Fukuoka facing the Genkai Sea has been geographically and historically a city open to East Asia. It...

Toyama is a city surrounded by tall mountains and has a population of 400,000. It's a place where un...

Furano, located just about in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture is becoming a popular destination fo...

The navigator for this episode of "journeys in japan" is opera director Dario Ponissi. His destinati...

Kamakura lies on the coast to the south of Tokyo, surrounded on three sides by hills, and looking ou...

This week, "journeys in japan" visits a city of science—Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, at the foot o...

In this episode of "journeys in japan", our reporter, Adeyto, visits Oshino Village in Yamanashi Pre...

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest in Japan, in Tottori...

In this edition, JJ goes to a secluded part of northern Izu Peninsula, facing Suruga Bay. Suruga Bay...

In this week's journeys in japan, we visit the Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture, one of the larges...

On this edition of 'journeys in japan', we visit Himeji Castle, one of the few castles in Japan that...

This week, we will focus on Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and introduce people who have made u...

The pine-studded sandbar spans Miyazu Bay, facing the Sea of Japan in northern Kyoto. The accumulati...

On this edition of "journeys in japan" we head to northern Japan to visit a historic city with a war...

Geoparks, created by UNESCO's initiative in 2004, are aimed for people to learn more about the Earth...

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit Mino City in Aichi Prefecture, a town famous for Japanese...

On this edition of journeys in japan, JJ visits Minabe, Wakayama Pref., whose products are an essent...

Sendai is the biggest city in northeastern Japan. It's also the hometown of Kumiko Mori, a popular s...

Nara was established as the capital more than 1000 years ago. It was the country's first major admin...

On this edition, we present the highlights from our past broadcasts. Our Reporters travel across Jap...

The Sekita mountain range, soaring 1000 meters above sea level, straddles Nagano and Niigata Prefect...

This time, "journeys in japan" will travel to Uchiko on the island of Shikoku. Surrounded by mountai...

Tochigi Prefecture is situated in the most northern part of the Kantō region, and is a prefecture th...

On this week's "journeys in japan," we visit Karatsu city in Saga prefecture. The area, which looks...

Izu-Oshima, the largest of the seven islands in the Izu chain, lies 120 kilometers south of Tokyo. I...

Hita City in Oita Prefecture is a quiet town with a population of about 70-thousand, located in nort...

Nelson Babin-Coy is off to explore the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture by train. Nelson's first...

The Seto Inland Sea located in western Japan is the country's largest inland sea. There is a road wh...

Adeyto visits three sites, starting in Kawasaki for a night factory tour. Most participants, includi...

Kure is a 30-minute train ride from Hiroshima. The port town has a population of 250-thousand. The h...

Because of Japan's volcanic terrain, natural hot springs are found throughout country. Known as onse...

On this edition of Journeys in Japan , we visit the Iya Valley, in the center of Shikoku.On this edi...

Yakushima is located 60 kilometers off Kagoshima Prefecture, in Japan's southern main island of Kyus...

In this week's journeys in japan, we visit Kanazawa city in Ishikawa Pre. 99% of the gold leaf in Ja...

This week on "journeys in japan" we visit Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture. It's an ancient Buddhist s...

On Journeys in Japan, our reporter, Julian, ventures to Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, about...

In this edition of Journeys in Japan, we visit the Goto Islands, in the East China Sea off the west...

This week's "Journeys in Japan" focuses on the small factories that helped to lay the foundation for...

In this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter Ian Thomas Ash visits a number of rare temples kn...

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

In this edition of "Journeys in Japan", our reporter, Vincent Giry, visits Toyama Prefecture, known...

On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," Joshua will be trying his hand at ocean activities, soothing...

This week's Journeys in Japan, heads 1000 kilometers north of Tokyo to the sea of Okhotsk off the no...

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka Orth sets out to explore the ancient Buddhist heritage...

Kumamoto—located in central Kyushu—is a regional economic and political hub. The city's symbol is Ku...

The city of Matsue lies close to the Sea of Japan coast, in Shimane Prefecture. It's a place filled...

The destination of this time's journey is Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture, that is based at the sout...

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter, JJ, visits Kawazu and Shimoda, in Shizuoka Prefe...

In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit Seki City in Gifu Prefecture. Seki City boasts the number...

Kobe has an attractive shopping street that streches out long underneath an elevated railway track i...

Since ancient times people have made been making pilgrimages here to worship at Kotohira Shrine. Com...

This week on "Journeys in Japan" we visit the Shimanto River, which is considered to be one of the c...

This week, we visit the picturesque hills of Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Located about an...

Yokohama, just to the south of Tokyo, is home to one of the largest, most vibrant Chinatowns in the...

Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak and is surrounded by verdant forests and five pristine lakes. Man...

Noren, Japanese paper and woodblock print are the Japanese traditional art. We can see and enjoy all...

In this journey, musician, Michael Rivas, will be taking a two-day trip to Yamagata Prefecture in au...

