Japanology Plus S02E07 · Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway

Overview

The Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway is the capital city's most important road system. Begun 50 years ago, with a 4.5-kilometer stretch built for the 1964 Olympics, it is today a massive, complex web of roads that runs more than 300 kilometers and carries more than 1 million vehicles per day. Our guest this time is Kenichi Kawabe, an expert on transportation systems and the technology used to build them. And in Plus One, navigating the expressway like a pro!

Torrents

Subtitles

Episodes

1. 1 1. Japanophiles: Bartholomeus Greb2015-01-08 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special talk-show series Japanophiles, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Bartholomeus Greb, originally f
2. 2 2. Japanophiles: Ivan Vartanian2015-01-15 · 28mThis time, another installment of our special talk-show series Japanophiles, featuring lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Ivan Vartanian, a photobook producer from
3. 3 3. Japanophiles: Alex Bennett2015-01-22 · 28mThis time, another installment of our special talk-show series Japanophiles, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. New Zealander Alex Bennett studies th
4. 4 4. The Seikan Tunnel2015-02-05 · 28mThe Seikan Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel, connects the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. Making it took 24 years, and the enormously challenging work claimed m
5. 5 5. Snow Country2015-02-12 · 28mThe "snow country" that covers nearly half of Japan gets huge amounts of snow every year. Local people have devised various practical ways of coping with harsh winters, and in rece
6. 6 6. Comedy2015-02-19 · 28mJapanese comedy has always been different from Western comedy, with its own approach to getting laughs. Japan has a stunning diversity of humorous entertainment - stand-up, sketch
7. 7 7. Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway2015-04-02 · 28mThe Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway is the capital city's most important road system. Begun 50 years ago, with a 4.5-kilometer stretch built for the 1964 Olympics, it is today a mass
8. 8 8. A Season of Change2015-04-16 · 28mCherry blossom season in Japan is also a season of change. In late March, graduations take place all across the country. Early in April, students and workers attend entrance ceremo
9. 9 9. Waste and Recycling2015-04-23 · 28mTo many foreign visitors, Japan's streets seem amazingly free of litter. Making the most of what's available is traditionally woven into the culture of this resource-poor island na
10. 10 10. Period Dramas2015-04-30 · 28mPlays, movies and TV dramas that depict Japan as it was in the eras up to the samurai times are called "jidaigeki", literally "period dramas". The original period dramas were kabuk
11. 11 11. Weight Loss Industry2015-05-07 · 28mJapan has the lowest obesity rate in the industrialized world, and yet, from schoolgirls to businessmen, it is a country where almost everyone seems to be on a diet. Why is weight
12. 12 12. Dams2015-05-14 · 28mGiant man-made structures dominating steep canyons, dams are a common feature of Japan's mountainous landscape. Dams provide water, prevent floods and generate hydroelectric power.
13. 13 13. Izakaya2015-05-28 · 28mJapan's cherished homegrown pubs, izakaya, offer refreshing drinks, comfort food made with care and a lively, fun atmosphere. Most izakaya fall into two general categories: old-fas
14. 14 14. Craft Beer2015-06-04 · 28mFor decades, the big breweries dominated Japan's beer market. But in the last few years, so-called "craft beers" from small producers have been in the limelight. Now Japan's craft
15. 15 15. Fermented Foods2015-06-11 · 28mFermented foods are a staple of the Japanese diet, and they come in countless forms: soy sauce, miso, vinegar, pickles, natto and more. Because they keep well and are high in nutri
16. 16 16. Umbrellas2015-06-18 · 28mJapan leads the world in sales of umbrellas, with 140 million purchased each year. In rainy Japan, umbrellas are a must, and on sunny days, many people carry parasols to shield the
17. 17 17. Job Hunting2015-06-25 · 28mIn the business districts of Japan, a major battle plays out each year: the job hunt. Students spend their last year of university working to land a full-time job with benefits. Al
18. 18 18. Japanophiles: Amir Takahashi2015-07-09 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special talk-show series Japanophiles, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. In the city of Takasaki, north
19. 19 19. The English Conversation Business2015-07-16 · 28mDespite years spent studying the language at school, many Japanese feel inept at English. Perhaps that's why Japan's English conversation business rakes in hundreds of billions of
20. 20 20. English at School2015-07-23 · 28mStudents in Japan receive years of instruction in English, usually starting in elementary school, but how best to teach the language is a question that has never been conclusively
21. 21 21. Shrine & Temple Carpenters2015-08-06 · 28mJapan boasts many shrines and temples built using sophisticated techniques that have been passed down through the centuries. This time, we feature shrine and temple carpenters, the
22. 22 22. Bunraku2015-08-12 · 28mBunraku is a traditional Japanese performing art dating back more than 4 centuries. It combines a stylized narration and music with a cast of puppets so expressive that you can alm
23. 23 23. Kids' Summer Holidays2015-09-03 · 28mEvery year children in Japan eagerly look forward to their summer vacation, which generally runs from late July to late August. How do Japanese kids spend the hottest part of the y
24. 24 24. Swimming2015-09-10 · 28mFrom young children to seniors, Japanese people love to swim. In samurai times, swimming gave warriors an edge in battle, and their techniques have been passed down through the cen
25. 25 25. Haunted Houses2015-09-17 · 28mIt's Japan's timeless summer thrill...haunted houses! There are dozens of haunted-house attractions around Japan, many of them at theme parks. These creepy experiences are popular
26. 26 26. Onsen2015-10-01 · 28mJapan has a lot of active volcanoes, which means it also has a lot of hot springs. Known in Japan as onsen, these natural baths have brought physical and spiritual refreshment for
27. 27 27. Japanophiles: Andrew Mancabelli2015-10-08 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Fascinated with the samurai from an early
28. 28 28. Cameras2015-10-15 · 28mFrom compact point-and-shoot digital cameras to high-end SLRs, and those built into smartphones, cameras are a part of everyday life in Japan. Durability, affordability, and advanc
29. 29 29. Wrapping and Packaging2015-10-22 · 28mFrom the nifty wrapping of convenience store rice balls to intricate cardboard packing, the Japanese have a knack for cleverly packaging just about anything. Both packaging and con
30. 30 30. Tokyo Housing2015-11-12 · 28mFrom detached homes to tower blocks, from micro-houses on tiny lots to large dormitories, a vast variety of housing is jammed into Tokyo. Many homes feature ingenious use of space,
31. 31 31. Japanophiles: Adam Zgola2015-11-19 · 28mThis time, we present an installment of our special Japanophiles series, which features lively interviews with foreigners living in Japan. Historically, most Japanese houses have b
32. 32 32. Kombu2015-11-26 · 28mScientists think there are around 20,000 species of seaweed. They include many varieties of kombu, a type of edible kelp. Kombu has been harvested and eaten in Japan since ancient
33. 33 33. Hotels and Inns2015-12-03 · 28mOne important part of any trip is choosing a place to stay. And if you come to Japan, you have a wide variety of options, from traditional Japanese inns called ryokan to capsule ho
34. 34 34. Tidying Up2015-12-10 · 28mSince ancient times in Japan, cleanliness has been seen as a moral virtue. It's part of living life well. And now the world is embracing a Japanese approach to keeping things neat
35. 35 35. Mt. Takao2015-12-17 · 28mMt. Takao, a peak that's visited by around 2.7 million people per year, is less than an hour by train from central Tokyo. This lushly wooded paradise has been regarded since ancien