The "Matsuage" fire festival in Kyoto was admired by essayist Masako Shirasu. In her travelogue titled "Kakure-zato", she described it as "the most touching festival scene that I've ever observed". In…

This program describes a simple, rustic event called "The Mountain God Piggyback" that has been handed down since time immemorial in a snowy mountain village in Yamagata Prefecture. Carrying the local…

This program shows how ancient religious practices survive on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture, regarded as the home of the Buddha, and long known as a site for ascetic mountain training. Las…

In ancient times, "kagura" was a form of dance dedicated to the gods. But in modern times, as its original meaning weakened and it took on the color of a local performing art, young people found it ru…

The aim of the 'eco-paddy fields' project is to grow rice without using agrochemicals and chemical fertilizers in rice fields full of wildlife created by cutting open uncultivated cedar forests and re…

77-year-old volunteer probation officer Chikako Nakamoto was affectionately known as 'The little old lady of Motomachi' by the juvenile delinquents she took care of for 30 years in the Motomachi distr…

Yoronjima in Kagoshima Prefecture is a southern island with a population of 5,600 surrounded by beautiful coral reef and white sand beaches. In the island's unusual ritual called 'Senkotsu', the skele…

This drama set in a remote elementary school centers around the efforts made by a young female teacher called Hikari to help Aya, an uncommunicative exchange student who has problems with her mother.

A picturesque town with a slumping economy was torn by the lure of nuclear energy. Should the people accept the construction of a nuclear power plant, in the hope it will help fund their future? Or co…

At the end of each summer, for a brief period, part of this mountain becomes a "forest of light" from mysterious lights emitted by mushrooms, fallen leaves, and tree trunks. Last summer, a team of sci…

A veteran watchmaker on an island in Hiroshima Prefecture repairs virtually any old watch or clock, even those that no one else can fix. People take their treasured timepieces to the mechanical magici…

What can junior high school students do in the face of a tsunami that destroys their home village? Seventeen junior high schoolers from Tanabe address this question by visiting Kamaishi, which was dec…

The tiny village of Kanedani lies in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture. With ongoing depopulation, the community has dwindled to just three women in their 70s and 80s. The village boasts 400 cherry …

Facing steady decline through aging and depopulation, one Japanese island community chose to tackle the risk of disappearance by reopening its only school. We follow the progress over the project's fi…

Southeast of Osaka Airport runs a river embankment where airplanes swoop less than 100 meters overhead. Sleek, thundering jets that pass with a rush of wind make for a heart-pounding sight. Regulars c…

In Hiroshima 70 years after the atomic bomb, many survivors' belongings have been inherited: items they wore the day of the bomb, diaries and more. Some families are coming to terms with this legacy f…

Hashikami Junior High School's class of 2011 graduated just after the devastating 3.11 earthquake and tsunami, in a school gym housing refugees. There should have been 57 students, but 3 fell victim t…

The All Japan High School Cultural Festival is like a national arts championship. We follow the efforts of Osaka's Akutagawa High School taiko team, which includes every junior and senior, to win the …

Nestled in Ise-Shima, a scenic coastal area of central Japan, is Toba, a city famous for its cultured pearls. Here on the 30th of each month a ceremony called a "pearl wedding" is held. Inspired by th…

Recently in Japan, more and more young people who were raised in the city are choosing to go back to the land as they relocate to the rural areas their grandparents call home. In early 2015, Chiemi, a…

On the JR Obama Line, a local railway that links Fukui Prefecture with Kyoto, stands Kato Station. Although unstaffed since 1973, the sleepy station building still contains a small barber's shop. The …

The idyllic landscape of Murayama in Yamagata Prefecture is home to a rather unique family-run farm that welcomes visitors from all over the world. It is operated by the Sakai family, whose 9 members …

Elderly people in need of care lost their homes in the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake and tsunami. At a care facility called Sumi-chan's Home, they're part of a new family, which includes staff m…

Uminchu, literally "people of the sea", is the name for the fishermen of beautiful Kumejima in Okinawa Prefecture. Filled with coral, tropical fish, and the tuna varieties that swim the Kuroshio Curre…

A community deep in the mountains of Gunma Prefecture is home to Japan's only circus school. The school's director is Nadezhda Tyshenko, a former acrobatic gymnast from Ukraine. In the circus, as in l…

In the city of Sapporo stands a barber shop where many young bicyclists pedaling their way across Japan's northern island of Hokkaido make a stop. Any rider who is making a complete circuit of Japan r…

Mt. Daisen, a peak in central Japan, is celebrating its 80th anniversary as a national park. 5th and 6th graders at the Daisen Elementary School took recording devices and video cameras into the park …

Every spring, large numbers of tourists come to the Gongendo Park in the city of Satte, Saitama Prefecture to view the 1,000 cherry blossoms, stretching to a length of 1 kilometer. The trees, original…

At the southern end of the Kujukurihama coastline in Chiba Prefecture is Ichinomiya, one of Japan's top surfing spots, and home to many surf devotees. Here, local teenagers take to the waves each day …

In Sasebo City, Nagasaki Prefecture is a little diner that opened shortly after World War II. 70 years on, it's still going strong, 24 hours a day. The owner, 91-year-old Misako Mizoguchi, handles the…

More than 5 years after the tsunami caused by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake swept away thousands of homes, physical evidence of the communities that existed before the disaster is fading as rec…

In Japan, where calligraphy is mainly a girls' pastime, a group of students at an all-boys school belongs to a calligraphy club. Classmates call them nerds, and have labeled them "gloomy characters". …

Takahiro Endo is a 28-year-old architect working in Ishinomaki in northeast Japan. As the city takes shape again following the 2011 tsunami and earthquake, Endo dismantles, designs, and renovates inte…

In the years before and after World War II, some 400,000 people emigrated from Okinawa Prefecture in southern Japan, including a man who moved to Bolivia. His descendants include a 13-year-old grandso…

Gaku Sato opened his own shoeshine shop at age 22. With his sharp fashion sense and a chic shop decor, he is exploring a new, stylish image for the shoeshine trade. Sato believes that making people's …

How do you revitalize a hamlet with only 3 grannies? By hand-made cookies! This is a story of how 3 hard working grannies all over 86 take on a challenge of coming up with a new product in their lineu…