The World Heritage site of Nikko is about 140 kilometers north of Tokyo. With historic temples and s...

Kujukurihama is a long, sandy beach that runs for over 66 kilometers along the Boso Peninsula, to th...

Nakasendo was the old mountain road connecting Edo, today's Tokyo, to Kyoto. The 530-kilometer stret...

The era of the samurai in Japan ended in 1868 with the Meiji Restoration, marking the start of the c...

In this Journeys in Japan, Gow takes a trip to Mikuni-cho of Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, in search...

Since ancient times, people in Japan have produced a form of ink known as sumi, which is used for ca...

1,200 years ago, the Buddhist saint Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) established 88 temples in Shik...

1,200 years ago, the Buddhist saint Kukai (also known as Kobo Daishi) established 88 temples in Shik...

For centuries, wheat noodles known as udon have been popular in Japan, especially in Kagawa, Shikoku...

Takachiho is located in a mountainous area in central Kyushu. According to Japanese mythology, Takac...

This edition of Journeys in Japan features Japan's ancient capital, Nara. We will take a close look...

Beppu City of Oita Prefecture is located in the eastern part of the island of Kyushu, and it is the...

This week, we visit Osaka, the capital city of Osaka prefecture, also known as the town of "Kuidaore...

On this edition of Journeys in Japan we celebrate sakura or cherry blossoms, which are a symbol of s...

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Lana Bergmann, who is studying design in Japan, visits Taketom...

Since prehistoric times, a religion of nature worship has been practiced in the mountains of the Kii...

For over 350 years, the city of Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, has been renowned as a center for tra...

Our reporter David Bull travels to Shirakami-sanchi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Japan....

On this edition of Journeys in Japan we visit Tokushima, the home of aizome indigo dye. Aizome is ma...

This edition of Journeys in Japan takes us to Morioka, a city blessed with mountains, rivers, trees,...

Today we explore Katsunuma in Yamanashi Prefecture, which is a leading wine production center not fa...

On this edition of "Journeys in Japan" we visit the southwestern foot of Yatsugatake, a chain of mou...

Our destination is Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture. Our reporter Charles Glover discovers the city'...

The city of Kamakura lies just south of Tokyo. From around 800 years ago, it was the capital of the...

On this "Journeys in Japan" our reporter Deborah Ten experiences the rings in the New Year in northe...

This week we journey to the foot of Mt. Fuji in winter to discover the area's majestic nature.

Honjima is one of the Shiwaku group of islands in the Seto Inland Sea, between Japan's mainland Hons...

The Sanriku Coast of northeastern Japan is a beautiful area with stunning scenery. It was devastated...

During the full moon, a special Moonlight Walk is held, giving visitors a chance to walk through the...

Tottori is a major folk craft center in Japan. On this trip, our reporter Dario Ponissi travels acro...

Since ancient times, formal gardens have offered a distinctive expression of Japan's traditional aes...

In this episode, photogravure artist Peter Miller travels to Ibusuki City, a hot spring town at the...

Oita Prefecture, in southwest Japan, is an area with beautiful natural scenery and many sacred sites...

Our destination is the cosmopolitan city of Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture. Actor Charles Glover discovers...

Close to Tokyo but far from the city, there are great places to visit in Japan if you're traveling w...

The Amami Islands are subtropical. Blanketed in dense forests and surrounded by emerald waters, they...

In the old days, the islands of southwestern Japan (present-day Okinawa Prefecture) formed an indepe...

Surrounded by pristine water and coral reefs, Ishigaki Island lies at the far southwestern tip of Ja...

The historic city of Kamakura lies about 1 hour south of Tokyo by train. At the end of the 12th cent...

The Kofu Basin, in Yamanashi Prefecture, lies north of Mt. Fuji. In mid-April, when peach flowers bl...

In this edition of Journeys in Japan, musician JJ enjoys the beautiful snowy scenery of the Tateyama...

The indigenous Ainu lives in Hokkaido, Japan's most northern main island. Our reporter, Shakuhachi p...

Haiku are brief poetic snapshots that encapsulate in a few words the essence of a moment, be it the...

Mt. Fuji was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Hakone and Izu are popular resorts near...

Osaka is a vibrant city, full of warm people. But that is only one aspect of Japan's 3rd largest cit...

The Oki Islands lie in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Shimane Prefecture. For countless centuries...

The Hidaka area on the southwestern coast of Hokkaido is famous for its racehorses. This is where ma...

Japan's Tsugaru Shamisen is taking off in North America and Europe today. Fans of the lute-type inst...

The Seto Inland Sea is surrounded by 3 of Japan's 4 main islands - Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. An in...

Ise Jingu (Grand Shrine of Ise) is one of the most important and most revered Shinto shrines in all...

Yakushima was registered as an UNESCO World Natural Heritage site 20 years ago. Though small, the is...

In the 17th century, porcelain known as Imari ware was exported from Japan to Europe despite the cou...

