When someone mentions Japan, the first few things that might pop into your head are anime and Sushi. But there is so much more to Japan!
With such a rich history and quirky culture, and endless types of delicious food including yakitori, ramen, tempura, and sashimi, just to name a few, there is just an enormous amount of information to learn about Japan.
Personally, I’ve traveled to Japan numerous times, and I honestly think that it’s one of the best places in the world for tourists. Everyone I’ve met is super friendly. For example, I’ve gotten lost many times, and even though a local may not speak English, and I don’t speak any Japanese, we’ve been able to communicate through hand gestures, and they’ve gone out of their way to help me.
And I can also honestly say that I’ve never eaten a bad meal in Japan. That even includes the airport, where I’ve eaten ramen that ranks in my top 3 ever. Most dishes are meticulously prepared, and the flavor is always wonderful.
So if you’re someone that is thinking about traveling to Japan to visit, I would highly recommend it! And if you’re someone that just wants to learn a little bit more about Japan, then starting off by listening to podcasts is a great way to go.
Without further ado, here is a list of the best podcasts to listen to about Japan, broken down by category.
Podcasts to Learn Japanese
#1 Learn Japanese | JapanesePod101.com (Audio)
Learn Japanese with Daily Podcasts from Tokyo Whether you are Japan-bound or a seasoned speaker, our lessons offer something for everyone. We incorporate culture and current issues into each episode to give the most informative, both linguistically and culturally, podcasts possible. For those of you with just the plane ride to prepare, check our survival phrase series at Japanesepod101.com. One of these phrases just might turn your trip into the best one ever! Yoroshiku O-negai Shimasu!
#2 Learn Japanese Pod
Learn Japanese Pod is a podcast that teaches natural every day Japanese with fun audio dialogs
#3 バイリンガルニュース (Bilingual News)
Bilingual News is a free English and Japanese news podcast. Casual and unedited colloquial language learning experience through a weekly review of relevant news topics! Transcriptions for each episode are available via the Bilingual News: Transcripts app at itunes.com/bilingualnews. Join us and improve your Japanese language ability!
#4 News in Slow Japanese / The Podcast
Learn Japanese through interesting and entertaining news stories. News in Slow Japanese is produced with lower intermediate to advanced students of Japanese in mind. If you are studying for the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) N1, N2, or N3 this podcast should be very helpful. We bring you interesting and current topics several times a week. Our host is a native Japanese speaker and she reads the articles at a slow pace so you can pick up every word.
#5 Let’s learn Japanese from small talk!
Hi guys 🙂 This is the podcast program for Japanese learners. We want to give you Japanese real conversations! Please have fun learning Japanese 🙂
Podcasts about Japanese History
#1 History of Japan
This podcast, assembled by a former PhD student in History at the University of Washington, covers the entire span of Japanese history. Each week we’ll tackle a new topic, ranging from prehistoric Japan to the modern day.
#2 Samurai Archives Japanese History Podcast
Follow your hosts on a trek into Japanese history, from ancient Japan to the end of the Samurai and all points in between – culture, warfare, literature, and interviews. The Official Podcast of the Samurai Archives Japanese History page.
#3 Tales of Old Japan by Lord Redesdale
Tales of Old Japan by Lord Redesdale is a collection of short stories focusing on Japanese life of the Edo period (1603 – 1868). It contains a number of classic Japanese stories, fairy tales, and other folklore; as well as Japanese sermons and non-fiction pieces on special ceremonies in Japanese life, such as marriage and harakiri, as observed by Lord Redesdale. The best know story of these is “The Forty-seven Ronins” a true account of samurai revenge as it happened at the beginning of 18th century Japan. Algernon Bertram Freeman-Mitford, 1st Baron Redesdale (1837 – 1916) was a British diplomat, collector and writer. He worked in Japan as second secretary to the British Legation at the time of the Meiji Restoration. He wrote Tales of Old Japan in 1871.
#4 Uncanny Japan – Japanese Myths, Folktales, Superstitions, History and Language
Speculative fiction writer, long-term resident of Japan and Bram Stoker Award finalist Thersa Matsuura explores all that is weird from old Japan—strange superstitions, folktales, cultural oddities, and interesting language quirks. These are little treasures she digs up while doing research for her writing.
Podcasts about Japanese Lifestyle
#1 Abroad in Japan
Independent filmmaker Chris Broad brings you his multi-award winning YouTube channel Abroad In Japan in podcast form. Aided by broadcaster Pete Donaldson, they bring you a taste of life in the most unique country in the world, from great cuisine to capsule hotels, current events and tips on how to spend your time there.
#2 Japan Eats!
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!
#3 Japan 2.0 – Japanese Subculture
Two guys podcasting about the obscure side of Japan you haven’t heard about but probably should.
#4 Got Faded Japan
The Got Faded Japan Podcast gives listeners a glimpse of the seedy side of Japan’s news, subculture, parties, peoples, drinking spots, and all around mischief and mayhem. Hosted by Johnny, Sean, Jeremy, & Jude!
#5 The Tofugu Podcast: Japan and Japanese Language
For people who want to visit Japan, live in Japan, and learn Japanese. Please excuse the tangents.
Podcasts about Business / News in Japan
#1 English News – NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN
This is the latest news in English from NHK WORLD RADIO JAPAN. This service is daily updated. For more information, please go to https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/.
#2 The Inside Japan Podcast | Have More Fun Working in Japan
The Inside Japan Podcast is the only podcast on the internet telling you the true inside information about what working in Japan is really like, and how you can find your first, or next awesome job in Japan yourself. Interviews with employers, foreigners doing interesting things, and job hunting/hopping strategies are just some of the things we will cover on the weekly show.
#3 Japan in Focus Podcast
ABC NEWS’ Eleni Psaltis presents Japan In Focus, a new program that takes a close look at significant political and cultural developments in Japan.
#4 Disrupting Japan: Startups and Innovation in Japan
Startups are changing Japan, and Japan is once again starting to innovate. Disrupting Japan introduces you to some of the Japanese innovators that will be household brands in a few years and explains what it’s really like to be an innovator in a society that values conformity.