The Yoru no Mori area in Fukushima is famous for its cherry blossoms, with old trees lining a 2.4-kilometer stretch. Since the nuclear accident, few people visit, but in spring, former residents gather and the area bustles with activity for a short time. This year's cherry blossoms are a little special. In April, the evacuation order for part of the “cherry blossom tunnel” was lifted. Some people are returning to the village to restart their lives in sync with the cherry blossoms, but the remaining 80% of the tunnel remains in the “difficult-to-return zone,” where residency is still prohibited. For three days, people gather under the full bloom of the flowers, reminiscing about their hometown.

Yoru no Mori: Sakura Tunnel

Fabric and Buttons and Me

Mt. Kongo: A Climb to the Webcam

In the days leading up to Christmas, the immigration inspection area at Narita Airport heaves with tens of thousands of tourists. Among the visitors having their passport checked are an Indian man coming to hold a wedding with his Japanese wife, and siblings here to see their mother for the first time in 10 years. Some visitors are denied entry and must leave without stepping foot in Japan. Measures to prevent smuggling and acts of terrorism are stepped up as the crowd peaks for the holiday season. For 3 days, we spoke to the visitors passing through this major hub and heard stories reflecting the current state of the world.

Lines and Lives at Airport Immigration

Omiya, a city where the largest train terminal in Saitama Prefecture links between the Tokyo metropolitan area and the suburbs. A step away from its bustling downtown streets is a slightly curious café. The interior is crowded with bizarre antiques, and all 300 menu choices come in massive portions. Open 24 hours a day, the café is visited by fans of its famous pasta; a local businessman with incredible love for Saitama; and even bar workers on their way home in the morning. We spent 3 days in this offbeat café, where people from the suburbs make a stop before going into the city and those coming from the city spend some time to relax.

A Cafe Awaits in Omiya

In Miyazaki Prefecture, a brightly colored piano stands in a street side plaza. This "street piano" can be played freely by anyone at any time. Players range from an elderly woman playing a children's song, to young students performing a TV drama theme song. One man even taught himself to play by visiting the piano every day, and his performance is now applauded by those who gather to listen. The piano was placed in the plaza 4 years ago to liven up the city, and has quietly become a popular spot. What thoughts do people weave into the melodies they play on this street piano?

The Melodies of a Street Piano in Miyazaki

Beppu, the hot spring paradise. The stage is a 138-year-old traditional hot spring, known as the face of the city. The hot spring, which has only one old-fashioned, weathered bath, is visited by people enjoying a “bathside meeting” before work, those who came for hot spring therapy and ended up staying, and travelers passing through... In Beppu, where many people do not have baths at home, some visit multiple times a day. For three days, people from around the world gather in search of the ever-constant hot spring water.

Beppu: A Century of Hot Springs

The setting is a park in Yokosuka with a close-up view of huge warships. Passersby include local residents taking a stroll, families of US military personnel letting their children play, and enthusiasts who come to see the US Navy's Aegis destroyers and Japan Self-Defense Force escort vessels. During the three days in late January when the new President Trump was inaugurated across the sea, we listen to the voices of people moving through this place where “daily life” and “extraordinary events” intertwine.

At a park in Yokosuka with a view of warships

Tokyo's Kita Ward. A three-day look at a cheap underwear store in a traditional shopping district that attracts 1,000 customers daily. Socks, underwear, and nightwear are priced at an unbeatable 60 yen or 80 yen. Among those who visit daily to enjoy the ever-changing selection are local housewives, a snack bar owner who says, “You really have to be careful about underwear,” and underground idols striving to save money. Women push large carts with excitement, enjoying conversations with staff. Over three days, the underwear they choose reflects the lives of women.

Cheap Underwear: Searching for Warmth

Chiyobo Inari (commonly known as Ochobo-san) is the god of commerce in Gifu Prefecture. There is a kushikatsu restaurant that shines like gold on the crowded approach to the shrine. The shop is decorated in gold from the walls to the tables for good luck, and on some days, it sells 40,000 skewers of katsu at 90 yen each. On the once-a-month all-night operation day, various people visit, from cabaret club staff wishing for business prosperity to clam fishermen praying for a bountiful catch, and single mothers hoping for remarriage. What are the wishes of the people who visit “Ochobo-san” and enjoy the katsu?

