NHK WORLD-JAPAN

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.

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.

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

The Hida region in Gifu Prefecture has some of Japan's most extensive broadleaf forests and has been home to artisans who possess sophisticated woodworking skills, such as kigumi or wood joinery.

Salmon is Japan's most popular fish eaten at home. However, catches have been plummeting due to global warming. We look at new approaches to salmon farming and what this fish means to people in Japan.

The Hida region in Gifu Prefecture has some of Japan's most extensive broadleaf forests and has been home to artisans who possess sophisticated woodworking skills, such as kigumi or wood joinery.

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

The entire Earth is affected by climate change, occurring with a greater speed and scale than ever before. This program uses scientific data and the latest findings to raise awareness on its impact.

Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as EDO. More than a million people enjoyed life in this city, they live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Take a deep dive into ukiyo-e and explore the soul of old Tokyo.

The Hida region in Gifu Prefecture has some of Japan's most extensive broadleaf forests and has been home to artisans who possess sophisticated woodworking skills, such as kigumi or wood joinery.

Despite the rise of transfer apps, around 100,000 timetables are printed each month. Discover the charm of Japanese train timetables as we speak to the editors and the foreign residents who use them.

The Hida region in Gifu Prefecture has some of Japan's most extensive broadleaf forests and has been home to artisans who possess sophisticated woodworking skills, such as kigumi or wood joinery.

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

The entire Earth is affected by climate change, occurring with a greater speed and scale than ever before. This program uses scientific data and the latest findings to raise awareness on its impact.

Centuries ago, Tokyo was known as EDO. More than a million people enjoyed life in this city, they live on in ukiyo-e woodblock prints. Take a deep dive into ukiyo-e and explore the soul of old Tokyo.

At the Satoyama Kitchen guesthouse in Hida Takayama, chef Nobuko, her cameraman husband Makoto and their cat Tama take us on a tasty journey of local cuisine served with a side of seasonal scenery.

Despite the rise of transfer apps, around 100,000 timetables are printed each month. Discover the charm of Japanese train timetables as we speak to the editors and the foreign residents who use them.

The Hida region in Gifu Prefecture has some of Japan's most extensive broadleaf forests and has been home to artisans who possess sophisticated woodworking skills, such as kigumi or wood joinery.

An in-depth look at the realities of Asia today -- a dynamic region which faces political, economic, cultural, and technological change.

Amid an influx of foreign tourists, Japan's hotel industry is booming. Yet it's also struggling with increasing labor shortages. We look at the frontline of efforts to recruit personnel overseas.

Introducing the achievements of Blue Planet Prize winners Prof. Robert B. Jackson for carbon cycle research and greenhouse gas reduction, and Dr Jeremy Leggett for climate risk advocacy in finance.

Despite the rise of transfer apps, around 100,000 timetables are printed each month. Discover the charm of Japanese train timetables as we speak to the editors and the foreign residents who use them.

An in-depth look at the realities of Asia today -- a dynamic region which faces political, economic, cultural, and technological change.

Amid an influx of foreign tourists, Japan's hotel industry is booming. Yet it's also struggling with increasing labor shortages. We look at the frontline of efforts to recruit personnel overseas.

Introducing the achievements of Blue Planet Prize winners Prof. Robert B. Jackson for carbon cycle research and greenhouse gas reduction, and Dr Jeremy Leggett for climate risk advocacy in finance.

Shosanbetsu village's sole convenience store is indispensable for its 1,000 residents, especially in midwinter. For three days, we talked to customers about daily life in this Hokkaido village.

Despite the rise of transfer apps, around 100,000 timetables are printed each month. Discover the charm of Japanese train timetables as we speak to the editors and the foreign residents who use them.

An in-depth look at the realities of Asia today -- a dynamic region which faces political, economic, cultural, and technological change.

In 2025, Otani Akira's book "The Night of Baba Yaga" won the UKs prestigious Dagger prize for crime fiction in translation-a first for a Japanese author. She shares the inspiration behind her work.

The entire Earth is affected by climate change, occurring with a greater speed and scale than ever before. This program uses scientific data and the latest findings to raise awareness on its impact.

Aditya Sharma seeks a sustainable balance between protecting the planet and meeting consumer demand for clothing. He explores a Japanese tradition in the hopes of finding inspiration.

Amid an influx of foreign tourists, Japan's hotel industry is booming. Yet it's also struggling with increasing labor shortages. We look at the frontline of efforts to recruit personnel overseas.

Introducing the achievements of Blue Planet Prize winners Prof. Robert B. Jackson for carbon cycle research and greenhouse gas reduction, and Dr Jeremy Leggett for climate risk advocacy in finance.

Today's theme: Design Hunting in Tottori. On the Sea of Japan coast, the Tottori Sand Dunes create unique, everchanging views. Our design hunt explores a culture with deep roots in the natural world.

An in-depth look at the realities of Asia today -- a dynamic region which faces political, economic, cultural, and technological change.

Amid an influx of foreign tourists, Japan's hotel industry is booming. Yet it's also struggling with increasing labor shortages. We look at the frontline of efforts to recruit personnel overseas.

In 2025, Otani Akira's book "The Night of Baba Yaga" won the UKs prestigious Dagger prize for crime fiction in translation-a first for a Japanese author. She shares the inspiration behind her work.

The entire Earth is affected by climate change, occurring with a greater speed and scale than ever before. This program uses scientific data and the latest findings to raise awareness on its impact.

At dusk in summer, a woman is absorbed in reading a letter. This chic lady is actually an advertisement model for Mitsui Echigoya, one of the top kimono fabric stores in Edo.

Rectal cancer is increasing among younger people. Depending on the stage, a stoma may be needed. We report on efforts to preserve the anus using robotic-assisted surgery and artificial intelligence.

Introducing the achievements of Blue Planet Prize winners Prof. Robert B. Jackson for carbon cycle research and greenhouse gas reduction, and Dr Jeremy Leggett for climate risk advocacy in finance.

Today's theme: Design Hunting in Tottori. On the Sea of Japan coast, the Tottori Sand Dunes create unique, everchanging views. Our design hunt explores a culture with deep roots in the natural world.

An in-depth look at the realities of Asia today -- a dynamic region which faces political, economic, cultural, and technological change.

Amid an influx of foreign tourists, Japan's hotel industry is booming. Yet it's also struggling with increasing labor shortages. We look at the frontline of efforts to recruit personnel overseas.

Aditya Sharma seeks a sustainable balance between protecting the planet and meeting consumer demand for clothing. He explores a Japanese tradition in the hopes of finding inspiration.

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

Salmon is Japan's most popular fish eaten at home. However, catches have been plummeting due to global warming. We look at new approaches to salmon farming and what this fish means to people in Japan.