Journeys in Japan

On this edition of "journeys in japan" we visit the southwestern foot of Yatsugatake, a chain of mountains extending 30 kilometers from north to south on the border of Nagano and Yamanashi Prefectures. About 5,000 years ago, a prehistoric culture known as the Jomon flourished around the lower slopes. Remnants of the Jomon have been discovered at more than 300 sites in the area. Our reporter Peter MacMillan meets residents of mountainous communities, discovers their way of life, and traces the footsteps of the Jomon people hidden behind it. At museums adjacent to excavation sites, he marvels at the artistic quality of objects created by the Jomon people, such as clay figurines and earthenware vessels. He also treks through the Kirigamine plateau to reach its highest point-Kurumayama (1625m), enjoying the beautiful natural scenery on the way. Researchers believe the Jomon people visited the plateau frequently.

Our destination is Takayama City in Gifu Prefecture. Our reporter Charles Glover discovers the city's traditions by sightseeing on foot. The popular tourist destination is also a major production center of Japanese rice wine, called sake. Its many local breweries have succeeded in creating premium sake thanks to fine climate, water and rice. Charles visits a brewery to observe a stage of sake production.

The city of Kamakura lies just south of Tokyo. From around 800 years ago, it was the capital of the samurai generals who ruled Japan. During that period, Zen Buddhism was introduced to Japan by priests from China. The philosophy and meditation practices of Zen were embraced by the samurai warriors, and many temples were built among the hills of Kamakura. This gave rise to the distinctive culture that can still be found in the city to this day. Just a few steps away from Kamakura's main street, you find yourself in narrow alleys where you can still feel traces of the city's past. Because of its long history and culture, Kamakura has been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Rosa Yum explores Kamakura when the autumn foliage is at its most beautiful, and visits several of the ancient religious sites in the city. She is shown how to practice Zen meditation and is introduced to shojin-ryori, the vegetarian cuisine served in the temples. She also observes kyudo, a spiritual practice based on the same kind of bows and arrows that were used by the samurai warriors.

On this "journeys in japan" our reporter Deborah Ten experiences the rings in the New Year's in northern Japan. She visits Oga Peninsula, in Akita Prefecture, to see an unusual New Year's Eve rite. During the folk ritual, known as namahage, demon-like incarnations of the mountain gods go from home to home in the Oga area.

This week we journey to the foot of Mt. Fuji in winter to discover the area's majestic nature. The sacred mountain erupted many times in ancient times, creating lava beds. The snowmelt and rainfall that penetrate the lava and collect underground eventually return to the surface as spring water. Shimizu-cho in Shizuoka Prefecture-some 40 kilometers from Mt. Fuji-has daily as much as one million tons of spring water coming from the mountain. The water is a precious blessing of nature for local people living in the area. Cveto Podlogar from Slovenia visits superb viewing points of Mt. Fuji and follows the flow of its spring water.

Honjima is one of the Shiwaku group of islands in the Seto Inland Sea, between Japan's mainland Honshu and Shikoku. It lies off the beaten track, but there's plenty to see there. Although it is a small island with a circumference of only 16 kilometers, Honjima boasts numerous temples, shrines and towns with beautiful traditional architecture. In ancient times, the islanders were skilled navigators who knew their way through the treacherous waters of the Inland Sea. They later turned their nautical skills to maritime trade, gaining them great wealth. Radio DJ Chris Glenn is a history enthusiast. On this edition of "journeys in japan", he explores the history and culture of Honjima and discovers handsome townscapes that have changed little for more than a century.

The Sanriku Coast of northeastern Japan is a beautiful area with stunning scenery. It was devastated by the great earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. But life is gradually returning to normal and people are rebuilding their communities and their lives. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, JJ returns to visit another stretch of the Sanriku Coast. His first destination is the Kita-Yamazaki Cliffs in Iwate Prefecture, the most spectacular section of this scenic coastline. He is taken out on a boat by a local fisherman to observe the cliffs close-up, from the sea. Next, JJ takes the train further north on the Sanriku Railway. He travels in a special car that has seats warmed by kotatsu under-table heaters. In Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, JJ stays at a family-run inn that is famous for the quality of its food. He samples plenty of local seafood. He also meets with people living in this area, to find out more about their lives, and the fertile ocean that has always supported them.

