NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Millions of people pass through Narita International Airport every year, unaware of the systems that ensure their safety and comfort. We'll dive into this hidden, complex world.

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

We visit one of the most famous cherry blossom spots in Edo. Flower viewing parties were for eating, drinking and making merry. It was also an opportunity for young men and women to mingle.

After a slow start, Japanese washing machines have become some of the most advanced in the world. We look at their development and the latest innovations.

Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture posted its first loss in four years, as reported in June 2025. See the company's plans to survive this time, following its previous triumphs over crises.

Millions of people pass through Narita International Airport every year, unaware of the systems that ensure their safety and comfort. We'll dive into this hidden, complex world.

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

Completed in the 1960s and representing a fresh start for Japan, the new Imperial Palace showcases exceptional artistry and craftsmanship.

Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture posted its first loss in four years, as reported in June 2025. See the company's plans to survive this time, following its previous triumphs over crises.

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

Completed in the 1960s and representing a fresh start for Japan, the new Imperial Palace showcases exceptional artistry and craftsmanship.

A 24-hour bookstore in Tokyo attracts a diverse range of customers. For three days and nights, we asked people what they are buying - and why - in an age of digital books and online shopping.

Choshi Electric Railway in Chiba Prefecture posted its first loss in four years, as reported in June 2025. See the company's plans to survive this time, following its previous triumphs over crises.

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

Episode 3 of this series on COP30 in Brazil looks at AMOC, an ocean current in the Atlantic. It transports warm water to the north, but melting ice threatens to stop it entirely.

Do you know what to do when disaster strikes? If you don't, Andrew Mitchell from the UK has some stories to tell you from his own experience living through the 2016 Kumamoto quakes.

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

Completed in the 1960s and representing a fresh start for Japan, the new Imperial Palace showcases exceptional artistry and craftsmanship.

Today's theme: Reimagining Analog Design. Analog is making a comeback, offering a human appeal to our five senses that digital lacks. Explore designs that reveal the charm and potential of analog.

In Hiroshima, as atomic bomb survivors age, preserving their memories has become a pressing issue. We follow Sumioka Kenta's efforts to further the cause of peace, through the creativity of youth.

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

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

Episode 3 of this series on COP30 in Brazil looks at AMOC, an ocean current in the Atlantic. It transports warm water to the north, but melting ice threatens to stop it entirely.

A series of doodles by the famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day. What kind of artistic statement was he trying to make?

Pancreatic disease develops deep inside the body, making early detection difficult. We report on efforts to find it sooner using endoscopic ultrasound, and on doctors working on new treatments.

Completed in the 1960s and representing a fresh start for Japan, the new Imperial Palace showcases exceptional artistry and craftsmanship.

Today's theme: Reimagining Analog Design. Analog is making a comeback, offering a human appeal to our five senses that digital lacks. Explore designs that reveal the charm and potential of analog.

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

Do you know what to do when disaster strikes? If you don't, Andrew Mitchell from the UK has some stories to tell you from his own experience living through the 2016 Kumamoto quakes.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: super-absorbent towels.

After a slow start, Japanese washing machines have become some of the most advanced in the world. We look at their development and the latest innovations.

Go behind the scenes at one of the world's top piano competitions, where joy, heartbreak, and unexpected miracles unfold as young virtuosos take the stage to embody the music of Chopin.

A selection of acclaimed programs from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

Today's theme: Reimagining Analog Design. Analog is making a comeback, offering a human appeal to our five senses that digital lacks. Explore designs that reveal the charm and potential of analog.

In this episode, we search for the Yarokamizu, told of in the Kiso River region of Aichi as a yokai that raises awareness of environmental disasters, and also recognized as a local deity.

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.

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.

Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, is equipped with a variety of countermeasures against disasters. We'll go behind the scenes to explore the tower's advanced technologies.

Ehime / Nagazumi Takashi (musician) Nagazumi visits a town with a great number of trowel reliefs, and observes that the things that truly last are the ones that carry the creator's intention.

Explore the different types of romantic hero who appear in kabuki. From sweet, comic charmers to brooding bad boys, actor Kataoka Ainosuke explains these heroic archetypes.

