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Synopsis
Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.
Episode 38 : Yokohama Stories
December. 09,2014
Yokohama is home to one of the oldest ports in Japan. It opened its doors to the world in the mid-19th century, becoming the birthplace of all things modern and attracting a foreign population. Our traveler, French photographer, Chloe explores the many faces of this multicultural city.
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Episode 37 : Izumo: Land of Legend and Folk Craft
December. 02,2014
The Izumo area of Shimane Prefecture, in western Japan, is an ancient land of myths and legends. It is famous throughout Japan for its handicrafts (mingei in Japanese). In Yasugi, weavers prepare the complex indigo-dyed Hirose-gasuri fabric. And in Oku-Izumo, there is a long history of swordsmiths forging traditional tama-hagane steel to produce samurai swords. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, French designer Maïa Maniglier explores the beauty of the arts and crafts created in this area, where people still feel connection with nature.
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Episode 36 : Tomonoura: The Old Folks and the Sea
November. 25,2014
Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture is known for its picturesque location and historic neighborhoods. It lies halfway along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, in western Japan. In the Edo Period, up to the mid-19th century, it was a busy, bustling port. And even today, it looks little changed. For that reason, it has been used as a location for many movies, both Japanese and foreign. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Charles Glover discovers the history, the vibrant life and the beautiful environment of Tomonoura.
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Episode 35 : Savoring Fall on Shodoshima
November. 18,2014
Shodoshima is the 2nd largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Blessed with warm, mild weather, the island has nurtured a distinctive culture. Traveler Daniela Shiga enjoys local food, a kabuki performance and a magical hike at the peak of autumn.
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Episode 34 : Wakasa Bay, Fukui Prefecture: Following the Old Mackerel Road
November. 11,2014
Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture is one of the best fishing grounds in all of Japan. It lies about 70 kilometers north of Kyoto and, for over 1,200 years, fish merchants in this area have supplied seafood from here to the old capital. One of the most important fish has long been mackerel, which is served as sushi in high-class restaurants. The network of routes used by the traders to carry this fish from the coast of Fukui to Kyoto came to be known as the Mackerel Road. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, John Moore visits the city of Obama, on Wakasa Bay, which was the starting point of the Mackerel Road. He savors many wonderful mackerel dishes. And he visits a workshop of that produces high-quality traditional lacquer chopsticks.
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Episode 32 : Kumamoto Prefecture: Appreciating Abundance
October. 28,2014
On this episode of Journeys in Japan, photographer Kit Pancoast Nagamura travels to 2 towns in northern Kumamoto Prefecture, in Kyushu. In Yamato, she observes an autumn festival, which has been held for more than 250 years. In Yamaga, Kit visits an old theater that was built just over a century ago.
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Episode 31 : Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 2: Yamabushi Training for Death and Rebirth
October. 21,2014
In the center of Yamagata Prefecture, far to the north of Tokyo, 3 sacred mountains rise above the fertile Shonai Plain. Called Dewa Sanzan (the Three Mountains of Dewa), they comprise: Mt. Haguro; Mt. Yudono; and Mt. Gassan, the highest of the 3, at about 2,000 meters. These 3 mountains have been a major center for esoteric religious practices known as mountain worship for over 1,400 years. In Part 2, William immerses himself in a 3-day yamabushi training deep in the Dewa Sanzan mountains.
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Episode 30 : Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 1: Deep Mountain Worship
October. 14,2014
In the center of Yamagata Prefecture, far to the north of Tokyo, 3 sacred mountains rise above the fertile Shonai Plain. Called Dewa Sanzan (the Three Mountains of Dewa), they comprise: Mt. Haguro; Mt. Yudono; and Mt. Gassan, the highest of the 3, at about 2,000 meters. These 3 mountains have been a major center for esoteric religious practices known as mountain worship for over 1,400 years. In a 2-part series of Journeys in Japan, aikido master William Reed visits Dewa Sanzan to explore the practices of traditional mountain worship and to discover the ways in which the local people pay their respects to the mountains.
