Cycle Around Japan

Yamaguchi - Where Kindness is King

Yamaguchi - Where Kindness is King - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN On the islands and coast of the Yamaguchi end of the Seto Inland Sea, we experience a warm welcome in these hard-working small communities, poor in amenities but rich in happiness and human kindness.

Southern Nagano - Exploring Its Hidden Valleys

Southern Nagano - Exploring Its Hidden Valleys - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN From Shiojiri, 2.5 hrs by train from Tokyo, we'll ride the 400-year-old Nakasendo highway that linked Edo and Kyoto. After meeting a traditional comb artisan in the post station of Naraijuku, we try green tofu in the village of Achi, and amid the rice fields of the Ina Basin, discover a tradition of...

Ibaraki - Passion for Tradition

Ibaraki - Passion for Tradition - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN In Ibaraki Prefecture, we explore how local wisdom has been passed down to the present day. We visit a town famous for organic farming, see how traditional silk fabric is made, and experience catching icefish.

Tochigi - The Cycle of Life

Tochigi - The Cycle of Life - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Tochigi is a lush green inland prefecture on the Kanto Plain, north of Tokyo. It's the height of spring, fields glistening with snow melt from the mountains and nature returning to life as we ride through the Nasu Highlands under hundreds of streaming carp banners, catch spawning river fish fat with...

Shiga - From Lake to Mountains

Shiga - From Lake to Mountains - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Shiga Prefecture, site of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is home to centuries-old crafts like Shigaraki ware and Wana velvet. We explore an island in the lake by tricycle before climbing into the mountains.

Okinawa - A Unique Island Culture

Okinawa - A Unique Island Culture - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN The subtropical island of Okinawa Prefecture has an environment, climate and culture very different to mainland Japan. An independent kingdom and trading hub until the 17th century, the influence of other Asian cultures is still seen in things like traditional textile designs. We hear folk songs rec...

Niigata - An Older, Simpler Way of Life

Niigata - An Older, Simpler Way of Life - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN In northern Niigata Prefecture, we'll see the old ways of living as we try spicy daikon radish rolls and fluffy manju buns, go gill fishing, see cat houses made from rice straw, and a lovely old lacquer craft.

Tokyo's Islands Niijima and Hachijojima

Tokyo's Islands Niijima and Hachijojima - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN A cycle tour of two remote islands that lie within Tokyo's city limits. On Niijima, we see homes built with a hard volcanic rock called Koga stone, which is also used to make glass art. Locals still carefully tend the graves of exiles banished here during samurai times, who brought education to the....

Akita - The Wisdom of Nature

Akita - The Wisdom of Nature - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN From sea to mountains, nature in Akita Prefecture is spectacular. As we ride through the gales of late fall, we see people preparing for the long snows of winter with pickles and preserves. We visit a village where an 800-year-old lacquerware tradition uses timber made fine-grained and strong by the...

The Nagasaki Kaido - Japan's Sugar Road

The Nagasaki Kaido - Japan's Sugar Road - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN In our second episode on Japan's pre-modern highway system, we follow the Nagasaki Kaido. During the Edo period (1603–1868) when the Shogunate prohibited external trade, they allowed one exception – the port of Nagasaki Prefecture. Ideas, technology, culture and goods flowed from this port along...

Best of the Best - Our Most Scenic Rides

Best of the Best - Our Most Scenic Rides - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN We picked our 10 favorite rides from previous episodes and asked our viewers to rank them. These are the results, with commentary from our cyclists, a virtual race and lots of other extras to enjoy.

Shizuoka - Energy of the Forest

Shizuoka - Energy of the Forest - CYCLE AROUND JAPAN | NHK WORLD-JAPAN Shizuoka Prefecture has everything from beaches to mountains, but this time our road takes us through its deep forests, from wild rides on timber trails to a wild taste experience in the birthplace of wasabi.