Begin Japanology Explained
Weekend Japanology, Begin Japanology, and Japanology Plus are Japanese television programs aired on NHK World, and presented by Peter Barakan. The programs explore aspects of traditional and contemporary Japan and interview experts in various fields.
The series premiered under the title Weekend Japanology, which was first broadcast in 2002 in Japan and beginning in other countries on April 6, 2003.[1] Weekend Japanology is mostly talk-show style, typically hosted by Peter Barakan and Mami Kikuchi.It eventually developed into Begin Japanology (first broadcast on October 5, 2007 in Japan and in other countries on March 14, 2008[2]) Japanology Plus (first broadcast April 3, 2014)[3]) is the most recent show. Other than the title, little has changed in the content or format. Japanology Plus has two presenters: Peter Barakan, who guides the viewer through the show, and Matt Alt, who presents the section ‘’Plus One’’ with useful tips. The show also has an occasional talk series called "Japanophiles" featuring interviews with foreigners doing activities in Japan. Both Japanology Plus and Begin Japanology are typically 28 minutes in duration.
The Japanology series also has two additional shows, ‘’Begin Japanology Mini’’ and ‘’Japanology Plus Mini.’’ Both consist of five-minute episodes covering the same topics as their respective 28-minute counterparts.
List of Weekend Japanology episodes
Season 1 (April 2003 - October 2004)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 1 | Cherry Blossoms | April 6, 2003 |
| 2 | | April 13, 2003 |
| 3 | Japanese emotional expression | April 20, 2003 |
| 4 | The power of design | April 27, 2003 |
| 5 | | May 4, 2003 |
| 6 | Robot design | May 11, 2003 |
| 7 | | May 18, 2003 |
| 8 | Diet for a long life | May 25, 2003 |
| 9 | Contemporary dance | June 1, 2003 |
| 10 | | June 8, 2003 |
| 11 | "Koto" and its charm | June 15, 2003 |
| 12 | Traditional Japanese Houses | June 22, 2003 |
| 13 | | July 13, 2003 |
| 14 | | July 20, 2003 |
| 15 | "Yacht Race Around the World" | July 27, 2003 |
| 16 | | August 3, 2003 |
| 17 | Wedding | August 18, 2003 |
| 18 | Summer Feature Special! Out and About | August 24, 2003 |
| 19 | Let's Drink Japanese Tea! | September 7, 2003 |
| 20 | Forefront of Universal Design | September 14, 2003 |
| 21 | Inheritance: Japanese Songs | September 21, 2003 |
| 22 | Changing Japanese Women | September 28, 2003 |
| 23 | Exploring Tokyo with a Special Guide | October 6, 2003 |
| 24 | Japan in Contemporary Art | October 12, 2003 |
| 25 | | October 19, 2003 |
| 26 | | October 26, 2003 |
| 27 | Calligraphy A Soul That Interacts with Words
| November 2, 2003 |
| 28 | Seasonal Food | November 9, 2003 |
| 28 | Challenging the World with Entertainment Movies | November 16, 2003 |
| 30 | Folk Songs Seen by a Jazzman | November 23, 2003 |
| 31 | Japanese Car Design | November 30, 2003 |
| 32 | Japanese People and Earthquakes | December 7, 2003 |
| 33 | Loss of Japan - Nippon Deciphered from Pop Culture | December 14, 2003 |
| 34 | The Ancient City | January 11, 2004 |
| 35 | | January 18, 2004 |
| 36 | | January 25, 2004 |
| 37 | Makeup: Japan | February 1, 2004 |
| 38 | | February 8, 2004 |
| 39 | Classical Japanese Music | February 15, 2004 |
| 40 | | February 22, 2004 |
| 41 | | February 29, 2004 |
| 42 | Will Keitai Brighten the Future? | March 7, 2004 |
| 43 | | March 14, 2004 |
| 44 | Out & About—Best Of Selection (Part 1) | March 21, 2004 |
| 45 | Out & About—Best Of Selection (Part 2) | March 28, 2004 |
| 46 | | April 4, 2004 |
| 47 | Contemporary Architecture | April 11, 2004 |
| 48 | | April 18, 2004 |
| 49 | Japanese Pop Music | April 26, 2004 |
| 50 | Japanese Dogs | May 2, 2004 |
| 51 | Sushi Culture Magazine | May 9, 2004 |
| 52 | | May 17, 2004 |
| 53 | Sounds of Japan | May 23, 2004 |
| 54 | Airplanes | May 31, 2004 |
| 55 | Learning from Edo: Recycling | June 6, 2004 |
| 56 | | June 13, 2004 |
| 57 | Japanese Confectionery | June 27, 2004 |
| 58 | Shugendo and Faith | July 4, 2004 |
