Seasoning the Seasons

The Mikuni Road stretches from Takasaki in Gunma Prefecture to Teradomari, 200 kilometers to the north in Niigata Prefecture. Mt. Mikuni, 1,636 meters high, lies on the border between the two prefectures. In samurai days, the route was used to take tributes to the Shogun in Tokyo, then called Edo. The Mikuni Road also played a key role in the silk industry, carrying cocoons and raw silk. This fall, we follow this storied road, which brought people together and carried the fruits of their labor.

The Koumi Line runs 78.9km between Kobuchizawa, Yamanashi Prefecture and Komoro, Nagano Prefecture. The line, which reaches a maximum altitude of 1,375 meters, skirts the foot of Yatsugatake mountains. Trains first ran along the whole Koumi Line in November 1935. Construction of the line was extremely difficult and local people were delighted when it was finished. The local railway has continually played a vital role in people's lives. We visit Japan's highlands in summer, where unexpected encounters are waiting.

Kamakura is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, an hour from Tokyo by train. The city was founded 800 years ago as the first capital in Japan built by the samurai class. Since then, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine has been worshipped as a guardian deity. Visiting shrines and temples in Kamakura remains highly popular, with the city with a population of 170,000 attracting 20 million tourists annually. In this episode, we take an early spring trip to catch its vibrant people and scenery.

Kisoji is an old road that runs through Kiso in Nagano Prefecture, which is located along the Nakasendo, one of the main highroads connecting Tokyo and Kyoto Prefecture. Stretching 80 kilometers from north to south, the Kisoji is home to 11 "post towns" along its trail. The road has been used for about 400 years, with feudal lords from all over Japan using it to get to Tokyo to serve the shogun during the Samurai period. In this episode, we tour the post towns and see the deep facets of the Kisoji route.

The Arakawa Line operates in the northeastern part of Tokyo. Starting from Minowabashi in the east to Waseda in the west, the line runs 12.2km long tracks in 56 minutes. The line's official nickname is the Tokyo Sakura Tram. Sakura means "cherry blossoms," a flower loved by the Japanese. Blending into the landscape, the line runs through the daily lives of locals. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we ride the Arakawa Line, which connects the stories of the people living near this railroad.

Choshi in Chiba Prefecture is a town on a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, known as "Toppazure," meaning "the end of the road." The Choshi Fishing Port boasts the largest catch in Japan for 10 consecutive years. The Choshi Electric Railway is a 6.4-kilometer-long local line traveling along the tip of the peninsula at a leisurely pace. Is this the end of the road? Or a land where something begins? All aboard! We are off on a train ride to see the seaside town of Choshi.

The city of Nikko, in Tochigi Prefecture, lying around 120 kilometers north of Tokyo, is one of Japan's leading tourist destinations. Nikko includes many popular sites including the Nikko Toshogu Shrine, renowned for its remarkable sculptures. However, there is more to Nikko than these tourist highlights. Beyond its sacred spaces, Nikko extends deep into the mountains. Far from the crowds, you can find out-of-the-way villages where local people brave the winter.

Yokai, also known as Mononoke, and other spiritual beings: They are frightening when they suddenly appear, but can also be charming and rather cute. Why do they appear? What do they want? The Yokai send messages from the depths of forests, the darkness and the far corners of the ocean. Deities are not the only help the Japanese rely upon in times of distress and hardship. In this episode, we journey through the islands of Japan, listening to the mysterious messages of Yokai.

The annual prayers at Shinto shrines in Japan at New Year's in 2021 were different than usual. It was a new year that started with anxiety and wishes. In the tourist town of Asakusa, which is centered around Sensoji Temple, foreign tourists have disappeared. To revive the town, people join hands. Kanda Shrine has accepted worshippers by keeping social distance. Prayers are offered to Jesus Christ too. In this episode, we look at people who started the year 2021 with prayers.

A classic winter cuisine in Japan that is popular in the colder months is "nabe," or hot pot. The pot is usually placed in the middle of the dining table, and everyone takes from it. Every region in Japan has hot pots and broths that locals are proud of. There're always smiles around the hot pot. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we go up and down the Japanese islands in search of stories of happiness surrounding the hot pot.

Ishigaki Island is located about 400km southwest of Okinawa Prefecture's main island, surrounded by a sea of coral reefs. 50,000 people live on the island. Once, many came to the island in search of a new frontier across the ocean. Life on the island is built by a mix of people of various histories and cultures. Facing one rough wave after another, life on Ishigaki Island is inherited from one generation to the next.