A mountaineering instructor leads Jurij Franko through Zao's famous juhyo (ice monster) forest. Participants wear traditional wa-kanjiki snowshoes. During the winter, the juhyo (ice monsters) are illuminated in the evening with colorful lights.

Tottori is a major folk craft center in Japan. Physician Shoya Yoshida (1898-1972) was a member of the mingei folk art movement, which pursued "beauty in utilitarian objects" made by unknown craftspeople. He opened a shop in Tottori to display traditional craft products, such as pottery, woodwork and other items. And he helped revive many folk crafts by updating traditional designs. On this trip, our reporter Dario Ponissi travels across Tottori Prefecture from east to west to discover the world of Shoya Yoshida's folk crafts. He meets the head potter at a kiln in Tottori city where Yoshida commissioned designs. In Kurayoshi city, he visits a woodcarving workshop where impressive chairs are handcrafted. In Yonago city, he encounters gorgeous, yet functional traditional umbrellas. Dario, an opera producer, experiences the "beauty in the utilitarian" of Tottori crafts.

Since ancient times, formal gardens have offered a distinctive expression of Japan's traditional aesthetic. Often featuring lush greenery, bodies of water and seemingly random arrangements of rock, these gardens can be viewed as nature in microcosm. Our reporter is Joseph Cali, a designer who has published books on Japanese gardens. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Joseph visits Shikoku. He discovers the beauty of the natural environment - and the way it is reflected in two very contrasting traditional gardens.

In this episode, photogravure artist Peter Miller travels to Ibusuki City, a hot spring town at the southern tip of Kyushu, in search of spring. Ibusuki has a warm climate and more than 800 hot springs. The first place Peter visits is a field of nanohana mustard flowers, and he feels the breath of spring in the bright yellow blossoms. He then visits a field of soramame broad beans, a spring vegetable, and is struck by the lushness of the fields, spreading out like a green carpet. After enjoying the colors of spring, Peter then visits the hot springs. He goes for a sunamushi sand bath, which is heated by the hot springs on the beach, and feels the greatness of mother nature. At Unagi Onsen in the mountains, he is impressed with how the people use the steam vents found all over the village for their cooking. The last stop on his itinerary is a factory making katsuobushi, dried bonito. Katsuobushi is an important ingredient that serves as the foundation of Japanese cuisine, and Peter admires the profoundness of its method of production.

Oita Prefecture, in southwest Japan, is an area with beautiful natural scenery and many sacred sites. It also boasts a remarkable number of Buddhist statues, in out-of-the-way rural locations. Mark Schumacher has a deep interest in the religious statuary of Japan. He travels throughout the country and posts his discoveries on his web site. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Mark visits Oita Prefecture and visits some important Buddhist sites close to 3 stations along the JR Nippo Main Line.

Our destination is the cosmopolitan city of Kobe in Hyogo Prefecture. Actor Charles Glover discovers its unique culture of jazz. In fact, the city is considered the birthplace of the genre in Japan. Being a prosperous port city, Western fads were introduced early on including jazz, which quickly took off.

Close to Tokyo but far from the city, there are great places to visit in Japan if you're traveling with young children. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, the Koivumaa family from Finland - Mikko, Elisa and their children Eero and Eeva - are making a short trip to Minami-Boso, in southern Chiba Prefecture. This coastal area has great seafoods and products that you can buy at local markets, so you can prepare your own meals. The climate is mild and the air is clean, and there are lots to see and do - for both adults and children. Traveling as a family in Japan isn't just easy, it's lots of fun.

The Amami Islands are subtropical. Blanketed in dense forests and surrounded by emerald waters, they are located about 400 kilometers from Kagoshima Prefecture in southern Kyushu. These islands, isolated from the continent long ago by tectonic activity, are full of rare indigenous flora and fauna. But the animals and plants are not the only thing that the forests of Amami have nurtured. They have also shaped a distinctive culture there. One example is the Amami folk song, called Shima-uta. In this edition of Journeys in Japan, Naotomo Umewaka explores the mystical forests of Amami, as well as the music and spirit of the people on the islands.

