Journeys in Japan - Season 11 Episode 23 Ashio: Memory of the Forest
Deep in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture, 100 kilometers north of Tokyo, Ashio has long been known as a mining town. Copper deposits were first discovered there 400 years ago and mining continued there until the 1970's. In its heyday, the mine produced 40 percent of all of Japan's copper and nearly 40,000 people lived in the area. Although mining brought prosperity, it also created massive pollution: Ashio became infamous as the site of the country's first major pollution disaster. Sulfur dioxide gas from the refining process killed off the surrounding forests. And huge amounts of toxic chemicals were carried downstream to the lowlands by the Watarase River. On this episode of Journeys in Japan, potter Euan Craig travels to Ashio to see for himself how people have brought life back to the mountains, thanks to a massive reforestation program.
First Air Date: Feb 02, 2010
Last Air date: Oct 22, 2024
Season: 15 Season
Episode: 513 Episode
Runtime: 28 minutes
IMDb: 9.00/10 by 1.00 users
Popularity: 42.867
Language: Japanese, English
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Episode
Asago: Hidden Gem of Heritage and History
Suo-Oshima: Finding Hawaii in the Inland Sea
Unlocking the Mysteries of Ancient Asuka
Yokohama: A Port Town with It All
Mishima, Fukushima: Keeping Alive the Folk Craft Tradition
Tsugaru: Deep Snow, Warm Hearts
The Magic of Winter in Akita
Hateruma: Life on a Distant Island
Hakkoda's Backcountry Magic
Asahikawa: Adventures on Sleds and Wheels
Rivers of Life: Kaizu and Kuwana
Ishigaki: A Look to the Future
KAGAWA: Treasure House of Modernist Architecture
Atami is Back
Otoyo: Bringing Fresh Life to a Traditional Community
Rural Reboot: Kamiyama's Renaissance
Nanmoku: Afterglow of the Silk Road
Work-Life Bliss in Itoshima
Ogawa Village: Laidback Living with Mountain Vistas
Omi-hachiman: Historic Merchant Town on Sacred Lake
South Iwate: On the Trail to Recovery
Passion on the Vine: Yamanashi and Its Winemakers
Ashio: Memory of the Forest
Miyagi: On the Trail to Recovery
Ojiya: Deep Roots in Snow Country
Revisiting Ibaraki's Autumn-Winter Flavors