Begin Japanology S06E23 · Expressways

Overview

Tasty regional food, an amusement park or even a beach-you can find all of these things along Japanese expressways. Japan's first expressways were built in the 1960's, and half a century later the network reaches all of the nation's prefectures, from Hokkaido to Okinawa. But Japan's expressways do have at least one unpopular feature: they're expensive to use. On the plus side, they have sophisticated service areas with truly impressive leisure facilities offering refreshment to auto travelers.

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Sumo2013-01-10 · 28mSumo is often called Japan's national sport. Wrestlers, naked except for a special loincloth, face off, smash into each other, and battle for victory. Sumo is both a martial art an
2. 2 2. Bathroom Scales2013-01-17 · 28mBathroom scales are a part of everyday life in Japan. Men, women, babies, and children all use them. There are even scales specially designed to weigh your pets. In samurai times,
3. 3 3. Enka2013-01-24 · 28mSongs of tragic love, driven by strong emotions, are at the heart of enka, often called "the Japanese blues." Enka songs take up romantic, nostalgic, and melancholy themes. The roo
4. 4 4. Small Factories2013-01-31 · 28mFrom electronics to motor vehicles, Japanese industrial products are renowned for their high performance. And they wouldn't be possible without the "small factories" that make the
5. 5 5. Japanophiles - Azby Brown2013-02-07 · 28mThis month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Making skillful use of small spaces, Japanese ar
6. 6 6. Japanophiles - Ernst Seiler2013-02-14 · 28mThis month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Originally from Germany, Ernst Seiler, who has b
7. 7 7. Japanophiles - Yasokichi Konishiki2013-02-21 · 28mThis month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Yasokichi Konishiki from Hawaii was a "big hit"
8. 8 8. Ume Plums2013-03-07 · 28mThe flowers of the ume plum are a harbinger of spring. While the winter chill still lingers in Japan, the blossoming of the ume plum is a sign that spring is on the way. At this ti
9. 9 9. Storehouses2013-03-14 · 28mTraditional Japanese storehouses were constructed using special methods, so as to protect valuables. They have thick earthen walls covered in white plaster, they maintain a stable
10. 10 10. Wagyu2013-03-21 · 28mJapan today is home to 4.17 million cattle. 2.7 million are classified as beef cattle, and two-thirds of these are classified as wagyu. There are 4 unique Japanese wagyu breeds, wh
11. 11 11. Uniforms2013-04-04 · 28mThe Japanese love uniforms. Uniforms are first worn in preschool. Most Japanese teenagers wear one at school, and uniforms are also required in various professions. They're even wo
12. 12 12. Rice Cookers2013-04-11 · 28mOf the world's many household appliances, one stands out as a Japanese original: the electric rice cooker. Before electric appliances came along, rice was cooked in wood-fired clay
13. 13 13. Burial Mounds2013-04-18 · 28mMore than 200,000 ancient burial mounds are known to exist in Japan, and they are located all over the country. They were built for kings and powerful nobles. Along with the bodies
14. 14 14. Stationery2013-04-25 · 28mJapanese stationery goods are popular all over the world. Most stationery goods used today are originally Western in origin, but Japanese companies have continued to churn out new
15. 15 15. Bread2013-05-02 · 28mIt is said that Japan has more types of bread than any other country. Buns in Japan are filled with custard cream, sweet bean paste, or even curry. Bread made its first appearance
16. 16 16. Pine Trees2013-05-09 · 28mPine trees grow all around Japan, and make essential contributions to the Japanese way of life. From pine trees come gourmet matsutake mushrooms and fine calligraphy ink. Since pin
17. 17 17. Parcel Delivery2013-05-16 · 28mParcel delivery is a private-sector service that delivers small items to your door. First established in Japan, this business now handles 3.4 billion items a year. The roots of the
18. 18 18. Pro Wrestling2013-05-23 · 28mPro wrestling battles take place every evening in rings across Japan-over 150 pro wrestling events are held every month. Japanese pro wrestling was launched by the popularity of on
19. 19 19. Strawberries2013-05-30 · 28mFor the past quarter of a century, strawberries have been Japan's best-loved fruit. Distinctively sweet, plump and delicious, Japanese strawberries started to be grown for eating a
20. 20 20. Calculators2013-06-13 · 28mJapan is the world's calculator superpower. Rivalries between Japanese companies to make calculators ever slimmer, lighter and cheaper eventually propelled Japan to the top, and Ja
21. 21 21. Television2013-06-27 · 28mThis year, Japanese television broadcasting celebrates its 60th anniversary. The world's very first cathode ray tube TV was made in Japan, and Japanese TV technology continues to s
22. 22 22. Lake Biwa2013-07-04 · 28mJapan's biggest lake: Lake Biwa. It is 4 million years old, a source of water for 14 million people, and home to over 10 aquatic creatures that are only found there. Lake Biwa cont
23. 23 23. Expressways2013-07-11 · 28mTasty regional food, an amusement park or even a beach-you can find all of these things along Japanese expressways. Japan's first expressways were built in the 1960's, and half a c
24. 24 24. Beer2013-07-18 · 28mIn Japan, summertime is beer time. The Japanese like smooth, ice-cold beer that really hits the spot as you gulp it down. Beer came to Japan from the Netherlands in the 18th centur
25. 25 25. Japanophiles - Mike Harris2013-08-01 · 28mThis month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. River sports have recently become much more popu
26. 26 26. Japanophiles - Karl Bengs2013-08-08 · 28mThis month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Many of Japan's mountain communities suffer from
27. 27 27. Japanophiles - Kenny Omega2013-08-15 · 28mThis month, we present a special talk-show series called Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Kenny Omega is a professional wrestler enjoying
28. 28 28. Shakuhachi2013-09-05 · 28mJapan has various traditional wind instruments. Among the most familiar of them is the shakuhachi, which is essentially a hollowed-out length of bamboo. The sounds of the shakuhach
29. 29 29. Convenience Stores2013-09-12 · 28mWherever you go to Japan, you will never be far from a convenience store and its vast range of products. An endeavor led by a Japanese businessman brought convenience stores to Jap
30. 30 30. Used Books2013-09-19 · 28mThe culture and business of used books has been important in Japan since around the 17th century. Today, the Jimbocho neighborhood of Tokyo has some 160 book dealers, many of them
31. 31 31. Women's Nylons2013-10-03 · 28m
32. 32 32. Remote Islands2013-10-10 · 28m
33. 33 33. Characters and Mascots2013-10-17 · 28m
34. 34 34. Grapes2013-10-24 · 28m
35. 35 35. Makeup2013-11-07 · 28m
36. 36 36. Ukiyo-e2013-11-14 · 28m
37. 37 37. Buses2013-11-21 · 28m
38. 38 38. Parties and Gatherings2013-12-05 · 28m
39. 39 39. Conveyor Belt Sushi2013-12-12 · 28m
40. 40 40. Pets2013-12-19 · 28m