Seasoning the Seasons

In this special edition we visit renowned castles in Japan including national treasures to rediscover the charms of their unique architecture.

Impressive towers. Exquisite roofs. Imposing stone walls. Castles built as defensive fortresses and symbols of power have today become symbols of their regions and are loved as cultural artifacts. Why do the Japanese love their castles so much? How should we look at one? What have the castles given to Japanese culture? What needs to be preserved for the future? Japanese castles present diverse faces. We meet the people who maintain the strength and beauty; delve into the allure; and analyze their role in the transmission of history and culture.

The Japanese have always been fascinated with cherry blossoms in spring. Every Japanese has their own cherry tree they remember. The joy of spring reaches its climax with the cherry blossoms. Spring is in full bloom. In this episode of Seasoning the Seasons, we take a look at various cherry blossoms from around Japan.

"The Narrow Road to Oku" is a travelogue by poet Matsuo Basho, who visited the region of Tohoku, known in those days as Oku, some 300 years ago. The travelogue contains many poems in a style known as haiku, which are always composed of 5, 7 and then 5 syllables. Today, people also enjoy creating haiku in the English-speaking world. Basho holds an undisputed position as Japan's greatest poet, but travel was another of his true passions. Our journey begins from the Shirakawa Barrier in Fukushima Prefecture.