Seasoning the Seasons

Kyoto is known for its temples and shrines, but in this episode we feature the story of water that saturates everyday life in Japan's ancient capital. Water has had a deep relationship with Kyoto's traditions cultivated over its long history, as well as its development in modern times. We take a tour of Kyoto where water from a canal and from underground quenches the lives of locals.

The Izu Islands, off Japan's Pacific coast, are officially part of Tokyo. The islands are famous for producing a liquor called "shochu," a distilled drink made from ingredients such as barley or sweet potatoes. We travel to the Izu Islands, meeting local people and savoring the local spirits.

Since ancient times, those in power have tried to fill their lives with beautiful objects and delicious foods. Many masterpieces were created in response to these demands, with the utmost luxury, and without regard to profitability. This episode of Seasoning the Seasons welcomes you to a treasure trove of tributes loved by persons of power throughout Japanese history.

The region of Hida is in Northern Gifu Prefecture. Surrounded by high mountains, it is snowbound in winter. A local castle town still carries the feel of days gone by. In this episode, we introduce the stories of local people in Hida and their rich cold weather culture.