Journeys in Japan
TV-G
8.8
2010
Documentary
Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.
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Episode 37 : Climbing Fun on Sacred Mt. Myogi
December. 24,2019
Mt. Myogi, located in western Gunma Prefecture, is famous for its unusual rock formations and beautiful autumn foliage. At a little over 1,000 meters, it's not high, but has fun courses, some which require advanced skills, making it a popular with climbers. Since the mountain has been worshipped from ancient times visitors can also enjoy the area's historic atmosphere, including an ancient highway. Our reporter explores Mt. Myogi, with the highlight coming at the end when she climbs a towering T-shaped rock.
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Episode 35 : Nanyo: From Wheels to Wings
December. 03,2019
Nanyo City lies in Yamagata Prefecture, in the Tohoku region north of Tokyo. The city is focusing on boosting tourism for visitors with disabilities. Wheelchair influencer Ryoko Nakajima visits Nanyo together with US-born TV talent Michelle Fujisaki, to enjoy the barrier-free facilities. They harvest fruit, visit a hot-spring hotel and listen to local folk tales. Then, using special equipment, Ryoko tries paragliding assisted by an experienced instructor.
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Episode 34 : Ise: Pilgrimage to the Heart of Japan
November. 26,2019
Ise City is in southeastern Mie Prefecture in Central Japan. It is home to one of Japan's most sacred sites, Ise Jingu Shrine. For hundreds of years it has welcomed pilgrims from all over the country. This has nurtured many traditions, such as the tasty confectioneries it offers to travelers and crafts that serve as souvenirs. Jennifer Julien from France takes in the most important rituals of the year, and experiences the culture that was cultivated over time through Ise worship.
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Episode 31 : Yamanashi: Escaping the Heat by the Katsura River
November. 05,2019
The Katsura River runs through a beautiful valley in Yamanashi Prefecture, not far from Tokyo. Fed by springs from Mt. Fuji and the surrounding area, the river is known for the clarity and volume of its water. This episode of Journeys in Japan introduces fun ways to enjoy the Katsura River, such as rafting, tubing, traditional angling, and Sawanobori (river climbing), making it the perfect getaway from the muggy midsummer heat of downtown Tokyo.
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Episode 29 : Kagawa: Stepping into the Past
October. 08,2019
Kotohira, in western Kagawa Prefecture developed around the famous shrine complex known as Kotohira-gu. Some 2-million tourists visit annually from all over the world. In the olden days, pilgrims who came from around the country, bought Uchiwa paper fans as souvenirs, and enjoyed eating the local specialty Sanuki noodles. Shizuka Anderson from Canada, experiences the culture of hospitality that developed around these pilgrimages.
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Episode 27 : Iwate: Blazing a Trail to the Future
September. 24,2019
The Michinoku Coastal Trail, which was launched by the Environment Ministry, is a long trail along the Pacific coast that crosses 4 prefectures from Aomori Prefecture, in the north, to Fukushima Prefecture, in the south. Canadian actor, Kyle Card walks a stretch connecting 3 villages in Iwate Prefecture to get a feel of Tohoku's landscape and see how the local people are stepping forward and recovering from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
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Episode 26 : Izumo: The Heart of the Japanese Spirit
September. 17,2019
The Izumo region in Shimane Prefecture, where deities from across the country are said to gather annually for a meeting, is closely linked to the gods. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, our reporter explores the home of Japanese mythology, visiting a workshop that makes one of the largest Shimenawa sacred ropes for the Izumo Grand Shrine and meeting local residents producing unique works of folk art as offerings to the gods. Jaime Lopez, a wire artist from Chile, takes a close look at the connection between the people of Japan and their gods.
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Episode 25 : Steel City Muroran and Its Hidden Charms
September. 03,2019
Muroran, in southwestern Hokkaido Prefecture, flourished as an industrial city, mainly in steel manufacturing. After the 1970's, the city declined with industrial sector changes and other factors. But in recent years, tourism is up with popular night factory viewing, retro architecture touring as well as dolphin and whale watching. British photographer Alfie Goodrich discovers Muroran's wonderful people and photogenic charms.
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Episode 18 : Yamaguchi: Landscapes and Their Stories
June. 18,2019
Yamaguchi Prefecture lies in the far west of Japan's main island, Honshu. It has numerous landscapes that are unlike any other part of Japan: a limestone quarry evoking a giant ancient amphitheater; an underground cave system with intricate stalactites and stalagmites; a tiny island where the village boasts traditional walls of stone and plaster; and many more. American actor Charles Glover visits Yamaguchi to take in these magnificent, distinctive views and to discover the stories that underlie them.
