Poster for Barakan Discovers

NHK WORLD-JAPAN 2019 - 1 season 14 eps Returning series

Barakan Discovers

2019 - 1 season 14 eps

6.7

Season 1

No results found

Season 1

49 min

S1 · E1 · Aug 4, 2019

Tokyo Episode 1

Peter Barakan is a broadcaster and a 45-year resident of Japan. In this series, he discovers how Japan is changing, starting with a look at the country's capital: Tokyo. From tucked-away shrines in upmarket Ginza to secluded waterways in Nihonbashi, Peter visits the lesser-known corners of the city. What echoes of the city's history do they reveal? And where will Tokyo go from here? Join Peter to find out. The series features beautiful images created by time-lapse creator Daisuke Shimizu.

49 min

S1 · E2 · Mar 8, 2020

TOHOKU Episode 2

Almost immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, people in the Tohoku region started talking about encounters with ghosts. The region's culture and history may account for the reports. The area has experienced countless disasters and famines, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Over time, the spirits of the deceased have come to be perceived as a lingering and comforting presence. Host Peter Barakan learns how the spirits of lost loved ones can serve as a source of strength for people in Tohoku.

49 min

S1 · E3 · Nov 22, 2020

The Tokyo of 2020 Episode 3

In 2020, Tokyo expected to welcome people from all over the world for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Instead, the onset of COVID-19 took it down an unexpected path. Although activity is gradually resuming, the disease remains a threat, and many people are reassessing what's important in their lives. To explore how the city has changed in 2020, Peter Barakan meets Tokyoites from other countries. Their experiences also offer an insight into the kind of city that Tokyo might become.

49 min

S1 · E4 · Dec 4, 2021

Ainu: A New Generation Episode 4

The Ainu are the indigenous people of northern Japan. They were once subjected to cultural assimilation policies, and many of their traditions were lost. But now, young Ainu are spearheading a movement to restore their heritage. Peter Barakan meets an artisan who recreates old craft items; performers with a new take on traditional singing and dancing; and a YouTuber who presents language lessons. Barakan looks at the oppression of the past, and the possibilities that exist in the future.

49 min

S1 · E5 · Feb 25, 2022

JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization Episode 5

Japan's Jomon period was a time of peace that persisted for over 10,000 years. As the world moves towards implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the sustainable practices of Jomon society are receiving renewed attention. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan investigates Jomon history in search of guidance for us in the 21st century. We see buildings and artifacts at one of the largest Jomon ruins in the country, and meet craftspeople inspired by Jomon culture.

49 min

S1 · E6 · May 28, 2022

OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original Episode 6

Okinawa Prefecture is a group of subtropical islands in the south of Japan. It previously thrived as a separate country called the Ryukyu Kingdom, which maintained its independence for 450 years. It did this by accepting and incorporating foreign influences. That approach proved useful once again in the 20th century, during the postwar US occupation. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets people who worked hard to heal the wounds of war, and reconstruct Okinawa's cultural heritage.

49 min

S1 · E7 · Nov 26, 2022

THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA Episode 7

When pirates operated in Japan's Seto Inland Sea around 500 years ago, the largest group, the Murakami Kaizoku, certainly did not fit the conventional image of pirates. They actually protected shipping rather than attacking it. They also had a refined sense of culture and assimilated foreign influences. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets people who have historical links to, or who have studied, the Murakami Kaizoku, to find out what these unusual pirates were really like.

49 min

S1 · E8 · Jul 23, 2023

AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island Episode 8

Tanaka Isson, an artist known as Japan's "Gauguin," moved to the subtropical island of Amami Oshima at the age of 50 after years of struggle. He then spent highly productive years there painting its striking flora and fauna until his death at the age of 69. In order to follow in Isson's footsteps, Peter Barakan travels to Amami Oshima, where, in addition to many unusual biological treasures, he discovers how the distinctive cultural traditions of Amami Oshima were shaped by a history of hardship.

49 min

S1 · E9 · Jan 6, 2024

IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen Episode 9

In the 19th century, writer Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) helped introduce Japan to the wider world. Peter Barakan visits Izumo to learn about the natural and unseen realms that Hearn treasured.

49 min

S1 · E10 · Sep 1, 2024

KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest Episode 10

Pioneering ecologist Minakata Kumagusu explored the forests of Kumano. Join Peter Barakan as he follows Minakata's path and discovers a universe in nature.

49 min

S1 · E11 · Feb 2, 2025

YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision Episode 11

Admired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan transformed the fortunes of the struggling Yonezawa Domain. Peter Barakan visits Yonezawa, once called "an Asiatic Arcadia," to explore Yozan's legacy.

49 min

S1 · E12 · Sep 20, 2025

TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung Episode 12

In 1843, after surviving a shipwreck, 16-year-old John Manjiro found himself in the US. He later played a key role in opening Japan's doors to the world. Peter Barakan visits Manjiro's hometown, Tosa.

49 min

S1 · E13 · Dec 27, 2025

HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words Episode 13

Yoshida Shoin was an educator whose students played key roles in Japan's modernization. He died at 29, but his ideals still live on 160 years later. Peter Barakan visits Shoin's hometown of Hagi.

49 min

S1 · E14 · Aug 30, 2026

AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit Episode 14

In Aizu, samurai teachings still run deep, and the defeat in the Boshin War further solidified that spirit. Peter Barakan explores this legacy, which also shaped bacteriologist Noguchi Hideyo's life.

14 episodes in Season 1

Some details come from TheTVDB.

Peter Barakan is a broadcaster and a 45-year resident of Japan. In this series, he discovers how Japan is changing.

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

Peter Barakan

Self - Host

Also in

バラカンが見た〇〇

Total runtime 11h 26m · Episode length 49 min · Type Documentary

Show info

Premiered

August 4, 2019

Latest episode

August 30, 2026

Status

Returning series

Network

NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Country

Japan

Type

Documentary

Episode length

49 min

Total runtime

11h 26m

Original language

English

Production

N

NHK

Production

Japan

Produced in

Languages

Spoken on screen

English

If you liked Barakan Discovers

Picks that share its genres, themes, cast and crew.

Cycle Around Japan

TV · 2014

Begin Japanology mini

TV · 2009

Explore Japan

TV · 2016

On the Wings

TV · 2022

Japan Delish

TV · 2024

Japanology Plus

TV · 2014

Some details come from TheTVDB.

You're offline

Recently viewed pages still work. Your changes save locally and sync when you're back.

Back online · syncing