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Journeys in Japan
Season 14 • Episode 14 • With Isabella Bird — Part 2: On the Road to Tsugawa
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Journeys in Japan Season 14, Episode 14: With Isabella Bird — Part 2: On the Road to Tsugawa
British explorer and writer Isabella Bird arrived in Japan in 1878, a mere 10 years after the country opened its doors to the West. Accompanied by just one young man who served as both her interpreter and attendant, she traveled deep into the hinterland. Unbeaten Tracks in Japan is her highly praised travelogue of that journey. It is a valuable record written from the perspective of a devout Christian endowed with critical thinking, which smashed the fairytale image of Japan that had spread in Western countries. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, US writer Benjamin Boas traces Bird's footsteps, looking for vestiges of the Japan of 150 years ago. Starting from Kinugawa Onsen, he makes his way to the Aizu region and then to the town of Tsugawa, in Niigata Prefecture. Watch Journeys in Japan Season 14, Episode 14 With Isabella Bird — Part 2: On the Road to Tsugawa in HD free online. Enjoy high-quality streaming of Journeys in Japan Season 14, Episode 14 and share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Episodes
29 episodes
Nagoya: Exploring with Insiders
The city of Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and the hub of Japan's third largest metropolitan region. Located midway between Tokyo and Osaka, it is not just a major economic center, it also boasts a rich history and a vibrant contemporary culture. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, we explore Nagoya through the eyes of two long-time residents: Elisabeth "Elly" Llopis from Spain and Lena Yamaguchi from Germany. Elly and Lena are very enthusiastic about their adopted hometown, and they introduce some of the people, areas and foods that make Nagoya so special for them.
28 min
Ozu: Castle Town Looking to the Future
Ozu lies in the heart of Ehime Prefecture surrounded by unspoiled forested mountains. Ozu Castle stands in the center of the old town, overlooking the Hijikawa River in a district of traditional residences and other historical buildings. This time on Journeys in Japan, American actor Charles Glover visits Ozu and discovers that it is possible to stay the night inside the castle donjon (main keep) — the only place in Japan where this is possible.
28 min
Kyushu: On the Trail of Shoyu
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Yasugi: Discoveries Along the Iron Road
Jonathan Senior discovers Japan's iron history in Yasugi, a transport hub from long ago. He learns about the old clay tatara furnaces for producing steel blooms and visits an impressive castle ruin. His trip also takes him to artisan studios for crafting swords, incense and iron candle stands.
28 min
Matsue: The World of Wagashi
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Kochi: Into the Luminous Darkness
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Winter Along the Mogami River
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Live Long, Live Well in Northern Nagano
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28 min
Akita, Yamagata, Niigata: The Textiles and Traditions of Winter
Akita, Yamagata and Niigata prefectures are known for their bitterly cold winter weather, with very heavy snowfall. In the old days, the people living in these areas developed warm textiles to help them survive the harsh conditions. They wove fabrics that incorporated fluffy fibers from wild plants or the down of wildfowl. And they developed unique quilting techniques to make their cotton clothes thicker and more robust. They also took advantage of the snow to bleach their fabrics. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Sheila Cliffe explores the textiles and clothing from Japan's "Snow Country."
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Sapporo: Ski Mountaineering Tradition
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28 min
Rambling Around Secluded Yanbaru
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28 min
Onomichi: Vistas, Cats and Steep Hillsides
Onomichi lies on the coast of Hiroshima Prefecture, overlooking the tranquil Seto Inland Sea. Because there is very little flat land in the town, many of residential areas are built on steep hillsides. The town also boasts beautiful views of the sea and the nearby islands. Drawn by Onomichi's mild climate and old-fashioned atmosphere, a growing number of younger people are moving there from other parts of Japan. The town also attracts many visitors, both from Japan and around the world. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, US actor Bruce Taylor explores the town's labyrinthine narrow streets, discovering an area that is known for its friendly cats and meeting local people who are helping to revitalize the area.
28 min
Tobishima Kaido: Taking It Slow on Golden Isles
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28 min
With Isabella Bird — Part 2: On the Road to Tsugawa
British explorer and writer Isabella Bird arrived in Japan in 1878, a mere 10 years after the country opened its doors to the West. Accompanied by just one young man who served as both her interpreter and attendant, she traveled deep into the hinterland. Unbeaten Tracks in Japan is her highly praised travelogue of that journey. It is a valuable record written from the perspective of a devout Christian endowed with critical thinking, which smashed the fairytale image of Japan that had spread in Western countries. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, US writer Benjamin Boas traces Bird's footsteps, looking for vestiges of the Japan of 150 years ago. Starting from Kinugawa Onsen, he makes his way to the Aizu region and then to the town of Tsugawa, in Niigata Prefecture.
28 min
On the Sugar Road from Nagasaki to Saga
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28 min
Nibutani the Ainu, Living with Kamuy
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28 min
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28 min
With Isabella Bird — Part 3: On the Road to Yamagata
British explorer and writer Isabella Bird arrived in Japan in 1878, a mere 10 years after the country opened its doors to the West. Accompanied by just one young man who served as both interpreter and attendant, she traveled deep into the hinterland. Unbeaten Tracks in Japan is her highly praised travelogue of that journey. It is a valuable record written from the perspective of a devout Christian endowed with critical thinking, which smashed the fairytale image of Japan that had spread in Western countries. In this episode, actor Akino Roza traces Isabella's footsteps in search of vestiges of the past — and also to make new discoveries. Starting from the city of Niigata, she travels along the old Jusan-toge route to the Yamagata Basin.
28 min
Koyasan: In Pursuit of Enlightenment
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28 min
From Ise to the Source of the Sacred River
The Miyagawa River originates in the pristine heights of Mount Odaigahara, in the center of the Kii Peninsula, and flows down to Ise Bay. Because its lower reaches run past Ise Jingu (the Grand Shrine of Ise), the river is also often known as the "River of the Gods." The Miyagawa is also renowned for its water quality, which is among the clearest in the country. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Peter Skov hikes through the spectacular Osugidani valley, before arriving at the source of this sacred waterway.
28 min
The Soaring Dragons of Chichibu
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28 min
Kyushu: On the Shoyu Trail: Nagasaki – Kumamoto – Miyazaki
Soy sauce, or shoyu, is one of the essential seasonings that underpin Japanese cuisine. In Kyushu (southwestern Japan), various types of soy sauce have been developed to complement different dishes. From one region to the next, each sauce has its own tradition and use. This has led to the creation of numerous sauces across the region, including new kinds of shoyu featuring a range of ingredients.
28 min
Handa: Savoring a Canal City's Delights
Handa City, in Aichi Prefecture, is known for its brewing industry and festivals with towering floats. Jennifer Julien, a wine promoter based in Japan, delights in the city's sake and sushi, as well as its Handa Dashi Float Festival. It's a spectacle of thirty-one floats that come together once every five years.
28 min
Yakushima Awakenings
Yakushima, off Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu, is a magical island of primeval forest, rare micro-climate and pristine nature. It is also the first place in Japan to be recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. British plant-hunter, Ernest Henry Wilson, explored Yakushima in the early 20th century, researching and photographing its ancient Yakusugi trees. Photographer Alfie Goodrich travels to the island and becomes a conduit for the famous plant-hunter Wilson...
28 min