Japan, once thought to have no dinosaur fossils, is now a hotspot for dinosaur discovery. Kamuysaurus japonicus, found in Hokkaido Prefecture, overturned conventional wisdom. Dozens of Japanese museums feature dinosaurs, and dinosaur-themed events are popular with people of all ages. Our guest, dinosaur expert Kobayashi Yoshitsugu, shares the latest information, and offers his view on why the Japanese find dinosaurs so captivating. In Plus One, we see some entertaining modern takes on dinosaurs.

In Japan, interest in camping is booming. Popular choices these days include women-only camping and solo camping. Some prefer glamping, where you don't have to set up your own tent. Camping has also been drawing attention as a good way to prepare for disaster. Peter Barakan visits a campsite with an outdoor expert to get the latest information, and to find out more about why so many people are going camping these days. We also see some Japanese preferences in equipment.

In Japan, economic conditions may be challenging, but male cosmetics are selling increasingly well. Social media and the normalization of remote working have contributed to a growing concern among men about their appearance. The increasing popularity of hair removal treatment is evidence of that trend. But looking back at Japanese history, we see that for over a thousand years, it was normal for men to wear makeup. We look at the evolution of male aesthetics in Japan.

Konnyaku is an important element of Japanese cuisine. It has long been known as a high-fiber, diet-friendly food, and in recent years it's been shown to offer benefits for health conditions including dementia and diabetes. Outside Japan, its popularity is on the rise, and it has started to appear in dishes like pasta. Konnyaku is a chewy, jelly-like food made from the extremely bitter corm of the konjac plant. How is it processed? And what other uses does it have? Peter Barakan visits Japan's top producing area to learn all about this surprising food.

In Japan, businesses are linking meteorological data and sales figures in order to predict consumer demand. This is helping to reduce waste and lower carbon dioxide emissions through optimization of distribution networks. One popular app charts the relationship between the weather and headaches or feeling "under the weather" in other ways. We explore how meteorological data is contributing to everyday life in Japan these days.

Sometimes described as "solo opera," Rokyoku was once Japan's most popular form of entertainment, with top performers among the richest people in the land. Rokyoku rose to prominence in the late 19th century, but the advent of TV triggered a rapid decline. Now young performers are revitalizing this storytelling art by incorporating English, rock and pop music, and even dance. Peter Barakan experiences rokyoku in both old and new styles. And in Plus One, Kyle Card tries giving a performance himself.

Wildfires are becoming more frequent and residential fires are posing new challenges. Japan is responding to this evolving reality by developing new firefighting technologies, such as water-free fire engines, AI-powered robots, and self-extinguishing building materials. Around the country, official fire departments are supported by volunteer firefighters, but as societal norms change the number of volunteers is dropping. We introduce the latest from the world of Japanese firefighting.

Two-thirds of Japan is covered in forest, and wood has long been the building material of choice. But today, forests are in poor condition. We look at current efforts to revitalize forestry in Japan.

After a slow start, Japanese washing machines have become some of the most advanced in the world. We look at their development and the latest innovations.

Roughly 90% of Japan's plastic models are made in Shizuoka, a city whose manufacturing roots date back to shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. We explore the latest developments for Japan's superb plastic models.

Japanese food tech products such as soybean-based meat substitutes are made using new technology. Land-based aquaculture and 3D food printing are also in the spotlight. We look at the latest products.

One of the world's top three production centers for eyeglasses is Sabae, in Fukui Prefecture. We trace the history of Japanese glasses, from the earliest examples to cutting-edge technology.

Japanese raccoon dogs, or tanuki, are globally rare but have increasingly been seen in Japan's cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate their long history in tradition and folklore.

The world loves Japan's heavy machinery. We explore the secrets of its popularity and learn about items ranging from small excavators to cranes that erect skyscrapers in cramped urban spaces.