The source of the Kurobe River-deep in the Northern Alps in Toyama Prefecture-is a rarely explored place. No matter which trailhead hikers choose, they must all pass over ridges of more than 2000 meters above sea level to reach the source. This is one of the reasons it was the last area in Japan to be developed for hiking. It remains unspoiled today. On Journeys in Japan, photographer Peter Skov explores the mountains around Kurobe River's headwaters. He starts out from the Oritate trailhead, passes over a ridge, descends to the Kurobe River, and heads to a highland paradise called Kumonodaira. He also experiences "sawanobori" or stream climbing up the Akagisawa. Peter revels in the spectacular nature around the source of the Kurobe River.

This neighborhood lying alongside the Uchikawa River in Imizu CIty, Toyama Prefecture, has been a thriving fishing port for over 1,000 years. Because of its proximity to the water and its unified townscape, it has been nicknamed the "Venice of Japan." Through the centuries, people in this district have lived alongside the river, protecting and handing down their traditional lifestyle from to the next generation.

Tanegashima is an island that has embraced new cultures and people since olden times. Starting with Japan's first firearms-brought in by the Portuguese-the island has accepted all kinds of things from sweet potatoes from Sumatra and a major space center to surfing culture. British model, actor and social entrepreneur Dean Newcombe meets the energetic people and discovers the diversity of Tanegashima.