Journeys in Japan
Season 8 Episode 14 - Monobe, Kochi: Tales from the Magical Mountain Hamlet
In the mountain village of Monobe-located in eastern Kochi Prefecture-a folk belief called Izanagi-ryu has been passed down for generations. Izanagi-ryu harmoniously blends elements of Shintoism, Buddhism and folk religions in a rare style of prayer. Traveler Alessandra Lupi discovers the world of this mysterious belief system. She visits the residence of a tayu; tayu are mentors or leaders of Izanagi-ryu. And, she learns about its religious art and how to make a ritual paper tool called gohei. She also gets to study its Mai Kagura ritual dance. Gradually, after a walk along an ancient Salt Road and farmhouse inn stay, Alessandra gets a sense of how Izanagi-ryu plays an organic role in the rural community.
Episodes in Season 8
Koza: A Rhythm All Its Own
28 min
Ogawayama: A Rock Climber's Paradise
28 min
Niseko: Snowy Adventures
28 min
Suruga Bay: The Bounty of the Deep
28 min
Tokoname: City of Ceramics Past and Present
28 min
Ibaraki: Savoring Winter Flavors
28 min
Hokkaido: Sculpting Winter's Ice and Snow
28 min
Mt. Norikuradake: A Peak Winter Experience
28 min
Odate: The Land of the Akita Inu
28 min
Oya, Utsunomiya: Stone Town & Quarry Ruins Tour
28 min
Nagoya: Samurai Warlord Chronicles
28 min
Hakuba: Off Piste to a Hidden Hot Spring
28 min
Nara: Ancient Sanctuary for all Living Creatures
28 min
Monobe, Kochi: Tales from the Magical Mountain Hamlet
28 min
Manazuru: Good Living by Design
28 min
Nanyo, Ehime: Water for Life and Fun
28 min
Meiwa-cho, Mie: An Ancient Legend Comes to Life
28 min
Mount Daisen: Mystical Rites, Local Life
28 min
Murayama, Yamagata: Local Delicacies, Local Pride
28 min
Tottori: Sculpted by Nature
28 min
Deep into the Unspoiled Forest: Shirakami Sanchi
28 min
Yonaguni: Wild West Escapades
28 min
Obuse, Nagano: Walking and Running for Fun
28 min
Taisetsuzan: Summer Alpine Discoveries
28 min
Kochi's Summertime Fever: The Yosakoi!
28 min
Awa Odori Festival: Spirited Away in Tokushima
28 min
Yanai: Old Town of Goldfish Lanterns
28 min
Nagara River: Pristine Beauty, Waterborne Bounty
28 min
Minami-Izu: Unspoiled Seaside Getaway
28 min
A River Runs Through Hokkaido
28 min
Kagoshima: The Taste and Style of "Kuro" Culture
28 min
Kikuma, Ehime: Pride and Pageantry
28 min
Togakushi: Autumn Hues at a Sacred Mountain
28 min
Passage of Time: Lake Towada in Autumn
28 min
Karatsu: Festival Floats, Deep Community Spirit
28 min
