E1 - Folk House 3: Thoughts of Summer

Aired: January 19, 2024

Folk house innkeeper Matsuba Tomi hosts her grandchildren in summer. After playing in the garden, they help clean and rest under the mosquito net. An old-fashioned way of life forms precious memories.

E2 - Folk House 4: Autumn Leaves

Aired: January 26, 2024

Autumn at the folk house inn. Matsuba Tomi values all things. Welcoming guests with decorations of fallen ginkgo leaves, the nuts used for the evening meal; simple treasures with enduring appeal.

E3 - Life of the Mountain

Aired: February 02, 2024

Artisan Takezawa Mutsumi's workshop lies at the foot of a mountain west of Tokyo. She makes pieces using leather from animals culled as pests, hides usually thrown away, but she gives them new life.

E4 - Doll Revival

Aired: February 09, 2024

Artisan Matoba Kensho restores traditional dolls. Beyond cleaning, he repairs damage to faces. Well-cared-for dolls can last 100 years, so he hopes people bring them to him, and never discard them.

E5 - Upcycling Old School

Aired: March 15, 2024

With a falling birthrate, school closures are on the rise in Japan, and things like desks and chairs have no place to go. Doi Kenji upcycles these discards into stylish and unique interior items.

E6 - Clothing Rescue Atelier

Aired: March 22, 2024

At Yoshimura Mayu's atelier anyone can come in and make clothes. The materials are discards from industry and major brands. And working together leads to great ideas they couldn't come up with alone.

E7 - Judo Gis Forever

Aired: April 19, 2024

Judo instructor Sato Hitoe uses worn-out uniforms, or gis, to make items like tote bags; very durable, since the original material was meant to be tough. And behind it all is Sato's love for judo.

E8 - Waste Flowers by Candlelight

Aired: May 17, 2024

Some 20% of grown flowers for sale in Japan are discarded as substandard. Nakanishi Megumi uses them to make candles. Just like the flawed beauty of humanity, waste flowers, too, have a unique charm.

E9 - Knitting the Future

Aired: May 24, 2024

Maro Kuratani knits scarves and other items with surplus yarn, using threads of varying color and thickness. She says yarn is the ultimate eco-friendly material as reknitting is always an option.

E10 - The Plant Rescuer

Aired: June 21, 2024

Gardener Yamashita Rikito collects plants with nowhere to go—that must be removed for demolition or renovation—and finds them new homes; saving them while saving those who give them up from regret.

E11 - Peanut Leather

Aired: June 28, 2024

Chiba Prefecture is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

E12 - Sea Trash Jams

Aired: August 09, 2024

Trash Tribe is a band led by Oomote Fumiaki. Their instruments are made with marine trash. Fishing line and driftwood on strings. Plastic bottle percussion. Their laid-back music has fans of all ages.

E13 - Zero Waste Cafe

Aired: August 30, 2024

Nakajima Deco is obsessed with finding ways to live a waste-free life. Diners at her cafe are served vegetables—peels, leaves and all—conveying the value of life through her cooking.

E14 - Bridal Upcycle

Aired: September 20, 2024

With even slight damage, wedding dresses often have to be discarded. Nogami Yuko uses these for upcycling. Bringing happiness from one bride to another; remade better than new.

E15 - Fueled by Ramen

Aired: September 27, 2024

A popular tourist train in Kyushu's Takachiho area is powered by fuel made from leftover ramen soup! Starting from zero, trucking company owner Nishida Masumi developed his own biodiesel.

E16 - Sea Nuisance, Sea Treasure

Aired: October 18, 2024

Fish that overconsume seaweed, often called pests. A strong odor also makes them hard to sell. Kanazawa Ryuji uses these to make a distinctive fish sauce, so that no life from the sea goes to waste.

E17 - Farmer's Veggie Soap

Aired: October 25, 2024

Unsellable substandard produce becomes soap thanks to farmer Harada Yuko. She hopes her work will change how people see fruits and vegetables, so that none of them will ever go to waste.

E18 - Bread Crust Brewing

Aired: November 22, 2024

A bread maker for many years, Yoshioka Kenichi had a problem with leftover bread crusts. Seeking some use for them, he's put the same love he has for bread into making delicious craft beer.