Before and during World War II, 270,000 Japanese relocated to Manchuria in China, which was controlled by Japan. After the war, the Japanese government created settlements, where returning families co…

This time we meet a member of staff working behind the scenes for a women's pro-wrestling promotion in Sendai, northeast Japan. Sendai Girls' Pro-Wrestling or "Senjo", as it is known consists of 5 fem…

In graying Japan, a growing number of elderly people living alone require nursing care at home. Yukiko Senpuku, 81, is a sought-after homecare helper in Osaka who brightens the lives of such people th…

They say giving opens doors. And one grandma knows that well. 80-year-old Hiroko Sogo makes picture cards with simple, warm illustrations and thoughtful messages. When people find a card they like, sh…

From ancient times, Japan's imperial court and shogunate have supported and protected Kasuga Taisha in Nara Prefecture as a means of praying for national peace and security. Known affectionately and r…

The remote island of Nasake is a sanctuary for children forced to live away from their parents because of poverty, abuse, and other problems. But this spring, their foster home was moved to the mainla…

Katsunobu Yoshida is a 28-year-old graphic designer who makes leaflets, posters and logos by hand, avoiding computers whenever he can. He draws inspiration from elderly locals who themselves make broo…

In May 2016, Barack Obama made a memorable visit to Hiroshima -- the first sitting US president to do so. That year, a record number of foreign tourists came to the city, the largest group being from …

Yuki Sakaguchi, 28 years old, once led a busy city life working for an international company, but this left him feeling exhausted and ill. He made up his mind to go back home to Tottori Prefecture in …

A construction boom in the run-up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics is changing the face of Japan's capital. The unsung heroes of this transformation are the skyscraper construction workers who ply their tra…

Takahiro Inagawa, 29 years old, heads a start-up company that is developing low-cost rockets. He and a staff of 13 are creating small rockets to carry miniaturized satellites into space. Their plan is…

Rumoi in northern Japan was once a flourishing town, but economic stagnation and a shrinking population have taken their toll. 7 years ago, Rumoi even lost its last bookstore. But a group of residents…

For years, the Kodo Taiko Performing Arts Ensemble has been spreading the magic of Japanese "taiko" drumming to the world. It's a small group made up of 30 members. This spring, 9 young men and women …

Susumu Hidaka, 29 years old, is a fisherman in training. He is learning the trade from a well experienced master in a fishing port in Cape Sada on the western tip of Shikoku Island, Japan. After spend…

Back when flower nurseries covered its slopes, Shishijima in western Japan was known as "flower island". Today it's home to only about 20 people, including 82-year-old Takako Takashima. She and her hu…

Takashi Aramoto has been selling his cakes by bicycle for 30 years in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. The 62-year-old has no problem riding well over 20 kilometers a day to bring the baked goods to his cu…

Tomohiko Yukihashi, 28 years old, is a clothing designer based in Beppu city in southwest Japan. For more than 3 years he'd been driving about the country, calling himself the "traveling tailor". He n…

Recently, a growing number of foreign investors have been opening inns and hotels in a two-century old hot spring resort town in Japan. They've been successful largely due to the fact that they offer …

Tetsuyo Ishii, 97, is the oldest person in Minogo, a mountain town in western Japan. Her secret to staying alert and active is to remain "rust-free", like her trusty garden hoe. She lives alone, but f…

Ayumu Shimokuni, better known as Muyua, is a shop assistant and a star in Tokyo's trendy Harajuku district. The 19-year-old works at a used-clothing store popular with teenage girls. As most Harajuku …

On Japan's Amami-oshima island, 29-year-old Hitoshi Ijuin runs a small lunch box shop. Many of his customers are elderly and live alone. The village has no supermarket or convenience store, making it …

This program follows people who, facing difficult times, have flocked to a World Heritage Site in Japan to try to turn their lives around. The setting is the Omine Okugakemichi, a route that connects …

Until he retired in 2016, Kentaro Yoshioka was a professional snowboarder and Japan's national champion. Now, he manages a small-scale daycare center in Sapporo, Hokkaido, that looks after children be…

At 51, Mayumi Yamada, a single mother with 2 adult children, was diagnosed with early onset dementia. Now, daily tasks such as dressing are getting harder. At first, Mayumi couldn't accept her diagnos…

Kozue Eda runs a company in Oita City in southwestern Japan that specializes in sorting through the possessions of the deceased, but it is more than mementos and personal treasures that she uncovers. …

In July 2017, residents of a community in southwestern Japan were getting ready for a big day – the opening of a café they'd built inside a kominka, or traditional house. But then came torrential rain…

The shock of the first diagnosis. Fear of death. Anxiety and concern about friends and family. Cancer patients experience a range of complex emotions. Now, a Japanese hospital is helping them transfor…

Ever since that day in March 2011, Yuta Naganuma had tried to distance himself from what happened. His younger brother was among 84 students and teachers who died when a massive tsunami hit Okawa Elem…

In March 2011, the Great East Japan Earthquake changed the life of Wakana Yokoyama. The tsunami following the disaster took away her grandparents and her hometown. She's tried to block out her sorrow …

In 2017, a high-school drama club in a disaster-hit area in Northern Japan chooses the 2011 earthquake and tsunami as the theme for a play to be performed at a national competition. Most of the studen…

Shohei Kireto is a 26-year-old manga artist with aspirations of making a career in this competitive industry. About 1 year ago, he moved to a village in the mountains of Yamaguchi Prefecture in wester…

Mao Higashi runs a grocery truck service in Mie Prefecture in central Japan, delivering fresh produce, ready-made meals, and some friendly chit-chat to elderly residents in her town. During her univer…

Yu Kikuchi left an engineering job in the big city to pursue his dream of making things with his own hands. Now 32, he's training to be a blacksmith in Shimanto, a rural town in western Japan. His tea…

Kasumi Takebayashi is a novice teacher in charge of a classroom full of energetic and mischievous 2nd graders. Yurika Oishi has been teaching for 5 years, and still struggles to find time to get to kn…

Misato Kurogawa opened a guesthouse in a small mountain settlement in southwestern Japan. She had quit her job and moved to Imari, where she rolled up her sleeves and renovated the 70-year-old home wh…

Zao in northeastern Japan is one of Japan's top ski resorts. Along with excellent powder, Zao's mountains are known for their stunning natural scenery. On this program, we focus on people dedicated to…

