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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.
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2022
This time, we visit the Kuramae area, located along the Sumida River. Pictures by the riverside reveal the history of the area. We discover why there are so many toy businesses in Kuramae. Old river cruise boats tell the tale of how this was a geisha area. Finally, we investigate the remains of Tokyo's old canal system. We learn how Kuramae became a town of artisans, and a home for a vibrant Indian community. We delve into the secrets of Kuramae: the old storage district.
This time, we visit Yanaka, an area representative of old town Tokyo. The highland of the area is filled with around 70 temples, while the lowlands are home to an old community connected by countless winding passages. We uncover the history of the town by exploring 3 topics: Temples, the River and Love. The past is alive in Yanaka with its old temples, the businesses that support them and many classic residences that are finding new uses. Join us as we dive into this historic area.
This time, we investigate Kandagawa, or the Kanda River. James Farrer (Professor, Sophia University) tracks the river across the city to find out how it became the way it is now. Along the way, he encounters old dye workshops, a giant underground reservoir, and a shogun's construction project from 400 years ago. The river has been involved in everything from providing drinking water, to flood protection, to providing security for a castle. Join us as we unravel the secret story of Kandagawa.
This time, we dive into Toyosu, an exciting part of Tokyo's bay area. We go to the famous fish market that moved here from Tsukiji. A drawing from 90 years ago shows former plans to turn the area into a futuristic city. Mysterious objects reveal Toyosu's industrial past, which supported Japan's economic development. We learn about initiatives like urban beekeeping and community gardens supporting the rapidly growing population. Join us as we discover what the future of Tokyo might look like.
2024
We explore Kyojima, a neighborhood in eastern Tokyo that retains a remarkable amount of old Tokyo character. Along the way we meet local residents and see how they cherish the bonds of community.
We explore Machiya, a town in northeastern Tokyo known for its artisanal spirit. Along the way we visit traditional workshops, meet local craftspeople and learn about the area's history.
Yotsuya is a central neighborhood that sits between the Imperial Palace and Shinjuku. Join us as we venture down side streets and encounter pockets of Edo—the former name of Tokyo.
Tsukiji is famous for its fish and seafood market. As we explore, we learn about how it was created 370 years ago through land reclamation and follow its evolution up to the present.
We visit the Yaesu district, which borders Tokyo Station to the east. We'll explore drinking alleys, an extensive network of underground passageways and experience some old town culture.
Senju in northeastern Tokyo developed 400 years ago as a post town providing lodging for travelers. We explore this historic area and meet the people and places at the heart of the community.
Takashimadaira, north of central Tokyo, is home to one of the city's largest "danchi" housing complexes. We explore the grounds and meet members of the community who are making an impact.
Ochanomizu is a college town with roots going back 200 years to an academy started by the Edo shogunate. Come along and see why the area is known for used books, musical instruments and curry.
We visit Mt. Mitake in western Tokyo, known for the Shinto shrine on its summit and sacred areas of virtually unspoiled nature. We learn about samurai devotees and the tradition of mountain worship.
We visit Kamata, a commercial district in southern Tokyo bustling with factories, cozy bars, public baths and more. Along the way, we learn its history and meet the people who call it home.
We hit the town around Shinjuku East Exit, one of Tokyo's vibrant hubs. It has roots as a lodging area, which later welcomed a train terminal and eventually became a business and entertainment center.
This time we venture out to Sawara in Chiba Prefecture. It's a 300-year-old town where merchant families prospered thanks to the Tone River. We see how the community is upholding its traditions.
We visit Shibaura on the edge of Tokyo Bay and unravel its transformation from a maritime hub to a town of high-rise condos. Throughout its history, it has played a key role in Tokyo's development.
We explore Harajuku, a neighborhood on the cutting edge of youth culture and fashion trends. Along the way we learn about its evolution from humble beginnings into a bustling shopping destination.
Nishi-Ogikubo is an eclectic town on the western edge of central Tokyo. Join us as we learn about its roots as a farming area and trace its evolution into a cozy neighborhood of small businesses.