| 59 | Japanese Ships | July 11, 2004 |
| 60 | Fashion | July 18, 2004 |
| 61 | The Japanese Face | July 25, 2004 |
| 62 | | August 1, 2004 |
| 63 | Vending Machines | August 8, 2004 |
| 64 | Japanese Tableware | September 5, 2004 |
| 65 | 80 Years of Life | September 12, 2004 |
| 66 | | September 19, 2004 |
| 67 | | October 3, 2004 |
| 68 | | October 10, 2004 |
| 69 | | October 17, 2004 |
| 70 | Golf in Japan | October 24, 2004 |
| 71 | | October 31, 2004 | |
Season 2 (May 2005 - January 2008)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 1 | Japanese Rock | May 7, 2005 |
| 2 | Sho | May 21, 2005 |
| 3 | Japanese and Mathematics | June 11, 2005 |
| 4 | | June 25, 2005 |
| 5 | | July 23, 2005 |
| 6 | | July 30, 2005 |
| 7 | | August 6, 2005 |
| 8 | | September 17, 2005 |
| 9 | | September 24, 2005 |
| 10 | Young Entrepreneurs in Japan | October 8, 2005 |
| 11 | | October 15, 2005 |
| 12 | Baby Boomers' Consumer Activities | October 29, 2005 |
| 13 | Eco Cars | November 12, 2005 |
| 14 | Japanese Lights | December 11, 2005 |
| 15 | Japanese People and the Stars | November 26, 2005 |
| 16 | Yokohama Triennale 2005 | December 3, 2005 |
| 17 | Mottainai! | December 17, 2005 |
| 18 | | December 24, 2005 |
| 19 | Japanese People and Hot Springs | December 31, 2005 |
| 20 | J League | January 7, 2006 |
| 21 | Taiko - Japanese Drums | January 14, 2006 |
| 22 | Washi: Wrapping Technique and Spirit | January 21, 2006 |
| 23 | Japanese People and Monkeys | January 28, 2006 |
| 24 | Small Houses | February 4, 2006 |
| 25 | | February 11, 2006 |
| 26 | | February 18, 2006 |
| 27 | Japanese People and Fish | February 25, 2006 |
| 28 | Japan Fashion Week | March 4, 2006 |
| 29 | Cool Japan: Japanese Pop Culture | March 11, 2006 |
| 30 | | March 18, 2006 |
| 31 | Out & About — Best Of Selection (Part 1) | March 25, 2006 |
| 32 | Out & About — Best OF Selection (Part 2) | April 1, 2006 |
| 33 | | April 17, 2006 |
| 34 | | April 24, 2006 |
| 35 | | May 1, 2006 |
| 36 | Kyoto Cityscape Preservation | May 15, 2006 |
| 37 | Japanese Castles | May 22, 2006 |
| 38 | Japanese Garden Plants | May 29, 2006 |
| 39 | | June 5, 2006 |
| 40 | | June 12, 2006 |
| 41 | Buddha Statues | June 19, 2006 |
| 42 | | July 3, 2006 |
| 43 | Japanese Travel Culture | July 10, 2006 |
| 44 | Japan in Advertisements | July 17, 2006 |
| 45 | Home Appliances | July 24, 2006 |
| 46 | | July 31, 2006 |
| 47 | | August 21, 2006 |
| 48 | | August 27, 2006 |
| 49 | | August 28, 2006 |
| 50 | | September 4, 2006 |
| 51 | Zazen Breathing Method | September 11, 2006 |
| 52 | | Culture September 25, 2006 |
| 53 | Science Education in Japan | October 2, 2006 |
| 54 | | October 9, 2006 |
| 55 | | October 16, 2006 |
| 56 | | October 22, 2006 |
| 57 | Koizumi Yakumo and Japanese Kokoro | October 23, 2006 |
| 58 | | October 30, 2006 |
| 59 | Small Theater Plays | November 20, 2006 |
| 60 | | November 27, 2006 |
| 61 | | December 18, 2006 |
| 62 | Itō Jakuchū and Edo Paintings | December 25, 2006 |
| 63 | | January 8, 2007 |
| 64 | Winter in Japan | January 15, 2007 |
| 65 | Nishikigoi - Koi Carp | January 22, 2007 |
| 66 | Convenience Stores | January 29, 2007 |
| 67 | | February 5, 2007 |
| 68 | Snow in Japan | February 12, 2007 |
| 69 | Fishing | February 19, 2007 |
| 70 | | February 26, 2007 |
| 71 | | March 5, 2007 |
| 72 | | March 12, 2007 |
| 73 | | March 19, 2007 |
| 74 | Migratory Birds and Japan | March 26, 2007 |
| 75 | Japanese Patterns | April 2, 2007 |
| 76 | Island Country Japan | April 16, 2007 |
| 77 | Laughter in Japan | April 30, 2007 |
| 78 | | May 7, 2007 |
| 79 | | May 14, 2007 |
| 80 | The Turning Point for Japanese-style Employment | May 21, 2007 |
| 81 | | May 28, 2007 |
| 82 | | June 4, 2007 |
| 83 | | June 11, 2007 |
| 84 | Forest Regeneration | June 18, 2007 |
| 85 | | June 25, 2007 |
| 86 | | July 2, 2007 |
| 87 | The Heart of Osaka/The Heart of Beauty | June 16, 2007 |
| 88 | | July 23, 2007 |
| 89 | High-tech Japanese Ancient Technology | August 27, 2007 |
| 90 | | September 3, 2007 |