Iwami Kagura is a traditional Japanese performing art that features dynamic dancing. A group won praise for its exceptional skills and secured an invite to an art festival in France. The performers we…

Kana Sugamoto brings dreams to life by helping people raise funds through crowdfunding. In her teens, she had suffered from an eating disorder and recovered with support from her family and friends. I…

A cake shop run by a couple in Shizuoka Prefecture draws a steady stream of customers with low-carbohydrate cheesecakes. Many people who come have to watch what they eat because of illness. Daisuke Ha…

Retired civil servant, grandfather and nursery school teacher: Mitsutoshi Arasawa decided to get involved in childcare in his late 60's. Every day is full of surprises, but dealing with energetic and …

Ayako Masunaga is a passionate teacher, working at an elementary school in Fukuoka Prefecture for a three-year term. She was working up the corporate ladder at a major real estate company before but c…

Hakone is a town near Tokyo on the shores of Lake Ashinoko, 723 meters above sea level. The surrounding broadleaf forest turns red and gold in the autumn, a sight reflected in the serene lake -- many …

The city of Matsudo used to be an inn town where travelers could stop and rest. Residents developed a welcoming nature and accepted visitors with open arms. It's a tradition that has endured for gener…

In March 2018, a Japan Railway line linking Shimane and Hiroshima Prefectures in western Japan stopped operating, ending its 88-year history. The Sanko Line once thrived as an indispensable means of t…

A barbecue near a babbling stream and a relaxing soak in a hot spring – what a blissful way to spend the day. Saki Mizushina and Tao Toyoshima run a hot spring facility offering guests such a getaway …

In the decades since the end of World War Ⅱ, the Noren Central Market has been an essential part of Okinawa Prefecture's main city, Naha. Many women, now senior citizens, have spent much of their live…

Children in snowy Yamagata Prefecture flock to an old-fashioned candy store to get sweets, snacks and something more. The owner, Akiko, has been running the business for 50 years, selling cheap confec…

Genki Takahashi is a tea farmer in Sera, Hiroshima Prefecture. After university, as he worked at an established tea company from Kyoto, he became interested in making tea himself. He eventually quit h…

Deep indigo blue is a traditional Japanese color. It's an indigo dye that has been made using time-honored techniques passed down from generation to generation. See how dedicated craftsmen create the …

After the 2011 tsunami, Yasuhiro Koike, a Buddhist priest in Higashi-Matsushima City in northeastern Japan, helped lay victims to rest. He also began searching for a way to support their families, and…

Chihiro Tada is the only woman in a forestry training program in Niyodogawa, but the 25-year-old is firmly resolved to follow in her father's footsteps. Tada's father was the third-generation presiden…

People from across Japan have been gathering in central Aichi Prefecture for some 2 decades to test themselves physically and mentally. The "100km Walking Challenge" takes participants an entire day a…

Do you have to be a little crazy to be creative? Artist Mitsuhiro Miyazaki, who calls himself "Crazy Mike", thinks so. When he was young he dreamed of becoming a professional artist, but things didn't…

Masahiro Ono is a traveling udon noodle chef – instead of having his own shop, he lugs his tools around in his van to make noodles at house parties and events all over the country. The 27-year-old beg…

Demon-like figures wearing scary masks swing their swords menacingly. It's an ancient performing art called Onikenbai or "demon sword dance." Practitioners are aging, and new blood is needed to carry …

In the city of Osaka, there is a place where new and expectant mothers can receive support for their physical and emotional wellbeing. Hisako, a former midwife, is the person who takes care of them. W…

Despite being only 24 years old, Jun Koike is one of just 400 people in Japan who hold the "sakasho" advanced qualification for sake tasters. This sake expert works as an editor for a website speciali…

Gion, in the ancient capital of Kyoto, is Japan's largest traditional entertainment district. Every year, girls fresh out of junior high school come here dreaming of becoming maiko, or apprentice geis…

An independent night school in Okayama Prefecture, southwestern Japan, offers a place to learn for people who failed to develop necessary academic skills during their school days. Among the students i…

Honami Enya was an ambitious go-getter at a famous architectural firm -- that is, until she overworked herself and fell ill. It was during her leave of absence that she discovered the world of public …

How can Japanese schools cope with increasing numbers of children of foreign workers? And how can these children overcome the barriers they face? One school, where a fifth of the students have foreign…

Imari Inoue is a makeup artist who specializes in a niche group of customers - men who want to try dressing as women. The 28-year-old operates her business from an Osaka Prefecture apartment and provi…

Haruo Obata, 78, gained nationwide fame in summer 2018 when he found a missing 2-year-old boy during a search operation in southwestern Japan. It was the latest effort by this "super volunteer" to com…

Using an extra fine point pen, the Japanese artist Aju creates stunning drawings of Tokyo landscapes and other big cities. The scenes are so vividly engrained in her mind that she doesn't even make pr…

Kichiya Tachibana is a calligrapher specializing in "yose moji," a type of lettering with roots dating back around 150 years. The 27-year-old writes and designs the background for shrine festival sign…

Young survivors of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan have been opening up about their experiences. They're speaking out about the sorrow and conflicted emotions they'd long kept bo…

In Fukushima Prefecture, a simple dish is giving people the power to rebuild from the 2011 disaster. One woman found not just a career, but a new way of relating to those around her. A man in his 80's…

A young man from Fukushima Prefecture took his love of baseball to Nicaragua, where he helped create the country's first female baseball team. An 81-year-old who lives in Fukushima works every day gro…

In July 2018, torrential rains in western Japan devastated decades-old mikan groves. Particularly hard hit was a remote hamlet. No one died, but half of the homes were damaged or destroyed. The only r…

Kikuno has devoted herself to the life of a geisha since the age of 15. She lives in Nara Prefecture's entertainment district, once home to more than 200 geisha performers. The district has steadily d…

Yuko Kuroda dedicated herself to helping disaster victims live healthy, independent lives. She worked hard to understand their individual needs and tailor her support to meet them. She believed in the…

High in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture on Japan's Shikoku Island are small communities known as "sora." The residents enjoy a way of life that values both self-sufficiency and mutual cooperatio…

Videographer Koichi Hozan has terminal cancer, yet he continues filming the landscape of Nara Prefecture in Japan. His collection of works portraying the transition of the seasons is considered awe-in…

