Japanology Plus: Season 5
Season 5 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Japanology Plus Season 4.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 5 Progress Shield
Ocean Fishing
Jan 9, 2018 · 28 min
Japan is an island nation that stretches thousands of miles. “A country surrounded by the sea,” as one common expression has it. Perhaps not surprisingly, the country has had a hig
The Police
Jan 16, 2018 · 28 min
Japan is one of the safest countries in the whole world. With its impressively low crime rate, the worst that most people need to be fearful of is the occasional stolen bicycle or
Japanophiles: Stephanie Tomiyasu
Jan 23, 2018 · 28 min
The long history of Japanese culture is replete with various forms of traditional music and storytelling, many of which have been featured on Japanology Plus. This time our focus i
New Trends in Logistics
Feb 6, 2018 · 28 min
Japan, like the rest of the developed world, has taken a serious shine to online shopping. 3.9 billion home deliveries were made in 2016 alone, and that volume doesn't show any sig
Game Arcades
Feb 13, 2018 · 28 min
When exploring the streets of Tokyo, you won’t have to go very far before running into some type of game arcade with an interior full of flashing lights and people of all ages. The
Snow Removal
Feb 20, 2018 · 28 min
Here's a fact that may surprise Japan travelers who have only visited Tokyo: for months during winter, a large portion of the country is blanketed in snow. While Japan's capital ci
Shopping Streets
Mar 6, 2018 · 28 min
As in much of the industrialized world, a significant amount of shopping in Japan takes place in towering shopping malls and chain supermarkets. But cities and towns throughout the
Japanophiles: Bjorn Heiberg
Mar 13, 2018 · 28 min
What do samurai and sushi have in common? The first answer that comes to mind might be that they’re both Japanese, but their connection is actually much deeper and important than t
Regional Transport Crisis
Mar 20, 2018 · 28 min
For decades, rail was the dominant form of transport for both people and freight in Japan. But while trains and subways still enjoy healthy ridership in Japan's urban centers, regi
Miniature Culture
Mar 27, 2018 · 28 min
Japan has a serious fondness for doing things in miniature. Whether it's capsule toys, model trains, dioramas, or more, the country has a knack for extremely detailed, picture-perf
Marriage
Apr 3, 2018 · 28 min
Springtime has arrived in Japan, and that means wedding season is starting to get into full swing! No matter where you are in the world, getting married is an exciting event for al
100 Yen Shops
Apr 10, 2018 · 28 min
Over the past year, 98% of people in Japan shopped at a 100 yen store. These shops were once associated with cheap, low-quality merchandise. Over the years, however, quality has be
Deep-fried Food
Apr 17, 2018 · 28 min
Deep-fried food—also known as agemono—might not be as photogenic as some other types of Japanese cuisine, but it has captured the hearts of food lovers everywhere nonetheless. As w
Lighthouses
May 1, 2018 · 28 min
Exposed to the fury of waves and weather, lighthouses hold a cherished place in Japanese hearts. In recent years, the advent of GPS and radar has led to the demolition of many ligh
Japanophiles: David E. Wells
May 22, 2018 · 28 min
Japanese cuisine is internationally renowned—restaurants serving sushi, ramen and more can be spotted in countries around the world, and washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, was
Industrial Heritage
Jun 5, 2018 · 28 min
A mere 150 years ago, while countries in the West and elsewhere were undergoing rapid industrialization, Japan was still a traditional, agricultural society ruled by samurai and cl
Graves
Jun 19, 2018 · 28 min
The way a society deals with death, and how it pays tribute to those who have passed away, will tend to reveal a great deal about that society's values. That's as true of Japan as
Rice Cultivation
Jun 26, 2018 · 28 min
Rice has been an integral part of life in Japan for over 2,000 years. Traditionally, one alternative name for Japan is mizuho no kuni, or “the Land of Abundant Rice.” As we learn o
The Ogasawara Islands: A Multicultural Heritage
Jul 3, 2018 · 28 min
This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is the Ogasawara Islands, a remote archipelago with a unique ecosystem and multicultural heritage. Located 1,000 kilometers off Japan's Paci