In the old days, the islands of southwestern Japan (present-day Okinawa Prefecture) formed an independent nation, called the Kingdom of Ryukyu. A vibrant culture flourished in those islands and people lived in harmony with the subtropical climate. Sophisticated textiles were developed as clothing for the royalty and the aristocracy. They were dyed in a style known as bingata. To this day, the vivid colors of bingata fabrics are one of the most beautiful and elegant examples of Okinawan culture. Teodora Vegh came to Okinawa from Hungary 5 years ago to discover the traditional culture and to learn the techniques of bingata dyeing. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Teodora explores the history and long tradition of bingata, and the way it is being adapted and used in contemporary design.

Surrounded by pristine water and coral reefs, Ishigaki Island lies at the far southwestern tip of Japan, around 1,900 kilometers from Tokyo. The largest of the Yaeyama islands, it is part of Okinawa Prefecture. Many tourists visit Ishigaki throughout the year to enjoy its beautiful cobalt blue seascapes. Every aspect of the islanders' lives is closely connected to the sea. Since ancient times, the local people have believed there is another world on the other side of the ocean called Nirai-Kanai, and that all life comes from it and eventually returns there. Teodora Vegh came to Okinawa from Hungary 5 years ago to study the traditional culture. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, she meets with a number of Ishigaki islanders, and finds out about the strong connection the local people feel for the sea.

The historic city of Kamakura lies about 1 hour south of Tokyo by train. At the end of the 12th century, Kamakura was chosen to be the administrative capital by the samurai warlord Minamoto no Yoritomo. There are many corners of the city that evoke the time when Kamakura first flourished. Every year in April, a major festival is held in Kamakura. One of the highlights are a dance performance re-enacting a historical episode that took place 800 years ago. The shogun, Yoritomo, had fallen out with his younger brother, Yoshitsune, who fled the city on pain of death, leaving behind his lover, a court dancer called Shizuka-gozen. Forced to perform for the shogun, she expressed through her dance her undying love for Yoshitsune. To this day, local dancers recreate this tragic episode from Kamakura's early history. Another cultural tradition with a long history in Kamakura is the local style of lacquerware. Known as Kamakura-bori, it dates back to the days of the master craftsmen who carved the statues and altar surrounds in the Buddhist temples in the city's golden age. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Rosa Yum returns to Kamakura to explore the city further. She meets a young dancer who will perform the famous dance, Shizuka no Mai. She also visits a lacquerware workshop where the 29th generation owner is the first woman to become the head of the family business.

The Kofu Basin, in Yamanashi Prefecture, lies north of Mt. Fuji. In mid-April, when peach flowers blossom, the landscape becomes a carpet of pink. Over time, many farmers here switched from silk farming to fruit cultivation, taking advantage of demand, climate and geography. Now often called a "kingdom of fruits" Yamanashi is the largest domestic peach producer. On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," German national Lana Bergmann, who is studying film, visits Kofu when the peach flowers are in full bloom. And she is shown how farmers produce the delicious fruit. She then heads to a nearby mountain village to spend the night in a house built more than a century ago. Villagers tell her about a Japanese way of life in harmony with nature and share the wisdom that made it possible. This journey introduces viewers to beautiful rural landscapes.

In this edition of Journeys in Japan, musician JJ enjoys the beautiful snowy scenery of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, one of the foremost mountain resorts in Japan. His first stop is Tateyama Station at the foot of the mountain. From there he takes the cable car, ropeway and buses to reach near one of the peaks of the 3,000 meters mountain range. The 18-meters-high snow corridor near the peak is the highlight of this tour, and it is an overwhelming sight of towering snow. There is also a hotel near the peak - the highest altitude hotel in Japan - and after enjoying a sumptuous meal, he goes for a walk to see the sun set over the snowy mountain. He gasps at the sight of the mountainside changing shades from orange to pink, red and purple. The following morning, he joins an exclusive sunrise tour for the hotel guests, and is struck by the beauty of the sun showing its face from beyond the peaks of the mountains. He also visits Toyama Port to enjoy the fresh bounty of the sea.