A Japanese New Year's dish someone's mother used to make. Stewed meat and potatoes, full of a grandma's love. Miyuki Munekawa is a chef who helps her clients revisit fond memories by recreating unforg…

Miki Yakata, a former member of an all-girl Japanese idol group, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 26, and underwent surgery to remove her left breast. In May 2018, she started keeping a video d…

Pia Laophakdee is a young para powerlifter who is determined to change perceptions of disabled people in his home country, Laos. Coaching him is 59-year-old Takashi Jo, a seasoned Japanese para athlet…

During World War II, over 120,000 children in Japan were orphaned. Many of them never knew their parents' names or what they looked like. Seventy-three-year-old Honoko spent her early years in an orph…

Ayako spent more than 2 decades in a psychiatric hospital after being diagnosed with schizophrenia in her mid-20's. At the age of 69, she is finally discharged and sets out to begin a new life on her …

Devastating rains hit western Japan in July 2018, nearly wiping out a community's cherished tradition - a children's troupe performing ancient Kagura theater. But their coach quickly raised funds from…

Spring 2019 saw the return of some of the former residents of Okuma Town, Fukushima Prefecture who had evacuated due to high radiation. Instrumental in this were 6 former town employees, aged 66 on av…

In a remote Japanese village, elderly residents have a common dream: to end their last days in their hometown, surrounded by family and friends. For years, end-of-life care in hospitals far away was t…

There is a café in a residential area of Nagoya City that attracts people of all ages and backgrounds, from children to the elderly. This local hangout brings people from the community together. Kids …

For more than 4 decades, Fumie Murakami has suffered from a mysterious illness that was finally diagnosed as Minamata disease. Caused by organic mercury poisoning in the sea, the disease has also take…

Colorful fruit-shaped soap, handmade near Tokyo by people with disabilities, has become a big seller. The workers vary in their degree of disability, personality, and capabilities, but they each bring…

At a small elementary school on Lake Biwa, kayaking is part of the curriculum. The culmination of the students' training comes in late May, when every 5th- and 6th-grader takes part in a two-day kayak…

The Tateyama mountain range in north-eastern Japan is known for its vibrant mountain scenery, drawing nearly a million tourists a year. The people who live at the foot of the mountains worship the sac…

As a teen, Shin-ya Narusawa became a reclusive shut-in for 6 years, until a cosmic event rekindled his interest in astronomy. Now, at an observatory in central Japan, he's a top expert on extraterrest…

Paralyzed in his lower legs and hands, Takeshi Kukizaki, 68, grows azaleas and runs an azalea garden in Kagoshima City, southwest Japan. 19 years ago, while working at a company, he was suddenly struc…

On weekends, customers flock to this traditional restaurant in Murayama city in northeast Japan for a unique taste of soba noodles served on a wooden board. But in February 2019, after the 3rd-generat…

Japan's indigenous Ainu people, many of whom live on the northern island of Hokkaido Prefecture, have passed down crafts inspired by nature. Now, a new generation is finding fresh ways to express the …

The 2011 tsunami devastated the fishing industry in Sanriku, in northeastern Japan. Like others, seafood processor Kenichiro Yagi and local fishermen are trying to recover and rebuild their business. …

In the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami, the town of Otsuchi, Iwate Prefecture lost 30% of its civil servants, the highest proportion for any affected municipality. The local government was blasted f…

At altitudes of more than 2,500 meters in the mountains of central Japan, a 72-year-old ornithologist, Nakamura Hiroshi, takes on the challenge of saving rock ptarmigans, known as "divine birds," from…

For Japan's aging apple farmers, finding someone to succeed them is a struggle. In Hirosaki City, a community in Japan's leading apple-producing prefecture of Aomori, more than 500 growers have called…

In the northern Japanese town of Oma, seasoned fishermen compete to land prized bluefin tuna. Among them is a 57-year-old novice, who moved there from western Japan 4 years ago. After his daughters we…

A man bedridden by a genetic disorder. Another paralyzed by a fall. For such people with severe disabilities, avatar robots are opening new doors. They're controlled remotely over the internet, and sp…

A hospital near Tokyo gets many patients from abroad, including tourists, local workers and even people in Japan illegally. Dr. Asaka Tomomi is responsible for them. Her overseas experience as a surge…

A father and son team of strawberry farmers in northeastern Japan faces tough times after the March 2011 tsunami devastates their hometown. To survive, the son decides he and his family must take a ch…

Onagawa town in northeast Japan was devastated by the 2011 tsunami. The town's only supermarket, which goes back 100 years, has now reopened after a 9-year closure. The relaunch was led by Sato Hiroki…

On the small Japanese island of Tokunoshima, 18-year-old Nao Suzuna has dedicated herself to Japanese bullfighting, or "togyu." Every day, she cares for and trains her beloved Chibi Bull. Suzuna was s…

Right after the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki in August 1945, Japanese Red Cross Society nurses, mainly in their late teens and 20's, were sent there from across Japan to care for survivors. Lat…

Glittering flames swirling up into the sky. The unforgettable eyes of a girl trapped by fire. An abandoned corpse on the road. The feelings stirred by a corpse on the road. Such searing images are bas…

For nearly a century, Yawatahama Shimbun reported local news in the small town of Yawatahama in southern Japan. The paper was produced by a husband-and-wife team, who worked as reporter and layout des…

In October 2019, Mitsuishi Takae and her husband, Kazumasa, worry that torrential rain from a powerful typhoon could cause a river near their home to flood. Kazumasa heads out to retrieve sandbags -- …

Businesses in Izumo City have welcomed scores of Brazilian workers in recent years. But due to US-China trade tensions, they're cutting production -- and jobs. For Brazilians out of work, the COVID-19…

Yakata Miki, a former pop idol, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018. After surgery to remove her left breast, Miki kept a video diary to record her treatment and daily thoughts, even touching on …

A charter bus company had lost its major source of income - international tourists - in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The CEO spends his days seeking emergency loans, but it's not enough to avert…

Toyama Bay, in central Japan, is known as a source of abundant seafood such as firefly squid and Beni-zuwai crab - specialties from Toyama Prefecture known across the nation. Behind these local delica…

In 2020, an annual manga comic championship for high schoolers goes online for the first time due to COVID-19. The virtual format disappoints students who are eager to meet their peers from around Jap…