Go behind the scenes at one of the world's top piano competitions, where joy, heartbreak, and unexpected miracles unfold as young virtuosos take the stage to embody the music of Chopin.

A selection of acclaimed programs from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

In this episode, we search for the Yarokamizu, told of in the Kiso River region of Aichi as a yokai that raises awareness of environmental disasters, and also recognized as a local deity.

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.

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.

Today's theme: Reimagining Analog Design. Analog is making a comeback, offering a human appeal to our five senses that digital lacks. Explore designs that reveal the charm and potential of analog.

Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, is equipped with a variety of countermeasures against disasters. We'll go behind the scenes to explore the tower's advanced technologies.

Ehime / Nagazumi Takashi (musician) Nagazumi visits a town with a great number of trowel reliefs, and observes that the things that truly last are the ones that carry the creator's intention.

Explore the different types of romantic hero who appear in kabuki. From sweet, comic charmers to brooding bad boys, actor Kataoka Ainosuke explains these heroic archetypes.

Go behind the scenes at one of the world's top piano competitions, where joy, heartbreak, and unexpected miracles unfold as young virtuosos take the stage to embody the music of Chopin.

A selection of acclaimed programs from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

In this episode, we search for the Yarokamizu, told of in the Kiso River region of Aichi as a yokai that raises awareness of environmental disasters, and also recognized as a local deity.

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.

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.

Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, is equipped with a variety of countermeasures against disasters. We'll go behind the scenes to explore the tower's advanced technologies.

Ehime / Nagazumi Takashi (musician) Nagazumi visits a town with a great number of trowel reliefs, and observes that the things that truly last are the ones that carry the creator's intention.

Explore the different types of romantic hero who appear in kabuki. From sweet, comic charmers to brooding bad boys, actor Kataoka Ainosuke explains these heroic archetypes.

Go behind the scenes at one of the world's top piano competitions, where joy, heartbreak, and unexpected miracles unfold as young virtuosos take the stage to embody the music of Chopin.

A selection of acclaimed programs from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

In this episode, we search for the Yarokamizu, told of in the Kiso River region of Aichi as a yokai that raises awareness of environmental disasters, and also recognized as a local deity.

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.

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.

Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, is equipped with a variety of countermeasures against disasters. We'll go behind the scenes to explore the tower's advanced technologies.

Ehime / Nagazumi Takashi (musician) Nagazumi visits a town with a great number of trowel reliefs, and observes that the things that truly last are the ones that carry the creator's intention.

Originating in Japan, the phenomenon of wind phones has now spread worldwide. These special phones, which aren't connected to a telephone line, have the power to connect people with lost loved ones.

A small cafe in the city of Kumamoto. From across Japan, people dealing with the death of a loved one are drawn to this special spot. A story of loss and renewal that begins with a cup of coffee.

Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, all-female band SILENT SIREN (soon marking their 15th anniversary) and 11-member Hello! Project idol group Juice=Juice are in the studio to chat and perform.

Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. "I want to see my owner again!" Charo starts his adventure back home. Season 1-3.

Hyper-modern Japanese kitchens are compact, comfortable spaces for cooking and eating. We look at the history and evolution of this space at the heart of every Japanese home.

Tokushima has long been famed for its indigo. We visit an indigo-dyeing workshop and meet their mascot, Natsu. Next, we make a wish at a shrine that's popular with cats and cat lovers alike.

The spotlight's on MAO, the latest from manga legend Takahashi Rumiko. Featuring handwritten comments from Takahashi, we go behind the scenes of the upcoming anime and the team bringing it to life.

Design is fun! Design feels good! Cutting-edge images and music guide children to enjoy exploring the ideas and tweaks in the designs all around us. An episode on Toilet Paper.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in southwestern Germany commonly known as "Freiburg". In recent years, it has gained recognition as one of Germany's most environmentally friendly cities.

A gourmet tour of ramen all around Japan. This time: the birthplace of tonkotsu, Fukuoka. Looking at the Hakata and Nagahama styles, we'll learn these ramens' secrets, and the story of its creation.

Kyoto Confections, experience Kyoto culture through all your senses. Dive deep into the ancient capital, still innovative 1,200 years after its foundation.

