[Festivals of Japan Season 2] Half-naked men pull on a giant white rope. Eighty meters long and about a ton in weight, the rope is the central focus of the Tosa City Otsuna Festival. Originally an Edo Period tradition, the festival was brought back by people hoping to energize a community...

[Colors in Japan]   During Japan's Edo period, the NabeshimaClan produced pottery known as "Nabeshimaware." Renowned for their intricate designs and vibrant colors, today, artisans in Okawauchiyama continue to uphold this centuries-old tradition, crafting exquisite pieces. Click here to preview this episode! Part of the "Colors in Japan" series!

[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 Ogaki Festival is held in the samurai town of Ogaki and has a long history that dates back to the Edo period. Thirteen floats are paraded across town during the festival and are considered moving pieces of art. Decorated with minuscule carvings, gorgeous embroidered...