About this season
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.
Episodes (11)
1. Nishiarai - The Beating Heart of a Temple Town
Aired 7 January 2026 • 28 min
We visit northern Tokyo's Nishiarai, which evolved from a farming village into an industrial district and is now mainly residential. But the local temple has always been at the heart of the community.
2. Koishikawa – Historic Charm and Industry Nurtured by Water
Aired 26 January 2026 • 28 min
Koishikawa is a residential area in the city center that is home to a botanical garden and a temple associated with the Edo shogunate. As we explore, we discover a legacy of printing and bookbinding.
3. Shinagawa – The Evolution of a Transportation Hub
Aired 11 February 2026 • 28 min
Shinagawa is home to a major train terminal used by 500,000 people a day. We explore a historic lodging area, an old garden with abundant nature, and more as we unravel 1,000 years of history.
4. Dive in SAPPORO - The Evolving Legacy of the Riverside
Aired 25 February 2026 • 28 min
We take a trip to Sapporo, the city that served as a base for the development of Hokkaido. Learn the history behind its central river and see how locals are now working to restore wild salmon runs.
5. Okachimachi – A Treasure Trove of Craftsmanship
Aired 11 March 2026 • 28 min
Okachimachi is an area just north of Akihabara renowned for its jewelry district. Its story involves Buddhist craftspeople, American servicemen, and more recently, communities of foreign artisans.
6. Shibuya Pt.2 – A Stroll Through the Backstreets
Aired 25 March 2026 • 28 min
We head past the Scramble Crossing into historic backstreets, where we find an upscale residential area, a former geisha quarter, and a leisure district that paved the way for modern-day Shibuya.
7. Kinshicho & Kameido - Waterways of Culture and Industry
Aired 8 April 2026 • 28 min
The Kinshicho and Kameido area is an urban subcenter in eastern Tokyo. We go in search of celebrated scenic views, savor local flavors, and learn how a network evolved into a logistics hub.
8. Sendagaya – Center Stage for Sports and Culture
Aired 22 April 2026 • 28 min
Join us as we explore Sendagaya, an area nestled between Shinjuku and Harajuku. It's home to sports facilities, venues for Noh theater and the board game shogi, and hundreds of apparel makers.
9. Jimbocho – The World's Leading Town for Old Books
Aired 6 May 2026 • 28 min
Jimbocho's famous secondhand book district is home to stores carrying everything from old academic texts to manga. Join us as we trace its history as a college town and spotlight new initiatives.
10. Koenji - Backstreets Buzzing with Subculture Spirit
Aired 27 May 2026 • 28 min
Home to musicians, comedians, writers, and more, Koenji is known as a subculture hub. Join us as we explore its shopping streets and countless alleys and learn the origins of its maze-like layout.
11. Shirokane - A Microcosm Shaped by the Terrain
Aired 10 June 2026 • 28 min
Join us for a stroll around Shirokane, a town nestled on the edge of a plateau. We visit a luxury residential area, then explore lowlands home to skilled workers and old-school shopping streets.