NHK WORLD-JAPAN

A sweet drink loved since the samurai days, amazake is made from rice fermented with koji mold. A secret family recipe preserved for over 100 years.

Yoshida Ryusei, an October matsuri, features rockets called ryusei that are made by local teams and carry community prayers high in the sky. Team members pour heart and soul into their efforts.

Learn how to cook tempura at home. Chef Saito demonstrates the techniques needed to make crispy tempura using mountain vegetables of spring.

In Uda, discover Japan's oldest private medicinal herb garden, where the natural landscape from 300 years ago is preserved in a botanical time capsule, a sanctuary of the local culture and history.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN features all kinds of programs to capture kids' imaginations and foster creativity. Let's dig a little deeper!

Featured recipe: Cherry Blossom-shaped Crab Rice/ Learn about Japanese home cooking with Master Chef Saito, based on traditional Japanese cooking techniques in five minutes!

Tokyo's Arakawa Ward has a shopping street with over 100 years of history. There sits a piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

Jimbocho's famous secondhand book district is home to stores carrying everything from old academic texts to manga. Join us as we trace its history as a college town and spotlight new initiatives.

Sugiura Mitsuyoshi is gaining attention both at home and abroad for transforming old kimonos into new fashion statements. He talks about his unique efforts to revitalize a traditional industry.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: laser flaw inspection systems.

Tokyo's oldest izakaya, with its traditional fare and lucky cats, surviving war and pandemic, has been a place to feel at ease for over 100 years.

A week into the new year, giant torches are lit in a shrine precinct. The shadows they create enable a demon-oni-to go to a river and cleanse people of troubles. This is Oniyo: the night of the oni.

Taira Yuiko promotes composting of food waste to create a sustainable cycle. She works with an NGO in Mongolia to form a local nutrient cycle, enriching the soil and teaching composting techniques.

Squid and cuttlefish use camouflage not just to hide but to communicate. Vanguard Researchers explores the mechanism behind plant immunity.

Shibuya is one of Tokyo's largest cities. A piano is placed near a ticket gate at the station, and people stop to play from their heart.

Formal gardens showcase the essence of Japan's aesthetic identity. A garden expert helps us appreciate various aspects of the historic and spacious Koishikawa Korakuen in the bustling heart of Tokyo.

Jimbocho's famous secondhand book district is home to stores carrying everything from old academic texts to manga. Join us as we trace its history as a college town and spotlight new initiatives.

Edo Kiriko cut glass techniques, passed from artisan to artisan for over 100 years. More women who now pursue the craft create popular new designs.

At the Niihama Taiko Matsuri, teams of around 150 people carry taikodai: three-tonne parade floats housing a huge taiko drum. They compete to give the most powerful synchronized performance.

Sugiura Mitsuyoshi is gaining attention both at home and abroad for transforming old kimonos into new fashion statements. He talks about his unique efforts to revitalize a traditional industry.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: laser flaw inspection systems.

Taira Yuiko promotes composting of food waste to create a sustainable cycle. She works with an NGO in Mongolia to form a local nutrient cycle, enriching the soil and teaching composting techniques.

Tokyo's Arakawa Ward has a shopping street with over 100 years of history. There sits a piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

Formal gardens showcase the essence of Japan's aesthetic identity. A garden expert helps us appreciate various aspects of the historic and spacious Koishikawa Korakuen in the bustling heart of Tokyo.

Squid and cuttlefish use camouflage not just to hide but to communicate. Vanguard Researchers explores the mechanism behind plant immunity.

The historic city of Kyoto faces threats of landslides and post-earthquake fires. What modern systems defend this ancient city from natural disasters?

Global warming leads to widespread famine. By the end of the century, it is predicted that yields of maize, soybeans, and wheat may fall by 30-40%. We examine the scientific data on this global issue.

Since ancient times, safflowers grown in Yonezawa have been used to dye fabric a deep red color associated with the sun. Experience its mysterious, vivid beauty through time-lapse footage.

Sweet-bean-paste-filled taiyaki in the auspicious shape of a seabream or Tai. The Japanese have loved these sweet treats for over 100 years.

Leading Japanese dancer and choreographer Kondo Ryohei served as director of the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Deaflympics in November 2025. He talks about the potential of physical expression.

33 wins over 45 bouts in 3 tournaments is one benchmark for promotion to Ozeki, but some have advanced with just 28 wins while others failed despite 35. Explore the stories behind these promotions.

1 in 30 Japanese suffer from mental illness. We follow a woman who finds it hard to do simple tasks due to her illness, as she goes to rehabilitation for returning to work.

Japan is a seismically active land; the Edo period was no exception. In the aftermath of a major 1855 earthquake, an angry guardian deity set off on a quest to capture those considered responsible.

