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Journeys in Japan
Season 13 • Episode 24 • Hakone Hachiri: Highway Back in Time
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Journeys in Japan Season 13, Episode 24: Hakone Hachiri: Highway Back in Time
For centuries, the ancient Tokaido highway was the most important road in all Japan. It linked Kyoto, the emperor's capital, with Edo, the city of the shoguns, now known as Tokyo. These days, the old road has mostly been paved over for modern traffic. But there's still a long section where visitors can walk along the original route. Known as Hakone Hachiri, it runs between Odawara (in Kanagawa Prefecture) and Mishima (Shizuoka Prefecture) and it offers many glimpses of the history and traditions of Japan's feudal period. Visitors will see the original stones paving the road; giant cedar trees lining the route; a centuries-old tea house; traditional crafts shops; and hot springs where weary travelers still stop to ease their aching legs. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Michael Keida discovers many reminders of old Japan, while hiking along Hakone Hachiri. Watch Journeys in Japan Season 13, Episode 24 Hakone Hachiri: Highway Back in Time in HD free online. Enjoy high-quality streaming of Journeys in Japan Season 13, Episode 24 and share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Episodes
25 episodes
Yamanobe no Michi: Strolling Back Into the Past
One of Japan's oldest roads, the Yamanobe no Michi runs about 25 kilometers along the foot of the mountains in the Nara basin, linking Sakurai and Nara Cities. Agriculture prospers along the route, which is also dotted with many significant shrines and ancient burial mounds. Michael Keida, an American actor who also farms, heads down the southern stretch, visiting historical places and meeting people who live close to the land.
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Hamamatsu: From Local Expertise to Global Renown
The city of Hamamatsu lies in Shizuoka Prefecture, midway between Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture. Since the old days, the area has thrived as a key point on the route connecting eastern and western Japan. Nowadays it is known as a hub for manufacturing. Many companies in Hamamatsu started off as small factories but have now grown into global brands, especially in the fields of motorcycles and musical instruments. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, we visit some of these companies, to spotlight their remarkable level of craftsmanship.
28 min
Matsusaka: Legacy of Samurai, Merchants, Artisan
Matsusaka City of Mie Prefecture is famous for its premium Matsusaka Beef. In the Edo period (1603-1868), it prospered as a merchant town owing to its location on the pilgrimage route to nearby Ise Shrine. Various goods, information and people concentrated here, eventually producing Japan's leading merchants. Lena Yamaguchi from Germany explores Matsusaka where traces of the castle and merchant town remain.
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JAPOW Magical Backcountry Ski Tour
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28 min
—Festivals— A Harbinger of Spring
Since the old days, many festivals have been held across Japan to mark the changing seasons and reflect the agricultural cycle. Most autumn festivals are an expression of gratitude for the harvest, and celebrate the return to the mountains of the god of the fields. Winter festivals take place in the off season. And spring festivals are held before the start of farming work, to pray for their crops. In this episode of Journeys in Japan, we revisit 3 festivals held from fall to early spring — festivals that usher in the beginning of spring.
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Hearing the Silent Voice of the Bedrock
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Eyeing Architectural Wonders
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Nagasaki: City of Hills and Hope
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Eternally Radiant Himeji Castle
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Maniwa: Living from the Forest
Around 70 percent of Japan's landmass is covered by forest, and this has given rise to the country's distinctive wood-based culture. Nowhere is this more visible than around Maniwa, in northern Okayama Prefecture. For centuries, this area has been one of Japan's leading producers of timber, with extensive plantations devoted to Sugi (cedar) and hinoki (cypress) trees covering the surrounding mountains. Wood merchants from all over the country gather in the historic Katsuyama district in the center of Maniwa, to attend the timber market held 3 times a month. The traditional townscape in Katsuyama has changed little over the past 2 centuries, and many shops line the scenic streets, each with its own traditional Noren shop curtain dyed from hinoki bark. The town has also come up with creative new ways for using its timber. In this episode of Journeys in Japan, Michael Keida visits Maniwa to explore the history and the future of Japan's wood culture. (Excerpt)
28 min
Breathing New Life into Iwaki
Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture has been making steady progress in its reconstruction efforts since the Great East Japan Earthquake struck 11 years ago. But catches of seafood have not recovered to pre-disaster levels. Also, the city's mountainous districts have faced rapid depopulation. These days, young people in the city have been taking matters into their own hands. They are working hard to revive communities, driven by their passion to try something new while preserving tradition. On this episode, Ebony Bowens goes up to Iwaki to meet some of these bold individuals.
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Exploring the Mudflats of the Ariake Sea in Saga
The Ariake Sea borders lies in the northwest of Kyushu, bordering on 4 prefectures: Nagasaki, Saga, Fukuoka, and Kumamoto. Its huge tidal range, as much as 6 meters, is the largest in Japan. Low tide reveals massive mudflats stretching out some 7 kilometers from the shore. This ecosystem is home to some very unusual creatures, and since the old days it has provided a rich bounty of seafood for the local people. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, we explore this unique environment, its history and culture.
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Yamagata: Communing with the Living and the Dead
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Iriomote: Pursuing the Elusive Jungle Cat
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Shinhama, Sendai: A Green Sea Wall for the Future
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Okinawa: Weaving Culture
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Peak Pleasure in the Northern Alps
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28 min
With Isabella Bird: On the Road to Nikko
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28 min
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28 min
Spirited Away to Tono
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28 min
Hakone Hachiri: Highway Back in Time
For centuries, the ancient Tokaido highway was the most important road in all Japan. It linked Kyoto, the emperor's capital, with Edo, the city of the shoguns, now known as Tokyo. These days, the old road has mostly been paved over for modern traffic. But there's still a long section where visitors can walk along the original route. Known as Hakone Hachiri, it runs between Odawara (in Kanagawa Prefecture) and Mishima (Shizuoka Prefecture) and it offers many glimpses of the history and traditions of Japan's feudal period. Visitors will see the original stones paving the road; giant cedar trees lining the route; a centuries-old tea house; traditional crafts shops; and hot springs where weary travelers still stop to ease their aching legs. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Michael Keida discovers many reminders of old Japan, while hiking along Hakone Hachiri.
28 min
Kumamoto: Castle Town Loves Its Past with Eye on the Future
Kumamoto Castle was built by the feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa. The construction began in the late 16th century and was completed in the 17th century. Designated as a National Special Historic Site, it is also known as Ginnan Castle (ginkgo castle) because of a great ginkgo tree near the main tower. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, James Lambiasi explores the legacy of the sprawling castle, meeting local people and learning about the reconstruction efforts after the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.
28 min