[Beauty of Japan Season 1] Kingyosukui, “goldfish scooping”, is one of the typical games often seen in summer festivals across Japan. The history of goldfish production in Yamato Koriyama city dates back to the mid-Edo period when the Yamato koriyama clansmen resided in their castle town. It is one of...

[Craft Masters of Japan] Hikone Butsudan, or Buddhist altar, is traditional craftwork from the castle town of Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. Its origins can be dated back to the Edo Period. There are seven steps in the creation process of the altars, which are conducted by the ‘Seven Masters’. Each...

[Beauty of Japan Season 2] The Nishiki Koi boasts a beauty that earns it its nickname, "the Swimming Gem". In Nagaoka City in Niigata, many of the koi fish bred there are sold to Western and Asian countries and attract the attention of Japanese koi fish lovers from all over...

[Festivals of Japan Season 2] Bright flames rise from giant torches, staining the city and skies with their bright red color... The Yoshida Fire Festival is an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan that signals the end of summer at Mount Fuji (a World Cultural Heritage.) This episode focuses...