Mitsuaki Iwago
Director
A Cat's-Eye View of Japan (2022)
Season 4
Globe-trotting wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Iwago Mitsuaki, offers the best of a vast collection of cat footage he took in Japan. On this unique trip around the country, discover the lesser-known charms and customs of regions through the eyes of cats!
Released Feb. 11, 2022
Episode 5 min
None+
Genres: Documentary
Keywords: tmdb.cat, tmdb.slice-of-life
Production Companies: NHK, NHK Enterprises
Network: NHK WORLD-JAPAN
S4E1 - Tottori: Quiet Mountain Villages
We meet cats whose owner grows plants used to make cloth in a traditional way. Another cat, Lock, lives at a temple. He takes part in sutra reading and is practically the chief priest's assistant!
June 22, 2025, midnight
S4E2 - Saga: Floating Torii Gates and Imari Ware
Cats live near three torii gates in the sea. The beach changes at low tide. We also meet a cat who lives in a pottery production area. She's allowed in all the shops and even inspects the merchandise.
June 29, 2025, midnight
S4E3 - Hokkaido: Furano's Play Areas
Furano is full of vast wheat fields. For a local farmer's cat, it's the perfect place to hunt or go for a run. We meet two cats who live at an inn and love to play on the exposed hot water pipes.
July 6, 2025, midnight
S4E4 - Gifu: A Castle and a Post Town
A cat patrols Ogaki Castle and has a special place where he cools off on hot days. In Magome-juku, a 400-year-old post town, two cats live at a souvenir store. We capture an unexpected interaction!
July 13, 2025, midnight
S4E5 - Kumamoto: Food and Exercise on Yushima
Yushima is a cat island only four kilometers around. Hungry cats gather at the port for fresh fish, including a talkative kitten. A cat lives at the local school and watches over the eight students.
July 20, 2025, midnight
S4E6 - Kamakura: Local Favorites
We meet Kiiro, a cat who draws admirers whenever he goes out for a stroll. Children and adults alike gather to scratch his head. We also visit a beauty salon where a cat provides customer service!
Aug. 31, 2025, midnight
S4E7 - Hiroshima: Hills and Slopes
Three energetic kittens love playing on the roof of a building by sliding down the slope and pouncing on dead leaves. In a seaside town, a cat named Kinako leads us to a beautiful scenic spot.
Sept. 7, 2025, midnight
S4E8 - Akita: Good Manners Even Between Friends
Mack the cat lives among vast fields with two Akita dogs. They're friends and always make up after a spat. Meanwhile, a mother cat and her son love their owner but are quick to fight with each other.
Sept. 14, 2025, midnight
S4E9 - Yamaguchi: Surrounded by Green
Castle ruins are a local cat's favorite spot for a stroll, though he somehow gets a stick caught in his collar. Meanwhile, a cat and dog living in a bookstore go to sleep as soon as the store opens.
Sept. 21, 2025, midnight
S4E10 - Osaka: Steeped in Tradition
A wood carving workshop makes decorations for festival floats. It's also home to Leo, a cat who spends his days with the artisans. Another cat, Konatsu, lives in an old house with a tea master.
Sept. 28, 2025, midnight
S4E11 - Kyoto: Happy Reunions
Photographer Iwago Mitsuaki reunites with cats from his past! He meets Kurobe, a temple cat, for the first time in six years. He then visits a seaside town to see Ponzu for the first time in twelve.
Nov. 2, 2025, midnight
S4E12 - Yamanashi: Cats and Grapes
Saburo the cat lives in a lovely vineyard, but her rival Shiroo is nearby. Can they get along? Meanwhile, another cat lives peacefully in a workshop that makes and repairs Buddhist statues.
Nov. 9, 2025, midnight
S4E13 - Kagawa: Cats Along a Pilgrimage Route
We head to Yashima, where the local boss cat leads us to a temple along the Shikoku Pilgrimage. The temple grounds are home to cats that nap, play, and greet pilgrims and other visitors.
Nov. 16, 2025, midnight
S4E14 - Aizu: Love Your Neighbor
Two herb farmers' cats live next door to each other. Their relationship is tense due to a past fight. At Takeya Kannonji Temple, the chief priest lives with four cats that always stay by his side.
Nov. 23, 2025, midnight
Network: NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Episode Runtime: 5 min.
Season Runtime: 375 min.
Released: Feb. 11, 2022
Last Air Date: Nov. 30, 2025, midnight
Status: Returning Series
Certification: NR
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