Episode guide
Japanology Plus: Season 5
38 episodes · premiered Jan 8, 2018
TMDB has no overview for this season.
- Episode 1: Ocean Fishing Jan 9, 2018 · 28m Japan is an island nation that stretches thousands of miles. “A country surrounded by the sea,” as one common expression has it. Perhaps not surprisingly, the country has had a highly…
- Episode 2: The Police Jan 16, 2018 · 28m Japan is one of the safest countries in the whole world. With its impressively low crime rate, the worst that most people need to be fearful of is the occasional stolen bicycle or…
- Episode 3: Japanophiles: Stephanie Tomiyasu Jan 23, 2018 · 28m The long history of Japanese culture is replete with various forms of traditional music and storytelling, many of which have been featured on Japanology Plus. This time our focus is on…
- Episode 4: New Trends in Logistics Feb 6, 2018 · 28m Japan, like the rest of the developed world, has taken a serious shine to online shopping. 3.9 billion home deliveries were made in 2016 alone, and that volume doesn't show any signs of…
- Episode 5: Game Arcades Feb 13, 2018 · 28m When exploring the streets of Tokyo, you won’t have to go very far before running into some type of game arcade with an interior full of flashing lights and people of all ages. The…
- Episode 6: Snow Removal Feb 20, 2018 · 28m Here's a fact that may surprise Japan travelers who have only visited Tokyo: for months during winter, a large portion of the country is blanketed in snow. While Japan's capital city…
- Episode 7: Shopping Streets Mar 6, 2018 · 28m As in much of the industrialized world, a significant amount of shopping in Japan takes place in towering shopping malls and chain supermarkets. But cities and towns throughout the country…
- Episode 8: Japanophiles: Bjorn Heiberg Mar 13, 2018 · 28m What do samurai and sushi have in common? The first answer that comes to mind might be that they’re both Japanese, but their connection is actually much deeper and important than that. The…
- Episode 9: Regional Transport Crisis Mar 20, 2018 · 28m For decades, rail was the dominant form of transport for both people and freight in Japan. But while trains and subways still enjoy healthy ridership in Japan's urban centers, regional…
- Episode 10: Miniature Culture Mar 27, 2018 · 28m Japan has a serious fondness for doing things in miniature. Whether it's capsule toys, model trains, dioramas, or more, the country has a knack for extremely detailed, picture-perfect…
- Episode 11: Marriage Apr 3, 2018 · 28m Springtime has arrived in Japan, and that means wedding season is starting to get into full swing! No matter where you are in the world, getting married is an exciting event for all…
- Episode 12: 100 Yen Shops Apr 10, 2018 · 28m Over the past year, 98% of people in Japan shopped at a 100 yen store. These shops were once associated with cheap, low-quality merchandise. Over the years, however, quality has been…
- Episode 13: Deep-fried Food Apr 17, 2018 · 28m Deep-fried food—also known as agemono—might not be as photogenic as some other types of Japanese cuisine, but it has captured the hearts of food lovers everywhere nonetheless. As we learn…
- Episode 14: Lighthouses May 1, 2018 · 28m Exposed to the fury of waves and weather, lighthouses hold a cherished place in Japanese hearts. In recent years, the advent of GPS and radar has led to the demolition of many lighthouses…
- Episode 15: Japanophiles: David E. Wells May 22, 2018 · 28m Japanese cuisine is internationally renowned—restaurants serving sushi, ramen and more can be spotted in countries around the world, and washoku, traditional Japanese cuisine, was even…
- Episode 16: Industrial Heritage Jun 5, 2018 · 28m A mere 150 years ago, while countries in the West and elsewhere were undergoing rapid industrialization, Japan was still a traditional, agricultural society ruled by samurai and closed off…
- Episode 17: Graves Jun 19, 2018 · 28m The way a society deals with death, and how it pays tribute to those who have passed away, will tend to reveal a great deal about that society's values. That's as true of Japan as anywhere…
- Episode 18: Rice Cultivation Jun 26, 2018 · 28m Rice has been an integral part of life in Japan for over 2,000 years. Traditionally, one alternative name for Japan is mizuho no kuni, or “the Land of Abundant Rice.” As we learn on this…
- Episode 19: The Ogasawara Islands: A Multicultural Heritage Jul 3, 2018 · 28m This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is the Ogasawara Islands, a remote archipelago with a unique ecosystem and multicultural heritage. Located 1,000 kilometers off Japan's Pacific…