In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we present a story of local train lines across Japan. Deep in the mountains, there is a tranquil station with only 5 trains stopping a day. Some stations are run by unusual station-masters. Running modestly, but still going strong: Local train lines help run the lives of folks all over Japan. Let's go on a journey along local train lines close to the hearts of people. All aboard!

Shinbashi is one of Tokyo's leading business districts. 7 train lines converge at Shinbashi Station. When you veer away a little from the transfer passage at Shinbashi Station, you will find yourself at an entrance to a labyrinth. It is a bar area with a complexity of alleyways that you wouldn't know was inside a building. It's a paradise where Japanese businessmen forget about their work for a while. Let's begin a journey of stories that happen deep inside countless buildings.

The island of Hachijo-jima is 290km south of Tokyo but officially part of the city. It is formed from 2 volcanoes. The island's topology is the result of repeated eruptions. People first lived on the island several thousand years ago. Since then, people have come to the island from across Japan. Locals welcome arriving visitors. This is the story of Japan's island of compassion.

Songs are part of the fabric of life in Okinawa Prefecture. When a song rings out, everyone naturally starts to dance. Okinawa is a prefecture in the south of Japan composed of a main island and more than 100 smaller islands. In times of happiness and sadness too, the rhythms of Okinawa fill the air. Singing songs always reminds Okinawan people of home. We lend our ears to the sound of Okinawa to hear these islands' stories.

Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. From ancient times, Awaji has been known as "Japan's Foodstore," and local fish have, down the years, been presented to the Imperial Court. The island is also proud of its connection to the legend of the 2 gods, Izanagi and Izanami, who gave birth to Japan. The story of Japan's origins describes how the gods passed the country on to the people. Awaji Island is where it all began.

Sendai, on the Japanese island of Honshu, is the largest city in the Tohoku region, northeastern Japan. It was founded in 1601 by Date Masamune, a samurai whose name is known to all Japanese. The city was created in a sparsely populated area through the visionary town planning of Masamune. Local crafts from Sendai are also influenced by the culture of the Date clan. The legacy of Date Masamune still lives on in the modern city of Sendai. We look back over this 400-year story.

The Chita Peninsula extends from Nagoya into the Pacific stretching 40km. In the 17th century, the peninsula prospered as a hub for shipping, delivering local products all over Japan. Transporting these products on the rough seas were Bishu Cargo Ships. A local festival kept alive by seafarers tells the past glory of the Bishu Cargo Ships. Locals pay homage to their forerunners who sailed out to sea staking their lives. In this episode we bring you the 300-year-old story of the Chita Peninsula.

The first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii arrived at Honolulu in 1868. Relying on their own ingenuity, these immigrants cleared fields and worked to survive. Their lives were turned upside down on December 7, 1941, Japanese planes attacked Pearl Harbor, bringing the US into the war with Japan. In our second episode on Japanese-Americans in Hawaii, we look at the story of people who survived tempestuous times, continuing to love 2 different nations.

Hamamatsu in Shizuoka Prefecture is a land blessed with a temperate climate all year round. It is one of the sunniest cities in Japan, boasting the most number of days with sunshine. The area is blessed with nature's bounty thanks to the local climate and Lake Hamana, a brackish lake connected to the Pacific Ocean. There is a word in the Hamamatsu dialect: "Yaramaika", which means "Let's give it a try without fearing failure". This spirit is what keeps people of Hamamatsu going forward.

Japan is a land covered with rugged mountains. For centuries, there were many places that could only be reached by river routes. Often, the other side of the river can be seen but cannot be crossed without a boat. These rivers may be everyday routes for commuting, or a pathway to deities for pilgrims. Eventually, bridges were built, and the ferries disappeared at many places. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we travel Japan, a country of rivers, in search of ferry boats.

A city where the lights never go out. Shinjuku in Tokyo is a big city, full of everything from business to entertainment. More than 3.5 million people use Shinjuku Station every day. Standing close to the city is the Hanazono Shrine, which has watched over the lust and greed of the people for 350 years. This neighborhood has embraced countless ways of life. Welcome to a district with great depth.

The Southern Alps are located in the middle of the Japanese archipelago. Mountain ranges peaking at an altitude of 3,000 meters continue for over 120 kilometers, which encompass the 3 prefectures; Yamanashi, Nagano and Shizuoka. The Southern Alps originated 40 million years ago and 100,000 climbers visit the mountains every year. Climbing the Southern Alps is best enjoyed over the course of a few days, while staying at mountain huts.

The Tsugaru Strait is a rough sea between the Japanese island of Honshu and Hokkaido to the north. At its narrowest point, it is just 18.7km across. The other side is far yet near, near yet far. For many years, people have travelled across the waters. This is the story of people who live life to the full either side of the Tsugaru Strait.