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Episode 17 : Uchiko: Epic Kite Battle
June. 11,2019
Uchiko, which is 700 kilometers southwest of Tokyo in Shikoku's Ehime Prefecture, flourished as a pilgrimage post town on an ancient highway. In the city center, Machiya residences have been carefully preserved. Australian actor, Luke Bridgford explores historic Uchiko, discovering its traditional architecture and candle craft, as well as an ancient kite festival in which he participates in a sky battle.
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Episode 16 : Hieizan: Mother Mountain of Eternal Prayer
May. 28,2019
Hieizan (Mount Hiei) rises high to the northeast of the city of Kyoto, straddling the border between Kyoto and Shiga Prefectures. It is one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Japan, and has been a focus for people's faith for over 1,200 years. The precincts of Enryakuji temple cover the entire mountaintop, and to this day many priests live there, undergoing spiritual training. Peter MacMillan is a researcher of Japanese literature from Ireland. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, he visits Hieizan to explore the deep spiritual connection that people feel for this sacred mountain.
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Episode 14 : Tateyama: Wondrous Underwater Encounters
May. 14,2019
Tateyama is only 80 kilometers from Tokyo, in southern Chiba Prefecture. Off Tateyama spreads a bountiful sea that offers fresh seafood. Recently, the waters have been attracting attention from around the world as a place for cool diving adventures. On Journeys in Japan we explore Tateyama's wondrous underwater world.
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Episode 13 : Road Tripping Around Miyazaki
May. 07,2019
John Moore, from Ireland, is a social entrepreneur. Euan Craig, from Australia, is a potter. The men take off on a road trip around western Miyazaki Prefecture, in Kyushu. They get a glimpse into the local life in the mountainous village of Shiiba. And in the city of Ebino, they learn about the simple, ancient worship of a rice deity called Tanokansa.
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Episode 11 : Minami-Uonuma: Weaving New Snow Country Tales
April. 09,2019
Minami-Uonuma, in southern Niigata Prefecture, is one of Japan's snowiest regions. Suzuki Bokushi's Hokuetsu-seppu, which describes people's lives there, was published 180 years ago. The book serves as a guide for Australian Jonathan Senior as he explores traditional weaving of a hemp textile and a wild festival passed down since ancient times, as well as the area's distinctive snow culture.
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Episode 10 : Gliding Hokkaido's Powder
April. 02,2019
Japow refers to Japan's world-famous powder where skiers delight in making tracks in heavenly virgin snow. An ideal place for this in central Hokkaido Prefecture ... on Mount Asahidake and Mount Sandanyama in the Daisetsuzan mountain range. Slovenian Cveto Podlogar, an international mountain guide, rides the powder along with local, professional skier Ken Fujikawa. They glide through Japow knee-deep, sending powder flying in the air.
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Episode 9 : Iojima: A Volcanic Island with a Passion for Rhythm
March. 26,2019
Iojima Island lies around 1,000 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, off the south coast of Kyushu. Its main peak is Mt. Iodake, a volcano that remains very much active. The island has a population of slightly over 100 people, most of whom live close to the port, just three kilometers from the volcano. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Shizuka Anderson from Canada explores the beautiful yet harsh natural environment, discovers the island's distinct culture, and meets many of the people who are living life to the full on this island of mystery and imagination.
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Episode 8 : Okinawa: Architecture of History and Tradition
March. 19,2019
Okinawa, Japan's southernmost prefecture, has developed a distinct architecture all its own, reflecting its subtropical setting and often harsh climate, as well as historical influences from mainland Japan and other countries, such as China and the United States. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, American architect James Lambiasi visits some of Okinawa's most notable buildings. He meets the local people and discovers the complex history that underlies its enduring culture.
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Episode 7 : Kikuchi: Slow Food, Slow Travel
March. 12,2019
The city of Kikuchi, in northern Kumamoto Prefecture in Kyushu is known for its prosperous agriculture and livestock industries. Here, natural farming, which eschews fertilizers and agricultural chemicals, is widely adopted. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Mai Rapsch from Germany experiences the lifestyle of people living in harmony with nature… in a beautiful part of the country of course.
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Episode 5 : Nagahama: Heading North Along Lake Biwa
February. 26,2019
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in all of Japan. In winter, its remote northern coast is a place of unspoiled peace and silence. Since the old days, the local people have carefully preserved their places of worship, and their traditional handicrafts. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Charles Glover follows an ancient highway, to discover an area of almost timeless calm.
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Episode 1 : Kamioka: Pedaling Ahead to the Past
January. 08,2019
The town of Kamioka lies in the mountains of central Japan. It was once famous as a major center for mining. Now the mine is closed, but these days the area has become a center for a new and unusual style of tourism - on mountain bikes that run along the tracks of a disused railroad. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, Dean peddles through beautiful mountain scenery to explore a town that still retains its old-school atmosphere. Finally he arrives in a mountain village where people still follow their traditional, age-old way of life.
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