| 91 | Disaster Prevention: Wisdom to Live in an Earthquake-prone Country | September 10, 2007 |
| 92 | Dolls | September 17, 2007 |
| 93 | Kimono Beauty and Technique | September 24, 2007 |
| 94 | | October 1, 2007 |
| 95 | | October 20, 2007 |
| 96 | | October 27, 2007 |
| 97 | Onomatopoeia The Charm of Mimetic Words
| November 3, 2007 |
| 98 | Bamboo in Japan | November 10, 2007 |
| 99 | | November 17, 2007 |
| 100 | Japanese Television Technology | November 24, 2007 |
| 101 | Crows in Tokyo | December 1, 2007 |
| 102 | | December 8, 2007 |
| 103 | | December 22, 2007 |
| 104 | Isamu Noguchi and Japan | January 12, 2008 |
| 105 | | January 19, 2008 | |
List of Begin Japanology episodes
Season 1 (April 2008 - December 2008)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 1 | | April 14, 2008 |
| 2 | | April 21, 2008 |
| 3 | | April 28, 2008 |
| 4 | | May 5, 2008 |
| 5 | | May 12, 2008 |
| 6 | | May 19, 2008 |
| 7 | | May 26, 2008 |
| 8 | | June 2, 2008 |
| 9 | | June 9, 2008 |
| 10 | | June 16, 2008 |
| 11 | | June 23, 2008 |
| 12 | | June 30, 2008 |
| 13 | | July 14, 2008 |
| 14 | | July 21, 2008 |
| 15 | | July 28, 2008 |
| 16 | Hanging scrolls | August 17, 2008 |
| 17 | The Tale of Genji Part 1
| August 24, 2008 |
| 18 | The Tale of Genji: Part 2 | August 31, 2008 |
| 19 | | September 7, 2008 |
| 20 | | September 14, 2008 |
| 21 | | September 21, 2008 |
| 22 | Oribe-yaki (pottery) | September 28, 2008 |
| 23 | | October 5, 2008 |
| 24 | | October 12, 2008 |
| 25 | | October 19, 2008 |
| 26 | Mikoshi (portable shrines) | October 26, 2008 |
| 27 | Yuzen Kimono | November 2, 2008 |
| 28 | | November 9, 2008 |
| 29 | Hot springs | November 16, 2008 |
| 30 | Fish | November 23, 2008 |
| 31 | Tatami (straw mats) | December 1, 2008 |
| 32 | | December 8, 2008 |
| 33 | | December 15, 2008 | |
Season 2 (January 2009 - December 2009)
| Name | Air Date |
|---|
| 1 | | January 19, 2009 |
| 2 | | January 26, 2009 |
| 3 | | February 2, 2009 |
| 4 | | February 9, 2009 |
| 5 | | February 16, 2009 |
| 6 | | February 23, 2009 |
| 7 | | March 2, 2009 |
| 8 | | March 9, 2009 |
| 9 | Five-Story Pagodas | March 16, 2009 |
| 10 | Cherry blossoms | March 23, 2009 |
| 11 | | April 3, 2009 |
| 12 | | April 10, 2009 |
| 13 | | April 17, 2009 |
| 14 | | April 24, 2009 |
| 15 | | May 8, 2009 |
| 16 | | May 15, 2009 |
| 17 | | May 22, 2009 |
| 18 | | May 29, 2009 |
| 19 | | June 5, 2009 |
| 20 | | June 19, 2009 |
| 21 | Kaiseki Cuisine | July 10, 2009 |
| 22 | | July 17, 2009 |
| 23 | | July 24, 2009 |
| 24 | | July 31, 2009 |
| 25 | | August 29, 2009 |
| 26 | The Fragrances of Japan | September 4, 2009 |
| 27 | | September 11, 2009 |
| 28 | | September 18, 2009 |
| 29 | | September 25, 2009 |
| 30 | | October 2, 2009 |
| 31 | Dogs | October 9, 2009 |
| 32 | | October 16, 2009 |
| 33 | Rice | October 23, 2009 |
| 34 | | October 30, 2009 |
| 35 | Festivals | November 6, 2009 |
| 36 | | November 13, 2009 |
| 37 | | November 20, 2009 |
| 38 | Marriage | November 27, 2009 |
| 39 | | December 4, 2009 |
| 40 | | December 11, 2009 |
| 41 | | December 18, 2009 | |
Season 3 (January 2010 - December 2010)
| Name | Air Date |
|---|
| 1 | | January 8, 2010 |
| 2 | | January 15, 2010 |
| 3 | | January 22, 2010 |
| 4 | | January 29, 2010 |
| 5 | Light | February 5, 2010 |
| 6 | Footwear | February 12, 2010 |
| 7 | | February 19, 2010 |
| 8 | | February 26, 2010 |
| 9 | | March 5, 2010 |
| 10 | | March 12, 2010 |
| 11 | | March 19, 2010 |
| 12 | | April 2, 2010 |
| 13 | | April 9, 2010 |
| 14 | | April 16, 2010 |
| 15 | | April 23, 2010 |
| 16 | | April 30, 2010 |
| 17 | | May 14, 2010 |
| 18 | | May 21, 2010 |
| 19 | | May 28, 2010 |
| 20 | | June 11, 2010 |
| 21 | | June 18, 2010 |
| 22 | | June 25, 2010 |
| 23 | | July 2, 2010 |
| 24 | | July 9, 2010 |
| 25 | | July 16, 2010 |
| 26 | | July 23, 2010 |
| 27 | | August 13, 2010 |
| 28 | | August 20, 2010 |
| 29 | | August 25, 2010 |
| 30 | | September 3, 2010 |
| 31 | | September 10, 2010 |
| 32 | | September 17, 2010 |
| 33 | | September 24, 2010 |
