Seasons & Episodes
Night of the Dancing Fire God
The "Matsuage" fire festival in Kyoto was admired by essayist Masako Shirasu. In her travelogue titled "Kakure-zato", sh
The Mountain God Piggyback
This program describes a simple, rustic event called "The Mountain God Piggyback" that has been handed down since time i
A Millennium of Prayers
This program shows how ancient religious practices survive on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture, regarded as the
Kagura: The Passion for Dance
In ancient times, "kagura" was a form of dance dedicated to the gods. But in modern times, as its original meaning weake
Eco-Paddy: Bio-Wonderland
The aim of the 'eco-paddy fields' project is to grow rice without using agrochemicals and chemical fertilizers in rice f
Granny Loves You: The Probation Officer's Tale
77-year-old volunteer probation officer Chikako Nakamoto was affectionately known as 'The little old lady of Motomachi'
Honoring the Dead: The Bone Washing Ritual of Yoronjima
Yoronjima in Kagoshima Prefecture is a southern island with a population of 5,600 surrounded by beautiful coral reef and
Mother, I Want To See You
This drama set in a remote elementary school centers around the efforts made by a young female teacher called Hikari to
Questioning Nuclear Power
A picturesque town with a slumping economy was torn by the lure of nuclear energy. Should the people accept the construc
The Luminous Forest
At the end of each summer, for a brief period, part of this mountain becomes a "forest of light" from mysterious lights
A Watchmaker's Tale
A veteran watchmaker on an island in Hiroshima Prefecture repairs virtually any old watch or clock, even those that no o
Learning to Survive: Three Days in Kamaishi
What can junior high school students do in the face of a tsunami that destroys their home village? Seventeen junior high
Letter from Cherry Blossom Village
The tiny village of Kanedani lies in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture. With ongoing depopulation, the community has d
School of Hope: Ogijima, Seto Inland Sea
Facing steady decline through aging and depopulation, one Japanese island community chose to tackle the risk of disappea
The Sky We Share - Friendship at the End of an Osaka Runway
Southeast of Osaka Airport runs a river embankment where airplanes swoop less than 100 meters overhead. Sleek, thunderin
A Hiroshima Family's Prayer
In Hiroshima 70 years after the atomic bomb, many survivors' belongings have been inherited: items they wore the day of
For the Sake of the Classmates We Lost
Hashikami Junior High School's class of 2011 graduated just after the devastating 3.11 earthquake and tsunami, in a scho
Young Thunder: School Taiko Team
The All Japan High School Cultural Festival is like a national arts championship. We follow the efforts of Osaka's Akuta
Pearl Wedding: 30 Years' Worth of Thanks
Nestled in Ise-Shima, a scenic coastal area of central Japan, is Toba, a city famous for its cultured pearls. Here on th
Back to Grandma's Land: Chiemi's Story
Recently in Japan, more and more young people who were raised in the city are choosing to go back to the land as they re
A Life of Service: The Station Barber of Obama
On the JR Obama Line, a local railway that links Fukui Prefecture with Kyoto, stands Kato Station. Although unstaffed si
One of Us
The idyllic landscape of Murayama in Yamagata Prefecture is home to a rather unique family-run farm that welcomes visito
One Big Happy Family
Elderly people in need of care lost their homes in the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami. At a care facili
Uniting the People of the Sea: Kumejima, Okinawa
Uminchu, literally "people of the sea", is the name for the fishermen of beautiful Kumejima in Okinawa Prefecture. Fille
Hang in There!
A community deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture is home to Japan's only circus school. The school's director is Na
Finding Yourself on the Open Road
In the city of Sapporo stands a barber shop where many young bicyclists pedaling their way across Japan's northern islan
Melody of Daisen
Mt. Daisen, a peak in central Japan, is celebrating its 80th anniversary as a national park. 5th and 6th graders at the
Bank of Glorious Blossoms
Every spring, large numbers of tourists come to the Gongendo Park in the city of Satte, Saitama Prefecture to view the 1
Our Waves, Our Dreams
At the southern end of the Kujukurihama coastline in Chiba Prefecture is Ichinomiya, one of Japan's top surfing spots, a
Misako's All-Night Diner
In Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture is a little diner that opened shortly after World War II. 70 years on, it's still go
Looking Back, Moving On
More than 5 years after the tsunami caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake swept away thousands of homes, physic
The Calligraphy Boys
In Japan, where calligraphy is mainly a girls' pastime, a group of students at an all-boys school belongs to a calligrap
Designs on Life
Takahiro Endo is a 28-year-old architect working in Ishinomaki in northeast Japan. As the city takes shape again followi
Another 'Home': A Boy Traces His Roots
In the years before and after World War II, some 400,000 people emigrated from Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan, inc
Shoeshine Star
Gaku Sato opened his own shoeshine shop at age 22. With his sharp fashion sense and a chic shop decor, he is exploring a
The Three Grannies' Cookie Challenge
How do you revitalize a hamlet with only 3 grannies? By hand-made cookies! This is a story of how 3 hard working grannie
Pioneer Villages: Forgotten Postwar History
Before and during World War II, 270,000 Japanese relocated to Manchuria in China, which was controlled by Japan. After t
Wrestling with a New Job
This time we meet a member of staff working behind the scenes for a women's pro-wrestling promotion in Sendai, northeast
Sharing Life Together: An 81-Year-Old Caregiver
In graying Japan, a growing number of elderly people living alone require nursing care at home. Yukiko Senpuku, 81, is a
Grandma's Picture Cards
They say giving opens doors. And one grandma knows that well. 80-year-old Hiroko Sogo makes picture cards with simple, w
Kasuga Taisha: A Divine Shrine for Daily Life
From ancient times, Japan's imperial court and shogunate have supported and protected Kasuga Taisha in Nara Prefecture a
Island of Compassion
The remote island of Nasake is a sanctuary for children forced to live away from their parents because of poverty, abuse
A Hands-on Designer
Katsunobu Yoshida is a 28-year-old graphic designer who makes leaflets, posters and logos by hand, avoiding computers wh
What Brought You to Hiroshima?