- Episode 20: The Ogasawara Islands: A Turbulent History Jul 10, 2018 · 28m The Ogasawara Islands, located 1,000 kilometers off Japan's Pacific coast, first welcomed permanent human inhabitants in 1830. Waves of settlers built great prosperity together, but life…
- Episode 21: Japanophiles: Bruce Gutlove Jul 17, 2018 · 28m Bruce Gutlove is an American who for decades has contributed to the growing reputation of Japanese wines. His career highlights include two wines that were served at G8 Summits in Japan…
- Episode 22: Roadside Stations Jul 31, 2018 · 28m One unique feature of regional Japan in particular is the roadside station, a place that offers not just free parking, restrooms, and information about local points of interest, but also…
- Episode 23: Summer Resorts Aug 7, 2018 · 28m In Japan's hottest months, many people head out to summer resorts. While the concept initially came from Western expatriates, summer resorts then evolved along uniquely Japanese lines…
- Episode 24: Yurei: Japanese Ghosts Aug 21, 2018 · 28m Japanese ghosts (yurei) often appear in a type of painting called yureiga ("ghost pictures"). One feature of this art is the frequent appearance of female ghosts. Japanese ghosts, however…
- Episode 25: Radio Calisthenics Sep 4, 2018 · 28m Each morning millions of Japanese start their day with radio calisthenics. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is radio calisthenics. Practically everyone in Japan—young and old—is…
- Episode 26: Underground Shopping Streets Sep 11, 2018 · 28m Japan is a world leader in utilizing underground space, and that's exemplified by its network of underground shopping streets. There are around 80 of these subterranean shopping centers…
- Episode 27: Japanophiles: Jagmohan S. Chandrani Sep 25, 2018 · 28m This edition of Japanophiles centers on Jagmohan S. Chandrani, an Indian who has been in Japan for four full decades. We hear how he became known as a founding father of the largest Indian…
- Episode 28: A Sense of the Divine Oct 2, 2018 · 28m Japan's many shrines and temples are not interchangeable; they represent very different customs, and offer different objects of prayer. Many Japanese people have a distinctive spiritual…
- Episode 29: Earthquake-resistant Architecture Oct 9, 2018 · 28m Japan is a country with frequent earthquakes and protecting buildings is a key concern. Over the years people have developed many creative ways of achieving this. Certain techniques are…
- Episode 30: School Sports Days Oct 16, 2018 · 28m Every year, children in schools all across Japan take part in a sports day. It’s one of the most important dates on the calendar, not just for the students, but for their parents too. This…
- Episode 31: School Satchels Oct 30, 2018 · 28m Almost every primary school student in Japan uses the same type of school bag. These distinctive, blocky satchels are spacious, durable, and packed with clever features. This time on…
- Episode 32: Aquariums Nov 6, 2018 · 28m About 20% of all the world's aquariums are found in Japan. Many feature unique specialties, from jellyfish to frozen river scenery. Others borrow techniques from Japanese garden design…
- Episode 33: Onigiri: Rice Balls Nov 13, 2018 · 28m With 10 billion eaten every year, onigiri (rice balls) are one of Japan’s most popular foods. They combine rice, salt, nori seaweed and a filling to create a simple meal, perfect for…
- Episode 34: Japanophiles: David Stanley Hewett Nov 20, 2018 · 28m David Stanley Hewett is a contemporary artist who specializes in ceramics and abstract painting. Japanese techniques, as well as ideas like bushido, play a huge role in his work. Hewett…
- Episode 35: Coffee Nov 27, 2018 · 28m Coffee is consumed around the world, but Japan seems to have a special relationship with the beverage. On this edition of Japanology Plus, we dig deep into Japan's coffee culture and learn…
- Episode 36: Meiji-era Advisors Dec 11, 2018 · 28m 2018 marks the 150th year since the beginning of the Meiji era, as well as the end of the age of samurai in Japan. Meiji means “Enlightened Rule,” and the era lasted from 1868 until 1912…
- Episode 37: School Uniforms Dec 18, 2018 · 28m Uniforms are a familiar sight in Japan, whether it’s the jacket of a taxi driver, or the black suit of a new office worker. Among the most visible examples are the uniforms worn by middle…
- Episode 38: Soba Restaurants Dec 25, 2018 · 28m Soba, or buckwheat noodles, are served everywhere in Japan. But soba is more than just a food; it's also an auspicious way to end the year. This time on Japanology Plus, our theme is soba…