Kyoto is a city of countless temples and historical buildings. Kiyomizu-dera Temple sits halfway up a 240-meter hill on the eastern side of the city. The temple has been dedicated to a statue of an eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon. The thousand arms are said to be able to save all the people in the world. This is the story of how Kiyomizu-dera Temple has helped people, regardless of their status and affiliations, overcome their suffering and sadness since 1,200 years ago, and how people still find solace in the temple today.

Nagasaki Prefecture is often referred to as the 'home of Christianity' in Japan. The Christian faith first came to Japan in the mid-16th century. As Nagasaki was one of the ports for overseas trade at the time, many became believers. But what followed was a long and painful era for Japanese Christians. The Shogunate banned their faith and oppressed the believers for over 250 years. However, in many parts of Nagasaki, people secretly kept their faith, which has been passed down to their descendants to this day.

Kobe was founded about 150 years ago as an international trading port. Various cultures from around the world have gathered here over the decades. Japan's first tailor-made men's clothing store was opened in Kobe. The custom of eating foreign cuisine in Japan also started here more than 100 years ago. Kobe is a city where various cultures co-exist like a mosaic painting. This is a story of people who live a hardy life in a beautiful harbor city.

The temperature rises over 30℃ almost every day in the summer of Tokyo. But there are many fond memories unique to Tokyo summers. Kids rushing to summer festivals clutching pocket money. Hand-held fireworks have their own charm, as you can enjoy them even in small areas. A Bon dance with a 300-year history in downtown Tokyo. An unchanged landscape of old times inherited in Tokyo, an ever-changing metropolis. We go on a journey to find stories of summer in the big city.

Hokkaido is a locale full of vast lands in the north of Japan. In its center, lies the city of Furano. The 3 months of summer, July to September, is Furano's tourist season, and a total of 2 million people come to visit Furano from all over the world. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we bring you a short summer tale of northern Japan.

The Shima Peninsula is located in the south of Japan's main island Honshu. It is a great habitat for living things and a treasure trove of high-class seafood. In this region, fishing has carried out by skin divers for many centuries. These divers are all female, and are called ‘Ama' in Japanese. Legends tell that long time ago, the local Ise-Shima sea was chosen by a goddess of the sun. This is the story of the powerful women of the sea who live in Ise-Shima, and the people who keep traditions alive.

The Kii Peninsula is in the south of Honshu, Japan's main island. On this peninsula is Kumano Kodo, a series of pilgrimage routes that connect a number of sacred spots. The "Iseji Route" is approximately 170 kilometers long and passes through the eastern side of Kii peninsula. The Route has been a place where many people with troubles and suffering visit. Each pass you traverse, there are encounters with the people who live in that land and a warmth that sincerely welcome travelling strangers. The Kumano Kodo Iseji Route; a place to meet a landscape carved over a thousand years, and the kindness of humanity.

Mount Tsukuba is located in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 70 km northeast from Tokyo. The Japanese have revered the mountain since ancient times, as a sacred mountain akin to Mount Fuji. The mountain has a height of 877 meters. Mount Tsukuba, called Tsukuba-san in Japanese, is popular with visitors as anyone can easily climb it. More than 2 million people visit a year. From the old days, it has been believed that a mysterious force dwells in this mountain. In this episode, we present the story of Mount Tsukuba, a sacred mountain rich in mysterious charm.

Located in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a village full of old-fashioned houses with thatched roofs - and a registered World Heritage Site. The roofs are steeply slanted, products of a building technique called "Gassho-zukuri", which was born of the knowledge built up by surviving in an extraordinarily snowy region. The scenery in the 300 year-old town hasn't changed. Even now, time moves slowly. This is the story of the villagers of Shirakawa-go living hand-in-hand.

Kinosaki Onsen is a small town faces the Sea of Japan to its north, and is spread out between mountains. It is a hot springs, or an "Onsen" resort in Hyogo Prefecture. About 100 "Ryokan" or traditional Japanese inns line a 1-kilometer street, which are visited by 1 million tourists a year. The way to enjoy the hot springs here is to visit all of the 7 public baths in the town. A sparkling otherworldly thermal utopia built in the mountains. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we visit a small hot springs resort that relaxes the body and mind.

Kanazawa is in Ishikawa Prefecture, facing the Sea of Japan in the north. Here, far from Kyoto and Tokyo, a great city was built in the age of the samurai, boasting 300 years of history. The first lord of this vast land, Maeda Toshiie, spared no effort in promoting culture such as crafts and the performing arts. This policy was carried on by his successors, and a small farming town transformed into a flourishing city of culture. An obsession with beauty has always thrived here. Hospitality that gratifies all the senses awaits you.

