Skip to main content
Japanatron

Japanatron

By David Pavlina

Writer / comedian / American ex-pat David Pavlina hosts Japanatron--a podcast about life, learnings, and cultural experiences in the land of the rising sun. A wide variety of topics related to Japan are covered, all told from the standpoint of an American living in Tokyo.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Overcast Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

27 - I Don't Get It

JapanatronMar 15, 2015

00:00
23:26
Heavenly Japanese Flavors Part 2 - Japanatron 40
Nov 07, 201837:03
Heavenly Japanese Flavors - Japanatron 39
Nov 07, 201843:30
Public Pools in Japan - Japanatron 38

Public Pools in Japan - Japanatron 38

My daughter's been really into swimming lately, so we've been spending lots of time at the local public pool. It seemed like an apt Japanatron topic, so here it is!
Nov 05, 201822:07
37 - Japanese Holidays

37 - Japanese Holidays

Prepare for a whirlwind tour of the year covering my favorite Japanese holidays. I enjoy the not-working, eating, and getting drunk aspects; but complain about the having to buy and do stuff. Special thanks to the listener that suggested this topic.
Mar 19, 201750:57
36 - Overtime in Japan

36 - Overtime in Japan

Japanese people are known for doing crazy amounts of overtime work, so much so that some have literally dropped dead. There's no way you're going to get American me to work such hours, so what's up with all the overtime in Japan?
Jan 29, 201730:21
35 - The Hyponatremia Incident

35 - The Hyponatremia Incident

I narrate and reflect upon a personal medical emergency experience that landed me in a Japanese hospital for a week.
Aug 28, 201651:36
34 - Remembering the Tohoku Earthquake

34 - Remembering the Tohoku Earthquake

I recall and discuss my experience in Tokyo during and after the massive March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake.
Apr 10, 201640:31
33 - Japanese TV

33 - Japanese TV

I discuss reasons why I both hate and love Japanese television and elucidate my professor-like ruminations as to why it is the way it is.
Jan 31, 201635:30
32 - Noise Pollution in Japan

32 - Noise Pollution in Japan

An obnoxious topic covered by a loud ugly American--let's talk about noise pollution in Japan. I rant about Japan's problem with excessive noise, sharing personal experiences and heavily-biased conclusions.
Jan 10, 201657:36
31 - IT Jobs in Japan

31 - IT Jobs in Japan

I discuss Japan's IT industry for foreigners, specifically Tokyo IT for Western foreigners. I narrate my fascinating personal story about how I got my foot in the proverbial Tokyo IT door, followed by learnings and advice. Recommended if you too are looking into working in Japan's tech world.
Sep 20, 201542:15
30 - Experiences in Japanese Show Biz Part 2
Sep 12, 201534:49
29 - Experiences in Japanese Show Biz
Aug 30, 201525:24
28 - Tips for Studying Japanese

28 - Tips for Studying Japanese

I present Japanese language study tips and mental shortcuts that have aided me in the quest to learn this often bewildering tongue.
May 31, 201550:00
27 - I Don't Get It

27 - I Don't Get It

No matter how long I live in Japan, there are a few things about this country and its culture that perpetually confuse me. I present my whine list followed by grinch-like groans.
Mar 15, 201523:26
26 - Japanese Service

26 - Japanese Service

Japan prides itself on its awe-inspiring service. I discuss 4 examples of where I find exceptional service in Japan, along with 4 examples of perplexing exceptions.
Jan 04, 201544:41
25 - Healthcare in Japan

25 - Healthcare in Japan

I discuss healthcare in Japan, comparing and contrasting it with USA healthcare. I also share several personal experiences to paint a more colorful cultural picture.
Nov 30, 201444:26
24 - Internet Service in Japan
Oct 19, 201421:54
23 - Mobile Phones in Japan

23 - Mobile Phones in Japan

I discuss mobile phone service in Japan, offering money-saving tips and alternatives to the big 3 (evil) mobile providers.
Aug 24, 201434:39
22 - Cycling in Tokyo

22 - Cycling in Tokyo

After 3 months of commuting to and from work by bicycle, I discuss learnings, enumerate tips, and offer (bad) advice regarding cycling in central Tokyo.
Jul 26, 201434:20
21 - My Favorite Japanese Stores

21 - My Favorite Japanese Stores

Some of them brick-and-mortar, some of them online--I discuss my favorite Japanese shops and digress with a few personal addiction experiences.
Jul 19, 201450:07
20 - Japanese Obsessions

