Seasoning the Seasons

In this special edition we visit renowned castles in Japan including national treasures to rediscover the charms of their unique architecture.

Impressive towers. Exquisite roofs. Imposing stone walls. Castles built as defensive fortresses and symbols of power have today become symbols of their regions and are loved as cultural artifacts. Why do the Japanese love their castles so much? How should we look at one? What have the castles given to Japanese culture? What needs to be preserved for the future? Japanese castles present diverse faces. We meet the people who maintain the strength and beauty; delve into the allure; and analyze their role in the transmission of history and culture.

Kariyasu, kuchinashi, and moegi -all are Japanese words for colors. The Japanese language has a lot of words for expressing subtle tints. Many have their origin in Kyoto and are still very much alive in the speech of the former capital. Historians suggest the Japanese did not make such rigid color distinctions in ancient times but the change began when imports arrived from China and Korea, and the Japanese sensitivity to color then blossomed as a variety of new tints were produced here as well.

Kakunodate is the "Little Kyoto" of Tohoku, a castle town and popular tourist destination where the streets are lined with traditional-style buildings dating from the Edo Period (17th to mid-19th century). We meet people who adhere to the old ways of life, such as descendents of an old samurai family who still dwell in the Ishiguro Manor, a centuries old samurai house now open to public, and a lady descended from the Satake Kita clan that once ruled Kakunodate. The town is liveliest during the autumn festival when great floats are made to clash against each other in the parade. The bearers need power, courage and skill to triumph. We recorded the lives and traditions of samurai, merchant, farmer and lordly families on a 6 month sojourn in a place where distinctive old customs are still very much alive.

The folklorist, Kunio Yanagita, wrote his "Tono Monogatari" (Tales of Tono) about a century ago. The book related how mysterious beings such as the kappa river goblins, the zashikiwarashi child spirits, mountain gods and ghosts had their willful way, reporting the events as eye-witness accounts and present-day happenings. It led its readers - mostly dwellers of the plains facing the first waves of modernization - to the psychological heart of the humble Japanese people, hemmed in as they were by mountains and rivers. Today, though, 100 years later, what has become of those old beliefs in the amazing creatures and gods described in the book? We follow the lives of people in Tono for a year, from their faith in the tutelary Oshirasama gods made from staves of mulberry wood to the rites of the Bon Festival of the Dead, rediscovering the old Japanese ways of thinking and reverence for the things that surpass human powers.

The stark, beautiful, volcanic mountains of Zao are a natural wonder of the Tohoku region. They have brought great blessings to the local population and also fostered fierce endurance. The striking Okama crater, frozen trees of winter, hot springs and other natural glories draw 1.2 million people annually to their famed resorts. The cool air of late autumn is meanwhile perfect for drying persimmons. We also introduce the fabulous ski slopes leading through those frozen trees, depicting the distinctive attractions of the people and their customs and the stunning scenery.

Osaka's Ikuno district has one of Japan's largest Koreatowns - one in every five Ikuno residents is an ethnic Korean and the town is full of Korean delicacies, too. We visit an old barbeque restaurant renowned for its cooking smoke. We also have a look at extraordinary pork dishes handed down over the years, review the history which gave birth to this community, and follow a day in the life of an old woman who crossed the sea to Japan and has been making kimchi pickles for family and friends ever since. The people of this town exude a warmth which reaches across all ethnic barriers.

Tales of the Tokyo Night. Some 15 million people are said to come and go daily in the great Tokyo metropolis. Evening is a particularly brilliant time and the Japanese people have loved the unique space created by those bright lights, so different from the daytime, ever since modernization began in the city back in the 19th century. We converse with a taxi driver who watches over fond lovers, feel the bonds that grow between inebriated customers as they drink beneath naked lights, and meet a lighting designer who produces those big city effects, touching the hopes, dreams and tensions of the Tokyo night.

Izumo is an abode of gods, home to many of the deities that appear in Japan's ancient legends. Japan's oldest history books, which mix legends and history, state that Izumo is the location of Japan's birth. Izumo is also home to various aspects of Japanese culture. With footage from this sacred place of mystery and romance, we show you the beauty of Izumo.