Aoki Mariko, from northeast Japan, shot to fame after winning one of Japan's prestigious gardening contests in 2018 while still in her 20's. Her gardens have soothed the hearts of many people stressed…

A newcomer to a small mountain hamlet called Kurata turns heads, because nearly everywhere she goes, she runs. Her name is Yuki, and she has come to help revitalize the aging community. Young and ener…

Minami Shintaro is a young man with a special knack of attracting people. He runs a guest house in Seto City in central Japan, renowned as a major producer of ceramics. But the Covid-19 pandemic led t…

Yamazaki Takashi runs Bethesda, a support center in Hokkaido Prefecture for people in need. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he has noticed a trend -- more people in white-collar jobs are in dire straits. …

Nagano Haruki and Okuda Sho, 17-year-old high-school boys in central Japan, have been writing to each other about once every 2 weeks since 2017. It started when Haruki developed a hard-to-cure eye con…

When people leave a town behind, what happens to its memories? The coast of Okuma Town is home to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, which melted down after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. …

Yasui Hiroyuki is a junior-high school teacher and rugby coach in western Japan. With his motto "One Team," he encourages students to unite to cope with the coronavirus pandemic. His school was closed…

Throughout his long career in business - and now as the head of a Japanese university - Deguchi Haruaki has faced setbacks and challenges. As a result, he's developed a unique perspective on dealing w…

Hirosaki Park in northern Japan is one of the country's finest cherry blossom sites. Nowhere in the world do cherry trees bloom so fully and close together. The overwhelming density of the striking pi…

Galapagos is a welfare facility in Saga Prefecture that provides after-school services for special-needs children. It even accepts children with problematic behaviors who have been refused by other fa…

Ostomates are people who, owing to illness or disability, need a bag attached to their abdomen to collect bodily waste. Currently, there are around 210,000 ostomates in Japan, but not many people know…

For 25 years, Murabayashi Shingo has been a legend in the kitchen of a high school cooking class. An outstanding teacher and harsh taskmaster, he's helped generations of young cooks gain the skills th…

At any age, a fresh hairstyle can connect us with our inner radiance. A team of hairdressers in Toyama Prefecture visits elderly people who are physically incapable of going to a salon. They create th…

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic in summer 2020, Kyoto Prefecture's 1,000-year-old Gion Festival, held annually around Yasaka Shrine, was facing cancellation. But Kitamura Norio, a devoted parishioner who r…

Since long ago, the indigenous Ainu people had lived in harmony with nature, following their own unique culture. But when Japanese settlers began to arrive in their ancestral homeland - now known as H…

Since long ago, the indigenous Ainu people had lived in harmony with nature, following their own unique culture. But when Japanese settlers began to arrive in their ancestral homeland - now known as H…

At age 89, Morita Kazuo, a legendary sushi chef in Kanazawa, central Japan, still attracts customers. With over 70 years of experience, he is deft with his knife and precise in squeezing out measures …

A group of engineering college students in Japan had a challenging assignment: to build a robot that makes people happy for a prestigious national competition. The COVID-19 pandemic threw many obstacl…

Fukuoka Prefecture, southwestern Japan, is home to a rare sight in this country - 2 baseball teams that bring together children with developmental disorders. Often, these children have a hard time con…

This program brings you the stories of 2 dedicated individuals and their everyday struggles and triumphs. Kumehara Keitaro, champion of the Japanese card game Karuta, has a highly unusual style that's…

The Kuzuryu River is a symbol of Fukui Prefecture, central Japan. Local people know it as "the raging river" for its repeated flooding, but they also appreciate the profusion of its gifts. We filmed a…

People with severe mental and physical challenges often live in isolation from the world around them, at home or in medical facilities. A unique living arrangement in Fukuoka City is trying to change …

Identifying as LGBT+, Fujiya Ami doesn't want to be categorized as either male or female and has no romantic feelings for others. After working in Tokyo as a "woman," Ami couldn't go on pretending and…

The population of Kuma Village was already shrinking before disaster struck in 2020. Torrential rains and flooding made the village uninhabitable, forcing residents to evacuate. As the community strug…

The Toyosu Market plays a key role in Japan's rich food culture. Through its doors pass vast quantities of fish and seafood, some of which are bought by Tokyo's most renowned restaurants. But the COVI…

Matsuzaki Atsuko, 94, a former professor of culinary science in southwestern Japan, is a regional culinary specialist known for her pressed mackerel sushi and other dishes normally enjoyed by a large …

In March 2021, the Akita Rinkai Railway Line made its last run and a familiar sight disappeared from the streets of Akita Prefecture. The freight line was only 5.4 kilometers long and operated just 3 …

Kuroi Akio had always hated his father. Keijiro was physically strong, but a shell of a man who needed help with everyday tasks. At the age of 20, Keijiro faced the horrors of war. Photos taken just a…

A little workshop in Minokamo City, central Japan receives countless requests from across Japan to repair damaged clothes. Kaketsugi, or invisible mending, is a technique for repairing holes or tears …

Sake from Fukushima Prefecture has swept up gold medals in a nationwide contest for new brews. A researcher who's played a key role in improving the local sake is Suzuki Kenji, known as the "god of sa…

Hoboku, a non-profit organization in southwestern Japan, has provided support for homeless people and others in need for over 30 years. Okuda Tomoshi, a pastor, leads the group. Its many efforts to he…

Sorachi is an energetic three-year-old boy who lives in Hokkaido Prefecture with his father and mother. Sorachi's conversations at home are a little different from those of other families. He communic…

Washio Tomoyuki is an artist based in the City of Nagoya, central Japan. He created a massive mural for the entrance of a new hotel at the city's landmark TV tower. Because he works in many different …

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many eldercare facilities to restrict visits between residents and their families. The loss of direct contact with loved ones has caused many residents to become emoti…

Ryuji is a rapper who, like many others, including his family, was forced to flee his hometown of Namie in Fukushima Prefecture after the 2011 accident at the nuclear power plant. He shares his feelin…

Kosuge Village in Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo, has a population of about 700. Although small and without many residents, the village is always lively and up for new challenges. It runs many un…

With a single thrust, harpoon fishers can catch a swordfish weighing more than 100kg. 21-year-old Konno Misaki is a fisher like his father before him. When Misaki's hometown was hit by the tsunami fol…