The Kunisaki Peninsula is located in the northeast corner of Kyushu, one of Japan's 4 main islands. The round peninsula sticking out into the sea is volcanic. There is very little rain and the mountains are rocky, meaning rainwater soon runs off. Strong faith supports the local people who live in this dry, difficult environment. We visit the Kunisaki Peninsula where unique local rites of prayer have survived down the ages.

Osaka is located in an estuary, where several rivers flow into the Osaka Bay. The waterways that stem from these rivers have supported the city's development. Intertwining within the landscape of the city are its many bridges. Because of that, Osaka is sometimes called a "city of 8 hundred and 8 bridges". Join us as we take a voyage down the always-lively Osaka, a city of waterways.

Located in Fukuoka Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, the city is a harbor town facing Hakata Bay. If you cross the sea to the northwest, you'll find the Korean Peninsula and China. The area has flourished as a gateway to the continent for many years. In the summer, there is a festival that the men of this town practically live for. Hakata Gion Yamakasa is the summer festival for Hakata's local deity, Kushida Shrine.

1,200 years ago, Kukai, a well-known Japanese monk, made a pilgrimage through 88 sacred sites In the Japanese island of Shikoku. The route through all 88 sites is 1,400 kilometers long and loops around the island. Pilgrim's still come, with both anxiety and hope, to follow in Kukai's footsteps. Kukai told his followers that enlightenment knows one's own heart. The Shikoku Pilgrimage is a journey to find oneself, shedding one's spiritual baggage simply by walking. The pilgrim's journey around Shikoku brings unexpected encounters and lifelong memories.

The Sanriku Railway in Iwate Prefecture is a lifeline, playing an important role in the local community. The train goes up and down the line, and the arrival of the train is part of the rhythm of life. In March 2011, the railway was completely destroyed by the tsunami that followed the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake. The road to recovery was a difficult one, and at one point, there was even talk of abolishing the line. The railway is now back on track, having finally resumed full service. We look back on the slow but steady restoration of the Sanriku Railway, over a period of 3 years.

Aizu is roughly 300 kilometers north of Tokyo. It is a region west of Fukushima Prefecture. Around 150 years ago, Aizu was defeated in a civil war, beginning a road of hardship. The skills to survive a tough environment and to care for others thrive in Aizu. From parents to children, from predecessors to successors, the pride of Aizu is passed down. Fondness for lords long-gone still remains in people's hearts. This is a story of Aizu, where the spirit of samurai from ages ago still lives on.

The average temperature is over 17℃. And, here in Shikoku's Kochi Prefecture, there's also glaring sunlight and over 3m/year of rain - a lot even for Japan. Long ago, this area was known as 'Tosa'. Tosa's special climate gave its people a unique temperament.Even today, the men of Tosa are 'igosso' (stubborn), and the women are 'hachikin' (strong-willed). These strongly individualistic, goal-oriented people are Tosa's life force. They still have their unique traditions from long ago.

For all sorts of occasions, Japanese people bow their heads and pray to nature. Whether it's the fulfillment of one's personal prayers, the calming of souls, someone else's happiness, or a peaceful distant future for a stranger, in each region, there are forms and subjects of prayer that have been passed down for many years. When one goes to these places, they visit 'sacred sites' of prayer where they can gain vigor for living. On our journey across the Japanese islands, from Okinawa to Hokkaido, we'll encounter all sorts of places of prayer.

Beppu is Japan's leading hot spring town, both in terms of volume of water flow and the number of different spas. Due to the rising vapors and bubbling water, the area was once referred to as "hell", but over the generations local people used their imagination and initiative to create a spa heaven. 8 of the town's spas are particularly famous, and each is steeped in its own culture. We experienced the wealth of Beppu's healing waters.

Izu Peninsula is located approximately 100km to the southwest of Tokyo. Dividing the peninsula, which juts into the Pacific Ocean into the north and south, is the "Amagi Goe", a single mountain pass. It used to take people one whole day to walk over this pass. Passing over the Amagi still stirs up emotions of the traveler in the hearts of the Japanese. Examples of this can be seen in "The Izu Dancer", an early short story by Nobel Prize-winning writer Yasunari Kawabata, and a popular karaoke song titled "Amagi Goe". This pass was once a harsh place that could only be crossed on foot. Sometimes, with a sense of longing... There are people who once passed over the Amagi, and people who are about to. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we look into the emotions of those travelers, together with the beautiful scenery of the pass. Land of Fire and Water

Trams still run in numerous Japanese cities and are very popular with the public. Japan's first trams began operating in Kyoto, in 1895. At their peak, Japan's tramways reached a total length of 1500km, but increased private car ownership and the replacement of tramways with bus routes has left lines in just 17 cities covering around 200km. These tramways remain an important part of the neighborhoods they serve, evolving as the cities grow and change. The trams carry people's hopes and dreams, and act as a stage for scenes of meeting and parting.

