NHK WORLD-JAPAN

A 700-year-old hot spring, Shirabu Onsen, is maintained via daily trips up the slopes of the 2,000-meter mountain where it sits. See the hot spring's guardian at work, in gorgeous time-lapse footage.

Chobei led a vigilante group to protect people from samurai abuses. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores him in two plays, one showing a fateful encounter and one showing his tragic death.

The heavily forested Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido is lined with 1,500-meter peaks. Its extraordinary, intertwined ecosystem extends over both land and sea and is home to diverse species.

As snow melts in Yonezawa, it provides water used for growing rice. Beautiful time-lapse images show how a 400-year-old brewery turns this rice into sake, using human expertise instead of machines.

Osaka University assistant professor Shunsuke Shigaki seeks to design a robot that realizes the challenging function of odor detection by recreating the capabilities of the silk moth.

Kyle Card hikes along the 1000km trail following the Pacific Coast in northern Japanwhere he discovers local lifestyles, stunning nature, traces of the area's 2011 disaster, and resilient people.

For over 100 years, Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture has been a beloved spot to see sakura blossoms. See the multifaceted beauty of sakura blossoms through time-lapse photography.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

The ecosystem in Hokkaido's Taisetsu Mountains is changing dramatically. Alpine plants have vanished due to global warming which has created a crisis for rare animals that depend on them to survive.

Discover story behind the "36 Views of Mt. Fuji" woodprint series; "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. It is not just a huge wave and Mt. Fuji, the boat caught in the wave have a reason.

At Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri, enormous floats called neputa are paraded through the streets. They're decorated with vibrant images, and some feature wire-frame 3D figures.

The temple chefs make butterbur miso. Just boil butterbur shoots, then grind with sugar, mirin and white miso. The taste is slightly bitter, but perfect for early spring.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: portable fetal monitors.

A close-up look at cities worldwide,as seen by a walking tourist.You visit places off the beaten path and meet people. Today: Adelaide, Australia.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN presents a variety of short programs focusing on Japan and Asia.

A 700-year-old hot spring, Shirabu Onsen, is maintained via daily trips up the slopes of the 2,000-meter mountain where it sits. See the hot spring's guardian at work, in gorgeous time-lapse footage.

A whirlwind tour of Hokkaido's best ramen! Why not whet your appetite with the origin story of Sapporo miso ramen?

A 700-year-old hot spring, Shirabu Onsen, is maintained via daily trips up the slopes of the 2,000-meter mountain where it sits. See the hot spring's guardian at work, in gorgeous time-lapse footage.

At Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri, enormous floats called neputa are paraded through the streets. They're decorated with vibrant images, and some feature wire-frame 3D figures.

Japanese festival favorite, yakisoba! Noodles cooked in a special sauce. Discover its origins, little known even in Japan.

The temple chefs make butterbur miso. Just boil butterbur shoots, then grind with sugar, mirin and white miso. The taste is slightly bitter, but perfect for early spring.

Chobei led a vigilante group to protect people from samurai abuses. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores him in two plays, one showing a fateful encounter and one showing his tragic death.

A close-up look at cities worldwide,as seen by a walking tourist.You visit places off the beaten path and meet people. Today: Adelaide, Australia.

A 700-year-old hot spring, Shirabu Onsen, is maintained via daily trips up the slopes of the 2,000-meter mountain where it sits. See the hot spring's guardian at work, in gorgeous time-lapse footage.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: portable fetal monitors.

A 700-year-old hot spring, Shirabu Onsen, is maintained via daily trips up the slopes of the 2,000-meter mountain where it sits. See the hot spring's guardian at work, in gorgeous time-lapse footage.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

The ecosystem in Hokkaido's Taisetsu Mountains is changing dramatically. Alpine plants have vanished due to global warming which has created a crisis for rare animals that depend on them to survive.

Discover story behind the "36 Views of Mt. Fuji" woodprint series; "The Great Wave off Kanagawa" by Hokusai. It is not just a huge wave and Mt. Fuji, the boat caught in the wave have a reason.

Gaining the Edge with Materials: From solar-harvesting fabrics to ultra-light insulation, this episode features new advanced materials and the eye-opening impacts they will bring.

A close-up look at cities worldwide,as seen by a walking tourist.You visit places off the beaten path and meet people. Today: Adelaide, Australia.

The heavily forested Shiretoko Peninsula in eastern Hokkaido is lined with 1,500-meter peaks. Its extraordinary, intertwined ecosystem extends over both land and sea and is home to diverse species.

At Hirosaki Neputa Matsuri, enormous floats called neputa are paraded through the streets. They're decorated with vibrant images, and some feature wire-frame 3D figures.

For over 100 years, Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture has been a beloved spot to see sakura blossoms. See the multifaceted beauty of sakura blossoms through time-lapse photography.

Direct and in-depth. Interviews exploring the minds and motivations of the leaders, visionaries, artists and entrepreneurs who are changing our world.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: portable fetal monitors.

Kyle Card hikes along the 1000km trail following the Pacific Coast in northern Japanwhere he discovers local lifestyles, stunning nature, traces of the area's 2011 disaster, and resilient people.

Chobei led a vigilante group to protect people from samurai abuses. Actor Kataoka Ainosuke explores him in two plays, one showing a fateful encounter and one showing his tragic death.