Kasumigaura is the 2nd largest lake in Japan. Just an hour and a half by train from central Tokyo, L...

For over 300 years, people in the town of Etchu-Yatsuo, in Toyama Prefecture, have held a festival i...

Deep in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, not far from the coast of the Sea of Japan, lies the Gok...

Kumamoto Prefecture is known as the "Land of Fire", with the active volcano Mt. Aso as its icon. Sin...

Kagura is a ritual dance of Shinto, the indigenous faith of Japan. Since ancient times, it has been...

The word "Ninja" is known around the world. But the truth remains shrouded in mystery. This episode...

Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, famous for the Kawagoe Festival with its dazzling floats, is onl...

The cedar trees that are found on the mountainsides of Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, have long b...

Kiryu City of Gunma Prefecture is renowned for its textile industry. Kiryu Ori is produced using Jac...

The traditional art of bonsai recreates intricate scenes of nature in miniature, often called "livin...

The Goto Islands in the East China Sea, comprise over 140 islands. The influence of diverse cultures...

Murakami, in Niigata Prefecture, northwestern Japan, has a long history of catching and processing s...

This episode of Journeys in Japan travels to Hiroshima, a city attracting attention as a treasure tr...

On this episode, an architect James Lambiasi travels to Inuyama City and Nagoya City in Aichi Prefec...

On January 17, 1995, the Kansai region of Western Japan was hit by a massive earthquake. The city of...

The hot spring resort of Yunishigawa is associated with an historic episode from the 12th century. D...

The Sanriku Coastal Region experienced severe damage due to the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthqua...

The town of Nagatoro lies in the hills of Chichibu, in Saitama Prefecture, about 2 hours northwest o...

The Kohoku region, north of Lake Biwa, is home to many culturally important Buddhist sculptures. The...

Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture has been known for its blacksmiths since the 17th century. At that...

Every year on March 3, families throughout Japan celebrate the Hinamatsuri, or Doll Festival, to pra...

In the 2nd part of our Kyoto series, Sara Ariafar visits the ancient capital to explore the culture...

Kurashiki flourished a couple of centuries ago in the Edo Period. An historic district with old merc...

The historic city of Kamakura is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan, thanks to its numer...

The 2nd installment of our series on great spring destinations near Tokyo features a local train and...

Takamatsu, facing the Seto Inland Sea, prospered as a castle town. We tour places of scenic beauty,...

In this episode of Journeys in Japan, poet and artist Peter MacMillan visits Yoshino Town in Nara Pr...

The Izumo district of Shimane Prefecture is revered as the heartland of the gods. It is home to Izum...

Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture is blessed with abundant nature and people can enjoy various outdo...

Wajima, in Ishikawa Prefecture, is located on the northwestern coast of the Noto Peninsula, which ju...

Azumino, in Nagano Prefecture, is known for its beautiful tranquil landscapes, which were praised by...

From Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing and Kutani porcelain to teahouses, traditional culture dating back more...

The Shiretoko Peninsula lies at the far northeastern tip of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefectur...

Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetland, is a rich habitat for rare flora and fauna. Our traveler...

Tohoku's Sanriku Coast facing the Pacific Ocean is a ruggedly, dynamic landscape as well as home to...

Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, was formerly an independent kingdom, known as Ryukyu....

The Tomioka Silk Mill was the first modern factory ever built in Japan. Completed in 1872, it marked...

The Niyodo River in Shikoku is one of Japan's most beautiful rivers. It is known for the clarity of...

Ine is a beautiful fishing village located in northern Kyoto Prefecture. It is famous for its distin...

Gujo-hachiman, a city defined by water, is located upstream on the Nagara River and at a junction wh...

In the center of Yamagata Prefecture, far to the north of Tokyo, 3 sacred mountains rise above the f...

In the center of Yamagata Prefecture, far to the north of Tokyo, 3 sacred mountains rise above the f...

On this episode of Journeys in Japan, photographer Kit Pancoast Nagamura travels to 2 towns in north...

Japan's ancient capital Kyoto has a history of more than 1,000 years. Philippine TV host and athlete...

Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture is one of the best fishing grounds in all of Japan. It lies about 70...

Shodoshima is the 2nd largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Blessed with warm, mild weather, the is...

Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture is known for its picturesque location and historic neighborhoods....

The Izumo area of Shimane Prefecture, in western Japan, is an ancient land of myths and legends. It...

Yokohama is home to one of the oldest ports in Japan. It opened its doors to the world in the mid-19...

Japan has been the land of paper since ancient times. The country developed a unique culture of usin...

The city of Hakodate, on the southern tip of Hokkaido, attracts as many as 4 million visitors each y...

Naruko Onsen, in Miyagi Prefecture, is located in the foothills of the Ou Mountains. With a history...

Tohoku's Sanriku Coast faces the Pacific Ocean and runs parallel to the Kitakami Mountains. With bit...

Blues music is known and loved around the world, including Japan. But there is one place above all t...

The Sanriku coast of northeastern Japan was one of the areas worst hit by the earthquake and tsunami...

