Ukiyoe EDO-LIFE

Time and Tide

December 2025 •English

"Time and Tide" transcends time to detail extraordinary historical events in Japan and the larger world. Join NHK WORLD-JAPAN on a journey that reveals the truth behind some of the turning points of the past.

Chiisana Tabi

December 2025 •Japanese

Journeys in Japan

December 2025 •English

Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.

Japanology Plus

December 2025 •Japanese

Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.

Magical Japanese

December 2025 •English

Explore the richness and depth of the Japanese language and discover how words and expressions reflect history, culture and the natural world.

Japanology Plus mini

December 2025 •English

A five-minute series where you can explore a wide variety of Japanese cultures, traditions and lifestyles.

NINJA TRUTH

December 2025 •English

Ninja are now seen in popular media around the world. But as their profile rises, their reality gets muddied amid legends and fantasies. The truth about authentic ninja lies unknown, shrouded in mystery. This program carefully examines the fighting skills and tools used by actual ninja, and conducts experiments to determine the "Ninja Truth".

Dive in Tokyo

December 2025 •English

Tokyo: where both tradition and the latest trends coexist. Join us on a journey to discover the real Tokyo as we dive into its historic old towns and encounter many fun surprises along the way.

Core Kyoto

December 2025 •English

The timeless heart of Japan's ancient capital. Against its rich backdrop of culture and tradition, today's Kyoto continues to innovate and inspire.

A Culture Built with Wood

December 2025 •English

Forests cover close to 70 percent of Japan's land area. Japan's climate varies significantly from north to south, making it home to diverse forests. These forests have been an intrinsic part of Japanese culture since time immemorial.

Through the Kitchen Window

December 2025 •English

These short documentaries take an intimate look at the lifestyles and culinary passions of people across Japan. Their stories are sure to warm the heart and whet the appetite.

Explore Japan

December 2025 •English

Japan continues to thrive as it incorporates cultural elements of music, fashion, cuisine, sports, arts and science from around the world. People’s encounters trigger the fusion of Japan’s and the world’s diverse culture, unceasingly producing a myriad of new phenomena and events. This series will feature how various culture in modern Japan and overseas blend together and influence each other.

Decisions of the Heroes

December 2025 •Japanese

Historical figures and their decisions that changed the course of history. Based on expert research, the program explains dilemmas the that heroes faced and options they could have chosen.

Hiroshige Blue

December 2025 •Japanese

Utagawa Hiroshige, along with Katsushika Hokusai, is widely recognized in the world of Ukiyo-e, Japanese Woodblock Print. However, it is lesser known that Hiroshige was also a firefighter while he painted. This drama depicts the untold story of Hiroshige and his wife, Kayo.

Yotoden: Chronicle of the Warlord Period

December 2025 •Japanese

In the year 1580, a man named Lord Nobunaga Oda sends hoards of unholy armies across Japan, slaying all who stand in their way. A young ninja escapes her villages' destruction with a short sword, one of the three mystical weapons that can end Oda's rule. During her quest, she is joined by two other ninjas who wield the other two weapons of legend, the sacred sword and spear.

School Meals Time

December 2025 •Japanese

A school gourmet set in the 1980's. In one junior high school, teachers and students continued a quiet battle. That is, who will eat the school lunch?

Otaku Elf

December 2025 •Japanese

Koito Koganei works as the teenage shrine maiden at the Takamimi Shrine, catering to the whims of its resident: a centuries-old elf who loves video games as much as she hates going outside! Line up your offerings for the otaku elf—some energy drinks, chips and video games will do nicely—and watch her new friends scramble to keep up!

Neko Neko Nihonshi

December 2025 •Japanese

The story imagines if Japanese historical figures such as Queen Himiko, the warlord Oda Nobunaga, and samurai Sakamoto Ryouma were cats.

Neko Konogoro: Country Unification Arc

December 2025 •Japanese

Follows Nekotarou, a cat from Kagoshima who aims to unify the country.

信長のスマホ

December 2025 •Japanese