Journeys in Japan: 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 Journeys in Japan 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
Murakami: City of Salmon and Sake
Jan 28, 2014 · 28 min
Murakami, in Niigata Prefecture, northwestern Japan, has a long history of catching and processing salmon from the Miomote River that runs through the city. Over the centuries, the
Hiroshima: The City of Hope
Feb 4, 2014 · 28 min
This episode of Journeys in Japan travels to Hiroshima, a city attracting attention as a treasure trove of quality architecture. Now nearly 70 years since the devastation of the at
A Passion for Mechanical Magic: Aichi
Feb 11, 2014 · 28 min
On this episode, an architect James Lambiasi travels to Inuyama City and Nagoya City in Aichi Prefecture, on a trip to discover the origin of the spirit of "making things" in Japan
Kobe: Neighborhoods Reborn
Feb 25, 2014 · 28 min
On January 17, 1995, the Kansai region of Western Japan was hit by a massive earthquake. The city of Kobe suffered massive damage, and many neighborhoods were completely flattened.
Tochigi: Secret World of Samurai and Hot Spring
Mar 4, 2014 · 28 min
The hot spring resort of Yunishigawa is associated with an historic episode from the 12th century. Defeated in the Dan-no-Ura Battle, a group of fleeing Heike samurai settled deep
Sanriku: Lives Intertwined with the Sea
Mar 11, 2014 · 28 min
The Sanriku Coastal Region experienced severe damage due to the March 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake's resulting tsunami. On Journeys in Japan, Jessica Claros visits recovering a
Nagatoro: Natural Forests and Pure Ice
Mar 18, 2014 · 28 min
The town of Nagatoro lies in the hills of Chichibu, in Saitama Prefecture, about 2 hours northwest of Tokyo, surrounded by forested mountainsides close to the peak of Hodosan. Beca
Kohoku: Life Close to Buddhist Deities
Mar 25, 2014 · 28 min
The Kohoku region, north of Lake Biwa, is home to many culturally important Buddhist sculptures. The area around Nagahama City is known for its worship of the bodhisattva Kannon. B
Sanjo: Forging Tradition and Craftsmanship
Apr 1, 2014 · 28 min
Sanjo City in Niigata Prefecture has been known for its blacksmiths since the 17th century. At that time, the area was susceptible to flooding, often resulting in famine. Farmers w
Kyoto in Spring Part 1: Discovering Dolls' Day Traditions
Apr 8, 2014 · 28 min
Every year on March 3, families throughout Japan celebrate the Hinamatsuri, or Doll Festival, to pray for the healthy growth of their daughters. They put up displays of special Hin
Kyoto in Spring Part 2: Discovering the World of Incense
Apr 15, 2014 · 28 min
In the 2nd part of our Kyoto series, Sara Ariafar visits the ancient capital to explore the culture of incense. Japanese have enjoyed scents in unique ways for more than 1,000 year
Kurashiki: Celebrating Heritage
Apr 22, 2014 · 28 min
Kurashiki flourished a couple of centuries ago in the Edo Period. An historic district with old merchant residences and storehouses has been beautifully preserved. Kurashiki is sti
A Day-Trip From Tokyo Part 1: Kamakura - City of Nature, History and Tradition
May 6, 2014 · 28 min
The historic city of Kamakura is one of the most popular tourist spots in Japan, thanks to its numerous temples and shrines. Surrounded on three sides by hills and on the fourth si
A Day-Trip From Tokyo Part 2: Slow Train in Springtime Chiba
May 6, 2014 · 28 min
The 2nd installment of our series on great spring destinations near Tokyo features a local train and flowers in the Boso Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. The Isumi Railway runs from
Takamatsu: Spirit of Craftsmanship
May 13, 2014 · 28 min
Takamatsu, facing the Seto Inland Sea, prospered as a castle town. We tour places of scenic beauty, as well as historic sites associated with the Takamatsu clan who ruled the area.