Udon noodles are loved in Japan as an easy, tasty, everyday dish. In Japan, farming centers on rice, but throughout Japan's history, various other cereals have also been harvested. During the winter, when there was no rice farming to do, farmers allowed themselves a little luxury by pounding wheat to make udon. Today, udon has become a delicious, satisfying everyday dish. We look back through Japanese history, tracing the story of the unique know-how and preparatory techniques behind this delicious dish.

When going on a trip, packing a lunch box to take was the standard. In 1885, the first lunch box was sold at a train station. Called an "ekiben", there are now all kinds of them sold in stations all over Japan. The contents of the small ekiben lunch box reflect a place and a time, and are filled with the flavors of that region, the emotions of the person who made it, and the memories of a journey. We look at both the ekiben, much loved by Japanese people, and at a wonderful ekiben culture.

During the region's short summer, local people are caught up in the festival fever. The Tsugaru Plain, at the base of Mt. Iwaki, is famous for incredible snowfalls. The harsh winter lasts nearly half the year, and when the short summer comes around, the passion of local people floods out. After withstanding the trials of nature, they live life to the full during the season of the sun. In a few dozen days, summer is over. We take a look at the festival season in Tsugaru when the land shimmers in the summer heat and local people make the most of the mild weather.

The average temperature is over 17℃. And, here in Shikoku's Kochi Prefecture, there's also glaring sunlight and over 3m/year of rain - a lot even for Japan. Long ago, this area was known as 'Tosa'. Tosa's special climate gave its people a unique temperament.Even today, the men of Tosa are 'igosso' (stubborn), and the women are 'hachikin' (strong-willed). These strongly individualistic, goal-oriented people are Tosa's life force. They still have their unique traditions from long ago.

In various different situations, Japanese people often pray to the gods. Their prayers may range from requests for help with major, life-changing events or they may be simple prayers for peace and security in daily life. Religious rituals also vary widely depending on the region. We travel across Japan, visiting shrines and other sacred sites to introduce the sometimes mysterious world of traditional religious observance in Japan.

Located in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture, Shirakawa-go is a village full of old-fashioned houses with thatched roofs - and a registered World Heritage Site. The roofs are steeply slanted, products of a building technique called "Gassho-zukuri", which was born of the knowledge built up by surviving in an extraordinarily snowy region. The scenery in the 300 year-old town hasn't changed. Even now, time moves slowly. This is the story of the villagers of Shirakawa-go living hand-in-hand.

Otaru is a city in Hokkaido with a canal flowing by the harbor. It was once a center of commerce where goods from all over Hokkaido were traded. People flocked to the city in search of prosperity and success, and the canal has kept the city flourishing. Here in Otaru, there are many old buildings with over 100 years of history. Though located in Asia, the city scenery is reminiscent of Europe. Over 100,000 foreign tourists arrive each year. This is the story of Otaru, a city that's grown together with its canal.

Mount Tsukuba is located in Ibaraki Prefecture, about 70 km northeast from Tokyo. The Japanese have revered the mountain since ancient times, as a sacred mountain akin to Mount Fuji. The mountain has a height of 877 meters. Mount Tsukuba, called Tsukuba-san in Japanese, is popular with visitors as anyone can easily climb it. More than 2 million people visit a year. From the old days, it has been believed that a mysterious force dwells in this mountain. In this episode, we present the story of Mount Tsukuba, a sacred mountain rich in mysterious charm.

Kyoto is a city of countless temples and historical buildings. Kiyomizu-dera Temple sits halfway up a 240-meter hill on the eastern side of the city. The temple has been dedicated to a statue of an eleven-faced, thousand-armed Kannon. The thousand arms are said to be able to save all the people in the world. This is the story of how Kiyomizu-dera Temple has helped people, regardless of their status and affiliations, overcome their suffering and sadness since 1,200 years ago, and how people still find solace in the temple today.

