Asahikawa is a city at the foot of Mount Daisetsu, located in the heart of Hokkaido Prefecture and blessed by an abundance of nature. James Lambiasi visits a workshop and discovers the Japanese aesthetic values in furniture. Later he visits a mountain lodge in Asahidake Onsen at an altitude of 1,100 meters to enjoy magnificent views of nature.

Mashiko, surrounded by gentle hills and fields, is north of Tokyo. It is well known both at home and abroad as the production center of Mashiko-yaki ceramic ware. Deirdre Ikeda visits the studios of three ceramic artists and also meets an innkeeper and farmer.

William Reed travels us to Morioka, a city blessed with mountains, rivers, trees,and architecture steeped in history.