The indigenous Ainu lives in Hokkaido, Japan's most northern main island. Our reporter, Shakuhachi player John Kaizan Neptune, visits the shores of Lake Akan to experience Ainu culture, including its music. He meets a master wood carver of forest animals and learns from him about Ainu life in olden times. He also discovers the musical instrument called the Mukkuri. From its evocative sounds he gets a sense of the Ainu's worship of nature.

Haiku are brief poetic snapshots that encapsulate in a few words the essence of a moment, be it the beauty of nature or just a scene from daily life. This form of poetry, born in Japan, is now becoming known around the world. Writer and photographer Kit Pancoast Nagamura has lived in Japan over 20 years. She expresses the beauty of Japan through her lens and also in her poetry. In all, she has written more than 3,000 of her own haiku. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Kit travels through the north of Japan, following in the footsteps of the 17th century haiku poet Matsuo Basho, who described his journeys in his book, "The Narrow Road to the Deep North". Through her haiku and photographs, Kit captures the historic places she visits and beautiful natural scenes of north Japan in spring and early-summer

Mt. Fuji was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Hakone and Izu are popular resorts near the majestic mountain. Our reporter, American actor Charles Glover, enjoys historical hotels in the area that offers world-class service and cuisine. He savors the serene beauty of a traditional tatami guest room and relaxes in an open-air onsen hot spring surrounded by nature.

Osaka is a vibrant city, full of warm people. But that is only one aspect of Japan's 3rd largest city. This edition of Journeys in Japan explores Osaka through its art. Art flourished alongside Osaka's success as a leading commercial hub. Our traveler is woodblock printmaker David Bull, an artist fascinated by Japanese ukiyo-e woodblock prints. He embarks on a journey to encounter Osaka's beauty from past to present.

The Oki Islands lie in the Sea of Japan off the coast of Shimane Prefecture. For countless centuries, people have lived here along with their cattle, and they have developed a very distinctive culture. Our reporter is David Chart, a writer from Britain who has lived in Japan for 10 years. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, David travels to the Oki Islands, to explore the culture and terrain, and to get a taste of life on these remote islands.

The Hidaka area on the southwestern coast of Hokkaido is famous for its racehorses. This is where many of the most famous Japanese racehorses were born, raised and trained. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Daniela Shiga travels to Hidaka to see the way people live alongside horses. Even though she has loved horses and riding all her life, this is the first experience for her to see and touch a racehorse close-up. She visits a large ranch where the racehorses are allowed to wander freely. Owner Shigeyuki Okada says this is the secret to raising horses that are strong and healthy. Next Daniela gets to look behind the scenes at a stable. She meets a talented young jockey who works hard every day to improve his understanding of the horses he rides, and build up a relationship with them. She also enjoys the warm hospitality offered at a local guesthouse. Through her journey, she gets to see the important role that horses play in the lives of people in this area.

Japan's Tsugaru Shamisen is taking off in North America and Europe today. Fans of the lute-type instrument are captivated by its dynamic sound, produced by striking thick strings with a plectrum. On Journeys in Japan, our reporter JJ, visits the heart of Japan's soul music - the Tsugaru region of Aomori Prefecture. Its main city, Hirosaki, has a number of folk-music bars, called minyo izakaya, where local musicians play Tsugaru Shamisen every night. JJ catches a performance at one of the city's most popular bars. Later he sets out on a trip to the birthplace of Tsugaru Shamisen to learn about its roots. Kanagi is also home to a spiritual site lined with hundreds of jizo stone statues. Jizo is a Bodhisattva that cares for the deceased. As a music producer and performing artist, JJ is especially drawn to Tsugaru Shamisen. After meeting local players and hearing about the history of Tsugaru's mesmerizing sounds, JJ is inspired to reassess his own style of performing.

