Journeys in Japan Season 1

Fukuoka facing the Genkai Sea has been geographically and historically a city open to East Asia. It still maintains links with many Asian countries-- from Port of Fukuoka, there is a ferry which runs between Fukuoka and Busan in the Republic of Korea. Walking through the city, our reporter Vincent encounters a wide variety of things which ties to East Asia. (Excerpt)

Toyama is a city surrounded by tall mountains and has a population of 400,000. It's a place where unique businesses have sprung up since the days of old. Toyama's medicine became famous, in particular, for this gastric medicine, first made here three centuries ago - it's a blend of over 20 ingredients extracted from medicinal herbs found in the mountains of Toyama. The recipe may have changed slightly over the years but the medicine is still used today. Traveling salesmen used to peddle this medicine all over the country. In an age when there was little medicine available, the cures these salesmen offered were very much appreciated. This was how Toyama's medicine spread to households nationwide. (Excerpt)

Furano, located just about in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture is becoming a popular destination for foreign skiers. The winter season in Furano presents various options to enjoy the great outdoors. The most exciting of all is an adventure trip on a dog sled. Our reporter Sotaro Nagasawa visits Hidetaka Matsubara in Minami Furano. Matsubara owns 29 sled dogs which are hybrids of Siberian husky and wolf. This edition introduces you to an adventure which can be experienced only in deep snow of Hokkaido during winter. (Excerpt)

The navigator for this episode of "journeys in japan" is opera director Dario Ponissi. His destination is Naoshima of Kagawa Prefecture, a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, with a population of some 3300. Naoshima has gathered global attention as a center of contemporary art. (Excerpt)

Kamakura lies on the coast to the south of Tokyo, surrounded on three sides by hills, and looking out to the sea. Eight centuries ago, a samurai warrior seized power and set up his capital here. Today on "journeys in japan", our reporters search out the samurai spirit that's been passed down since ancient times. (Excerpt)

This week, "journeys in japan" visits a city of science—Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba. In 1963, under a national policy, the city was opened up as a place for research on advanced technology. It's now home to 300 research institutes. Our reporter Judit Kawaguchi discovers the charms of the city and its state-of-the-art technology. (Excerpt)

In this episode of "journeys in japan", our reporter, Adeyto, visits Oshino Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji., Japan's highest mountain. Her guide is the well-known actor Hatsunori Hasegawa. He lives in Tokyo but he loves the natural environment around Oshino Village so much that he built a villa there seven years ago. He shows Adeyto some of the beautiful spots in the area, and introduces her to the local people. (Excerpt)

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest in Japan, in Tottori Prefecture. The Tottori Sand Dunes skirt the Sea of Japan in the southwestern part of Japan. The dunes were created naturally over 100,000 years by sediments carried from the mountains down the river and eventually blown up onto the shore. Our reporter, Vincent Giry, wonders into the land of majestic dunes and meets people who live together with sand. (Excerpt)

In this edition, JJ goes to a secluded part of northern Izu Peninsula, facing Suruga Bay. Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan, extends 2,500 meters below sea level. It's famous for its rich variety of seafood. Heda, a small fisherman's town, is especially famous for its catch of deep-sea fish and the Japanese spider crabs-the largest crab in the world, which lives at the depth between 150 to 800 meters. (Excerpt)

In this week's journeys in japan, we visit the Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture, one of the largest Inari temples in Japan. Many of temples and shrines are protected by special guardian deities which is foxes. The animals are also believed to be messengers of the gods. Such temples and shrines are called Inari. (Excerpt)

On this edition of 'journeys in japan', we visit Himeji Castle, one of the few castles in Japan that have managed to survive in their original form, the way they were built about four centuries ago. Renowned for its beauty, this fortress is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and draws numerous tourists every year, both from Japan and around the world. However, in April work began on a major restoration program. This magnificent landmark will gradually be covered in scaffolding from the bottom upwards; by the autumn of 2010, the main keep will be completely hidden from view. The people of Himeji are concerned that this will mean that fewer tourists come to visit their city. So they have been coming up with ideas to ensure that Himeji remains a major draw for visitors. Our reporter, George Burdaniotis, visited the city to find out what is going on. (Excerpt)

This week, we will focus on Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and introduce people who have made use of the bounties of nature in unusual ways to create products with added value.This week, we will focus on Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and introduce people who have made use of the bounties of nature in unusual ways to create products with added value. The sea off Naruto City has a strong current that flows at about 20 kilometers per hour and forms natural whirlpools that can reach a diameter of 30 meters. For this reason, fish that are tossed about in the currents are known in Japan to be tasty. Sea breams are said to be especially exquisite, and the best culinary delights will be shown. We will also visit a popular museum with a collection of artworks made with tiles that have been locally produced using the sea sand of Naruto. Furthermore, we will introduce a festival held in Tokushima, a place that is progressing as the city of LED.