Yakushima is listed as a UNESCO world natural heritage site. Located 60 kilometers off the southernm...

Spring arrives early in Kumamoto, in southwestern Japan. In this region, people like to celebrate th...

Otaru City in Hokkaido Prefecture is a land with beautiful canals. In the past, the commercial town...

Throughout Japan, the blossoms of the ume plum trees signal the end of winter and herald the beginni...

Lake Biwa, Japan's largest freshwater lake, is located in the middle of the Japanese archipelago. Si...

Himeji Castle, in Hyogo Prefecture, just reopened after an extensive renovation. Its dazzling white...

In Awaji Island, John and Ruadh Moore explore the farms, food and traditional culture. In ancient ti...

Shonan area lies on the coast of Sagami Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture, just to the south of Tokyo. Sinc...

Contemporary dancer Alessandra Lupi visits Sado Island to study the powerful Onidaiko demon dance. T...

The Northern Alps range is often called "the roof of Japan." It is an area of great scenic beauty, o...

Hokkaido — the northernmost island of Japan — is known for its vast expanse of land and unspoiled na...

Morioka developed as a castle town, the seat of the powerful Nanbu clan during the Edo Period [17th-...

Since ancient times, Japanese have developed clever methods for keeping cool in summertime by using...

The Shakotan Peninsula lies on the west coast of Hokkaido, jutting out into the Sea of Japan. Its ru...

The town of Biei lies in the heart of Hokkaido, cradled by the magnificent peaks of Mount Tokachi. S...

The mountainous Kii Hanto is Japan's largest peninsula. It holds sacred places of faiths, including...

Kikaijima is a coral island in the far south of Kagoshima Prefecture, about 1,300 kilometers from To...

Uwajima is a traditional castle town in Ehime Prefecture. The people there have a long tradition of...

The Nebuta Festival attracts some three million visitors to Aomori City every August. Nebuta are gia...

The town of Daigo is in northwestern Ibaraki Prefecture, about 130 kilometers north of Tokyo. This a...

Kameyama lies in the north of Mie Prefecture. In the past, it had great strategic importance, as it...

Iiyama City, located in northern Nagano Prefecture, is known for its beautiful nature and distinct f...

About 145 years ago, apple tree saplings were imported to Japan and distributed around the country....

Mt. Tsurugi in Toyama Prefecture is one of the most impressive peaks in Japan's Northern Alps range,...

The Iya Valley is a land of legends hidden in Tokushima Prefecture, deep in the heart of Shikoku. Su...

The Takayama Festival, in autumn, is held annually on October 9th and 10th. The stars of the festiva...

Koshu is the former name for Yamanashi Prefecture. In feudal times, it was the base for the powerful...

Yagyu, which is located just outside Nara, is the ancestral home of the Yagyu family, which establis...

Ishigaki Island-surrounded by beautiful coral reefs-is considered one of the world's best diving spo...

Akita Prefecture is located 450 kilometers north of Tokyo. American actor Charles Glover visits the...

Takachiho lies deep in the mountains of Miyazaki Prefecture, in Kyushu. It is believed to be the set...

Miyako Island, one of the southernmost islands of Japan, is a tropical paradise. Since olden times,...

The sacred area of Koyasan was founded in the year 816 by Kukai, a Japanese monk who went to China t...

JJ travels through the Kushiro Wetland in Hokkaido. He sees Red-crowned Cranes-a designated Natural...

The tropical island of Okinoerabu is known for its pristine, wild nature. It is also known for its a...

The ancient town of Kakunodate, in Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, is steeped in history. For visi...

The Yatsugatake mountain range-just 150 kilometers west of Tokyo-is a convenient destination for out...

Kinosaki Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in western Japan. It has about 80 ryokan...

Deep in the north of Japan at a mountain temple, a festival called the Somin-sai and nicknamed the N...

It's spring in Okayama, which facing the Inland Sea of Japan in the south and the Chugoku Mountains...

For centuries, the faithful have made their way to Chichibu, in Saitama Prefecture, to visit Buddhis...

The warlord Date Masamune rose to power during Japan's Warring States period in the 16th century, an...

Mihonoseki is on the eastern cape of the Shimane Peninsula, surrounded on three sides by water: the...

The Ise-Shima area of Mie Prefecture is best known for its beautiful, indented coastline. But recent...

Tendo City, Yamagata Prefecture, is a major producer of pieces for shogi-Japanese chess. They are on...

Japan is famous for its spectacular displays of cherry blossom, which draw visitors from far and nea...

The tradition of children's kabuki on festival floats has 250 years of history in Komatsu. American...

During several hundred years of national self-isolation, Nagasaki served as Japan's only window to t...

Iejima is a small island off of mainland Okinawa. It was the scene of fierce battles in World War II...

Takahashi City in Okayama Prefecture is a popular destination for sports climbers. Rock climbing cou...

Sabae City, located on the Sea of Japan in central Fukui Prefecture, has a population of about 70,00...