In May 2016, Barack Obama made a memorable visit to Hiroshima -- the first sitting US president to do so. That year, a r
Carving out a New Path with Wood
Yuki Sakaguchi, 28 years old, once led a busy city life working for an international company, but this left him feeling
The High-Rises We Build
A construction boom in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is changing the face of Japan's capital. The unsung heroes
Countdown to Business Lift-off!
Takahiro Inagawa, 29 years old, heads a start-up company that is developing low-cost rockets. He and a staff of 13 are c
Our Town's Bookstore
Rumoi in northern Japan was once a flourishing town, but economic stagnation and a shrinking population have taken their
One Heart, One Beat
For years, the Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble has been spreading the magic of Japanese "taiko" drumming to the worl
Hooked on a New Fishing Career
Susumu Hidaka, 29 years old, is a fisherman in training. He is learning the trade from a well experienced master in a fi
Our Flower Field
Back when flower nurseries covered its slopes, Shishijima in western Japan was known as "flower island". Today it's home
Cakes on Wheels
Takashi Aramoto has been selling his cakes by bicycle for 30 years in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The 62-year-old has no
A Journey in Design
Tomohiko Yukihashi, 28 years old, is a clothing designer based in Beppu city in southwest Japan. For more than 3 years h
Joining Hands with Newcomers
Recently, a growing number of foreign investors have been opening inns and hotels in a two-century old hot spring resort
Like a Trusty Garden Hoe
Tetsuyo Ishii, 97, is the oldest person in Minogo, a mountain town in western Japan. Her secret to staying alert and act
A Passion for Fashion
Ayumu Shimokuni, better known as Muyua, is a shop assistant and a star in Tokyo's trendy Harajuku district. The 19-year-
Hitoshi's Bento Shop
On Japan's Amami-oshima island, 29-year-old Hitoshi Ijuin runs a small lunch box shop. Many of his customers are elderly
Finding My Way on the Okugakemichi
This program follows people who, facing difficult times, have flocked to a World Heritage Site in Japan to try to turn t
From the Slopes to the Playroom
Until he retired in 2016, Kentaro Yoshioka was a professional snowboarder and Japan's national champion. Now, he manages
Living Positively with Dementia
At 51, Mayumi Yamada, a single mother with 2 adult children, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Now, daily tasks s
Uncovering Precious Life Stories
Kozue Eda runs a company in Oita City in southwestern Japan that specializes in sorting through the possessions of the d
Old House, New Hope
In July 2017, residents of a community in southwestern Japan were getting ready for a big day – the opening of a café
Finding Poetry in Cancer
The shock of the first diagnosis. Fear of death. Anxiety and concern about friends and family. Cancer patients experienc
Once Lost, Now Found: A Brother's Journey Home
Ever since that day in March 2011, Yuta Naganuma had tried to distance himself from what happened. His younger brother w
Once Lost, Now Found: Dancing for My Future
In March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake changed the life of Wakana Yokoyama. The tsunami following the disaster t
Once Lost, Now Found: Student Actors' Challenge
In 2017, a high-school drama club in a disaster-hit area in Northern Japan chooses the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as th
Sharing a Manga Dream
Shohei Kireto is a 26-year-old manga artist with aspirations of making a career in this competitive industry. About 1 ye
A Truckful of Food and Smiles
Mao Higashi runs a grocery truck service in Mie Prefecture in central Japan, delivering fresh produce, ready-made meals,
Forging On: Master and Apprentice
Yu Kikuchi left an engineering job in the big city to pursue his dream of making things with his own hands. Now 32, he's
Learning to Teach
Kasumi Takebayashi is a novice teacher in charge of a classroom full of energetic and mischievous 2nd graders. Yurika Oi
A Guesthouse's Unexpected Beginning
Misato Kurogawa opened a guesthouse in a small mountain settlement in southwestern Japan. She had quit her job and moved
Sharing Zao's Wonders
Zao in northeastern Japan is one of Japan's top ski resorts. Along with excellent powder, Zao's mountains are known for
Dancing Beyond Disabilities
Iwami Kagura is a traditional Japanese performing art that features dynamic dancing. A group won praise for its exceptio
Giving Dreams a Boost
Kana Sugamoto brings dreams to life by helping people raise funds through crowdfunding. In her teens, she had suffered f
Sweet Taste of Hope
A cake shop run by a couple in Shizuoka Prefecture draws a steady stream of customers with low-carbohydrate cheesecakes.
