Journeys in Japan
Season 8 Episode 17 - Meiwa-cho, Mie: An Ancient Legend Comes to Life
Until about 700 years ago, princesses from Japan's imperial family were sent to act as high priestesses at Ise Jingu, the ancient shrine that is considered the most sacred site in Japan's Shinto religion. These servants of the deities were known as Saio and the place where they lived was known as Saiku. In the 14th century, the site was abandoned and eventually it was only known from the ancient legends. But in 1970 excavations began, which confirmed that Saiku stood in the modern-day town of Meiwa-cho, in Mie Prefecture. In this edition of Journeys in Japan, Felicia Gonzalez visits Meiwa-cho to explore this legendary site. She observes the annual Saio Festival, in which people dress in period costume. And she meets the people of this town where present-day culture meets ancient history and the people take pride in the traditions of the past.
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