The pine-studded sandbar spans Miyazu Bay, facing the Sea of Japan in northern Kyoto. The accumulation of white river sand over thousands of years sculpted this impressive strip of land, which has been the subject of significant poems and paintings for more than 1000 years. In this edition of "journeys in japan," our reporter, Judit Kawaguchi, meets the warm residents of this gorgeous area where history is very much alive. (Excerpt)

On this edition of "journeys in japan" we head to northern Japan to visit a historic city with a warrior legacy -- Yonezawa in Yamagata prefecture. For long years, it flourished as a castle town and was a home to many samurai. Our reporter JJ explores its samurai legacy. (Excerpt)

Geoparks, created by UNESCO's initiative in 2004, are aimed for people to learn more about the Earth and for invigorating local economies by using the parks for tourism. This time, we travel by car, starting from one of the geoparks - Mount Unzen in Shimabara, to Sakurajima in Kagoshima. It is a trip to feel the Earth's great energy and to learn about volcanoes and their connections to people's livelihood. (Excerpt)

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit Mino City in Aichi Prefecture, a town famous for Japanese traditional paper "Washi". Washi is made from the fibers of tree bark and all handmade by traditional artisans has a beautiful appearance and texture. There are about 30 artisans who still produce washi in the traditional way. Tatsuo Ichikawa is one of oldest washi artisans in Mino city. He took over from his father in the family business. He explained to us how washi is made. (Excerpt)

On this edition of journeys in japan, JJ visits Minabe, Wakayama Pref., whose products are an essential part of Japanese food culture. Minabe produces more ume fruit than anywhere else in Japan - 30,000 tons every year. The type of ume grown in the area is called Nanko-ume. They are particularly large and flavorful, and are considered the highest quality in Japan. Most of the fruit harvested is pickled to make umeboshi, one of Japan's most distinctive foods. (Excerpt)

Sendai is the biggest city in northeastern Japan. It's also the hometown of Kumiko Mori, a popular singer and entertainer who appearis frequently on stage and TV. She meets up with NHK WORLD reporter Vincent Giry, and they visit many spots connected with the samurai warlord Date Masamune, who founded Sendai some 400 years ago as his castle town and military base. (Excerpt)

Nara was established as the capital more than 1000 years ago. It was the country's first major administrative center and was called Heijo-kyo. This year marks the 1300th anniversary of Heijo-kyo and the city is hosting many commemorative events, including the unveiling of re-created palace buildings. Our reporter Ayana Fuentes Uno visits the ancient capital, which became the foundation of a nation. (Excerpt)

On this edition, we present the highlights from our past broadcasts. Our Reporters travel across Japan, where they discover fascinating local culture and people. (Excerpt)

The Sekita mountain range, soaring 1000 meters above sea level, straddles Nagano and Niigata Prefectures. Hikers can now walk along it on the "Shin-etsu Trail." It extends along the ridge for distance of 80 kilometers, from Mount Madarao in Nagano Prefecture to Mount Amamizu in Niigata Prefecture. Our travelers will spend five days walking the full distance of the "Shin-etsu Trail". Our guide is a nature writer, Noriyoshi Kato. Kato has walked several long trails in Japan and abroad. (Excerpt)

This time, "journeys in japan" will travel to Uchiko on the island of Shikoku. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant nature it is situated almost at the center of Ehime Prefecture. The town flourished along with the production of vegetable wax in the latter part of the 19th century. Visiting the town is street performer and mathematician, Peter Frankl. (Excerpt)

Tochigi Prefecture is situated in the most northern part of the Kantō region, and is a prefecture that is inland, not facing the coast. Though only 70 kilometers away from Tokyo, it is an area that still retains a lush mountain landscape. This program goes on a journey to visit the people who live in the natural environment of such a mountainous area, taking a look at their work and everyday lives. (Excerpt)

On this week's "journeys in japan," we visit Karatsu city in Saga prefecture. The area, which looks out to the sea, is blessed with a warm climate. People here have long enjoyed marine sports. A legendary French diver had strong ties with the sea of Karatsu. Jacques Mayol was the first man in the world to free dive to 100 meters. And it was a childhood encounter with a dolphin off the coast of Karatsu that inspired him to dive. Our reporter Ian Thomas Ash investigates the diver's deep connection to Karatsu. (Excerpt)

Izu-Oshima, the largest of the seven islands in the Izu chain, lies 120 kilometers south of Tokyo. It was formed by volcanic action, and the volcano in the center of the island is still active. Because of its size, hilly terrain and tranquil environment, Oshima is a popular training base for long-distance runners. Double Olympic medalist Yuko Arimori used the island as her training base ahead of her successful marathons. In this episode of "journeys in japan", Arimori visits Oshima with our reporter, JJ, and takes him to some of her favorite places on the island. (Excerpt)

Hita City in Oita Prefecture is a quiet town with a population of about 70-thousand, located in northern part of Kyushu in southwestern Japan. It is surrounded by many mountains, including the Aso-Kuju and the Hiko mountain systems. Abundant water resources flowing out from these mountains merge in the Hita basin. Thus many rivers flow through Hita City and are serving the local people in their daily lives. (Excerpt)