Mr. Grandpa in Nursery School
Retired civil servant, grandfather and nursery school teacher: Mitsutoshi Arasawa decided to get involved in childcare i
A Teacher's Passion
Ayako Masunaga is a passionate teacher, working at an elementary school in Fukuoka Prefecture for a three-year term. She
The Colors of the Forest
Hakone is a town near Tokyo on the shores of Lake Ashinoko, 723 meters above sea level. The surrounding broadleaf forest
Opening Doors to Newcomers
The city of Matsudo used to be an inn town where travelers could stop and rest. Residents developed a welcoming nature a
Remembering Our Railway
In March 2018, a Japan Railway line linking Shimane and Hiroshima Prefectures in western Japan stopped operating, ending
Soaking Up a Hot Spring Dream
A barbecue near a babbling stream and a relaxing soak in a hot spring – what a blissful way to spend the day. Saki Miz
Grandmas' Goodbye to an Old Market
In the decades since the end of World War Ⅱ, the Noren Central Market has been an essential part of Okinawa Prefecture
Auntie's Candy Store – Sweets & Life Lessons
Children in snowy Yamagata Prefecture flock to an old-fashioned candy store to get sweets, snacks and something more. Th
Brewing a Future for Local Tea
Genki Takahashi is a tea farmer in Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture. After university, as he worked at an established tea comp
Pursuing the Ultimate Awa Indigo
Deep indigo blue is a traditional Japanese color. It's an indigo dye that has been made using time-honored techniques pa
Sculptures with Soul
After the 2011 tsunami, Yasuhiro Koike, a Buddhist priest in Higashi-Matsushima City in northeastern Japan, helped lay v
A Budding Forestry Career
Chihiro Tada is the only woman in a forestry training program in Niyodogawa, but the 25-year-old is firmly resolved to f
The 100km Walk: Two Life-Changing Days
People from across Japan have been gathering in central Aichi Prefecture for some 2 decades to test themselves physicall
"Crazy Mike" the Artist
Do you have to be a little crazy to be creative? Artist Mitsuhiro Miyazaki, who calls himself "Crazy Mike", thinks so. W
Making Udon to a Different Beat
Masahiro Ono is a traveling udon noodle chef – instead of having his own shop, he lugs his tools around in his van to
Onikenbai: the Demon Sword Dance
Demon-like figures wearing scary masks swing their swords menacingly. It's an ancient performing art called Onikenbai or
Tears, Laughter and Motherhood
In the city of Osaka, there is a place where new and expectant mothers can receive support for their physical and emotio
The Maturing Sake Expert
Despite being only 24 years old, Jun Koike is one of just 400 people in Japan who hold the "sakasho" advanced qualificat
Apprentice Geisha: Making Dreams Come True
Gion, in the ancient capital of Kyoto, is Japan's largest traditional entertainment district. Every year, girls fresh ou
Night School - Learning for Living
An independent night school in Okayama Prefecture, southwestern Japan, offers a place to learn for people who failed to
Finding Happiness in Bathhouses
Honami Enya was an ambitious go-getter at a famous architectural firm -- that is, until she overworked herself and fell
Yuka and Her New Classmates
How can Japanese schools cope with increasing numbers of children of foreign workers? And how can these children overcom
From Handsome to Beautiful
Imari Inoue is a makeup artist who specializes in a niche group of customers - men who want to try dressing as women. Th
"Super Volunteer": Driven to Help in Disasters
Haruo Obata, 78, gained nationwide fame in summer 2018 when he found a missing 2-year-old boy during a search operation
Drawing to Find a New Me
Using an extra fine point pen, the Japanese artist Aju creates stunning drawings of Tokyo landscapes and other big citie
For the Love of Lettering
Kichiya Tachibana is a calligrapher specializing in "yose moji," a type of lettering with roots dating back around 150 y
Sharing Their Stories
Young survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan have been opening up about their experiences. T
Fukushima Ramen: Bowlful of Spirit
In Fukushima Prefecture, a simple dish is giving people the power to rebuild from the 2011 disaster. One woman found not
Stories of Fukushima: Giving Their All
A young man from Fukushima Prefecture took his love of baseball to Nicaragua, where he helped create the country's first
The Revival of "Mikan Valley"
In July 2018, torrential rains in western Japan devastated decades-old mikan groves. Particularly hard hit was a remote
A Geisha in Nara: Bridging Past and Future
Kikuno has devoted herself to the life of a geisha since the age of 15. She lives in Nara Prefecture's entertainment dis
Yuko Kuroda's Legacy of Care
Yuko Kuroda dedicated herself to helping disaster victims live healthy, independent lives. She worked hard to understand
A Community in the Sky
High in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture on Japan's Shikoku Island are small communities known as "sora." The resid
Praying for Flowers, Praying for Life
Videographer Koichi Hozan has terminal cancer, yet he continues filming the landscape of Nara Prefecture in Japan. His c
Serving Up Memories
A Japanese New Year's dish someone's mother used to make. Stewed meat and potatoes, full of a grandma's love. Miyuki Mun
A 26-Year-Old's Breast Cancer Diary
Miki Yakata, a former member of an all-girl Japanese idol group, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26, and underwe
Two Worlds, One Dream: Vying for Powerlifting Glory
Pia Laophakdee is a young para powerlifter who is determined to change perceptions of disabled people in his home countr
Where Are My Roots? - One Orphan's Search
During World War II, over 120,000 children in Japan were orphaned. Many of them never knew their parents' names or what
A Late Dreamer
Ayako spent more than 2 decades in a psychiatric hospital after being diagnosed with schizophrenia in her mid-20's. At t
Why We Dance - Children's Kagura Troupe
Devastating rains hit western Japan in July 2018, nearly wiping out a community's cherished tradition - a children's tro
Fukushima's Grandpa Troop: Restoring a Deserted Town
