NHK WORLD-JAPAN

This episode features "Wakey's Door"on the history of conveyor belt sushi, a Comedy Writers skit,"Offering a Seat," and "Otonoke" Park Live performance. It energizes kids.

Join May J. for great Japanese music! This week: a special packed with anisong fan favorites. Plus, popular anisong act MYTH & ROID 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 1-20.

Frozen food products widely available in Japan include hundreds of pasta dishes and even sushi. New flash-freezing techniques are improving quality, reducing food waste, and driving innovation.

A cat rides his owner's shoulder through Kurashiki, a city known for its beautiful white-walled storehouses. Friends Mikan and Mame visit a shop for a meal and even offer the shopkeeper some help.

A satisfying, hearty bowl born in Yokohama Chinatown!Savor the fiery ramen beloved in Kawasaki's industrial zone!

Elegant and practical, braided cords are essential for kimono and other aspects of everyday life.

Students in past editions of Easy Japanese for Work return for a quiz-style business Japanese lesson. This time, the students are Nu Nu Aung (from Myanmar) and Raphael Marso (from Germany).

Forester Omura Daisuke transforms harmful overgrown bamboo in the mountains of Japan into distinctive lights. Instead of seeing it as a nuisance he seeks ways for bamboo and humans to coexist.

Colmar, located in the Alsace region of northeastern France, developed significantly during the 13th century. The creative woodwork on the buildings is attributed to the city's wealthy merchants.

Iwate Prefecture is home to many historic sites which were made to represent Buddhist paradise. Catch a glimpse of eternity through time-lapse photography.

Xu Quanyi sees it as his mission to promote the charm of Fukushima. Sharing his stories is how he counters the stigma Fukushima continues to suffer following the 2011 disaster.

The latest research highlights the polar region crisis, with the lowest ever levels of sea ice and a polar bear population 50% reduced in 42 years in some areas. We look at wildlife in the Arctic.

Aichi / Kataoka Mami (curator) Tokoname, a pottery town with over 900 years of history, creates products appropriate for the times. Kataoka finds the beauty that's present in functional objects.

Our team visits the National Printing Bureau in Tokyo where Japan's banknotes are made, and gets a rare look at their state-of-the-art printing technology and meet their top-secret banknote artists.

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.

When a major earthquake hits, the ground can turn into muddy water. This is called liquefaction. Buildings may sink or tilt and become uninhabitable. Find out the mechanisms and how to prevent it.

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

#34 I've read it. / To explain you've done something before, change a verb to past tense (for example, "yomu"--to read--to "yonda"--to have read), then add "koto arimasu.".

Every summer, several typhoons approach Japan and make landfall. By understanding the way they move and the power of their rainstorms, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our possessions.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN will commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War by showing programs in English, with themes such as nuclear disarmament, and manga that made it to the USA.

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.

1 in 156 Japanese are transgenders. In a society still lacking in understanding, we talk to transgender people about work, marriage, leisure, as they try to live their normal daily lives.

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.

Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, has many faces. See the beauty of these different Fujis through time-lapse photography.

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.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Ultra-thin noodles and amber broth: the story of a people who overcame disaster and their favorite bowl of ramen.

Our team visits the National Printing Bureau in Tokyo where Japan's banknotes are made, and gets a rare look at their state-of-the-art printing technology and meet their top-secret banknote artists.

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.

Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens: This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage.

1 in 156 Japanese are transgenders. In a society still lacking in understanding, we talk to transgender people about work, marriage, leisure, as they try to live their normal daily lives.

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

#34 I've read it. / To explain you've done something before, change a verb to past tense (for example, "yomu"--to read--to "yonda"--to have read), then add "koto arimasu.".

Every summer, several typhoons approach Japan and make landfall. By understanding the way they move and the power of their rainstorms, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our possessions.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN will commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War by showing programs in English, with themes such as nuclear disarmament, and manga that made it to the USA.

A single bite of anpan, bread filled with sweet bean paste, is sheer joy. Born at the end of the samurai era, it has over 150 years of history.

