Season 2 (2019)
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Episodes 6
Fukushima: Into the Heart of a Hot Spring
Ruizhi is on a mission to help with the maintenance of a hot spring resort's infrastructure in Fukushima Prefecture. He quickly discovers that the job of "Yumori" (hot spring maintenance expert) requires passion, hard work, and a willingness to get one's hands dirty. He braves tough winter conditions on the slopes of a volcano to keep the thermal water flowing to nearby hotels. Does he have what it takes to succeed?
Read MoreAomori Airport's Battle with Ice & Snow
Aomori City in northern Japan receives some of the heaviest snowfall in the world. A daredevil from China joins the daily battle to keep Aomori Airport operational. He'll have to learn the basics of snow removal before moving on to de-ice a plane and joining the elite White Impulse team to clear the 3-kilometer runway. Will he rise to the challenge and succeed?
Read MoreHard Work in Paradise - Spring in Gokayama
1 year after experiencing the harshness of winter in Gokayama, Softpomz from Thailand returns to the village in early spring. From maintaining the irrigation system to picking wild vegetables and rethatching roofs, she soon realizes that life in this small paradise is far from easy, and that it takes the whole community to preserve the village's ancient traditions.
Read MoreKusaya: Extreme Smell, Incredible Taste
Softpomz from Thailand embarks on a culinary journey to the island of Hachijojima to explore a distinctive aspect of the local diet: dried fermented fish, known in Japanese as Kusaya. She learns about this traditional preservation method from a local producer, helps fishermen unload their catch, and tries preparing her very own Kusaya. But can she get past the extremely powerful smell?
Read MoreTogyu: The Spirit of Japanese Bullfighting
Ruizhi from China faces his toughest challenge yet: entering the arena of Japanese bullfighting. Over 3 days, he accompanies a bull master in Yamakoshi, a rural municipality in Niigata Prefecture that has been hosting ritual bullfights for centuries. From taming a one-ton beast to putting his body on the line and ensuring no one gets hurt, will he have what it takes to accomplish his mission?
Read MoreJigokudani: Hot Spring in the Valley of Hell
Ruizhi from China stays at a hot spring like no other deep in the mountains of Nagano Prefecture - a place where humans coexist with monkeys. His mission: assisting with the daily chores of a hot spring inn. From cleaning outdoor pools, to conducting house repairs and clearing steam-hot geyser pipes - all under the gaze of our simian cousins - will he be up to the challenge?
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