Spring 2019 saw the return of some of the former residents of Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture who had evacuated due to
Home for Good - Health Care at the End of Life
In a remote Japanese village, elderly residents have a common dream: to end their last days in their hometown, surrounde
Welcome to Maru-chan's Café
There is a café in a residential area of Nagoya City that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds, from children to
A Will to Survive
For more than 4 decades, Fumie Murakami has suffered from a mysterious illness that was finally diagnosed as Minamata di
Soap That Gives Hope
Colorful fruit-shaped soap, handmade near Tokyo by people with disabilities, has become a big seller. The workers vary i
Paddling Our Hometown Lake
At a small elementary school on Lake Biwa, kayaking is part of the curriculum. The culmination of the students' training
The Bounty of the Mountains
The Tateyama mountain range in north-eastern Japan is known for its vibrant mountain scenery, drawing nearly a million t
Look to the Night Sky
As a teen, Shin-ya Narusawa became a reclusive shut-in for 6 years, until a cosmic event rekindled his interest in astro
Strength and Hope - The Power of Azaleas
Paralyzed in his lower legs and hands, Takeshi Kukizaki, 68, grows azaleas and runs an azalea garden in Kagoshima City,
A Young Soba Chef's Challenge
On weekends, customers flock to this traditional restaurant in Murayama city in northeast Japan for a unique taste of so
Expressing the Ainu Spirit
Japan's indigenous Ainu people, many of whom live on the northern island of Hokkaido Prefecture, have passed down crafts
No Going Back: New Ideas from a Tsunami-hit Fishing Town
The 2011 tsunami devastated the fishing industry in Sanriku, in northeastern Japan. Like others, seafood processor Kenic
Revealing the Final Moments
In the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture lost 30% of its civil servants, the high
Rock Ptarmigans: Reviving the Divine Birds
At altitudes of more than 2,500 meters in the mountains of central Japan, a 72-year-old ornithologist, Nakamura Hiroshi,
Fruitful Connections
For Japan's aging apple farmers, finding someone to succeed them is a struggle. In Hirosaki City, a community in Japan's
He Has a Dream: A Novice Fisherman's Challenge
In the northern Japanese town of Oma, seasoned fishermen compete to land prized bluefin tuna. Among them is a 57-year-ol
Avatar Robots Open New Doors
A man bedridden by a genetic disorder. Another paralyzed by a fall. For such people with severe disabilities, avatar rob
Being There for Foreign Patients
A hospital near Tokyo gets many patients from abroad, including tourists, local workers and even people in Japan illegal
Bitter and Sweet: A Strawberry Farming Family
A father and son team of strawberry farmers in northeastern Japan faces tough times after the March 2011 tsunami devasta
Uncle and Nephew in a Tsunami-Hit Town
Onagawa town in northeast Japan was devastated by the 2011 tsunami. The town's only supermarket, which goes back 100 yea
Bullfights & Big Dreams
On the small Japanese island of Tokunoshima, 18-year-old Nao Suzuna has dedicated herself to Japanese bullfighting, or "
The Shadow of Nagasaki: Nurses' Stories
Right after the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in August 1945, Japanese Red Cross Society nurses, mainly in their l
A-Bomb Paintings
Glittering flames swirling up into the sky. The unforgettable eyes of a girl trapped by fire. An abandoned corpse on the
Community Newspaper
For nearly a century, Yawatahama Shimbun reported local news in the small town of Yawatahama in southern Japan. The pape
Unread Messages
In October 2019, Mitsuishi Takae and her husband, Kazumasa, worry that torrential rain from a powerful typhoon could cau
A Pillar for Brazilians in Japan
Businesses in Izumo City have welcomed scores of Brazilian workers in recent years. But due to US-China trade tensions,
Breast Cancer Diary 2020: Keeping a Dream Alive
Yakata Miki, a former pop idol, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. After surgery to remove her left breast, Miki
Steering Through Tough Times
A charter bus company had lost its major source of income - international tourists - in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemi
The Treasures of Toyama Bay
Toyama Bay, in central Japan, is known as a source of abundant seafood such as firefly squid and Beni-zuwai crab - speci
Drawing Our "New Normal"
In 2020, an annual manga comic championship for high schoolers goes online for the first time due to COVID-19. The virtu
Follow Your Heart: The Green-haired Gardener
Aoki Mariko, from northeast Japan, shot to fame after winning one of Japan's prestigious gardening contests in 2018 whil
Why She Runs
A newcomer to a small mountain hamlet called Kurata turns heads, because nearly everywhere she goes, she runs. Her name
Connecting People in a Pandemic
Minami Shintaro is a young man with a special knack of attracting people. He runs a guest house in Seto City in central
A Haven Called Bethesda
Yamazaki Takashi runs Bethesda, a support center in Hokkaido Prefecture for people in need. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic,
Analog Buddies in a Digital Age
Nagano Haruki and Okuda Sho, 17-year-old high-school boys in central Japan, have been writing to each other about once e
Rescuing Pre-Disaster Memories
When people leave a town behind, what happens to its memories? The coast of Okuma Town is home to the Fukushima Daiichi
Selfie Diary of Mr. "One Team"
Yasui Hiroyuki is a junior-high school teacher and rugby coach in western Japan. With his motto "One Team," he encourage
The Power of Giving Up
Throughout his long career in business - and now as the head of a Japanese university - Deguchi Haruaki has faced setbac
Spring Splendor in Hirosaki
Hirosaki Park in northern Japan is one of the country's finest cherry blossom sites. Nowhere in the world do cherry tree
A Place for Every Child
Galapagos is a welfare facility in Saga Prefecture that provides after-school services for special-needs children. It ev
Why Did She Pose in a Bikini?: Challenges of an "Ostomate" Doctor
Ostomates are people who, owing to illness or disability, need a bag attached to their abdomen to collect bodily waste.