At a daycare center for senior citizens in western Japan, staff interview elderly people and write down their memories of long ago. Many who come to the center have dementia. They may not remember rec…

"I am the vine, and you are the branches." That cherished biblical quote guides a group of young people who, for reasons ranging from abuse to financial hardship, were separated from their birth paren…

76 years after the end of World War II, work to dispose of unexploded munitions is still an everyday sight in Okinawa Prefecture, southwestern Japan. It will probably take 70 years to remove all of th…

Minamiaso once welcomed 6 million visitors a year. Then the tourism industry suffered catastrophic damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. At 1 inn, a pair of guests were killed, another took 5 years …

Mori Tetsuya, a third-generation fisher in Akkeshi town, northern Japan, supports his family with income from catching sea urchin and other marine products. In 2021, a red tide hit the town for the fi…

Thirty years ago, a child was denied admission to a swimming school because of his disability. But 1 courageous coach reached out to help. What started with these 2 people has now grown into a school …

Kids in Osaka Prefecture rarely call Tanahara Yasuko by her real name. Instead, they affectionately refer to her as simply, Auntie. For decades, this 82-year-old baseball coach has used tough love to …

With their great food and casual atmosphere, food stalls - or Yatai - are symbols of Fukuoka City. At the age of 20, Takada Yoshimasa endured an incredibly competitive selection process to become the …

The 2021 mayoral election in Suttsu town, northern Japan, hinged mainly on 1 contentious point between the 2 candidates - whether to continue with the first step in being selected as a long-term stora…

Arai Yoshinori, a Japanese teacher at a junior high school just north of Tokyo, was about to retire in March 2022. At age 34, he lost his sight in both eyes. For a while, he lost the will to live. But…

Zenkoji Temple in Nagano Prefecture is a special place for local people. This spring, it held a major celebration, welcoming back the Gokaicho Festival which had been postponed due to COVID-19. Master…

After 2 decades on the mainland, a young doctor returns to his birthplace, a remote island in far northern Japan. He's left a surgical career on the forefront of medicine to take over a local hospital…

In western Japan, a group of women were practicing "wadaiko" Japanese drums for their first performance in three-and-a-half years since the COVID outbreak. They are all mothers who have children with …

The Nakanomata Kagura, an ancient ritual from a community deep in Japan's mountains, has been in danger of dying out due to population decline. But recently young people from outside the community are…

After Shimosaka Atsushi was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 46, he felt that his life was over. But as he started to communicate with elderly people with the same disease and rekindling his pass…

An American hamburger chain opened its first outlet in Okinawa Prefecture in 1963, before the US returned Okinawa to Japan. Initially, the shop targeted US service personnel stationed there, but gradu…

In a hot springs resort town in Ishikawa Prefecture, a unique library debuted during the Covid pandemic. At Mikan, the books are owned by members of the community who display them on shelves that they…

In a mountainous area in Wakayama Prefecture, a group of young people wanted to renovate a thatched-roof house to help attract visitors. With no experience or money, they relied on a local custom call…

The year 2022 marks the 50th anniversary of Okinawa Prefecture's return to Japan from US control. Osaka Prefecture, western Japan, is home to many residents with roots in this southwestern prefecture.…

Ukaji Shizue once worked to improve the lives of Japan's indigenous Ainu people. An Ainu herself, she had moved to Tokyo to escape discrimination and eventually became involved in uniting the Ainu peo…

In summer 2022, the renowned Kanto Festival in Akita Prefecture was back after a three-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The traditional lantern festival is a key part of life for Kishi Toshik…

Watakano Island in central Japan was once an entertainment hub, but its economy has declined in recent years. The local government sends 31-year-old Toge Hiroyuki there to revive the community. After …

Over a century ago, residents of a port district in southeastern Japan established a cooperative that hires fishers as employees, offering stable jobs that pay a salary. The system has helped preserve…

The Nebuta Festival, which features illuminated floats, is a tradition in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. But it wasn't held for 3 years during covid. Kitamura Shunichi creates nebuta floats, just like his …

Yambaru in the north of Okinawa Island was registered as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site in July 2021. Its forests are home to numerous indigenous species such as the Okinawa rail, a flightless b…

A small community in Niigata Prefecture is surrounded by beautiful, abundant rice fields, but its population is shrinking as younger people leave in search of opportunity. To reverse this trend, a loc…

In spring 2021, Shinji High School in Shimane Prefecture, western Japan, set up the first class in the prefecture solely for students with foreign roots. As well as regular subjects, they get special …

An aerospace project in Kyushu has brought together more than 20 local factories. Their grand plan is to launch 36 satellites. It is the first foray into space for the team at the small factory in Kur…

Yabusame is a traditional Japanese form of archery in which archers shoot arrows at targets while galloping on horseback. In northern Japan, 20-year-old Fuse Aoi is creating a buzz as one of Japan's t…

A workshop in Iwate Prefecture has been making traditional Nambu ironware kettles for decades. After taking over the business from his master-craftsman father, Tayama Takahiro decided to rethink the w…

Omori Town in western Japan is located at the foot of the Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine, a UN World Heritage Site. It was once losing its population, but the number of children is now growing thanks to the…

Across Japan, climate change is causing torrential rains and flooding. In response, the government is pursuing sweeping measures to protect communities and save lives, including a large flood-control …

In a small community at the foot of the famous Mt. Gassan in the northern prefecture of Yamagata, four women in their 80s work together in a popular soba-noodle restaurant. Many people come a long way…

The waters off Sadamisaki Peninsula, at the westernmost tip of Shikoku, are rich with large abalone and sea urchins. Amashi, or freediving fishers, descend 20 meters or more to harvest them. The tradi…

Mariia, 12, fled the devastation of the war in Ukraine and now lives in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, with her mother and younger brother. She used to be positive and popular, but now in Japan she …

An ice bridge rises up from Lake Suwa, connecting its opposite shores. Local people have documented this omiwatari or "the God's Crossing," for hundreds of years. But changing weather patterns have ta…

In the woods of northeastern Japan stands the "Drifting Mailbox." This unique mailbox receives letters from family members to loved ones who died in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Its custodian…

Kintsugi is a technique used to repair objects using lacquer and gold. In the mountain village of Yamanaka Onsen, Ishikawa Prefecture, a kintsugi workshop is inundated with repair requests from all ov…