　

Wishing Upon Golden Kushikatsu

Since the Kumamoto earthquake in April last year, the zoo has been closed. During the suspension of animal exhibitions, a walking path where you can see giraffes and elephants basking in the sun from outside the zoo has become a popular spot. Residents jogging by to peek through the fence, people visiting regularly to watch the growth of a giraffe born after the disaster, and those sending photos of the animals to family members living far away... Over three days, people sought to regain a sense of normalcy while observing the giraffes and elephants leisurely going about their day.

A Walking Path Where You Can See Giraffes

Hong Kong, a city of the near future. Located on the city's main street is the somewhat suspicious giant building known as Chungking Mansions. Maze-like passageways are lined with currency exchange offices and restaurants, while the upper floors are packed with cheap guesthouses. People from more than 100 countries, including black and Indian people, come and go, making it a veritable giant human intersection. In recent times, with news of anti-immigrant sentiment spreading around the world, this three-day program explores the possibility of coexistence through the diverse community of Chongqing Mansion.

Welcome to Chungking Mansions, Hong Kong

In a residential area of Tokyo is an unusual intersection where 7 roads meet. Bicycles, vehicles and pedestrians constantly weave along these roads. Though there are no traffic lights because of the intersection's complex layout, remarkably few accidents occur, apparently because people automatically and considerately let others go through first. The 7 corners are filled with a variety of shops including a greengrocer's and a small pub, and many people pass through this busy junction from early morning until late at night. For 3 days, we spoke to the many people whose lives meet at this intersection.

Tokyo's Crossroads of Life

We spend 3 days in a long-established bag shop in Tokyo's Ameyoko Market Street. Parents and children come to buy school bags, their hearts filled with hope. A man picks out a large bag to carry equipment for playing airsoft games. Meanwhile, a woman stops by the store searching for a purse to use as she prepares for the final phase of her life. In the season of new beginnings, we catch a glimpse of the lives people lead from the bags they choose to carry.

New Bags, New Beginnings

Small, personal funerals are becoming popular in Japan. At a one-stop funeral facility near Tokyo, a family arranges a simple ceremony in accordance with a deceased relative's wish to spare the family from organizing a large funeral. Another family spends their last night with the deceased in a private room and fondly recalls their happy memories from years gone by. Before cremation, relatives repeatedly come and see their loved one's body as they gradually accept the reality. For 3 days, we spoke to people spending their final moments with someone dear who had passed away.

Small Funerals in a Big City

An hour's drive from Osaka, Mt. Kongo is the perfect mountain for a casual hike. Attracting many visitors is a live webcam located at the mountain top. The webcam captures a photo once an hour, and the image is posted on Mt. Kongo's website. Some people have made it a daily routine to be punctually photographed at their preferred hour. There's even a family that uses the camera as a way to indirectly communicate with their son who has become distant. Others meet for the first time in front of the camera, and become friends. We spent 3 days with people coming and going on the mountain top as they preserve a single moment of their lives on camera.

From colorful cloth to stylish buttons to costume wigs: a large craft shop in Shinjuku carries over 500,000 types of craft materials and accessories. A man comes to buy Gobelin tapestry fabric for a cherry blossom picnic, while a woman spends hours looking for "simple white cloth". A couple has even come from London in search of materials to make doll clothes. We spend 3 days talking to people as they find inspiration amidst the fabric and buttons.

Over 1,000 people a year come to this Zen temple in Kyoto to try training. The secret to its popularity is how easy it is to join. You can book from a few thousand yen per night for as many nights as you like, and since it shows up high in internet searches, modern people looking for a quick reset keep coming back. Monastic life runs from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., beginning with meal etiquette, followed by zazen meditation, and work duties (cleaning), creating a continuous series of cultural shocks. What is the mindset of those who seek to reflect on themselves through this somewhat rigorous training?

