NHK WORLD-JAPAN

On the 4th floor of a terminal inside Chubu Centrair International Airport sits a white piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

Nestled in Kyoto's tranquil hills, Sanzen-in blurs the boundary between nature and the human realm. Long a place of prayer, pure mountain air nurtures its magical green world of moss lawns.

Kagura is a traditional performance of music and dance. Buzen Kagura features 24 well-known pieces including an acrobatic feat and a tale from Japanese myth. Children present the same pieces.

Fujitsuka Shosei, a Living National Treasure in bamboo craft, has earned acclaim for his aesthetic innovations and signature color transformation technique. He talks about his journey so far.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: liquid glass coating.

Leafy Logistics: This episode features a company using vending machines to sell fresh salads and another that has repurposed cigarette vending machines to sell tea.

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.

The Kawanishi Dainenbutsu Kenbai dance tells the story of restless souls being guided to the Pure Land by the Buddha, in the form of a monkey. In 2022, it became UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

It's summer, and a group of women have gathered at the local well to do laundry in the shade. We learn about the different techniques and tools they used to wash and dry different types of kimonos.

There's hardly a greater paradise than Japan for cat lovers. Researchers there explore subjects such as the evolutionary reason for cuteness, and how cat DNA may help treat kidney disease.

Matsumoto Myokei, a "once-in-a-century" sculptor of Buddhist statues, is passing his skills onto his grandson, Shukan. 80 years on from the atomic bomb attacks, Shukan sculpts a message of peace.

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.

In this episode, we learn about the spring dates of seimei and kokuu. The temple chefs show us how to make two seasonal specialties, yomogi rice cakes and bamboo shoots mixed with sansho leaves.

Leafy Logistics: This episode features a company using vending machines to sell fresh salads and another that has repurposed cigarette vending machines to sell tea.

1 in 27 people don't own a smartphone. We follow a man who chose not to own one, and his reason not to. What has he gained in life by giving up his smartphone, a modern-day necessity and obsession?

Karuizawa in Nagano Pref. is a mountain town with deep ties to Tokyo. Originally a bustling lodging town, a Western missionary's love for the area paved the way for its rebirth as a summer getaway.

On the 4th floor of a terminal inside Chubu Centrair International Airport sits a white piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

Fujitsuka Shosei, a Living National Treasure in bamboo craft, has earned acclaim for his aesthetic innovations and signature color transformation technique. He talks about his journey so far.

Discover the stories behind renowned Japanese products alongside our reporter. This time: liquid glass coating.

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

A bowl of resilience! The unique, garlic-powered tonkotsu ramen that reignited the spirit of Kumamoto post-quake!

Nestled in Kyoto's tranquil hills, Sanzen-in blurs the boundary between nature and the human realm. Long a place of prayer, pure mountain air nurtures its magical green world of moss lawns.

Leafy Logistics: This episode features a company using vending machines to sell fresh salads and another that has repurposed cigarette vending machines to sell tea.

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?

On the 4th floor of a terminal inside Chubu Centrair International Airport sits a white piano, which passersby love to visit and play from the heart.

Leafy Logistics: This episode features a company using vending machines to sell fresh salads and another that has repurposed cigarette vending machines to sell tea.

1 in 2500 people started farming in 2022. As we talk to new farmers who've come from totally different industries, we examine the values they have found in this labor-intense yet rewarding field.

From camping to karaoke and afternoon tea, people of all ages in Japan are enjoying "solo-katsu," doing social activities solo. We explore how this unique trend is changing consumption and design.

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.

Leafy Logistics: This episode features a company using vending machines to sell fresh salads and another that has repurposed cigarette vending machines to sell tea.

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.

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.

This time in Wakayama, heartland of shoyu, we find a distinctive ramen culture pairing ramen and...sushi?!

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 episode features clever innovations that are making manual labor faster and easier.

1 in 2500 people started farming in 2022. As we talk to new farmers who've come from totally different industries, we examine the values they have found in this labor-intense yet rewarding field.

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.

In this episode, we learn about rikka and shoman, two dates of early summer. The temple chefs teach us how to make kimpira stir fry with itadori and mehari-zushi (eye-popping sushi).

From camping to karaoke and afternoon tea, people of all ages in Japan are enjoying "solo-katsu," doing social activities solo. We explore how this unique trend is changing consumption and design.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 episode features clever innovations that are making manual labor faster and easier.

In June 2025, Kobayashi Yoshitsugu published a trailblazing paper, illuminating the evolutionary process of large tyrannosaurs. He explains how such research helps us consider the future of humanity.

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.

It's summer, and a group of women have gathered at the local well to do laundry in the shade. We learn about the different techniques and tools they used to wash and dry different types of kimonos.

The brilliant white Himeji Castle is a rare example of a wood castle built without a single nail. With solid battle defenses and beauty preserved by craftsmen, it's a masterpiece of function and form.

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.

From camping to karaoke and afternoon tea, people of all ages in Japan are enjoying "solo-katsu," doing social activities solo. We explore how this unique trend is changing consumption and design.

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.

In this episode, we learn about rikka and shoman, two dates of early summer. The temple chefs teach us how to make kimpira stir fry with itadori and mehari-zushi (eye-popping sushi).

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.

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.

This time in Wakayama, heartland of shoyu, we find a distinctive ramen culture pairing ramen and...sushi?!

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?

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.

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.

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.

This episode features clever innovations that are making manual labor faster and easier.

In June 2025, Kobayashi Yoshitsugu published a trailblazing paper, illuminating the evolutionary process of large tyrannosaurs. He explains how such research helps us consider the future of humanity.

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.

A mother and daughter brave the rain to visit their local bathhouse, exchanging words with a young girl along the way. We learn that regular bathing was an essential part of life for the townspeople.

From camping to karaoke and afternoon tea, people of all ages in Japan are enjoying "solo-katsu," doing social activities solo. We explore how this unique trend is changing consumption and design.

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.

In this episode, we learn about rikka and shoman, two dates of early summer. The temple chefs teach us how to make kimpira stir fry with itadori and mehari-zushi (eye-popping sushi).

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.

This episode features clever innovations that are making manual labor faster and easier.

1 in 2500 people started farming in 2022. As we talk to new farmers who've come from totally different industries, we examine the values they have found in this labor-intense yet rewarding field.

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?

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.

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.

This time in Wakayama, heartland of shoyu, we find a distinctive ramen culture pairing ramen and...sushi?!

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.