The Izu Islands, off Japan's Pacific coast, are officially part of Tokyo. The islands are famous for producing a liquor called "shochu," a distilled drink made from ingredients such as barley or sweet potatoes. We travel to the Izu Islands, meeting local people and savoring the local spirits.

The region of Hida is in Northern Gifu Prefecture. Surrounded by high mountains, it is snowbound in winter. A local castle town still carries the feel of days gone by. In this episode, we introduce the stories of local people in Hida and their rich cold weather culture.