I Tried Zen Temple Training

On one floor of a building in Shinjuku, awkward conversations between men and women can be heard from booths partitioned off like a net cafe... These “private room-style marriage counseling rooms” have been popular for about 10 years. Parties tailored to specific needs, such as “for plus-size women,” “for women who want to become mothers within three years,” and “for otaku,” are held one after another. The program delves into the true feelings of the men and women who visit, such as “I want to do marriage counseling without others overhearing my conversations” and “I want to have both a fulfilling career and personal life.”

The Secret Marriage Counseling Room

One of the largest mosques in Japan, Tokyo Camii is a gathering place for followers of Islam living in Tokyo. People from over 50 countries come here to pray: a Pakistani who married a Japanese woman, a Japanese who became a Muslim, and an Indonesian student who came to Japan to pursue his dream. People interested in Islamic culture also visit the mosque. They include those who come with a guidebook in hand and those who are interested in taking an Arabic calligraphy class. We spent 3 days filming the daily life of this mosque.

The Daily Life of a Tokyo Mosque

Facing the Sea of Japan in Yamagata Prefecture is an aquarium with one of the world's largest collections of jellyfish on display. The most popular attraction is a 5-meter-wide tank in which 5,000 moon jellyfish serenely drift around. Aquarium visitors include a high school student who dreams of becoming a rocket engineer as he gazes at jellyfish resembling stars in space, and a woman who watches baby jellyfish for 30 minutes. In the evening, others participate in an overnight event and sleep at the aquarium. For 3 days, we asked why people feel so deeply about these mysterious creatures.

Jellyfish Wonderland

Long-haul truckers work and even sleep in their vehicles. A truck stop near a major distribution hub in Kyushu offers drivers a meal, bath and place to relax during grueling journeys across Japan. Truckers taking a break here include a female driver who has decorated her vehicle into what she calls "her home", and 3 work buddies who meet every Friday to go drinking. A former businessman who says that the truck driving job was meant for him, drops in before setting off on a 1,200-kilometer journey. Driving is lonely at times, but at others it offers total freedom. For 3 days, we spoke to the drivers about their passion for the job and their trucks.

Truck Stop: A Break on Life's Journey

The rooftop Ferris wheel in Matsuyama, western Japan, is an attraction that every local knows. During the slow 15-minute ride, people enjoy the view of the entire city and ponder over joy and sorrow. High school students say that it's a routine to hop on the Ferris wheel before their exams to refresh their minds. An old widow always takes a ride after shopping and reflects on her life. Why are people drawn to these enclosed capsules that simply go up and come back down? For 3 days, we spoke to the people as they take this 15-minute journey up to the sky.

Thoughts and Reflections on a Rooftop Ferris Wheel

Kitakyushu City has prospered as a steel town. The bar is located on a slightly retro and slightly shady street off the entertainment district. At the center of the bar is a machine that automatically pours alcohol. Amazingly, it's only 100 yen per drink. Attracted by the cheap, well-chilled drinks, the 24-hour establishment is bustling with unique patrons. A frugal couple discussing their future. A man who has escaped the underworld, savoring ordinary happiness—. From the tables piled with coins, the blues of each individual echoes.

Kitakyushu Kokura ‘100 Yen Bar’ Blues

Tama New Town, located in the suburbs of Tokyo, is home to over 200,000 people. The setting for this episode is a giant secondhand shop with a sales floor area of 1,500 tsubo (approximately 5,000 square meters) towering over the center of the town. Most of the 600,000 items filling the floor are things that have been brought in because they are no longer needed. From brand-new trendy items to a father's heirlooms, music equipment filled with memories of youth, and a “takoyaki maker” once enjoyed with children—each item holds a story. What do people think when they let go of these items?

Giant Housing Complex: Hello and Goodbye at a Secondhand Shop

The elderly care facility is located on a hill overlooking the sea in Kanagawa Prefecture. With an average age of 84, over 450 residents live quiet lives here. Some have spent over 30 years here. A 90-year-old former engineer says, “I never expected to live this long.” A 90-year-old couple who met after losing their spouses. An 80-year-old woman who dedicated her life to work now spends her days alone on the sofa, watching people come and go. In the era of a 100-year lifespan, the question arises: “What is happiness?”

