Gifu – The Joys of Mountain Life – Cycle Around Japan (NHK World, Video)

This episode from the Cycle Around Japan series was broadcast on NHK World TV on May 11, 2019 and is available on Demand at the link below till May 11, 2020.

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/ondemand/video/2066021/

Duration: 49 mins

Introduction to this episode (by NHK World TV):

This three-day, 360km trip takes us from lowland Gifu Prefecture and its blossoming cherry trees north into the snow-covered central mountains.

We’ll visit a traditional swordsmith to watch him forge katana blades from living flame, a hillside town built on water, and forests with wood of such quality it inspired some of Japan’s finest artisans.

A final adventure involves our cyclist in a 200-year old tradition of amateur village kabuki, one of the many ways people have found to enjoy life in the remote mountains.



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