Journeys in Japan - Season 2 / Year 2011

On "Journeys in Japan," our reporter Julian Carl Crocker ventures to Ishinomaki City in Miyagi Prefecture, about 400 kilometers north of Tokyo. Ishinomaki prospered as a fishery town, but recently has become known for promoting Japanese comics. Manga City-Ishinomaki was developed in homage to local manga legend, Shotaro Ishinomori (1938-1998), through the joint efforts of fans and fellow artists. Ishinomori had long dreamed of creating a town where people were exposed to manga on a daily basis.

In this edition of "Journeys in Japan," we visit the Goto Islands, in the East China Sea off the west coast of Kyushu, southwest of Japan. Our reporter, American actress Haruka Orth, travels to Fukuejima, the largest of the Goto islands, to meet the people there and find out about the way they live.

This week's "Journeys in Japan" focuses on the small factories that helped to lay the foundation for Japan's postwar manufacturing prowess. Our reporter Adeyto visits four factories in the Greater Metropolitan Area of Tokyo, to meet craftsmen whose products are in demand all around the world, and to discover their skills and artisan spirit.

In this edition of "Journeys in Japan," our reporter Ian Thomas Ash visits a number of rare temples known for their vivid colors. Setting off from the Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo, he heads for a Buddhist temple in Hachioji City in the western part of the capital. Later he continues on north to Saitama, Gunma, and Niigata prefectures. All of the five temples that he visits share the uncommon in common! Ian covers about 300 kilometers on his colorful temple tour.

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Tyrone Russell and Nozomi Goto visit Toba-city in Mie-Pref., the town famous for cultured pearls. It was Japan that the first pearls were successfully produced from farmed oysters. The coast around Toba is heavily indented. This kind of topography, known as a ria coastline, is perfect for oyster cultivation. The place we visited was a small island called Pearl Island, there is a museum where visitors can find out about the history of cultured pearls. There are many women divers in Toba who catch shellfish and lobsters. There is the hut where visitors can come to feast on freshly caught seafood by women divers. Everyone can enjoy great seafood and view from this hut. In Toba, pearls are even incorporated in food. We visited the ice cream shop serving the ice cream with pearl powder in. At the end, we visited the place where we can see the artworks using pearls.

In this edition of "Journeys in Japan", our reporter Vincent Giry visits Toyama Prefecture, known for its abundant snowfall. He learns how people have adapted to living in the long snowy winters-wisdom accumulated over hundreds of years. He starts out in the port town of Himi. The port is bustling with fishing boats bringing in their catch early every morning. The prized fish here is the yellowtail. In midwinter, yellowtail is in season, and is a popular delicacy. Vincent observes the fish market's auction. Then, Vincent moves south to Takaoka, which has a history of more than 400 years. The city has preserved much of its traditional architecture, and is Japan's biggest copperware production center. One workshop welcomes visitors to observe copper casting. He learns about ingenious engineering-on the street and in the home-to help cope with the area's heavy snow. Vincent will spend time in Gokayama, a World Heritage site isolated deep in the mountains. Many visit even in the extreme cold of winter for the snow-blanketed scenery.

On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," Joshua McMurray will be trying his hand at ocean activities, soothing away his stress in spa water, exploring the countryside and simply sitting on the beach. Miura is so close to Tokyo - but it's full of places to relax, and people who know how to do that.

This week's "Journeys in Japan," heads 1000 kilometers north of Tokyo to the sea of Okhotsk off the northeastern coast of Hokkaido. From January to March, the area becomes a vast blanket of ice floes. The ice amassing and drifting from Siberia on the currents to Hokkaido are called "drift ice." Our traveler JJ enjoys the wintry splendor of ice floes and other icy pleasures in the area.