We visit Akasaka, a commercial district in the heart of Tokyo. As we explore, we learn how the hilly terrain shaped its development as a hub for politicians, business leaders and foreign dignitaries.
We visit Okutama, a town nestled in a mountain range on Tokyo's western edge, and learn about the complex history behind a large reservoir that serves as a vital water source for the metropolis.
The iconic Tokyo Tower was built in the center of the city over 60 years ago. Join us as we learn how the landmark came to be and take in the sights of the historic Shiba neighborhood around it.
We visit Fussa, a suburban area in western Tokyo known for the presence of a U.S. military base. Join us as we discover its rural roots and trace its evolution into a vibrant multicultural town.
Machida is a suburban city about 30 minutes west of central Tokyo by train. Join us as we trace the local history and discover the charms of this hilly area that has been inhabited for millennia.
Ueno Park is one of Tokyo's oldest public parks. Join us as we take a stroll around the grounds and unravel the story of the city's transition from the samurai era to a modern society.
Despite being next to the busy Ikebukuro district, the residential neighborhood of Zoshigaya has managed to avoid the trend of redevelopment. We explore the area and witness the bonds of community.
We visit Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. Once the site of a security checkpoint for traffic in and out of old Tokyo, it evolved into a hot spring resort, now with an increasingly diverse community.
2026
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2023
This time we explore the Omori area, located in the south of the city along Tokyo Bay. As a former aquaculture hub specializing in nori (edible seaweed), it retains a deep connection to the ocean. James Farrer (Professor, Sophia University) visits one of many local nori wholesalers, then encounters a group cultivating the crop using traditional methods. Later, he climbs to higher ground and learns about Omori's history as a tourist destination. Join us as we dive into this bayside neighborhood.
Today the Kanda area in central Tokyo is a business district, but it has roots in the early days of the Edo period as a town of craftspeople and artisans. With a Kanda native as our guide, we explore its neighborhoods and search for traces of the past. Along the way we try traditional food and drink and meet locals who carry on the spirit of old Tokyo. We also pay our respects at Kanda Myojin Shrine and speak to a group that is busy preparing for the upcoming Kanda Festival.
This time we visit Oji in the north of Tokyo to take in the cherry blossoms at Asukayama Park, a famous flower-viewing spot. We learn how the shogun Tokugawa Yoshimune had over 1,200 cherry trees planted there to create a place of leisure for the townspeople. We also learn about a paper mill founded by famed industrialist Shibusawa Eiichi, and a fox-themed event to welcome the New Year that's become popular among international visitors. Join us as we dive into this magical neighborhood.
This time we visit Shimbashi, a modern business district in the heart of Tokyo. We shine a light on its history as the terminal of Japan's first railway, take a stroll beneath sections of elevated track, and learn about Azuma-odori, an annual performance showcase for the neighborhood's traditional geisha entertainers. As day turns to night, we explore the local bar scene and discover why Shimbashi is considered an oasis for Japanese office workers.
Takanawa in central Tokyo is predominantly known as a residential area, but it made headlines in 2020 with the opening of Takanawa Gateway Station along the Yamanote loop line. Join us as we learn about its history as a gateway to the city during the Edo period and how it came to house foreign diplomatic missions in the second half of the 19th century. We also visit a storied hotel serving an international clientele. Along the way we discover traces of the past and a grand vision for the future.
This time we visit Chofu, a suburban area rich in nature located about 15 minutes west of Shinjuku. Known as a movie town, it's home to film studios and many other related businesses. As we explore, we learn from industry veterans about the Golden Age of Japanese cinema. We also discover how Chofu's geography and abundant natural water supply shaped the city's history. Later, we visit a major temple and get a taste of a local specialty: soba (buckwheat) noodles.
This time we explore Ikebukuro, a bustling commercial area. Today it's known as a destination for fans of manga, anime and cosplay, but its artistic roots stretch back to the first half of the 20th century. We visit an anime superstore, hop over to an apartment building that housed manga legends in postwar Japan, and then learn about how artists in the 1930s and 40s established a community that was nicknamed Ikebukuro Montparnasse. Along the way we discover the area's creative energy and charm.