| 34 | | October 8, 2010 |
| 35 | | October 15, 2010 |
| 36 | | October 22, 2010 |
| 37 | Cameras | November 4, 2010 |
| 38 | | November 11, 2010 |
| 39 | | November 18, 2010 |
| 40 | | November 25, 2010 |
| 41 | | December 2, 2010 |
| 42 | | December 9, 2010 |
| 43 | | December 16, 2010 | |
Season 4 (January 2011 - December 2011)
| Name | Air Date |
|---|
| 1 | Mochi Rice Cake | January 13, 2011 |
| 2 | | January 20, 2011 |
| 3 | | January 27, 2011 |
| 4 | | February 3, 2011 |
| 5 | Kagura Dances | February 10, 2011 |
| 6 | Snow | February 17, 2011 |
| 7 | Pollen Allergy | March 3, 2011 |
| 8 | Sashimono Woodwork | March 10, 2011 |
| 9 | | April 7, 2011 |
| 10 | | April 14, 2011 |
| 11 | Fishing | April 21, 2011 |
| 12 | | April 28, 2011 |
| 13 | | May 5, 2011 |
| 14 | | May 12, 2011 |
| 15 | | May 19, 2011 |
| 16 | | May 26, 2011 |
| 17 | | June 2, 2011 |
| 18 | | June 9, 2011 |
| 19 | Lifts | June 16, 2011 |
| 20 | | June 23, 2011 |
| 21 | Unagi Eel | June 30, 2011 |
| 22 | Japanophiles – Ilan Yanizky | July 7, 2011 |
| 23 | Japanophiles – Silvain Guignard | July 14, 2011 |
| 24 | Japanophiles – Stéphane Danton | July 21, 2011 |
| 25 | Japanophiles – Dorothy Feibleman | July 28, 2011 |
| 26 | | August 18, 2011 |
| 27 | Insects | August 25, 2011 |
| 28 | | September 1, 2011 |
| 29 | | September 8, 2011 |
| 30 | | September 15, 2011 |
| 31 | | September 29, 2011 |
| 32 | | October 6, 2011 |
| 33 | Rain | October 13, 2011 |
| 34 | | October 20, 2011 |
| 35 | | October 27, 2011 |
| 36 | Japanophiles – Bruce Huebner | November 3, 2011 |
| 37 | | November 10, 2011 |
| 38 | Japanophiles – Matt Alt | November 17, 2011 |
| 39 | | November 24, 2011 |
| 40 | Holidays | December 1, 2011 |
| 41 | | December 8, 2011 |
| 42 | | December 15, 2011 |
| 43 | | December 22, 2011 | |
Season 5 (January 2012 - December 2012)
| Name | Air Date |
|---|
| 1 | | January 12, 2012 |
| 2 | | January 19, 2012 |
| 3 | | January 26, 2012 |
| 4 | | February 2, 2012 |
| 5 | | February 9, 2012 |
| 6 | | February 16, 2012 |
| 7 | | February 23, 2012 |
| 8 | Japanophiles – Dhugal Lindsay | March 1, 2012 |
| 9 | Japanophiles – Richard Emmert | March 8, 2012 |
| 10 | Japanophiles – Art Lee | March 15, 2012 |
| 11 | | March 29, 2012 |
| 12 | | April 5, 2012 |
| 13 | | April 12, 2012 |
| 14 | Horses | April 19, 2012 |
| 15 | | April 26, 2012 |
| 16 | | May 3, 2012 |
| 17 | | May 10, 2012 |
| 18 | Department Stores | May 17, 2012 |
| 19 | Kimonos | May 24, 2012 |
| 20 | Aquariums | June 7, 2012 |
| 21 | Confectionery | June 14, 2012 |
| 22 | Dolls | June 21, 2012 |
| 23 | | July 5, 2012 |
| 24 | | July 12, 2012 |
| 25 | Planetariums | July 19, 2012 |
| 26 | Japanophiles – Adam Booth | August 16, 2012 |
| 27 | | August 23, 2012 |
| 28 | Japanophiles – Euan Craig | August 30, 2012 |
| 29 | | September 6, 2012 |
| 30 | Crested Ibises | September 13, 2012 |
| 31 | | September 20, 2012 |
| 32 | | October 4, 2012 |
| 33 | | October 11, 2012 |
| 34 | | October 18, 2012 |
| 35 | | November 1, 2012 |
| 36 | | November 8, 2012 |
| 37 | Mushrooms | November 15, 2012 |
| 38 | Vending Machines | November 22, 2012 |
| 39 | | December 6, 2012 |
| 40 | | December 13, 2012 |
| 41 | | December 20, 2012 | |
Season 6 (January 2013 - December 2013)
| Name | Air Date |
|---|
| 1 | | January 10, 2013 |
| 2 | Bathroom Scales | January 17, 2013 |
| 3 | | January 24, 2013 |
| 4 | | January 31, 2013 |
| 5 | Japanophiles – Azby Brown | February 7, 2013 |
| 6 | Japanophiles – Ernst Seiler | February 14, 2013 |
| 7 | | February 21, 2013 |
| 8 | Ume Plums | March 7, 2013 |
| 9 | | March 14, 2013 |
| 10 | | March 21, 2013 |
| 11 | Uniforms | April 4, 2013 |
| 12 | Rice Cookers | April 11, 2013 |
| 13 | Burial Mounds | April 18, 2013 |
| 14 | | April 25, 2013 |
| 15 | Bread | May 2, 2013 |
| 16 | Pine Trees | May 9, 2013 |
| 17 | | May 16, 2013 |
| 18 | | May 23, 2013 |
| 19 | | May 30, 2013 |
| 20 | | June 13, 2013 |
| 21 | Television | June 27, 2013 |
| 22 | | July 4, 2013 |
| 23 | | July 11, 2013 |
| 24 | Beer | July 18, 2013 |
