughezzani, PhD candidate in anthropology at University of Padova, Ca' Foscari University of Venice and University of Verona (Italy).
Topics Discussed
The stressful and rigid nature of the job hunting process (shūkatsu) for new graduates in Japan
About group job interviews
About why many traditional Japanese companies prefer hiring newly graduated university students rather than experienced workers
About the hierarchical nature of many traditional Japanese companies
About motherhood protection rhetoric (boseihogo) and its role in shaping Japan's dual career track system
How Japanese companies used the dual career track system to discriminate against women
How people in the managerial career track in Japan often have to endure getting relocated to different branches/offices of the company
How overtime is often expected from those in the managerial career track in Japan
How women in Japan are expected to abide by different rules when going through the job hunting process
How women are expected to wear makeup in a particular way when going through the job hunting process and being interviewed
About how some women navigate the job hunting process and white collar work in Japan
About the idea that information about parental leave and childcare related matters is not relevant to men
About researching setsumeikai and the job hunting process in Japan
How foreign companies and start-ups are offering those seeking jobs in Japan a different and more progressive way of doing things
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to , a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
84 Discussing Hiroshima, Hawaii, & Akiya (Abandoned Japanese Houses) w. J.J. Walsh of Seek Sustainable Japan
Episode 84
Tuesday, February 1, 2022 • Duration 56:42
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're joined by J.J. Walsh of the Seek Sustainable Japan podcast/YouTube talk show and we're talking about Japanese influences in Hawaii, life in Hiroshima and the ever-popular topic of remodeling akiya (abondoned homes in Japan). About J.J. Walsh J.J. Walsh is the host of the podcast/YouTube talk show Seek Sustainable Japan. Along with her husband she also runs the website gethiroshima.com. J.J. is also known for her knowledge of abandoned Japanese homes (akiya) and what goes into remodeling them. Topics Discussed
Life growing up in Hawaii
On the Japanese influence present in Hawaii
Why J.J. Walsh decided to go to Japan
About gethiroshima.com
About the Seek Sustainable Japan show
On moving to Hiroshima
About akiya and minka remodeling in Japan
J.J.'s experiences remodeling her old Japanese home in Hiroshima
How much abandoned houses in Japan can cost
On buying a house in Japan as a foreign national
Recommendation on where to visit in Hiroshima
About Hiroshima's Rabbit Island
About the history of Hiroshima
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
83 Japan on American TV: SNL, Sesame Street, Marie Kondo & More (Dr. Alisa Freedman)
Episode 83
Saturday, January 15, 2022 • Duration 56:41
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about depictions of Japan and Japanese people on popular American TV shows with Dr. Alisa Freedman.
About Dr. Alisa Freedman
Alisa Freedman is a Professor of Japanese Literature, Cultural Studies, and Gender at the University of Oregon and the Editor-in-Chief of the U.S.–Japan Women's Journal. Her books include Tokyo in Transit: Japanese Culture on the Rails and Road, an annotated translation of Kawabata Yasunari's The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa, and co-edited volumes on Modern Girls on the Go: Gender, Mobility, and Labor in Japan, and Introducing Japanese Popular Culture. She has published widely on Japanese modernism, Tokyo studies, youth culture, gender, television, humor as social critique, teaching pedagogies, and digital media, along with publishing translations of Japanese literature. Alisa has been nationally recognized for excellence in mentoring and enjoys presenting at cultural events like anime cons and Japan festivals.
Topics Discussed
About Japan on American TV: Screaming Samurai Join Anime Clubs in the Land of the Lost
About depictions of Japan and Japanese people in American TV shows
The taboo regarding the depiction of the Japanese royal family in Japanese media
Self-censorship in Japan and Japanese media
How Japanese mainstream media stays away from political topics
About the Japanese version of SNL that aired in 2011
The variety show Pink Lady (and Jeff)
How trends and tropes have shaped the depictions of Japan and Japanese people on American TV shows
How Marie Kondo presents herself as both "Japanese" and "American"
About Queer Eye: We're in Japan!
About the SNL skit JPop America Fun Time Now
The influence of Japanese pop culture on the generation that grew up consuming it
About Big Bird in Japan
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
82 Monstrous Wives, Murderous Lovers & Dead Wet Girls: Discussing Onryo w. Jennfer Yoo
Episode 82
Saturday, January 1, 2022 • Duration 56:24
On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, we're talking about the Japanese vengeful spirits known as onryō with Jennifer Yoo.