The Elderly Care Facility with a View of the Sea

Is this a restaurant or an amusement park? When the mountains in western Japan are enveloped by the darkness of night, this unique restaurant shines with vibrant colors. The restaurant which is modeled on a bandit hideout appeals to diners of all ages with its seasonal events, hearty portions and welcoming atmosphere. For many local young people, this is their first destination after they get a driver's license. For 3 days, we spoke to the customers who came to dine at this restaurant.

Mountain Restaurant: Creating and Reliving Memories

Summer Koshien. In Fukuoka, where strong teams abound, the prefectural East Chiku High School secured the representative spot for the first time in 21 years. Expecting a lively atmosphere, I headed to the town where the school is located for the first game. A barbershop that has been cutting the hair of baseball players for over 30 years. A couple who purchased an apartment with a view of the field to watch practice. A former baseball team member who works at a local bank, wiping sweat from his brow as he visits clients. What does the players' battle bring to the town? On the day of the decisive match, another drama unfolds.

Summer Koshien: Another Youth

It's the height of summer in Akita. From supermarket parking lots and national highways to tourist spots and even rocky areas where no one goes, colorful parasol stalls suddenly appear all over the prefecture. What they sell is ice cream served by women called “baba” using spatulas, commonly known as “baba-hera.” With over 50 years of history, Baba Hera is a summer tradition in Akita. What do people returning home for Obon think of this nostalgic taste of their hometown? A three-day documentary following the elusive Baba.

Midsummer Akita: Longing for Baba's Ice Cream

It's said that a man's shoes reflect his pride. This time, we spend 3 days in a street side shoeshine shop, a rare sight in modern-day Tokyo. The customers here are particular about polished shoes: from a man getting into the spirit for an important meeting; to a young businessman using stylish shoes to make an impression; to a man taking care of the precious shoes his wife gave him. We take a look at the lives these men lead, from the shoes up.

When a Man Shines His Shoes

Fussa, Tokyo, home to the U.S. military's Yokota Air Base. In this area where American culture has taken root through music and fashion, there is a rock festival that has been going on for over 30 years. What sets it apart from other festivals is that the musicians performing on stage are a bit older. Most are in their 40s to 60s and work locally. What do the young people who once shouted “Love & Peace” shout now? What do their songs bring to the audience? A three-day documentary on a handmade rock festival at the end of summer.

The Base Town Adult Rock Festival

Riding a motorcycle might be hot in summer and cold in winter, but many riders would never consider any other mode of transport. Some even cut back on buying a daily coffee to save money for their bike. There is a large parts store in Tokyo where riders come to seek new accessories or simply to show off their prized vehicle. Among the steady stream of riders drawn to this store are a 75-year-old man who started a part-time job to buy a new bike, a hydroelectric power plant engineer whose career was inspired by a bike, and a man who liked bikes so much he became a courier on 2 wheels. For 3 days, we spoke to these people about why they can't get enough of their motorcycles.

Born to be Wild: Motorcyclists' Road to Happiness

Could you get by if your smartphone stopped working? Our stage this time is a smartphone repair shop in Shibuya, Tokyo. The customers range from a young man wanting to restore precious photos of a summer spent with friends, to a female student worried about being unable to contact anyone. Their phones are filled with personal connections and the memories of daily life. What do they choose to save? What connections are most valuable to them? We spend 3 days filming this repair shop to catch a glimpse of what people keep on their phones.

Life Without a Smartphone

Kyoto welcomes the autumn holiday. The setting is a library in a tourist area where talking is strictly prohibited. People head to their booths, maintaining absolute silence. Their reasons vary. Some are striving to survive in a rapidly changing industry. Others dream of finding new employment. Even elementary school students have clear future goals... Regulars who have been coming for over a decade say there's an odd sense of camaraderie among strangers. They want to be alone, but they don't want to be lonely. From the quietest place in program history, we glimpse the “distance modern people keep from loneliness.”

