E1 - A Mobile "Warabi Mochi" Cart in Fukuoka

Aired: January 07, 2025

A mobile food cart selling a traditional Japanese sweet has been plying the streets of Fukuoka for over 75 years. For three days, we talked to customers fond of a snack unchanged over the decades.

E2 - A Farmers' Market in Inadani, Nagano

Aired: January 21, 2025

Inadani, Nagano Prefecture is home to a farmers' market which sells a wide array of vegetables, mushrooms, game and even edible insects. Explore local food culture and approaches to life in rural Japan.

E3 - Praying for Blue Skies at Tokyo's Weather Shrine

Aired: February 04, 2025

A shrine in Tokyo is dedicated to a deity believed to control the weather. For three days in fall, a season of fickle weather in Japan, we asked people why they wanted divine help for sunny skies.

E4 - An Everyday Family Diner in Tokyo

Aired: February 18, 2025

At a family diner, we meet customers of all ages, from solo diners to families and big groups. These diners' stories may seem ordinary, but all kinds of quiet dramas lie within these everyday moments.

E5 - Beyond the Books at a Kanazawa Library

Aired: March 04, 2025

A public library in Kanazawa resembles a sublime theater and offers more than 1.1 million books. For three days, we asked people what books piqued their interest and how they spend their time here.

E6 - At a Huge Thrift Store in Saitama

Aired: April 01, 2025

Bargain-hunters and people decluttering their homes flock to a huge thrift store near Tokyo. For three days, we asked customers what drew them to this place filled with an array of second-hand goods.

E7 - A Martial Arts Gym in Tokyo

Aired: April 15, 2025

From beginners to pros, this gym in Tokyo welcomes people of all ages and skill levels. Each member has a unique reason for training here. We find out what they're wrestling with in their lives.

E8 - A Winding Road Through the Kii Mountains

Aired: April 29, 2025

A national road winds through a rugged mountain range on the Kii Peninsula. We drove the length of this road over three days to meet some of the residents in this remote region.

E9 - A Midsummer Service Area on Awaji Island

Aired: May 20, 2025

Up to 12,000 vehicles pass through a service area on Awaji Island every day. People stop for a break at the food court, observation deck or even the Ferris wheel. We find out where they're headed.

E10 - A Niigata Drive-Through Restaurant in Winter

Aired: June 17, 2025

Many customers at a drive-through restaurant in Niigata Prefecture order "Italian" - fried noodles topped with meat sauce. For three days, we asked them why this comfort food always hits the spot.

E11 - The Lure of Token Games at an Amusement Arcade

Aired: July 01, 2025

An amusement arcade near Tokyo has row after row of token-operated games. For three days, we asked people about the appeal of games that offer no cash or prizes, no matter how many tokens are won.

E12 - A Supermarket in Snowy Iwate

Aired: July 15, 2025

The only supermarket in Nishiwaga, Iwate Prefecture is stocked with a dazzling array of products. We spend three days meeting customers as they trek through heavy snowfall to visit this food hub.

E13 - At a 24-Hour Ramen Restaurant in Fukuoka

Aired: August 12, 2025

Locals have slurped down bowls of noodles at a 24-hour ramen restaurant in Fukuoka for five decades. For three days, we asked customers why this simple ramen is more than just a cheap meal.

E14 - Journeys Up and Down a Steep Road in Tokyo

Aired: August 26, 2025

Nozokizaka, a steep hill in Tokyo's Toshima Ward, takes people's breath away in more ways than one. For three days, we asked people why they go up and down this road that's also a test of stamina.