A popular tourist train in Kyushu's Takachiho area is powered by fuel made from leftover ramen soup! Starting from zero, trucking company owner Nishida Masumi developed his own biodiesel.

Two weeks after the Fukushima nuclear accident, a worst-case scenario was delivered to the prime minister. Who would risk their lives to rein in the reactors? Key actors revisit those tense days.

A small cafe in the city of Kumamoto. From across Japan, people dealing with the death of a loved one are drawn to this special spot. A story of loss and renewal that begins with a cup of coffee.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in southwestern Germany commonly known as "Freiburg". In recent years, it has gained recognition as one of Germany's most environmentally friendly cities.

The spotlight's on MAO, the latest from manga legend Takahashi Rumiko. Featuring handwritten comments from Takahashi, we go behind the scenes of the upcoming anime and the team bringing it to life.

Design is fun! Design feels good! Cutting-edge images and music guide children to enjoy exploring the ideas and tweaks in the designs all around us. An episode on Toilet Paper.

Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, all-female band SILENT SIREN (soon marking their 15th anniversary) and 11-member Hello! Project idol group Juice=Juice are in the studio to chat and perform.

Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. "I want to see my owner again!" Charo starts his adventure back home. Season 1-3.

Hyper-modern Japanese kitchens are compact, comfortable spaces for cooking and eating. We look at the history and evolution of this space at the heart of every Japanese home.

Tokushima has long been famed for its indigo. We visit an indigo-dyeing workshop and meet their mascot, Natsu. Next, we make a wish at a shrine that's popular with cats and cat lovers alike.

A gourmet tour of ramen all around Japan. This time: the birthplace of tonkotsu, Fukuoka. Looking at the Hakata and Nagahama styles, we'll learn these ramens' secrets, and the story of its creation.

Kyoto Confections, experience Kyoto culture through all your senses. Dive deep into the ancient capital, still innovative 1,200 years after its foundation.

A popular tourist train in Kyushu's Takachiho area is powered by fuel made from leftover ramen soup! Starting from zero, trucking company owner Nishida Masumi developed his own biodiesel.

Two weeks after the Fukushima nuclear accident, a worst-case scenario was delivered to the prime minister. Who would risk their lives to rein in the reactors? Key actors revisit those tense days.

A small cafe in the city of Kumamoto. From across Japan, people dealing with the death of a loved one are drawn to this special spot. A story of loss and renewal that begins with a cup of coffee.

The spotlight's on MAO, the latest from manga legend Takahashi Rumiko. Featuring handwritten comments from Takahashi, we go behind the scenes of the upcoming anime and the team bringing it to life.

Design is fun! Design feels good! Cutting-edge images and music guide children to enjoy exploring the ideas and tweaks in the designs all around us. An episode on Toilet Paper.

Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, all-female band SILENT SIREN (soon marking their 15th anniversary) and 11-member Hello! Project idol group Juice=Juice are in the studio to chat and perform.

Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. "I want to see my owner again!" Charo starts his adventure back home. Season 1-3.

Hyper-modern Japanese kitchens are compact, comfortable spaces for cooking and eating. We look at the history and evolution of this space at the heart of every Japanese home.

Tokushima has long been famed for its indigo. We visit an indigo-dyeing workshop and meet their mascot, Natsu. Next, we make a wish at a shrine that's popular with cats and cat lovers alike.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in southwestern Germany commonly known as "Freiburg". In recent years, it has gained recognition as one of Germany's most environmentally friendly cities.

A gourmet tour of ramen all around Japan. This time: the birthplace of tonkotsu, Fukuoka. Looking at the Hakata and Nagahama styles, we'll learn these ramens' secrets, and the story of its creation.

Kyoto Confections, experience Kyoto culture through all your senses. Dive deep into the ancient capital, still innovative 1,200 years after its foundation.

Originating in Japan, the phenomenon of wind phones has now spread worldwide. These special phones, which aren't connected to a telephone line, have the power to connect people with lost loved ones.

A small cafe in the city of Kumamoto. From across Japan, people dealing with the death of a loved one are drawn to this special spot. A story of loss and renewal that begins with a cup of coffee.

