Japan's taiko drums—made in many shapes and sizes, played at various occasions—are an ancient heritage. Originally taiko were an integral part of festivals and rituals, used to summon the gods. In recent years, taiko drumming has been admired as a form of music in its own right. Our guest this time is Hitoshi Mogi, a taiko expert at the National Theatre who has exhaustive knowledge of Japanese drumming traditions. And in Plus One, getting in shape with taiko!

Festivals are held in every region of Japan throughout the year. The oldest date back well over a millennium, and typically feature prayers for good harvests or peace and stability. These days, festivals in Japan have become vital to many areas as a magnet for visitors. On this edition of Japanology Plus, our theme is festivals. Our expert guest is Tetsuya Yamamoto, who visits dozens of festivals a year and publishes articles and essays about them. And in Plus One, how a portable shrine is made.

The Seikan Tunnel, the world's longest undersea tunnel, connects the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido. Making it took 24 years, and the enormously challenging work claimed many lives. This time on Japanology Plus, we'll dig deep into the dedicated effort and technological know-how that helped to create the Seikan Tunnel. Our expert guest is Toshio Kadoya, who worked on construction of the tunnel for 18 years. And in Plus One, we look at a ferry service that predated the Seikan Tunnel.

In the business districts of Japan, a major battle plays out each year: the job hunt. Students spend their last year of university working to land a full-time job with benefits. Although "lifetime employment" is on the wane, a long career at a single firm remains an ideal. This time, we look at Japan's distinctive system of hiring new graduates. Our expert guest is Taichiro Tsuji, a former HR professional who knows the hiring process inside and out. In Plus One, how to ace your job interview.