Barakan Discovers (2019) | StreamScapeX

Episodes

Season 1, 14 episodes

Episode 1: Tokyo
- Now playing
- 49m
- Aug 4, 2019
Peter Barakan is a broadcaster and a 45-year resident of Japan. In this series, he discovers how Japan is changing, starting with a look at the country's capital: Tokyo. From tucked-away shrines in upmarket Ginza to secluded waterways in Nihonbashi, Peter visits the lesser-known corners of the city. What echoes of the city's history do they reveal? And where will Tokyo go from here? Join Peter to find out. The series features beautiful images created by time-lapse creator Daisuke Shimizu.
Episode 2: TOHOKU
- 49m
- Mar 8, 2020
Almost immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, people in the Tohoku region started talking about encounters with ghosts. The region's culture and history may account for the reports. The area has experienced countless disasters and famines, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Over time, the spirits of the deceased have come to be perceived as a lingering and comforting presence. Host Peter Barakan learns how the spirits of lost loved ones can serve as a source of strength for people in Tohoku.
Episode 3: The Tokyo of 2020
- 49m
- Nov 22, 2020
In 2020, Tokyo expected to welcome people from all over the world for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Instead, the onset of COVID-19 took it down an unexpected path. Although activity is gradually resuming, the disease remains a threat, and many people are reassessing what's important in their lives. To explore how the city has changed in 2020, Peter Barakan meets Tokyoites from other countries. Their experiences also offer an insight into the kind of city that Tokyo might become.
Episode 4: Ainu: A New Generation
- 49m
- Dec 4, 2021
The Ainu are the indigenous people of northern Japan. They were once subjected to cultural assimilation policies, and many of their traditions were lost. But now, young Ainu are spearheading a movement to restore their heritage. Peter Barakan meets an artisan who recreates old craft items; performers with a new take on traditional singing and dancing; and a YouTuber who presents language lessons. Barakan looks at the oppression of the past, and the possibilities that exist in the future.
Episode 5: JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization
- 49m
- Feb 25, 2022
Japan's Jomon period was a time of peace that persisted for over 10,000 years. As the world moves towards implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the sustainable practices of Jomon society are receiving renewed attention. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan investigates Jomon history in search of guidance for us in the 21st century. We see buildings and artifacts at one of the largest Jomon ruins in the country, and meet craftspeople inspired by Jomon culture.
Episode 6: OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original
- 49m
- May 28, 2022
Okinawa Prefecture is a group of subtropical islands in the south of Japan. It previously thrived as a separate country called the Ryukyu Kingdom, which maintained its independence for 450 years. It did this by accepting and incorporating foreign influences. That approach proved useful once again in the 20th century, during the postwar US occupation. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets people who worked hard to heal the wounds of war, and reconstruct Okinawa's cultural heritage.
Episode 7: THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA
- 49m
- Nov 26, 2022
When pirates operated in Japan's Seto Inland Sea around 500 years ago, the largest group, the Murakami Kaizoku, certainly did not fit the conventional image of pirates. They actually protected shipping rather than attacking it. They also had a refined sense of culture and assimilated foreign influences. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets people who have historical links to, or who have studied, the Murakami Kaizoku, to find out what these unusual pirates were really like.
Episode 8: AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island
- 49m
- Jul 23, 2023
Tanaka Isson, an artist known as Japan's "Gauguin," moved to the subtropical island of Amami Oshima at the age of 50 after years of struggle. He then spent highly productive years there painting its striking flora and fauna until his death at the age of 69. In order to follow in Isson's footsteps, Peter Barakan travels to Amami Oshima, where, in addition to many unusual biological treasures, he discovers how the distinctive cultural traditions of Amami Oshima were shaped by a history of hardship.
Episode 9: IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen
- 49m
- Jan 6, 2024
In the 19th century, writer Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) helped introduce Japan to the wider world. Peter Barakan visits Izumo to learn about the natural and unseen realms that Hearn treasured.
Episode 10: KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest
- 49m
- Sep 1, 2024
Pioneering ecologist Minakata Kumagusu explored the forests of Kumano. Join Peter Barakan as he follows Minakata's path and discovers a universe in nature.
Episode 11: YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision
- 49m
- Feb 2, 2025
Admired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan transformed the fortunes of the struggling Yonezawa Domain. Peter Barakan visits Yonezawa, once called "an Asiatic Arcadia," to explore Yozan's legacy.
Episode 12: TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung
- 49m
- Sep 20, 2025
In 1843, after surviving a shipwreck, 16-year-old John Manjiro found himself in the US. He later played a key role in opening Japan's doors to the world. Peter Barakan visits Manjiro's hometown, Tosa.
Episode 13: HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words
- 49m
- Dec 27, 2025
Yoshida Shoin was an educator whose students played key roles in Japan's modernization. He died at 29, but his ideals still live on 160 years later. Peter Barakan visits Shoin's hometown of Hagi.
Episode 14: AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit
- 49m
- Aug 30, 2026
In Aizu, samurai teachings still run deep, and the defeat in the Boshin War further solidified that spirit. Peter Barakan explores this legacy, which also shaped bacteriologist Noguchi Hideyo's life.