The Seto Inland Sea is surrounded by 3 of Japan's 4 main islands - Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu. An international art festival called the Setouchi Triennale takes place on several of the 727 islands scattered across the sea. Our traveler this time is documentary film director Soraya Umewaka. She first stops by Ogijima Island, where she discovers functional artworks. They are colorful "onba" strollers, which residents use to transport items along narrow streets. She next visits Ibukijima Island, which is famous for its dried sardines called "iriko". There she appreciates the installation, "Unsinkable Ship", which represents the dynamism of schools of fish. Finally, she takes in Teshima - an Island that was ravaged by illegal industrial waste disposal. Recovered from its negative image, Soraya finds world-class art, rejuvenated nature and delicious cuisine prepared with local ingredients.

Ise Jingu (Grand Shrine of Ise) is one of the most important and most revered Shinto shrines in all Japan. Founded over 1,300 years ago, it lies in the east of Mie Prefecture, surrounded by unspoiled nature. Since ancient times, the buildings of the central sanctuary have been rebuilt every 20 years, alternating between adjacent sites. This year, 2013, the shrine will be moved for the 62nd time. Manjot Bedi is a creative director who lives and works in Japan. He has visited Ise Jingu on numerous occasions, and since 10 years ago he has also worked on public relations projects for the shrine. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Manjot explores this majestic power spot, to gain a deeper understanding of its significance and the special energy that can be felt there.

Yakushima was registered as an UNESCO World Natural Heritage site 20 years ago. Though small, the island has mountains rising more than 1,000 meters. Elevation differences have created a unique climate zone allowing for 1,900 species of flora from subtropical to subalpine. The island also receives significant rainfall; so much so that people joke it rains 35 days a month. Blanketed in primeval forest, Yakushima attracts visitors from all over the world. Our reporter is Peter Skov, a Canadian photographer living in Japan for 12 years. He has a passion for Japan's mountains and has made them the subject of his work. He and a guide climb Miyanoura-dake, which is 1,936 meters high, making it the tallest mountain not only on Yakushima, but also Kyushu. Near the summit, they visit a small shrine where the god of Miyanoura-dake is venerated. On the descent, they visit the island's most famous attraction, the Jomon Sugi. The massive cedar tree is thought to be more than 7000 years old. Peter ventures on his own to a traditional summer festival. He also visits nesting grounds for sea turtles. Yakushima is the northern most spawning point for sea turtles. He witnesses how the increase in tourism is threatening their early lives. On Journeys in Japan, Peter focuses his lens on Yakushima's primeval forests, its soaring mountains and its sea turtle spawning grounds.

In the 17th century, porcelain known as Imari ware was exported from Japan to Europe despite the country's isolation policy. An elegant style called Kakiemon especially astonished people around the world for its vivid colors on a lustrous white body. Our traveler, Kristina Mar, visits Arita and Imari, where these porcelain pieces originated, and meets Hiroshi Sakaida, the head of the Kakiemon family. He will succeed his father, the 14th Kakiemon Sakaida, who passed away this year. Hiroshi shows Kristina the quarry at Izumiyama and the spectacular scenery there, which holds the secret of the gorgeous Kakiemon white. In Arita, she learns about a new project underway to share ceramic production methods with artists from other countries. She also visits a kiln run by a family who has passed down their techniques for more than 300 years in a mountainous village in Imari. There she explores the essence of their craftsmanship and traditions. Kristina is a ceramic artist from Portugal who has been living in Japan for 20 years. During her journey, she comes in contact with the special sensibility of the Japanese

Kasumigaura is the 2nd largest lake in Japan. For generations, people around the lake have made a living from fishing its abundant waters and farming the fertile soil to produce crops such as lotus root. Just an hour and a half by train from central Tokyo, Lake Kasumigaura is also considered one of the 100 most beautiful places in Japan. Erin Fowler came to Japan from the US 3 years ago, and works as an English teacher at an elementary school in Ibaraki Prefecture. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Erin visits the Kasumigaura area for the first time. She meets with fishermen and farmers who live there, and connects with the people whose lives are so deeply rooted in the water and land around Lake Kasumigaura.