About Jennifer Yoo
Jennifer M. Yoo is a doctoral candidate in Japanese Theatre at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Topics Discussed
On working as a food tour guide in Kyoto
What tsunokakushi is and the origins of this custom
About the term oni (demon) and its historical origins
About Ushi no Koku Mairi and the link between oni and kimon
What onryō (vengeful spirits/wrathful spirits) are
Differences between male and female onryō
How male onryō are often historically/politically important figures
The difference between yūrei and onryō
About Sugawara no Michizane (Tenjin)
Depictions of onryō in Japanese theater
About modern onryō in Japanese horror films
The impact of the original Ringu film
The motivations of classic female onryō
The lack of motive in modern female onryō depicted in Japanese horror films
About Sadako from Ringu
The prevalence of the Sadako style ghost in films
About the term "dead wet girls"
The role of water in Shinto and Buddhism, beliefs about death and onryō
The long hair of onryō and its historical roots in kabuki theater
About deadly hair in Japanese horror films
About the 2007 Japanese horror film Exte (Ekusute)
And much more!
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to , a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes
Support on Patreon & Ko-fi
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. You can join for just $1 a month. Patrons get first access to podcast episodes, as well as updates on what I'm working on for JapanKyo.com. If you join the $3 a month tier you get access to the back catalog of the Japanese Plus Alpha podcast (a short series on interesting Japanese words and features of the Japanese language). If you would like to do a one time donation, that is also possible. Just use the Ko-fi link below. All donations are greatly appreciated! And if you can't support financially, that's ok. Consider telling a friend about the show!
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
If you enjoy Ichimon Japan and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $2 a month you'll get access to exclusive content and our eternal, profound, and undrying gratitude.
There are various ways of referring to the old way of telling time used in Japan that was based on the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac. The two most common terms are kojikoku (古時刻) and jūnijishin (十二時辰). Much of the information this episode was based on was gathered from the Japanese-language sources below.
This is an in-depth article focusing on the old system used in Japan for telling time.
Although it is not as thorough as the Japanese language articles above, the Japan Times article below does give some general information on the old Chinese Zodiac based system of telling the time that Japan used to use.
In the Chinese Zodiac-based way of telling time the day would start with the hour of the rat (ne no koku) and end with the hour of the boar (i no koku). Below you can see the terms used for all 12 animals/time divisions) and what two hour block each corresponds to. Also it should be noted that both English and Japanese-language sources are unclear on when exactly each two hour block of time begins. In general sources go with wording like "between 11 and 1," thus I have been unable to determine with 100% certainty if, for example, the last minute of the hour of the rat is 12:59 (which seems more likely) or 1:00. While this degree of precision was likely not a matter of concern for most people when this method of telling time was still being used, the question of when exactly each block of time ends is nevertheless one that remains and is unfortunately not solved in the information below.
Information about the two articles by Salvador Jimenez Murguia that were mentioned in this episode can be found below. Only the second article is accessible for free.
The link below is for a video about the "Curse Demon Association" (呪鬼会, Jujikai), which is, according to the video, a group of Shinto priests that will curse people for you in exchange for money.
The link below will take you to the Nikkan Spa article mentioned in this episode. The article describes one person's attempt to curse the coronavirus using ushi no koku mairi in order to stop the pandemic. Although the article is in Japanese, it's worth a look even if can't read Japanese since he pictures are pretty amusing.
Here is the tutorial style video mentioned in this episode. The video walks you through the the entire process of cursing someone using a home kit that you can purchase online.
Most episodes feature at least one or two interesting Japanese words or phrases. Here's some of the ones that came up on this episode. All information is from Jim Breen's WWWJDIC.
Eto
干支 【えと; かんし】 (n) (1) sexagenary cycle (60-year cycle of 12 animal zodiac and 5 elements in the traditional Chinese calendar); (2) 12-year Chinese zodiac
Ushi no koku mairi
丑の刻参り 【うしのこくまいり】 (exp,n) cursing ritual where one visits a shrine at 2am and nails a doll representing a person to a tree, praying for said person's death
Hakamairi
墓参り : 墓参り(P); 墓参(P) 【はかまいり(P); ぼさん(墓参)】 (n,vs) visit to a grave
Ushimitsudoki
丑三つ時 【うしみつどき】 (n) (1) dead of night; middle of the night; midnight; (2) (See 丑の刻) third quarter of the hour of the ox
Is there something about Japan that confuses you? Is there something about Japanese culture that you would like to learn more about? Is there something in Japanese history that you would like us to explain? We're always looking for new questions about Japan to answer, so if you have one, please send it to ichimon@japankyo.com.
Subscribe to the Sakura Stardust YouTube channel for more content on Japanese lost media. You can also follow Alex on Twitter to stay up to date with what she is working on.
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.
Discover shows related to Japan Station: Deep Dives into Japanese Culture, Language & Society, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