Shin-Okubo is a neighborhood north of downtown Shinjuku that's known as Tokyo's Koreatown. Recently, it's evolved into a bustling multicultural community with residents from across Asia. In this episode we'll learn about a unit of 100 musketeers that cultivated azaleas here, discover the town's reputation for musical instruments, and visit a Japanese language school that supports exchange students. We see how locals are working to foster an inclusive community.
Asakusa is one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations. It's home to many historic temples and shrines which people gather in and around for a variety of events held throughout the year. A summer prayer service that harnesses the power of heat. A street fair where plant vendors showcase their pride and joy. A special ceremony to mark the opening of a miniature Mt. Fuji. These are just some of the traditions local residents have kept alive for generations. Join us as we dive into Asakusa!
This time we visit Fukagawa, a district on the eastern bank of the Sumida River. Originally a wetland area by the sea, the land was gradually reclaimed in the Edo period, with a network of canals dug to support shipping traffic. It flourished for many years as a distribution center for various goods, especially timber. We visit a shrine at the heart of the community, meet a group of people carrying on a local tradition of logrolling, and savor a bowl of miso-simmered clams poured over rice.
Since opening in 2012, Tokyo Skytree has become one of the city's most popular tourist spots. But what's less known is that the area was also a leisure destination centuries ago in the Edo period, thanks to its many temples and shrines. Then, as Japan modernized, it became an industrial center and logistics hub that helped build the foundations of modern-day Tokyo, including Tokyo Skytree itself. Join us as we learn how the city's waterways set the stage for this iconic broadcasting tower.
This time we visit Denenchofu, an upscale residential area in suburban Tokyo. Join us as we take a stroll around this verdant neighborhood and learn about how it came to be. Along the way, we meet a long-time resident and a shop owner who share their thoughts on the town's unique charm. Later on, we head down to nearby Tama River, where a cluster of ancient burial mounds give us insight into the area's past.
The Kabutocho district in central Tokyo has a long history as a financial hub. In the late 19th century, it became home to Japan's first bank and stock exchange, paving the way for an influx of securities firms and traders. At its peak in the 1980s, over 100 financial companies lined the streets, and it developed a reputation as the Wall Street of Japan. Recently it's been reinventing itself as a trendy neighborhood with new restaurants, bars and a boutique hotel. Join us as we dive into Kabutocho.
This time we visit Azabu, an area to the west of Tokyo Tower that is famous for being home to many embassies. Its international character has roots in the mid-1800s, when the first US legation in Japan was opened at a 1,200-year-old local temple. We visit the Embassy of Finland and explore a nearby shopping district known for its handmade foods and crafts. As we stroll up and down the hills and through the valleys in between, we get a feel for the terrain and discover the neighborhood's charm.
We visit Nishi-Shinjuku, home to one of Tokyo's biggest clusters of skyscrapers. We learn how the buildings came to be built and uncover a centuries-long relationship with water, including the construction of a large treatment plant. Echoes of it still remain among today's towers. Omoide Yokocho, or Memory Lane, evolved from a post-war black market, and witnessed Japan's economic boom. Dive into the urban neighborhood of Nishi-Shinjuku.
This time we explore Hachioji, a suburban city with abundant nature located about an hour away from central Tokyo. With a history of mulberry cultivation and sericulture, it prospered for many decades as a textile town. We meet artisans who practice traditional silk weaving and visit Tokyo's only remaining silkworm farm. Later, we make our way to the local geisha entertainment district, which flourished alongside the city's textile industry and is now looking to adapt to the changing times.
This time we explore Akihabara, Japan's cutting-edge pop culture hub. It's an international shopping district packed to the brim with video games, anime-related merchandise and electronics. As we walk around, we learn about the town's history as a freight terminal. We also discover how local electronics retailers shaped and evolved with consumer trends in the latter 20th century, including the home appliance boom, the ham radio craze and the rise of PCs. Lastly, we get a taste of maid cafe culture.
We explore Hibiya, a district home to hotels, theaters and a major public park. Along the way, we discover its past as a gateway of modernization.
