Trails to Oishii Tokyo

The focus this time is on the king of fish, maguro. Witness the highlight of an auction site at Japan's largest market, Toyosu Market, as one-third of wholesalers are maguro specialists. Our reporter visits Katsuura Fishing Port for a famous haul. Last but not least, don't miss this program's lineup of irresistible maguro dishes.

Lemons first came to Japan some 150 years ago, and have since been blended with Japanese citrus fruits to create brand-new types. We journey to a tiny island in the Seto Inland Sea where some 25% of Japanese lemons are grown and discover its unique, lemon-friendly climate and topography. We also see the surprising ways lemon farmers use lemons in Japanese cuisine from tempura to hot pot. Last but not least, we pucker up for some delicious lemon-based sweets.

Onions are eaten throughout the world, but in Japan, they're cooked with original techniques and used in a variety of Japanese dishes. This time, we bite into some of those dishes, including one available for just a short time in spring and another that features onion leaves. How have onions influenced Japanese cuisine? Join us to find out!

This episode features natto, a fermented soybean product known for its powerful smell and sticky texture. Both economical and nutritious, natto is a staple Japanese breakfast food. Mito, north of Tokyo, is the natto capital of Japan. See how traditional, organic natto is made, and have a look at a variety of unique dishes that feature natto.

Our focus today is hijiki, a variety of seaweed that has been consumed in Japan for over 1,000 years. Much like tea leaves, this nutritious, low-calorie food is often dried, and soaked in water before use. Hijiki grow quickly at the start of spring on rocky coastlines, and are only available for harvest for a few days. Dive in to find out more about what ancient Japanese considered to be a gift from the sea

Matcha is known worldwide as a popular ingredient in sweets. But originally, matcha is green tea leaves pulverized into micron-sized powder and mixed into hot water to make tea. We visit Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, a place where matcha is traditionally cultivated and produced, and learn how matcha is used in the tea ceremony, which is considered to encapsulate the spirit of Japanese culture and hospitality. Finally, we see how its unique bitterness is used to create a variety of novel dishes.

Our focus today is Nozawana, a leaf vegetable indigenous to Japan. This one-meter-long vegetable is often pickled, as it spoils quickly. Nozawana was first grown in Japan in a village 600 meters above sea level. It has long provided snowed-in villages with a precious source of nutrition during harsh winters. Find out more about the vegetable that went from supporting mountain villages to being loved all around Japan.

Today we focus on ginger. Often grated, finely chopped or even pickled, ginger is an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cuisine. The pink "gari" eaten with sushi is actually pickled ginger. The spice has become known for its health benefits in recent years, as it improves blood circulation and can even be used as a disinfectant. Let's find out more about the uses of ginger in Japan.

Komatsuna is a spinach-like leaf vegetable from Tokyo that's been grown in the ward of Edogawa, facing Tokyo Bay, for hundreds of years. Even today, Komatsuna is grown in residential areas in Tokyo. There are even vending machines selling freshly-harvested Komatsuna! This time, we dive deep into this special vegetable, sampling classic Japanese cuisine, sweets, noodles and other innovative dishes that feature its unique flavor.

Today we focus on yellowtail, known as Buri in Japanese. Favored in winter when it contains a higher fat content, the fish provides rich umami when grilled, simmered or eaten raw as sushi or sashimi. In western Japan, Buri has long been thought to bring good fortune and is an essential part of the New Year tradition. Visit a Toyama Bay port that is one of the most popular for Buri fishing, and explore Japan's unique Buri culture.

Shark meat has been eaten in Japan since ages past. It's often used in old-school Japanese soul foods such as Oden. We visit Aomori Prefecture, where shark is still eaten regularly, to discover traditional methods for catching and consuming shark, including a collagen-rich dish good for the skin and another excellent for overall health. Join us as we dive into the world of sharks in Japan!

This episode focuses on bread, or "pan" in Japanese. The sheer variety of baked goods in Japan is astounding. Rolls and pastries filled or covered with teriyaki chicken, vegetables, or even stir-fried noodles act as a hearty meal. Bread can also replace rice for sushi, or act as a canvas to your imagination. Discover new ways to enjoy one of the world's oldest man-made foods.

