Journeys in Japan
Season 11 Episode 15 - Otoyo: Bringing Fresh Life to a Traditional Community
Otoyo Town in Kochi Prefecture is located in the center of the Shikoku Mountain Range. More than 80% of its land is covered with forest. This mountain community is the only place that produces a special variety of tea, called Goishi-cha. Goishi-cha is a traditional specialty of Otoyo, which has been passed down in the community for over 400 years. Otoyo also lies on the Yoshino River, which is one of the 3 rivers with the wildest, strongest currents in Japan -- and also the birthplace of rafting in the country. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, we meet the people of Otoya, who have kept alive their traditions over the centuries, as well as newcomers who have moved into the community, lured by the beauty of its natural environment.
Episodes in Season 11
Asago: Hidden Gem of Heritage and History
28 min
Suo-Oshima: Finding Hawaii in the Inland Sea
28 min
Unlocking the Mysteries of Ancient Asuka
28 min
Yokohama: A Port Town with It All
28 min
Mishima, Fukushima: Keeping Alive the Folk Craft Tradition
28 min
Tsugaru: Deep Snow, Warm Hearts
28 min
The Magic of Winter in Akita
28 min
Hateruma: Life on a Distant Island
28 min
Hakkoda's Backcountry Magic
28 min
Asahikawa: Adventures on Sleds and Wheels
28 min
Rivers of Life: Kaizu and Kuwana
28 min
Ishigaki: A Look to the Future
28 min
KAGAWA: Treasure House of Modernist Architecture
28 min
Atami is Back
28 min
Otoyo: Bringing Fresh Life to a Traditional Community
28 min
Rural Reboot: Kamiyama's Renaissance
28 min
Nanmoku: Afterglow of the Silk Road
28 min
Work-Life Bliss in Itoshima
28 min
Ogawa Village: Laidback Living with Mountain Vistas
28 min
Omi-hachiman: Historic Merchant Town on Sacred Lake
28 min
South Iwate: On the Trail to Recovery
28 min
Passion on the Vine: Yamanashi and Its Winemakers
28 min
Ashio: Memory of the Forest
28 min
Miyagi: On the Trail to Recovery
28 min
Ojiya: Deep Roots in Snow Country
28 min
Revisiting Ibaraki's Autumn-Winter Flavors
28 min