Kunisaki lies in the northeast of Oita Prefecture. It was an important stopping point on ancient shipping routes. After Buddhism was imported from the Asian mainland, it was fused with indigenous animistic beliefs, giving rise to a distinctive culture that can still be found here in this mountainous peninsula. Since ancient times, the Kunisaki Peninsula in Kyushu has been a center of religious worship. For centuries, the local people here have carved statues out of the rock and stone as an expression of their Buddhist faith. This area is not so well known, but it's starting to become popular among trekkers as a peaceful destination with a special mystical flavor. For over 1,300 years, a colorful festival has been held in Kunisaki to celebrate the arrival of spring. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka sets out to explore the ancient Buddhist heritage found in these mountains. Traveler: Haruka Orth

Kumamoto-located in central Kyushu-is a regional economic and political hub. The city's symbol is the Kumamoto Castle, rebuilt faithfully to its original state 400 years ago. Our reporter Nelson Babin-Coy visits an old shopping district. He enjoys local delicacies and meets warm creative people in an emerging arts district.

The city of Matsue lies close to the Sea of Japan coast, in Shimane Prefecture. It's a place filled with history, and has a castle built 400 years ago. Since ancient times, there have been numerous legends about gods and strange beings that have been passed down in this region. Lake Shinji is one of the symbols of Matsue and a source of pride for the local people. It was also an inspiration for a writer from Europe who lived in this tranquil city many decades ago. Lafcadio Hearn came to Matsue 120 years ago to work as an English teacher. He met his wife here and adopted the Japanese name, Koizumi Yagumo. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka Orth explores this traditional city. She gets dressed up in a gorgeous kimono. Then she takes a ride on a sightseeing boat on the moat by the ancient castle. And she visits a shrine that's believed to help people find love and marriage. Haruka also meets two people who have been deeply influenced by Lafcadio Hearn. Traveler: Haruka Orth

The destination of this time's journey is Cape Muroto in Kochi Prefecture, that is based at the southeastern corner of the Shikoku Main Island. Jutting out significantly into the Pacific Ocean, Cape Muroto enjoys a mild climate throughout the year, thanks to the warm Kuroshio Current flowing near the shore. Hawaiian-born Michael Rivas visited Cape Muroto in early March to get the feel of early spring. At first, Michael stops at the rocky area covering the very end of the cape. This area is part the Muroto Anan Kaigan Quasi-National Park which was registered in 1964. Varied configurations of the earth's surfaces and unusually-shaped rocks sticking out from the ground were raised from the seabed over a period of 100 billion years by the dynamic tectonic activity. Michael asks landscape photographer Hakushi Maeda to introduce him the charms of Cape Muroto's local nature. The most active industry on and around Cape Muroto is fishery. The Kuroshio Current flowing off the cape brings a lot of blessings of the sea. Muroto has a wide variety of fish dishes. Among them, Michael finds dried moray eel especially interesting. In fact, the local people have a dietary tradition to eat the grotesque-looking fish also called "the gang of the sea," The area along the coast is a habitat of one of Japan's wild plants called "hamaazami." Michael goes out to the beach to collect hamaazami together with Ms. Nakagawa whom he meets in the Takaoka District. Later, he has a chance to try home-made cuisines using wild hamaazami to enjoy one of the best tastes of spring at Cape Muroto. Finally, Michael reaches Kiragawa Town, which is characterized by beautiful ancient storages finished with plasters. Kiragawa Town was once thrived with a trade of bincho-tan charcoal. The ancient section of the town was designated as one of the country's traditional architectures preservation district in 1997. It holds a grand doll festival on the 3rd of March every year, in which visitors are fre

