Journeys in Japan Season 2, Episode 35: Izakaya Pub Culture: The Heart of Japan

Ishinomaki City, Miyagi: Manga Land

On Journeys in Japan, our reporter, Julian, ventures to Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, about 400 kilometers north of Tokyo. Ishinomaki prospered as a fishery town, but recently has become known for promoting Japanese comics.

28 min

Goto Islands, Nagasaki

In this edition of Journeys in Japan, we visit the Goto Islands, in the East China Sea off the west coast of Kyushu, southwest of Japan. Our reporter, American actress, Haruka Orth, travels to Fukuejima, the largest of the Goto islands, to meet the people there and find out about the way they live.

28 min

Industrial Artisan Craftsmanship

This week's "Journeys in Japan" focuses on the small factories that helped to lay the foundation for Japan's postwar manufacturing prowess. Our reporter, Adeyto, visits four factories in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Tokyo, to meet craftsmen whose products are in demand all around the world, and to discover their skills and artisan spirit.

28 min

Colorful Temple Tour!

In this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter Ian Thomas Ash visits a number of rare temples known for their vivid colors. Setting off from the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, he heads for a Buddhist temple in Hachioji City in the western part of the capital. Later he continues on north to Saitama, Gunma, and Niigata prefectures. All of the five temples that he visits share the uncommon in common! Ian covers about 300 kilometers on his colorful temple tour.

28 min

Toba City, Mie: The Heartland of the Pearl

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit Toba City in Mie Prefecture, the town famous for cultured pearls.

28 min

Himi, Takaoka and Gokayama, Toyama

In this edition of "Journeys in Japan", our reporter, Vincent Giry, visits Toyama Prefecture, known for its abundant snowfall. He learns how people have adapted to living in the long snowy winters-wisdom accumulated over hundreds of years.

28 min

Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa: A Great Get-Away on Tokyo's Doorstep

On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," Joshua will be trying his hand at ocean activities, soothing away his stress in spa water, exploring the countryside and simply sitting on the beach.

28 min

Abashiri City, Hokkaido: To the Land of Drift Ice

This week's Journeys in Japan, heads 1000 kilometers north of Tokyo to the sea of Okhotsk off the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. From January to March, the area becomes a vast blanket of ice floes. The ice amassing and drifting from Siberia on the currents to Hokkaido are called "drift ice." Our traveler, JJ, enjoys the wintry splendor of ice floes and other icy pleasures in the area.

28 min

Mystical Kunisaki: A Journey Back in Time

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka Orth sets out to explore the ancient Buddhist heritage found in Kunisaki in the northeast of Oita Prefecture.

28 min

Old Meets New in Kumamoto

Kumamoto—located in central Kyushu—is a regional economic and political hub. The city's symbol is Kumamoto Castle, rebuilt faithfully to its original state 400 years ago. Our reporter, Nelson, visits an old shopping district. He enjoys local delicacies and meets warm creative people in an emerging arts district.

28 min

Matsue, Shimane: Glimpses of Lafcadio Hearn

The city of Matsue lies close to the Sea of Japan coast, in Shimane Prefecture. It's a place filled with history, and has a castle built 400 years ago. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka Orth explores this traditional city.

28 min

Cape Muroto in Early Spring

The destination of this time's journey is Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture, that is based at the southeastern corner of the Shikoku Main Island. Hawaiian-born Michael Rivas visited Cape Muroto in early March to get the feel of early spring.

28 min

Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter, JJ, visits Kawazu and Shimoda, in Shizuoka Prefecture, in pursuit of typical Japanese spring delicacies.

28 min

Seki City, Gifu: City of Cutlery

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit Seki City in Gifu Prefecture. Seki City boasts the number one production of cutlery in Japan. At this time traveler Johan Gathright visits a city known for its cutlery industry and discovers its technical mastery and beauty.

28 min

Kobe, Hyogo: Kobe Kokashita - An Arcade - A Wonderland Under the Tracks

Kobe has an attractive shopping street that streches out long underneath an elevated railway track in the central part of the city. Measuring two kilometers in length and two meters in width, the shopping street is comprised of two narrow stretches each going to the opposite directions. NHK World reporter George Bourdaniotis walks through the shopping street under Kobe's elevated railway track to bring you a lot of information.

28 min

A Pilgrimage Back in Time: Kompira-san

Since ancient times people have made been making pilgrimages here to worship at Kotohira Shrine. Commonly known as Kompira-san, this shrine was thought to bring good luck, offer protection for sailors and assure abundant harvests. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka Orth explores the area around Kotohira Shrine, which seems to have changed very little since the days of old.

28 min

The Great Nature Along the Shimanto River

This week on "Journeys in Japan" we visit the Shimanto River, which is considered to be one of the country's most beautiful. It meanders nearly 200 kilometers before it finally feeds into the Pacific Ocean. Our reporter, Vincent Giry, takes in its rare beauty and enjoys outdoor pleasures along it.