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Episode 29 : Gujo-hachiman: Dancing in the City of Water
September. 23,2014
Gujo-hachiman, a city defined by water, is located upstream on the Nagara River and at a junction where 3 rivers converge. This rural city is at its busiest in summer - the season of the Gujo Odori, which is a Bon Odori dance festival that has been registered as an important intangible folk-cultural property and lasts for roughly 30 days. The climax of the Gujo Odori is the Tetsuya Odori when people dance through the night until dawn for over 4 days. Gujo-hachiman is also known for its beautiful townscape that retains old waterways. Our traveler, reporter Akane Nakajima, learns Gujo Odori dances and explores a traditional life blessed with water.
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Episode 28 : Ine, Kyoto: Serenity by the Sea
September. 16,2014
Ine is a beautiful fishing village located in northern Kyoto Prefecture. It is famous for its distinctive architecture called Funaya. These wooden structures, which are nestled together on Ine's bay, consist of a boat garage on the 1st floor and living quarters on the 2nd. Ine is also deeply associated with the popular folktale "Urashima Taro". Our traveler, Peter MacMillan meets people living with the sea and discovers their legends.
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Episode 27 : Niyodo River: Pure Water of the Gods
August. 26,2014
The Niyodo River in Shikoku is one of Japan's most beautiful rivers. It is known for the clarity of its water, which has such a distinctive aquamarine color that it's become known in Japan as "Niyodo Blue". Sara Ariafar explores the river and the surrounding forests. She meets with people living in the area. And she joins them as they relax with midsummer pastimes.
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Episode 23 : Outdoor Hokkaido Part 2: Into the Wilds of Kushiro
July. 29,2014
Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetland, is a rich habitat for rare flora and fauna. Our traveler Dean Newcombe will explore the vast marshland by canoe with a veteran guide, observing the wildlife at close range and camping out at night. Later Dean continues on to Lake Kussharo, where he enjoys hot springs and a stay at a youth hostel. On his last day, he explores the Sakura Falls and observes more magnificent nature. On Journeys in Japan, we'll experience the heartbeat of Kushiro!
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Episode 22 : Outdoor Hokkaido Part 1: Shiretoko Wildlife Paradise
July. 22,2014
The Shiretoko Peninsula lies at the far northeastern tip of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture. It is an area of remarkable natural beauty, with a vibrant diversity of wildlife both on land and in the sea. Since 2005, it has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Japan's most unexplored regions, and one of the few places in the world where bears have an undisturbed natural habitat. For the Hokkaido brown bears living there, the mountains, rivers and virgin forests are an unspoiled paradise. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Dean Newcombe travels to Shiretoko to discover its pristine environment.
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Episode 18 : Splashing and Chilling in Minakami
June. 24,2014
Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture is blessed with abundant nature and people can enjoy various outdoor activities. As Minakami is in a convenient location that can be accessed by Shinkansen bullet train in an hour from Tokyo, it is also drawing foreign tourists recently. This time, the traveler JJ enjoyed rafting and canyoning, as well as fishing on a lake and picking wild vegetables in mountains.
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Episode 13 : A Day-Trip From Tokyo Part 1: Kamakura - City of Nature, History and Tradition
May. 06,2014
The historic city of Kamakura is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan, thanks to its numerous temples and shrines. Surrounded on three sides by hills and on the fourth side by the sea, Kamakura is a sanctuary blessed with a rich natural environment. Thanks to the mild climate, the city is also known for the high quality produce grown by the local farmers. Every day, a wide variety of vegetables are on sale in the Kamakura Farmers' Market, which was set up almost 90 years ago. David Wells is a chef who lives and works in Japan, preparing Japanese cuisine. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, David visits the Kamakura Farmers' Market, meets the farmers and talks with the chefs who like to use the superb local ingredients. He learns that Kamakura is more than just a tourist attraction - it is a place where the local people enjoy a rich quality of life.
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Episode 12 : Kurashiki: Celebrating Heritage
April. 22,2014
Kurashiki flourished a couple of centuries ago in the Edo Period. An historic district with old merchant residences and storehouses has been beautifully preserved. Kurashiki is still a vibrant city and is also the center of Japan's famed denim industry, which adopts traditional textile and dyeing techniques. In this episode of Journeys in Japan, singer-songwriter and painter Rie Fu learns about appeal of the city through encounters with its people and historical anecdotes.