A Legendary Chef's Last Lessons
For 25 years, Murabayashi Shingo has been a legend in the kitchen of a high school cooking class. An outstanding teacher
Haircut Magic
At any age, a fresh hairstyle can connect us with our inner radiance. A team of hairdressers in Toyama Prefecture visits
The Deities of Gion
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in summer 2020, Kyoto Prefecture's 1,000-year-old Gion Festival, held annually around Yasaka
Rediscovering Ainu Heritage: Part 1
Since long ago, the indigenous Ainu people had lived in harmony with nature, following their own unique culture. But whe
Rediscovering Ainu Heritage: Part 2
Since long ago, the indigenous Ainu people had lived in harmony with nature, following their own unique culture. But whe
Sushi with Heart and Soul
At age 89, Morita Kazuo, a legendary sushi chef in Kanazawa, central Japan, still attracts customers. With over 70 years
Building Robots, Fostering Happiness
A group of engineering college students in Japan had a challenging assignment: to build a robot that makes people happy
Baseball Heals Kids
Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, is home to a rare sight in this country - 2 baseball teams that bring together c
The Unorthodox Karuta Champion / Ruludaisy: Drag Queen Farmer
This program brings you the stories of 2 dedicated individuals and their everyday struggles and triumphs. Kumehara Keita
Light on a Raging River
The Kuzuryu River is a symbol of Fukui Prefecture, central Japan. Local people know it as "the raging river" for its rep
Shared House, Shared Lives
People with severe mental and physical challenges often live in isolation from the world around them, at home or in medi
Being LGBT+ in a Small Town
Identifying as LGBT+, Fujiya Ami doesn't want to be categorized as either male or female and has no romantic feelings fo
Living Alongside Disaster
The population of Kuma Village was already shrinking before disaster struck in 2020. Torrential rains and flooding made
Crisis in “Japan's Kitchen”
The Toyosu Market plays a key role in Japan's rich food culture. Through its doors pass vast quantities of fish and seaf
A 94-Year-Old Culinary Wizard
Matsuzaki Atsuko, 94, a former professor of culinary science in southwestern Japan, is a regional culinary specialist kn
Fond Farewell for a Beloved Train
In March 2021, the Akita Rinkai Railway Line made its last run and a familiar sight disappeared from the streets of Akit
Making Peace With My Father
Kuroi Akio had always hated his father. Keijiro was physically strong, but a shell of a man who needed help with everyda
Mending Your Cherished Clothes
A little workshop in Minokamo City, central Japan receives countless requests from across Japan to repair damaged clothe
A Toast to the God of Sake
Sake from Fukushima Prefecture has swept up gold medals in a nationwide contest for new brews. A researcher who's played
Life Lessons From the Homeless
Hoboku, a non-profit organization in southwestern Japan, has provided support for homeless people and others in need for
Conversations Without Words
Sorachi is an energetic three-year-old boy who lives in Hokkaido Prefecture with his father and mother. Sorachi's conver
Behind the Artist's Hand
Washio Tomoyuki is an artist based in the City of Nagoya, central Japan. He created a massive mural for the entrance of
Longing for the Power of Touch
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many eldercare facilities to restrict visits between residents and their families. The
Rapping for Fukushima
Ryuji is a rapper who, like many others, including his family, was forced to flee his hometown of Namie in Fukushima Pre
A Small Village with Big Ideas
Kosuge Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, has a population of about 700. Although small and without many re
Swordfish Fishing With My Father
With a single thrust, harpoon fishers can catch a swordfish weighing more than 100kg. 21-year-old Konno Misaki is a fish
The Power of Memories
At a daycare center for senior citizens in western Japan, staff interview elderly people and write down their memories o
Many Vines, One Family
"I am the vine, and you are the branches." That cherished biblical quote guides a group of young people who, for reasons
Bomb Disposal Quest in Okinawa
76 years after the end of World War II, work to dispose of unexploded munitions is still an everyday sight in Okinawa Pr
Rebuilding Lives After the Kumamoto Earthquake
Minamiaso once welcomed 6 million visitors a year. Then the tourism industry suffered catastrophic damage in the 2016 Ku
When the Sea Turned Red
Mori Tetsuya, a third-generation fisher in Akkeshi town, northern Japan, supports his family with income from catching s
Finding Freedom in the Pool
Thirty years ago, a child was denied admission to a swimming school because of his disability. But 1 courageous coach re
Auntie Baseball
Kids in Osaka Prefecture rarely call Tanahara Yasuko by her real name. Instead, they affectionately refer to her as simp
The Future of Fukuoka's Food Stalls
With their great food and casual atmosphere, food stalls - or Yatai - are symbols of Fukuoka City. At the age of 20, Tak
Nuclear Waste Splits a Town
The 2021 mayoral election in Suttsu town, northern Japan, hinged mainly on 1 contentious point between the 2 candidates
A Blind Teacher's Farewell
Arai Yoshinori, a Japanese teacher at a junior high school just north of Tokyo, was about to retire in March 2022. At ag
Building On a Sacred Tradition
Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture is a special place for local people. This spring, it held a major celebration, welco
Saving Lives on an Isolated Island
After 2 decades on the mainland, a young doctor returns to his birthplace, a remote island in far northern Japan. He's l
The Drumbeat of a Mother's Heart
In western Japan, a group of women were practicing "wadaiko" Japanese drums for their first performance in three-and-a-h
The Future of an Ancient Ritual