Each year, aspiring barbers and beauticians from all over Japan display their skills in a national competition. Students from a reputable hairdressing school in Kochi have often won the top prize. The…

"The Car of Hope" is a volunteer project that helps terminally ill patients visit one last place that is special to them in their final days. A terminal cancer patient in his 70s wants to take his wif…

Nishiokada Haruki (82) and his wife Setsuko (75) live in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture where they've farmed a steeply sloped plot of land for more than 50 years, doing all the work by hand. Th…

Eleven years after the 2011 nuclear disaster, Honda Toru, a doctor, moved to Iitate village, a disaster-hit area in Fukushima, determined to live out his life there. After the accident, villagers had …

The residents of Tomioka had to evacuate after the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident. As people gradually return and rebuild, the elementary school asked composer Otomo Yoshihide t…

The people of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, had to flee their homes after their town was destroyed in the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami. Only about 10% of them have returned, including S…

Amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Awa washi paper was sent to Ukraine from Tokushima, western Japan, to help repair historical documents at the Central State Historical Archives of Ukraine in Lviv. U…

Avian flu and the rising cost of feed have created problems for the egg industry. At a farm in Aichi Prefecture, a father and son clash over methods. The father wants to continue raising chickens in c…

Fourteen years ago, Motoyama Saho left the big city and bought an abandoned farm. She built a house using scrap wood and has been trying to become self-sufficient. Fate brought her and her husband Kiy…

There's an unattended vegetable stand in the middle of Tokyo that draws more than 100 customers a day, supporting young people who want to save money. On the wall of the stand, there is a message from…

Ten years ago, a young student offered to help a man with limited vision ride the bus. Other youngsters have continued the tradition. Now, a book inspired by these acts is gaining fans across Japan.

On the Noto Peninsula in the Sea of Japan, winter winds buffet a tiny community protected by bamboo fences. We meet a woman in her 80s who embraces the bounty of earth and sea with her bare hands.

Ise katagami is the art of crafting stencils for kimono patterns. Now, the artisans practicing it are aging and their numbers shrinking. We look at the people devoted to preserving this tradition.

There's a Korean restaurant in Northeastern Japan run by a woman from South Korea. She moved to the area over 30 years ago to marry a Japanese man. We follow her as she connects with local people.

A shuttered elementary school reopened for just one family that moved back to their beloved hometown. We look at their joys and struggles, and local efforts to enliven a small fishing settlement.

There is a mosque in western Japan where local Muslims gather to pray and seek help when they are troubled. For them, the mosque is like a second home that provides happiness and emotional support.

During World War II, a radio children's choir brought joy to its members and listeners alike. We uncovered the story of the teacher who led it, working to promote the cause of peace through music.

A one-legged climber, who uses forearm crutches, aims to conquer two rugged peaks in central Japan at the same time. We find out what spurs him to take up the challenge and what views await him.

Nepalese students who are studying in Japan are finding community at a local store selling Nepalese goods. What challenges do they face as they pursue their dreams so far from home?

Twelve years after a massive quake and tsunami in northeast Japan, we followed taxi drivers in Kesennuma, one of the affected towns, to experience people's memories and hopes through their eyes.

A small high school canoeing club trains hard every day. While persevering and improving their skills, they learn valuable life lessons in the clear waters of the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture.

A popular hiking guide in northern Japan brings smiles to the faces of all her clients. What events from her past brought her to where she is today? And what is her secret for spreading happiness?

In Nagasaki, a group of men practice for a traditional performance so tough that some have to drop out with injuries. Under their motto of "Smile," will they succeed and pass on the custom?

An improper diagnosis in early childhood led Shibasaki Akane to spend nearly half her life in a world without words. We follow her as she expands her horizons and moves toward an independent future.

Families come to Ago Bay, central Japan, to have loved ones' ashes encased in pearls. They insert them into oysters so they can grow in the sea. We explore what has made families reach this decision.

What happens when people gather to gaze at the stars? Through a variety of programs, a Japanese organization enables a broad range of participants to learn more about the universe and themselves.

In Japan's snowy north, an elderly woman has been making pickles for 70 years. Now, she must learn to adapt to new laws and a warming climate. And her efforts seem to be paying off.

In a mountain community in northeastern Japan, a 21-year-old man has decided to become the first successor of a traditional local Kagura dance in 50 years. We follow him as he prepares for his debut.

A man in his seventies has been transporting fruit and supplies to places affected by the 2011 disaster. On his final journey, he shares emotional farewells with people whose lives he's made brighter.

About 1,500 local men in traditional white costumes run down a mountain path, lighting up the night with sacred torches, in a centuries-old fire festival in Shingu City, western Japan.

A famed former trainer runs a ranch where retired racehorses spend their final days in nature bringing comfort to human visitors. But then an earthquake brings uncertainty to their peaceful lives.

A tree surgeon in Hiroshima lovingly treats trees that live on around 8 decades after the A-bomb devastation. He intentionally leaves their scars intact as some of them near the end of their lives.

A young doctor undergoes training to develop skills to help rural communities. What kind of care do his patients need to live life to the fullest? We follow him in his search for answers.

Five months after a big earthquake struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula, many residents have evacuated, but some stayed in their hometown. Faced with new challenges, they try to rebuild their lives.

In the city of Sakata in northeastern Japan, maiko have entertained people for centuries. Now, a master of the art is helping younger women follow in her path, and gain confidence with every step.

Potter Baba Kojiro uses stones from the quarry that is said to have produced Japan's first porcelain but was abandoned for centuries. What drives him to create pieces from this unique type of clay?

13 years after the Fukushima disaster, a potter returns to his empty hometown to revive the local craft. His potter son works in the town he evacuated to. What does tradition mean to the two men?

In a depopulated mountain area, a woman raises sheep and makes wool products that have received international acclaim. We look at her work and the community's efforts to recapture its vitality.

Ikuno Ward, Osaka, has one of Japan's most diverse communities with people from all over the world. A local NPO provides them with help and tutoring, trying to ensure that everybody can live together.

A retired man with dementia and his wife struggle to address his worsening symptoms. Despite their challenges, and faced with an uncertain future, the two remain deeply devoted to one another.

Since the 2011 tsunami, the population of Ogatsu, northeast Japan, has plummeted. We visit a fishing family and a traditional dancer who love their hometown and are trying to keep traditions alive.

