The "Matsuage" fire festival in Kyoto was admired by essayist Masako Shirasu. In her travelogue titled "Kakure-zato", she described it as "the most touching festival scene that I've ever observed". In this program, actress Mayu Tsuruta visits the festival and reports very expressively on "the dance of flames" that moved Masako Shirasu so deeply.

The Mountain God Piggyback

Feb 13, 201150m

This program describes a simple, rustic event called "The Mountain God Piggyback" that has been handed down since time immemorial in a snowy mountain village in Yamagata Prefecture. Carrying the local shrine's object of worship on their shoulders, children make house-to-house visits in the area, so that the local people can offer up their prayers to the deity.

A Millennium of Prayers

Feb 20, 201150m

This program shows how ancient religious practices survive on the Kunisaki Peninsula in Oita Prefecture, regarded as the home of the Buddha, and long known as a site for ascetic mountain training. Last year, during a "Mineiri" religious austerity being practiced for the first time in a decade, around 20 ascetics dressed in white made a pilgrimage that included crossing ten mountain ridges.

Kagura: The Passion for Dance

Feb 27, 201150m

In ancient times, "kagura" was a form of dance dedicated to the gods. But in modern times, as its original meaning weakened and it took on the color of a local performing art, young people found it rustic and lost interest in it. Today, however, many kagura groups are attracting them and seeking to create original dances while preserving traditions. This program investigates the reasons for kagura's current popularity with the young.

Eco-Paddy: Bio-Wonderland

Oct 2, 201150m

The aim of the 'eco-paddy fields' project is to grow rice without using agrochemicals and chemical fertilizers in rice fields full of wildlife created by cutting open uncultivated cedar forests and restoring terraced paddy fields. 30 parents and children from 9 families, chosen from viewer applications, participated in the project for a whole year. At last, the rice that has grown all through the summer with the support of various creatures has fully matured. The harvesting and threshing is carried out manually in the traditional way. How do the participants feel when they taste the rice and who do they want to convey their feelings to? The program presents the thoughts of each family to show what the participants gained from the project.

Granny Loves You: The Probation Officer's Tale

Oct 9, 201130m

77-year-old volunteer probation officer Chikako Nakamoto was affectionately known as 'The little old lady of Motomachi' by the juvenile delinquents she took care of for 30 years in the Motomachi district of Hiroshima. She opened up her home to them, served her hand-made cooking, listened to their stories, and helped many of them to reform their ways. Last November, however, Nakamoto reached the year of retirement for volunteer probation officers. She often says, "Support from the local community is essential for the rehabilitation of offenders". The program closely describes her daily life as she strives to entrust her role to the community.

Honoring the Dead: The Bone Washing Ritual of Yoronjima

Oct 16, 201150m

Yoronjima in Kagoshima Prefecture is a southern island with a population of 5,600 surrounded by beautiful coral reef and white sand beaches. In the island's unusual ritual called 'Senkotsu', the skeletal remains of family members are dug up from three to five years after burial, cleaned and then returned to their graves. The program introduces the small island's traditional form of family bonding by following members of the Takecrapa family as they carry out the ritual and also includes the history of the island's funerary practices.

Mother, I Want To See You

Oct 23, 201150m

This drama set in a remote elementary school centers around the efforts made by a young female teacher called Hikari to help Aya, an uncommunicative exchange student who has problems with her mother.

Where does Hometown Stories rank today?

Hometown Stories is #3030 on the Bowood.TV Daily Streaming Charts today.

Highest: #3030
Top 10: 0 days
Top 100: 0 days

Watch Hometown Stories Online Free — All Episodes in HD

Stream Hometown Stories online free in HD on Bowood.TV. A talked-about documentary series originally produced in English and released in 2011, it's earned a solid 0.0/10 from 0 viewers worldwide.

About Hometown Stories

Stories about people, stories about life. Intimate portraits of people from around Japan, each leading diverse lives while enriching lives of others. Across 15 seasons and 300 episodes, originally airing on NHK, with status "Returning Series".

Where to Watch Hometown Stories Online

On Bowood.TV you can watch Hometown Stories free — no account, no credit card, no ads in the middle of the show. We stream the full series in 720p / 1080p HD, with subtitles when available, on any device: phone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV browser.

▶ Watch Hometown Stories Now

Why People Are Watching Hometown Stories

Hometown Stories flies under the radar but it deserves your attention. What makes it work is a tone and style that's hard to find elsewhere. If you enjoy English storytelling that doesn't follow the same tired beats, this is the kind of show you'll end up recommending to friends.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hometown Stories

Where can I watch Hometown Stories online for free?

You can watch Hometown Stories online free on Bowood.TV. Just open the page and hit play — no signup, no subscription, full HD streaming on phone, tablet, or desktop.

How many episodes does Hometown Stories have?

Hometown Stories has 300 episodes across 15 seasons. All episodes are available to stream right here on Bowood.TV.

Is Hometown Stories good? What's the rating?

Hometown Stories holds a 0.0/10 rating based on 0 reviews — a niche pick worth checking out.

Is Hometown Stories available in English?

Yes — Hometown Stories was originally produced in English and that's the version you'll stream here on Bowood.TV.

When was Hometown Stories released?

Hometown Stories first aired in 2011.

Do I need an account to watch Hometown Stories on Bowood.TV?

No. Bowood.TV is free and you can watch Hometown Stories without creating an account. Sign-up is optional — only useful if you want a personal Watchlist or to comment on episodes.

Similar Series You Might Like

If you enjoyed Hometown Stories, check out Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, Houses of Art, Through the Kitchen Window, Amol Rajan Interviews, and Voulez-vous fêter?.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Hometown Stories for free?

You can watch Hometown Stories online for free on Bowood.TV. All 300 episodes across 15 seasons are available to stream in HD without a subscription, signup, or paywall. Just open the show page and press play.

How many seasons and episodes does Hometown Stories have?

Hometown Stories currently has 15 seasons and a total of 300 episodes. The series status is "Returning Series", so the episode count may grow as new seasons are released. You can browse the full episode list on Bowood.TV and continue watching from where you left off.

What is Hometown Stories about?

Stories about people, stories about life. Intimate portraits of people from around Japan, each leading diverse lives while enriching lives of others. It belongs to the Documentary genre.

In which language is Hometown Stories originally available?

Hometown Stories was originally produced in English. On Bowood.TV the show is available in its original English audio, which is the most authentic way to experience the dialogue, music, and performances. Check the player options on the watch page for available subtitle tracks.

When was Hometown Stories first released?

Hometown Stories first premiered on February 6, 2011 (2011). The show is still ongoing with new episodes being released.