28 min

Yamaguchi: Water's Power and Beauty

28 min

Jewels in the Ocean: Ogasawara Islands

28 min

A Precious Ecology: Ogasawara Islands

28 min

Gifu City, Gifu Prefecture: Cormorant Fishing - An Ancient Tradition

28 min

Breathtaking Landscapes

28 min

Summertime, Easy Living: Niseko, Hokkaido

28 min

Kazuno, Akita Prefecture: Mining a Vibrant Culture

28 min

Getting Lost in Onomichi's Secret Alleys

This week, we visit the picturesque hills of Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Located about an hour's drive away from Hiroshima, Onomichi is a little known gem, riddled with maze-like alleys. Our reporter, Gow, explores its warrens and meets its easy-going residents.

28 min

Nature Sanctuary: Oze's Marshland

28 min

Miyama, Kyoto Prefecture

28 min

A Vibrant Community: Yokohama Chinatown

Yokohama, just to the south of Tokyo, is home to one of the largest, most vibrant Chinatowns in the world. It's quite compact, covering an area just half a kilometer across, but its streets are lined with more than 600 restaurants and shops. Over 21 million visitors come here every year. In the center of Yokohama Chinatown stands a temple called Kanteibyo, which was erected in honor of the deity Guan Yu. To mark the 150th anniversary of Kanteibyo this year, there have been major celebrations. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter, Gow, explores this fascinating district, samples the delectable cuisine in some restaurants, and reports on the colorful festivities.

28 min

The Soul of Okinawan Music (1)

28 min

The Soul of Okinawan Music (2)

28 min

Mount Fuji, Yamanashi Prefecture: The Power of the Majestic Volcano

Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak and is surrounded by verdant forests and five pristine lakes. Many people are unaware that the popular hiking destination is an active volcano. We will experience majestic Mount Fuji and its volcanic power. But instead of hiking to the summit, our reporter, Michael Rivas, explores a side of the mountain not found in guidebooks. He walks a circuit course around Mount Fuji, ventures into lava tree molds and experiences other natural phenomena occurring as a result of Fuji's eruptions.

28 min

Subtropical Island Gem: Amami Oshima

28 min

Maniwa City, Okayama Prefecture: A City Steeped in Traditional Craft Rate

Noren, Japanese paper and woodblock print are the Japanese traditional art. We can see and enjoy all of them in Maniwa city in Okayama Prefecture. Stephen Hemsley, an English teacher from New Zealand, explores Maniwa and discovers the taste of these artworks. He meets a textile designer who makes noren for the stores and individual homes in town and she shows him the design of her latest noren, made for Japanese-style confectionary store. Also, he meets people who make Japanese paper, and a priest at a Buddhist temple who makes woodblock prints. Meanwhile, he finds a modern, 104-year-old elementary school and joins an interesting event, which is eating Japanese school lunch called kyushoku. He also eats local cuisine, which is especially made in autumn.

28 min

Tono City, Iwate Prefecture: Discovering a Land of Legends

28 min

The Flavor of Autumn

In this journey, musician, Michael Rivas, will be taking a two-day trip to Yamagata Prefecture in autumn. He will be enjoying magnificent views from Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple, one of the major tourist spots of the Tohoku region, and exquisite seasonal dishes in an onsen hot spring inn, an authentic wooden architecture in Ginzan-onsen. He will also take a stroll through the onsen streets in the evening, illuminated by gaslights, and spend a heartwarming time meeting the local people on a Mogami River boat tour.

28 min

Sado: A Stage for Tradition

28 min

Blessings from the Mountains

The World Heritage site of Nikko is about 140 kilometers north of Tokyo. With historic temples and shrines set in beautiful natural surroundings, it is one of Japan's most popular scenic destinations. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, we venture beyond Nikko to a small hamlet. The residents here have worshipped the mountains since ancient times, creating an original culture in harmony with nature. Our reporter, JJ, discovers generations of wisdom based on the blessings of nature. This is a story of the people who live in sacred mountains.

28 min

Seto City, Aichi Prefecture: Home of Setomono Pottery

28 min

Hiraizumi, Iwate Prefecture: Paradise of Peace

28 min

Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture: Exotic Nagasaki

28 min

Nature's Great Amusement Park: Hakone

28 min

Kujukurihama, Chiba Prefecture: Living the Beach Life

Kujukurihama is a long, sandy beach that runs for over 66 kilometers along the Boso Peninsula, to the east of Tokyo. After the summer swimming season is over, the beach returns to its natural state, quiet and unspoiled. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Gow meets some of the people who love living here, close to the ocean.

28 min

The Rokko Mountain Range, Kobe: Mountain Climbing in Kobe's Backyard

28 min