Renowned Japanese product designer Naoto Fukasawa believes that the essence of good design is that it blends into our daily lives, existing outside consciousness. Fukasawa's research into the meaning of design has led him to believe that what we need most today is such anonymous design. As our guest this time, Fukasawa takes us into a new world of design, showing the importance of products we may never have heard of.

The first railways in Japan were developed using imported technology, brought in after Japan opened its doors to the West in the latter half of the 19th century. Since then, Japan has developed a world-class railway system that includes Shinkansen bullet trains, and that features a variety of uniquely Japanese designs. Riding the rails is an integral part of daily life for so many Japanese. Designer Eiji Mitooka joins us as we investigate the design of Japan's railways.

Japanese culture is often celebrated for its simple beauty. But it has another, very different side. The glamorous, ornate clothing worn by kabukimono and oiran made them popular icons. This avant-garde fashion asserted a sense of self, rebelling against social norms. Our guest is Noritaka Tatehana, who has updated this tradition for the modern age. He will help us explore Japan's avant-garde design.