NHK Documentaries

Many of those who visit a small coffee shop in Kumamoto are dealing with the loss of someone dear to them. In the four years since the café opened, dozens have found comfort there. One woman, after years of fertility treatments, became pregnant at last, only to lose her son to illness soon after his birth. One man lost his daughter to a traffic accident just before she was to graduate from college. And behind the opening of the café itself is also a story of deeply felt loss. In the face of sudden endings through accidents and turns of fate, how can people carry on? This is a story, told through the seasons, of the bonds that coffee creates.

NHK's alpine filming crew closely follows Japan's top ice climber Kadota Gihado as he hangs from the rock wall like a bat, conversing with gravity in an upside-down world.

No one can escape gravity. But some try. Japanese climber Kadota Gihado relies only on the ice axe to hold on to the rock. He takes on one of the world's most difficult climbs, Saphira, in Colorado.

Discover what kabuki tells us about Japanese attitudes to swords, which feature in many legends and transcend the realm of weapons. Within each awe-inspiring Japanese sword, they say, dwells a spirit.

First graders in a Tokyo public elementary school are presented with a challenge for the final semester: performing "Ode to Joy" at the ceremony for the new incoming first graders. Ayame, who often struggles to keep up with the group, is determined to play a major part — the big drum. We follow Ayame as she experiences shattering blows and joyous victories in the audition process. But to rehearse for the big performance, Ayame must quickly learn to deal with newfound pressure and responsibility. When it comes time to perform in the packed auditorium, will she prevail? Instruments of a Beating Heart intimately examines the Japanese educational system's tenuous balance between self-sacrifice and human growth as it teaches the next generation to become part of Japanese society.

A mobile vendor brings food to people who have no access to shops. A seafood merchant delivers Hokuriku fish to Japan and the world. We follow these local heroes as they work to help their community.

Writer Lafcadio Hearn introduced Japanese culture to the world around 130 years ago, in books that faithfully depicted the country's traditions. We explore the cultural journey of this world traveler.

Zookeeper Takaichi Atsuhiro has cared for a polar bear named Peace since she was a cub, including through her battle with epilepsy. We take a look at the ups and downs of their 25 years together.

Trees that survived the A-bomb have inspired many in Hiroshima. 159 such trees are still alive, but some are nearing their end. We follow a tree surgeon and others who love and care for them.

Osaka's Midosuji Avenue, and the subway that runs beneath it, have been key to the city's development. We look at 12 groundbreaking buildings that embody a dynamic period in Osaka's history.

"In November 2023, Muto Masatane and his wife Yuko welcomed a healthy baby girl. He lives with incurable ALS. We follow the couple navigating the challenges of parenting with love and determination.

In Japan, "goze" were blind female travelling performers. We look at the lives of those songstresses who, shamisen in hand, travelled throughout Japan, singing their songs to earn a living.

In 2024, for the first time, Crested Ibises were released in the northern part of Sado Island in the Sea of Japan. This program features Kiyo and Akira, the driving force behind this initiative.

The shinkansen: world-renowned for exceptional on-time performance. We explore the highly skilled drivers and equipment that make it possible, through history and into a future of self-driving trains.

Yamabushi are religious ascetics who undergo rigorous training in the mountains. Their practices were outlawed 150 years ago. Now, one adherent is attempting to breathe new life into this tradition.

A 21-year-old Ukrainian whose life was drastically changed by the Russian invasion is rapidly progressing in Japanese professional sumo. In the 2025 summer tournament, he takes on the top wrestlers...

In a world with 10,000 nuclear weapons and endless conflict, what if an atomic bomb were dropped? This show visualizes the A-bomb's impact through a man's testimony of being exposed in Hiroshima.

Why does Iwata's Grandma refuse to be in photos? This animation documentary is based on a picture book about the atomic bomb tragedy but conveys kindness and hope rather than fear and anxiety.

PORNOGRAFFITTI make a song for NHK Hiroshima to convey efforts for peace 80 years from the atomic bombing. We cover their struggle, from meeting survivors who inspire the lyrics to recording the song.

Keiho Junior High School in Nagasaki lost 400 lives to an atomic bomb. Three old core members of the alumni association explore the future of the memorial service, held annually for the past 50 years.

At this local chalk factory in Japan, 69 of the 96 employees have intellectual disabilities. As veteran workers prepare to retire, they pass on skills and encouragement to the next generation.

22 kids who've struggled with absenteeism attend a new diverse learning school. We spend a year with students and teachers exploring better approaches to studying, ending with a graduation ceremony.

The young participants of a long-running Japan-South Korea students forum get along even if bilateral ties have sometimes been on choppy waters. We follow the latest gathering in Sapporo.

Renowned pianist Lee Kyung-mi uses her talent to foster better ties between Japan and South Korea.