NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in June: Niigata

2 June 2025

EKIBEN JAPAN A Bento Shaped by Layers of Tradition June 8 Sun. 5:10/11:10/17:10/22:10 (UTC) In Nagaoka, there’s an ekiben shaped by layers of tradition, featuring chicken meatballs with local chili, 100-year-old abura-age, thrice-pickled eggplants in miso and more, each with their own story.
CYCLE AROUND JAPAN Sado – Island of Hidden Treasures June 14 Sat. 2:10/10:10/15:10/21:10 (UTC) Historically Japan was famous for gold, much of it mined on Sado. The prosperity this created left the island with unique cultural traditions like its strong Noh theater. We meet an actor teaching a new generation of Noh performers, cycle Sado’s beautiful coastline and spectacular mountains, paddle hangiri shallow-water fishing boats, visit a sake brewery built in an old school, and meet the man who rescued the Japanese crested ibis from extinction to Sado’s current population of 500 birds.
EXPO 2025 Special Edition: Do the Oceans Hold the Key? June 8 Sun. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) The World Expo 2025 is underway in Osaka, Japan. Bobby Judo and Professor Oki Taikan, a hydrologist visit pavilions focusing on climate change to find out how the ocean can help us combat this urgent global issue.