Japanology Plus

Synopsis

Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.

First Air Date: 2014-04-03

Last Air Date: 2025-08-28

Number of Seasons: 12

Number of Episodes: 341

Networks: NHK WORLD-JAPAN

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Peter Barakan as Self - Host
Emma Howard as Self - Narrator (voice)
Matt Alt as Self - Reporter in Plus One
Kanako Sachno as Self - Narrator (voice)
Kyle Card as Self - Plus One Host
Kanoa as Self - Reporter in Plus One
Chieko Mukasa as Self - Food Journalist
Chad Mullane as Self - Comedian
David McMahon as Self - Reporter in Plus One
Matt Schley as Self - Reporter in Plus One

Seasons

Specials (2014) - (1 Episodes)

Season 1 (2014) - (30 Episodes)

Season 2 (2015) - (35 Episodes)

Season 3 (2016) - (34 Episodes)

Season 4 (2017) - (35 Episodes)

Season 5 (2018) - (38 Episodes)

Season 6 (2019) - (28 Episodes)

Season 7 (2020) - (24 Episodes)

Season 8 (2021) - (27 Episodes)

Season 9 (2022) - (27 Episodes)

Season 10 (2023) - (23 Episodes)

Season 11 (2024) - (24 Episodes)

Season 12 (2025) - (23 Episodes)

Specials (2014)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: Discover Japanology (2014-11-08)

What is the country of Japan like? Watch a special program on a symposium entitled "Japan from Within and Without", held exclusively for Sophia University students and researchers. NHK WORLD TV program "Japanology Plus" and "BEGIN Japanology" has been exploring multiple aspects of Japan for more than 10 years. However, not only foreigners but also Japanese tend to speak about Japan based on typical stereotypes. Share the symposium discussion and consider "Diversity of Japan", "Japanese people" and "Potentiality of Japanology". Speakers include Peter Barakan (Host of "Japanology Plus" & "BEGIN Japanology"), Reinhard Zöllner (Professor of University of Bonn, Germany), Mechthild Duppel (Associate professor of Sophia University), etc.