A 15-minute spin-off of the "Somewhere Street" series, "A Short Stroll" explores cities around the world. This episode invites people who love hills to explore Genoa, Italy.

Sugiura Mitsuyoshi is gaining attention both at home and abroad for transforming old kimonos into new fashion statements. He talks about his unique efforts to revitalize a traditional industry.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: laser flaw inspection systems.

Taira Yuiko promotes composting of food waste to create a sustainable cycle. She works with an NGO in Mongolia to form a local nutrient cycle, enriching the soil and teaching composting techniques.

Edo Kiriko cut glass techniques, passed from artisan to artisan for over 100 years. More women who now pursue the craft create popular new designs.

Yoshida Ryusei, an October matsuri, features rockets called ryusei that are made by local teams and carry community prayers high in the sky. Team members pour heart and soul into their efforts.

Jimbocho's famous secondhand book district is home to stores carrying everything from old academic texts to manga. Join us as we trace its history as a college town and spotlight new initiatives.

Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, is a known castle town. In one commercial area sits a piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

Formal gardens showcase the essence of Japan's aesthetic identity. A garden expert helps us appreciate various aspects of the historic and spacious Koishikawa Korakuen in the bustling heart of Tokyo.

Sugiura Mitsuyoshi is gaining attention both at home and abroad for transforming old kimonos into new fashion statements. He talks about his unique efforts to revitalize a traditional industry.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: laser flaw inspection systems.

Using traditional wooden barrels, a soy sauce brewer developed its own original flavor, breathing new life into the world of Japanese soy sauce.

1 in 1000 Japanese have experience as a lay judge in court cases. We witness a networking event for former lay judges, where they discuss unique experiences. What does it feel like to judge others?

This miniseries presents the masterpieces of Tsutaju, a brilliant ukiyo-e producer of the Edo period. This episode takes a close look at artist Utamaro's iconic "Woman with a Glass Noisemaker.".

Leading Japanese dancer and choreographer Kondo Ryohei served as director of the opening ceremony for the Tokyo Deaflympics in November 2025. He talks about the potential of physical expression.

Only 7% of rikishi make it to the top division. We learn what kind of special perks such top-division rikishi receive, and hear how even some famous Yokozuna had inauspicious beginnings.

1 in 1000 Japanese have experience as a lay judge in court cases. We witness a networking event for former lay judges, where they discuss unique experiences. What does it feel like to judge others?

When a little boy's nap is disturbed by a bad dream, his mother comes to his rescue. What was terrorizing him? We examine a print that shows how much the Edo townspeople cherished their kids.

Squid and cuttlefish use camouflage not just to hide but to communicate. Vanguard Researchers explores the mechanism behind plant immunity.

Taira Yuiko promotes composting of food waste to create a sustainable cycle. She works with an NGO in Mongolia to form a local nutrient cycle, enriching the soil and teaching composting techniques.

Shimanto is a nature-rich town in Kochi Prefecture. A piano is placed on a park's outdoor stage, and people stop to play from their heart.

Jimbocho's famous secondhand book district is home to stores carrying everything from old academic texts to manga. Join us as we trace its history as a college town and spotlight new initiatives.

An entertainment hall home to rakugo comic stories and more for over 100 years. A place to relax and forget your cares, food and drink are welcome.

The highlight of Onabare is nerikomi, which involves the careful wielding of a long, heavy pole. This follows the parade of a portable shrine through the streets with performances along the way.

Sugiura Mitsuyoshi is gaining attention both at home and abroad for transforming old kimonos into new fashion statements. He talks about his unique efforts to revitalize a traditional industry.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: laser flaw inspection systems.

Formal gardens showcase the essence of Japan's aesthetic identity. A garden expert helps us appreciate various aspects of the historic and spacious Koishikawa Korakuen in the bustling heart of Tokyo.

On a shopping street in front of Kagoshima Chuo Station sits Japan' s original street piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

An NPO offers free tutoring to children born in Japan with foreign roots. More than just a study space, it's a second home where belonging grows and hopes for the future quietly take root.

Using traditional wooden barrels, a soy sauce brewer developed its own original flavor, breathing new life into the world of Japanese soy sauce.

Sashiko is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery, once vital for the durability and warmth of clothes in cold climates. We explore how the charm of this enduring craft is being rediscovered.

A 15-minute spin-off of the "Somewhere Street" series, "A Short Stroll" explores cities through traveler's eyes. Today, we visit Budapest,known as the "Peal of the Danube".

Join us for an exciting journey through the history of Japan's railroads, as we explore exhibitions delving into the Shinkansen, steam locomotives, and other archival gems.

A scientific trek into Earth's memory. See Anami's ancient strata, the singing sands of Kotobikihama, and the geological time gaps of Uradome's rocks.

An NPO offers free tutoring to children born in Japan with foreign roots. More than just a study space, it's a second home where belonging grows and hopes for the future quietly take root.

