Journeys in Japan S16E01 · The Mountain Spirit of Shiiba Village

Overview

Shiiba, one of Japan's three great unexplored regions, is hidden in mountains over 1,000 meters tall. The people in this secluded village have preserved their traditional landscapes and ancient practices like slash-and-burn farming, hunting, as well as mountain worship. In this winter journey, Canadian traveler Vincent experiences Shiiba's living traditions, including its mystical Kagura ritual dance.

Torrents

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Episodes

1. 1 1. The Mountain Spirit of Shiiba Village2025-02-04 · 28mShiiba, one of Japan's three great unexplored regions, is hidden in mountains over 1,000 meters tall. The people in this secluded village have preserved their traditional landscape
2. 2 2. Kyushu: Land of Samurai Swords2025-02-18 · 28mKyushu is a region where the traditional skills of kenjutsu – Japanese swordsmanship – remain deeply embedded, with more dojo (practice halls) for kendo than anywhere else in Japan
3. 3 3. Enku's 120,000 Smiles Over Gifu2025-02-25 · 28mRoughly hewed, smiling statues of deities and Buddhas... A monk named Enku is believed to have sculpted some 120,000 in Gifu Prefecture, which are beloved to this day. We discover
4. 4 4. Hokuriku 1: Foods and Flavors of the Trading Ships2025-03-04 · 28mThe Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train connects Tokyo with Toyama, Ishikawa and (since March 2024) Fukui Prefecture. This region along the Sea of Japan has its own distinctive histor
5. 5 5. Hokuriku 2: The Golden Age of the Trading Ships and Their Legacy2025-03-11 · 28mThe Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet train connects Tokyo with Toyama, Ishikawa and (since March 2024) Fukui Prefecture. This region along the Sea of Japan has its own distinctive histor
6. 6 6. Gunma: Raking in Good Luck2025-03-18 · 28mFor centuries, Daruma dolls have been popular in Japan as talismans to bring good fortune. The largest producer of Daruma dolls in Japan is Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture, where t
7. 7 7. Hida: Deep Winter Escape2025-03-25 · 28mWe visit Furukawa, an old district of Hida City in Gifu Prefecture, which is surrounded by mountains and stunning scenery. Furukawa flourished as a castle town 400 years ago, and t
8. 8 8. Hokkaido Sapporo: Sensing the City Through Its Architecture2025-04-01 · 28mSapporo is known for its rich architectural heritage, a symbol of its place as Hokkaido's hub of politics, economy, and culture from the 19th century. Architect James Liambasi visi
9. 9 9. NIIGATA: SNOW COUNTRY WONDERLAND2025-04-15 · 28mNiigata is renowned for its heavy snowfall. Each winter it is transformed into a wonderland where the snow covers the landscape for nearly half the year. Despite these harsh condit
10. 10 10. Wakayama: The Cradle of Japan's Flavors2025-05-13 · 28mWakayama is famous for shoyu, miso and umeboshi—staples in Japanese cuisine. In this episode, Shizuka Anderson meets artisans and farmers who make them, savors their distinctive fl
11. 11 11. Kure Port, Kochi — The Lure of Katsuo2025-05-27 · 28mKatsuo-bushi (bonito flakes) are one of the key ingredients in Japanese cuisine, for preparing dashi stock. They are made from the large migratory fish known in Japanese as katsuo
12. 12 12. Izu Peninsula: Volcanic Beauty2025-06-10 · 28mThe Izu Peninsula was formed by long ago volcanic eruptions. It was designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark for its unique geological features. The peninsula boasts a distinctive nat
13. 13 13. Nagaoka: Water, the Wellspring of Abundance2025-06-24 · 28mLocated in the heartland of Niigata Prefecture, the city of Nagaoka is blessed with an abundance of water. It lies on the banks of the Shinano River, the longest river in Japan, wh
14. 14 14. Matagi: Yamagata’s Spiritual Hunter-Gatherers2025-07-01 · 28mJapan is known for its fisheries and agriculture. But deep in the mountains, people called Matagi still maintain a hunter-gatherer lifestyle that has been passed down since long be
15. 15 15. Nishio: Whisking up the Global Matcha Boom2025-07-08 · 28mThe city of Nishio lies in the Mikawa district of Aichi Prefecture, central Japan. Thanks to the elegance of its traditional architecture, the town has been nicknamed the "Little K
16. 16 16. Tochigi: Life Away from the Sea2025-07-22 · 28mTochigi prefecture, which lies inland, is home to distinctive culinary traditions featuring fish. Leina Bambino visits the Nakagawa River to try its cherished ayu sweetish and then
17. 17 17. Okinawa: A World in Bloom2025-08-05 · 28mOkinawa is a subtropical paradise blooming with vivid flowers. Photographer Alfie Goodrich captures the profound beauty of the island's nature. Along the way, he meets a couple who
18. 18 18. With Isabella Bird — Part 6: On the Road to Biratori2025-08-12 · 28mBritish explorer and writer Isabella Bird arrived in Japan in 1878, just 10 years after the Meiji Era began. Accompanied by a young man who served as both interpreter and attendant
19. 19 19. SHAKOTAN: Out of the Blue, Into the Flames2025-08-19 · 28mThe Shakotan Peninsula in the west of Hokkaido is known for the vivid color of the sea, which has come to be known as "Shakotan Blue." This craggy land is the stage for a mysteriou
20. 20 20. The Ontake Kodo Path to Sacred Peak2025-09-16 · 28mStanding over 3,000 meters, Mt. Ontake is Japan's second-highest volcano. It has long been revered as sacred. In the 18th century, many pilgrims set off for its peak from Kiso-Fuku
21. 21 21. Mishima: Festival Rhythms Run Deep2025-09-30 · 28mMishima lies at the foot of Mount Fuji, in Shizuoka Prefecture. Its main shrine, Mishima Taisha, is said to have been founded in the 8th century to enshrine the deities of the moun
22. 22 22. Higashikawa: Picture-Perfect Town2025-10-14 · 28mHigashikawa, just 15 minutes from Asahikawa Airport, is known as a leading rice producer in Hokkaido. Its lifestyle, connected to the land and a spirit of "live as you like," has c
23. 23 23. Kochi Shimanto River: Pristine Water and Premium Fishing2025-10-28 · 28mThe Shimanto River flows for 196 kilometers through Kochi Prefecture in the south of Shikoku. It is known for its crystal-clear water, which nourishes the fish and other river crea
24. 24 24. Discovering Japan's Hidden Christians2025-11-18 · 28mAlthough Christianity was banned in Japan for over 250 years, some communities refused to abandon their faith. Worshipping in secret, these "hidden Christians" developed some uniqu
25. 25 25. Hiking the San'in Coast: Tottori2025-11-25 · 28mThe San'in Kaigan Geopark Trail is a 230-kilometer-long course connecting the Sea of Japan coastline along Tottori, Hyogo, and Kyoto prefectures, which were designated as a UNESCO
26. 26 26. Unearthing a Love for Seto2025-12-16 · 28mSeto City, in Aichi Prefecture, is a leading ceramic hub, and also one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan. Its pottery tradition has continued uninterrupted for over 1,000 years. Ce
27. 27 27. SHIMANE: In Search of Izumo's Gardens Past and Present2025-12-23 · 28mShimane Prefecture, formerly known as Izumo, is home to a number of superb Japanese gardens — some traditional, others laid out more recently. At the Adachi Museum of Art, visitors