Explore Japan

Episode 17: Journey Through the Woodland

January 21, 2022 • 28 min

Japan is a highly forested nation, with forests occupying nearly 70% of its land. The varied altitude of the Japanese archipelago stretching east to west gives rise to regionally and seasonally biodiverse trees. From housing to daily essentials, Japanese people have long built wood into every aspect of their lives, developing a unique culture with the material. We seek out that elusive knowledge and mastery of woodworking, visiting Kiso, Hida, and Kishu, 3 regions of Japan that are known for their connection to wood.