Azuki beans are often sweetened, simmered and used in Japanese sweets. Their red color is said to ward off evil, and they're key at celebrations too. We visit an area in Hyogo Prefecture known for growing high-quality Azuki, and learn how artisans in Kyoto Prefecture put their skills to work making beautiful sweets that incorporate the beans. Learn all about Azuki beans, grown, eaten and beloved for over 5,000 years in Japan. (Reporter: Saskia Thoelen)

Our focus today is fugu, or pufferfish. As one of Japan's great winter delicacies, it is eaten as nearly-transparent slices of sashimi, or in umami-packed hot pots. Even in seafood-loving Japan, fugu is a special treat that is among the most expensive fish. It's also known for containing lethal amounts of poison, requiring chefs to obtain a special license in order to prepare it. Dive in to learn more about the various methods devised to provide quality flavor while also ensuring safety. (Reporter: Kyle Card)

Daikon, Japanese radishes, are often over 30cm long, large and white, but there are also colorful types ranging from pink to green. They're an essential ingredient used in stews, salads, miso soup and more. We visit the Miura Peninsula, where half the daikon eaten in the Tokyo region are grown. There, we discover a "curtain" of thousands of daikon drying on a beach, soil supplemented with ground tuna, and the skills of those involved in daikon production. (Reporter: Jason Hancock)

In this episode on wagyu, discover meaty secrets with our American reporter, Kailene. Visit a long-established shop in Ginza where cuts for sukiyaki, shabu-shabu and BBQ are perfectly sliced down to the millimeter based on fat content. Witness the special conditions under which Japanese Black cattle are reared to produce Matsusaka beef, and learn how to make sukiyaki like a pro.

Soy sauce is key when it comes to the flavor of Japanese food. This time, we ask a specialist about the differences in color and flavor between sauces. We also see a soy sauce maker which prepares its sauce in wooden barrels used for over 100 years. In order to pass this disappearing method on, the maker started to produce its own barrels. Finally, we learn about a new type of sauce popular in France and virtually unknown in Japan. Join reporter Kyle from Canada as he dives deep into soy sauce.

Abura-age, or deep-fried tofu, is an indispensable ingredient used in miso soup, udon and rice dishes. It's also been a valuable source of protein in the Buddhist vegetarian diet. Our reporter, Dasha, learns more from manufacturer in Fukui Prefecture, Japan's largest abura-age consumption area. Find out why foxes are associated with the food, and learn tasty recipes you can easily try at home.

Today we focus on mochi rice cake, an indispensable part of Japanese New Year's celebrations. It's offered to the gods and eaten in traditional Zoni soup as families pray for a healthy and safe new year. The ingredients found in Zoni can differ greatly depending on the region and family. Learn about mochi's rich history and culture, and how families of years past used to prepare it. Also, feast your eyes on some of the hundreds of mochi recipes from Iwate Prefecture.

Bananas - a tropical fruit also grown in Japan. Technological advancement has allowed their cultivation in snowy areas. Visit a plantation in one of Japan's snowiest regions, and check out a wide variety at a wholesaler in Tokyo's Ota Market. See how the ripening process is carefully managed in massive warehouses from the time of import to market release.

Bean sprouts are harvested all year and have long been a favorite addition to a healthy diet. All they need is water to grow, so during a food shortage, harsh temperatures, or even after disasters like the Great East Japan Earthquake, bean sprouts are here to save the day. Our reporter, Kyle, visits a farm in Aomori Prefecture that cultivates 40-centimenter-long bean sprouts using hot spring water. Also, feast your eyes on local dishes featuring the produce.

Japan is third behind Germany and the UK in terms of chocolate consumption. It's also home to the second-largest number of the world's top 100 chocolatiers after France. The use of ingredients like yuzu citrus and Sansho pepper also spreads as the world turns its attention to Japan. This episode provides the latest on the country's chocolate industry, from the use of domestically-produced cacao, the development of a way to preserve flavor even after melting and hardening, to the evolution of affordable snacks.

Nori seaweed is an indispensable Japanese ingredient. Its flavor is influenced by elements from the sea as well as the nutrients that flow down from mountains. Our reporter Janni tries a selection at a 150-year-old shop and is shocked by how flavors can vary. Visit a plant that makes nori using a process inspired by traditional methods. Then, feast your eyes on colorful sushi rolls and see how nori can be used in French cuisine.

Ame – Japanese candy – is seemingly simplistic sugar candy that can be found in a variety of flavors, textures and shapes. It's also an important part of Japanese tradition and culture. Visit a Tokyo shrine where it's handed out to kids as a symbol of healthy growth, and check out some jaw-dropping, crafty production methods. Ame can also be used in savory dishes! Feast your eyes on new wave sukiyaki enhanced by cotton candy!