Join us as we go on an architectural tour of Ginza, a famous shopping district lined with designer boutiques and high-end department stores.
Nerima is an area of central Tokyo with a history of agriculture. It is also famous for being the birthplace of Japanese animation. We uncover its past and learn how locals are looking to the future.
2025
Nihonbashi is a district in downtown Tokyo centered on a historic bridge of the same name. We trace its development into a thriving hub of commerce whose mercantile spirit lives on today.
Home to manga, anime and toy stores, the Nakano neighborhood is famous for its subculture spirit. As we explore, we discover its rich past as a dog sanctuary, blossom-viewing spot and military hub.
The Setagaya Line is a small but central streetcar line in Setagaya Ward. Join us as we explore a 450-year-old flea market, visit a temple brimming with cats and meet members of the community.
The Marunouchi district has repeatedly reinvented itself through large-scale development projects. We trace its evolution from a samurai quarter to an office district to a sophisticated business hub.
Join us as we explore the Haneda district, best known for its airport. As we trace its history, we learn about its past as a fishing community and tourist destination famous for its ocean views.
We visit Hamura in the upper reaches of the Tama River. In this tranquil town far west of the city center we trace the origins of Tokyo's water supply back to the age of the samurai, centuries ago.
Hino in western Tokyo is known for irrigation canals and its past as a rice cultivating center during the Edo period. The fertile lands gave rise to the men who would form the legendary Shinsengumi.
Komagome is the birthplace of Somei-yoshino, the most popular cherry blossom variety in Japan. We visit a scenic garden, meet locals who cultivate cherry tree saplings, and explore shopping streets.
Tateishi is a riverside neighborhood in eastern Tokyo that developed as a center of manufacturing. We learn about the local dyeing and toy industries and explore an old-fashioned shopping arcade.
The Yoyogi area is sandwiched between bustling Shinjuku and Shibuya. We explore a sacred forest, a friendly shopping street, and more, finding ideas for sustainable urban living along the way.
The island of Hachijojima is a tourist destination that once served as a penal colony. We learn how the elements and the arrival of exiles and castaways helped shape unique industries and culture.
The popular Ebisu district developed alongside a brewery and even derives its name from beer. We trace the area's evolution, soak up its old-fashioned charm, and see what makes the community tick.
Gotanda is a hilly district shaped by the Meguro River. It's home to high-end residential areas as well as low-lying areas with an industrial past. It also has a growing reputation as a startup hub.
Kasai is a bayside town in eastern Tokyo bounded by two large rivers. Join us as we trace its history as a hub of water transport, go river fishing, and get to know the local Indian community.
We trace the ongoing evolution of the Daiba waterfront district, which began as defensive fortifications and transformed over time into a tourist destination, residential area, and innovation hub.
Otsuka was a busy terminal of Tokyo's historic streetcar network before being overshadowed by its neighbor Ikebukuro. But international residents and redevelopment are now revitalizing the town.
Ryogoku is known as the home of sumo. As we explore, we learn how the sport took root after a devastating fire in the 17th century. It turns out that the neighborhood has a history of bouncing back!
Karuizawa in Nagano Pref. is a mountain town with deep ties to Tokyo. Originally a bustling lodging town, a Western missionary's love for the area paved the way for its rebirth as a summer getaway.
Hinohara is a mountain village located along the border between Tokyo and Yamanashi Prefecture. We explore its ridge trails, which served as a lifeline for local settlements throughout the centuries.
Kagurazaka is a neighborhood in central Tokyo that retains an old-school charm. We explore cobblestone side streets, meet a geisha community, and see how locals are blending tradition and modernity.
Shibuya is nestled at the bottom of a valley shaped by rivers. Join us as we trace how its unique topography gave rise to a multi-level transportation hub and ever-evolving arts and culture.
Join us for a hike up Mt. Takao in western Tokyo, said to be the most visited peak in the world. Along the way we'll learn about its samurai history, connection to Mt. Fuji, and abundant nature.
Nippori is known as one of Japan's top districts for textiles. The hillsides are home to many Buddhist temples that historically became sightseeing spots known for nature and picturesque views.
