← Japanology Plus mini

Season 7

5 episodes · 2026

  1. 1Under Elevated Train Tracks

    07 Feb 2026 · 5 min

    Spaces under Japan's elevated train tracks are being used in a variety of ways, from restaurants to skate parks. Some towns are utilizing these spaces as part of their regional revitalization efforts.

  2. 2Onigiri

    08 Feb 2026 · 5 min

    Japan's comfort food, onigiri. We explore new types trending on social media, the latest convenience-store offerings, and an emergency version that can be stored at room temperature for five years.

  3. 3Graves and End-of-Life Planning

    01 Mar 2026 · 5 min

    End-of-life planning is spreading in Japan. Some people are planning ahead and choosing low-cost shared graves over family graves, while some cities are offering end-of-life planning support.

  4. 4Repair

    15 Mar 2026 · 5 min

    As the need for circular economies grows, there's an increasing focus on repair. We see broken appliances being rebuilt at the circuit-board level and old clothes being given creative makeovers.

  5. 5Octopuses

    22 Mar 2026 · 5 min

    Octopuses have been part of the Japanese diet for centuries. Today, some people even keep them as pets. Octopus catches have been decreasing, but efforts to farm them on land are now underway.