One of the leading flower producing areas in Japan is on the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture, located next to Tokyo. Thanks to the warm Black Current from the south, the climate here is warm, and is suitable for growing flowers. In the old days, women cultivated the mountains and began growing flowers, while praying for the safety of men fishing at sea. In this episode, we visit the Boso Peninsula in its most beautiful season, where we will see flowers and meet the locals.

The Tsugaru Strait is a rough sea between the Japanese island of Honshu and Hokkaido to the north. At its narrowest point, it is just 18.7km across. The other side is far yet near, near yet far. For many years, people have travelled across the waters. This is the story of people who live life to the full either side of the Tsugaru Strait.

Japanese people have a long history of eating tofu, a filling food that always goes well with a drink. It is made simply by grinding and cooking soybeans, before extracting and solidifying the soymilk. In the mountains, unique varieties of tofu emerged as a result of efforts to avoid wasting the precious beans. In an area of heavy winter snowfall, tofu plays an important part in an annual religious ceremony. We explore the secrets of tofu from across the islands of Japan.

Japan is a land covered with rugged mountains. For centuries, there were many places that could only be reached by river routes. Often, the other side of the river can be seen but cannot be crossed without a boat. These rivers may be everyday routes for commuting, or a pathway to deities for pilgrims. Eventually, bridges were built, and the ferries disappeared at many places. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we travel Japan, a country of rivers, in search of ferry boats.

Mt. Hiei straddles the border between Kyoto and Shiga Prefecture. The entire mountain represents Enryakuji Temple. The temple, with a history of more than 1,200 years, is renowned for its rigorous spiritual training. It was founded by the monk Saicho in 788. He taught the importance of strictly disciplining oneself while serving others. Many monks who trained on Mt. Hiei went on to found other schools of Buddhism, earning Mt. Hiei the nickname of the "mother mountain" of Japanese Buddhism.

Sendai, on the Japanese island of Honshu, is the largest city in the Tohoku region, northeastern Japan. It was founded in 1601 by Date Masamune, a samurai whose name is known to all Japanese. The city was created in a sparsely populated area through the visionary town planning of Masamune. Local crafts from Sendai are also influenced by the culture of the Date clan. The legacy of Date Masamune still lives on in the modern city of Sendai. We look back over this 400-year story.

Kamaishi, in Iwate Prefecture in northeastern Japan is home to a steelworks with a history of 130 years, and is known as a "city of steel." Before the end of World War II, Kamaishi suffered a direct attack by the Allied Forces because of its steelworks. Then came the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. This is the story of Kamaishi, a city that has experienced many adversities, but has managed to rise above them.

Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. From ancient times, Awaji has been known as "Japan's Foodstore," and local fish have, down the years, been presented to the Imperial Court. The island is also proud of its connection to the legend of the 2 gods, Izanagi and Izanami, who gave birth to Japan. The story of Japan's origins describes how the gods passed the country on to the people. Awaji Island is where it all began.

Totsukawa Village is located on the southern tip of Nara Prefecture in the center of the Kii Peninsula. Most of the village is covered with steep mountains, and the residents live in more than 50 settlements. It is the villagers themselves who are responsible for keeping the traditions and opening up the future of the village. The running of the settlements is thoroughly discussed by everyone involved. This is an autumn story about a village different from any other in Japan.

Shinbashi is one of Tokyo's leading business districts. 7 train lines converge at Shinbashi Station. When you veer away a little from the transfer passage at Shinbashi Station, you will find yourself at an entrance to a labyrinth. It is a bar area with a complexity of alleyways that you wouldn't know was inside a building. It's a paradise where Japanese businessmen forget about their work for a while. Let's begin a journey of stories that happen deep inside countless buildings.

Nagasaki Kaido is a road leading north-east out of Nagasaki City, through the neighboring Saga Prefecture, ending 223km later in Kokura, in the north of Fukuoka Prefecture. For more than 200 years, beginning in the early 17th century, Japan closed its doors to the outside world. Nagasaki was the only Japanese port open to foreign ships during that time. Unusual goods from overseas traveled down the Nagasaki Kaido to other parts of Japan.