The Nakanomata Kagura, an ancient ritual from a community deep in Japan's mountains, has been in danger of dying out due
Discovering Myself Through Dementia
After Shimosaka Atsushi was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46, he felt that his life was over. But as he started
A Burger Hangout in Okinawa
An American hamburger chain opened its first outlet in Okinawa Prefecture in 1963, before the US returned Okinawa to Jap
Building Bonds With Books
In a hot springs resort town in Ishikawa Prefecture, a unique library debuted during the Covid pandemic. At Mikan, the b
Building a Thatched-Roof, Building New Bonds
In a mountainous area in Wakayama Prefecture, a group of young people wanted to renovate a thatched-roof house to help a
Okinawan Dance Flowers Far From Home
The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Okinawa Prefecture's return to Japan from US control. Osaka Prefecture, west
Ainu: Engaging the Power of Dialogue
Ukaji Shizue once worked to improve the lives of Japan's indigenous Ainu people. An Ainu herself, she had moved to Tokyo
Lighting the Way for Tradition
In summer 2022, the renowned Kanto Festival in Akita Prefecture was back after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 p
A Fresh Start on a Small Island
Watakano Island in central Japan was once an entertainment hub, but its economy has declined in recent years. The local
Stable Fishing Jobs Steer a Community
Over a century ago, residents of a port district in southeastern Japan established a cooperative that hires fishers as e
A Float Artisan & His Muse
The Nebuta Festival, which features illuminated floats, is a tradition in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. But it wasn't held f
Magical Forest: Okinawa's Natural World Heritage Site
Yambaru in the north of Okinawa Island was registered as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in July 2021. Its forests
Soccer Team Raises Community Spirit
A small community in Niigata Prefecture is surrounded by beautiful, abundant rice fields, but its population is shrinkin
Seeking a Chance to Learn: Students with Overseas Roots
In spring 2021, Shinji High School in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, set up the first class in the prefecture solely
Small Factory Reaches for the Stars
An aerospace project in Kyushu has brought together more than 20 local factories. Their grand plan is to launch 36 satel
Flying Like an Arrow
Yabusame is a traditional Japanese form of archery in which archers shoot arrows at targets while galloping on horseback
Modern Methods Sustain Metalwork Tradition
A workshop in Iwate Prefecture has been making traditional Nambu ironware kettles for decades. After taking over the bus
A World Heritage Town: Past and Future
Omori Town in western Japan is located at the foot of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a UN World Heritage Site. It was onc
Hard Rain: A Village Divided
Across Japan, climate change is causing torrential rains and flooding. In response, the government is pursuing sweeping
Bonding Through Soba: A Story of Four Grannies
In a small community at the foot of the famous Mt. Gassan in the northern prefecture of Yamagata, four women in their 80
Amashi: Japan's Freediving Fishers
The waters off Sadamisaki Peninsula, at the westernmost tip of Shikoku, are rich with large abalone and sea urchins. Ama
Our New Classmate from Ukraine
Mariia, 12, fled the devastation of the war in Ukraine and now lives in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, with her mother
Waiting for the God's Crossing
An ice bridge rises up from Lake Suwa, connecting its opposite shores. Local people have documented this omiwatari or "t
Mailing Letters to the Lost
In the woods of northeastern Japan stands the "Drifting Mailbox." This unique mailbox receives letters from family membe
Kintsugi: Mending Memories with Gold
Kintsugi is a technique used to repair objects using lacquer and gold. In the mountain village of Yamanaka Onsen, Ishika
A Cut Above the Rest
Each year, aspiring barbers and beauticians from all over Japan display their skills in a national competition. Students
The Final Journey
"The Car of Hope" is a volunteer project that helps terminally ill patients visit one last place that is special to them
Life on a Sloping Farm
Nishiokada Haruki (82) and his wife Setsuko (75) live in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture where they've farmed a st
A House-call Doctor in Fukushima
Eleven years after the 2011 nuclear disaster, Honda Toru, a doctor, moved to Iitate village, a disaster-hit area in Fuku
A Song for a New Fukushima School
The residents of Tomioka had to evacuate after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident. As people grad
Reviving a Fukushima Brewery
The people of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, had to flee their homes after their town was destroyed in the 2011 Great East
Japanese Paper Supports War-torn Ukraine
Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Awa washi paper was sent to Ukraine from Tokushima, western Japan, to help repair his
Egg Wars – Father vs. Son
Avian flu and the rising cost of feed have created problems for the egg industry. At a farm in Aichi Prefecture, a fathe
Countryside Diaries
Fourteen years ago, Motoyama Saho left the big city and bought an abandoned farm. She built a house using scrap wood and
A Heart-Warming Tokyo Veggie Stand
There's an unattended vegetable stand in the middle of Tokyo that draws more than 100 customers a day, supporting young
Sparking a Chain of Kindness
Ten years ago, a young student offered to help a man with limited vision ride the bus. Other youngsters have continued t
Grandma's Hands Reap Nature's Bounty
On the Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan, winter winds buffet a tiny community protected by bamboo fences. We meet a wo
Inheriting a Thousand-Year-Old Craft
Ise katagami is the art of crafting stencils for kimono patterns. Now, the artisans practicing it are aging and their nu