Cape Soya lies at the northernmost tip of Hokkaido Island. Located at a latitude of 45° North, the l...

Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost main island, turns into a paradise of flowers in spring and summer. A...

Deep in the steep mountains of Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, lies the remote village of Kuma. Located...

Aomori, the northernmost prefecture of Japan's Honshu main island, has a number of enigmatic places...

The Akita Kanto Festival attracts more than a million tourists every year. One kanto pole is lit wit...

The source of the Kurobe River-deep in the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture-is a rarely explored p...

This neighborhood lying alongside the Uchikawa River in Imizu CIty, Toyama Prefecture, has been a th...

Tanegashima is an island that has embraced new cultures and people since olden times. Starting with...

Yubari, in the center of Hokkaido, is famous for its international film festival, which is held each...

Nakasendo is one of the five highways constructed in Japan during the Edo Period (1603 – 1868). Conn...

For hundreds of years, pilgrims have made their way to the hills of Chichibu, northwest of Tokyo, to...

Munakata City is located in northwestern Kyushu, facing the Sea of Genkai. As an ancient maritime tr...

At a height of 1,982 meters, Mt. Ishizuchi is the tallest peak in western Japan. It takes about thre...

Hagi, in Yamaguchi Prefecture, western Japan, is one of Japan's best known castle towns. The traditi...

The Isumi-Ichinomiya area lies on the east coast of Chiba Prefecture, facing out toward the Pacific...

The area called Koza in Okinawa city-in the center of Okinawa prefecture-is famous for its internati...

Ogawayama (Mount Ogawa) is known as a "rock climber's paradise." Located near Kawakami Village in Na...

This edition of Journeys in Japan explores the international winter resort of Niseko in Hokkaido. Jo...

Suruga Bay, off Shizuoka Prefecture, is the deepest bay in Japan, plunging to a depth of around 2,50...

Chubu Centrair International Airport is built on an artificial island off the Chita Peninsula in Aic...

Ibaraki Prefecture's coastline extends about 200 kilometers along the Pacific. Warm and cold current...

In winter, Hokkaido is covered by a deep blanket of snow and the land lies dormant. But for the peop...

Mt. Norikuradake lies 200 kilometers west of Tokyo, straddling the border of Nagano and Gifu prefect...

The statue of Hachi the Dog sits near Shibuya's famous scramble crossing. Hachi was an Akita Inu, a...

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, we travel to Oya, an old stone town in Utsunomiya City, Tochig...

Nagoya, in Aichi prefecture, was the main battlefield during the prolonged Sengoku, Warring States p...

One popular starting point for backcountry skiing in Japan is the Hakuba area of Nagano Prefecture....

The ancient city of Nara lies close to Kyoto and Osaka. Around 1,300 years ago it was the capital of...

In the mountain village of Monobe-located in eastern Kochi Prefecture-a folk belief called Izanagi-r...

Manazuru has thrived on quarrying and fishing since olden times. On Journeys in Japan, Kyle Card dis...

The Nanyo area of Ehime Prefecture is blessed with abundant water. It lies on the west coast of Shik...

Until about 700 years ago, princesses from Japan's imperial family were sent to act as high priestes...

Mount Daisen, in Tottori Prefecture in western Japan, stands 1,729 meters high. Often noted for its...

Each season in Japan brings its own special delicacies. When early summer arrives, that means it's c...

On this episode of Journeys in Japan, actor Dean Newcombe from Britain explores the natural wonders...

Shirakami Sanchi is a vast region of forested mountains in northern Japan, straddling the border of...

Our show's regular narrator Bill Sullivan escapes the studio to travel around the tiny island of Yon...

Marathons are hugely popular in Japan. Every year, hundreds of them take place around the country. B...

Taisetsuzan, also called Daisetsuzan, is a mountain range home to Hokkaido's highest peak. In additi...

Kyle Card catches Kochi's summertime festival fever by observing, and even joining in, the dynamic Y...

The Awa Odori is a huge dance festival that takes over Tokushima City, Tokushima Prefecture, for fou...

Yanai prospered as a port town in the Seto Inland Sea. It was one of the largest merchant cities in...

The Nagara River runs for 166 kilometers through the heart of Gifu Prefecture, in central Japan. Alt...

The Minami-Izu area lies on the southern tip of the Izu Peninsula, in Shizuoka Prefecture. It is a p...

Cutting through deep forests, the clear Mukawa River in Hokkaido has brought continuous blessings to...

Kagoshima is the southernmost prefecture of Kyushu. The Japanese word kuro (or "black") plays a very...

Kikuma is located in northern Imabari City, Ehime Prefecture. The old town is known for its producti...

Mt. Togakushi, in northern Nagano Prefecture, has been a focus for religious faith for over 1,000 ye...

Lake Towada-on the border of Aomori and Akita prefectures-is one of Japan's most scenic spots. The l...

Karatsu Kunchi is a three-day festival held in November each year in Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture....