A classic winter cuisine in Japan that is popular in the colder months is "nabe," or hot pot. The pot is usually placed in the middle of the dining table, and everyone takes from it. Every region in Japan has hot pots and broths that locals are proud of. There're always smiles around the hot pot. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we go up and down the Japanese islands in search of stories of happiness surrounding the hot pot.

Mount Iwate is a mountain that the people of Iwate always look up to. Standing at 2,038 meters above sea level, the locals are proud of this beautiful sight. Mount Iwate is an active volcano that has been erupting repeatedly for 700,000 years, and has undergone 7 major sector collapses to reach its current form. The large amount of volcanic ash and rocks that fell created vast foothills of the mountain. In this episode, we take a look at people living in the embrace of Mount Iwate.

The annual prayers at Shinto shrines in Japan at New Year's in 2021 were different than usual. It was a new year that started with anxiety and wishes. In the tourist town of Asakusa, which is centered around Sensoji Temple, foreign tourists have disappeared. To revive the town, people join hands. Kanda Shrine has accepted worshippers by keeping social distance. Prayers are offered to Jesus Christ too. In this episode, we look at people who started the year 2021 with prayers.

Choshi in Chiba Prefecture is a town on a peninsula that juts out into the Pacific Ocean, known as "Toppazure," meaning "the end of the road." The Choshi Fishing Port boasts the largest catch in Japan for 10 consecutive years. The Choshi Electric Railway is a 6.4-kilometer-long local line traveling along the tip of the peninsula at a leisurely pace. Is this the end of the road? Or a land where something begins? All aboard! We are off on a train ride to see the seaside town of Choshi.

The Tateyama Mountain Range in eastern Toyama Prefecture is comprised of many mountains rising more than 2,500 meters high. The treacherous peaks are home to Tateyama Shinko, a unique system of local religious beliefs. It is said that climbing the mountains is like a journey around heaven and hell. Welcome to the Tateyama Mountains, home to a close-knit community and alpine scenery dotted with sacred places.

The Arakawa Line operates in the northeastern part of Tokyo. Starting from Minowabashi in the east to Waseda in the west, the line runs 12.2km long tracks in 56 minutes. The line's official nickname is the Tokyo Sakura Tram. Sakura means "cherry blossoms," a flower loved by the Japanese. Blending into the landscape, the line runs through the daily lives of locals. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we ride the Arakawa Line, which connects the stories of the people living near this railroad.

Nara, one of Japan's ancient capitals, is home to spirits and demons. Due to its long history, the city has seen its fair share of wars and plagues. For local people the essence of difficulty and disaster is captured in demon form. But demons, with their huge flaming torches, can also help see in the blessings of spring. Demons and fire visit the people of Nara as they pray for a bountiful spring season.

Kamakura is located in Kanagawa Prefecture, an hour from Tokyo by train. The city was founded 800 years ago as the first capital in Japan built by the samurai class. Since then, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine has been worshipped as a guardian deity. Visiting shrines and temples in Kamakura remains highly popular, with the city with a population of 170,000 attracting 20 million tourists annually. In this episode, we take an early spring trip to catch its vibrant people and scenery.

Located in Hokkaido Prefecture in northern Japan is Noboribetsu, a prominent resort of hot springs, or "onsen" in Japanese. Seven spring sources produce 3,000 liters of hot water every minute at a huge explosion crater called "Jigokudani," Japanese for "Hell Valley." In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we invite you to Noboribetsu, a spa resort where the passion of the locals is as hot as the springs.

Today in Japan, the Jomon period is experiencing a quiet boom. Jomon is a unique Japanese culture that lasted approximately 13,000 years in the pre-Christian age, within the Mesolithic and Neolithic periods in world history. It was a time when pit-buildings, pottery, and bows and arrows started to be used. Jomon ruins found throughout Japan number up to 90,000 locations. We go on a journey all over Japan to discover Jomon culture that is still alive.

The Ikegami line runs through southeast Tokyo linking Kamata with Gotanda. Trains take 22 minutes to cover the line's 10.9 kilometers. The line winds through local neighborhoods, also cutting through Tokyo's longest shopping arcade. Each of the line's stations is rooted in the community. While the time may pass and the scenery change, the line is integral to local people's lives. We take a springtime trip along this local Tokyo railway.

