About
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.
Cast
Peter Barakan
as Self - Host
Seasons
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Season 9
Season 10
Season 11
Season 12
Season 13
Episodes
Season 1
Bathhouses
Japanese public bathhouses, also called sento. From the outside, some of them look like Shinto shrines or Buddhist temples. Inside, they have many features that help to create a space for retreat and relaxation. More than just a place to wash the body, bathhouses have long served as a social forum for the local community. This time on Japanology Plus, we'll explore the wonderful world of bathhouses with our guest Machida Shinobu, a sento expert. In Plus One: bathhouse etiquettes for beginners.
Ramen
Ramen is one of Japan's favorite foods. Broth, noodles and toppings are the 3 elements, but within that basic framework there is almost endless variation. An annual gathering in Tokyo of the best ramen shops from around Japan draws hundreds of thousands, and now the popularity of ramen is going global. Our expert guest this time is Hiroshi Osaki, the director of the Nippon Ramen Association, and the man who eats more ramen than anyone else in Japan. And in Plus One, the basics of slurping!
Mt. Fuji
Mt. Fuji is Japan's tallest peak. Its beauty changes from season to season, from day to day. Frequently featured in ukiyo-e woodblock prints and other artworks, Mt. Fuji is also a place of worship, and home to a deity. The gentle slopes of the mountain attract 300,000 climbers each year. This time on Japanology Plus, we'll explore Mt. Fuji with our expert guest Hiroshi Tashiro, who has been researching the mountain with passion for decades.
Shogi
Maneuver your pieces to capture the opponent's king - that's the essence of shogi, Japan's most popular board game. Descended from the same ancient Indian game as chess, shogi dates back more than 400 years, and has been a widely enjoyed pastime for centuries. These days about 12 million people play shogi, and the internet has opened up new ways to enjoy the game. Our expert guest this time is Masahiko Urano, a professional shogi player.
Cherry Trees
Springtime in Japan means cherry trees in bloom. Cherry blossoms flower gloriously, but briefly, then their petals fall like confetti on the spring breeze. This yearly occurrence strikes a deep chord in the Japanese soul. Our expert guest this time is Toemon Sano, who goes by the title of "protector of the cherry blossoms", and whose family owns and maintains a forest with over 150 varieties of cherry tree.
Akihabara
Akihabara, with its mix of gadgets and geekdom, is a one-of-a-kind experience. Shops selling everything electronic from appliances to cutting-edge robots crowd its streets. Japan's famous video game and anime subcultures are another big part of Akihabara. And in recent years, numerous pop idols have launched their careers here. Our expert guest this time is Kenichiro Senoo, a professor with a deep affection for Akihabara who researches and promotes the district.
Wagashi
Wagashi, Japan's traditional sweets. Each colorful, exquisite morsel contains a clear sense of the season - wagashi are an essential part of various annual events. This time, we'll sample the freshest modern flavors, and the 1,000-year history, of wagashi. Our expert guest is Tsugio Itami, an acclaimed Japanese confectioner who has been officially designated a "contemporary master craftsman".
Ninja
Under cover of darkness, moving by stealth, ninja used superb physical skill and special equipment to infiltrate and disrupt their enemies. Ninja appeared during Japan's age of regional conflict, and their origins seem to lie in small communities that were clustered in the mountainous regions of Iga and Koka. Our expert guest this time is Hiroshi Ikeda, who has spent the last 25 years tracking down information about ninja.
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