Trails to Oishii Tokyo

Azuki beans are often sweetened, simmered and used in Japanese sweets. Their red color is said to ward off evil, and they're key at celebrations too. We visit an area in Hyogo Prefecture known for growing high-quality Azuki, and learn how artisans in Kyoto Prefecture put their skills to work making beautiful sweets that incorporate the beans. Learn all about Azuki beans, grown, eaten and beloved for over 5,000 years in Japan. (Reporter: Saskia Thoelen)

Our focus today is fugu, or pufferfish. As one of Japan's great winter delicacies, it is eaten as nearly-transparent slices of sashimi, or in umami-packed hot pots. Even in seafood-loving Japan, fugu is a special treat that is among the most expensive fish. It's also known for containing lethal amounts of poison, requiring chefs to obtain a special license in order to prepare it. Dive in to learn more about the various methods devised to provide quality flavor while also ensuring safety. (Reporter: Kyle Card)

Daikon, Japanese radishes, are often over 30cm long, large and white, but there are also colorful types ranging from pink to green. They're an essential ingredient used in stews, salads, miso soup and more. We visit the Miura Peninsula, where half the daikon eaten in the Tokyo region are grown. There, we discover a "curtain" of thousands of daikon drying on a beach, soil supplemented with ground tuna, and the skills of those involved in daikon production. (Reporter: Jason Hancock)

Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan's large northern island, is known for its rich nature and great, Oishii food. Its expansive farmlands, about a quarter of Japan's total, yield fresh produce, while its bountiful seas are home to some of Japan's best seafood, including fish, marine plants and more. And don't forget dairy: Hokkaido is Japan's largest producer! Today, we showcase the best of our Hokkaido trails so far.

Take a close look at unique herbs and spices, from the world-famous wasabi to the recently popular Sansho pepper. These small ingredients have played a massive role in the development of Japanese cuisine over the centuries, not only providing a punch of flavor but even disinfectant properties and health benefits. Join our reporters on a mouth-watering journey into the world of Japan's herbs and spices.

This episode showcases Japan's long history of food preservation and the ingenious methods that have been developed over the centuries. Whether by employing salt, the open air, or a natural fermentation process, careful preservation has allowed for the enjoyment of seasonal delicacies all year round. Dive for hijiki seaweed, try your hand at creating Kamaboko, and feast your eyes on many other household favorites like umeboshi.

Being surrounded by ocean on all sides, Japan has long relied on the ocean for sustenance. Numerous fishing and cultivation methods have been developed over the centuries to ensure the sustainability of such resources. From top quality fish raised on olive leaves and orange peels, to cultivated seaweed and shellfish, learn about several robust methods with our reporters in this special installment of "Trails to Oishii Tokyo," focusing on Japan's fisheries.

Along with renowned gourmet restaurants, Tokyo is also home to many food producers. Urban farms have grown traditional vegetables for centuries. Rooftop beekeeping is made possible by the beautiful flowers found in gardens and parks. The local fishing industry also thrives! This special episode introduces unsung heroes responsible for Tokyo specialties ranging from a world-renowned spice to unforgettable fish delicacies.

Fruit in Japan has evolved in the country's unique climate, shaping into perfect gems that are now recognized worldwide. Some are even referred to by their Japanese names, such as kaki and yuzu. Japanese peaches and pears are known for their impactful juiciness. In this special installment of Trails to Oishii Tokyo, revisit the hard work and ingenuity that goes into cultivating the fruits that have come to be prized the world over.

In this episode on wagyu, discover meaty secrets with our American reporter, Kailene. Visit a long-established shop in Ginza where cuts for sukiyaki, shabu-shabu and BBQ are perfectly sliced down to the millimeter based on fat content. Witness the special conditions under which Japanese Black cattle are reared to produce Matsusaka beef, and learn how to make sukiyaki like a pro.

Satoyama - mountains surrounding villages where seasonal goodies are harvested all year. Enjoy a variety of mushrooms in fall, or produce gathered once the winter snow melts. These unique natural ingredients helped build the foundation of Japanese cuisine, stimulating all 5 senses throughout the year. In this special installment of Trails to Oishii Tokyo, our reporters visit Satoyama areas across Japan to discover the wonders that nature has to offer.

