Poster for Hometown Stories

NHK WORLD-JAPAN 2011 - 15 seasons 319 eps Returning series

Hometown Stories

2011 - 15 seasons 319 eps

4.9

Season 15

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Season 4

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Season 13

Season 14

Season 15

25 min

S15 · E1 · Jan 5, 2026

Aiming for Glory: Japan's Senior Esports Team Episode 1

In northern Japan, a senior esports team with an average age of 69 is aiming high. Pushed relentlessly by their coach, more than 30 years their junior, they dream of competing in a world championship.

25 min

S15 · E2 · Jan 27, 2026

The Island of Boze Deities Episode 2

Despite earthquakes and isolation, the people of Akusekijima Island work to uphold local traditions, including the mysterious Boze deities. A new generation is helping to keep those traditions alive.

27 min

S15 · E3 · Feb 2, 2026

Tradition and Innovation: Tochigi's Sake Masters Episode 3

An energetic mix of brewers strives to enliven the sake scene in Tochigi Prefecture, a place not well known for its breweries. With pride and innovation, they bring new life to an ancient tradition.

25 min

S15 · E4 · Feb 16, 2026

Hope at Your Fingertips Episode 4

Cancer treatments can leave a patient's fingernails weak and dark, adding to their anxiety. So a doctor opened a nail salon to help clients improve both their appearance and their outlook on life.

25 min

S15 · E5 · Feb 23, 2026

A Doctor Duo: Songs to Comfort the Heart Episode 5

Two doctors in western Japan have an alter ego as the music duo Insheart, whose songs bring hope to patients and families. We follow them and the fans who find strength and comfort in their music.

25 min

S15 · E6 · Mar 2, 2026

A Ten-Year-Old Takes the Reins Episode 6

In Ehime Prefecture, children on horseback take part in a 600-year-old tradition. With fewer participants each year, one strict trainer sees promise in a young rider spurred on by his love of horses.

25 min

S15 · E7 · Mar 24, 2026

A Morning Market in Early Winter Episode 7

For the past century, Saga Prefecture's Yobuko morning market has been one of Japan's leading destinations for fresh seafood. We cover recent changes, as old shops close and new ones take their place.

25 min

S15 · E8 · Apr 6, 2026

Breaking Barriers by Farming Episode 8

Mako and Fahmi, an international couple living in a small Japanese town. Their farm is a gathering place for people of diverse backgrounds, including foreign residents and people with disabilities.

25 min

S15 · E9 · Apr 13, 2026

Soul-Searching in a Mikan Orchard Episode 9

In winter, seasonal workers arrive at mandarin orange groves for the two-month harvest. While living in communal lodgings, they share their views of the world, and plot new paths in life.

29 min

S15 · E10 · Apr 27, 2026

Moments of Happiness: Living with Younger-Onset Dementia Episode 10

We follow people with younger-onset dementia in their daily lives, their work as public speakers, and the support they receive from those around them as they seek life's fleeting moments of happiness.

25 min

S15 · E11 · May 4, 2026

Preserving a Midwinter Tradition Episode 11

Every winter, a group of performers in Kikonai, Hokkaido drench themselves in freezing water in hopes of inviting a bountiful harvest and catch. We follow efforts to preserve this timeless ritual.

25 min

S15 · E12 · May 26, 2026

A Musical Rivalry Between Two School Bands Episode 12

In a rural town in Hokkaido, wind ensembles from neighboring junior high schools have a longstanding rivalry. As they face off in a big national competition, which one will take home the prize?

25 min

S15 · E13 · Jun 1, 2026

Learning Japanese One Step at a Time Episode 13

A high school allows students with international roots to use their native language while learning Japanese. Teachers hope it will help them build confidence and adapt better to their environment.

25 min

S15 · E14 · Jun 15, 2026

Pulling Together for a Dream Episode 14

The Funky Girls are a women's tug-of-war team with an average age of 50. Three nights a week, they forget all their personal problems and practice in pursuit of a shared dream—champions of Japan.

25 min

S15 · E15 · Jun 22, 2026

A Teacher's Words of Wisdom Episode 15

A retired kindergarten principal has a magical ability to understand her former students' needs. But illness is affecting her ability to speak. What lies ahead for her and those who seek her advice?

25 min

S15 · E16 · Jul 6, 2026

A Bookstore for Everyone Episode 16

Bookstores are closing across Japan but a shop owner in a small town in Hiroshima Prefecture is trying to beat the odds. He listens to the community for ideas on how to keep his store open.

25 min

S15 · E17 · Jul 17, 2026

Yumori: The Hot Spring Caretaker Episode 17

After 40 years, a local yumori, or hot spring caretaker, is retiring. A crew of young workers has been chosen to replace him. But with no manual to guide them, will these novices be up to the task?

25 min

S15 · E18 · Jul 28, 2026

My Friend, the AI Chatbot Episode 18

For three weeks, school children shared their feelings with AI chatbots. At a time when many kids are unable to engage in conversations with their peers, could AI help them learn how to communicate?

25 min

S15 · E19 · Aug 3, 2026

Unspoken Memories of the Double Hibakusha Episode 19

About 150 people experienced both atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They are known as "double hibakusha." One woman is trying to retrace their steps and learn the truth about their stories.

25 min

S15 · E20 · Aug 17, 2026

My Favorite Meal, One Last Time Episode 20

A clinic in Japan serves terminal patients their favorite dish one last time. The staff carefully makes each meal to fit their dietary restrictions, allowing the patients to relive their happy past.

25 min

S15 · E21 · Aug 31, 2026

Forging Bonds Through Boxing Episode 21

A free boxing gym helps people of all ages who are facing personal challenges to work hard and reach new goals. Meanwhile, its owner is battling cancer, and searching for a reason to keep on going.

25 min

S15 · E22 · Sep 29, 2026

The Mountain Village Where Ancient Whales Sleep Episode 22

Far from the ocean, a small community in the mountains of western Japan bonds over ancient whales. An amateur excavation club digs up fossils while providing residents with a sense of belonging.

25 min

S15 · E23 · Oct 5, 2026

The Charcoal-Maker's Apprentice Episode 23

Iwate charcoal is known for its high quality, but it faces increased competition, and an aging and shrinking number of artisans. But one young person is trying to breathe new life into the craft.

25 min

S15 · E24 · Oct 12, 2026

The Man With Two Hats Episode 24

In Otaru, Hokkaido, Honma Kimihiro has juggled two roles, Shinto priest and doctor, for over 30 years. How does tending to the community's spiritual and physical health help him and his neighbors?

25 min

S15 · E25 · Oct 19, 2026

My Kind of Independence Episode 25

18-year-old Miyako Haruto has decided to leave his children's home and live on his own. But his caregivers worry about his reluctance to open up. We follow him as he embarks on a life of independence.

25 episodes in Season 15

Some details come from TheTVDB.

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

Where to watch

Not streaming anywhere

Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.

Your rating

Your review

Cast

1 person

lae astra

Self - Narrator (voice)

Total runtime 159h 30m · Episode length 30 min · Type Documentary

Show info

Premiered

February 6, 2011

Latest episode

October 19, 2026

Status

Returning series

Network

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Country

Japan

Type

Documentary

Episode length

30 min

Total runtime

159h 30m

Original language

English

Production

N

NHK

Production

Japan

Produced in

Languages

Spoken on screen

English · Japanese

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Some details come from TheTVDB.

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