S3 E1 • Walking the Historic Nakasendo

Nakasendo was the old mountain road connecting Edo, today's Tokyo, to Kyoto. The 530-kilometer stretch of road was dotted with 69 post towns. Our reporter, JJ, walks along a preserved section of the Nakasendo and stops at Tsumago, a beautifully restored post town. He spends the night at a venerable inn and meets people who treasure a traditional way of life. This edition of journeys in japan features a walk back in time along an Edo era road.

Première diffusion : 10 janvier 2012

S3 E2 • Samurai Days in Satsuma

The era of the samurai in Japan ended in 1868 with the Meiji Restoration, marking the start of the country's modernization. One of the powerful forces in this movement was the Satsuma domain - the area now known as Kagoshima. The warriors of Satsuma were renowned for their fierceness as fighters. That samurai spirit still lives on in modern-day Kagoshima. Kagoshima lies at the southern tip of Kyushu. It has a mild climate year-round, with warmer average temperatures than most other parts of Japan. It's a volcanic area, with many active volcanoes and abundant hot springs. The city of Kagoshima has been nicknamed the "Naples of the East" because both cities have bayside locations and have active volcanoes close-by. In fact, Kagoshima City and Naples actually have a sister-city tie-up.

Première diffusion : 17 janvier 2012

S3 E3 • Mikuni, Fukui-Pref. -The Supreme Winter Delicacy

In this journeys in japan, Gow takes a trip to Mikuni-cho of Sakai City, Fukui Prefecture, in search of snow crabs, the king of winter delicacies. Mikuni is famous for its delicious fresh crabs, being close to good fishing grounds. When the snow crab fishing season starts on November 6, many people travel great distances to Mikuni specifically for the crabs. Gow first has a taste of boiled crab at one of the restaurants on the busy shopping street, and is amazed at how delicious it is, like something she's never tasted before. Then, at an old ryokan inn, acclaimed for serving top-class crab dishes, she is treated with crab sashimi and grilled crab. She also wanders through the old Mikuni townscape and gets to meet the local people to enjoy a delightful, heart-warming time.

Première diffusion : 24 janvier 2012

S3 E4 • Suzuka City, Mie-Pref. - City of Sumi

Since ancient times, people in Japan have produced a form of ink known as sumi, which is used for calligraphy and traditional ink wash painting. Prepared in the form of ink sticks, sumi has to be diluted in water to create a black liquid. Until about 100 years ago, sumi was one of the most popular items sold at stationery stores. Today, ink sticks are rarely used in everyday life, but they are an essential aspect of traditional calligraphy. Shodo, the art of writing kanji characters with sumi ink, remains very popular. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, John Gathright travels to Suzuka, in Mie Prefecture, where sumi has been produced for centuries. He meets a traditional ink-stick master craftsman and discovers the vibrant art of calligraphy.

Première diffusion : 31 janvier 2012

S3 E5 • Furano, Hokkaido: White Wintry World

Première diffusion : 7 février 2012

S3 E6 • Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 1: Tokushima Prefecture

Première diffusion : 14 février 2012

S3 E7 • Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 2: Kochi Prefecture

Première diffusion : 21 février 2012

S3 E8 • Life in the Deep Snow

Première diffusion : 28 février 2012

S3 E9 • Kingdom of Udon: Kagawa Prefecture

Première diffusion : 6 mars 2012

S3 E10 • Dancing Among the Gods: Takachiho, Miyazaki Prefecture

Première diffusion : 7 mars 2012

S3 E11 • Treasures of the Ancient Capital: Nara Prefecture

Première diffusion : 13 mars 2012

S3 E12 • Beppu City, Oita Prefecture: Nature's Gift: Hot Springs

Première diffusion : 20 mars 2012

S3 E13 • Okinawa: Inspired by the Sea and Land, Crafted by Hand

Première diffusion : 27 mars 2012

S3 E14 • Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture: Spring on the Waterways

