From the late 1800s to the early 1900s, dominant political and business figures owned villas in neighborhoods at the foot of the Higashiyama mountains. Many of their gardens were built by the pioneer of the modern Japanese garden, Ogawa Jihei VII. While Kyoto's cityscape was transforming after the fall of feudalism, Jihei designed spaces of comfort in a desire to return Kyoto to its glory days of scenic beauty. Discover natural spaces of calculated beauty that offer solace during the pandemic.

The five seasonal festivals to drive out evil originate in Yin and Yang philosophy. The most important is the Double Ninth festival on September 9, the largest, single-digit odd number. Chrysanthemums, a medicinal herb, are used for purification in the 1,000-year-old longevity rituals; hence, the festival's name. A chrysanthemum-boy doll, Noh plays, children's sumo, and floss-adorned chrysanthemums. Discover how the Chrysanthemum Festival has taken on new significance during the pandemic.

Two professionals from diverse fields, potter Matsubayashi Hosai and comic actor Shigeyama Sennojo discuss what it means to carry on a tradition and the similarities and differences between their professions. Born into 400-year-old Kyoto legacies, both have an eye on the international stage and are searching for ways to pass on the crafts and skills they inherited. Explore what roles people in heritage professions should play in 2020, at a time when lifestyles are changing due to the pandemic.