In this episode, we learn about the early spring dates of Risshun and Usui. The nuns show us how to make the seasonal specialties neko-mochi rice cakes and Girls' Day crackers.

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.

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.

In Kyushu, BT finds masters of horseback archery and swordsmanship keeping alive the samurai spirit.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Our team visits the National Printing Bureau in Tokyo where Japan's banknotes are made, and gets a rare look at their state-of-the-art printing technology and meet their top-secret banknote artists.

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.

Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens: This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage.

In July 2025, Hayashi Hisashi became the first Japanese winner of a prestigious German award for the best board game of the year. How does he design games that captivate players around the world?

Every summer, several typhoons approach Japan and make landfall. By understanding the way they move and the power of their rainstorms, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our possessions.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN will commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War by showing programs in English, with themes such as nuclear disarmament, and manga that made it to the USA.

An astonishing 49 burial mounds of various shapes and sizes are scattered across Osaka. These 1,600-year-old mounds are the resting places of past rulers and elites. Research reveals new discoveries.

Ryogoku is known as the home of sumo. As we explore, we learn how the sport took root after a devastating fire in the 17th century. It turns out that the neighborhood has a history of bouncing back!

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.

A single bite of anpan, bread filled with sweet bean paste, is sheer joy. Born at the end of the samurai era, it has over 150 years of history.

In this episode, we learn about the early spring dates of Risshun and Usui. The nuns show us how to make the seasonal specialties neko-mochi rice cakes and Girls' Day crackers.

Lung cancer is on the rise among nonsmokers. Japanese doctors have advanced surgery that removes less lung tissue while maintaining high survival rates when the disease is detected early.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Ultra-thin noodles and amber broth: the story of a people who overcame disaster and their favorite bowl of ramen.

Our team visits the National Printing Bureau in Tokyo where Japan's banknotes are made, and gets a rare look at their state-of-the-art printing technology and meet their top-secret banknote artists.

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.

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.

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.

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

#34 I've read it. / To explain you've done something before, change a verb to past tense (for example, "yomu"--to read--to "yonda"--to have read), then add "koto arimasu.".

Every summer, several typhoons approach Japan and make landfall. By understanding the way they move and the power of their rainstorms, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our possessions.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN will commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War by showing programs in English, with themes such as nuclear disarmament, and manga that made it to the USA.

Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens: This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage.

In July 2025, Hayashi Hisashi became the first Japanese winner of a prestigious German award for the best board game of the year. How does he design games that captivate players around the 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.

It's spring, and a group of young men and women have come to the beach for some recreational clam-digging. The sea breeze mixes with the smell of freshly-cooked seafood. There's also love in the air.

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.

A single bite of anpan, bread filled with sweet bean paste, is sheer joy. Born at the end of the samurai era, it has over 150 years of history.

In this episode, we learn about the early spring dates of Risshun and Usui. The nuns show us how to make the seasonal specialties neko-mochi rice cakes and Girls' Day crackers.

Lung cancer is on the rise among nonsmokers. Japanese doctors have advanced surgery that removes less lung tissue while maintaining high survival rates when the disease is detected early.

Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens: This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage.

1 in 156 Japanese are transgenders. In a society still lacking in understanding, we talk to transgender people about work, marriage, leisure, as they try to live their normal daily lives.

When a major earthquake hits, the ground can turn into muddy water. This is called liquefaction. Buildings may sink or tilt and become uninhabitable. Find out the mechanisms and how to prevent it.

The latest research highlights the polar region crisis, with the lowest ever levels of sea ice and a polar bear population 50% reduced in 42 years in some areas. We look at wildlife in the Arctic.

A feudal lord admired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan saved the Yonezawa Domain from financial ruin 250 years ago. Stunning time-lapse images show the historic sites that preserve his legacy.

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.

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

#34 I've read it. / To explain you've done something before, change a verb to past tense (for example, "yomu"--to read--to "yonda"--to have read), then add "koto arimasu.".