For over 300 years, people in the town of Etchu-Yatsuo, in Toyama Prefecture, have held a festival in early September. The 11 local communities get together to hold a traditional festival, called "Owara Kaze no Bon" to pray to the god of the wind for calm weather and bountiful crops. The local people parade through their neighborhoods all night long, dancing to music played on stringed instruments, kokyu and shamisen. Only unmarried men and women up to their age of 25 can take part. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, our traveler is an Iranian student, Sara Ariafar. She meets with local people as they prepare for the big day...a 24-year-old woman who will be dancing for the last time, and kokyu players who are keeping on their long family tradition.

Deep in the mountains of Toyama Prefecture, not far from the coast of the Sea of Japan, lies the Gokayama region. The traditional architecture and culture of the villages in this area have been carefully preserved to the present day. That is why it has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. One of the villages is Ainokura. It is famous for its traditional houses built in a style known as gassho-zukuri. The steep angle of the roofs was essential because of the heavy snowfall in this region. Buried under more than 2 meters of snow, the village used to be cut off from the outside world each winter. The local people developed a deep understanding to survival in this challenging environment. They also created a distinctive culture that has been kept alive to the present day. Some of the gassho-zukuri houses are now used as guesthouses, where visitors can stay and observe the traditional customs. The style of dancing and music known as Kokiriko Bushi has been handed down for around 1,400 years. Originally a form of prayer for bountiful harvests, it is thought to be the oldest style of performing art in Japan. This region faces a serious problem of depopulation. Today, there are 23 households in the village of Ainokura. In all, about 50 people live there. But young people are starting to move up from urban areas, attracted by the rich natural environment.

Kumamoto Prefecture is known as the "Land of Fire", with the active volcano Mt. Aso as its icon. Since ancient times, people have feared the volcano, yet at the same time learned how to live in harmony with it. Our traveler, tea master Randy Channell, starts by going to the top of Mt. Aso. He feels the pulse of the living earth on his first ever visit to a volcanic crater. At a Shinto shrine closely associated with Mt. Aso, he observes a ritual carried out for 2,500 years. In the Hitakishinji a fire is kept burning for 59 days to warm the local god. The people pray to the god so that rice crops will not be damaged by frost. Every year, one of the girls from the community is chosen to tend the fire. Randy watches an 8-year-old who plays the important role this year. At the end of his journey Randy meets a sword smith dedicated to forging Japanese swords using a traditional iron-making method called tatara. Genrokuro Matsunaga, who has made more than 800 swords in his career, says he wants to pass down Japanese culture through his work. Randy watches how the skilled artisan forges a sword, and then tries his hand at a traditional martial art, using a real sword.

Kagura is a ritual dance of Shinto, the indigenous faith of Japan. Since ancient times, it has been offered to the gods in thanks for the blessings of nature. In the Iwami region of Shimane Prefecture, Kagura has developed independently of other styles. Contemporary dancer, Alessandra Lupi visits a small village to explore the many dimensions of this magical performing art. Everything she encounters in the village is completely new to her. She stays in the home of a local couple and experiences preparing a local dish. At a kagura rehearsal, she sees a scene from the popular play, Orochi, and is captivated. Orochi is based on the myth of a giant evil serpent with 8 heads. A god finds a way to calm the serpent with sake and slays it. Through her interactions with the performers, who are passing on the tradition to the next generation, she contemplates the meaning of dance. And so she asks to join a local kagura group to dance in the role of Orochi in an autumn festival. Alessandra searches for the connection between kagura and the local way of life.

The word "Ninja" is known around the world. But the truth remains shrouded in mystery. This episode of Journeys in Japan features Iga in Mie Prefecture, the birthplace of famous clan of Ninja. Our traveler is William Reed, a master of the Japanese martial art of aikido, from the United States. He meets the descendants of actual Ninja family, learns the traditional skills of stealth that have been passed down the centuries, and explores the real story of the Ninja that lies behind the Hollywood stereotype in a completely new type of trip that combines history and action.

