[Craft Masters of Japan] Hirokuni Ohno is one of the very few Hakata textile weavers left in the world and has a workshop in Kokura Town in Kitakyushu City. He creates ornamental silk aprons for Sumo wrestlers to wear in the ring. The apron is approximately 70 centimeters wide and...

[Festivals of Japan Season 1] Mooka, in Tochigi Prefecture, is a city that prides itself on its steam locomotive, cherry blossoms, and rape blossoms. Within the city, there is an area called "Sakuramachi," where 1,000 cherry blossom trees line the railway line. Every spring, the steam locomotive runs through a...

[Beauty of Japan Season 2] The "Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu" is the oldest martial arts style that exists in Japan. Not only is it extremely popular within Japan, but it also has 30 branches across the globe. In Narita City in Chiba Prefecture, there is a dojo (training hall) where...

This is the first season of the Festivals of Japan Series, which introduces various festivals around Japan. In this 12 episode season, we will explore the festivals themselves, their histories, and the people responsible for preserving, cherishing, and passing on their traditions. From giant sea bream floats, children`s kabuki, portable...