Korean Family Meals for Rural Japan
There's a Korean restaurant in Northeastern Japan run by a woman from South Korea. She moved to the area over 30 years a
A School for Two
A shuttered elementary school reopened for just one family that moved back to their beloved hometown. We look at their j
A Mosque in a Japanese Community
There is a mosque in western Japan where local Muslims gather to pray and seek help when they are troubled. For them, th
Nagasaki's Long-Forgotten Choir
During World War II, a radio children's choir brought joy to its members and listeners alike. We uncovered the story of
Conquering Peaks on One Leg
A one-legged climber, who uses forearm crutches, aims to conquer two rugged peaks in central Japan at the same time. We
Nepalese Students Find a Taste of Home
Nepalese students who are studying in Japan are finding community at a local store selling Nepalese goods. What challeng
Taxi Drivers in a Tsunami-hit Town
Twelve years after a massive quake and tsunami in northeast Japan, we followed taxi drivers in Kesennuma, one of the aff
Life Lessons by a Crystal-Clear River
A small high school canoeing club trains hard every day. While persevering and improving their skills, they learn valuab
Hiking Guide Connects Hearts
A popular hiking guide in northern Japan brings smiles to the faces of all her clients. What events from her past brough
New Approach to an Old Festival
In Nagasaki, a group of men practice for a traditional performance so tough that some have to drop out with injuries. Un
Navigating a World with Words
An improper diagnosis in early childhood led Shibasaki Akane to spend nearly half her life in a world without words. We
Pearls for Remembrance
Families come to Ago Bay, central Japan, to have loved ones' ashes encased in pearls. They insert them into oysters so t
Forging Bonds Under a Starry Sky
What happens when people gather to gaze at the stars? Through a variety of programs, a Japanese organization enables a b
From Seed to Shop: Grandma's Pickles
In Japan's snowy north, an elderly woman has been making pickles for 70 years. Now, she must learn to adapt to new laws
New Face for a Centuries-Old Dance
In a mountain community in northeastern Japan, a 21-year-old man has decided to become the first successor of a traditio
Mending Hearts with Mandarin Oranges
A man in his seventies has been transporting fruit and supplies to places affected by the 2011 disaster. On his final jo
Holy Fire on the Mountain
About 1,500 local men in traditional white costumes run down a mountain path, lighting up the night with sacred torches,
A Ranch for Retired Racehorses
A famed former trainer runs a ranch where retired racehorses spend their final days in nature bringing comfort to human
Hiroshima's A-Bomb Survivor Trees
A tree surgeon in Hiroshima lovingly treats trees that live on around 8 decades after the A-bomb devastation. He intenti
A Year as a Young Rural Doctor
A young doctor undergoes training to develop skills to help rural communities. What kind of care do his patients need to
Carrying on in a Quake-hit Town
Five months after a big earthquake struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula, many residents have evacuated, but some stayed
Modern Maiko Diaries
In the city of Sakata in northeastern Japan, maiko have entertained people for centuries. Now, a master of the art is he
Leaving No Stone Unturned: A Potter's Quest
Potter Baba Kojiro uses stones from the quarry that is said to have produced Japan's first porcelain but was abandoned f
Reviving a Pottery Tradition in Fukushima
13 years after the Fukushima disaster, a potter returns to his empty hometown to revive the local craft. His potter son
A Country Town's Woolly Heroes
In a depopulated mountain area, a woman raises sheep and makes wool products that have received international acclaim. W
Making a Home in Osaka
Ikuno Ward, Osaka, has one of Japan's most diverse communities with people from all over the world. A local NPO provides
Together Through Dementia
A retired man with dementia and his wife struggle to address his worsening symptoms. Despite their challenges, and faced
Living with the Bounty of the Sea: 13 Years on from the Tsunami
Since the 2011 tsunami, the population of Ogatsu, northeast Japan, has plummeted. We visit a fishing family and a tradit
Making Art with Autism
Painter Yoshinari Ishimura has autism. His late mother sparked his love of animals, which now inspires his work. With hi
Plum Promoter-in-Chief
Minabe Town in western Japan is renowned for its ume plums. The town even has an official ume chief, who is eager to pro
Sailing the Seas on a Sabani
On a remote island, a group of women from around Japan sail a sabani, a traditional Okinawan fishing vessel. Through tea
Searching for Closure: 10 Years Since a Deadly Eruption
Summer 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. Ontake, Japan's worst volcanic disaster since the end of
Framing Family Memories
Fuga is a professional frame maker who offers clients the chance to display treasured items in custom-made frames. Meet
Bull Battles – A Community's Beloved Tradition
In a remote Japanese village, people have long used bulls for farming and in a unique form of competition. But as the lo
Planting Seeds of Peace in Hiroshima
Mito Kosei, 78, was exposed to radiation in the womb when an atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima. For 20 years or so, he
An Island Stays Awake for Sumo
Oki Traditional Sumo has been practiced on an island in the Sea of Japan for over 200 years. In 2024, an all-night compe
Chasing the Dream of Being a Jockey
North of Tokyo, young trainees are working hard to become jockeys. For 2 years, they will live away from their families
Unfolding a Life with Origami
Artist Fuse Tomoko discovered origami as a child. For over 60 years, she has created large-scale geometric works, earnin
Life in a Land of Grass