20 - Japanese Obsessions

I discuss 6 Japanese obsessions that shed light on a culture that never fails to beguile me.
May 05, 201425:45
19 - The Themes of Japan

19 - The Themes of Japan

I discuss several all-encompassing themes I've discovered during my time here that summarize Japanese culture and society very conveniently.
Apr 13, 201427:10
18 - Restaurants

18 - Restaurants

It's time to talk about dining in Japan! I focus particularly on what makes Japan's fast food and family restaurants so unique.
Mar 21, 201420:04
17 - The Misunderstood

17 - The Misunderstood

I discuss four often-misunderstood things related to Japanese culture.
Jan 03, 201422:55
16 - What Japan Taught Me About Health

16 - What Japan Taught Me About Health

I discuss several things that Japan and its culture have taught me about promoting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Dec 01, 201325:10
15 - DOs and DON'Ts of Tokyo Life

15 - DOs and DON'Ts of Tokyo Life

I discuss key rules I live by to survive Tokyo's insane population density. If you take these golden nuggets of advice to heart, you will do just fine in Tokyo.
Nov 16, 201320:26
14 - LA Visit Part 2

14 - LA Visit Part 2

Part 2 of 2 of a very special episode recorded in my hometown of Los Angeles with my 3 best friends. Among other things we discuss Japan's pro wrestling scene, gun control, health care, and weddings.
Sep 22, 201353:04
13 - LA Visit Part 1

13 - LA Visit Part 1

Part 1 of 2 of a very special episode recorded in my hometown of Los Angeles with my 3 best friends. Among other things we discuss Japan's dark underbelly, including the red light industry and the Yakuza.
Sep 16, 201301:03:16
12 - Dating and Nightlife

12 - Dating and Nightlife

It's time for a night out on the town! I share stories and discuss 4 unique Japanese things that add a little spice to the dating and nightlife scene here.
May 06, 201301:04:12
11 - What They Think of US

11 - What They Think of US

Living abroad you gain a fascinating perspective on what the rest of the world thinks of your home country. I discuss 4 images of America that I've heard a number of times from the mouths of Japanese people. Don't shoot the messenger!
Mar 24, 201319:55
10 - Hotsprings

10 - Hotsprings

Winter is the best time to visit a Japanese onsen, aka hot spring. I share some fun experiences and provide helpful tips. It's a great show to listen to if you too have ever felt compelled to be naked in a room full of naked strangers.
Jan 02, 201332:28
9 - Drinking in Japan

9 - Drinking in Japan

Japanese people love to drink. And so do I. So let's talk about drinking in Japan: beer, sake, shochu, izakayas, yeah!
Nov 18, 201227:19
8 - The Kyoto Incident

8 - The Kyoto Incident

It's storytellin' time on Japanatron, so curl up by the fire and enjoy a tale of a Japan road trip gone slightly wrong. You and your intestines will never forget it.
Sep 22, 201227:53
7 - Life at AEON

7 - Life at AEON

I discuss the good, the bad, and the funny regarding life at AEON working as an English conversation teacher in Japan. Was that a run-on sentence?
Aug 22, 201252:18
6 - Japan's Summer of Bugs

6 - Japan's Summer of Bugs

Summer is here, and so are the bugs. I discuss how I deal with 3 Japanese bugs particularly active in summer.
Jul 18, 201228:10
5 - Reflections on Life in the Countryside

5 - Reflections on Life in the Countryside

The two and a half years I worked as an English conversation teacher in the Japan countryside were the golden days of my Japan
experience. I talk primarily about daily life and spending free time in Tottori, Japan.
Jul 07, 201236:52
4 - Cool Japanese Stuff I Can't Live Without

4 - Cool Japanese Stuff I Can't Live Without

Japan has a few products and services that are so damn cool I can't live without them. A few may even be successful in the US, while others…no freakin' way.
Apr 22, 201220:17
3 - Why I Can't Move Back To America

3 - Why I Can't Move Back To America

Why I Can't Move Back To America - After over 8 years in Japan, I don't think I can ever move back to the USA. Here's why.
Apr 15, 201220:21
2 - Survival Japanese

2 - Survival Japanese

Survival Japanese - A fun outline of tips and tricks I've learned while living in Japan and interacting with the natives.
Mar 10, 201234:05
1 - Smoking

1 - Smoking

Japanese people love their cigarettes. Compared to the USA, Japan is a veritable smokers' paradise. I discuss the reasons why, and what should be done about this public health concern that annoys the crap out of me.
Feb 19, 201221:35