In Japan, there is a long tradition of using trained cormorants to catch river fish. It's always done at night, using braziers. Fishing with cormorants -"ukai" in Japanese - is still practiced in 13 places around the country. It's very popular with visitors. Every year, more than 150,000 people come to see this traditional practice. And part of the fun is watching the spectacle from on board special viewing boats. On this edition of Journeys in Japan, John Gathright discovers the traditions of cormorant night fishing, and he meets the master fishermen who continue this ancient practice.

Fields stretching to the horizon under a blue sky... On this edition of "Journeys in Japan" we'll travel to the northern land of Hokkaido. Our reporter Heather Russell visits spectacular Akan National Park and the Tokachi Plains.

The Niseko area in southwest Hokkaido lies between mountains that rise over 1,000 meters. It is best known as a winter ski resort, thanks to its quality of its powder snow. But there's also plenty to do in other seasons in this beautiful natural environment. On this edition of "Journeys in Japan," Haruka Orth explores Niseko in the summertime. She discovers the lush, green countryside and meets some of the people living there. It's a great place to spend a vacation.