Yoshino, Nara: Awash in Pink Petals
Jun 10, 2014 · 28 min
In this episode of Journeys in Japan, poet and artist Peter MacMillan visits Yoshino Town in Nara Prefecture, which many consider to be the best site for viewing cherry blossoms in
Izumo: Land of Living Legends
Jun 17, 2014 · 28 min
The Izumo district of Shimane Prefecture is revered as the heartland of the gods. It is home to Izumo Taisha, one of the largest and most venerated Shinto shrines in all Japan. Ren
Splashing and Chilling in Minakami
Jun 24, 2014 · 28 min
Minakami Town in Gunma Prefecture is blessed with abundant nature and people can enjoy various outdoor activities. As Minakami is in a convenient location that can be accessed by S
Wajima Lacquerware, Layers of Perfection
Jul 1, 2014 · 28 min
Wajima, in Ishikawa Prefecture, is located on the northwestern coast of the Noto Peninsula, which juts out into the Sea of Japan. It is known globally for its exquisite Wajima lacq
Celebrating the Landscape of Azumino
Jul 8, 2014 · 28 min
Azumino, in Nagano Prefecture, is known for its beautiful tranquil landscapes, which were praised by the writer Yasunari Kawabata, who won the Nobel Prize for literature. The Hotak
Kanazawa: Evolving Tradition
Jul 15, 2014 · 28 min
From Kaga Yuzen silk dyeing and Kutani porcelain to teahouses, traditional culture dating back more than 400 years is alive in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Every June, the H
Outdoor Hokkaido Part 1: Shiretoko Wildlife Paradise
Jul 22, 2014 · 28 min
The Shiretoko Peninsula lies at the far northeastern tip of Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost prefecture. It is an area of remarkable natural beauty, with a vibrant diversity of wildl
Outdoor Hokkaido Part 2: Into the Wilds of Kushiro
Jul 29, 2014 · 28 min
Kushiro Shitsugen, Japan's largest wetland, is a rich habitat for rare flora and fauna. Our traveler Dean Newcombe will explore the vast marshland by canoe with a veteran guide, ob
Iwate: Road to Recovery
Aug 5, 2014 · 28 min
Tohoku's Sanriku Coast facing the Pacific Ocean is a ruggedly, dynamic landscape as well as home to world-renown offshore fishing grounds. With bitter cold winters and periodic tsu
Okinawa: The Land of Karate
Aug 12, 2014 · 28 min
Okinawa, the southernmost prefecture of Japan, was formerly an independent kingdom, known as Ryukyu. Even today, the distinctive local traditions and culture from the days of the R
Tomioka: Cradle of Japan's Modernization
Aug 19, 2014 · 28 min
The Tomioka Silk Mill was the first modern factory ever built in Japan. Completed in 1872, it marked a major step for the country in its transformation from a traditional society t
Niyodo River: Pure Water of the Gods
Aug 26, 2014 · 28 min
The Niyodo River in Shikoku is one of Japan's most beautiful rivers. It is known for the clarity of its water, which has such a distinctive aquamarine color that it's become known
Ine, Kyoto: Serenity by the Sea
Sep 16, 2014 · 28 min
Ine is a beautiful fishing village located in northern Kyoto Prefecture. It is famous for its distinctive architecture called Funaya. These wooden structures, which are nestled tog
Gujo-hachiman: Dancing in the City of Water
Sep 23, 2014 · 28 min
Gujo-hachiman, a city defined by water, is located upstream on the Nagara River and at a junction where 3 rivers converge. This rural city is at its busiest in summer - the season
Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 1: Deep Mountain Worship
Oct 14, 2014 · 28 min
In the center of Yamagata Prefecture, far to the north of Tokyo, 3 sacred mountains rise above the fertile Shonai Plain. Called Dewa Sanzan (the Three Mountains of Dewa), they comp
Dewa Sanzan, Yamagata Part 2: Yamabushi Training for Death and Rebirth
Oct 21, 2014 · 28 min
In the center of Yamagata Prefecture, far to the north of Tokyo, 3 sacred mountains rise above the fertile Shonai Plain. Called Dewa Sanzan (the Three Mountains of Dewa), they comp
Kumamoto Prefecture: Appreciating Abundance
Oct 28, 2014 · 28 min
On this episode of Journeys in Japan, photographer Kit Pancoast Nagamura travels to 2 towns in northern Kumamoto Prefecture, in Kyushu. In Yamato, she observes an autumn festival,
Into the Heart of Kyoto
Nov 4, 2014 · 28 min
Japan's ancient capital Kyoto has a history of more than 1,000 years. Philippine TV host and athlete Andrew "Drew" Arellano visits for the first time to learn about its traditional
Wakasa Bay, Fukui Prefecture: Following the Old Mackerel Road
Nov 11, 2014 · 28 min
Wakasa Bay in Fukui Prefecture is one of the best fishing grounds in all of Japan. It lies about 70 kilometers north of Kyoto and, for over 1,200 years, fish merchants in this area
Savoring Fall on Shodoshima
Nov 18, 2014 · 28 min
Shodoshima is the 2nd largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. Blessed with warm, mild weather, the island has nurtured a distinctive culture. Traveler Daniela Shiga enjoys local foo
Tomonoura: The Old Folks and the Sea
Nov 25, 2014 · 28 min
Tomonoura in Hiroshima Prefecture is known for its picturesque location and historic neighborhoods. It lies halfway along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea, in western Japan. In the
Izumo: Land of Legend and Folk Craft
Dec 2, 2014 · 28 min
The Izumo area of Shimane Prefecture, in western Japan, is an ancient land of myths and legends. It is famous throughout Japan for its handicrafts (mingei in Japanese). In Yasugi,
Yokohama Stories
Dec 9, 2014 · 28 min
Yokohama is home to one of the oldest ports in Japan. It opened its doors to the world in the mid-19th century, becoming the birthplace of all things modern and attracting a foreig
Echizen: The World of Washi
Dec 30, 2014 · 28 min
Japan has been the land of paper since ancient times. The country developed a unique culture of using washi (lit. Japanese paper) for diverse purposes. Echizen washi, traditionally