2019 to present
1 season
49m per episode
Documentary

8.0TMDB(1)

Overview

Peter Barakan is a broadcaster and a 45-year resident of Japan. In this series, he discovers how Japan is changing.

Fun facts

Episodes
1 season and 14 episodes so far
Source for Episodes, opens in a new tab

Details

Status: Returning Series
Seasons: 1
Episodes: 14
First aired: August 4, 2019
Last aired: August 30, 2026
Original language: English
Countries: Japan

Network

Production

Cast

Peter BarakanSelf - Host

Episodes

Season 1, 14 episodes

Episode 1: Tokyo
- Now playing
- 49m
- Aug 4, 2019
Peter Barakan is a broadcaster and a 45-year resident of Japan. In this series, he discovers how Japan is changing, starting with a look at the country's capital: Tokyo. From tucked-away shrines in upmarket Ginza to secluded waterways in Nihonbashi, Peter visits the lesser-known corners of the city. What echoes of the city's history do they reveal? And where will Tokyo go from here? Join Peter to find out. The series features beautiful images created by time-lapse creator Daisuke Shimizu.
Episode 2: TOHOKU
- 49m
- Mar 8, 2020
Almost immediately after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, people in the Tohoku region started talking about encounters with ghosts. The region's culture and history may account for the reports. The area has experienced countless disasters and famines, claiming tens of thousands of lives. Over time, the spirits of the deceased have come to be perceived as a lingering and comforting presence. Host Peter Barakan learns how the spirits of lost loved ones can serve as a source of strength for people in Tohoku.
Episode 3: The Tokyo of 2020
- 49m
- Nov 22, 2020
In 2020, Tokyo expected to welcome people from all over the world for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Instead, the onset of COVID-19 took it down an unexpected path. Although activity is gradually resuming, the disease remains a threat, and many people are reassessing what's important in their lives. To explore how the city has changed in 2020, Peter Barakan meets Tokyoites from other countries. Their experiences also offer an insight into the kind of city that Tokyo might become.
Episode 4: Ainu: A New Generation
- 49m
- Dec 4, 2021
The Ainu are the indigenous people of northern Japan. They were once subjected to cultural assimilation policies, and many of their traditions were lost. But now, young Ainu are spearheading a movement to restore their heritage. Peter Barakan meets an artisan who recreates old craft items; performers with a new take on traditional singing and dancing; and a YouTuber who presents language lessons. Barakan looks at the oppression of the past, and the possibilities that exist in the future.
Episode 5: JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization
- 49m
- Feb 25, 2022
Japan's Jomon period was a time of peace that persisted for over 10,000 years. As the world moves towards implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, the sustainable practices of Jomon society are receiving renewed attention. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan investigates Jomon history in search of guidance for us in the 21st century. We see buildings and artifacts at one of the largest Jomon ruins in the country, and meet craftspeople inspired by Jomon culture.
Episode 6: OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original
- 49m
- May 28, 2022
Okinawa Prefecture is a group of subtropical islands in the south of Japan. It previously thrived as a separate country called the Ryukyu Kingdom, which maintained its independence for 450 years. It did this by accepting and incorporating foreign influences. That approach proved useful once again in the 20th century, during the postwar US occupation. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets people who worked hard to heal the wounds of war, and reconstruct Okinawa's cultural heritage.
Episode 7: THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA
- 49m
- Nov 26, 2022
When pirates operated in Japan's Seto Inland Sea around 500 years ago, the largest group, the Murakami Kaizoku, certainly did not fit the conventional image of pirates. They actually protected shipping rather than attacking it. They also had a refined sense of culture and assimilated foreign influences. In this program, broadcaster Peter Barakan meets people who have historical links to, or who have studied, the Murakami Kaizoku, to find out what these unusual pirates were really like.
Episode 8: AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island
- 49m
- Jul 23, 2023
Tanaka Isson, an artist known as Japan's "Gauguin," moved to the subtropical island of Amami Oshima at the age of 50 after years of struggle. He then spent highly productive years there painting its striking flora and fauna until his death at the age of 69. In order to follow in Isson's footsteps, Peter Barakan travels to Amami Oshima, where, in addition to many unusual biological treasures, he discovers how the distinctive cultural traditions of Amami Oshima were shaped by a history of hardship.
Episode 9: IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen
- 49m
- Jan 6, 2024
In the 19th century, writer Lafcadio Hearn (Koizumi Yakumo) helped introduce Japan to the wider world. Peter Barakan visits Izumo to learn about the natural and unseen realms that Hearn treasured.
Episode 10: KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest
- 49m
- Sep 1, 2024
Pioneering ecologist Minakata Kumagusu explored the forests of Kumano. Join Peter Barakan as he follows Minakata's path and discovers a universe in nature.
Episode 11: YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision
- 49m
- Feb 2, 2025
Admired by John F. Kennedy, Uesugi Yozan transformed the fortunes of the struggling Yonezawa Domain. Peter Barakan visits Yonezawa, once called "an Asiatic Arcadia," to explore Yozan's legacy.
Episode 12: TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung
- 49m
- Sep 20, 2025
In 1843, after surviving a shipwreck, 16-year-old John Manjiro found himself in the US. He later played a key role in opening Japan's doors to the world. Peter Barakan visits Manjiro's hometown, Tosa.
Episode 13: HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words
- 49m
- Dec 27, 2025
Yoshida Shoin was an educator whose students played key roles in Japan's modernization. He died at 29, but his ideals still live on 160 years later. Peter Barakan visits Shoin's hometown of Hagi.
Episode 14: AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit
- 49m
- Aug 30, 2026
In Aizu, samurai teachings still run deep, and the defeat in the Boshin War further solidified that spirit. Peter Barakan explores this legacy, which also shaped bacteriologist Noguchi Hideyo's life.

