S01E24: Karatsu, Saga: Karatsu with an Homage to Jacques Mayo
On this week's "journeys in japan," we visit Karatsu city in Saga prefecture. The area, which looks out to the sea, is blessed with a warm climate. People here have long enjoyed marine sports. A legendary French diver had strong ties with the sea of Karatsu. Jacques Mayol was the first man in the world to free dive to 100 meters. And it was a childhood encounter with a dolphin off the coast of Karatsu that inspired him to dive. Our reporter Ian Thomas Ash investigates the diver's deep connection to Karatsu. (Excerpt)
Overview
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.
S01E01 Fukuoka City, Fukuoka: Rediscovering Asia in Fukuoka
February 2, 2010 28 min
Fukuoka facing the Genkai Sea has been geographically and historically a city open to East Asia. It still maintains links with many Asian countries-- from Port of Fukuoka, there is a ferry which runs between...
Toyama is a city surrounded by tall mountains and has a population of 400,000. It's a place where unique businesses have sprung up since the days of old. Toyama's medicine became famous, in particular, for...
S01E03 Furano, Hokkaido: Traversing Snowy Furano by Dog Sled
March 30, 2010 28 min
Furano, located just about in the center of Hokkaido Prefecture is becoming a popular destination for foreign skiers. The winter season in Furano presents various options to enjoy the great outdoors. The most exciting of...
The navigator for this episode of "journeys in japan" is opera director Dario Ponissi. His destination is Naoshima of Kagawa Prefecture, a small island in the Seto Inland Sea, with a population of some 3300....
Kamakura lies on the coast to the south of Tokyo, surrounded on three sides by hills, and looking out to the sea. Eight centuries ago, a samurai warrior seized power and set up his capital...
S01E06 Tsukuba, Ibaraki: A City with State-of-the-Art Technology
April 20, 2010 28 min
This week, "journeys in japan" visits a city of science—Tsukuba in Ibaraki Prefecture, at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba. In 1963, under a national policy, the city was opened up as a place for research...
S01E07 Oshino Village, Yamanashi: Living Close to Mt. Fuji
April 27, 2010 28 min
In this episode of "journeys in japan", our reporter, Adeyto, visits Oshino Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, in the northern foothills of Mt. Fuji., Japan's highest mountain. Her guide is the well-known actor Hatsunori Hasegawa. He...
S01E08 Tottori Sand Dunes, Tottori: Land of Majestic Dunes
May 11, 2010 28 min
In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit the Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest in Japan, in Tottori Prefecture. The Tottori Sand Dunes skirt the Sea of Japan in the southwestern part of Japan. The...
In this edition, JJ goes to a secluded part of northern Izu Peninsula, facing Suruga Bay. Suruga Bay, the deepest bay in Japan, extends 2,500 meters below sea level. It's famous for its rich variety...
In this week's journeys in japan, we visit the Toyokawa Inari in Aichi Prefecture, one of the largest Inari temples in Japan. Many of temples and shrines are protected by special guardian deities which is...
On this edition of 'journeys in japan', we visit Himeji Castle, one of the few castles in Japan that have managed to survive in their original form, the way they were built about four centuries...
This week, we will focus on Naruto City in Tokushima Prefecture and introduce people who have made use of the bounties of nature in unusual ways to create products with added value.This week, we will...
S01E13 Miyazu City, Kyoto - Amanohashidate: Japan's Scenic Treasure
June 22, 2010 28 min
The pine-studded sandbar spans Miyazu Bay, facing the Sea of Japan in northern Kyoto. The accumulation of white river sand over thousands of years sculpted this impressive strip of land, which has been the subject...
S01E14 Yonezawa City, Yamagata: The City with a Warrior's Legacy
June 29, 2010 28 min
On this edition of "journeys in japan" we head to northern Japan to visit a historic city with a warrior legacy -- Yonezawa in Yamagata prefecture. For long years, it flourished as a castle town...
Geoparks, created by UNESCO's initiative in 2004, are aimed for people to learn more about the Earth and for invigorating local economies by using the parks for tourism. This time, we travel by car, starting...
In this week's Journeys in Japan, we visit Mino City in Aichi Prefecture, a town famous for Japanese traditional paper "Washi". Washi is made from the fibers of tree bark and all handmade by traditional...
S01E17 Minabe, Wakayama: Town of Forests and Orchards
July 20, 2010 28 min
On this edition of journeys in japan, JJ visits Minabe, Wakayama Pref., whose products are an essential part of Japanese food culture. Minabe produces more ume fruit than anywhere else in Japan - 30,000 tons...
S01E18 Sendai & Matsushima, Miyagi: In the Footsteps of a Renowned Warlord
July 27, 2010 28 min
Sendai is the biggest city in northeastern Japan. It's also the hometown of Kumiko Mori, a popular singer and entertainer who appearis frequently on stage and TV. She meets up with NHK WORLD reporter Vincent...
