Allan West discovers the depth of flavors in the Shonai region - from Italian cooking incorporating heirloom local vegetables to traditional Buddhist vegetarian cuisine (shojin ryori) featuring wild greens foraged from the nearby mountainsides.

David Bull travels to Shirakami-sanchi, in northern Japan. Nature guide and botanist Hajime Makita takes him around. Shirakami is recognized for its primeval broadleaf forest of mostly beech trees. David experiences the heartbeat of this vast, undisturbed forest. He later enjoys swimming in a beautiful river, just outside the preserve. David alights at Fukaura-machi in Aomori Prefecture where the water from Shirakami-sanchi flows into the sea. He observes the deep ties of Shirakami-sanchi with the sea.

Aizu in western Fukushima Prefecture. The beautiful area around Mount Bandai - known locally as treasure mountain - is a prominent resort area. Aizu also flourished in the samurai age as one of the biggest economic and political hubs in eastern Japan. The samurai spirit is evident in various traditions passed down from the days of old. Julian Carl Crocker explores Aizu's breathtaking scenery and its samurai spirit, which is still alive in the hearts of the people.