On this edition of "journeys in japan," our reporter JJ visits Kawazu and Shimoda, in Shizuoka Prefecture, in pursuit of typical Japanese spring delicacies. The popular tourist destination is about three hours from Tokyo. First, JJ tries his hand at fly-fishing on the Kawazu River. He's after amago, which is in season. His next stop is a wasabi farm. Grated wasabi is typically served with sashimi and other dishes. But JJ gets to experience new ways of eating grated wasabi, as well as its leaves. He then moves on to a bamboo forest, where he looks for takenoko bamboo shoots just poking out of the ground. Bamboo shoots, with their distinctive texture and slightly sweet flavor, are considered a seasonal delicacy and make their way into a variety of dishes. Nature and food lovers will enjoy this show! Kawazu River access: From Kawazu Station on the Izu Kyuko line, it's a short walk to the river. Purchase a day-permit for 1,000 yen-proceeds go to conserving fish habitats. For more information on prime fishing points and places where permits can be purchased-indicated by fish-shaped icons-visit the website below. Amago season: from March 1 to October 31. Ayu (sweet fish) season: from first week of June to December 31. A word on amago dining: While there are over 50 places to stay near the Kawazu River, none serves amago on a regular basis. JJ stayed at an inn that serves amago seasonally-and only when the owner is able to catch the fish! Wasabi farm access: From Kawazu Station, head toward the mountains on National Route 414 where you will find several shops selling hon-wasabi (fresh wasabi), as well as wasabi leaves chopped and mixed with sake lees. Fresh wasabi is nothing like what is sold in tubes or powder form (which may contain no hon-wasabi at all!). Hon-wasabi is both pungent and sweet. Bamboo shoot digging: The season for takenoko bamboo shoots is generally from April to mid-May. In the fall, shihochiku bamboo, a slender shoot can be harvest

In this week's journeys in japan, we visit the Seki city in Gifu Prefecture. Seki city beats number one production of cutlery in Japan. At this time traveler Johan Gathright visits a city known for its cutlery industry and discovers its technical mastery and beauty. At first, he visited a shop where you can have buy all different kind of cutlery. And also you can sharp kitchen knife which you bring in. In Seki city, Japanese sword making has a long history, dating back to about 780 years ago. The technique and skills of sword making have been passed down across the centuries in Seki. The amount of production declined greatly in line with modernization but its mastery skill is still alive in today's modern cutlery industry. He visits a kitchen knife crafts man who has been making kitchen knife in traditional method for more than 60 years. He also went to the knife Museum where 1500 knives from around the world are displayed. This museum also offers hand-on knife making experience where you can put together knife parts and hone blade to complete your own knife. Along with kitchen knives, Seki City is a major production site of scissors. He visited the factory manufactures nine types of scissors. This factory making the special scissors used in fashion industry called "pinking shears". There are only two factories in Japan which can produce this kind of scissors. At the end he visited a master sword smith Kanefusa Fujiwara. Now on their 25th generation, the family's name and sword-making skills have been passed on to generations for almost 600 years. Traveler: John Gathright (University professor)

Kobe has an attractive shopping street that streches out long underneath an elevated railway track in the central part of the city. Measuring two kilometers in length and two meters in width, the shopping street is comprised of two narrow stretches each going to the opposite directions. The one in the east is "Sannomiya Kokashita Shopping Street", which is lined by a wide variety of restaurants and shops, including those dealing with trendy fashion, used clothes, and accessories. The other is "Motomachi Kokashita Shopping Street" that stretches to the west and is usually dubbed as "Motokoh." Originated in a black market from the postwar era, the shopping street thrived dynamically in the 1960s with many dock workers and sailors of foreign ships. In the present days, the shopping district grows increasingly distinctive as it goes toward the west. The west half attracts middle-aged and old shoppers as well, thanks to a number of shops that sell antiquities, vintage electric appliances, and used clothes. Unfortunately, the number of vacant shops is on an increase here because of the trend of time. But people from the kokashita shopping street are willing to organize new events to help cheer up the whole of Kobe with the power of art. The shopping street is free of any formalities. You can feel easy to go out in your everyday clothes and associate with local shop owners and customers. Among many unusual places is a restaurant which is always crowded with regular customers who repeat coming back almost every day. There are also shops where you can expect to find one of the rarest items. One of other shops may give you a chance to recall part of the memory from your prime time, with its merchandise. NHK World reporter George Bourdaniotis walks through the shopping street under Kobe's elevated railway track to bring you a lot of information.

