NHK Documentaries
Season 2009
Hard-hitting documentary series that takes an in-depth look at some of the political, economic, and social challenges that Japan and our world is facing.
Where to Watch Season 2009
4 Episodes
- Miraculous Mirror of the SkyE1
Miraculous Mirror of the SkyUyuni Salt Flats lies on the Bolivian plateau in the middle of the Andes mountains. Believed to have been formed 500 million years ago by the earth' s crustal movement, the salt flats extend 100 kilometers north to south and 120 kilometers east to west. The white carpet which spreads as far as the eye can see, turns into a spectacular mirror when it rains with the reflection of the entire sky stretching out to the horizon. Revealing the fascinating secret of its formation, this program takes the viewers into the miraculous world of the Uyuni Salt Flats. - Rainforest Warriors: Army AntsE2
Rainforest Warriors: Army AntsHordes of tiny terrors march through the rainforest: they are army ants. Known as the most feared animals in the equatorial forests of Ecuador, they hack and dice any unfortunate prey that gets in their path and bring the remains back to their nest. When they wipe out all food sources around the nest, they start a massive migration in search of a new nest, while carefully protecting their queen. This program introduces the unknown social lives of the army ants. - The Riddle of Monkey KingdomE3
The Riddle of Monkey KingdomManu National Park, Peru, which holds 13 species of monkeys among the various types of Amazonian fauna, is praised as a monkey kingdom. Deep in its jungles is a strange open spot about 20 meters in diameter where a peculiar behavior of monkeys can be observed. The monkeys spend a majority of their time up in the canopies of the rainforest, but come down to the ground to consume gluttonously the soil of the spot. The program looks at how this strange behavior most likely developed in the competition for survival in the Manu's rainforests during the ice age. - A Rain StoryE4
A Rain StoryThe beautiful, mysterious world of rain is visualized using the latest filming technology. Ultra-high speed cameras capture breathtaking images in Odaigahara, the rainiest area in Japan that receives an annual rainfall of 5,000 millimeters. On the ground form lakes that only appear after summer heavy rains, allowing rare frogs to thrive. In winter, a unique natural phenomenon called Glazed Frost takes place if rain falls unfrozen and the air temperature is below zero. Through poetic cinematography, we discover just how rain enriches the natural beauty in Japan, a country unusually blessed with rain.