Hidden Japan explores how communities and wildlife have shaped one another across some of Japan’s most historic landscapes. From the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto to the pilgrimage routes of Kumano, the two-part series looks beyond familiar cultural landmarks to reveal the ecosystems sustained by centuries of local knowledge.
In Nara, deer share city streets with residents before retreating to forests protected around shrines. In Kyoto, moss-covered temple gardens shelter insects and birds, while spring-fed ponds and waterways support tree frogs, fireflies and giant salamanders. Traditional vegetable cultivation shows how local livelihoods remain closely connected to the health of the soil and surrounding habitats.
Along Kumano’s old pilgrimage trails, ancient forests shelter bears, macaques and other wildlife. Here, villagers still attract wild honeybees to handmade hives and harvest food from mountain rivers using techniques developed through careful observation of animal behavior. From honeybees defending their colonies against hornets to fishermen using live sweetfish and trained cormorants, the series reveals intricate relationships between species and people.
Across both locations, the series also examines how sacred places, agricultural traditions and local food practices have provided lasting refuge for native wildlife.
These connections reflect En, a Buddhist understanding that humans belong to nature rather than stand apart from it. Created by the award-winning teams behind SATOYAMA and WILD TOKYO, HIDDEN JAPAN examines how traditions rooted in natural cycles have helped protect biodiversity while supporting local communities. As environmental pressures grow, the series considers what these relationships can teach us about living sustainably.