Since ancient times people have made been making pilgrimages here to worship at Kotohira Shrine. Commonly known as Kompira-san, this shrine was thought to bring good luck, offer protection for sailors and assure abundant harvests. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Haruka Orth explores the area around Kotohira Shrine, which seems to have changed very little since the days of old. According to ancient records, the shrine was established a thousand years ago. Originally, the deity here was worshipped for safety at sea. But from the 17th century, it started to attract many pilgrims from across Japan. Even today, 3 million people a year visit Kompira-san. The shrine itself lies halfway up an outcropping known as Mount Zozu, at an altitude of 521 meters. There are many smaller religious sites on the route before reaching the main shrine. Pilgrims believe their prayers will be answered just by climbing to the top. This pilgrimage became very popular about 300 years ago. In those days it took about a month to get there from Edo - as Tokyo used to be called. Traveling by foot and boat, this was a once-in-a-lifetime trip for most visitors. Haruka sets off by train again to visit a nearby town that has its own traditional specialty. This area is Japan's top producer of bonsai pine trees. They have been grown here for almost two centuries. The bonsai trees are planted in shallow trays. Over the centuries, intricate techniques were developed in Japan to produce these beautiful examples of nature in miniature. Gardeners carefully prune and train the branches, to create exactly the shape of tree they want. Quietly spending time tending bonsai trees - this has been a traditional pastime in Japan since the days of old. Traveler: Haruka Orth

This week on "Journeys in Japan" we visit the Shimanto River, which is considered to be one of the country's most beautiful. It meanders nearly 200 kilometers before it finally feeds into the Pacific Ocean. Our reporter Vincent Giry takes in its rare beauty and enjoys outdoor pleasures along it.

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, the keyword is "water." Our reporter, Gow, travels to Yamaguchi Prefecture, in the far west of Japan's main island, where the power of water has created spectacular scenery, both above and below the ground. Her first stop is on the Akiyoshidai Plateau, where the karst rock has been eroded into unusual shapes. About 300 million years ago, this was part of a coral reef. She also explores some of the huge limestone caverns beneath the ground. One, called Akiyoshido, is full of impressive stalactites and other natural formations. It is designated as one of Japan's special natural treasures. Another, Kagekiyodo, is younger. Here, visitors can experience the thrill of exploring underground in total darkness. Gow's next destination is Nagato City, which lies right on the coast of the Sea of Japan. She visits the rice terraces of Higashi-Ushirobata and meets some of the people who live in this place, where land and water combine to form a landscape of great natural beauty.

Only last month, the Ogasawara Islands became the fourth place in Japan to be designated as a World Heritage site. The remote islands float in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, about 1000 kilometers south of Tokyo, and can only be reached by taking a 25.5-hour journey by boat from the mainland. Among the 30 subtropical islands, large and small, only two are inhabited. In this program, JJ heads for one of the two, called Chichijima. The isolated islands are still rich in nature, both land and sea, and migrating dolphins can be seen in the beautiful waters around the islands all year.

Following on from the last program, JJ continues his journey on the Ogasawara Islands. The Ogasawara Islands are comprised of some 30 islands, large and small, and were formed as a result of undersea volcanic activity that began about 50 million years ago. Besides the inhabited islands of Chichijima and Hahajima, many other areas are also worth seeing such as the desert island of Minamijima which is accessible to tourists.

In Japan, there is a long tradition of using trained cormorants to catch river fish. It's always done at night, using braziers. Fishing with cormorants -"ukai" in Japanese - is still practiced in 13 places around the country. It's very popular with visitors. Every year, more than 150,000 people come to see this traditional practice. And part of the fun is watching the spectacle from on board special viewing boats. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, John Gathright discovers the traditions of cormorant night fishing, and he meets the master fishermen who continue this ancient practice.

Fields stretching to the horizon under a blue sky... On this edition of "Journeys in Japan" we'll travel to the northern land of Hokkaido. Our reporter Heather Russell visits spectacular Akan National Park and the Tokachi Plains.

The Niseko area in southwest Hokkaido lies between mountains that rise over 1,000 meters. It is best known as a winter ski resort, thanks to its quality of its powder snow. But there's also plenty to do in other seasons in this beautiful natural environment. On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," Haruka Orth explores Niseko in the summertime. She discovers the lush, green countryside and meets some of the people living there. It's a great place to spend a vacation.

On this edition of Journeys in Japan, we visit the Kazuno district of Akita Prefecture, in the far north of Japan, about 600 km. from Tokyo. Julian Carl Crocker explores this area which has a beautiful natural environment with forests, rivers and waterfalls, and includes part of a national park.

