15 Minutes Episode Rating Graph

This time, we continue our winter journey to Hokkaido, the setting of hit Thai film One Day, with its star Nittha Jirayungyurn, also known as Mew. First, to a hot spring resort with a surprising name where Mew takes in breathtaking views. Next, to Sapporo, Hokkaido's largest city, where she discovers classic Japanese toys, chomps down on soul food and learns winter survival tips from locals. Finally, to a key location from One Day, a chapel that's a romantic must-see spot for fans of the film.

This program delves into traditional recipes to shine a light on unique food cultures across Japan, and discover the older generation's seasoned philosophies of life. Tami Hiyama, 92 years old, lives alone in Fukuoka City, where she has taught home cooking for more than 60 years. We learn her recipe for "chirashi-zushi," a special kind of sushi eaten at family celebrations. Tami prepares the finest ingredients but she says mindset is just as important -- she cooks the dish imagining those who will soon enjoy it. What does "chirashi-zushi" mean to 92-year-old Tami? We discover her recipes for life and the secrets of her good health.

Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. Join him as he experiences a diversity of tastes and lifestyles throughout the region. In this episode, Kentetsu tries a Thai dish that uses pig's blood, a specialty of Mae Sai, Thailand's northernmost town on the border with Myanmar. He visits the catering shop of a woman he met at the market and watches her cook the stir-fried dish, which includes both the blood and minced pork.

Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. In the Thai town of Mae Ai, near the border with Myanmar, Kentetsu meets a woman of the Lahu ethnic minority and learns about their traditional dishes. He helps make one of them: meatballs flavored with, of all things, tree shavings. Farmers prepare it as an offering during harvest. Then he learns how to make a rice gruel the Lahu people always cook when they welcome guests. He finds out it takes a good bit of time and effort.

Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. When Kentetsu explores Taipei, he comes across a fragrant cup of tea. This leads him to a tea farm in an area called Beipu. At the home of a Hakka family, he's treated to a tea called Oriental Beauty. It is grown in a way that allows bugs to sweeten it up by chewing on the leaves. Kentetsu also tries some authentic Hakka dishes made from preserved ingredients such as mustard greens that have been fermented more than 3 months and dried white radish that's been aged 5 years. Join him as he experiences a diversity of tastes and lifestyles.

Culinary specialist Kentetsu Koh travels across Asia in search of great home cooking and person-to-person encounters. In this episode, Kentetsu goes to Taiwan's Orchid Island, known for its coral reefs. There, he tries the native Tao people's tradition of fishing for flying fish. For the Tao people, the flying fish is sacred. So, they follow strict rules on how to prepare and eat it. Nothing goes to waste. Dried flying fish is first used to make soup. Then, what's left is cooked with fried rice. Kentetsu tastes the dishes with respect and gratitude.

The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, Kanazawa was built on an idea that the museum should be like a neighborhood park open for everyone. Many up-and-coming artists offer their talents for creating works that bridge tradition and modernity, which match the city with a 400-year history of bringing and fostering new culture. You will also enjoy the charm of the ancient city, Kanazawa, which did not suffer war damage and maintains its traditional townscape.

RAKUGO NIPPON! KAMAKURA is a show that follows Rakugo performers' journey to tradition and nature rich KAMAKURA, where heart-moving experiences are turned into original English Rakugo performances.

RAKUGO NIPPON! CHICHIBU is a show that follows Rakugo performers' journey to the magnificent nature of CHICHIBU, where heart-moving experiences are turned into original English Rakugo performances.

The Hoki Museum is home to paintings that are strikingly similar to reality. Some 500 works by modern Japanese artists are exhibited in this museum located in Chiba Prefecture, just a 1-hour train ride from Tokyo. This episode focuses on the works of 5 artists, whose art spans various subjects including a bird nest, the female form and country landscapes. But rather than pursue just photorealism, each artist of the museum articulates their own unique perspectives through their works.

Sisters 69-year-old Akemi and 67-year-old Satsuki have embraced "shojin ryori," a kind of vegetarian cuisine practiced by Buddhist priests. What might seem a strict diet has evolved into a project of passion. The sisters have spent 2 decades cooking up a wide repertoire of delicious recipes, which they now share at cooking classes. This program follows preparations for one lesson, and how, through "shojin ryori," they've come to deepen their understanding of themselves and the world around them.

The Museum of Modern Art, Wakayama, located 40 minutes from Kansai International Airport, sits right beside Wakayama Castle, and reflects the castle's design in its architecture. Half of its 14,000-piece collection consists of Japanese print art. This episode follows the revolutionary techniques and bold lives of historic print artists. These prints, as well as depictions of the rich local nature, introduce artists from Wakayama Prefecture and their contributions to the history of modern art.

The history of Kyoto Wire Weaving goes back more than 1,000 years. Used as kitchen utensils in Kyoto cuisine, these tools have been cherished by chefs and people in the city through the generations. Kana-ami weaver Kenichi Tsuji and his son, Toru keep the wisdom and experience of the past alive. Their goal is to produce handmade tools fit into contemporary lifestyles.

RAKUGO NIPPON! IWATE is a show that follows Rakugo performers' journey to Iwate on a journey to experience the age-old culture of Tohoku.

RAKUGO NIPPON! IWATE is a show that follows Rakugo performers' journey to Iwate on a journey to discover all of Iwate's autumn flavors.

The Japan Folk Crafts Museum in central Tokyo, established over 80 years ago, collects tableware and clothing used in everyday life. Made by nameless craftsmen, the objects on display in its galleries suggest a hidden beauty within the practical. The entire building was designed carefully so as to convey the warmth and comfort of traditional Japanese life. The folk crafts on display there represent the diverse lifestyles in many different areas of Japan.

The ninja employed over 400 special weapons and tools to accomplish their missions, and the shuriken is undoubtedly one of the most famous. In this episode, we'll examine not just how the shuriken was thrown, but ninja techniques for throwing it with a string attached, and using it defensively. The ninja also devised various throwing techniques such as "yoko-uchi," "hon-uchi," and "gyaku-uchi." We'll use cutting-edge science to examine their uses, and use the shuriken to draw closer to the ninja truth.

The ninja were often given the important mission of infiltrating enemy territory and bringing back key information. Meanwhile, their own residences were cleverly rigged to thwart intruders and hide the information they'd acquired. In this episode, we'll examine the secrets of their residences, including trap doors, lookout posts, sword compartments, and hanging ladders, using action-packed reenactments. We'll also examine the psychological effect of these residences.