After a lifetime's work, dairy farmer Yoshikawa Yuji was diagnosed with cancer and had to retire. As his son takes over
Calligraphy Creating Hope for Revival
A high school team from a city northeast of Tokyo took part in a nationwide calligraphy performance championship. They h
Puppet Tale: Foxes, a Princess and a Sacred Lake
An iconic story from bunraku puppet theatre features the legendary Princess Yaegaki. See how people living near the lake
Becoming Gods for a Night
On New Year's Eve, families in northeast Japan are visited by monster-like figures called namahage. We follow a group of
An Ace Soccer Player Lights Up a Small Town
A women's soccer team was created to energize an aging community. The team's top striker has built strong friendships wi
Loved Ones Reunited on Canvas
More than a decade after the Great East Japan Earthquake, two women who lost their daughters ask a painter to portray th
Factory Groove: Wakayama's Textile Industry
With colorful pile fabric and comfortable knits, Wakayama prefecture is drawing global attention as a textile hub. We br
Reinventing a Small Town Supermarket
A local supermarket specializing in seafood closes after nearly 50 years. To keep its legacy alive, the founder teams up
Lasting Memories of a Vanishing Town
A former farming community east of Tokyo is soon to disappear due to an expansion project at Narita International Airpor
A Doc's Best Friend
When orthopedic surgeon Nakamura Kaoru developed an intractable disease, his life lost its meaning. But then a service d
Holding on to Peace: Atomic-bomb Survivor's Message
Kiriake Chieko helped cremate schoolmates after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. At 95, as the oldest surviving witness,
The Future of an A-bombed Shrine
A shrine in Nagasaki City, and its legendary camphor tree, survived the atomic bomb. But its beloved annual festival is
Revitalizing Cherry Trees in Fukushima
Tree surgeon Kobayashi Masaru helps people in Fukushima prefecture revitalize cherry trees neglected after the 2011 eart
A Rookie Fisher & His Grandpa in the Sanriku Seas
A young fisher is learning the art of aquaculture from his grandfather. But rising temperatures and labor shortages pose
Following in the Footsteps of a National Treasure
The grandson of a famous ceramicist once resented the idea of pursuing his grandfather's path. Now an artisan himself, h
A Beloved Local Paper in a Flood-hit Village
Miyahara Osamu publishes a small newspaper in Kuma Village, western Japan, hit by heavy rains in 2020. We follow him as
Tuning a Piano to the Sound of the Heart
Shiomi Hirokazu is one of the few experts in Japan entrusted with tuning pianos for concert halls. Whether tuning for a
Playing Ping Pong with Parkinson's
Koyama Rie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years ago. An avid table-tennis player, she now teaches the sp
Chasing a Dream With a Horse
Nishino Masatoshi didn't know what he wanted to do with his life until he learned about horse logging. Now, he's chasing
Survivors: Capturing Life After the Atomic Bomb
Tsuchida Hiromi has photographed the everyday lives of people who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, decades apar
Preserving the Site of a Plane Crash
In 1985, a passenger jet crashed into Osutaka Ridge, killing 520 people. Kurosawa Kanichi looks after the area, preservi
Talking With the Eyes
A stroke left a former reporter unable to move - except for his eyes. His wife helps him communicate using eye movements
A Place to Prepare for Dementia
A farm brings together people with something in common: fear of developing dementia. As they engage in planting and harv
Aiming for Glory: Japan's Senior Esports Team
In northern Japan, a senior esports team with an average age of 69 is aiming high. Pushed relentlessly by their coach, m
The Island of Boze Deities
Despite earthquakes and isolation, the people of Akusekijima Island work to uphold local traditions, including the myste
Tradition and Innovation: Tochigi's Sake Masters
An energetic mix of brewers strives to enliven the sake scene in Tochigi Prefecture, a place not well known for its brew
Hope at Your Fingertips
Cancer treatments can leave a patient's fingernails weak and dark, adding to their anxiety. So a doctor opened a nail sa
A Doctor Duo: Songs to Comfort the Heart
Two doctors in western Japan have an alter ego as the music duo Insheart, whose songs bring hope to patients and familie
A Ten-Year-Old Takes the Reins
In Ehime Prefecture, children on horseback take part in a 600-year-old tradition. With fewer participants each year, one
A Morning Market in Early Winter
For the past century, Saga Prefecture's Yobuko morning market has been one of Japan's leading destinations for fresh sea
Breaking Barriers by Farming
Mako and Fahmi, an international couple living in a small Japanese town. Their farm is a gathering place for people of d
Soul-Searching in a Mikan Orchard
In winter, seasonal workers arrive at mandarin orange groves for the two-month harvest. While living in communal lodging
Moments of Happiness: Living with Younger-Onset Dementia
We follow people with younger-onset dementia in their daily lives, their work as public speakers, and the support they r
Preserving a Midwinter Tradition
Every winter, a group of performers in Kikonai, Hokkaido drench themselves in freezing water in hopes of inviting a boun
A Musical Rivalry Between Two School Bands
In a rural town in Hokkaido, wind ensembles from neighboring junior high schools have a longstanding rivalry. As they fa
Learning Japanese One Step at a Time
A high school allows students with international roots to use their native language while learning Japanese. Teachers ho
Pulling Together for a Dream
The Funky Girls are a women's tug-of-war team with an average age of 50. Three nights a week, they forget all their pers
A Teacher's Words of Wisdom
A retired kindergarten principal has a magical ability to understand her former students' needs. But illness is affectin
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