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: Tokyo

E2 Episode 2: TOHOKU

E3 Episode 3: The Tokyo of 2020

E4 Episode 4: Ainu: A New Generation

E5 Episode 5: JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization

E6 Episode 6: OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original

E7 Episode 7: THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA

E8 Episode 8: AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island

E9 Episode 9: IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen

E10 Episode 10: KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest

E11 Episode 11: YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision

E12 Episode 12: TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung

E13 Episode 13: HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words

E14 Episode 14: AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit

Overview

Fun facts

Details

Network

Production

Cast

More like this

Episodes

E1 Episode 1: Tokyo

E2 Episode 2: TOHOKU

E3 Episode 3: The Tokyo of 2020

E4 Episode 4: Ainu: A New Generation

E5 Episode 5: JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization

E6 Episode 6: OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original

E7 Episode 7: THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA

E8 Episode 8: AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island

E9 Episode 9: IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen

E10 Episode 10: KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest

E11 Episode 11: YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision

E12 Episode 12: TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung

E13 Episode 13: HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words

E14 Episode 14: AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit

Episode 1: Tokyo

Episode 2: TOHOKU

Episode 3: The Tokyo of 2020

Episode 4: Ainu: A New Generation

Episode 5: JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization

Episode 6: OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original

Episode 7: THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA

Episode 8: AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island

Episode 9: IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen

Episode 10: KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest

Episode 11: YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision

Episode 12: TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung

Episode 13: HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words

Episode 14: AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit

Episode 1: Tokyo

Episode 2: TOHOKU

Episode 3: The Tokyo of 2020

Episode 4: Ainu: A New Generation

Episode 5: JOMON: A Sustainable Civilization

Episode 6: OKINAWA: Eclectic and Original

Episode 7: THE SAMURAI OF THE SEA

Episode 8: AMAMI OSHIMA: Isson's Treasure Island

Episode 9: IZUMO: Glimpses of the Unseen

Episode 10: KUMANO: Spirit of the Forest

Episode 11: YONEZAWA: Yozan's Utopian Vision

Episode 12: TOSA: Ultimate Adventurer John Mung

Episode 13: HAGI: Yoshida Shoin's Immortal Words

Episode 14: AIZU: Tracing the Samurai Spirit