Journeys in Japan

Spring & Summer 2010 Highlights (1x20)

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On this edition, we present the highlights from our past broadcast. Our Reporters travel across Japan, where they discover fascinating local culture and people. Tottori Dune: Tottori-Pref. The Tottori Sand Dunes, the largest in Japan, skirt the Sea of Japan in the southwestern part of Japan. Our reporter Vincent joins the member of the photography club at the Tottori School for the Deaf. This club activity encourages students to proactively talk to people who they meet for the first time. Vincent will find out how this activity made a difference on the students. Yonezawa: Yamagata-Pref. Yonezawa is a historic city in Yamagata prefecture, the northern part of Japan. For long years, it flourished as a castle town and was a home to many samurai. JJ visits Uesugi Shrine, dedicated to the great lord Uesugi Kenshin who was in power about 500 years ago. At the shrine, he meets samurai enthusiasts who show him the appeal of samurai. Miyazu: Kyoto The pine-studded sandbar spans Miyazu Bay, facing the Sea of Japan in northern Kyoto. It's called "Amanohashidate." Looking at the "bridge in heaven" from above is not the only way to enjoy this. Matanozoki...is the name for this traditional pose of viewing Amanohashidate-the 3.6 kilometer-long sandbar-looking upside down. Judit also visits a village near Amanohashidate, where about 50 households are engaged in fishing. Northern Izu Peninsula: Shizuoka-Pref. JJ goes to a secluded part of northern Izu Peninsula, facing the Pacific Ocean. Ose Shrine has a history of eleven centuries with fishermen from the entire Suruga Bay worshipping the enshrined guardian god of the sea. He joins the Ose Matsuri, an ancient festival of fishermen where men dressed as women dance on boats. Naruto: Tokushima-Pref. Tokushima is in the Shikoku Island. Vincent takes a sightseeing boat and enjoy watching the Naruto Strait which is famous for its large whirlpools up to 30 meters across. Also he visits a wooden door company and he