Core Kyoto

Core Kyoto

  • 2013
  • 14 Seasons
  • 252 Episodes
  •  5  (1)
  •   Returning Series

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

Core Kyoto
Seasons
Gozan Okuribi: Flames to Honor Ancestors and Connect with the Next World
12. Gozan Okuribi: Flames to Honor Ancestors and Connect with the Next World
September 24, 2026
Bonfires are lit on the mountains to guide ancestors back to the afterlife after their visit in August. This tradition connects the living and the dead through prayer and strengthens community bonds.
Kyo-yuzen Kimono: Fine Gold Accents Radiate Elegance
11. Kyo-yuzen Kimono: Fine Gold Accents Radiate Elegance
September 10, 2026
Kyo-yuzen adds gold decoration in the final stages of kimono making, using gold leaf, powder, or paste. The Kyoto technique is gaining global attention through a project with The Rolling Stones.
The Rain: Wisdom for Living with Nature's Blessing
10. The Rain: Wisdom for Living with Nature's Blessing
August 27, 2026
To Japanese, rain is rarely a nuisance but a blessing that sustains life. From this notion emerged rituals; traditions in umbrellas, kimono, and confectionary; and the wisdom to prevent flooding.
Artisan Wisdom: A Bridge between Tradition and Science
9. Artisan Wisdom: A Bridge between Tradition and Science
August 13, 2026
The Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture helps traditional industries overcome challenges by applying advanced technology and making their businesses more sustainable.
Spirit Worship: Prayers to Dispel Curses and Bring Peace
8. Spirit Worship: Prayers to Dispel Curses and Bring Peace
June 25, 2026
The spirits of people who died in anger, disgrace, or battle were long ago believed to cast curses. This gave rise to rituals that honored and appeased them, in hopes of bringing peace to the nation.
The Art World's Genealogy: Respect for Creative Predecessors
7. The Art World's Genealogy: Respect for Creative Predecessors
June 11, 2026
A lineage of modern artists preserves and evolves Nihonga traditions, using the techniques as the foundation of their work. Convention and avant-garde, past and present resonate throughout their art.
Tales of Sakura: Radiant Pink Blooms Reflect the Heart
6. Tales of Sakura: Radiant Pink Blooms Reflect the Heart
May 28, 2026
Tales of Kyoto's cherry blossoms have survived centuries. These stories are reframed by every generation. Through them, people appreciate the importance of living with nature and the joy of spring.
Morning Tourism: Leisurely Activities to Clear the Mind
5. Morning Tourism: Leisurely Activities to Clear the Mind
April 30, 2026
Kyoto is implementing measures to ease congestion at peak hours and combat over-tourism. One way encourages visitors to discover the city's true charm in the early morning, before the crowds arrive.
Plasterers: Artisanal Beauty in Traditional Earthen Walls
4. Plasterers: Artisanal Beauty in Traditional Earthen Walls
April 16, 2026
Specialists rebuild a sturdy, mud-walled storehouse to safeguard cultural assets, scientifically examine plastering techniques, and strive to incorporate wattle and daub walls into modern structures.
Tsukemono: Vegetable Pickles Embody Wisdom and Expertise
3. Tsukemono: Vegetable Pickles Embody Wisdom and Expertise
March 05, 2026
Traditional Tsukemono, or pickles, preserve centuries of wisdom, allowing the vegetables' inherent flavors to shine. Picklers uphold tradition while embracing new challenges for modern tastes.
Taitan Cooking: Steeped in the Full Flavor of Dashi Stock
2. Taitan Cooking: Steeped in the Full Flavor of Dashi Stock
February 12, 2026
Taitan is Kyoto-style cuisine in which seasonal heritage vegetables are simmered until they are infused with dashi stock. The method evolved from vegetarian dishes made at Kyoto's Buddhist temples.
Bonsai: Harmonious Beauty and Eternal Life
1. Bonsai: Harmonious Beauty and Eternal Life
January 29, 2026
Bonsai came from China over 1000 years ago, evolving into a unique artform. In Kyoto, the emphasis is on beauty and harmony in space, the same aesthetic that flows through ikebana and the Way of Tea.
Description
The timeless heart of Japan's ancient capital. Against its rich backdrop of culture and tradition, today's Kyoto continues to innovate and inspire.
  • Premiere Date
    February 28, 2013
  • Rating
    5  (1)