S01E19 Nara, Nara: Nara Heijokyo, Celebrating 1300 Years of Culture
August 3, 2010 28 min
Nara was established as the capital more than 1000 years ago. It was the country's first major administrative center and was called Heijo-kyo. This year marks the 1300th anniversary of Heijo-kyo and the city is...
On this edition, we present the highlights from our past broadcasts. Our Reporters travel across Japan, where they discover fascinating local culture and people. (Excerpt)
S01E21 Sekita Mountain Range, Nagano/Niigata: Into the Wild Long Trail in Satoyama
September 14, 2010 28 min
The Sekita mountain range, soaring 1000 meters above sea level, straddles Nagano and Niigata Prefectures. Hikers can now walk along it on the "Shin-etsu Trail." It extends along the ridge for distance of 80 kilometers,...
S01E22 Uchiko, Ehime: A Town Built Upon the Thoughts of Its People
September 21, 2010 28 min
This time, "journeys in japan" will travel to Uchiko on the island of Shikoku. Surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant nature it is situated almost at the center of Ehime Prefecture. The town flourished...
Tochigi Prefecture is situated in the most northern part of the KantĹŤ region, and is a prefecture that is inland, not facing the coast. Though only 70 kilometers away from Tokyo, it is an area...
S01E24 Karatsu, Saga: Karatsu with an Homage to Jacques Mayo
October 5, 2010 28 min
On this week's "journeys in japan," we visit Karatsu city in Saga prefecture. The area, which looks out to the sea, is blessed with a warm climate. People here have long enjoyed marine sports. A...
S01E25 Izu-Oshima, Tokyo: Island of Marathon Dreams
October 12, 2010 28 min
Izu-Oshima, the largest of the seven islands in the Izu chain, lies 120 kilometers south of Tokyo. It was formed by volcanic action, and the volcano in the center of the island is still active....
Hita City in Oita Prefecture is a quiet town with a population of about 70-thousand, located in northern part of Kyushu in southwestern Japan. It is surrounded by many mountains, including the Aso-Kuju and the...
S01E27 Aizu, Fukushima: A Taste of Tradition and Scenic Charm
October 26, 2010 28 min
Nelson Babin-Coy is off to explore the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture by train. Nelson's first stop is at Yunokami-Onsen. The area is a hot-spring village with many traditional inns and guesthouses. One of the...
S01E28 Shimanami Kaido, Hiroshima/Ehime: A Cycling Tour: Refreshing Breezes at the Seto Inland Sea
November 2, 2010 28 min
The Seto Inland Sea located in western Japan is the country's largest inland sea. There is a road which runs across the inland sea and connects a chain of small islands. It is known as...
S01E29 A Passion for Industrial Structures: Exploring People's Passion for Industrial Structure Tours: This Time in Kanagawa, Gunma, Nagasaki Prefectures
November 9, 2010 28 min
Adeyto visits three sites, starting in Kawasaki for a night factory tour. Most participants, including Adeyto, are into photographing the urban industrial landscape. What's the attraction of large-scale public works' sites for so many Japanese...
S01E30 Kure, Hiroshima: Gourmet Life in A Port City
November 16, 2010 28 min
Kure is a 30-minute train ride from Hiroshima. The port town has a population of 250-thousand. The historic shipbuilding town still turns out large tankers and other vessels. It's a major marine transportation hub in...
S01E31 Hachimantai, Akita: Akita's Hidden Hot Springs: Traditional Onsen Therapy
November 23, 2010 28 min
Because of Japan's volcanic terrain, natural hot springs are found throughout country. Known as onsen, they are one of the highlights of any visit to Japan. There are more than 3,000 onsen in Japan. And...
S01E32 Iya Valley, Tokushima: Exploring the Remote Iya Valley
November 30, 2010 28 min
On this edition of Journeys in Japan , we visit the Iya Valley, in the center of Shikoku.On this edition of journey in japan , we visit the Iya Valley, in the center of Shikoku....
Yakushima is located 60 kilometers off Kagoshima Prefecture, in Japan's southern main island of Kyushu. It's blanketed in lush forest, and has mountains that soar nearly 2,000 meters above sea level. With its more than...
In this week's journeys in japan, we visit Kanazawa city in Ishikawa Pre. 99% of the gold leaf in Japan is made in this city. Gold has been adding color to Japan's traditional culture. At...
S01E35 Koyasan, Wakayama: A Temple Stay to Recharge
December 21, 2010 28 min
This week on "journeys in japan" we visit Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture. It's an ancient Buddhist sanctuary, far removed from the secular world. More than 1000 priests, engaged in daily ascetic practices, reside in the...
