PRIME JAPAN [HD/SD ver] (English Subtitled)

Sushi, the most representative Washoku and loved worldwide, is simplicity in itself, consisting only of a slice of raw fish on top of sushi rice, with a dash of Wasabi. Yet, a skillful chef and what nature has to offer in the season, create a cuisine of infinite depth, the essence of Japaneseness. Explore a world of fastidious passion and 4K UHD images of seasonal transition from winter to spring.

Experience the essence of Japanese cultures with 2 meals and an overnight stay at a Ryokan. Onsen, Yukata, garden view and an exquisitely prepared dinner served in your room. Futon laid on Tatami. Prescription for peace of mind and recharging. Enjoy and benefit from nature. Fuzzy blending of exterior and interior offered by Traditional Japanese architecture is beautifully captured in 4K UHD.

Said to have originated in China, RAMEN evolved uniquely in Japan to become one of the representative foods of Japan. Noodle, soup and toppings. Found anywhere in Japan, but each shop offers fastidiously prepared bowl. The trick is in the art of draining hot water. Watch the wizardry of draining hot water in 4K super slow-motion by the masters in their quest for the ultimate bowl of RAMEN.

Aesthetics in daily life. Traditional Japanese designs of daily items reflect the sense of aesthetics of the Japanese people. Designs of Japanese daily items may look to be handed down over the ages. Yet the designs have evolved over the years, backed by advanced skills. Fusion of functionality and beauty has been a notable trait of Japanese designs, born from desire to enrich day to day life.

Always blissful, a warm water cleansing toilet seat or a non-snapping mechanical pencil lead, these are all “Made in Japan”. Advanced technologies applied to affordable everyday goods is the trait common to them. How were these developed? Tireless labor and passion of people involved developing these “Made in Japan” goods are captured in 4K: The pursuit for “quality from the user's perspective”.

Wabi-sabi: Japanese philosophy of “human activity is only temporal”. Tea, originally brought from China as medicine, is now indispensable to daily life. Tea ceremony and associated cultures also evolved along the way. From the premium Gyokuro to the cheapest bancha, tea drinking culture is wide ranging. Drinking tea may be a mundane, yet latent spirit of Japanese hospitality is hidden therein.

Cats, guardians of Buddhist sutras against rats, came aboard ships from China. Job done, cats stayed to become comfort and soothing companions. Often likened to pretty women for their cute looks and fascinating capricious nature, cats captivated hearts of Hainan aristocrats, ukiyo-e artists and Meiji giants of letters. Watch cats in beautiful Japanese landscapes like Cat Island (Aoshima), in 4K.

Wagashi dates back over 1,000 years. AN, the key ingredient, is made with lovingly grown azuki beans and skills of an artisan. Tea ceremony loving samurai turned Kanazawa into wagashi Mecca. We trace the source of Japanese aesthetics that transformed wagashi to mirror beautiful seasonal scenes. Samurai, dancing with death as way of life, appreciated coloring of wagashi at milestones of life.

Japanese go to shrines to pray for family’s well-being, good harvest, prosperous business & etc. It is culture ingrained in daily life. Mystic and profound, visit the world of Shinto shrines: Nachi waterfalls and Gotobiki Rock as captured by drone for the first time, fire festival handed down by father to only one son since Kamakura period, shrine ritual performed every day for 1,500 years & etc.

Sake, originally offered to the deity in prayer for rich harvest, is made from rice, staple food of Japanese, grown by fertile land and clear water by masters called Toji, who, for generations, have controlled fermentation process since the days when mechanism of microbes was not known. Making of sake keeps to tradition, yet continues to evolve. Come visit breweries in Hiroshima, Kyoto and Akita.

Although the days of samurai had ended, mystic beauty of swords still retain allure. Swords are spiritually linked to Japanese souls, be it a precious legendary sword or Amono-sakahoko, featured in the birth of nation myth or that carried by Gion festival chigo. Swords are not simply warring tools. Discover the mystic art in swords, together with tatara iron mil, making of accouterments and etc.

The last theme of the series is Zen. Brought over from China by Zen priests at a time when samurai ruled, Zen taught of emptying one’s mind, to seek the deepest of inner self, to discover the true self. Training to discipline one’s spirit and body applies to mastering martial art or a craft. Take a look at the essence of Zen that has taken deep root in Japanese culture and the minds of Japanese.