Kawagoe City in Saitama Prefecture, famous for the Kawagoe Festival with its dazzling floats, is only 30 minutes away by train from the center of Tokyo. Also known as Ko-Edo or Little Edo, it flourished with wealthy merchants who supported the prosperity of Edo (the old name of Tokyo). Each year, more than 6 million domestic and international tourists visit the old castle town that still has many historical buildings retaining the essence of the Edo period (17th to mid-19th centuries). The stunning Kawagoe Festival in October transports visitors back in time to another world. On this journey, our traveler, looking for a break from the hustle of his adopted-Tokyo, visits Kawagoe to enjoy the old Edo ambience. He visits the Shingashi River, which used to be the main water route between Kawagoe and Edo, and Kashiya Yokocho with the sweet, nostalgic aroma of candy. He also enjoys a performance by a theater troupe at a popular theater that has continued from the Edo period, and has the chance to see master craftsmen hand paint the family crests of Kawagoe merchants on paper lanterns at Kawagoe Chochin. He also lets his imagination wander back to the glorious days gone by at a high-end Japanese restaurant, which was once the private villa of a Kawagoe merchant. For the climax of the journey, he visits the Kawagoe Festival to enjoy the magnificent floats and masked figures dancing to pulsating music. This journey fully introduces the attractions of Ko-Edo Kawagoe, near Tokyo.

The cedar trees that are found on the mountainsides of Akita Prefecture, northern Japan, have long been prized for their timber. The slopes where they grow, in the basin of the Yoneshiro River, are considered as one of the 3 most beautiful forests in all Japan. The term "Akita Cedar" can only be used for the trees that have grown naturally in this area and are over 150 years old. Because of the harsh winter climate, these cedars develop slowly, and their timber has a beautiful grain and strength that is not found in cedars from other parts of Japan. The heartland of Akita cedars spans the area from Odate to Noshiro, in the prefecture. In this area, people have developed a culture that draws strongly on this timber, and have a deep appreciation for their natural environment. John Kaizan Neptune is an American musician who plays the shakuhachi, a traditional Japanese musical instrument made of bamboo. John makes his own shakuhachi, using bamboo that he cuts himself. This is part of his philosophy of "coexistence with nature". On this episode of Journeys in Japan, John visits this area to explore the cedar forests, and meet the people whose lives and culture owe so much to the prosperity brought about by the Akita cedars. Walking Tour of Akita Cedars in the Wild Visitors can join a tour to explore the forests of Akita Cedar, which are now quite scarce. Participants are taken to see the tallest Akita cedar tree, which is an estimated 280 years old and is so high that its top cannot be seen from ground level. In this place, it is hard not to feel the greatness of nature. Kimimachi Kankou Guide no Kai (Futatsui-machi Kankou Kyokai) Address: 109-10 Nakajima Kotsunagi-aza, Futatsui-machi, Noshiro City, Akita Pref.

Kiryu City of Gunma Prefecture is renowned for its textile industry. Kiryu Ori is produced using Jacquard looms for intricate, as well as colorful, kimono and obi sash designs. Model and actress Lemi Duncan explores the city, visiting a Kiryu Ori mill, a weaving workshop, and a bakery in a converted sawtooth roof mill. The distinctive roofs are typical of the textile factories that still remain in the city. She even ventures into the nightlife of Kiryu. She discovers new aspects of Japanese beauty as she gets up close to Kiryu Ori fabrics and meets the people who create them.

The traditional art of bonsai recreates intricate scenes of nature in miniature, often called "living art". It is now known and loved all over the world. The Omiya Bonsai Village is one of Japan's biggest centers for bonsai. It is located in Saitama Prefecture, just to the north of Tokyo. There are many bonsai nurseries there, run by bonsai masters. There is also a Bonsai Museum, which is the only public museum in the world devoted to the art. Kit Pancoast Nagamura is a photographer who also writes haiku poems. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, Kit discovers how these miniature trees are crafted. She talks to veteran enthusiasts and meets young people who are starting to learn the pleasure of cultivating bonsai. And she has a chance to make her very first bonsai.

The Goto Islands in the East China Sea, comprise over 140 islands. The priest Kukai, who was among envoys to China during the Tang Dynasty and brought esoteric Buddhism to Japan, stopped here first when he returned from his journey. The Goto Islands are also known for the underground Christians who maintained their faith throughout a long period of persecution. The influence of diverse cultures has formed a unique architectural landscape and way of life. Most tourists visit the Kamigoto area (mainly on Nakadori Island) and Fukue Island.