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The Best Episodes of Japanology Plus Season 12

Every episode of Japanology Plus Season 12 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Japanology Plus Season 12!

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 1 - Onigiri
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #1 - Onigiri

    S12:E1

    Onigiri are becoming a global phenomenon. Colorful new styles are generating a buzz on social media, and convenience stores continue to develop new products. We investigate the latest developments.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  2. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 2 - Repair
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #2 - Repair

    S12:E2

    As the need for circular economies grows, there's a new focus on repairing products. We look at how people in Japan maintain items using approaches ranging from traditional kintsugi to modern skills.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  3. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 3 - Japanophiles: Johan Leutwiler
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #3 - Japanophiles: Johan Leutwiler

    S12:E3

    Johan Leutwiler, from Switzerland, is currently Japan's only foreign swordsmith. In a Japanophiles interview, he tells us about being drawn to the world of Japanese swords and sword making.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  4. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 4 - Octopuses
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #4 - Octopuses

    S12:E4

    Octopuses are not only eaten in Japan but also depicted in works of art. They may be regarded as objects of worship or even kept as pets. We untangle Japan's long relationship with these creatures.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  5. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 5 - Leather Shoes
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #5 - Leather Shoes

    S12:E5

    Japan's bespoke leather shoes are admired around the world, and there is even a Japanese leader in the realm of shoeshining. We explore the skills and services in Japan's leather shoemaking industry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 6 - Torii
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Torii

    S12:E6

    Found all over Japan, torii are gateways to Shinto shrines and the deities within. We meet people trying to rebuild torii after a huge earthquake and examine what torii mean to Japanese people.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  7. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 7 - Mamachari
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Mamachari

    S12:E7

    Mamachari bikes, which originated in Japan, are designed to meet the needs of all kinds of people. They even helped women enter the workforce. We discover what makes them so unique and special.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  8. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 8 - Japanophiles: Stephen Turner
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - Japanophiles: Stephen Turner

    S12:E8

    Stephen Turner, from the UK, loves Japanese trains so much that his passion became his job. We join him on a trip through Chiba Prefecture and explore the appeal of Japan's regional railways.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  9. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 9 - Family Restaurants
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - Family Restaurants

    S12:E9

    Family restaurants are uniquely Japanese establishments that are also popular with solo diners. We see how innovative services have helped them survive the ups and downs of the restaurant industry.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  10. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 10 - Natto
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Natto

    S12:E10

    With its unique smell and stickiness, people either love or hate natto. But eating natto has been linked to longevity, and a substance in this powerful food could even help solve environmental issues!

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 11 - Stationery
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Stationery

    S12:E11

    Japanese stationery is famous for its quality, design, and functionality. We look at many unique items, including products for research labs, left-handed users, and even writing in virtual space.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  12. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 12 - Tosa: The Life of John Manjiro
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Tosa: The Life of John Manjiro

    S12:E12

    Once a poor fisher boy, John Manjiro became the first Japanese person to receive a formal education in the US and played a key role in Japan's modernization. Peter Barakan visits his hometown in Tosa.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  13. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 13 - Tosa: Blessings and Perils of the Kuroshio Current
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - Tosa: Blessings and Perils of the Kuroshio Current

    S12:E13

    Peter Barakan visits the region of Tosa, famous for the mighty Kuroshio Current and bonito fishing. It is also the place where the high priest Kobo Daishi is said to have attained enlightenment.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 14 - Japanophiles: Johan Nordstrom
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - Japanophiles: Johan Nordstrom

    S12:E14

    Johan Nordstrom, a film scholar from Sweden, specializes in early Japanese cinema. He tells us about movies from over a century ago and Japan's unique tradition of live narration for silent films.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  15. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 15 - Origami
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - Origami

    S12:E15

    Origami is the art of folding paper into a wide variety of shapes, from animals and flowers to highly complex designs. Lately, its principles have even been applied to space exploration and medicine.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  16. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 16 - Sake
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Sake

    S12:E16

    Sake is enjoying a global boom, but in Japan, breweries are facing a crisis as consumption falls. We explore the future of sake through artisanal skills, technology, and a new generation's efforts.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  17. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 17 - Offices
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Offices

    S12:E17

    Japanese offices used to prioritize order and efficiency, but today they're becoming spaces that foster conversation, with cafe-like layouts and even saunas. We explore how the workplace is evolving.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  18. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 18 - Japanophiles: Ziaul Karim
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Japanophiles: Ziaul Karim

    S12:E18

    Ziaul Karim, an agricultural scientist from Bangladesh, practices unique farming methods in Okayama to show how accessible agriculture can be. He works with locals to grow and use uncommon crops.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  19. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 19 - Bookstores
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Bookstores

    S12:E19

    The number of bookstores in Japan is decreasing, but both major chains and independent stores are finding creative ways to attract book lovers. We look at the next chapter for Japan's bookstores.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 20 - Convenience Stores
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - Convenience Stores

    S12:E20

    Japan's convenience stores stock more than just food. Some sell clothes or provide administrative services. Others even use avatars and robots alongside human employees. We look at Japan's "konbini."

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  21. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 21 - Sleep
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - Sleep

    S12:E21

    Interest in sleep has been growing in Japan. From futuristic high-tech beds to advanced sleepwear, many new products are designed to improve sleep quality. We look at Japan's latest sleep trends.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  22. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 22 - Japanophiles: Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - Japanophiles: Astrid Klein & Mark Dytham

    S12:E22

    For over 35 years, Italian-born Astrid Klein and UK-born Mark Dytham have worked together as architects in Tokyo, designing not just buildings but also spaces for communication and creativity.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  23. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 23 - Hagi: The Life of Yoshida Shoin
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - Hagi: The Life of Yoshida Shoin

    S12:E23

    The 19th-century educator Yoshida Shoin lived only 29 years, yet his teachings helped shape Japan's modernization. His words, published as books, remain popular today. We visit his birthplace, Hagi.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Japanology Plus Season 12 Episode 24 - Hagi: Castle Town Forged by Magma
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - Hagi: Castle Town Forged by Magma

    S12:E24

    Hagi in Yamaguchi Prefecture is dotted with volcanoes. Their volcanic rock was used to shape the townscape, and the area's unique clay and soil fostered its pottery tradition and citrus cultivation.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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Season 12 Ratings Summary

"Onigiri" is the best rated episode of "Japanology Plus" season 12. It scored /10 based on 0 votes. Directed by Unknown and written by Unknown, it aired on 1/9/2025. This episode is rated 0.0 points higher than the second-best, "Repair".