The spotlight's on MAO, the latest from manga legend Takahashi Rumiko. Featuring handwritten comments from Takahashi, we go behind the scenes of the upcoming anime and the team bringing it to life.

Design is fun! Design feels good! Cutting-edge images and music guide children to enjoy exploring the ideas and tweaks in the designs all around us. An episode on Toilet Paper.

Join May J. for Japanese music! This week, all-female band SILENT SIREN (soon marking their 15th anniversary) and 11-member Hello! Project idol group Juice=Juice are in the studio to chat and perform.

Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. "I want to see my owner again!" Charo starts his adventure back home. Season 1-3.

Hyper-modern Japanese kitchens are compact, comfortable spaces for cooking and eating. We look at the history and evolution of this space at the heart of every Japanese home.

Tokushima has long been famed for its indigo. We visit an indigo-dyeing workshop and meet their mascot, Natsu. Next, we make a wish at a shrine that's popular with cats and cat lovers alike.

A gourmet tour of ramen all around Japan. This time: the birthplace of tonkotsu, Fukuoka. Looking at the Hakata and Nagahama styles, we'll learn these ramens' secrets, and the story of its creation.

Kyoto Confections, experience Kyoto culture through all your senses. Dive deep into the ancient capital, still innovative 1,200 years after its foundation.

A popular tourist train in Kyushu's Takachiho area is powered by fuel made from leftover ramen soup! Starting from zero, trucking company owner Nishida Masumi developed his own biodiesel.

Freiburg im Breisgau is a city in southwestern Germany commonly known as "Freiburg". In recent years, it has gained recognition as one of Germany's most environmentally friendly cities.

Do you know what to do when disaster strikes? If you don't, Andrew Mitchell from the UK has some stories to tell you from his own experience living through the 2016 Kumamoto quakes.

Episode 3 of this series on COP30 in Brazil looks at AMOC, an ocean current in the Atlantic. It transports warm water to the north, but melting ice threatens to stop it entirely.

Ehime / Nagazumi Takashi (musician) Nagazumi visits a town with a great number of trowel reliefs, and observes that the things that truly last are the ones that carry the creator's intention.

Our team visits a heat-resistant glass factory in Koga, Ibaraki Pref., to witness the skills of the glassblowers and lampworkers, and learn about the secrets that heat-resistant glass holds.

Shimauta is the soul music of Amami Oshima. Islanders have long used it to convey feelings in good times and bad. The history of the music and of the island itself is conveyed in time-lapse footage.

Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, is equipped with a variety of countermeasures against disasters. We'll go behind the scenes to explore the tower's advanced technologies.

The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history, and culture. This episode looks at words related to foot and leg. Explore the unique culture behind them.

#17 I've been traveling around Japan. / To say what you've been doing, change "masu" at the end of a verb to "te imasu." "Ryokoo-shimasu" (I travel) becomes "ryokoo-shite imasu" (I've been traveling).

Is there a meal you'll never forget? People with international roots living in Japan take you on a tasty exploration of the dishes that brought timely emotional support in their lives.

Throughout April, NHK WORLD-JAPAN marks 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake by showing related programs. Learn about efforts to restore Kumamoto Castle, and the Minami-Aso Luna Observatory.

This episode focuses on how precision engineering and selective breeding are being used to reduce pollen and bring relief to millions of hay fever sufferers.

Our team visits a heat-resistant glass factory in Koga, Ibaraki Pref., to witness the skills of the glassblowers and lampworkers, and learn about the secrets that heat-resistant glass holds.

Shimauta is the soul music of Amami Oshima. Islanders have long used it to convey feelings in good times and bad. The history of the music and of the island itself is conveyed in time-lapse footage.

The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history, and culture. This episode looks at words related to foot and leg. Explore the unique culture behind them.

#17 I've been traveling around Japan. / To say what you've been doing, change "masu" at the end of a verb to "te imasu." "Ryokoo-shimasu" (I travel) becomes "ryokoo-shite imasu" (I've been traveling).

Is there a meal you'll never forget? People with international roots living in Japan take you on a tasty exploration of the dishes that brought timely emotional support in their lives.