Kyoto's Too Quiet Library

The Canary Islands are located 10,000 kilometers away from Japan. In September, Japanese-registered tuna fishing boats dock at the island's port. They repair their boats and refuel in preparation for fishing in the North Atlantic. The fishermen eagerly await their first vacation on land in months. The island offers a variety of restaurants open late into the night. For fishermen who lead a harsh life at sea, this is a precious time to relax and recover from their travels. The program follows the fishermen from their arrival in Japan and around the world until they set sail again three days later.

Spain's Canary Islands: Tuna Fishermen's Short Vacation

An English conversation school in Osaka's Umeda district that prides itself on one-on-one instruction. From the rows of booths, you can hear the slightly awkward English of people with various goals. A salaryman who was suddenly ordered to transfer overseas and started attending in a hurry. Others who believe that mastering English will lead to changes in themselves and their lives. Globalization, reforms in English education, the Tokyo Olympics... As the distance between people and English continues to shrink, we follow three days in the lives of those seeking their own unique paths.

“See You Again at the English Conversation School

3,000 yen per night. The setting is a low-cost accommodation facility called a “guest house.” Located in Kawasaki, this guest house can accommodate 200 people and is easily accessible to the city center. It is not only popular with travelers but also with working people. Construction workers moving between sites in the developing city center. Job seekers aiming for full-time employment using the guesthouse as a base. People who miss the last train after a drinking party and choose not to go home even though they have a place to stay. A space of about two tatami mats separated by curtains. This program delves into the guesthouse where diverse lives intersect.

Guest House: A 3,000 Yen Per Night Oasis

Saitama City, a bedroom community with a population of 1.3 million. At a “massage parlor” in a residential area, customers with tired bodies rush in day and night. The causes of their muscle stiffness vary. An elderly woman overwhelmed by caring for her grandchild. A delivery driver constantly pressured by speed and efficiency. A regular customer who says that simply being touched by someone gives them the energy to move forward. What are the causes of both physical and mental stiffness? Over three days, we listened to the honest murmurs that slipped out from the comfort of the space.

Muscle Stiffness

In this age where the shift toward digitization and going paperless seems irresistible, one business in Tokyo's Ikebukuro district still goes through more than 10,000 sheets of paper each day. This 24-hour printing and photocopying shop attracts customers around the clock by offering services such as making posters, bookbinding and printing bulk volumes of beautiful, intricate images that only professionals can deliver. The shop's customers include a company employee desperate to print out materials for an important presentation, and an elderly man who has written his life story and wants it printed so he can leave copies for his family to remember him. What messages do customers want to convey or leave behind on paper? For 3 days, we spoke to people about their personal stories behind the pages copied and printed here.

Printing Shop: Lives in Print

The setting is Chichijima Island in the Ogasawara Islands, a 24-hour boat ride from Tokyo. The approximately 2,000 islanders look forward to the weekly delivery service. Thanks to the rapid expansion of online shopping, even this island, 1,000 kilometers from the mainland, receives all kinds of goods. Recently, the number of people moving to Chichijima from the city has been increasing. Who receives what items? For approximately three days until the deliveries are completed, we follow the delivery truck closely. We look into the lives of the people behind the small packages.

Ogasawara Islands: Weekly Delivery Service

When the herring season starts and winter's icy grip tightens on northern Japan, the locals in the fishing town of Nemuro turn to a convenience store offering warming, satisfying meals with a difference. The 24-hour store close to the port is busy day and night as customers are seduced by its freshly baked bread and extensive range of handmade bento meals. It even sells 150 servings of its signature grilled meat "yakitori" bento each day. Nemuro boasts Japan's largest catches of saury, but the 2017 season was hit by a record-breaking poor haul. What are customers thinking about as they reach for a piping-hot bento at this convenience store? For 3 days, we listened to their personal stories at a store that warms the hearts of many people in Nemuro.

Bento Tales from a Northern Fishing Town

An unusual documentary series that delves into human dramas through chance encounters with ordinary people at selected spots. Filmed over 72 hours in a single location, the show captures glimpses into people's lives as they open up and share their stories.

Yoru no Mori: Sakura Tunnel

Seasons17

Season 8 Episodes39

Discussion

Episode Summary