Mackerel Road connects Wakasa, which overlooks the Sea of Japan, and Kyoto. Wakasa, located in Fukui Prefecture, has a sawtooth-shaped coastline, and is a treasure trove of excellent seafood. The region, known as a land of food, has been offering up its cuisine to the emperor since the 7th century. In the 17th century, the mackerel transported to the capital from Wakasa supported the capital's food culture through dishes like mackerel sushi, an essential part of summer festivals. It's said that by the time the mackerel arrived in Kyoto, it was at just the right level of saltiness. We visit Mackerel Road, which winds through beautiful mountain villages, connects people, and has passed along both culture and customs.

The Japanese have been living in a world inhabited by "Yokai", paranormal beings or phenomena that cannot be explained with common knowledge. Even today, there are legends and eyewitnesses that tell of Yokai. Yokai are said to be manifestations of the view on nature, life and death, and the world of the Japanese throughout history. Although life for the modern Japanese has changed, the image of the collective "spirit" of Japanese nostalgia lives on in tales of the Yokai. In this episode, we go on a journey looking for Yokai, mythical beings that dwell in the dark corners of the Japanese psyche.

Just over an hour away from Tokyo the beautiful beach of Kujukuri stretches some 60km along Japan's Pacific coast. Villages along the beach grew prosperous through fishing from the shore for Japanese sardines. These days, fishermen go out into the bay in small boats, using nets up to 1,000m long to chase the anchovy shoals. A single one of these nets can collect up to 40 tons of fish, making the sardine fisheries of Kujukuri-hama Japan's largest catch.

Onomichi is a town of hills and pathways, situated along a 200meter wide strait where waterways of the Inland Sea pass through. With the water so close, few flat areas are available, and the town grew on steep hillsides, spreading narrow paths in the process. Hilly byways where cars can't pass became places where people spend time and enjoy one another's company. Sounds of activity come from the houses, and fragrances waft through the air. Though life on a hillside can be inconvenient, people enjoy strong ties with their neighbors, and it's said that many young people move there to enjoy the lifestyle. This is the story of Onomichi, seen from its hillsides and byways.

The nation of Japan is made up of many islands, numbering some 6800 in total. Of these, 971 islands are located near Nagasaki on the western edge of Japan. Since ancient times, these interspersed islands have prospered as a key point of trade with China, Korea, Portugal and the Netherlands. Customs and cultures unknown to Japan have been brought about through these islands. While being ahead of the times through the exchanges with the Asian continent, the islands of Nagasaki have at times also been a time capsule of the times, with its own unique culture taking root. As we examine these islands, we begin to see the history and the origin of Japan.

Ozegahara, at an altitude of 1400m, is the largest and highest wetland on Japan's main island of Honshu. Located in a National Park, the rare ecosystem of Oze is also a Special Protection Area. Every year, around 300,000 hikers flock to Oze. The unique marshlands are home to around 300 species of grasses and flowering plants, including the white skunk cabbage. In Oze, spring, summer and autumn are compressed into the 5 months between mid-May and mid-October. During that brief period, plants bud, flower and bear fruit. We explore the beauty of Oze's 4 seasons.

Kirishima, a group of 20 mountains in the south of Kyushu. It is a volcanic area that was a central location in Japan's creation myth. Its name, meaning 'fog island', refers to the way that the peaks look like an island rising above the clouds. Its high rate of rainfall creates springs and hot springs for the towns around it, and the volcanic ash it releases helps grow sweet potatoes that have fostered a shochu alcohol culture. As they receive the bounty of the mountains, the people there have created their own unique customs, and carved out their own way of living in harmony with an unforgiving environment. An old mountain guide struggles with volcanic ash as he seeks to reopen the area for tourism and mountain climbing. The people here's love for the region has no limits. Even though there are few jobs for the younger generation, they don't want to leave, and even those who do tend to come back.

Hozenji lies just behind Dotonbori, Osaka's bustling downtown area with its dazzling neon lights. This is where you can find a "deeper side" of Osaka. A confined temple known for Mizukake Fudoson, a local deity. About 60 one-of-a-kind restaurants and bars line a cobbled alleyway. It is said that this town started in the Edo period, with stalls and teahouses catering to pilgrims going to the Hozenji Temple. Regular barflies come out nightly to their favorite watering holes. Young cooks who do their training in a sanctuary for chefs. We take a look at traditional Osaka cuisine. Welcome to Hozenji, a town where people live a life of esprit.