Hiroshima is home to two World Heritage Sites, the Atomic Bomb Dome and Miyajima Island. Other build...

On this journey, we visit Yokkaichi in northern Mie, central Japan. This industrial city, with a pop...

The Northern Alps, which has many mountains over 3,000-meters in height, is located in central Japan...

Oita Prefecture in Kyushu is one of Japan's best known places for onsen - or hot springs. The city o...

Fukuoka is the largest city in southern Japan, and the political and economic hub for all of Kyushu....

Joetsu City in Niigata Prefecture is famous for its harsh winters and heavy snowfalls. Since the Edo...

Every year from February to March, ice floes from Russia's Amur River float across the Okhotsk Sea t...

In Hachinohe city, on the eastern coast of Aomori Prefecture, nature has not always been kind to the...

The charming old castle town of Makabe is located in the foothills of Mt. Tsukuba, not far from Toky...

Kombu (kelp) seaweed has been an essential ingredient in the Japanese diet for over a thousand years...

The distinctive style of pottery known as Oribe ware made its appearance in Japan towards the end of...

Only 50 kilometers away from the capital the mountainous area offers historic scenery and gentle tre...

The Agano River flows through northern Niigata Prefecture, about 200 kilometers to the north of Toky...

In the old days, the cities of Ashikaga and Tochigi were post towns along the highway that led to th...

Atami, in Shizuoka prefecture, is one of Japan's leading hot spring resorts and is only 45 minutes f...

Nikko, which is a leading tourist destination in Japan, has long been venerated as a sacred place of...

The Tsugaru area of Aomori Prefecture has long been known as one of Japan's top districts for develo...

One hundred drawings portray the customs and scenery of 150 years ago. These scenes are still remark...

Tiny Ojika is part of the Goto Islands of Nagasaki Prefecture, which lies one thousand kilometers we...

The town of Misugi is located deep in the mountains of Mie Prefecture, central Japan. 90% of the tow...

The island of Tobishima lies off the coast of Yamagata Prefecture in the Sea of Japan. It is about 1...

Yuki (in Ibaraki Prefecture) and neighboring Oyama (Tochigi Prefecture) are famous throughout Japan...

Mt. Fuji is the most famous peak in Japan. It is also a place of worship, and for centuries pilgrims...

Kita-Akita City lies in the north of Akita Prefecture. It is a land of mountains and thick forests....

Okushiri Island-about 84 kilometers in circumference-is located southwest of Hokkaido in remarkably...

Totsukawa, in southern Nara Prefecture, is nestled deep in the mountains. The village's isolation fr...

The island of Iki lies off the coast of Kyushu, facing out towards the Korean Peninsula. In ancient...

The Seto Inland Sea in western Japan has been a major sea route since ancient times. The Geiyo Archi...

Kitayama Village lies deep in the mountains of the Kii Peninsula in central Japan. It is a small vil...

Mount Gozaisho is a popular tourist destination located on the border of Mie and Shiga prefectures,...

Fukuoka, the largest city in southern Japan, was a merchant town in ancient times that prospered wit...

The Houki-cho district lies in the west of Tottori Prefecture close to the foot of volcanic Mt. Dais...

Kanazawa City in Ishikawa Prefecture developed as a castle town of the Kaga Domain under the Maeda C...

Iriomote is 2,000 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in an ocean of corals. The subtropical island enjoys...

The town of Kamioka lies in the mountains of central Japan. It was once famous as a major center for...

Yuzu is a variety of citrus fruit that has long been prized for its superb aroma. A winter specialty...

Nichinan city, situated in Miyazaki Prefecture in southwestern Japan, once prospered from fisheries...

Tottori Prefecture ranks number one in Japan when it comes to crab hauls. It's also the largest cons...

Lake Biwa is the largest lake in all of Japan. In winter, its remote northern coast is a place of un...

Iheya is the northernmost island of Okinawa Prefecture and takes an hour and twenty minutes by ferry...

The city of Kikuchi, in northern Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu is known for its prosperous agricultu...

Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, has developed a distinct architecture all its own, reflect...

Iojima Island lies around 1,000 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, off the south coast of Kyushu. Its ma...

Japow refers to Japan's world-famous powder where skiers delight in making tracks in heavenly virgin...

Minami-Uonuma, in southern Niigata Prefecture, is one of Japan's snowiest regions. Suzuki Bokushi's...

The Oku-Echizen district lies deep in the mountains of Fukui Prefecture, inland from the Sea of Japa...

John Moore, from Ireland, is a social entrepreneur. Euan Craig, from Australia, is a potter. The men...

Tateyama is only 80 kilometers from Tokyo, in southern Chiba Prefecture. Off Tateyama spreads a boun...

Iga, in the northwest of Mie Prefecture, is famous as a place where many ninjas lived, especially in...

Hieizan (Mount Hiei) rises high to the northeast of the city of Kyoto, straddling the border between...