This week, we visit the picturesque hills of Onomichi City in Hiroshima Prefecture. Located about an hour's drive away from Hiroshima, Onomichi is a little known gem, riddled with maze-like alleys. Our reporter, Gow, explores its warrens and meets its easy-going residents.

This week, "Journeys in Japan" visits Oze - a highland marshland at about 1,400 meters above sea level. The area attracts about 300-thousand visitors a year, many of them hikers. They come to see the rich flora. About 1,500 plant types are found here, including rare alpine flowers. And the delicate ecosystem is well protected. Malaysia-native Deborah Ten walks through the gorgeous marshland, which is teeming with life in summer.

The town of Miyama lies about 70 km. north of Kyoto City. It still has many wooden houses with traditional thatched roofs, giving a strong sense of the old days. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Frauke Arndt-Kunimoto visits naturalist Masakazu Asanome, who has lived in Miyama's rich natural environment for 27 years. He built his own log cabin there, and also created a herb garden. Masakazu Asanome made everything himself, entirely by hand: His log cabin, the herb garden, a tree terrace and even his furniture. Asanome takes Frauke on a hiking trip to explore Miyama's beautiful forests. The lush green mountains are covered by virgin forest, which has been protected from development. Frauke also experiences river walking and "shower climbing" in crystal-clear water.

Yokohama, just to the south of Tokyo, is home to one of the largest, most vibrant Chinatowns in the world. It's quite compact, covering an area just half a kilometer across, but its streets are lined with more than 600 restaurants and shops. Over 21 million visitors come here every year. In the center of Yokohama Chinatown stands a temple called Kanteibyo, which was erected in honor of the deity Guan Yu. To mark the 150th anniversary of Kanteibyo this year, there have been major celebrations. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, our reporter Gow explores this fascinating district, samples the delectable cuisine in some restaurants, and reports on the colorful festivities.

Surrounded by beautiful blue ocean and fringed with coral reefs, the Okinawa islands lie in the far southwest of Japan. For 450 years, Okinawa was an independent nation, known as the Ryukyu Kingdom. It developed its own distinctive colorful culture - especially its music. Gow has come here to discover the soul of Okinawan music.

In our final segment of a two-part series, reporter Gow travels to Japan's southern island of Okinawa to explore its unique culture and music. This week, she visits Koza-where the presence of the U.S. military base has influenced the music scene-and Bise, famous for its pristine beaches. She discovers the roots of Okinawan music along the way.

Tableware in Japan is still largely ceramic, and often called Setomono. "Seto" refers to Seto city in Aichi Prefecture, which is renowned historically as a pottery production center. Canadian John Gathright explores Seto and its pottery culture. He visits a ceramicist who creates objects using traditional methods passed down by an ancestor that traveled to China and brought back pottery techniques to Japan about 800 years ago. John is introduced to the pottery production process and enjoys a meal called gomo, which was a source of energy for potters working long days in the searing heat of the kilns. Meanwhile, he also discovers innovation: state-of-the-art speakers made with the same clay and traditional methods to produce ceramics, and recycled Seto tableware. He also visits a studio where non-Japanese can stay a month to experience the culture and pottery of Seto. Don't miss our feature Setomono culture and Seto potters.

Mount Fuji is Japan's highest peak and is surrounded by verdant forests and five pristine lakes. Many people are unaware that the popular hiking destination is an active volcano. We will experience majestic Mount Fuji and its volcanic power. But instead of hiking to the summit, our reporter Michael Rivas explores a side of the mountain not found in guidebooks. He walks a circuit course around Mount Fuji, ventures into lava tree molds and experiences other natural phenomena occurring as a result of Fuji's eruptions.

The subtropical island of Amami Oshima lies 1,300 kilometers south of Tokyo. It's a world of sparkling coral reefs, rich virgin forest and amazing natural landscapes. Our reporter, Matthew Masaru Barron, explores Amami Oshima and discovers its wonderful unspoiled nature, samples the tasty local specialties and experiences the island's distinctive traditional culture.

