Seasoning the Seasons — Season 1, Episode 7: Niyodo River: Living with Japan's Clearest River

Episode synopsis

With its glass-like translucency, the River Niyodo on Shikoku is renowned for possessing the clearest water in Japan. 124km long, it has its source in the highest mountains of Western Japan and, swelled by many tributaries, flows out eventually into the Pacific Ocean. The river supports rich plant- and wildlife and has also nurtured a distinctive river-based culture for the people who live among the sounds of the flowing water. On the upper reaches, there are cherry blossoms in spring and then the fishermen arrive when the sweetfish season opens in early summer. The children love to leap into the water from the highest possible boulders. Nearer the mouth, there is a town that flourished making tengujoshi, the very thinnest Japanese paper (washi) of all. We meet a young craftsman who has inherited the techniques from his forebears and still proudly makes paper beside the Niyodo today. Crystal-clear waters and riverine scenery... we depict the people and places of this great river.

About Seasoning the Seasons

This program visits places across Japan to introduce the charms of their local daily life and festivals fostered by the nation's long history.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Kyoto: Coloring the Season
• E2Kakunodate: Stories of Old Families
• E3Spirited Away to Tono
• E4Japanese Towers: Memories Past and Present
• E5Matsushima: Islands of Beauty and Prayer
• E6Suwa: A Celebration Down Through Time
• E8Mt. Fuji
• E9Awa Dance: Obon Festival with 100,000 Dancers
• E10Kamakura: Samurai and Zen
• E11Itsukushima: Island of the Gods
• E12Hand-Made in Japan
• E13Dolls: Bearers of Dreams