Cherry Blossoms... People wait eagerly for their blossoms, love the famous scenes of cherry trees in bloom, sense the transience of things as the petals flutter down and then look forward to them just as eagerly again the following spring. Why are the Japanese so attached to these flowers which announce the coming of spring? A man is so enthusiastic that he gives up his job to follow the blossoms on their half-year, south-north path up the archipelago. A thousand-year-old cherry tree, worshipped as a tutelary god, has been treasured over many generations in a humble mountain village. And so it goes on... Every Japanese person has a special, personal recollection of the blossoms. From when the first trees bloom in Okinawa until the last flower in Hokkaido, we follow the cherry blossom front as it moves north across Japan, visiting famous viewing sites in each prefecture. We hear, too, the stories of Japanese and their cherry blossoms along the way.

When the Meiji era started, Japan advanced forward to build itself into a modern state. It was architecture that gave form to that enthusiasm. Schools, government offices and houses modeled after the West. In each one nested the dreams and ideals of the architects and the people who lived in them. Soon many architectural masterpieces with a style unique to Japan were produced. In this episode we take a look at the architectural masterpieces and the stories of those who built them throughout the Meiji, Taisho and Showa eras, and shed light on the traces of the dreams of the Japanese.

Located 100km north of Kyoto, the region of Echizen faces the Sea of Japan. Long and cold winters come to Echizen, but winter is also the season for much delicious cuisine. The quintessential taste of winter in Echizen is the "Echizen Crab". People get passionate about this particular crab. Only male snow crabs landed in this region are given the title of Echizen Crab. We take a look at a number of delicious foods only available in Echizen during winter. Much enthusiasm surrounds these unique local gastronomical delights.

Udon noodles are loved in Japan as an easy, tasty, everyday dish. In Japan, farming centers on rice, but throughout Japan's history, various other cereals have also been harvested. During the winter, when there was no rice farming to do, farmers allowed themselves a little luxury by pounding wheat to make udon. Today, udon has become a delicious, satisfying everyday dish. We look back through Japanese history, tracing the story of the unique know-how and preparatory techniques behind this delicious dish.

In Japan, there are 6 breeds of dogs that are protected species. These are the Hokkaido Dog, the Akita Dog, the Kai Dog, the Kishu Dog, the Shikoku Dog and the Shiba Dog. Bones of dogs unearthed from 3,000-year-old ruins have been found with proof of a proper burial. It seems even back then, dogs were already part of the lives of humans, like today. Many belief systems towards dog unique to the locality remain in various parts of Japan. In this episode, we visit the origins and locales associated with these dogs, and look at the bond between the Japanese and dogs.

Nara, with a history of 1,200 years, is Japan's first capital city. The city is home to many temples, even older than the city itself, where people pray for the peace and prosperity of the nation. In addition to shrines protecting the whole country, there are also smaller deities that guard individual villages. In Nara, the ancient capital, Shinto and Buddhism are interwoven into daily life, and someone, somewhere is always putting their hands together in a quiet prayer. We see how various aspects of religion are infused into the fabric of the city.

In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we go on a journey of fireworks all over Japan, contemplating their beauty and the story behind their creation. A collection of the latest fireworks that take place in Oomagari, Akita Prefecture. Young fireworks artists selected from all over Japan come to outdo each other with elaborate ingenuity. The grandson of the pyrotechnician who made the famous firework "Magic Botan" in Shizuoka Prefecture takes on the challenge to further enhance the technique inherited from his grandfather.

Tohoku is at the northern end of Honshu. Autumn is the region's richest season. Forested hillsides are a blaze of red and yellow and trees bear bountiful fruit. Salmon swim upstream to return to their spawning grounds. Fields are full of golden rice with their stalks bent over, laden with grains. Local people are thankful for the bounty of the sea and the forest as they celebrate the fruits of their year's labor. We see how the autumn unfolds in Tohoku, where, following the Great East Japan Earthquake, people are awed by and yet grateful for the power of nature.

Located in the center of Honshu, Japan's main island, the Kiso region is known for its countless towering Hinoki, or Japanese cypress trees, some of them more than 300-years-old. The Japanese cypress trades at high prices for building timber, with its condensed high-quality wood grain. Since time immemorial, the people of Kiso have enjoyed the blessings of the mountain, and have offered thanksgiving to the mountain gods. This is an untold story that follows the relationship between the Japanese and the mountains.