Uchiko, which is 700 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in Shikoku's Ehime Prefecture, flourished as a pi...

Yamaguchi Prefecture lies in the far west of Japan's main island, Honshu. It has numerous landscapes...

Nishi-izu, with stellar views of Mt. Fuji, is located on the western coast of the Izu Peninsula. Geo...

Japanese green tea is produced from tea leaves that are steamed and then dried, unlike black tea, fo...

The Hachimantai Plateau straddles the border of Iwate and Akita Prefectures. A large area around its...

On this episode Charles Glover, an actor from the United States, visits the Tonami Plain in Toyama P...

Rising above the highlands of central Japan, Mt. Hakusan (2,702 meters) is considered of the most sa...

Sawara lies in northeast Chiba Prefecture, around 70 kilometers to the east of Tokyo. Thanks to its...

Muroran, in southwestern Hokkaido Prefecture, flourished as an industrial city, mainly in steel manu...

The Izumo region in Shimane Prefecture, where deities from across the country are said to gather ann...

The Michinoku Coastal Trail, which was launched by the Environment Ministry, is a long trail along t...

Rausu lies on the coast of the Shiretoko Peninsula, in eastern Hokkaido Prefecture. Most of the peni...

Kotohira, in western Kagawa Prefecture developed around the famous shrine complex known as Kotohira-...

The Nakanojo Biennale is an art festival held in beautiful Nakanojo in Gunma Prefecture. It boasts o...

The Katsura River runs through a beautiful valley in Yamanashi Prefecture, not far from Tokyo. Fed b...

The Kishiwada Danjiri Festival is one of the most vibrant and spectacular festivals in all of Japan....

Iwamizawa is located about 40 minutes by train from Sapporo in Hokkaido Prefecture. It flourished as...

Ise City is in southeastern Mie Prefecture in Central Japan. It is home to one of Japan's most sacre...

Nanyo City lies in Yamagata Prefecture, in the Tohoku region north of Tokyo. The city is focusing on...

Osaka is the largest city in western Japan. The 16th-century warlord Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who unified...

Mt. Myogi, located in western Gunma Prefecture, is famous for its unusual rock formations and beauti...

Asago lies deep in the mountains of Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan. In recent years it has been d...

The island of Suo-Oshima lies off the coast of southeast Yamaguchi Prefecture, in western Japan. It'...

Asuka in Nara Prefecture was the center of Japan's politics and culture for more than 100 years from...

Yokohama, just south of Tokyo, is a vibrant port city steeped in history. When Japan first opened it...

Mishima Town, in western Fukushima Prefecture, receives some of the heaviest snowfall in all of Japa...

The Tsugaru region lies in the west of Aomori Prefecture, far in the north of Japan's main island. I...

Akita Prefecture, in northern Japan, celebrates its snowy season with many unique festivals. America...

Located 2,000 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, Hateruma is the southernmost inhabited island in Japan....

The Hakkoda mountain range soars in central Aomori Prefecture. It's famous for its heavy snowfall, m...

Located in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture, Asahikawa City is Hokkaido's second largest city. It i...

Located in central Japan, Kaizu City in Gifu Prefecture and Kuwana City in Mie Prefecture are just d...

Ishigaki, in Okinawa Prefecture, is a stunning, sub-tropical island that lies some 2,000 kilometers...

Kagawa Prefecture is the smallest of the 47 prefectures of Japan in area. It puts emphasis on the pr...

Atami is a resort popular for its dramatic coastline, hot springs and proximity to Tokyo. After a pe...

Otoyo Town in Kochi Prefecture is located in the center of the Shikoku Mountain Range. More than 80%...

Kamiyama, Tokushima Prefecture, is a mountain village with a population of 5,000. But despite its tr...

Nanmoku is a village that lies deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture, northwest of Tokyo, which...

Itoshima, in western Fukuoka Prefecture, has been drawing attention in recent years as a popular pla...

Ogawa Village in Nagano Prefecture is famous throughout Japan for its beautiful scenery. Even though...

Omi-hachiman is an old castle town that flourished as a transportation hub on Lake Biwa. It retains...

The Michinoku Coastal Trail runs along the Pacific coast of northeastern Japan, covering a distance...

Yamanashi Prefecture has been a pioneer in winemaking in Japan since the mid-19th century when farme...

Deep in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, 100 kilometers north of Tokyo, Ashio has long been know...

The Michinoku Coastal Trail stretches more than 1,000 kilometers along the Pacific coast, crossing 4...

The city of Ojiya is hidden in the mountains of central Niigata Prefecture, some 200 kilometers nort...

Ibaraki Prefecture, which stretches along the Pacific Ocean, is known for its diverse nature. Along...

The Kyotango area of northern Kyoto Prefecture is known as the birthplace of Tango Chirimen, a varie...

Tsu in Mie Prefecture prospered as a castle town during the Edo period (1603-1868). Situated close t...

The island of Tsushima, in Nagasaki Prefecture, lies between Japan and South Korea, just 50 kilomete...

