[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...

[Colors in Japan] “Kawatsuralacquerware” is a traditional Japanese craft with a history dating back about 800 years. Against the background of that long tradition, four lacquer artisans are now trying to create new types of lacquerware with features based on their original ideas. Please click here to preview the program!...

[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...

[Festivals of Japan Season 1] The Namahage of Akita is an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Japan that is both extremely popular and well-recognized. One of the three largest festivals in Japan, the "Namahage Sedo Festival" is a combination of this "Namahage" and local shrine festivities. This episode describes the...