Throughout April, NHK WORLD-JAPAN marks 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake by showing related programs. Learn about efforts to restore Kumamoto Castle, and the Minami-Aso Luna Observatory.

Michael Keida explores the deep roots and enduring appeal of artisanal kokuto, the traditional sugar of the Okinawa islands.

Our team visits a heat-resistant glass factory in Koga, Ibaraki Pref., to witness the skills of the glassblowers and lampworkers, and learn about the secrets that heat-resistant glass holds.

Shimauta is the soul music of Amami Oshima. Islanders have long used it to convey feelings in good times and bad. The history of the music and of the island itself is conveyed in 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.

Is there a meal you'll never forget? People with international roots living in Japan take you on a tasty exploration of the dishes that brought timely emotional support in their lives.

Throughout April, NHK WORLD-JAPAN marks 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake by showing related programs. Learn about efforts to restore Kumamoto Castle, and the Minami-Aso Luna Observatory.

Komagome is the birthplace of Somei-yoshino, the most popular cherry blossom variety in Japan. We visit a scenic garden, meet locals who cultivate cherry tree saplings, and explore shopping streets.

Japanese researchers have been uncovering previously unknown effects of vitamin C in the body. We report on their latest findings, such as the power to strengthen the bones and prevent dementia.

Our team visits a heat-resistant glass factory in Koga, Ibaraki Pref., to witness the skills of the glassblowers and lampworkers, and learn about the secrets that heat-resistant glass holds.

Shimauta is the soul music of Amami Oshima. Islanders have long used it to convey feelings in good times and bad. The history of the music and of the island itself is conveyed in time-lapse footage.

The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history, and culture. This episode looks at words related to foot and leg. Explore the unique culture behind them.

#17 I've been traveling around Japan. / To say what you've been doing, change "masu" at the end of a verb to "te imasu." "Ryokoo-shimasu" (I travel) becomes "ryokoo-shite imasu" (I've been traveling).

Is there a meal you'll never forget? People with international roots living in Japan take you on a tasty exploration of the dishes that brought timely emotional support in their lives.

Throughout April, NHK WORLD-JAPAN marks 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake by showing related programs. Learn about efforts to restore Kumamoto Castle, and the Minami-Aso Luna Observatory.

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

Gojinjo Taiko is a wild, powerful performance by masked drummers. It originated 400 years ago, when villagers disguised themselves as oni (demons) to scare away a warlord's army.

We venture to the outskirts of Edo just after sunset, where a group of women and children have come to a stream to enjoy a popular summer activity. What could they be looking for among the weeds?

Japanese authorities are trying to recover thousands of toy guns that can fire live rounds with potentially lethal effect. NHK investigated how these dangerous products entered circulation.

Japanese researchers have been uncovering previously unknown effects of vitamin C in the body. We report on their latest findings, such as the power to strengthen the bones and prevent dementia.

Tokyo Skytree, one of Japan's most famous tourist attractions, is equipped with a variety of countermeasures against disasters. We'll go behind the scenes to explore the tower's advanced technologies.

Episode 3 of this series on COP30 in Brazil looks at AMOC, an ocean current in the Atlantic. It transports warm water to the north, but melting ice threatens to stop it entirely.

Oku-Izumo is home to an ancient technique for making the steel used in Japanese swords. We meet a blacksmith who has inherited the tradition, and enjoy local scenery presented in time-lapse images.

The Japanese language is rich in words and expressions influenced by nature, history, and culture. This episode looks at words related to foot and leg. Explore the unique culture behind them.

#17 I've been traveling around Japan. / To say what you've been doing, change "masu" at the end of a verb to "te imasu." "Ryokoo-shimasu" (I travel) becomes "ryokoo-shite imasu" (I've been traveling).

Is there a meal you'll never forget? People with international roots living in Japan take you on a tasty exploration of the dishes that brought timely emotional support in their lives.

Throughout April, NHK WORLD-JAPAN marks 10 years since the Kumamoto Earthquake by showing related programs. Learn about efforts to restore Kumamoto Castle, and the Minami-Aso Luna Observatory.