[Festivals of Japan Season 2] The "Mikoji Dance" is a 150-year-old dance performed during the Taromaru Shuuraku Spring Festival in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture. In this dance, the sitting doll of an old man and the standing doll of a young woman comically dance to the accompaniment of vibrant drums,...

[Colores in Japan] “Shiroebi,” translucent shrimp harvested in Toyama Bay, are prized for their delicate beauty. Local fishermen formed the Toyama Bay Shiroebi Club to protect this resource. The club works to promote shiroebi nationwide and ensure its preservation for future generations. Click here to preview the program! Part of...

[Beauty of Japan Season 2] Jennifer is a Shakuhachi (Japanese flute) master who originally comes from Texas. She says the beauty of the instrument lies in its ability to express nature. Birds singing and the sound of waves can all be expressed through Jennifer's shakuhachi. She mastered the ability to...

[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...