Noren, Japanese paper and woodblock print are the Japanese traditional art. We can see and enjoy all of them in Maniwa city in Okayama Prefecture. Stephen Hemsley from New Zealand explores Maniwa and discovers the taste of these art works. He meets a textile designer who makes noren of the stores and individual homes in town and she shows him the design of her latest noren, made for Japanese-style confectionary store. Also, he meets people who make Japanese paper, and a priest at a Buddhist temple who makes woodblock prints. Meanwhile he finds a modern, 104-year-old elementary school and joins an interesting event, which is eating Japanese school lunch called kyushoku. He also eats local cuisine, which is especially made in autumn.

Tono is renowned in Japan for its rich heritage of folklore. Since ancient times, the people in this area have passed down traditional stories of enchantment, mountain deities and supernatural beings. About 100 years ago, those tales were collected and published in a book, "The Legends of Tono." The countryside here is dotted with ancient stone monuments and hidden shrines, and the landscape feels strangely alive with the world of mysterious folk legends. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, JJ explores this area by bicycle. He goes to a local shrine dedicated to the deities of love and marriage. He also visits Tono Furusato Village to hear a traditional storytelling session.

On this trip, our reporter Gow visits the izakaya bars of Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture, enjoying plenty of good sake wine and fresh seafood. As well as being given a hearty welcome from all the bar owners who are fun and friendly, she also enjoys talking to the other customers. Gow also experiences various izakaya customs including ways to drink Japanese sake wine.

In this journey, Michael Rivas will be taking a two-day trip to Yamagata Prefecture in autumn. He will be enjoying magnificent views from Hōjusan Risshakuji Temple, one of the major tourist spots of the Tohoku region, and exquisite seasonal dishes in an onsen hot spring inn, an authentic wooden architecture in Ginzan-onsen. He will also take a stroll through the onsen streets in the evening, illuminated by gaslights, and spend a heart-warming time meeting the local people on a Mogami River boat tour.

Sado, located in the Sea of Japan, is a large island of 260 kilometers in perimeter. Our reporter George Bourdaniotis gets to take in a Noh workshop. He also experiences an ancient festival with long history and visits a small area where the traditional houses are well preserved. After lots of drama, he meets up with a fisherman to learn the old fashioned method of octopus catching-a method used in the autumn.

The World Heritage site of Nikko is about 140 kilometers north of Tokyo. With historic temples and shrines set in beautiful natural surroundings, it is one of Japan's most popular scenic destinations. On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," we venture beyond Nikko to a small hamlet. The residents here have worshipped the mountains since ancient times, creating an original culture in harmony with nature. Our reporter, JJ, discovers generations of wisdom based on the blessings of nature.

Hiraizumi lies 450 kms north of Tokyo, in Iwate Prefecture. Because its ancient sites have unique religious significance, they were recognized in 2011 as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. In this edition of Journeys in Japan, English language instructor Julian Carl Crocker, explores Hiraizumi.

In this edition of Journeys in Japan we visit the old port town, Nagasaki. The city has been Japan's window on the world since olden days. Our reporter Gow explores the vibrant and colorful city with a rich cultural heritage ranging from Dutch, British and Chinese influences.

Hakone is a resort area with majestic views of sacred Mount Fuji. Deborah Ten explores Hakone, with its rugged mountains, it's the perfect day tripping destination from Tokyo.

Kujukurihama is a long, sandy beach that runs for over 66 kilometers along the Boso Peninsula, to the east of Tokyo. After the summer swimming season is over, the beach returns to its natural state, quiet and unspoiled. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Gow meets some of the people who love living here, close to the ocean.

The Rokko mountain range lies just north of the city of Kobe. Since ancient times, the local people have followed trails up into the highlands. Now these routes offer plenty of challenges and fun for visitors too. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, George Bourdaniotis sets off to explore a couple of the trails that offer fantastic views. He is guided along a route that includes a challenging section known as the "Suma Alps". This trail offers great panoramic views of the sea and hills, and eventually ends up right on the sea shore. Next George takes an easier trail that goes straight to the top. He also visits some of these teahouses on the trails. The oldest was built more than 80 years ago. Others are equipped with facilities for playing table tennis or quoits. These teahouses are monuments to the long-established tradition of climbing in the Rokko mountain range.