| 25 | Japanophiles – Mike Harris | August 1, 2013 |
| 26 | Japanophiles – Karl Bengs | August 8, 2013 |
| 27 | | August 15, 2013 |
| 28 | | September 5, 2013 |
| 29 | | September 12, 2013 |
| 30 | | September 19, 2013 |
| 31 | | October 3, 2013 |
| 32 | | October 10, 2013 |
| 33 | | October 17, 2013 |
| 34 | Grapes | October 24, 2013 |
| 35 | Makeup | November 7, 2013 |
| 36 | | November 14, 2013 |
| 37 | Buses | November 21, 2013 |
| 38 | Parties and Gatherings | December 5, 2013 |
| 39 | | December 12, 2013 |
| 40 | | December 19, 2013 | |
Season 7 (January 2014 - March 2014)
| Name | Air Date |
|---|
| 1 | | January 9, 2014 |
| 2 | | January 16, 2014 |
| 3 | | January 23, 2014 |
| 4 | | January 30, 2014 |
| 5 | Japanophiles – Nancy Singleton Hachisu | February 13, 2014 |
| 6 | | February 20, 2014 |
| 7 | | February 27, 2014 |
| 8 | Railways | March 6, 2014 |
| 9 | Pianos | March 13, 2014 |
| 10 | | March 20, 2014 | |
List of Japanology Plus episodes
Season 1 (April 2014 - March 2016)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 1 | Bathhouses | April 3, 2014 |
| 2 | Ramen | April 10, 2014 |
| 3 | Mount Fuji | April 17, 2014 |
| 4 | Shogi | April 24, 2014 |
| 5 | Cherry Trees | May 1, 2014 |
| 6 | Akihabara | May 8, 2014 |
| 7 | Wagashi | May 15, 2014 |
| 8 | Ninja | May 22, 2014 |
| 9 | Rice | May 29, 2014 |
| 10 | Castles | June 5, 2014 |
| 11 | Japanophiles – Elizabeth Suzuki | July 3, 2014 |
| 12 | Japanophiles – Everett Kennedy Brown | July 10, 2014 |
| 13 | Japanophiles – Carolin Eckhardt | July 17, 2014 |
| 14 | Karaoke Boxes | August 7, 2014 |
| 15 | Bento | August 14, 2014 |
| 16 | Bamboo | August 21, 2014 |
| 17 | Taiko Drums | September 4, 2014 |
| 18 | Tsukiji Market | September 11, 2014 |
| 19 | Festivals | September 18, 2014 |
| 20 | Japanese Gardens | September 25, 2014 |
| 21 | Origami | October 2, 2014 |
| 22 | Buddhist Statues | October 9, 2014 |
| 23 | Yokai | October 16, 2014 |
| 24 | Shinkansen | October 23, 2014 |
| 25 | Lessons for Life | November 6, 2014 |
| 26 | Robots | November 13, 2014 |
| 27 | Sports Days | November 20, 2014 |
| 28 | Bonsai | December 4, 2014 |
| 29 | Sushi | December 11, 2014 |
| 30 | Geisha | December 18, 2014 |
| 31 | Japanophiles – Bartholomeus Greb | January 8, 2015 |
| 32 | Japanophiles – Ivan Vartanian | January 15, 2015 |
| 33 | Japanophiles – Alex Bennett | January 22, 2015 |
| 34 | The Seikan Tunnel | February 5, 2015 |
| 35 | Snow Country | February 12, 2015 |
| 36 | Comedy | February 19, 2015 |
| 37 | Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway | April 2, 2015 |
| 38 | A Season of Change | April 16, 2015 |
| 39 | Waste and Recycling | April 23, 2015 |
| 40 | Period Dramas | April 30, 2015 |
| 41 | The Weight Loss Industry | May 7, 2015 |
| 42 | Dams | May 14, 2015 |
| 43 | Izakaya | May 28, 2015 |
| 44 | Craft Beer | June 4, 2015 |
| 45 | Fermented Foods | June 11, 2015 |
| 46 | Umbrellas | June 18, 2015 |
| 47 | Job Hunting | June 25, 2015 |
| 48 | Japanophiles - Amir Takahashi | July 9, 2015 |
| 49 | The English Conversation Business | July 16, 2015 |
| 50 | English at School | July 23, 2015 |
| 51 | Shrine & Temple Carpenters | August 6, 2015 |
| 52 | Bunraku | August 12, 2015 |
| 53 | Kids' Summer Holidays | September 3, 2015 |
| 54 | Swimming | September 10, 2015 |
| 55 | Haunted Houses | September 17, 2015 |
| 56 | Onsen | October 1, 2015 |
| 57 | Japanophiles - Andrew Mancabelli | October 8, 2015 |
| 58 | Cameras | October 15, 2015 |
| 59 | Wrapping and Packaging | October 22, 2015 |
| 60 | Tokyo Housing | November 12, 2015 |
| 61 | Japanophiles - Adam Zgola | November 19, 2015 |
| 62 | Kombu | November 26, 2015 |
| 63 | Hotels and Inns | December 3, 2015 |
| 64 | Tidying Up | December 10, 2015 |
| 65 | Mt. Takao | December 17, 2015 |
| 66 | Japanophiles - Maud Archambault | January 7, 2016 |
| 67 | Silk | January 14, 2016 |
| 68 | Underground Tokyo | January 28, 2016 |
| 69 | Earthquake Preparedness | February 11, 2016 |
| 70 | Japanophiles - Jorge Cabeza Fernandez | February 25, 2016 |
| 71 | Japanophiles - Pico Iyer | March 3, 2016 |
| 72 | Okinawan Dance | March 17, 2016 | |
Season 2 (April 2016 - March 2019)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 01 | Whisky | April 7, 2016 |
| 02 | Quest for Perfect Skin | April 14, 2016 |
| 03 | Bladed Tools | April 21, 2016 |
| 04 | Family Crests | May 5, 2016 |
| 05 | Breakfast | May 12, 2016 |
| 06 | Footwear | May 19, 2016 |
| 07 | Running | June 2, 2016 |
| 08 | Emoji | June 16, 2016 |
| 09 | Ekiben | June 23, 2016 |
| 10 | Bicycles | June 30, 2016 |
| 11 | Kimono | July 7, 2016 |
| 12 | Kokeshi Dolls | July 28, 2016 |
| 13 | Shinise - Long-Established Businesses | August 4, 2016 |
| 14 | Japanophiles: Rezaul Karim Chowdhury | August 11, 2016 |
| 15 | Toilets | August 18, 2016 |
| 16 | Bridges | August 25, 2016 |
| 17 | A Nation of Singers | September 1, 2016 |
| 18 | Restoring Castles | September 8, 2016 |
| 19 | Volcanoes | September 29, 2016 |
| 20 | School Club Activities | October 6, 2016 |
| 21 | Smells | October 13, 2016 |
| 22 | Paper | October 20, 2016 |
| 23 | Japanophiles: Paul Lorimer | November 3, 2016 |
| 24 | Katsuobushi | December 1, 2016 |
| 25 | Day Care for Kids | December 8, 2016 |
| 26 | Sweets and Snacks | December 15, 2016 |
| 27 | Hairdressing | December 22, 2016 |
| 28 | Japanophiles: Carine Lafitte | January 5, 2017 |
| 29 | Noh Theater | January 26, 2017 |
| 30 | Moving Services | February 2, 2017 |
| 31 | Okinawan Karate | February 9, 2017 |
| 32 | Sleep | February 16, 2017 |
| 33 | Tokyo Rail Network | February 23, 2017 |
| 34 | Denim | March 2, 2017 |
| 35 | Japanophiles: Randy Channell Soei | March 9, 2017 |
| 36 | Japanophiles: Zoe Vincent | March 30, 2017 |
| 37 | Buddhist Altars | April 4, 2017 |
| 38 | Driving Schools | April 12, 2017 |
| 39 | Curry | April 19, 2017 |
| 40 | Cafes | May 2, 2017 |
| 41 | Japanophiles: Yoram Ofer | May 23, 2017 |
| 42 | School Lunch | June 6, 2017 |
| 43 | Capsule Toys | June 20, 2017 |
| 44 | Buses | June 27, 2017 |
| 45 | Traditional Music | July 4, 2017 |
| 46 | Traditional Music in Modern Life | July 11, 2017 |
| 47 | Japanophiles: Nsenda Lukumwena | July 18, 2017 |
| 48 | Urban Renewal | August 1, 2017 |
| 49 | Fireworks | August 15, 2017 |
| 50 | Anthropomorphism | August 22, 2017 |
| 51 | 2D Characters: Origins and Evolution | August 29, 2017 |
| 52 | Children and Sports | September 5, 2017 |
| 53 | Amusement Parks | September 12, 2017 |
| 54 | Japanophiles: Tyler Lynch | September 26, 2017 |
| 55 | Particle Physics Research | October 3, 2017 |
| 56 | Shrine Duties | October 17, 2017 |
| 57 | Special Rescue Teams | October 24, 2017 |
| 58 | The Wonders of Air Travel | October 31, 2017 |
| 59 | Japanophiles: Fernando Lopez | November 21, 2017 |
| 60 | Changing Perceptions of Cars | November 28, 2017 |
| 61 | The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi, Part 1 | December 12, 2017 |
| 62 | The Way of Tea: Wellspring of Omotenashi, Part 2 | December 19, 2017 |
| 63 | Ocean Fishing | January 9, 2018 |
| 64 | The Police | January 16, 2018 |
| 65 | Japanophiles: Stephanie Tomiyasu | January 23, 2018 |
| 66 | New Trends in Logistics | February 6, 2018 |
| 67 | Game Arcades | February 13, 2018 |
| 68 | Snow Removal | February 20, 2018 |
| 69 | Shopping Streets | March 6, 2018 |
| 70 | Japanophiles: Bjorn Heiberg | March 13, 2018 |
| 71 | Regional Transport Crisis | March 20, 2018 |
| 72 | Miniature Culture | March 27, 2018 |
| 73 | Marriage | April 3, 2018 |
| 74 | 100 Yen Shops | April 10, 2018 |
| 75 | Deep-fried Food | April 17, 2018 |
| 76 | Lighthouses | May 1, 2018 |
| 77 | Japanophiles: David E. Wells | May 22, 2018 |
| 78 | Industrial Heritage | June 5, 2018 |
| 79 | Graves | June 19, 2018 |
| 80 | Rice Cultivation | June 26, 2018 |
| 81 | The Ogasawara Islands: A Multicultural Heritage | July 3, 2018 |
| 82 | The Ogasawara Islands: A Turbulent History | July 10, 2018 |
| 83 | Japanophiles: Bruce Gutlove | July 17, 2018 |
| 84 | Roadside Stations | July 31, 2018 |
| 85 | Summer Resorts | August 7, 2018 |
| 86 | Yurei: Japanese Ghosts | August 21, 2018 |
| 87 | Radio Calisthenics | September 4, 2018 |
| 88 | Underground Shopping Streets | September 11, 2018 |
| 89 | Japanophiles: Jagmohan S. Chandrani | September 25, 2018 |
| 90 | A Sense of the Divine | October 2, 2018 |
| 91 | Earthquake-resistant Architecture | October 9, 2018 |
| 92 | School Sports Days | October 16, 2018 |
| 93 | School Satchels | October 30, 2018 |
| 94 | Aquariums | November 6, 2018 |
| 95 | Onigiri: Rice Balls | November 13, 2018 |
| 96 | Japanophiles: David Stanley Hewett | November 20, 2018 |
| 97 | Coffee | November 27, 2018 |
| 98 | Meiji-era Advisors | December 11, 2018 |
| 99 | School Uniforms | December 18, 2018 |
| 100 | Soba Restaurants | December 25, 2018 |
| 101 | Roof Tilers | January 8, 2019 |
| 102 | Japanophiles: Thomas Bertrand | January 29, 2019 |
| 103 | Hidden Christians: Part 1 | February 19, 2019 |
| 104 | Hidden Christians: Part 2 | February 26, 2019 |
| 105 | Wood: Culture | March 5, 2019 |
| 106 | Wood: Carpentry | March 12, 2019 |
| 107 | Japanophiles: Oussouby Sacko | March 19, 2019 |
| 108 | Meat | March 26, 2019 |
|
Season 3 (April 2019 - March 2021)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 01 | Popular Theater | April 2, 2019 |
| 02 | Oni: Japanese Ogres | April 16, 2019 |
| 03 | Japanese Dog Breeds | April 30, 2019 |
| 04 | Japanophiles: Peter MacMillan | May 21, 2019 |
| 05 | Konamon: Flour-based Cuisine | June 11, 2019 |
| 06 | Frozen Food | June 25, 2019 |
| 07 | Slippers | July 9, 2019 |
| 08 | Japanophiles: Ondrej Hybl | July 23, 2019 |
| 09 | Tokyo: Water | July 30, 2019 |
| 10 | Tokyo: Backstreets and Alleys | August 6, 2019 |
| 11 | Mechanical Dolls | August 27, 2019 |
| 12 | Swords | September 10, 2019 |
| 13 | Bathrooms | October 1, 2019 |
| 14 | Japanophiles: David Atkinson | October 8, 2019 |
| 15 | Monkeys | October 15, 2019 |
| 16 | Banknotes | November 5, 2019 |
| 17 | Plasterwork | November 12, 2019 |
| 18 | Japanophiles: Wolfgang Loeger | November 19, 2019 |
| 19 | Insects | December 3, 2019 |
| 20 | Donburi: Rice Bowls | December 10, 2019 |
| 21 | Osechi: New Year's Food | January 7, 2020 |
| 22 | Japanophiles: Thomas Ainsworth | January 28, 2020 |
| 23 | Sunakku Bars | February 18, 2020 |
| 24 | Tohoku Nine Years On: Living with Ghosts | March 10, 2020 |
| 25 | Tohoku Nine Years On: Voices of the Deceased | March 17, 2020 |
| 26 | Japanophiles: Harold George Meij | March 24, 2020 |
| 27 | Laundry Services | April 7, 2020 |
| 28 | Miso | April 21, 2020 |
| 29 | Japanophiles: Johan Nilsson Bjoerk | August 4, 2020 |
| 30 | Japan vs. Epidemics | August 18, 2020 |
| 31 | Wasabi | September 1, 2020 |
| 32 | Geisha: A Sunset Trade? | September 8, 2020 |
| 33 | Expert Craft Skills | September 15, 2020 |
| 34 | Japanophiles: Kim Seungbok | September 29, 2020 |
| 35 | Aloha Shirts | October 6, 2020 |
| 36 | Japanophiles: Gyoei Saile | October 13, 2020 |
| 37 | Rice Snacks | October 20, 2020 |
| 38 | Urban Workshops | November 3, 2020 |
| 39 | Tokyo Rooftops | November 10, 2020 |
| 40 | Tokyo Stories #1: Josh Grisdale | November 17, 2020 |
| 41 | Tokyo Stories #2: Mateusz Urbanowicz | November 24, 2020 |
| 42 | Japanophiles: Anna Bugaeva | December 1, 2020 |
| 43 | Mushrooms | December 22, 2020 |
| 44 | Kamishibai: Paper Theater | December 29, 2020 |
| 45 | Moss | January 12, 2021 |
| 46 | Libraries | January 19, 2021 |
| 47 | Japanophiles: Sheila Cliffe | January 26, 2021 |
| 48 | Ukiyo-e | February 2, 2021 |
| 49 | Japanophiles: Richard Halberstadt | March 16, 2021 | |
Season 4 (April 2021 - March 2022)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 01 | Cleaning Tools | April 8, 2021 |
| 02 | Lacquerware | April 22, 2021 |
| 03 | Suits | May 6, 2021 |
| 04 | Emergency Goods | May 13, 2021 |
| 05 | Japanophiles: Chad Mullane | May 27, 2021 |
| 06 | Furoshiki: Wrapping Cloths | June 3, 2021 |
| 07 | Japan vs. Epidemics, Part 2: Modern History | June 17, 2021 |
| 08 | Tiny Houses | July 1, 2021 |
| 09 | Watches & Clocks | July 8, 2021 |
| 10 | Plastic Food Samples | July 15, 2021 |
| 11 | Japanophiles: Asa Ekstrom | July 29, 2021 |
| 12 | Cats and Japan | August 5, 2021 |
| 13 | Personal Robots | September 2, 2021 |
| 14 | Scissors | September 16, 2021 |
| 15 | Japanophiles: Marty Friedman | September 30, 2021 |
| 16 | Luck | October 7, 2021 |
| 17 | Tatami | October 28, 2021 |
| 18 | Chests & Cabinets | November 11, 2021 |
| 19 | Japanophiles: Nicholas Rennick | December 2, 2021 |
| 20 | Bamboo | December 16, 2021 |
| 21 | Ainu: A National Museum of Ainu Culture | December 23, 2021 |
| 22 | Ainu: A New Generation | December 30, 2021 |
| 23 | Japanophiles: Tom Hovasse | January 6, 2022 |
| 24 | Kotatsu: Heated Tables | January 13, 2022 |
| 25 | VTubers | January 20, 2022 |
| 26 | Traditional Homes | February 17, 2022 |
| 27 | Jomon Period: The Sannai Maruyama Site | March 10, 2022 |
| 28 | Jomon Period: Dogu | March 17, 2022 |
| 29 | Japanophiles: Steve Tallon | March 24, 2022 | |
Season 5 (April 2022 - Ongoing)
| Name | Air date |
|---|
| 1 | Face Masks | April 14, 2022 |
| 2 | Washi Japanese Paper
| April 28, 2022 |
| 3 | Name Stamps and Seals | May 12, 2022 |
| 4 | Showa Nostalgia | May 19, 2022 |
| 5 | Japanophiles: Claudio Feliciani | June 2, 2022 |
| 6 | Keitora Tiny Trucks
| June 16, 2022 |
| 7 | Vinyl Records | June 30, 2022 |
| 8 | Okinawa The Ryukyu Kingdom
| July 14, 2022 |
| 9 | Okinawa: The Reconstruction of Shuri Castle | July 21, 2022 |
| 10 | Frozen Food | July 28, 2022 |
| 11 | Japanophiles: Gregory Khezrnejat | August 11, 2022 |
| 12 | Goldfish | August 25, 2022 |
| 13 | Welfare Goods | September 8, 2022 |
| 14 | Water-related Disasters | September 29, 2022 |
| 15 | Japanophiles: Andrew Dewar | October 13, 2022 |
| 16 | The Moon | October 20, 2022 |
| 17 | Cardboard | November 24, 2022 |
| 18 | The Samurai of the Sea: Pirates or Protectors? | December 8, 2022 |
| 19 | The Samurai of the Sea: The Murakami Legacy | December 15, 2022 |
| 20 | Japanophiles: Colleen Schmuckal | December 22, 2022 |
| 21 | Kitchens | January 12, 2023 |
| 22 | Satsumaimo: Sweet Potatoes | February 9, 2023 |
| 23 | Dinosaurs | March 2, 2023 |
| 24 | Japanophiles: Kyle Holzhueter | March 23, 2023 |
| 25 | Camping | April 13, 2023 |
| 26 | Male Aesthetics | April 27, 2023 |
| 27 | Konnyaku | May 11, 2023 |
| 28 | Japanophiles: Isabelle Sasaki | May 25, 2023 |
| 29 | Ueno | June 8, 2023 |
| 30 | Meteorological Data | June 22, 2023 |
| 31 | Amami Oshima Paradise Found
| July 6, 2023 |
| 32 | Amami Oshima: Shaped by Adversity | July 13, 2023 |
| 33 | Japanophiles: Francesco Panto | August 3, 2023 |
| 34 | Vacant Homes | August 17, 2023 |
| 35 | Rokyoku: Musical Storytelling | August 31, 2023 |
| 36 | Japanese Honeybees | September 14, 2023 |
| 37 | Japanophiles: Martin Holman | September 28, 2023 |
| 38 | Unused Fish | October 12, 2023 |
| 39 | Garbage | October 26, 2023 |
| 40 | Firefighting | November 9, 2023 |
| 41 | Japanophiles: Benjamin Flatt | November 23, 2023 |
| 42 | Izumo: Home of the Gods | December 7, 2023 |
| 43 | Izumo: Land of the Supernatural | December 14, 2023 |
| 44 | Active Seniors | January 4, 2024 |
| 45 | Forestry | January 25, 2024 |
| 46 | Japanophiles: Matthew Headland | March 7, 2024 |
| 47 | 20th Anniversary Special Part 1 | March 21, 2024 |
| 48 | 20th Anniversary Special Part 2 | March 28, 2024 |
| 49 | Washing Machines | April 11, 2024 |
| 50 | New Roles for Vacant Homes | April 25, 2024 |
| 51 | Japanophiles: Nicoleta Oprișan | May 9, 2024 |
| 52 | Wakocha: Japanese Black Tea | May 23, 2024 |
| 53 | Plastic Models | June 6, 2024 |
| 54 | Food Tech Products | June 20, 2024 | |
External links
- https://www.thetvdb.com/series/weekend-japanology
- https://www.thetvdb.com/series/begin-japanology
- https://www.thetvdb.com/series/japanology-plus
Notes and References
- Web site: Weekend Japanology. TheTVDB.com.
- Web site: Begin Japanology. TheTVDB.com.
- Web site: About Japanology Plus – TV – NHK World – English . NHK World . . October 29, 2017.