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Episode 11 : Kyoto in Spring Part 2: Discovering the World of Incense
April. 15,2014
In the 2nd part of our Kyoto series, Sara Ariafar visits the ancient capital to explore the culture of incense. Japanese have enjoyed scents in unique ways for more than 1,000 years. She learns about how the aristocracy used incense in aesthetic and entertainment pursuits. She is also invited to experience Kodo, an incense ceremony.
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Episode 10 : Kyoto in Spring Part 1: Discovering Dolls' Day Traditions
April. 08,2014
Every year on March 3, families throughout Japan celebrate the Hinamatsuri, or Doll Festival, to pray for the healthy growth of their daughters. They put up displays of special Hina dolls, which are modeled after the Emperor and Empress during the Heian Period, more than 1,000 years ago. There are also dolls representing the nobility, court musicians and others. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Tania Zachidniak discovers the customs and tastes of the Doll Festival in Kyoto, and meets craftsmen who are keeping the traditions alive.
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Episode 9 : Sanjo: Forging Tradition and Craftsmanship
April. 01,2014
Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture has been known for its blacksmiths since the 17th century. At that time, the area was susceptible to flooding, often resulting in famine. Farmers were encouraged to forge nails as a sideline to their agriculture, to help them survive in lean years. Sanjo became an important production center for wakugi, the Japanese nails used in building shrines, temples and other wooden structures. That tradition continues to this day, with one local artisan producing nails for the periodic rebuilding of the Grand Shrine of Ise, in Mie Prefecture.
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Episode 8 : Kohoku: Life Close to Buddhist Deities
March. 25,2014
The Kohoku region, north of Lake Biwa, is home to many culturally important Buddhist sculptures. The area around Nagahama City is known for its worship of the bodhisattva Kannon. Buddhist statuary - some over 1,000 years old - have been preserved by villagers, instead of being enshrined in temples. Our traveler Peter MacMillan meets some of these guardians and discovers their warm faith.
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Episode 7 : Nagatoro: Natural Forests and Pure Ice
March. 18,2014
The town of Nagatoro lies in the hills of Chichibu, in Saitama Prefecture, about 2 hours northwest of Tokyo, surrounded by forested mountainsides close to the peak of Hodosan. Because of its rich natural environment, the whole town has been designated as a natural park. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Lemi Duncan visits the Nagatoro area.
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Episode 6 : Sanriku: Lives Intertwined with the Sea
March. 11,2014
The Sanriku Coastal Region experienced severe damage due to the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake's resulting tsunami. On Journeys in Japan, Jessica Claros visits recovering areas along the Sanriku coastline in northeastern Japan. She gets close to the Sanriku lifestyle through her encounters with local people living in harmony with the sea.
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Episode 5 : Tochigi: Secret World of Samurai and Hot Spring
March. 04,2014
The hot spring resort of Yunishigawa is associated with an historic episode from the 12th century. Defeated in the Dan-no-Ura Battle, a group of fleeing Heike samurai settled deep in the mountains of present-day Tochigi Prefecture, where they found a source of hot springs. On Journeys in Japan, model and reporter Akane Nakajima visits the village. Interested in martial arts and the way of the samurai, she tries to identify with the samurai spirit through exchanges with Heike descendants.
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Episode 3 : A Passion for Mechanical Magic: Aichi
February. 11,2014
On this episode, an architect James Lambiasi travels to Inuyama City and Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, on a trip to discover the origin of the spirit of "making things" in Japan. On this trip, we learn about the spirit and values of "making things" passed on from old times to the current age in Japan.
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Episode 2 : Hiroshima: The City of Hope
February. 04,2014
This episode of Journeys in Japan travels to Hiroshima, a city attracting attention as a treasure trove of quality architecture. Now nearly 70 years since the devastation of the atomic bomb, the program visits the city sights from the 3 viewpoints of architecture, war and tourism, exploring the city's history of urban development and architecture as it was rebuilt after the world's first nuclear attack.
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Episode 1 : Murakami: City of Salmon and Sake
January. 28,2014
Murakami, in Niigata Prefecture, northwestern Japan, has a long history of catching and processing salmon from the Miomote River that runs through the city. Over the centuries, the area has developed many customs and traditions, as well as numerous recipes for preparing the fish. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, George Bourdaniotis watches salmon being caught by the local fishermen.
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