An oasis in the heart of Tokyo with ties to the post-World War II US occupation, this restaurant has shaped Japanese food trends for over 100 years.

Sashiko is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery, once vital for the durability and warmth of clothes in cold climates. We explore how the charm of this enduring craft is being rediscovered.

A 15-minute spin-off of the "Somewhere Street" series, "A Short Stroll" explores cities through a traveler's eyes.Today we visit Hamelin, is famed for "The Pied Piper of Hamelin.".

Join us for an exciting journey through the history of Japan's railroads, as we explore exhibitions delving into the Shinkansen, steam locomotives, and other archival gems.

Daniel Moore takes a cinematic journey through Nagano. In springtime he hits the south, experiencing the breathtaking cherry blossoms, and in winter gets lost in magical winter landscapes up north.

An NPO offers free tutoring to children born in Japan with foreign roots. More than just a study space, it's a second home where belonging grows and hopes for the future quietly take root.

A 100-year-old cafe born out of the friendship between Brazil and Japan. Coffee there is so great that it was even loved by superstar John Lennon.

Experience the colors of Amami Oshima in beautiful time-lapse footage. Unique hues include "Amami Blue" ocean waters and the glossy black of silk thread that's painstakingly dyed using wood and mud.

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

This technique has been used in clutch moments in some historic bouts. We learn how it's different from the overarm throw and hear secrets of how it's done from the masters!

1 in 10 Japanese got married through online spouse-hunting services in 2020. We interview women who use matchmaking apps, including Manami, who uses multiple apps to find a perfect partner.

When a little boy's nap is disturbed by a bad dream, his mother comes to his rescue. What was terrorizing him? We examine a print that shows how much the Edo townspeople cherished their kids.

A 15-minute spin-off of the "Somewhere Street" series, "A Short Stroll" explores cities around the world. This time we visit Faro, the southernmost city in Portugal.

Actor Kyle Card hikes the San'in Kaigan Geopark trail. He traces the Earth's memory through Uradome's jagged coast, Tottori's dunes and Genbudo's hexagonal columns.

Sashiko is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery, once vital for the durability and warmth of clothes in cold climates. We explore how the charm of this enduring craft is being rediscovered.

An oasis in the heart of Tokyo with ties to the post-World War II US occupation, this restaurant has shaped Japanese food trends for over 100 years.

The JR Geibi Line has begun running extra trains as talks commence regarding the line's future. See the local governments' response to the added trains and their efforts to keep the line open.

An NPO offers free tutoring to children born in Japan with foreign roots. More than just a study space, it's a second home where belonging grows and hopes for the future quietly take root.

A 15-minute spin-off of the "Somewhere Street" series, "A Short Stroll" explores cities through traveler's eyes. Today, we visit Krakow.

Join us for an exciting journey through the history of Japan's railroads, as we explore exhibitions delving into the Shinkansen, steam locomotives, and other archival gems.

A scientific trek into Earth's memory. See Anami's ancient strata, the singing sands of Kotobikihama, and the geological time gaps of Uradome's rocks.

Nori tsukudani, a popular topping in rice-loving Japan. Made with local nori from Tokyo Bay, it's a taste and tradition preserved for over 100 years.

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

This time, a technique involving clamping the opponent's shoulder then pulling them down. We take a close look and examine why the under shoulder swing down is becoming more popular!

1 in 2 don't drink in Japan, where intense social drinking is normal. Through interviews of drinkers and non-drinkers we hear both sides, including a couple who went sober and opened a no-alcohol bar.

We journey to a sacred mountain where pilgrims are purifying themselves in a waterfall before moving on. Some of them have even brought along offerings. And it turns out they have something to prove.

Sashiko is a type of traditional Japanese embroidery, once vital for the durability and warmth of clothes in cold climates. We explore how the charm of this enduring craft is being rediscovered.

A 15-minute spin-off of the "Somewhere Street" series, "A Short Stroll" explores cities around the world. This time we visit Faro, the southernmost city in Portugal.

The JR Geibi Line has begun running extra trains as talks commence regarding the line's future. See the local governments' response to the added trains and their efforts to keep the line open.

Daniel Moore takes a cinematic journey through Nagano. In springtime he hits the south, experiencing the breathtaking cherry blossoms, and in winter gets lost in magical winter landscapes up north.

An NPO offers free tutoring to children born in Japan with foreign roots. More than just a study space, it's a second home where belonging grows and hopes for the future quietly take root.

Sweet-bean-paste-filled taiyaki in the auspicious shape of a seabream or Tai. The Japanese have loved these sweet treats for over 100 years.

Join us for an exciting journey through the history of Japan's railroads, as we explore exhibitions delving into the Shinkansen, steam locomotives, and other archival gems.