NHK WORLD-JAPAN

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.

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.

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

#19 I'd like a pair of gloves. / Tell store clerks what you want by putting "ga hoshiin desu ga" after the name of the item.

A popular cafe in Osaka offers international dishes on a day-by-day rotating basis. This helps the foreign residents who prepare them, called "one-day chefs," to get involved in Japanese society.

At one of Japan's largest anime events, Anime Japan 2026, NHK WORLD-JAPAN introduced the anime and related programs broadcast in March, and promoted its many services-including catch-up viewing.

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.

Colleen experiences the cosmopolitan port city Nagasaki during Obon, when people welcome home deceased family members with fireworks. And she sees other ways China has influenced the city.

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

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.

Inami Shishimai is a type of lion dance performed in Toyama Prefecture. Adults play the role of the shishi while a child is the shishi-tori, whose job is to pacify the shishi with sacred objects.

Locals have slurped down bowls of noodles at a 24-hour ramen restaurant in Fukuoka for five decades. For three days, we asked customers why this simple ramen is more than just a cheap meal.

Hisayama Town in southern Japan has held health checkups since the 1960s. Using this data, Kyushu University identified two markers linked to early dementia. We present the latest findings.

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.

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!

The world comes alive in a different way after sunset, with bright city lights or the glow of a 24-hour industrial complex. See how the scenery changes through the night with time-lapse photography.

Colleen experiences the cosmopolitan port city Nagasaki during Obon, when people welcome home deceased family members with fireworks. And she sees other ways China has influenced the city.

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.

Higashinada Danjiri involves a parade of decorated floats, pulled by teams of veterans and ridden by young performers that lean out over the crowd. 32 districts take part with their own float.

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.

Locals have slurped down bowls of noodles at a 24-hour ramen restaurant in Fukuoka for five decades. For three days, we asked customers why this simple ramen is more than just a cheap meal.

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.

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

Hisayama Town in southern Japan has held health checkups since the 1960s. Using this data, Kyushu University identified two markers linked to early dementia. We present the latest findings.

The Amakusa region has over 120 islands and is home to one of the places where a unique form of Christianity developed. See Amakusa's historic sights and natural beauty through time-lapse photography.

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 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 bow and arrow. Explore the unique culture behind them.

#19 I'd like a pair of gloves. / Tell store clerks what you want by putting "ga hoshiin desu ga" after the name of the item.

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

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

The world comes alive in a different way after sunset, with bright city lights or the glow of a 24-hour industrial complex. See how the scenery changes through the night with time-lapse photography.

Locals have slurped down bowls of noodles at a 24-hour ramen restaurant in Fukuoka for five decades. For three days, we asked customers why this simple ramen is more than just a cheap meal.

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.

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.

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

Colleen experiences the cosmopolitan port city Nagasaki during Obon, when people welcome home deceased family members with fireworks. And she sees other ways China has influenced the city.

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.

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!

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

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.

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.

NHK WORLD-JAPAN presents a variety of short programs focusing on Japan and Asia.

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.

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.

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.

In recent years, night high schools in Japan are admitting more students with international roots. We look at a school in Tokyo and a teacher dedicated to guiding his students toward a better future.

Locals have slurped down bowls of noodles at a 24-hour ramen restaurant in Fukuoka for five decades. For three days, we asked customers why this simple ramen is more than just a cheap meal.

Kumamoto is recovering from the 2016 earthquake. A piano is placed in a shopping arcade for a limited period, and people stop to play from their heart.

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

The world comes alive in a different way after sunset, with bright city lights or the glow of a 24-hour industrial complex. See how the scenery changes through the night with time-lapse photography.

Colleen experiences the cosmopolitan port city Nagasaki during Obon, when people welcome home deceased family members with fireworks. And she sees other ways China has influenced the city.

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.