Première diffusion : 3 avril 2012

S3 E15 • Gourmet Adventure: Osaka, Osaka Prefecture

Première diffusion : 10 avril 2012

S3 E16 • Time Travelling in Shiga

Première diffusion : 17 avril 2012

S3 E17 • On Two Wheels to Aso

Première diffusion : 24 avril 2012

S3 E18 • Getting Lost in Pink Petals

Première diffusion : 1 mai 2012

S3 E19 • Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 3: Ehime

Première diffusion : 22 mai 2012

S3 E20 • Ohenro Shikoku Pilgrimage Part 4: Kagawa

Première diffusion : 29 mai 2012

S3 E21 • A Classic Steam Train Trip: The Oigawa Railway

Première diffusion : 5 juin 2012

S3 E22 • Pristine Paradise: Iriomote, Okinawa

Première diffusion : 12 juin 2012

S3 E23 • Life in the Slow Lane: Taketomi, Okinawa

Première diffusion : 19 juin 2012

S3 E24 • Pure Alpine Waterscapes: Azumino and Kamikochi

Première diffusion : 26 juin 2012

S3 E25 • The Cinematic Cityscape of Kitakyushu

Première diffusion : 3 juillet 2012

S3 E26 • Sapporo: The Good Life

Première diffusion : 10 juillet 2012

S3 E27 • Going with the Flow: Ehime Prefecture

Première diffusion : 17 juillet 2012

S3 E28 • Kumano Kodo Iseji Route

Première diffusion : 7 août 2012

S3 E29 • Rishiri: From Sea to Summit

Première diffusion : 14 août 2012

S3 E30 • Rebun: A Floating Garden

Première diffusion : 21 août 2012

S3 E31 • Vibrant Colors, Ancient Tradition: Kanazawa

Première diffusion : 28 août 2012

S3 E32 • Bounty from the Mountains, Sea and Plain: Yamagata

Première diffusion : 4 septembre 2012

S3 E33 • Forest Sanctuary: Shirakami

Première diffusion : 11 septembre 2012

S3 E34 • Samurai Spirit and Natural Treasures: Aizu, Fukushima Prefecture

Première diffusion : 18 septembre 2012

S3 E35 • Japan's Traditional Blue: Tokushima's Indigo

Première diffusion : 2 octobre 2012

S3 E36 • Craftsmanship Close to Nature: Asahikawa

Première diffusion : 16 octobre 2012

S3 E37 • Beauty in the Everyday: Mashiko

Première diffusion : 23 octobre 2012

S3 E38 • Rivers Run Through It Beautiful: Morioka

Première diffusion : 30 octobre 2012

S3 E39 • Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture: Miso, the Taste of Tradition

Première diffusion : 6 novembre 2012

S3 E40 • Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture: Taste the Tradition of Fukuoka

Première diffusion : 13 novembre 2012

S3 E41 • Japan's Wine Country: Katsunuma

Première diffusion : 20 novembre 2012

S3 E42 • Abundant Sea: Sanriku Coast

Première diffusion : 27 novembre 2012

S3 E43 • All About Matcha Green Tea: Matsue

Première diffusion : 4 décembre 2012

S3 E44 • Haiku Poetry, Autumn Foliage: Otsu & Ogaki

Première diffusion : 11 décembre 2012

S3 E1 • Winter Wonderland: Hakodate

The city of Hakodate, on the southern tip of Hokkaido, attracts as many as 4 million visitors each year, drawn by its historic charm, the beautiful night views and the superb seafood. It is especially magical in winter, when it is lit by extra illuminations. Photographer Kit Pancoast Nagamura discovers the beauty and flavors that can only be found in Hakodate in mid-winter. She dines on codfish, one of the seasonal specialties. She goes horseback riding in a snow-covered national park. And she meets with some of the people who call this beautiful city home.

Première diffusion : 10 février 2015

S3 E2 • Naruko Onsen: The Home of Kokeshi Dolls

Naruko Onsen, in Miyagi Prefecture, is located in the foothills of the Ou Mountains. With a history of more than a thousand years, the Naruko Onsen hot springs have long offered a respite to weary visitors, some who take advantage of its toji "long-stay" resorts. The hamlet is also famous for its traditional kokeshi dolls. These dolls were originally created during the Edo era (1603-1868) by wood craftsmen, as souvenirs for the spa visitors who stayed during the winter off-season. Initially serving as children's toys, today they are prized by people of all ages and nationalities. On her journey, Akane Nakajima experiences making her own kokeshi doll using traditional methods. She learns about Japan's hot spring culture and meets warm local people, listening to their thoughts and enjoying their Tohoku hospitality.

Première diffusion : 17 février 2015

S3 E3 • Iwate: Savoring Winter

Première diffusion : 24 février 2015

S3 E4 • Blues City Osaka

Première diffusion : 3 mars 2015

S3 E5 • Sanriku: Returning the Emotion

The Sanriku coast of northeastern Japan was one of the areas worst hit by the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011. Among the volunteers who rushed to help the people in the disaster zone, there were many from other countries. Dean Newcombe, from the U.K., lives in Tokyo. Just 1 month after the earthquake, he made his way to Ishinomaki (Miyagi Pref.), together with some friends. He spent 9 months there, taking part in volunteer activities. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Dean returns to the Ishinomaki area to see what daily life is like, 4 years after the disaster. He goes out with local fishermen in their boat, to find out first-hand about their work and lives. And he visits some of the people with whom he formed deep friendships while he was volunteering.

Première diffusion : 10 mars 2015

S3 E6 • Majestic Yakushima in Winter

Photographer Peter Skov hikes up to the snow-capped summit of Mt. Miyanoura (1,936 meters), the highest peak in Yaksuhima—and even Kyushu—enjoying magnificent nature along the way. He also meets with people who are behind protecting the island's precious habitat. As Peter treks through deep snow, and primeval forest, he feels the magic of Yakushima.

Première diffusion : 31 mars 2015