The calmness of Seto Inland Sea, located in western Japan, will send your worries away. One thing that has been firmly supporting lives in this area is stone. The stone walls of the famous Osaka Castle are made of one million pieces of stone, most of which were granite quarried from the islands in the Seto Inland Sea, and shipped to parts of Japan. In this episode, we travel to the coastal area of the Seto Inland Sea, where life involves around reliable yet warm stones.

The Sea of Okhotsk lines the coast of Hokkaido Prefecture, the northernmost main island of Japan. Once again, the season of drift ice has arrived. The ice has traveled 1,000 kilometers from the northern seas to get here. Local temperatures in winter drop to 20 degrees Celsius below zero. Phytoplankton thrive within the drift ice, attracting a variety of creatures in search of sources of life. In this episode, we take a look at stories of people living with drift ice on the coast of the Sea of Okhotsk.

In Japan, the word for sourness is suppai. Since ancient times, people in Japan have preserved foods through fermentation. Sour Japanese tastes include vinegar, pickled plums and yuzu, a citrus fruit. Sour Japanese foods are often tied to culture and tradition. In one example, we see how, in Okinawa Prefecture, the juice of the shikwasa, another citrus fruit, is used to wash traditional bashofu cloth.

The Aizu region is at the west of Fukushima Prefecture. Located in the southwest of this region is an area called Okuaizu. In some winters the snowfall has reached 4 meters in this remote area north of Tokyo. The warmth of people touches hearts, especially in winter. Seasoning the Seasons welcomes you to Okuaizu.

Eating together and making conversation, snack time connects people. For those living away from home, hometown tastes bring back nostalgia in just one bite. Anybody of any age is happy when sharing snacks together. In this episode, it's snack time all over Japan.

Naha, in Okinawa, is a hilly city. At the top of one prominent hill is Shuri Castle, which hosted the royal court of the Ryukyu Islands for 450 years. Naha, the center of Ryukyu culture, grew around the royal court. The steep paths linking the castle on the hill to the city below have always been part of community life.

The Minamiaso Railway runs inside one of the world's largest calderas of Mount Aso, an active volcano in Kumamoto Prefecture. The area along this railway line is blessed with abundant water. The railway suffered significant damage by the Kumamoto Earthquake in 2016, but in 2023 resumed full-line operations. We take a ride on the Minamiaso Railway, which links today's energy to tomorrow together with the unique people living along the line.

Kariyasu, kuchinashi, and moegi -all are Japanese words for colors. The Japanese language has a lot of words for expressing subtle tints. Many have their origin in Kyoto and are still very much alive in the speech of the former capital. Historians suggest the Japanese did not make such rigid color distinctions in ancient times but the change began when imports arrived from China and Korea, and the Japanese sensitivity to color then blossomed as a variety of new tints were produced here as well. We meet the people of Kyoto, with their never ending commitment to new hues, on this journey into the world of Japanese aesthetics

Kakunodate is the "Little Kyoto" of Tohoku, a castle town and popular tourist destination where the streets are lined with traditional-style buildings dating from the Edo Period (17th to mid-19th century). We meet people who adhere to the old ways of life, such as descendents of an old samurai family who still dwell in the Ishiguro Manor, a centuries old samurai house now open to public, and a lady descended from the Satake Kita clan that once ruled Kakunodate. The town is liveliest during the autumn festival when great floats are made to clash against each other in the parade. The bearers need power, courage and skill to triumph. We recorded the lives and traditions of samurai, merchant, farmer and lordly families on a 6 month sojourn in a place where distinctive old customs are still very much alive.

The folklorist, Kunio Yanagita, wrote his "Tono Monogatari" (Tales of Tono) about a century ago. The book related how mysterious beings such as the kappa river goblins, the zashikiwarashi child spirits, mountain gods and ghosts had their willful way, reporting the events as eye-witness accounts and present-day happenings. It led its readers - mostly dwellers of the plains facing the first waves of modernization - to the psychological heart of the humble Japanese people, hemmed in as they were by mountains and rivers. Today, though, 100 years later, what has become of those old beliefs in the amazing creatures and gods described in the book? We follow the lives of people in Tono for a year, from their faith in the tutelary Oshirasama gods made from staves of mulberry wood to the rites of the Bon Festival of the Dead, rediscovering the old Japanese ways of thinking and reverence for the things that surpass human powers.

