Lunch ON!

We visit a Hakata ori textile manufacturer with over 160 years of history and explore the kimono sash designs created by their youngest worker, who is in her third year with the company. In another segment, we tour a laptop factory in Azumino City, Nagano Prefecture, discovering the various processes involved in laptop production. During lunchtime, we also take a look at the bento lunches that keep the workers energized.

This episode features a collection of onigiri rice balls that fuel artisans across Japan. From a roof tile artisan who loves rice cooked in a clay pot to beat the summer heat, to gardeners managing the Japanese garden of a museum—what kind of onigiri keeps them going? We also visit workplaces of other masters of their craft, including ink makers and metalworkers, showcasing their unique and carefully made onigiri.

Mr. Masuki is a fisherman in Hiroshima. On weekends, his son joins him at sea to catch conger eel, and after a morning of hard work, the two enjoy lunch at their favorite spot.

Photographer Abe Satoru visits a workshop in Yamagata that makes kendama, a Japanese toy, and takes a look at the artisans' bentos. We also visit the late singer-songwriter KAN's favorite lunch spot.