Every summer, several typhoons approach Japan and make landfall. By understanding the way they move and the power of their rainstorms, we can learn how to protect ourselves and our possessions.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN will commemorate the 81st anniversary of the end of the Second World War by showing programs in English, with themes such as nuclear disarmament, and manga that made it to the USA.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Ultra-thin noodles and amber broth: the story of a people who overcame disaster and their favorite bowl of ramen.

Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens: This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage.

In Takaoka (Toyama) and Kanazawa (Ishikawa), Kyle Card tastes the influence of the Kitamaebune trading ships.

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.

Beat the summer heat with Japanese home cooking! Chef Saito makes juicy chicken wings, glazed with mirin and soy sauce, and serves them with a refreshing zucchini salad. Easy, tasty, and satisfying.

Shoring Up Short-Handed Kitchens: This episode features new services and cooking equipment designed to help restaurants in Japan overcome a deepening labor shortage.

1 in 45 Japanese are suspected of a gambling addiction. We follow a man who made a clean break from gambling, overcoming the crisis of a broken family, and is in the recovery process from addiction.

A gold mine in Kagoshima has 190 staff, from teens to veterans in their 60s, who work to extract gold used in jewelry and electronics. Spend three days with people toiling above and belowground.

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.

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.

Lung cancer is on the rise among nonsmokers. Japanese doctors have advanced surgery that removes less lung tissue while maintaining high survival rates when the disease is detected early.

Through festivals and other living culture, Spiritual Explorers is a program that offers a glimpse of the Japanese heart. Let's dig, a little deeper.

Featured recipe: Miso-mayo Baked Eggs Learn about Japanese home cooking with Master Chef Saito, based on traditional Japanese cooking techniques in five minutes!

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Embark on a flavorful journey through Kagoshima's diverse ramen, a distinct evolution within Kyushu's tonkotsu realm!

In Takaoka (Toyama) and Kanazawa (Ishikawa), Kyle Card tastes the influence of the Kitamaebune trading ships.

1 in 45 Japanese are suspected of a gambling addiction. We follow a man who made a clean break from gambling, overcoming the crisis of a broken family, and is in the recovery process from addiction.

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.

In this episode, we learn about the spring dates of keichitsu and shunbun. The chefs enjoy nobiru and fresh bamboo shoots, two staples of the springtime menu.

A gold mine in Kagoshima has 190 staff, from teens to veterans in their 60s, who work to extract gold used in jewelry and electronics. Spend three days with people toiling above and belowground.

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.

When a major earthquake hits, the ground can turn into muddy water. This is called liquefaction. Buildings may sink or tilt and become uninhabitable. Find out the mechanisms and how to prevent it.

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.

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.

Lung cancer is on the rise among nonsmokers. Japanese doctors have advanced surgery that removes less lung tissue while maintaining high survival rates when the disease is detected early.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Mt. Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan, has many faces. See the beauty of these different Fujis through time-lapse photography.

In July 2025, Ibuki became the first Japanese winner of the world's most prestigious magic competition. He talks about his swift rise to success, and explains how he comes up with original tricks.

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

#34 I've read it. / To explain you've done something before, change a verb to past tense (for example, "yomu"--to read--to "yonda"--to have read), then add "koto arimasu.".

After Christianity was outlawed in Japan during the 17th century, Japanese Christians went into hiding. Explore the ruins where some made their last stand, as well as the beautiful Oura Cathedral.

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.

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.

A gold mine in Kagoshima has 190 staff, from teens to veterans in their 60s, who work to extract gold used in jewelry and electronics. Spend three days with people toiling above and belowground.

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.

In this episode, we learn about the spring dates of keichitsu and shunbun. The chefs enjoy nobiru and fresh bamboo shoots, two staples of the springtime menu.

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.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Embark on a flavorful journey through Kagoshima's diverse ramen, a distinct evolution within Kyushu's tonkotsu realm!

In Takaoka (Toyama) and Kanazawa (Ishikawa), Kyle Card tastes the influence of the Kitamaebune trading ships.

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.

Through festivals and other living culture, Spiritual Explorers is a program that offers a glimpse of the Japanese heart. Let's dig, a little deeper.

