Journeys in Japan

Dean Newcombe gets into the spirit of Koza, an Okinawan city known for its vibrant, melting pot culture.

Mountain guide, Cveto Podlogar, enjoys the beauty of rock climbing on Ogawayama and the creature comforts of glamping.

Two families explore a winter playground in Niseko (Japan's international resort in Hokkaido), as well as experience traditional food, music and a night in a snow hut.

Kit Pancoast Nagamura explores the bountiful seafood from the deep waters of Suruga Bay.

Estella Mak explores Tokoname. She is given a tour along the Pottery Footpath, and meets some of the local people who have a long connection with pottery production. She also visits the Ono District to talk with a local group working to revitalize the community.

Washoku chef David Wells enjoys winter sea delicacies and meets local chefs in Ibaraki.

British sculptor Kate Thomson visits three festivals (Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival) to view the creations and meet some of the people who help to make them.

Liivi Selde discovers the pleasures of winter on and off the slopes of Mt. Norikuradake.

Michael Keida explores Odate, meeting farmers and craftsmen, as well as the native Akita Inu.

Australian radio DJ Chris Glenn visits mystical quarry ruins (including an adventure tour of an underground lake), an ancient temple built into rock, and a stone artisan's workshop.

Actor Charles Glover takes a journey into Nagoya's deep history of powerful samurai warlords, discovering insights into how Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu unified Japan.

Cveto Podlogar goes backcountry skiing from Hakuba to Renge Onsen, a hidden mountain hot spring.

In the ancient capital, Nara, poet and scholar Peter MacMillan finds traditional sites, sacred animals and explores the spiritual practices of this timeless heartland.

Alessandra Lupi goes to the mountainous village of Monobe in Kochi to explore the mysterious folk belief called Izanagi-ryu.