[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The Ofune Festival is held at the Suwa Taisha (Suwa Grand Shrine) in Nagano Prefecture every fall. During the Senzasai in spring, the sacred dolls of the old man and woman are carried from the Fall Shrine to the Spring Shrine. However, in the Ofune...

Nagano prefecture has the longest living population in Japan. Particularly this little village of Takayama is known as “the anti-aging village”. The village, with merely 8000 residents, is blessed with beautiful nature and climate. Preserving the healthy life and culture, it has been recognised as one of the Biosphere Reserves...

[Beauty of Japan Season 2] There are more than 30 beaches on the Iki Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture. Matthew, who was born in the United States, claims that its beaches are just as beautiful as those in Hawaii. His job is to assist foreign artists and visitors on the island,...

[Beauty of Japan Season 2] The Kogakkan University, located in the holy city of Ise, offers programmes which teach students Japanese traditions and history based on Shintoism. This is where Christopher, an American Professor, gives his lectures. What are the main ideas he wants to teach students studying in this...