Painter Yoshinari Ishimura has autism. His late mother sparked his love of animals, which now inspires his work. With his father's help, Yoshinari is expanding his world and bringing joy to others.

Minabe Town in western Japan is renowned for its ume plums. The town even has an official ume chief, who is eager to promote the fruit's appeal after hail and unusual weather hit this year's harvest.

On a remote island, a group of women from around Japan sail a sabani, a traditional Okinawan fishing vessel. Through teamwork and dedication, they form strong bonds and take on a grueling race.

Summer 2024 marked the 10th anniversary of the eruption of Mt. Ontake, Japan's worst volcanic disaster since the end of WWII. We follow bereaved family members who joined this year's memorial climb.

Fuga is a professional frame maker who offers clients the chance to display treasured items in custom-made frames. Meet some of the families that are preserving their precious memories.

In a remote Japanese village, people have long used bulls for farming and in a unique form of competition. But as the local population shrinks, the future of this beloved ritual seems uncertain.

Mito Kosei, 78, was exposed to radiation in the womb when an atomic bomb exploded over Hiroshima. For 20 years or so, he's been a volunteer guide, telling foreign visitors the truth about the bombing.

Oki Traditional Sumo has been practiced on an island in the Sea of Japan for over 200 years. In 2024, an all-night competition was held after a 12-year hiatus. We follow a summer of sumo excitement.

North of Tokyo, young trainees are working hard to become jockeys. For 2 years, they will live away from their families with no mobile phones allowed. We follow their first steps toward their dream.

Artist Fuse Tomoko discovered origami as a child. For over 60 years, she has created large-scale geometric works, earning global acclaim. We take a look into the art of creating worlds through paper.

After a lifetime's work, dairy farmer Yoshikawa Yuji was diagnosed with cancer and had to retire. As his son takes over the farm, what joys and struggles does he encounter?

A high school team from a city northeast of Tokyo took part in a nationwide calligraphy performance championship. They hope to send wishes for a revival to people affected by a massive earthquake.

An iconic story from bunraku puppet theatre features the legendary Princess Yaegaki. See how people living near the lake where the story is set work together to bring the tale back to its roots.

On New Year's Eve, families in northeast Japan are visited by monster-like figures called namahage. We follow a group of men trying to keep up their proud tradition as the local population dwindles.

A women's soccer team was created to energize an aging community. The team's top striker has built strong friendships with older neighbors. But now that player might have another goal in mind.

More than a decade after the Great East Japan Earthquake, two women who lost their daughters ask a painter to portray them as grownups. Will the portraits bring solace to the bereaved families?

With colorful pile fabric and comfortable knits, Wakayama prefecture is drawing global attention as a textile hub. We bring you striking images of its machines and the beat of its factories.

A local supermarket specializing in seafood closes after nearly 50 years. To keep its legacy alive, the founder teams up with a supermarket chain. Can it survive amidst fierce competition?

A former farming community east of Tokyo is soon to disappear due to an expansion project at Narita International Airport. Saito Koyata has been taking photos there to record local people's lives.

When orthopedic surgeon Nakamura Kaoru developed an intractable disease, his life lost its meaning. But then a service dog named Juliette came along, filling his days with renewed determination.

Kiriake Chieko helped cremate schoolmates after the atomic bombing in Hiroshima. At 95, as the oldest surviving witness, she continues to give her testimony, urging people to hold on dearly to peace.

A shrine in Nagasaki City, and its legendary camphor tree, survived the atomic bomb. But its beloved annual festival is in danger of extinction. How can the local community keep its traditions alive?

Tree surgeon Kobayashi Masaru helps people in Fukushima prefecture revitalize cherry trees neglected after the 2011 earthquake and nuclear accident. We follow him and local volunteers over one year.

A young fisher is learning the art of aquaculture from his grandfather. But rising temperatures and labor shortages pose challenges. The grandson is reviving traditions, but will it save the day?

The grandson of a famous ceramicist once resented the idea of pursuing his grandfather's path. Now an artisan himself, he seeks the older man's advice while exploring new forms of expression.

Miyahara Osamu publishes a small newspaper in Kuma Village, western Japan, hit by heavy rains in 2020. We follow him as he encourages disaster-hit villagers in their efforts to rebuild their lives.

Shiomi Hirokazu is one of the few experts in Japan entrusted with tuning pianos for concert halls. Whether tuning for a top pianist or a small child, his aim is to capture the sound in their heart.

Koyama Rie was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease several years ago. An avid table-tennis player, she now teaches the sport to fellow Parkinson's patients to improve their health and their outlook.

Nishino Masatoshi didn't know what he wanted to do with his life until he learned about horse logging. Now, he's chasing his dream in the forests of Hokkaido with the help of his trusty sidekick, Kap.

Tsuchida Hiromi has photographed the everyday lives of people who survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, decades apart. Now, 80 years after the bombing, what fresh realities will he capture?

In 1985, a passenger jet crashed into Osutaka Ridge, killing 520 people. Kurosawa Kanichi looks after the area, preserving memorials and guiding bereaved family members up the mountain.

A stroke left a former reporter unable to move - except for his eyes. His wife helps him communicate using eye movements. Together, they have created a humorous written chronicle of their lives.

A farm brings together people with something in common: fear of developing dementia. As they engage in planting and harvesting, staff members observe their actions and help them find a way forward.

In northern Japan, a senior esports team with an average age of 69 is aiming high. Pushed relentlessly by their coach, more than 30 years their junior, they dream of competing in a world championship.

Despite earthquakes and isolation, the people of Akusekijima Island work to uphold local traditions, including the mysterious Boze deities. A new generation is helping to keep those traditions alive.

An energetic mix of brewers strives to enliven the sake scene in Tochigi Prefecture, a place not well known for its breweries. With pride and innovation, they bring new life to an ancient tradition.

Cancer treatments can leave a patient's fingernails weak and dark, adding to their anxiety. So a doctor opened a nail salon to help clients improve both their appearance and their outlook on life.

Two doctors in western Japan have an alter ego as the music duo Insheart, whose songs bring hope to patients and families. We follow them and the fans who find strength and comfort in their music.

In Ehime Prefecture, children on horseback take part in a 600-year-old tradition. With fewer participants each year, one strict trainer sees promise in a young rider spurred on by his love of horses.