Nelson Babin-Coy is off to explore the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture by train. Nelson's first stop is at Yunokami-Onsen. The area is a hot-spring village with many traditional inns and guesthouses. One of the things Nelson wants to do on this journey is to bathe in an open-air bath looking out over the river. Three and a half hours from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, the hot spring facing the valley feels like paradise! Ōuchi-juku near Yunokami-Onsen was a post town on the old road. Its main street is flanked by more than 40 old wooden houses, which were built as lodgings for travelers over 300 years ago. Nelson stays in one of the traditional buildings and tastes local cuisine prepared by the guesthouse owner. Traveling slowly by train through this scenic countryside, Nelson finally approaches his destination, Aizu-Wakamatsu. Aizu-Wakamatsu developed as a major castle town in feudal times and has remained the main city of Aizu until this day. (Excerpt)

The Seto Inland Sea located in western Japan is the country's largest inland sea. There is a road which runs across the inland sea and connects a chain of small islands. It is known as Shimanami Kaido. A 60 km long road which connects Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture in Honshu island and Imabari City in Ehime Prefecture in Shikoku island has become a popular cycling route and gathers cyclists from all over Japan. In today's "journeys in japan", our reporter travels this road on his bicycle and introduces the Shimanami Kaido which allows you to take in the beautiful scenery while crossing the sea and islands in the inland sea. (Excerpt)

Adeyto visits three sites, starting in Kawasaki for a night factory tour. Most participants, including Adeyto, are into photographing the urban industrial landscape. What's the attraction of large-scale public works' sites for so many Japanese today? Next Adeyto travels north of Tokyo to rural Gunma Prefecture to take in a vast chamber located deep inside a mountain. The Kannagawa Hydropower Plant attracts more than 10 thousand visitors a year. The final destination of Adeyto's tour of man-made structures is a deserted island in Nagasaki Prefecture. Traveling 17 kilometers off of Nagasaki's Port, you'll come to Hashima. Hashima was once a coal mining facility, home to 5000 people. When resources were exhausted, the island was abandoned in 1974. Since it opened to the public last year, 70 thousand people have visited despite the fact that only concrete ruins remain. For many tourists, they find a silent message here. (Excerpt)

Kure is a 30-minute train ride from Hiroshima. The port town has a population of 250-thousand. The historic shipbuilding town still turns out large tankers and other vessels. It's a major marine transportation hub in the Seto Inland Sea with hundreds of ships going in and out of the port daily. It developed in the Meiji Period around the establishment of a naval base. The sea, ships and navy are woven into Kure's history. Today, we'll explore the culinary culture nurtured in this port town. (Excerpt)

Because of Japan's volcanic terrain, natural hot springs are found throughout country. Known as onsen, they are one of the highlights of any visit to Japan. There are more than 3,000 onsen in Japan. And many of them are rather different to typical hot spring spa resorts. There are lots of different ways to enjoying these onsen. Some have become popular among visiting tourists. Others are peaceful places out in the wild where you can sit and soak in seclusion. On this edition of "journeys in japan," Judit is visiting Hachimantai, in the northern part of Honshu, Japan's main island. (Excerpt)

On this edition of Journeys in Japan , we visit the Iya Valley, in the center of Shikoku.On this edition of journey in japan , we visit the Iya Valley, in the center of Shikoku. Until about 40 years ago, it was cut off from the rest of the island, and people living there had little interaction with other communities. This allowed the traditional customs and lifestyle to remain unchanged for centuries. Our reporter, Adeyto, takes a local train into the mountains of Shikoku, following the course of the Yoshino River, the longest river on the island. Then she has to take a bus along a mountain road that's so only wide enough for one vehicles at a time. (Excerpt)

Yakushima is located 60 kilometers off Kagoshima Prefecture, in Japan's southern main island of Kyushu. It's blanketed in lush forest, and has mountains that soar nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. With its more than 1,000-year-old ancient cedars and unique ecosystem created by abundant rainfall and warm climate, Yakushima has been registered as a World Heritage site. Our reporter, Bene, has long wanted to visit this magical place. She is also looking forward to experiencing the island's famous hospitality. (Excerpt)

In this week's journeys in japan, we visit Kanazawa city in Ishikawa Pre. 99% of the gold leaf in Japan is made in this city. Gold has been adding color to Japan's traditional culture. At this time travelers are going to find out how gold is processed into a thin foil to make gold leaf. And in addition, they will introduce the amazing new gold leaf products developed recently in Kanazawa city. (Excerpt)

This week on "journeys in japan" we visit Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture. It's an ancient Buddhist sanctuary, far removed from the secular world. More than 1000 priests, engaged in daily ascetic practices, reside in the mountain hamlet. There are 117 temples in Koyasan, but the whole complex is regarded as one big temple for Shingon Esoteric Buddhism. Koyasan was registered as a World Cultural Heritage site in 2004. It draws more than 1 million tourists every year. Our reporter JJ has been in Japan for 10 years, but this will be his first time to stay at a temple. JJ, like others, is on a spiritual journey to experience the Koyasan way of life, and perhaps even encounter a few things to incorporate in life at home. (Excerpt)