Season 11
24 episodes · Jan 4, 2024
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S11E1Active Seniors
Jan 4, 202428mWhile Japan's population ages, many "active seniors" energetically participate in work and hobbies. An 88-year-old programmer and 104-year-old timepiece repairer show the secrets of senior success.
S11E2Forestry
Jan 25, 202428mTwo-thirds of Japan is covered in forest, and wood has long been the building material of choice. But today, forests are in poor condition. We look at current efforts to revitalize forestry in Japan.
S11E3Japanophiles: Matthew Headland
Mar 7, 202428mMatthew Headland, a Canadian, works in marketing at a hand-hammered copperware workshop. In a Japanophiles interview, he shares his enthusiasm for the craft with Peter Barakan.
S11E420th Anniversary Special Part 1
Mar 21, 202428mIt's a 20th anniversary special! Presenters and viewers join Peter Barakan to look at some highlights. Part one features musician and Japanology fan Todd Rundgren, sake tasting and taiko drumming.
S11E520th Anniversary Special Part 2
Mar 28, 202428mIt's a 20th anniversary special! Presenters and viewers join Peter Barakan to look back at some highlights. Part two features fans from around the world discussing great moments from the show's past.
S11E6Washing Machines
Apr 11, 202428mAfter a slow start, Japanese washing machines have become some of the most advanced in the world. We look at their development and the latest innovations.
S11E7New Roles for Vacant Homes
Apr 25, 202428mJapan's many vacant homes are being used as investments, hotel rooms and opportunities for creative renovation. We discover ways to reimagine properties that were once regarded as almost worthless.
S11E8Japanophiles: Nicoleta Oprisan
May 9, 202428mNicoleta Oprisan from Romania is highly skilled at ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging. In a Japanophiles interview, she speaks about ikebana's power to communicate without words.
S11E9Wakocha: Japanese Black Tea
May 23, 202428mWakocha, black tea grown and processed in Japan, is winning major international awards. To discover why, Peter Barakan speaks to tea farmers, picks tea leaves, and tastes different varieties.
S11E10Plastic Models
Jun 6, 202428mRoughly 90% of Japan's plastic models are made in Shizuoka, a city whose manufacturing roots date back to shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. We explore the latest developments for Japan's superb plastic models.
S11E11Food Tech Products
Jun 20, 202420mJapanese food tech products such as soybean-based meat substitutes are made using new technology. Land-based aquaculture and 3D food printing are also in the spotlight. We look at the latest products.
S11E12Kumano: The Practice of Shugendo
Jul 11, 202428mShugendo is a uniquely Japanese spiritual tradition known for its grueling ascetic practices. We explore its origins in the heavily forested mountains of Kumano, and learn about practitioners.
S11E13Kumano: Journey of a Maverick Scholar
Jul 18, 202428mScholar Minakata Kumagusu made contributions to biology, folklore and other fields. He laid the foundation for environmental conservation in Japan. We explore the environments that inspired his work.
S11E14Japanophiles: Lekh Raj Juneja
Aug 1, 202428mLekh Raj Juneja, from India, leads Japan's largest manufacturer of rice snacks. In a Japanophiles interview, he talks about the international potential of Japan's rice processing craftsmanship.
S11E15Eyeglasses
Aug 15, 202428mOne of the world's top three production centers for eyeglasses is Sabae, in Fukui Prefecture. We trace the history of Japanese glasses, from the earliest examples to cutting-edge technology.
S11E16Service Areas
Aug 29, 202428mAbout 900 service areas provide amenities to drivers on Japan's expressway toll roads, generating 530 billion yen in annual sales. We examine their evolution and links with local communities.
S11E17Tanuki
Sep 12, 202428mJapanese raccoon dogs, or tanuki, are globally rare but have increasingly been seen in Japan's cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate their long history in tradition and folklore.
S11E18Japanophiles: Stephanie Crohin
Sep 26, 202428mFrench journalist and "sento ambassador" Stephanie Crohin promotes sento, or public bathhouses, on social media. She tells Peter Barakan about her love for the heartwarming world of public baths.
S11E19Heavy Machinery
Oct 10, 202428mThe world loves Japan's heavy machinery. We explore the secrets of its popularity and learn about items ranging from small excavators to cranes that erect skyscrapers in cramped urban spaces.
S11E20Graves and End-of-Life Planning
Oct 24, 202428mEnd-of-life planning is spreading in Japan, with many people now thinking hard about what to do with their cremated remains. We learn about diverse graves, including options such as "tree burials."
S11E21Under Elevated Train Tracks
Nov 7, 202428mThe spaces under Japan's elevated train tracks are now being used not just for pubs and restaurants but in many new ways, in various urban settings. We explore the economic and community benefits.
S11E22Japanophiles: Adam Smith
Nov 21, 202428mAdam Smith is a potter from England who follows a self-sufficient lifestyle in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture. He creates rich natural colors by using handmade glazes made from local plants.
S11E23Uesugi Yozan: An Economic Miracle
Dec 12, 202428mAdmired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan was a feudal lord who took over the Yonezawa Domain at the age of 15. He enacted financial reforms that led the destitute domain to a miraculous recovery.
S11E24Uesugi Yozan: All for His People
Dec 19, 202428mA feudal lord admired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan prioritized the well-being of his people. This time, in part two, we look at how his policies guided his domain along the path to sustainability.