This episode features unique ingredients that may have you asking, "You eat that?!" Discover secrets behind nori, the papery food you've likely seen at a sushi shop; gobo, a root that's surprisingly versatile; and sea cucumbers! Add gelatinous Konnyaku to your diet as a calorie-free filler, and try the ingredient from the sea that makes Japanese sweets so special. Join us in this special remix about products of nature you wouldn't expect to end up on your dinner table.

Soy sauce is key when it comes to the flavor of Japanese food. This time, we ask a specialist about the differences in color and flavor between sauces. We also see a soy sauce maker which prepares its sauce in wooden barrels used for over 100 years. In order to pass this disappearing method on, the maker started to produce its own barrels. Finally, we learn about a new type of sauce popular in France and virtually unknown in Japan. Join reporter Kyle from Canada as he dives deep into soy sauce.

As an island nation, Japan is surrounded by marine life. Since ancient times, these gifts from the sea have played key roles both on and off the dinner table. Feast your eyes on a selection from previous episodes as our Tokyo-based reporters discover what makes these marine delights so important for seasonal events and celebrations.

Abura-age, or deep-fried tofu, is an indispensable ingredient used in miso soup, udon and rice dishes. It's also been a valuable source of protein in the Buddhist vegetarian diet. Our reporter, Dasha, learns more from manufacturer in Fukui Prefecture, Japan's largest abura-age consumption area. Find out why foxes are associated with the food, and learn tasty recipes you can easily try at home.

Our focus today is Senbei, a traditional cracker typically made of rice or wheat. If you can press it and grill it, you can make Senbei! A variety of shapes and flavors can be found in all regions of Japan. Our reporter learns a classic grilling method from a Senbei master and all about the snack's evolution into a type used with soup and one that's practically a dessert!

Salmon reigns in fish-loving Japan. It begins its life in a river, leaves for the vast ocean, and returns to spawn and live out the rest of its days. Our own culinary expert Chiara hears from specialists about what else makes the fish so unique. What's the best way to pan-fry it? What makes the round-faced salmon from Hokkaido Prefecture so oily and tasty? Have you ever tried Chitatap, the traditional Ainu dish using the entire head? Dive in to learn more about salmon's deep ties to Japanese culture.

Check out the Silkie chicken, once considered part of the recipe for longevity. It lays only about one egg a week, which can sell for the high price of 6 dollars a pop. Our Swedish reporter Janni visits a poultry farm in Tokyo to see how they're raised, and their feed that contains 16 ingredients including herbs and seaweed. She also tries some fresh Silkie eggs for the first time. Feast your eyes on French and Chinese dishes using the chicken's nutritious black meat.

Today we focus on Furikake, rice's best friend. Invented by a pharmacist a century ago, it was originally intended as a health food. Furikake is a mixture of dried ingredients like chopped seaweed, eggs and fish flakes. With an ever-increasing variety of flavors, it's even great on salad and pasta. Follow our American reporter Jason to a Furikake manufacturer, and try making some at home! He also chats with a Japanese resident of Cambodia working to promote the topping there.

Don't forget Negi when chowing down on sukiyaki, udon or ramen. Spicy when raw and sweet when cooked, it's been an indispensable part of Japanese cuisine for centuries. This episode focuses on Senju Negi, a variety passed down from the Edo period. In Tokyo, clay soil gives it a unique sweetness. Our reporter Kailene enjoys steamed Negi on a farm, a hot pot eaten in winter featuring fatty tuna, and learns 2 sauce recipes for nearly any occasion. (Reporter: Kailene Falls)

The sweet potato - a popular winter treat in Japan that varies in texture and sweetness. Individual characteristics determine how they're eaten, be it baked, dried or for dessert! Learn about a special type of soil using fossilized coral and a curing method for long-term preservation. Also, feast your eyes on everyday recipes and even French cuisine featuring the ingredient. (Reporter: Sarah Macdonald)