NHK WORLD-JAPAN

We hit the town around Shinjuku East Exit, one of Tokyo's vibrant hubs. It has roots as a lodging area, which later welcomed a train terminal and eventually became a business and entertainment center.

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

The Maki-e lacquering technique uses gold dust on a jet-black background to dazzling effect.

On those hot, humid summer nights, nothing can get in the way of sleep like mosquitoes on the hunt. We learn about the tools the Edo townspeople had at their disposal to fight the pesky insects.

The Murakami Kaizoku were seafarers and fighters in the Seto Inland Sea. We explore their history and legacy, with footage from time-lapse creator Shimizu Daisuke. This time, Seto Inland Sea.

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.

Born in Ghana, Fred Swaniker, lived across Africa and realized that good leadership is key to a nation's success. He built schools to nurture entrepreneurial leaders, training over 250,000 youth.

Today's theme: Aging. Appreciating the fleeting beauty of natural decay and admiring imperfections reflect the Japanese love for aging. Explore designs that draw positively on the passage of time!

We explore Amami Oshima, a subtropical paradise, through the work of Tanaka Isson. Referred to as "the Japanese Gauguin," Isson was a solitary artist who found new inspiration in a southern island.

Japanese melons are known to be juicy and intensely sweet. Their beautiful netting patterns indicate careful cultivation and wonderful flavor. Meet dedicated farmers and savor a truly versatile fruit.

Our story is about a woman who has two very different jobs at two very different locations, with two very different lunches! Tune in to find out more!

Featured recipe: Komeko (rice flour) Okonomiyaki/ Learn about easy, delicious, and healthy cooking with Chef Rika in five minutes!

Born in Ghana, Fred Swaniker, lived across Africa and realized that good leadership is key to a nation's success. He built schools to nurture entrepreneurial leaders, training over 250,000 youth.

Today's theme: Aging. Appreciating the fleeting beauty of natural decay and admiring imperfections reflect the Japanese love for aging. Explore designs that draw positively on the passage of time!

We explore Amami Oshima, a subtropical paradise, through the work of Tanaka Isson. Referred to as "the Japanese Gauguin," Isson was a solitary artist who found new inspiration in a southern island.

Our story is about a woman who has two very different jobs at two very different locations, with two very different lunches! Tune in to find out more!

Featured recipe: Komeko (rice flour) Okonomiyaki/ Learn about easy, delicious, and healthy cooking with Chef Rika in five minutes!

Ukrainian picture book creator Romana Romanyshyn co-founded the art studio "Agrafka." Despite the 2022 Russian invasion, she remains in her homeland to communicate the truth of war through her works.

Japanese melons are known to be juicy and intensely sweet. Their beautiful netting patterns indicate careful cultivation and wonderful flavor. Meet dedicated farmers and savor a truly versatile fruit.

Born in Ghana, Fred Swaniker, lived across Africa and realized that good leadership is key to a nation's success. He built schools to nurture entrepreneurial leaders, training over 250,000 youth.

We visit the Yoshiwara district, Edo's most prominent pleasure quarters. Among the lavish spenders, courtesans and apprentices, small humanoid creatures scurry about - what could they be up to?

Today's theme: Aging. Appreciating the fleeting beauty of natural decay and admiring imperfections reflect the Japanese love for aging. Explore designs that draw positively on the passage of time!

We explore Amami Oshima, a subtropical paradise, through the work of Tanaka Isson. Referred to as "the Japanese Gauguin," Isson was a solitary artist who found new inspiration in a southern island.

Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture was the first to revive steam locomotives in Japan. See how the company has continued to operate despite typhoon damage and the pandemic.

Born in Ghana, Fred Swaniker, lived across Africa and realized that good leadership is key to a nation's success. He built schools to nurture entrepreneurial leaders, training over 250,000 youth.

Our story is about a woman who has two very different jobs at two very different locations, with two very different lunches! Tune in to find out more!

Featured recipe: Komeko (rice flour) Okonomiyaki/ Learn about easy, delicious, and healthy cooking with Chef Rika in five minutes!

Today's theme: Aging. Appreciating the fleeting beauty of natural decay and admiring imperfections reflect the Japanese love for aging. Explore designs that draw positively on the passage of time!

Ukrainian picture book creator Romana Romanyshyn co-founded the art studio "Agrafka." Despite the 2022 Russian invasion, she remains in her homeland to communicate the truth of war through her works.

We visit the Yoshiwara district, Edo's most prominent pleasure quarters. Among the lavish spenders, courtesans and apprentices, small humanoid creatures scurry about - what could they be up to?

The fascinating stories and secrets behind hit Japanese products, plus parts and machines that boast the top share of niche markets. This time: lithium-ion batteries & dust collectors.

We explore Amami Oshima, a subtropical paradise, through the work of Tanaka Isson. Referred to as "the Japanese Gauguin," Isson was a solitary artist who found new inspiration in a southern island.

Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture was the first to revive steam locomotives in Japan. See how the company has continued to operate despite typhoon damage and the pandemic.

Today's theme: Aging. Appreciating the fleeting beauty of natural decay and admiring imperfections reflect the Japanese love for aging. Explore designs that draw positively on the passage of time!

We visit the Yoshiwara district, Edo's most prominent pleasure quarters. Among the lavish spenders, courtesans and apprentices, small humanoid creatures scurry about - what could they be up to?

The Ainu: indigenous people of northern Japan. Time-lapse creator Shimizu Daisuke investigates various aspects of their culture and traditions. This time: Ainu Forest.

Our story is about a woman who has two very different jobs at two very different locations, with two very different lunches! Tune in to find out more!