Featured recipe: Miso-mayo Baked Eggs Learn about Japanese home cooking with Master Chef Saito, based on traditional Japanese cooking techniques in five minutes!

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.

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.

In July 2025, Ibuki became the first Japanese winner of the world's most prestigious magic competition. He talks about his swift rise to success, and explains how he comes up with original tricks.

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.

We travel to a well-known tourist resort just outside of Edo, where day-trippers are enjoying river recreation and forest walks, praying at local shrines, and sitting down for riverside picnics.

In a world with 10,000 nuclear weapons and endless conflict, what if an atomic bomb were dropped? This show visualizes the A-bomb's impact through a man's testimony of being exposed in Hiroshima.

A gold mine in Kagoshima has 190 staff, from teens to veterans in their 60s, who work to extract gold used in jewelry and electronics. Spend three days with people toiling above and belowground.

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.

In this episode, we learn about the spring dates of keichitsu and shunbun. The chefs enjoy nobiru and fresh bamboo shoots, two staples of the springtime menu.

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.

1 in 45 Japanese are suspected of a gambling addiction. We follow a man who made a clean break from gambling, overcoming the crisis of a broken family, and is in the recovery process from addiction.

In Takaoka (Toyama) and Kanazawa (Ishikawa), Kyle Card tastes the influence of the Kitamaebune trading ships.

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.

Join our explorers as they pursue the cinematic beauty of Japan. Kyle Card hikes the newly designated long trail around majestic Mt. Fuji and discovers its secrets.

Embark on a flavorful journey through Kagoshima's diverse ramen, a distinct evolution within Kyushu's tonkotsu realm!

Through festivals and other living culture, Spiritual Explorers is a program that offers a glimpse of the Japanese heart. Let's dig, a little deeper.

Featured recipe: Miso-mayo Baked Eggs Learn about Japanese home cooking with Master Chef Saito, based on traditional Japanese cooking techniques in five minutes!

Fin-tastic Fish Farming: This episode introduces two aquaculture companies that have turned to new types of fish to overcome challenges in their quest for sustainable seafood production.

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.

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.

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.

Fin-tastic Fish Farming: This episode introduces two aquaculture companies that have turned to new types of fish to overcome challenges in their quest for sustainable seafood production.

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?

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.

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.

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.

Fin-tastic Fish Farming: This episode introduces two aquaculture companies that have turned to new types of fish to overcome challenges in their quest for sustainable seafood production.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

When a major earthquake hits, the ground can turn into muddy water. This is called liquefaction. Buildings may sink or tilt and become uninhabitable. Find out the mechanisms and how to prevent it.

The latest research highlights the polar region crisis, with the lowest ever levels of sea ice and a polar bear population 50% reduced in 42 years in some areas. We look at wildlife in the Arctic.

A feudal lord admired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan saved the Yonezawa Domain from financial ruin 250 years ago. Stunning time-lapse images show the historic sites that preserve his legacy.

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.

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 travel to a well-known tourist resort just outside of Edo, where day-trippers are enjoying river recreation and forest walks, praying at local shrines, and sitting down for riverside picnics.

15,000 years ago, Jomon people lived in settlements while hunting and gathering nature's bounty. These sites show the lifestyle they led for 10,000 years, avoiding conflict and coexisting with nature.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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

1 in 36 people in Japan are foreign residents. As its population declines, we look at Japanese society in a new era of foreign workers, through an IT startup where 90% of staff are foreigners.

Comedian Naomi Watanabe unpack the culture and history behind J-POP for beginners everywhere, Today's subject is the 2026 anime film that has captivated the world: "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!".

At Hibuse Matsuri, the Fire Prevention Festival, men douse buildings in water as a prayer for protection from fire. At this event held in January, bonfires and sake help to keep people warm.

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.

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.

Tokushima ramen means tonkotsu! Topped with pork belly, and, of all things, raw egg-enjoy a one-of-a-kind bowl of ramen!

Japan possesses large amounts of usable forestland. This episode focuses on business initiatives that are trying to increase the use of Japanese timber and wood waste.

