Home > Documentary TV Show > Hometown Stories

Hometown Stories

2011

Seasons & Episodes

  • 13
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EP1 Korean Family Meals for Rural Japan Jan 07, 2024

There's a Korean restaurant in Northeastern Japan run by a woman from South Korea. She moved to the area over 30 years ago to marry a Japanese man. We follow her as she connects with local people.

EP2 A School for Two Jan 14, 2024

A shuttered elementary school reopened for just one family that moved back to their beloved hometown. We look at their joys and struggles, and local efforts to enliven a small fishing settlement.

EP3 A Mosque in a Japanese Community Jan 28, 2024

There is a mosque in western Japan where local Muslims gather to pray and seek help when they are troubled. For them, the mosque is like a second home that provides happiness and emotional support.

EP4 Nagasaki's Long-Forgotten Choir Feb 04, 2024

During World War II, a radio children's choir brought joy to its members and listeners alike. We uncovered the story of the teacher who led it, working to promote the cause of peace through music.

EP5 Conquering Peaks on One Leg Feb 18, 2024

A one-legged climber, who uses forearm crutches, aims to conquer two rugged peaks in central Japan at the same time. We find out what spurs him to take up the challenge and what views await him.

EP6 Nepalese Students Find a Taste of Home Feb 25, 2024

Nepalese students who are studying in Japan are finding community at a local store selling Nepalese goods. What challenges do they face as they pursue their dreams so far from home?

EP7 Taxi Drivers in a Tsunami-hit Town Mar 10, 2024

Twelve years after a massive quake and tsunami in northeast Japan, we followed taxi drivers in Kesennuma, one of the affected towns, to experience people's memories and hopes through their eyes.

EP8 Life Lessons by a Crystal-Clear River Mar 24, 2024

A small high school canoeing club trains hard every day. While persevering and improving their skills, they learn valuable life lessons in the clear waters of the Shimanto River in Kochi Prefecture.

EP9 Hiking Guide Connects Hearts Apr 14, 2024

A popular hiking guide in northern Japan brings smiles to the faces of all her clients. What events from her past brought her to where she is today? And what is her secret for spreading happiness?

EP10 New Approach to an Old Festival Apr 28, 2024

In Nagasaki, a group of men practice for a traditional performance so tough that some have to drop out with injuries. Under their motto of "Smile," will they succeed and pass on the custom?

EP11 Navigating a World with Words May 05, 2024

An improper diagnosis in early childhood led Shibasaki Akane to spend nearly half her life in a world without words. We follow her as she expands her horizons and moves toward an independent future.

EP12 Pearls for Remembrance May 19, 2024

Families come to Ago Bay, central Japan, to have loved ones' ashes encased in pearls. They insert them into oysters so they can grow in the sea. We explore what has made families reach this decision.

EP13 Forging Bonds Under a Starry Sky May 26, 2024

What happens when people gather to gaze at the stars? Through a variety of programs, a Japanese organization enables a broad range of participants to learn more about the universe and themselves.

EP14 From Seed to Shop: Grandma's Pickles Jun 09, 2024

In Japan's snowy north, an elderly woman has been making pickles for 70 years. Now, she must learn to adapt to new laws and a warming climate. And her efforts seem to be paying off.

EP15 New Face for a Centuries-Old Dance Jun 30, 2024

In a mountain community in northeastern Japan, a 21-year-old man has decided to become the first successor of a traditional local Kagura dance in 50 years. We follow him as he prepares for his debut.

EP16 Mending Hearts with Mandarin Oranges Jul 07, 2024

A man in his seventies has been transporting fruit and supplies to places affected by the 2011 disaster. On his final journey, he shares emotional farewells with people whose lives he's made brighter.

EP17 Holy Fire on the Mountain Jul 21, 2024

About 1,500 local men in traditional white costumes run down a mountain path, lighting up the night with sacred torches, in a centuries-old fire festival in Shingu City, western Japan.

EP18 A Ranch for Retired Racehorses Jul 28, 2024

A famed former trainer runs a ranch where retired racehorses spend their final days in nature bringing comfort to human visitors. But then an earthquake brings uncertainty to their peaceful lives.

EP19 Hiroshima's A-Bomb Survivor Trees Aug 11, 2024

A tree surgeon in Hiroshima lovingly treats trees that live on around 8 decades after the A-bomb devastation. He intentionally leaves their scars intact as some of them near the end of their lives.

EP20 A Year as a Young Rural Doctor Aug 25, 2024

A young doctor undergoes training to develop skills to help rural communities. What kind of care do his patients need to live life to the fullest? We follow him in his search for answers.

EP21 Carrying on in a Quake-hit Town Sep 08, 2024

Five months after a big earthquake struck central Japan's Noto Peninsula, many residents have evacuated, but some stayed in their hometown. Faced with new challenges, they try to rebuild their lives.

EP22 Modern Maiko Diaries Sep 15, 2024

In the city of Sakata in northeastern Japan, maiko have entertained people for centuries. Now, a master of the art is helping younger women follow in her path, and gain confidence with every step.

EP23 Leaving No Stone Unturned: A Potter's Quest Sep 29, 2024

Potter Baba Kojiro uses stones from the quarry that is said to have produced Japan's first porcelain but was abandoned for centuries. What drives him to create pieces from this unique type of clay?

EP24 Reviving a Pottery Tradition in Fukushima Oct 06, 2024

13 years after the Fukushima disaster, a potter returns to his empty hometown to revive the local craft. His potter son works in the town he evacuated to. What does tradition mean to the two men?

EP25 A Country Town's Woolly Heroes Oct 20, 2024

In a depopulated mountain area, a woman raises sheep and makes wool products that have received international acclaim. We look at her work and the community's efforts to recapture its vitality.

EP26 Making a Home in Osaka Oct 27, 2024

Ikuno Ward, Osaka, has one of Japan's most diverse communities with people from all over the world. A local NPO provides them with help and tutoring, trying to ensure that everybody can live together.
5.5| 0h30m| en
Synopsis

Stories about people, stories about life. Intimate portraits of people from around Japan, each leading diverse lives while enriching lives of others.

Cast

lae astra

Director

Producted By

NHK

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Trailers & Clips

Reviews

Manthast Absolutely amazing
Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.
Michelle Ridley The movie is wonderful and true, an act of love in all its contradictions and complexity
Cristal The movie really just wants to entertain people.

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