Season 2 · 25 episodes
Kirishima Open-Air Museum, located in Kagoshima Prefecture, is distinguished by its extensive open-air sculpture collection. With 23 open-air installations spanning 13 hectares, visitors are free to touch and experience each work. The muse…
The ninja are said to have been proficient in the use of gunpowder long before guns were brought to Japan, and to have invented over 230 uses for it. In this episode, we'll introduce the toribikata, a weapon similar to a flamethrower that …
The ninja used various tools and weapons on their secret missions. To protect themselves in dangerous situations, they used concealed weapons. Portable and hidden from view, some were even disguised as ordinary items. In this episode, we'l…
Marc introduces a dish from his mother's hometown in Miyazaki Prefecture: chicken nanban bento. The chicken is topped with a Japanese-style tartar sauce made with egg, resulting in an extra-filling bento. Maki makes an umami-packed bento f…
Do you know "Rakugo"? It's a traditional Japanese entertainment of comical storytelling that covers everything from people's everyday lives, customs, food to unique sceneries. On "RAKUGO NIPPON!," we follow the travels of Rakugo performers…
The MOA Museum of Art is located in Atami, a region famous for its hot springs and natural beauty. The museum focuses on Japanese art from the 17th and 18th centuries, an era of peace and leisure. Paintings, pottery, sculptures, and other …
Akio Okamura (75) is a man who lives by the sea in the quaint town of Matsuzaki. He's master builder of the Okamura Marine Craft, known throughout the country for the boats it builds and repairs. Outside of work, his passion is cooking for…
The town of Monzenmachi in Ishikawa Prefecture is surrounded by both the sea and mountains. Here, Sayaka Mori (38) has decided to open a guesthouse limited to one group per night. Although she originally hated cooking, through learning fro…
In this episode, we approach the secrets hidden in Hikone Castle from various angles. We follow a group of soldiers as they attack the castle and attempt to clear the bridge, hill paths, and gates leading to the main keep. CG and drones ar…
In this episode, we approach the secrets hidden in Matsuyama Castle and follow a group of soldiers as they attack the castle, facing a 400-meter-long stone wall in the mountain, a doorless gate, a gate that enables ambushes, and the final …
The Okinawa Prefectural Museum and Art Museum cuts a unique figure among the streets of Naha. The facility is special in that it teaches visitors about the history and art of Okinawa Prefecture all at once. The history of the islands range…
On this episode, we're experiencing the history and nature of Miyazaki Prefecture. Just what kind of original Rakugo will this journey usher? Sit back and enjoy!
The Okada Museum of Art, located in Hakone, one of Japan's most famous hot spring locations, opened in 2013. Its collection centers on Japanese art from the ancient to the modern, particularly works from the Edo period dating from the 17th…
The Akita Museum of Modern Art in northern Japan primarily exhibits works of locally based artists. Visitors can enjoy woodblock prints displaying regional customs, paintings of natural scenery, and unique takes on Japanese traditional art…
Three foreigners in Japan—a lawyer, a photographer, and a tour guide—make up an "Ojisan Trio" and visit the city of Osaka. From cheering alongside passionate baseball fans at Hanshin Koshien Stadium, to interacting with friendly merchants …
Something is always cooking in 92-year-old Misao Kuwata's kitchen. Every week she prepares 600 Sasa-mochi, a sweet steamed rice cake wrapped in bamboo leaves that is much-loved by locals. Drawing on the nature and traditions of Aomori Pref…
The Kanda Nissho Memorial Museum of Art is in the town of Shikaoi, on Japan's northern island, Hokkaido Prefecture. The region was cultivated by pioneer farmers in the late 19th century, of which Nissho Kanda was one. He painted as he stru…
Suzuka region produces high-quality sumi ink. Kido Ito (55), an expert artisan who's made a million inksticks. A simple process, yet requires experienced judgment; depending on the weather, it can easily crack. Although this craft was dedi…
The Shimane Art Museum is located in Matsue, a city in Shimane Prefecture bordering the Sea of Japan. Shimane is home to a wealth of Japanese folklore, and Izumo-taisha, one of Japan's oldest shrines. In the galleries of this museum built …
The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum, located a short ride from Shibuya Station, is a museum that opened in 1998 as a renovation of artist Taro Okamoto's home studio. Over 50 years, He created many works of public art there, such as the Myth o…
Jiyu Gakuen is a unique school in the Tokyo suburbs that emphasizes "learning from daily life." Every day, the middle or high school students have to prepare the school lunch themselves. This time, 20 students in the girls' division are ta…
Before modern times, the ninja worked secretly in the shadows, and a particularly shadowy figure is the female ninja or Kunoichi. While often portrayed as female spies, we're left with only hints and speculations about them. Based on passa…
The ninja employed a wide range of tools to accomplish their missions. In this episode, we introduce the Kunai and examine what it was made of and how it was used. With the help of a leading ninja researcher, we also recreate and test the …
Senko Hanabi is a thing that reminds us of summer since the Edo period in Japan. Ryota Tsutsui has preserved the tradition of orange sparks for 25 years as a Senko Hanabi craftsman. However, the tradition is fading away while the domestic …
3 foreign Ojisans - a lawyer, a photographer and a tour guide - make up an Ojisan trio and set off to explore the local wonders of Yamanashi Prefecture. Only 2 hours away from Tokyo, Yamanashi is the perfect escape for those seeking fresh …