1 in 36 people in Japan are foreign residents. As its population declines, we look at Japanese society in a new era of foreign workers, through an IT startup where 90% of staff are foreigners.

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.

In this episode, we learn about boshu and geshi, two dates from early summer. The chefs prepare ume plums and tea leaves and teach us how to make a pair of refreshing summer dishes.

Comedian Naomi Watanabe unpack the culture and history behind J-POP for beginners everywhere, Today's subject is the 2026 anime film that has captivated the world: "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!".

Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture is known for its Western architecture. A piano is placed inside the station, and people stop to play from their heart.

A gold mine in Kagoshima has 190 staff, from teens to veterans in their 60s, who work to extract gold used in jewelry and electronics. Spend three days with people toiling above and belowground.

At Hibuse Matsuri, the Fire Prevention Festival, men douse buildings in water as a prayer for protection from fire. At this event held in January, bonfires and sake help to keep people warm.

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.

Japan possesses large amounts of usable forestland. This episode focuses on business initiatives that are trying to increase the use of Japanese timber and wood waste.

The architect Sejima Kazuyo has won global attention for her delicate style, breaking from the norm to achieve free, open spaces. She explains her architectural philosophy.

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.

A Brazilian couple who moved to Shiga Prefecture, Japan, teaches taekwondo to children. Their efforts are helping kids develop more than just athletically.

Appearing to float on the sea, Itsukushima Shrine is built in harmony with nature, changing appearance with the tide. A symbol of beauty and beliefs, its clever construction protects it from the sea.

At Hibuse Matsuri, the Fire Prevention Festival, men douse buildings in water as a prayer for protection from fire. At this event held in January, bonfires and sake help to keep people warm.

Comedian Naomi Watanabe unpack the culture and history behind J-POP for beginners everywhere, Today's subject is the 2026 anime film that has captivated the world: "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!".

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.

In this episode, we learn about boshu and geshi, two dates from early summer. The chefs prepare ume plums and tea leaves and teach us how to make a pair of refreshing summer dishes.

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.

Tokushima ramen means tonkotsu! Topped with pork belly, and, of all things, raw egg-enjoy a one-of-a-kind bowl of ramen!

Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture is known for its Western architecture. A piano is placed inside the station, and people stop to play from their heart.

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.

At Hibuse Matsuri, the Fire Prevention Festival, men douse buildings in water as a prayer for protection from fire. At this event held in January, bonfires and sake help to keep people warm.

Japan possesses large amounts of usable forestland. This episode focuses on business initiatives that are trying to increase the use of Japanese timber and wood waste.

The architect Sejima Kazuyo has won global attention for her delicate style, breaking from the norm to achieve free, open spaces. She explains her architectural philosophy.

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.

A full moon shines above a bustling neighborhood. Featured prominently are kabuki theaters...on hiatus. Still, people have come out to take in the nightlife, and hopefully a celebrity sighting or two.

Lung cancer is on the rise among nonsmokers. Japanese doctors have advanced surgery that removes less lung tissue while maintaining high survival rates when the disease is detected early.

Comedian Naomi Watanabe unpack the culture and history behind J-POP for beginners everywhere, Today's subject is the 2026 anime film that has captivated the world: "Cosmic Princess Kaguya!".

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.

In this episode, we learn about boshu and geshi, two dates from early summer. The chefs prepare ume plums and tea leaves and teach us how to make a pair of refreshing summer dishes.

Japan possesses large amounts of usable forestland. This episode focuses on business initiatives that are trying to increase the use of Japanese timber and wood waste.

1 in 36 people in Japan are foreign residents. As its population declines, we look at Japanese society in a new era of foreign workers, through an IT startup where 90% of staff are foreigners.

Hirosaki City in Aomori Prefecture is known for its Western architecture. A piano is placed inside the station, and people stop to play from their heart.

A Brazilian couple who moved to Shiga Prefecture, Japan, teaches taekwondo to children. Their efforts are helping kids develop more than just athletically.

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

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.