On summer nights, the residents of Gujo Hachiman throw themselves into the o-bon dance. Dances are held on 33 nights from July to September, but for 4 nights during o-bon, everyone dances until dawn. In the evening, dancers gather in the narrow streets of the old castle town, forming a circle around festival floats carrying drummers, singers and shamisen players. The Gujo Hachiman O-bon dance is for dancers not spectators, and no one comes along just to watch. Locals and visitors, young and old, all dance through the night. We travel to Gujo Hachiman to enjoy this 400 year old tradition.

Only an hour away from Tokyo, Shonan is a popular place where people like to visit and live. For over a century, Shonan has been the best seaside resort and birthplace of public beaches in Japan. From the first generation of Shonan Boys (American culture fans), the "Taiyo-Zoku" generation inspired by a 1956 novel and film, to the surfing generation, Shonan has remained a subject of admiration. Meanwhile, this episode will also show Shonan's cultural side with vacation homes and the Imperial Villa, rich blessings from the sea, and its religious facet in Enoshima.

Listed as a Natural Heritage site, Shiretoko is a treasure trove of flora and fauna. A remote land, closed by snow and ice in winter, it was embraced by pioneers who came to find new lives on land wrestled from nature. This program showcases the beauty of Shiretoko's transition through the seasons, and offers a glimpse of the lives of those who have reached a hard-won yet delicate accord with nature.

The Chugoku mountains of western Japan were the setting for various stories about the Japanese gods in Japan's ancient chronicle, the Kojiki, which was compiled 1,300 years ago. The people there also preserve the ancient kagura dances for the gods. We visit the villages to discover some examples, including a secret kagura that is presented only once every few years just for the villagers' own eyes, a mysterious kagura staged only once in 33 years in order to send the spirits of their dead to the afterlife, and a colorful new kagura which makes the young go wild. This is a glimpse into the world of the people of the Chugoku mountains, who still live close to their gods.

Japan has many sorts of flower garden. They are a place of relaxation, solace and encouragement through the changing seasons. One lone gardener spent half a century planting flowers across a broad wasteland. Another has sown a floral oasis in a gap in a concrete jungle. Garden visits are also a time to reflect on precious moments in their creators' lives and those of their families. With glorious images, the program addresses the Japanese people's feelings and sense of beauty through how they view flowers.

The Randen is the Kyotoites' pet name for a little, well-loved streetcar service. The Keifuku Electric Railroad's Arashiyama and Kitano Lines are more than a 100 years old and have a combined length of only 11km. The Randen was originally built to carry Kyoto residents to the western capital's famed beauty spot of Arashiyama. Besides the scenic delights of Arashiyama and Sagano, it also passes many famous Buddhist and Shinto treasures now listed as World Heritage sites, including the Ninnaji Temple in Omuro and much-acclaimed stone garden of Ryuanji. Above all, the Randen is loved for its popular flavor. We take a trip through western Kyoto on the little Randen at the most dazzling and invigorating time of the year, from the time of cherry blossoms into the season of new leaves.

Cherry Blossoms... People wait eagerly for their blossoms, love the famous scenes of cherry trees in bloom, sense the transience of things as the petals flutter down and then look forward to them just as eagerly again the following spring. Why are the Japanese people so attached to these flowers which announce the coming of spring? A man is so enthusiastic that he gives up his job to follow the blossoms on their half-year, south-north path up the archipelago. A thousand-year old cherry tree, worshipped as a tutelary god, has been treasured over many generations in a humble mountain village. And so it goes on... Every Japanese person has a special, personal recollection of the blossoms. From when the first trees bloom in Okinawa until the last flower in Hokkaido, we follow the cherry blossom front as it moves north across Japan, visiting famous viewing sites in each Prefecture. We hear, too, the stories of Japanese people and their cherry blossoms along the way.

Osaka's Ikuno district has one of Japan's largest Koreatowns - one in every five Ikuno residents is an ethnic Korean and the town is full of Korean delicacies, too. We visit an old barbeque restaurant renowned for its cooking smoke. We also have a look at extraordinary pork dishes handed down over the years, review the history which gave birth to this community, and follow a day in the life of an old woman who crossed the sea to Japan and has been making kimchi pickles for family and friends ever since. The people of this town exude a warmth which reaches across all ethnic barriers.

Areas of Japan experience the heaviest snowfall in the world. The people there have come up with various ways to spend those cold, silent, fearful winter nights when human companionship becomes so important, not to mention dishes born in the freezing weather that now rank among the representative Japanese flavors. What did they think, feel and create on those long, snow-bound nights? Join us for a wide-ranging look at the snowy nights of Japan.

