Season 7 (2016)

Takachiho: Dancing for the Deities
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February 2, 2016 • 28m

Takachiho lies deep in the mountains of Miyazaki Prefecture, in Kyushu. It is believed to be the setting for Japan's creation myth...Read more

Miyako: The Island of Song
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February 9, 2016 • 28m

Miyako Island, one of the southernmost islands of Japan, is a tropical paradise. Since olden times, the islanders have used song a...Read more

Koyasan: New Year at a Traditional Power Spot
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February 16, 2016 • 28m

The sacred area of Koyasan was founded in the year 816 by Kukai, a Japanese monk who went to China to learn the practices of esote...Read more

Kushiro: The Crystalline Sounds of Winter
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March 1, 2016 • 28m

JJ travels through the Kushiro Wetland in Hokkaido. He sees Red-crowned Cranes-a designated Natural Monument of Japan-and takes a ...Read more

Okinoerabu Island: Home Away from Home
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March 15, 2016 • 28m

The tropical island of Okinoerabu is known for its pristine, wild nature. It is also known for its agricultural products, such as ...Read more

Kakunodate: Pride in the Samurai Tradition
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March 22, 2016 • 28m

The ancient town of Kakunodate, in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, is steeped in history. For visitors, it is like a time slip —...Read more

Yatsugatake: Outdoor Winter Play
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April 5, 2016 • 28m

The Yatsugatake mountain range-just 150 kilometers west of Tokyo-is a convenient destination for outdoor winters sports. Ice climb...Read more

Kinosaki Onsen: Bathing in Tradition
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April 12, 2016 • 28m

Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in western Japan. It has about 80 ryokan inns along a picturesque stre...Read more

Iwate Winter Rite
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April 19, 2016 • 28m

Deep in the north of Japan at a mountain temple, a festival called the Somin-sai and nicknamed the Naked Festival, has been held f...Read more

Okayama: Into the Deep Red
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April 26, 2016 • 28m

It's spring in Okayama, which facing the Inland Sea of Japan in the south and the Chugoku Mountains in the north, is blessed with ...Read more

Chichibu: A Springtime Pilgrimage
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May 3, 2016 • 28m

For centuries, the faithful have made their way to Chichibu, in Saitama Prefecture, to visit Buddhist temples devoted to the Bodhi...Read more

Akiu: In the Footsteps of a Legendary Warlord
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May 17, 2016 • 28m

The warlord Date Masamune rose to power during Japan's Warring States period in the 16th century, and went on to control a large a...Read more

Mihonoseki: Land of the Gods
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May 24, 2016 • 28m

Mihonoseki is on the eastern cape of the Shimane Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water: the Sea of Japan to the north and ...Read more

Ise-Shima: Experiencing a Lifestyle Close to Nature
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May 31, 2016 • 28m

The Ise-Shima area of Mie Prefecture is best known for its beautiful, indented coastline. But recently it's been in the news for a...Read more

Tendo: An Enduring, Evolving Passion for Wood
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June 7, 2016 • 28m

Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a major producer of pieces for shogi-Japanese chess. They are only three centimeters long, but...Read more

Nara: Tranquil Temples and Bountiful Blooms
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June 14, 2016 • 28m

Japan is famous for its spectacular displays of cherry blossom, which draw visitors from far and near. But the peak season for mos...Read more

Komatsu Kabuki Kids
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June 21, 2016 • 28m

The tradition of children's kabuki on festival floats has 250 years of history in Komatsu. American actor, Charles Glover travels ...Read more

A Taste of Nagasaki
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June 28, 2016 • 28m

During several hundred years of national self-isolation, Nagasaki served as Japan's only window to the world. Many foreign culture...Read more

Iejima: Resilient Land, Resilient People
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July 12, 2016 • 28m

Iejima is a small island off of mainland Okinawa. It was the scene of fierce battles in World War II. Its people suffered deep wou...Read more

Okayama: The Profound Spirit of the Rocks
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July 19, 2016 • 28m

Takahashi City in Okayama Prefecture is a popular destination for sports climbers. Rock climbing courses were first set up here in...Read more

Sabae: Eye on Design
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July 26, 2016 • 28m

Sabae City, located on the Sea of Japan in central Fukui Prefecture, has a population of about 70,000. Sabae is renowned as a cent...Read more

Bounty of the Wild North: Cape Soya, Hokkaido
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August 2, 2016 • 28m

Cape Soya lies at the northernmost tip of Hokkaido Island. Located at a latitude of 45° North, the landscape in this area is very ...Read more

Hokkaido: Summer Gardens Under the Northern Sky
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August 16, 2016 • 28m

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, turns into a paradise of flowers in spring and summer. After the harsh winter, plant l...Read more

Hidden Village Kuma
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August 23, 2016 • 28m

Deep in the steep mountains of Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, lies the remote village of Kuma. Located on the raging Kuma River, thi...Read more

Aomori: Out of This World
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September 13, 2016 • 28m

Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan's Honshu main island, has a number of enigmatic places that feel a world apart. On Jo...Read more

Akita: Swaying Lanterns Brighten Summer Nights
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September 20, 2016 • 28m

The Akita Kanto Festival attracts more than a million tourists every year. One kanto pole is lit with 46 lanterns and more than 25...Read more

Deep Into Kurobe: Toyama Climbing
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September 27, 2016 • 28m

The source of the Kurobe River-deep in the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture-is a rarely explored place. No matter which trailhea...Read more

Uchikawa: A Retro River Townscape
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October 11, 2016 • 28m

This neighborhood lying alongside the Uchikawa River in Imizu CIty, Toyama Prefecture, has been a thriving fishing port for over 1...Read more

Tanegashima: Guns, Rockets and Surf
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October 18, 2016 • 28m

Tanegashima is an island that has embraced new cultures and people since olden times. Starting with Japan's first firearms-brought...Read more

Yubari: Mining the Nostalgia
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October 25, 2016 • 28m

Yubari, in the center of Hokkaido, is famous for its international film festival, which is held each winter, and for its picturesq...Read more

Walking the Nakasendo: A Road to the Past
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November 8, 2016 • 28m

Nakasendo is one of the five highways constructed in Japan during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868). Connecting Edo (old Tokyo) and Kyo...Read more

Chichibu: An Autumn Pilgrimage
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November 15, 2016 • 28m

For hundreds of years, pilgrims have made their way to the hills of Chichibu, northwest of Tokyo, to follow an ancient pilgrimage ...Read more

Munakata: The Sea and Goddesses
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November 22, 2016 • 28m

Munakata City is located in northwestern Kyushu, facing the Sea of Genkai. As an ancient maritime trade route, Munakata opened its...Read more

Sacred Mt. Ishizuchi: Autumn Trekking
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November 29, 2016 • 28m

At a height of 1,982 meters, Mt. Ishizuchi is the tallest peak in western Japan. It takes about three and a half hours to the summ...Read more

Hagi: The Cradle of Modern Japan
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December 13, 2016 • 28m

Hagi, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, is one of Japan's best known castle towns. The traditional townscape with its stores...Read more

Isumi-Ichinomiya: Fresh Air and Laid-Back Living
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December 20, 2016 • 28m

The Isumi-Ichinomiya area lies on the east coast of Chiba Prefecture, facing out toward the Pacific Ocean. It's just an hour from ...Read more