Shiitake — the star Japanese mushroom known for its strong umami. Visit a farmer who uses centuries-old cultivation methods to conserve the natural surroundings, then head over to our reporter's hometown in Sweden to see how shiitake have grown in popularity overseas. We'll be cooking up all kinds of mushroom dishes, from Scandinavian to French to Japanese.

Seri, in season from winter to spring, was a key source of nutrition during harsh winters when produce was scarce. It grows in cold, mineral-rich water, giving it a delectable crunch and aroma. Join our reporter in muddy, flooded paddies for a harvest experience and check out a local dish that took on an iconic role in post-earthquake recovery. Also visit TOKYO SKYTREE for Italian seri dishes that are truly inspiring.

In Japan, there's a type of sugar for nearly any recipe. Among them, wasanbon is perhaps the most precious, as it's produced in only six refineries in the country's Shikoku region. The secret to its quality lies in a traditional method practiced since the Edo period. See the magic happen for yourself, and feast your eyes on all kinds of food that call for Japan's special sugar.

Somen: these traditional Japanese noodles are amazingly thin and white. Japan has many noodles, like soba, udon and ramen, but the saga of somen goes back some 1,200 years. We visit Miwa, Nara Prefecture to see how traditional techniques are used to stretch somen again and again over a two-day period to achieve millimeter thinness. We also see how somen works in recipes from curry to Okinawan to even Italian with cheese and tomato sauce. Slurp into the history of somen!

Kuzu plays a key role in Japanese cuisine, from savory to sweet. The starch can be mixed in hot water to form a clear jelly, or used to thicken sauces and soups. The raw material is found deep in the mountains. Our journey takes us from harvest to factory, detailing a long process that remains largely unchanged for over 200 years. Feast your eyes on exquisite food featuring kuzu, an unsung hero of Japan's culinary culture.

Yomogi speckles the fields and roadside greenery of the spring season. Used in various dishes, from savory to sweet, the plant is also used to produce a substance called moxa for healing methods that date back over 1,000 years. The "queen of the herbs" is even mentioned in classical poetry. With health benefits thought to promote longevity, it's played a key role in Okinawan tradition. Dig in to discover more about this overlooked weed!

The key to tasty kiwi is a ripening process that takes place after harvest. Discover new varieties being developed in Kagawa Prefecture and feast your eyes on innovative dishes.

Known to the world as panko, Japanese breadcrumbs are made by breaking apart fresh loaves of bread. Experience Japan's crunchy, juicy and truly unique fried food culture.

Japan has a number of carrot varieties resulting from selective breeding. Discover carrots grown beneath the snow and savor an array of dishes from French to Japanese.

Koya-tofu: a freeze-dried food made from tofu. It absorbs flavors like a sponge, making it ideal for a huge variety of dishes. We dive deep into this protein-packed superfood.

Mentaiko is cured and spiced pollock roe, with a deep flavor provided by kombu and katsuobushi broth. Discover the secrets of a beloved food that spread from Fukuoka to the rest of Japan.

Fukinoto signals the coming of spring. Shaped like a lovely bouquet, the mountain veggie offers a stimulating bitterness that people wait all year to enjoy.

Japan's pears are a thing of juicy-sweet luxury thanks to strict quality control and unique ripening methods. See how they're cultivated and check out some amazing pear-focused recipes. (Reporter: Kailene Falls)

Turnips are a versatile ingredient that sparks the imagination of skilled chefs. Visit Japan's largest turnip production area and explore a variety of dishes, from Japanese to French cuisine. (Reporter: Kailene Falls)

Mirin, or sweet sake, is just as important in Japanese food as soy sauce or miso. It adds sweetness, depth and a lovely shine to ingredients! Learn more about mirin's key role in Japanese cuisine. (Reporter: Michael Keida)

Kiriboshi daikon—daikon radish that's cut and sun-dried to preserve it. Both tasty and nutritious, it's gaining traction as a health food. Discover more about its unique texture and versatility. (Reporter: Kailene Falls)

Broccoli is still a relative newcomer to Japan, but has become a staple ingredient in Japanese households. Explore broccoli's wide appeal and how it's used in all kinds of dishes, even in sweets!

In squid-loving Japan, spear squid is immensely popular. Tag along with fishers in Hokkaido and savor some regional cuisine, fresh sushi, and a special take on a beloved Italian-inspired inky dish.