The blowfish is an expensive delicacy in Japan that has been eaten here for thousands of years, judging from the presence of blowfish bones in prehistoric remains. The flesh is firm with almost no fat and mostly ignored in other countries. The fish is also highly toxic and even a slight error in preparation can kill. The Japanese, though, have come to love the quintessential flavor of its white meat and also the aesthetic of dining so close to death. Fugusashi - blowfish slices served raw - is a representative way to serve the fish. The chef slices the firm flesh extremely thin to obtain the perfect texture. The chefs of Shimoneseki City have developed special techniques for this through friendly rivalry with each other. Another is the fugunabe hotpot. The collagen which makes the flesh so firm becomes tender with boiling in this highly savory repast. We examine the development of Japan's food culture through the lens of the quest for the most delicious preparation of this white fish.

The Japanese fascination with dolls extends through Neolithic clay figures to Girls' Day festival dolls, puppets and now cartoon character figurines as well. The dolls embody diverse local traditions and beliefs, serving as prayers for good health and rich harvests, or for the repose of the dead, as expressions of awe and respect for the deities, and as toys or ideal figures. The Girls' Day festival dolls represent the Emperor's court gathered for a wedding in Kyoto. This nationwide custom is a prayer for the healthy growth of girl children. In puppet theater, Bunraku and Ningyou-joruri flourished in Osaka during the Edo Period, which lasted from the 17th to the mid-19th century. The puppets express all the subtlety and feelings of real human beings and it takes years of practice to master the puppetry techniques. What do dolls mean to the Japanese people? We look back over this fond, beautiful and extraordinary history.

Miyajima, an island 30 km around in the Seto Inland Sea, is known as one of the 3 most beautiful spots in Japan. It has been thronging with more than 3.4 million tourists a year ever since the Itsukushima Shrine was registered as a World Heritage Site. Worshiped as a sacred isle since ancient times, this is a place of rich nature, food culture and other diverse customs and traditions.

The Awa Odori dance is the highlight of the 4-day Obon Festival of the Dead in Tokushima, Shikoku, in August each year. About 100,000 people join in the dancing and 1.3 million come to watch this most popular of all Bon dances in Japan. The dance's original purpose, of course, is to honor the souls of the dead, but it has also developed as a thrilling affirmation of the joys of life, and both the costumes and music are highly distinctive. We remember back to the people who started dancing again in the post-war ruins in the cotton kimonos of summer that had somehow survived the flames, meet a woman who has elevated the dance into the realm of art, and also youngsters dancing for the first time this year. The video images capture the full festive passion.

With its glass-like translucency, the River Niyodo on Shikoku is renowned for possessing the clearest water in Japan. 124km long, it has its source in the highest mountains of Western Japan and, swelled by many tributaries, flows out eventually into the Pacific Ocean. The river supports rich plant- and wildlife and has also nurtured a distinctive river-based culture for the people who live among the sounds of the flowing water. On the upper reaches, there are cherry blossoms in spring and then the fishermen arrive when the sweetfish season opens in early summer. The children love to leap into the water from the highest possible boulders. Nearer the mouth, there is a town that flourished making tengujoshi, the very thinnest Japanese paper (washi) of all. We meet a young craftsman who has inherited the techniques from his forebears and still proudly makes paper beside the Niyodo today. Crystal-clear waters and riverine scenery... we depict the people and places of this great river.

The beautiful islands of Matsushima in Miyagi Prefecture are known as one of the three great scenic spots of Japan. The view of the more than 260 islands dotting the placid waters was left amazingly unspoiled even by the Great East Japan Earthquake last year.

The folklorist, Kunio Yanagita, wrote his "Tono Monogatari" (Tales of Tono) about a century ago. The book related how mysterious beings such as the kappa river goblins, the zashikiwarashi child spirits, mountain gods and ghosts had their willful way, reporting the events as eye-witness accounts and present-day happenings. It led its readers - mostly dwellers of the plains facing the first waves of modernization - to the psychological heart of the humble Japanese people, hemmed in as they were by mountains and rivers. Today, though, 100 years later, what has become of those old beliefs in the amazing creatures and gods described in the book? We follow the lives of people in Tono for a year, from their faith in the tutelary Oshirasama gods made from staves of mulberry wood to the rites of the Bon Festival of the Dead, rediscovering the old Japanese ways of thinking and reverence for the things that surpass human powers.

Kariyasu, kuchinashi, and moegi -all are Japanese words for colors. The Japanese language has a lot of words for expressing subtle tints. Many have their origin in Kyoto and are still very much alive in the speech of the former capital. Historians suggest the Japanese did not make such rigid color distinctions in ancient times but the change began when imports arrived from China and Korea, and the Japanese sensitivity to color then blossomed as a variety of new tints were produced here as well.