The Best TV Shows on NHK WORLD-JAPAN

Every NHK WORLD-JAPAN Show Ranked From Best To Worst

Check out the most acclaimed shows on NHK WORLD-JAPAN, with a catalog of over 20 series updated for August 2025. Premiering in 2005 and 2010, J-MELO and Journeys in Japan are among NHK WORLD-JAPAN’s most celebrated shows. Showcasing over 20 shows from 2005 up until 2021, NHK WORLD-JAPAN stands as a beacon of television excellence.

  • Journeys in Japan
    Journeys in Japan (2010)9.0

    Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.

  • NHK WORLD PRIME
    NHK WORLD PRIME (2017)9.0

    NHK WORLD PRIME brings you a world of mainly documentaries, and more. Tune in to see special select programs on all sorts of topics and genres.

  • Masterpieces Performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra
    Masterpieces Performed by NHK Symphony Orchestra (2019)9.0

    The NHK Symphony Orchestra leads Japan's classical music world. It held its first concert in 1927 and has since performed regularly for over 90 years. It continues its excellent performance to this day and has gained international recognition for performances with renowned conductors and soloists. Enjoy the vibrant music forged by the NHK Symphony Orchestra and each conductor's highly individual interpretations that created these unforgettable performances. Music critic Katayama Morihide and presenter Yamamoto Miki set the scene in an introductory segment to the prerecorded concerts.

  • Japan Railway Journal
    Japan Railway Journal (2015)8.0

    Discover the secrets of Japan's railways, from the newest technologies and systems in use, to travel tips and must-see places.

  • BENTO EXPO
    BENTO EXPO (2016)8.0

    Bento, or lunchbox, is a fun slice of Japanese food culture that more people around the world are sharing. Healthy and delicious foods are beautifully and creatively presented. This NHK series features demonstrations and advice by Japanese bento experts, as well as shares some of the bento pictures and videos sent in by viewers worldwide.

  • Anime Supernova
    Anime Supernova (2017)8.0

    Meet the real stars of Japanese animation. From crayons to CGI, discover the techniques and inspirations of some of Japan's most amazing animators.

  • 10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki
    10 Years with Hayao Miyazaki (2019)7.9

    A chronicle of the creative process of the legendary Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, a passionate artisan, a steadfast trailblazer, and a father butting heads with his son…

  • Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House
    Kiyo in Kyoto: From the Maiko House (2021)7.1

    Kiyo and Sumire came to Kyoto from Aomori Prefecture, dreaming of becoming maiko. But after an unexpected turn of events, Kiyo starts working as the live-in cook at the Maiko House. Their story unfolds in Kagai, the Geiko and maiko district in Kyoto, alongside their housemate maikos. Kiyo nourishes them daily with her homecooked meals, and Sumire strives toward her promising future as the once-in-a-century maiko.

  • Document 72 Hours
    Document 72 Hours (2013)7.0

    Three days in the life of...Stay in one location for 72 hours, catching glimpses into people's lives as they open up and share. NHK World English Broadcast Version

  • J-MELO
    J-MELO (2005)6.7

    J-MELO is a weekly Japanese music television program broadcast by NHK. It is recorded entirely in the English language. It began broadcasting on October 7, 2005. The program is available on NHK's World Service television station, Radio Japan, Digital Educational TV and on its Domestic General Channel.

  • GRAND SUMO Highlights
    GRAND SUMO Highlights (2020)6.7

    The best of today's sumo! Enjoy daily highlights of this dynamic sport with background info and play-by-play commentary adding to the excitement!

  • Japanology Plus
    Japanology Plus (2014)6.4

    Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.

  • Core Kyoto
    Core Kyoto (2013)5.0

    The timeless heart of Japan's ancient capital. Against its rich backdrop of culture and tradition, today's Kyoto continues to innovate and inspire.

  • RISING
    RISING (2015)5.0

    Going beyond the horizon. Meet Japan's entrepreneurs whose innovative thinking is changing traditional mindsets in their various fields of work.

  • Hometown Stories
    Hometown Stories (2011)N/A

    Stories about people, stories about life. Intimate portraits of people from around Japan, each leading diverse lives while enriching lives of others.

  • Dining with the Chef
    Dining with the Chef (2012)N/A

    Traditional techniques and resourceful recipes! Chefs Saito and Rika, present their unique approaches to cooking delicious Japanese food.

  • Train Cruise
    Train Cruise (2013)N/A

    Criss-cross Japan by rail. Enjoy an amazing diversity of nature and scenery across the four seasons, exploring both well-known and hidden Japan.

  • Explore Japan
    Explore Japan (2016)N/A

    Japan continues to thrive as it incorporates cultural elements of music, fashion, cuisine, sports, arts and science from around the world. People’s encounters trigger the fusion of Japan’s and the world’s diverse culture, unceasingly producing a myriad of new phenomena and events. This series will feature how various culture in modern Japan and overseas blend together and influence each other.

  • Trails to Oishii Tokyo
    Trails to Oishii Tokyo (2019)N/A

    Delicious food from Tokyo's markets! Learn about the amazing ingredients which are sourced from across Japan and sold at Tokyo's fresh food markets.

  • BOSAI: Science that Can Save Your Life
    BOSAI: Science that Can Save Your Life (2020)N/A

    Japan has a long history of natural disasters. BOSAI explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.