The stark, beautiful, volcanic mountains of Zao are a natural wonder of the Tohoku region. They have brought great blessings to the local population and also fostered fierce endurance. The striking Okama crater, frozen trees of winter, hot springs and other natural glories draw 1.2 million people annually to their famed resorts. The cool air of late autumn is meanwhile perfect for drying persimmons. We also introduce the fabulous ski slopes leading through those frozen trees, depicting the distinctive attractions of the people and their customs and the stunning scenery.

Osaka's Ikuno district has one of Japan's largest Koreatowns - one in every five Ikuno residents is an ethnic Korean and the town is full of Korean delicacies, too. We visit an old barbeque restaurant renowned for its cooking smoke. We also have a look at extraordinary pork dishes handed down over the years, review the history which gave birth to this community, and follow a day in the life of an old woman who crossed the sea to Japan and has been making kimchi pickles for family and friends ever since. The people of this town exude a warmth which reaches across all ethnic barriers.

Tales of the Tokyo Night. Some 15 million people are said to come and go daily in the great Tokyo metropolis. Evening is a particularly brilliant time and the Japanese people have loved the unique space created by those bright lights, so different from the daytime, ever since modernization began in the city back in the 19th century. We converse with a taxi driver who watches over fond lovers, feel the bonds that grow between inebriated customers as they drink beneath naked lights, and meet a lighting designer who produces those big city effects, touching the hopes, dreams and tensions of the Tokyo night.

Izumo is an abode of gods, home to many of the deities that appear in Japan's ancient legends. Japan's oldest history books, which mix legends and history, state that Izumo is the location of Japan's birth. Izumo is also home to various aspects of Japanese culture. With footage from this sacred place of mystery and romance, we show you the beauty of Izumo.

Udon noodles are loved in Japan as an easy, tasty, everyday dish. In Japan, farming centers on rice, but throughout Japan's history, various other cereals have also been harvested. During the winter, when there was no rice farming to do, farmers allowed themselves a little luxury by pounding wheat to make udon. Today, udon has become a delicious, satisfying everyday dish. We look back through Japanese history, tracing the story of the unique know-how and preparatory techniques behind this delicious dish.

When going on a trip, packing a lunch box to take was the standard. In 1885, the first lunch box was sold at a train station. Called an "ekiben", there are now all kinds of them sold in stations all over Japan. The contents of the small ekiben lunch box reflect a place and a time, and are filled with the flavors of that region, the emotions of the person who made it, and the memories of a journey. We look at both the ekiben, much loved by Japanese people, and at a wonderful ekiben culture.

During the region's short summer, local people are caught up in the festival fever. The Tsugaru Plain, at the base of Mt. Iwaki, is famous for incredible snowfalls. The harsh winter lasts nearly half the year, and when the short summer comes around, the passion of local people floods out. After withstanding the trials of nature, they live life to the full during the season of the sun. In a few dozen days, summer is over. We take a look at the festival season in Tsugaru when the land shimmers in the summer heat and local people make the most of the mild weather.

The average temperature is over 17℃. And, here in Shikoku's Kochi Prefecture, there's also glaring sunlight and over 3m/year of rain - a lot even for Japan. Long ago, this area was known as 'Tosa'. Tosa's special climate gave its people a unique temperament.Even today, the men of Tosa are 'igosso' (stubborn), and the women are 'hachikin' (strong-willed). These strongly individualistic, goal-oriented people are Tosa's life force. They still have their unique traditions from long ago.

In various different situations, Japanese people often pray to the gods. Their prayers may range from requests for help with major, life-changing events or they may be simple prayers for peace and security in daily life. Religious rituals also vary widely depending on the region. We travel across Japan, visiting shrines and other sacred sites to introduce the sometimes mysterious world of traditional religious observance in Japan.