Moji, just over 800 kilometers west of Tokyo, is on the northernmost tip of Kyushu. Facing the Kanmo...

Hokkaido Prefecture in mid-winter is a frigid land of snow and ice, where temperatures can drop belo...

Winter in Hokkaido Prefecture... It's a fascinating time to visit for the stunning snowscapes and na...

The city of Otaru, on the Sea of Japan coast of Hokkaido Prefecture, was founded about 150 years ago...

Nagoya is in Aichi Prefecture in central Japan. While it is sometimes compared unfavorably to Tokyo,...

Elegant and charming, goldfish have captured the hearts of people in Japan for centuries. One of the...

Outdoor guide Daniel Moore gets a taste of deep mountain life on a drive around Minami Shinshu in so...

As spring changes to summer in Japan, there is a period of about a month when rainy, cloudy conditio...

Islands -- stringing along 3,500 kilometers, north to south, in the Pacific -- so narrow that no poi...

The Ise-Shima National Park is one of Japan's most popular sightseeing areas, but not so many people...

Because Japan's landmass extends north-south through a number of different climatic zones, farmers c...

A stunning mountain bike course has been carved into a mountain of a Genkai-shuraku -- a marginal ha...

On Journeys in Japan, we've discovered the history and culture of many places through their architec...

Festivals are an essential element of summer in Japan. Held around the country, some feature music a...

Located on the coast of Miyagi Prefecture, Ishinomaki City long flourished through fisheries. The 20...

Modern mountaineering was born in Europe in the second half of the 18th century. Offering vigorous e...

With the world pandemic, music venues across the globe have gone silent. So this time on Journeys in...

Across Japan, communities highlight their distinctive charms to attract visitors. On this episode of...

When people think of the samurai they imagine fearless warriors skilled in the martial arts. But tha...

On Journeys in Japan, photographer Alfie Goodrich framed his lens on Hokkaido Prefecture's Muroran a...

Japan has about 6,800 islands that are larger than 100 meters in circumference. More than 500 of the...

Since ancient times, Shinto rituals have been held at sacred sites across Japan, bringing people tog...

The Northern Alps, which extend some 150 kilometers, are the most popular among climbers in Japan. M...

Around the turn of the 20th century, mining towns sprang up around Japan to meet the nation's growin...

This time, we trace Japan's legend of gold. The precious metal was actually first mined in Michinoku...

The traditional pottery town of Kasama lies about 100 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, about 1.5 hours...

One of Japan's oldest roads, the Yamanobe no Michi runs about 25 kilometers along the foot of the mo...

The city of Hamamatsu lies in Shizuoka Prefecture, midway between Tokyo and Osaka Prefecture. Since...

Matsusaka City of Mie Prefecture is famous for its premium Matsusaka Beef. In the Edo period (1603-1...

JAPOW. It's the incredibly fluffy and abundant powder snow that attracts skiers from all over the wo...

Since the old days, many festivals have been held across Japan to mark the changing seasons and refl...

Since ancient times, people in Japan have felt a profound veneration for the bedrock of their land....

On this episode, we look back at our architecture features and pick up some wondrous, inspiring shap...

In the third of our programs introducing Japan to active wheelchair travelers, Ryoko Nakajima and Sh...

Himeji Castle is the finest surviving example of early 17th-century castle architecture in Japan, wi...

Around 70 percent of Japan's landmass is covered by forest, and this has given rise to the country's...

Iwaki City in Fukushima Prefecture has been making steady progress in its reconstruction efforts sin...

The Ariake Sea borders lies in the northwest of Kyushu, bordering on 4 prefectures: Nagasaki, Saga,...

Japan's indigenous belief called Shinto worships 8 million deities. Its imported Buddhism addresses...

The Suzuka Circuit is one of the most famous racing tracks in all Japan. For that reason, Suzuka Cit...

A father and daughter head to Iriomote, the largest of the Yaeyama Islands far away in southwestern...

Along the shoreline of northeast Japan, a 400-kilometer sea wall has been built to protect people li...

If you venture up north from Hyogo Prefecture's castle town Tamba-Sasayama, you will arrive in a pic...

We look at Okinawa Prefecture through its stunning textiles. The island chain is a treasure trove of...

One of the attractions of hiking in the mountains of Japan is the chance to experience the thrill of...

The town of Wakasa-cho lies on the coast of Fukui Prefecture, looking out on the Sea of Japan. In th...

Isabella Bird explored Japan in 1878, a mere ten years after the country had opened its doors to the...

Lake Chuzenji lies in the highlands of northwest Tochigi Prefecture, above the city of Nikko. Thanks...

Tono is the setting for the Legends of Tono, often dubbed the Grimms' Fairy Tales of the East. The b...

For centuries, the ancient Tokaido highway was the most important road in all Japan. It linked Kyoto...

Kumamoto Castle was built by the feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa. The construction began in the late 16th...

The city of Nagoya is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and the hub of Japan's third largest metropoli...