Listening to radio might not come to mind nowadays, but listening to Italian radio while in Japan might interest many people. I am considering Italian expats missing their language, music, news, or cultural (even regional) topics. Japanese people who are enthusiastic about Italy might like to hear the music which is so different from Japanese one, or it is a perfect exercise to learn the Italian language for those studying it. Kids of mixed couples can also benefit from passively listening to the Italian language, which is an excellent alternative to screen time if parents rely on YouTube.

Italian Radio Online

Probably every radio station now has its own website on which you can listen to live or past programs.

The most popular stations are:

• RAI Radio is produced by Italy’s national broadcaster, RAI (the equivalent of Japan’s NHK). It offers deep cultural dives, news, classical music, and literature  (https://www.raiplaysound.it/) 
• RTL 102.5 features music, news, and entertainment, making it one of the most popular generalist stations (https://www.rtl.it/)
• RDS 100% Grandi Successi combines a mix of hit music with entertaining content (https://www.rds.it/)
• Radio Deejay is known for its lively programming and popular hosts (https://www.deejay.it/)
• Radio Italia Solo Musica Italiana specialises in Italian music (https://www.radioitalia.it/)
• Radio 105 delivers a wide variety of music genres and popular programs (https://www.105.net/)
• Virgin Radio Italy focuses on rock music (https://www.virginradio.it/)
• You can easily switch between different radio stations at https://www.radio-italiane.it/ 

Recommended App

Are you on the go? You can listen to the radio in the car by connecting your phone to the car via Bluetooth or by cable. 

Discover Italian stations all in one place with the free app Radio FM Italia Online (internet needed)

Apple store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/radio-fm-italia-online/id1052718125

You can select regional stations, listen to some podcasts, and make a favorite list.

FUN FACT: An available podcast mentions Japan in the title “te la do io Tokyo” but speaks about the football team A.S. Roma. The name was chosen as a good-luck charm, hoping the team would reach the final of the Intercontinental Cup, which was scheduled to take place in Tokyo in 1998.

Local Realities in Japan

NHK has a program dedicated to learning Italian language, both for the beginner and advanced level. It is on the second channel and it can be complemented by a textbook  https://www.nhk.or.jp/gogaku/italian/ 

Piccola Radio Italia is not an actual radio station but a group of italian music enthusiasts. The community offers occasions to (virtually) join music events that wouldn’ be available otherwise in Japan. https://piccola-radio-italia.com/ 

Ciao 79.6 uses the Italian word Ciao (チャオ, hello) in the name. It is a local station in the Atami-Yugawara area, not necessarily broadcasting italian topics but probably linked to the sister city project Atami-San Remo  https://www.ciao796.com/ 

Interested in Opera and Classical music? You might like the article Where to see opera in Tokyo – The New National Theatre Tokyo