Ken Watanabe: The decade since the Great East Japan Earthquake

March 6th

1:10 / 7:10 / 13:10 / 19:10

Actor Ken Watanabe started going to meet victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake two months after its occurrence in 2011. Since then, he has listened to the stories of more than 20,000 people. Watanabe has used his stature to bring international attention to the disaster. He also has drawn on personal funds to open a café in Kesennuma. The program returns to four communities seriously affected by the quake—Katsurao (Fukushima), Kesennuma (Miyagi), Rikuzentakata (Iwate), and Kamaishi (Iwate)—and revisits some of Watanabe’s encounters over the past decade.

Kiyo in Kyoto: from the Maiko House

March 24th

23:30 / 5:30 / 12:30 / 17:30

Teenage Kiyo and her childhood friend Sumire have come to Kyoto far away from their hometown, dreaming to become maiko (professional female entertainers especially skilled in traditional performing arts such as dance and music).However, after an unexpected turn of events, Kiyo starts working as a live-in cook at a place called “Maiko House”, where maiko live together like a family. Sumire, on the other hand, strives toward her promising future as “the one-in-a-century maiko”. Their story unfolds in Kyoto’s traditional entertainment district called Kagai.You will enjoy its gorgeous atmosphere and behind-the-scenes anecdotes as wonderful meals prepared by Kiyo and her kitchen episodes will warm your heart. Stay tuned for this touching story of two childhood friends encouraging each other to grow up together!

The Tale of Granny Mochi: Kuwata Misao

March 14th

1:10 / 7:10 / 13:10 / 19:10

The Tsugaru peninsula lies on the northern part of Japan’s main island, and is home to some of the country’s most untamed landscapes. For more than 30 years, 93-year-old Kuwata Misao has made over 50,000 Sasa-mochi rice cakes every year here, all on her own. She goes into the wilderness to find bamboo leaves, and grows her own azuki beans to ensure the perfect ingredients for her delicious mochi. What is the meaning of work? Of life? Of happiness? Granny Mochi’s quiet, delightful tale warms the heart.

[Source: NHK WORLD TV]