Journeys in Japan - Season 15

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Journeys in Japan: Season 15 - 12 Episode s

15x1 - Morioka: Slow Life, Indie Spirit
January 16, 2024
In January 2023, the New York Times newspaper introduced Morioka as one of its "52 Places to Go" - second only to London. The capital of Iwate Prefecture was highly praised for its historic architecture; its compactness, making it easy for people to get around on foot; and the abundance of nature, from the nearby mountains to the river that runs through the city center. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Canadian actor Kyle Card visits this city which is little known abroad and often overlooked at home. He explores its independent stores and numerous coffee shops, and chats with the people who call it home.
15x2 - 360 Degrees of Mt. Fuji: Hiking the Long Trail - Part 1
February 6, 2024
In 2021, a long trail course was established that encircles Mt. Fuji. By following this trail, one can explore not only the natural beauty but also the profound allure of Mt. Fuji, which has been a source of local history, culture, ancient beliefs and artistic inspiration for centuries. Kyle Card, a Canadian actor who previously completed the Tohoku Trail, now journeys around Mt. Fuji during the breathtaking transition from autumn to winter.
15x3 - 360 Degrees of Mt. Fuji: Hiking the Long Trail - Part 2
February 13, 2024
In 2021, a long trail course was established that encircles Mt. Fuji. By following this trail, one can explore not only the natural beauty but also the profound allure of Mt. Fuji, which has been a source of local history, culture, ancient beliefs and artistic inspiration for centuries. Canadian actor Kyle Card continues his journey around Mt. Fuji during the breathtaking late autumn season, following the first part.
15x4 - On the Sugar Road from Saga to Fukuoka
February 20, 2024
The Nagasaki Kaido was an important trade road from the 1630s that connected Nagasaki's port—the only one open to overseas trade in those days—to Kokura in Fukuoka Prefecture. Nicknamed the Sugar Road, the 220-kilometer path carried covetous sugar and their sweet recipes. Aliza Ahmed Khan from Pakistan discovers the distinctive confectionery culture that developed along the route.
15x5 - Isumi Shines as Liveable City
February 27, 2024
Isumi in Chiba Prefecture was voted most desirable place to live in the Tokyo area for its accessibility and great outdoors with both the ocean and mountains. This time, Alex and Binderiya, a Tokyo-based couple, explore Isumi to see if this could be their next home sweet home.
15x6 - SILK Road: Threads of History from Gunma to Yokohama
March 5, 2024
In 1859, when Japan reopened its doors after more than two centuries of isolation, goods flowed in and out of newly expanded ports. At the time, raw silk became the country's largest export, as the silk industries in France and Italy had been hit by an epidemic of silkworm disease. At one point, Japan was the world's biggest exporter. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Sheila Cliffe from the UK follows the Silk Road from northern Kanto, once a major production area, to Yokohama, where the silk took off to the world.
15x7 - Geto Kogen: Deep Powder Dreams
March 19, 2024
Geto Kogen lies in an area of Japan known as a gosetsu chitai—a region with extremely heavy snowfall. In an average year it gets as much as five meters of snow, and that means it can offer runs found in few other parts of the country. These days people come from around the world to find out what makes this resort special. They start their day with some fresh tracks, taking the gondola to the top ahead of the official opening time when the slopes are covered with pristine snow. They enjoy tree runs with deep powder snow through wooded areas that are usually off-limits at other ski resorts. And they head out for some backcountry skiing along with accredited guides. On this episode, Michael Keida and his wife Kumiko take full advantage of the JAPOW conditions at this gosetsu paradise.
15x8 - Akita's Festivals Light Up Long Winters
April 2, 2024
The city of Senboku in Akita Prefecture is made up of three towns: Tazawako, which has the deepest lake in Japan; Nishiki, home to farming scenery: and Kakunodate, called the little Kyoto of Tohoku. In addition to the stunning nature and samurai culture, visitors can enjoy spectacles related to the Lunar New Year. Catrina Sugita experiences the area's winter lifestyle and its fiery festivals.
15x9 - Tomonoura: Tradition and Community in a Historic Port
April 30, 2024
Tomonoura is a port town on the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, in Hiroshima Prefecture. It occupies an important location because this is the point where the tides from each end of the Inland Sea meet. In the old days, ships had to wait here until the ebb tide, before continuing their journeys. For that reason it became known as "the port for awaiting the tide" and was even mentioned in the Manyoshu, a collection of Japanese poems collated some 1,200 years ago. Tom Miyagawa Coulton is a photographer who lives on an island in the Seto Inland Sea. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Tom explores the historic town of Tomonoura and discovers the town's centuries-old tradition of forging steel. He also meets the local people who have protected this town and kept their community ties with love and care.
15x10 - Okinawa: Whispers of the Ryukyu Kingdom
May 14, 2024
Across Okinawa's islands, you will find the stone walls of castle ruins. The Ryukyu Kingdom was a country for 350 years before it was absorbed into Japan. From the 12th to 15th centuries, it erected many gusuku or castles to protect the land and also to provide a place of worship. Alfie Goodrich sets out to discover the beauty and mystery of Okinawa's old kingdom through its gusuku.
15x11 - Taketa: Onsen Bathing Old and New
May 28, 2024
People in Japan love bathing in hot springs, or onsen. And since the old days, it has been common for people to check into residential hot-spring inns for extended stays to boost their health, heal their aches and regain their well-being. This style of onsen therapeutics is known as Tōji. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Kyle Card travels to Taketa City in Oita Prefecture to discover a contemporary style of Tōji therapy where visitors can recover their energy while enjoying the majestic natural environment along with some of the world's finest carbonated hot springs.
15x12 - With Isabella Bird — Part 4: On the Road to Akita
June 4, 2024
British explorer and writer Isabella Bird arrived in Japan in 1878, just 10 years after the country opened its doors to the West. Accompanied by a 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. In this episode, Maria Brandmann follows Bird's route along the Ushu Kaido highway from Kaneyama-machi (Yamagata Prefecture) to Gojome-machi (Akita Prefecture).

Journeys in Japan - Season 15

Journeys in Japan: Season 15 - 12 Episode s

15x1 - Morioka: Slow Life, Indie Spirit

15x2 - 360 Degrees of Mt. Fuji: Hiking the Long Trail - Part 1

15x3 - 360 Degrees of Mt. Fuji: Hiking the Long Trail - Part 2

15x4 - On the Sugar Road from Saga to Fukuoka

15x5 - Isumi Shines as Liveable City

15x6 - SILK Road: Threads of History from Gunma to Yokohama

15x7 - Geto Kogen: Deep Powder Dreams

15x8 - Akita's Festivals Light Up Long Winters

15x9 - Tomonoura: Tradition and Community in a Historic Port

15x10 - Okinawa: Whispers of the Ryukyu Kingdom

15x11 - Taketa: Onsen Bathing Old and New

15x12 - With Isabella Bird — Part 4: On the Road to Akita

Journeys in Japan: All seasons

S1: Season 1

S2: Season 2

S3: Season 3

S4: Season 4

S5: Season 5

S6: Season 6

S7: Season 7

S8: Season 8

S9: Season 9

S10: Season 10

S11: Season 11

S12: Season 12

S13: Season 13

S14: Season 14

S15: Season 15