The Ogasawara Islands: A Turbulent History
Jul 10, 2018 · 28 min
The Ogasawara Islands, located 1,000 kilometers off Japan's Pacific coast, first welcomed permanent human inhabitants in 1830. Waves of settlers built great prosperity together, bu
Japanophiles: Bruce Gutlove
Jul 17, 2018 · 28 min
Bruce Gutlove is an American who for decades has contributed to the growing reputation of Japanese wines. His career highlights include two wines that were served at G8 Summits in
Roadside Stations
Jul 31, 2018 · 28 min
One unique feature of regional Japan in particular is the roadside station, a place that offers not just free parking, restrooms, and information about local points of interest, bu
Summer Resorts
Aug 7, 2018 · 28 min
In Japan's hottest months, many people head out to summer resorts. While the concept initially came from Western expatriates, summer resorts then evolved along uniquely Japanese li
Yurei: Japanese Ghosts
Aug 21, 2018 · 28 min
Japanese ghosts (yurei) often appear in a type of painting called yureiga ("ghost pictures"). One feature of this art is the frequent appearance of female ghosts. Japanese ghosts,
Radio Calisthenics
Sep 4, 2018 · 28 min
Each morning millions of Japanese start their day with radio calisthenics. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is radio calisthenics. Practically everyone in Japan—young and ol
Underground Shopping Streets
Sep 11, 2018 · 28 min
Japan is a world leader in utilizing underground space, and that's exemplified by its network of underground shopping streets. There are around 80 of these subterranean shopping ce
Japanophiles: Jagmohan S. Chandrani
Sep 25, 2018 · 28 min
This edition of Japanophiles centers on Jagmohan S. Chandrani, an Indian who has been in Japan for four full decades. We hear how he became known as a founding father of the larges
A Sense of the Divine
Oct 2, 2018 · 28 min
Japan's many shrines and temples are not interchangeable; they represent very different customs, and offer different objects of prayer. Many Japanese people have a distinctive spir
Earthquake-resistant Architecture
Oct 9, 2018 · 28 min
Japan is a country with frequent earthquakes and protecting buildings is a key concern. Over the years people have developed many creative ways of achieving this. Certain technique
School Sports Days
Oct 16, 2018 · 28 min
Every year, children in schools all across Japan take part in a sports day. It’s one of the most important dates on the calendar, not just for the students, but for their parents t
School Satchels
Oct 30, 2018 · 28 min
Almost every primary school student in Japan uses the same type of school bag. These distinctive, blocky satchels are spacious, durable, and packed with clever features. This time
Aquariums
Nov 6, 2018 · 28 min
About 20% of all the world's aquariums are found in Japan. Many feature unique specialties, from jellyfish to frozen river scenery. Others borrow techniques from Japanese garden de
Onigiri: Rice Balls
Nov 13, 2018 · 28 min
With 10 billion eaten every year, onigiri (rice balls) are one of Japan’s most popular foods. They combine rice, salt, nori seaweed and a filling to create a simple meal, perfect f
Japanophiles: David Stanley Hewett
Nov 20, 2018 · 28 min
David Stanley Hewett is a contemporary artist who specializes in ceramics and abstract painting. Japanese techniques, as well as ideas like bushido, play a huge role in his work. H
Coffee
Nov 27, 2018 · 28 min
Coffee is consumed around the world, but Japan seems to have a special relationship with the beverage. On this edition of Japanology Plus, we dig deep into Japan's coffee culture a
Meiji-era Advisors
Dec 11, 2018 · 28 min
2018 marks the 150th year since the beginning of the Meiji era, as well as the end of the age of samurai in Japan. Meiji means “Enlightened Rule,” and the era lasted from 1868 unti
School Uniforms
Dec 18, 2018 · 28 min
Uniforms are a familiar sight in Japan, whether it’s the jacket of a taxi driver, or the black suit of a new office worker. Among the most visible examples are the uniforms worn by
Soba Restaurants
Dec 25, 2018 · 28 min
Soba, or buckwheat noodles, are served everywhere in Japan. But soba is more than just a food; it's also an auspicious way to end the year. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme