Cool Japan - Season 9 / Year 2014

We'll search for cools in Japanese cleaning utensils through the eyes of foreigners. Our foreign guests are amazed by a wide selection of exclusive cleaning utensils for the kitchen, bath, toilet and more. Traditional Japanese brooms are still used at established Japanese-style restaurants and hotels even today. We saw its handmade techniques being handed down at a local production area. We also saw the entire bullet train being washed in an enormous washing machine. How will foreigners see Japanese creativity in cleaning?

Asakusa is attracting an increasing number of tourists especially now with the TOKYO SKYTREE in place. What's so appealing about it? We asked the tourists to film their time spent in Asakusa. The unique design of colorful bamboo rakes for good luck caught our foreign guest's attention at the "Tori no Ichi" festival. Compact yet nostalgic rides are found in an amusement park with a 160-year history that is very much loved by locals. The program will rediscover the charms of Asakusa where retro and modern flavors coincide.

Foreigners are marveled when encountering "all-you-can eat/drink" services in Japan. Its buffet style enabling customers to eat what they want as much as they wish is enjoying wild popularity. The city is full of "all you can" services from "all you can stuff clothing", "all you can bowl", to "all you can sing karaoke" and more. Housewives who love "all you can eat" taught us the secret to enjoy this service to the fullest. The hotel in Beppu Hot Springs in Oita Pref. revived itself from a management crisis by adopting an "all you can eat" service. How will our foreign guests respond?

The Japanese-English term "cosplay", meaning to disguise oneself in animation or game characters, is spreading throughout the world attracting attention. Our foreign guests visited shops for cosplay costumes and props in Ikebukuro, Tokyo. A studio in Osaka was gaining popularity by providing services for cosplayers. They enjoy a photo session in their costumes standing in the stage sets of schools, churches and many more. We also encountered a young man in cosplay during his volunteering activity. How will Japanese cosplayers and its culture be captured in the eyes of foreigners?

Casual and inexpensive Japanese Izakayas are considered cool among many foreigners. What's most appealing is the freedom to order all you want any time and to be able to share dishes among friends and colleagues, which is something they won't find at home. Our foreign guests visited both the traditional and the latest Izakayas where orders are made through touch-screen panels. And we discovered an Izakaya enjoyable to the entire family gaining popularity. The program will also feature a Bangladeshi owner of a well-reputed Izakaya serving international dishes in a cozy atmosphere. Let's take a close look at the appeals of Izakayas in Japan.

Washoku, designated as UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity, is regarded highly from foreigners for being healthy and delicious. The program focuses on a nursery school in Fukuoka city, Fukuoka Pref., popular for its continuing efforts to serve school lunches centered on Washoku. The backbone to its taste is Dashi soup stock. A foreigner visiting a dried bonito factory in Yaizu, Shizuoka Pref. was amazed to find its process of production lasting to date since the Edo period. It will also show the business of leaf decorating Washoku, in Kamikatsu town, Tokushima Pref., where housewives and the elderly were actively participating. The program will rediscover the appeals of Washoku together with our foreign guests.

Many foreigners find Japanese construction sites really cool. What's so cool about them? Foreigners are surprised to find schedules and rendering illustrations posted at construction sites as well as to find apology signs for causing inconvenience. Also, they found Tobi professionals serving as the leader of the entire team building foothold and framework at the construction site for a high-rise building. And the world's first double-arm power shovel, a distinguished machine enabling 2 different jobs to be conducted simultaneously. The program will explore cools in its techniques and consideration shown at Japanese construction sites.

Many people communicate on-line in both overseas and Japan. Foreigners wonder about the way the Japanese communicate on-line. Why do the Japanese post so many food pictures? We followed a family who uses more stamps to communicate than actual words. Also, we followed a man who has been using a SNS for the elderly people and enjoys making new friends on-line. We will discuss about the Japanese on-line communication compared to overseas.

Japanese stationery, with its high-performance and playful spirit, is gaining a reputation overseas. Considerable attention is also given to it as souvenirs by foreigners visiting Japan. Also, a major stationery store amazed foreigners with its wide variety of products. "We could spend a whole day there!" was their impression of the place. Unique erasers elaborately replicating sweets and vehicles were being produced at a rubber factory where many children come to visit. The program will also introduce a story of 7 years worth of tenacity in developing a groundbreaking mechanical pencil that facilitates writing by keeping the tip of the lead always sharp and pointed.

Shinjuku is where foreign tourists visit the most on their trip to Japan. The Metropolitan Government Building Observatories gives a bird's-eye view of the city of Tokyo free of charge. Electronic stores provide a fine lineup of convenient products. There are also unique places like cat cafes and 100-yen shops. Foreigners shared many places they like about the town through the interview. They also enjoy new encounters at Golden Gai where the good old atmosphere still remains. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden rich in nature yet located near tower buildings is another appealing spot for them. Foreigners truly enjoy the colorful elements that the city has to offer.

On-the-street interviews revealed how so many Japanese people are interested in Yuru-chara. 'Sanomaru' from Sano city, Tochigi Pref., ranked top in its nationwide popularity contest. This character wearing a ramen bowl cap and carrying a potato fried sword, both the city's specialty, play an important role in revitalizing the local town. We also encountered a perfect combination of high technology and craftsmanship at the factory manufacturing fully-body costumes, an item indispensable to Yuru-chara. How will Yuru-chara, the latest fad in Japan, meet the eyes of our foreign guests?

"Local gourmets" are surging popularity in Japan. The local gourmet event where over 300 shops throughout Japan participated was a huge success when we visited. Here, one can enjoy a variety of local dishes while being presented with its related stories. We hopped down to Hiroshima to discover how an itinerary for a tour highlighting local gourmets is being developed. Then moved onto Fukuroi city, Shizuoka Pref. where a 200 year-old gourmet dish was revived to revitalize the town. How will these Japanese so passionate over local gourmets appear to foreigners?

Foreigners are surprised to find vending machines all over town with a variety of items sold from bread to fruits and T-shirts to stamps. Some vending machines supply its items free of charge during the time of a disaster. We went behind the scenes to see the development of machines that serve both hot and cold temperature drinks in one. Another type of vending machine set in a depopulated town with no convenience stores, provided not only drinks but sweets and snacks, was much valued by the local people. The program will explore cools in Japanese vending machines!

Tempura is one of the favored Japanese cuisines to foreigners visiting Japan besides sushi and ramen. The crispy texture of the batter despite a lot of oil being used surprise foreigners. Over 20 kinds of tempuras are lined up at the deli section of supermarkets and so much creativity was seen in home cooked tempura for children to enjoy. At a classic tempura restaurant, the chef serves fine quality tempura by altering the thickness of the batter and oil temperature according to the ingredients. Also, introduced is the hidden story behind the development of tempura flour that helps families cook delicious tempura at home easily.

Foreigners find Japanese "furoshiki" convenient and stylish. They are also astounded by the speed and the beauty of the wrappings when shopping at department stores. From chewing gum wrappers to book covers, Japanese wrapping culture is extremely unique. The evolving cardboard packaging packs bottles and high-tech products nowadays, and some are even water-proof. "Kyogi", Japan's traditional material used to wrap "natto", is an extraordinary product that brings out the best of wooden quality. This episode will explore Japan's wrapping culture.

Foreign visitors to Japan are amazed to find Japanese love of ships; from the excursion ship on Lake Ashi to houseboats on Tokyo Bay and Sumida River. The "block construction method", where each block constructed separately are ultimately fabricated into one piece, is a method developed to build the battleship Yamato on a short-term basis. At a shipyard in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, foreigners found a cargo-carrying vessel being constructed in 60 separate blocks. Japanese luxury liners are calm and they seldom scend. Foreigners took on a 3 nights 4 days cruise departing Yokohama calling at ports in Toba and Sukumo.

This year marks the 1200th year since Kobo-Daishi founded the 88 holy grounds in Shikoku. This time, we'll step out of the studio with our foreign guests to explore the appeals of Ohenro. The temples visited are Iwaya-ji, the No. 45 temple where Kobo-Daishi went under ascetic training and Ishite-ji, the No. 51 temple consisting numerous national treasures and buildings designated as important cultural properties. They also enjoyed hospitality for Ohenro pilgrims provided by the local people at the free rest house. Why do people take on the Ohenro journey and what are their discoveries?

Long traditions of diverse local performances with joyful sounds of musical accompaniment and elegant dances are found throughout Japan. "Kiyari" and "Binzasara dance" are ones performed at the Asakusa Sanja Festival. Ogano Kabuki in Saitama Pref. is handed down from parents to children for approximately 200 years since the Edo period. We watched this Kabuki performance where a total of 40 town's households cover every role from background to actors. We also discovered the secret behind the sound essential to local performing arts on our visit to a craftsman of a traverse flute. How will such Japanese tradition be seen in the eyes of our foreign guests?

Japanese have always loved imitating. The Japanese learned to develop various skills of their own by imitating. Also, the impersonation shows on TV are extremely popular. Many people were quite willing to show us their best impersonation in town upon our request. We also visited an authentic-recreation of an English town where the students learn English from native speakers. Japanese sweets are usually known for its motifs of the beauty of nature. However, its artisan visits the studio with his surprising sweet imitations! How will Japanese imitating culture be seen in the eyes of foreigners?

Foreigners see Japanese as real photo lovers. An average of 2,500 photographs were kept in mobile phones of people we asked in town. Many people enjoy modifying their photos enhancing their beauty by enlarging the eyes, or even turning themselves into manga characters by using smart phone apps. And we've explored the developmental efforts made behind-the-scenes at app manufacturers. Also we made a visit to a master at restoring old and faded photographs that brings new life into them as if taken anew. What are some of the unique ways the Japanese enjoy themselves with photographs?

Natural stones are found in town and used for monuments inscribed with poems as well as at open-air bath. These stones that surround us are accepted naturally by the Japanese although foreigners find it quite strange. Grindstones are absolutely indispensable to Japanese blades. We visited a craftsman creating natural grindstones, one of the few remaining nowadays. Suiseki, shapes and designs of natural stones are appreciated and resemble landscape. We'll introduce an American diving into its secrets. How will Japanese's unique aesthetics and admirations for stones be seen in the eyes of foreigners?

Some manners Japanese are used to are found quite strange to foreigners. "Why see people off until they are out of sight?", "Why can't we sit cross legged?", "Why can't we drink before a toast is made?", "Why can't we talk on cell phones on trains and buses?". Foreign guests will discuss over the differences in manners compared to their countries. Will such Japanese manners gain understanding from foreigners?