Featured recipe: Komeko (rice flour) Okonomiyaki/ Learn about easy, delicious, and healthy cooking with Chef Rika in five minutes!

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

Steve Pateman is fighting to make Sumo more accessible by encouraging individuals typically sidelined from sports to try it for free at his gym in the UK. We ask him how Sumo can change lives.

Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Watanabe Akiko, a popular bento maker. They each use ketchup in their fun and easy recipes. From Shodoshima, a warigo bento for watching farmer's kabuki.

Chiba is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

As part of Motsuji Temple's annual January festival, a torch lighting ritual is held for purification, followed by a competition over a lucky bag, and some mochi rice cake tossing for good luck.

A cultural museum offers regional tradition workshops and grows rice on its nature-rich property. Join us in picking and eating seasonal wild vegetables.

Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is an olive island floating in the Seto Inland Sea. A piano was placed at a park for a limited period. Watch players from all walks of life come to share their melodies.

Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture was the first to revive steam locomotives in Japan. See how the company has continued to operate despite typhoon damage and the pandemic.

Steve Pateman is fighting to make Sumo more accessible by encouraging individuals typically sidelined from sports to try it for free at his gym in the UK. We ask him how Sumo can change lives.

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

Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Watanabe Akiko, a popular bento maker. They each use ketchup in their fun and easy recipes. From Shodoshima, a warigo bento for watching farmer's kabuki.

Chiba is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

As part of Motsuji Temple's annual January festival, a torch lighting ritual is held for purification, followed by a competition over a lucky bag, and some mochi rice cake tossing for good luck.

A cultural museum offers regional tradition workshops and grows rice on its nature-rich property. Join us in picking and eating seasonal wild vegetables.

Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is an olive island floating in the Seto Inland Sea. A piano was placed at a park for a limited period. Watch players from all walks of life come to share their melodies.

A Brazilian woman living in Japan is trying to promote a music video she made for kids about sexual abuse while navigating the differences between the two cultures.

We visit the Kisoji, a mountain road which was a key route in the Edo period. Today it attracts visitors from around the world. For 3 days, we spoke with people travelling on the old road.

Despite all obstacles, then-Director Bill Kramer led the Academy Museum to its successful opening in 2021. With his proven leadership, Bill became the new CEO of A.M.P.A.S. in July 2022.

Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture was the first to revive steam locomotives in Japan. See how the company has continued to operate despite typhoon damage and the pandemic.

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

Steve Pateman is fighting to make Sumo more accessible by encouraging individuals typically sidelined from sports to try it for free at his gym in the UK. We ask him how Sumo can change lives.

It's late at night, when all are fast asleep. A young man and woman huddle together along the veranda outside of a house, attending to a ... rooster. What could the pair be up to?

Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Watanabe Akiko, a popular bento maker. They each use ketchup in their fun and easy recipes. From Shodoshima, a warigo bento for watching farmer's kabuki.

Chiba is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

As part of Motsuji Temple's annual January festival, a torch lighting ritual is held for purification, followed by a competition over a lucky bag, and some mochi rice cake tossing for good luck.

A cultural museum offers regional tradition workshops and grows rice on its nature-rich property. Join us in picking and eating seasonal wild vegetables.

Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is an olive island floating in the Seto Inland Sea. A piano was placed at a park for a limited period. Watch players from all walks of life come to share their melodies.

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

Steve Pateman is fighting to make Sumo more accessible by encouraging individuals typically sidelined from sports to try it for free at his gym in the UK. We ask him how Sumo can change lives.

Monbetsu Atsushi is a cultural and wildlife advocate working to preserve Hokkaido's traditional Ainu culture through ancient practices including hunting and forest management.

Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Watanabe Akiko, a popular bento maker. They each use ketchup in their fun and easy recipes. From Shodoshima, a warigo bento for watching farmer's kabuki.

Chiba is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

Despite all obstacles, then-Director Bill Kramer led the Academy Museum to its successful opening in 2021. With his proven leadership, Bill became the new CEO of A.M.P.A.S. in July 2022.

It's late at night, when all are fast asleep. A young man and woman huddle together along the veranda outside of a house, attending to a ... rooster. What could the pair be up to?

While immune checkpoint inhibitors can improve cancer survival rates, they only work in about 20 to 30 percent of patients. We interview Japanese researchers who are trying to overcome this challenge.

As part of Motsuji Temple's annual January festival, a torch lighting ritual is held for purification, followed by a competition over a lucky bag, and some mochi rice cake tossing for good luck.

A cultural museum offers regional tradition workshops and grows rice on its nature-rich property. Join us in picking and eating seasonal wild vegetables.

Shodoshima, Kagawa Prefecture, is an olive island floating in the Seto Inland Sea. A piano was placed at a park for a limited period. Watch players from all walks of life come to share their melodies.

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

Today: bentos with Marc and special guest Watanabe Akiko, a popular bento maker. They each use ketchup in their fun and easy recipes. From Shodoshima, a warigo bento for watching farmer's kabuki.

Chiba is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

A Brazilian woman living in Japan is trying to promote a music video she made for kids about sexual abuse while navigating the differences between the two cultures.

It's late at night, when all are fast asleep. A young man and woman huddle together along the veranda outside of a house, attending to a ... rooster. What could the pair be up to?

The Ainu: indigenous people of northern Japan. Time-lapse creator Shimizu Daisuke investigates various aspects of their culture and traditions. This time: Ainu Houses.

"Keitora" are Japanese light pickup trucks. They're used to transport goods, but that's far from their only role. In a 5-minute digest, we discover the surprising possibilities of keitora.

Japanese melons are known to be juicy and intensely sweet. Their beautiful netting patterns indicate careful cultivation and wonderful flavor. Meet dedicated farmers and savor a truly versatile fruit.