2019

The setting is a 24-hour music studio in Shinjuku. Not only amateur musicians, but people of all ages and occupations come here. Office workers gather after work to prepare for a colleague's wedding reception. A group of housewives who used to be in a “girls' band.” Young people who are shy around others but love to sing. Who are they, what are their motivations, and what songs do they play? We spend three days immersed in the loud studio.

The setting is Sendai's “co-seating lounge,” where people of various ages and occupations gather in search of love. A 30-something office worker who has dated before but struggles to maintain a relationship. A college student who finds it difficult to talk to men and comes to practice conversation. In an era where social media makes it easy to connect with others, they lament the lack of opportunities to meet new people. What kind of connections are they seeking? A three-day love game between men and women around Christmas.

Narita International Airport at the end of the year. We take a close look at the “Third Terminal,” which opened in 2015 and is dedicated to low-cost carriers (LCCs). The distance from the Second Terminal, which has a nearby station, is about 600 meters. Moving around with a lot of luggage can be difficult, but the low cost, which is about half the price of regular flights, has made it popular, and the number of passengers has been increasing every year. The departure lobby, which also features a food court, is open 24 hours a day and sees approximately 20,000 people pass through daily. As the final year of the Heisei era comes to a close, where are all these people heading with their budget tickets in hand?

On the first weekend of the new year, we visited a campground at the foot of Mount Fuji. Despite the sub-zero temperatures, people kept arriving and setting up tents. Winter camping is popular because “the air is clear and the scenery is beautiful” and “there are no bugs.” A company employee came alone for “solo camping.” A 50-year-old veteran camper showed off his favorite gear. The campground is buzzing with excitement over the boom that has returned after more than 20 years. What are everyone's thoughts as they gaze at Mount Fuji?

The redevelopment of the area around the station in Yotsuya, Tokyo, is progressing. In an alley off the main street, there is a small taiyaki shop that has been in business for 60 years. Every day, dozens of people line up, and the colder it gets, the longer the line becomes. The flavor is “grain-based red bean paste” only. The taiyaki, baked using the same mold that has been in use since the shop's founding, sells for 150 yen per piece, with 2,500 pieces sold daily. As Tokyo undergoes constant transformation at the end of the Heisei era, this traditional taiyaki shop continues to operate without changing its style. What kind of people, with what kind of thoughts, enjoy eating it?

In Osaka's Dotonbori district, what kind of people and things will you encounter if you spend three days bartering with passersby while holding a doll of the “god of luck”? A Frenchman who fell in love with the warmth of Osaka and decided to stay. A university women's soccer team on their graduation trip to Osaka. A elementary school student and his father heading to a national karate tournament... From one item to another, people who were never meant to connect begin to connect. After 72 hours, where will the “God of Good Fortune” end up?

A lottery ticket sales office in Asahikawa, Hokkaido. Despite sub-zero temperatures, people continue to flock to the office. This is a “legendary sales office” known for producing many big winners. Over its 70-year history, it has produced 38 millionaires, with total winnings exceeding 10 billion yen. In the past, there was a 50 million yen winning ticket hidden among the losing tickets, and there was also a small business owner who won 10 million yen just before his company went bankrupt. What kind of dreams do people entrust to the lottery? The story of those who dream of striking it rich.

This episode focuses on a small real estate agency near Fukuoka Prefecture's Nakasu entertainment district, the biggest in Kyushu. Despite being tucked away on the 3rd floor of a multitenant building and displaying no signage, this agency receives a steady stream of customers who have seen its online listings. This agency offers everything from dirt-cheap apartments where monthly rent costs less than 20,000 yen (about US $180) to commercial properties seeking new tenants. The growing range of properties handled by this real estate agency reflects the recent increase in Fukuoka's population. Moving to a new apartment or home can herald the start of a new chapter in life. What sort of people come to this real estate agency, and why do they want to rent a place?

In February, we took a close look at the “Giant Job Fair” held in Tokyo. Over 300 companies participated during the three-day event, attracting over 10,000 job seekers from across the country. People considering a career change due to the gap between their ideal job and reality, those who left abusive companies, and those forced to change their work hours due to family circumstances—the reasons for attending varied widely. For companies, it was a fierce competition for talented individuals. They desperately promoted their company's potential. Over the three days, the fair supported people standing at a crossroads in their lives as they took their “next step.”

The bay area of Osaka City, surrounded by rivers and canals. This episode focuses on the city-operated ferry. The fare is free, and it serves as an indispensable mode of transportation for local students and factory workers. A woman says she uses it to visit her tea-drinking friends. Someone uses it daily to care for their parents. A foreigner mentions heading to a night shift. Amidst the diverse daily lives of its passengers, the time spent on this ferry is a precious moment to switch one's mindset. In just one minute, what kind of stories will unfold?

“I rent myself out to do nothing.” There is a man who offers this strange service. Despite the fact that he does nothing but simply be present, requests for his services continue to pour in, and his Twitter followers exceed 100,000. People ask him to accompany them when filing for divorce, to observe their civil court cases, or to attend their weddings... These are requests that cannot be made to family or friends, but who are the people who need someone to simply be there?

Spring, the season of farewells. On Fukue Island, the gateway to the Goto Islands in Nagasaki Prefecture, there is a scene that has become an annual tradition. People from all over the island gather to bid farewell to those leaving the island. People leave the island for various reasons, such as employment, further education, or marriage. At the terminal lobby, they embrace family, colleagues, classmates, and students, exchanging tearful words before boarding the ferry. Over three days in late March, they watch as those embarking on new beginnings in unfamiliar lands set off on their journeys.

Takadanobaba is one of Tokyo's leading student districts, home to dozens of universities, prep schools, and vocational schools. The stage for this episode is the lively rotary square in front of the station, which is bustling day and night as a gathering and dispersal point for young people heading to clubs and drinking parties.

The setting is a large cemetery in the suburbs of Tokyo. Among the stone graves, there are scattered cherry tree burials. Tree burials, which have spread nationwide, fulfill the wishes of the deceased to “return to nature.” In spring, when the cherry blossoms bloom, many people come to pay their respects. A man visits weekly to meet his wife, with whom he shared many hardships over the years. Brothers reunite at their father's grave during cherry blossom season. A woman who lost her husband at a young age speaks to the cherry blossoms while holding a beer, her late husband's favorite drink.

The setting for this episode is Tokyo Cargo Terminal Station. It is Japan's largest logistics hub, transshipping and dispatching enormous amounts of cargo collected from all over Japan. Due to the expansion of online shopping and a shortage of truck drivers, the amount of cargo handled by railways is increasing year by year. From train drivers, maintenance workers, forklift operators, and drivers to new employees who stay overnight in the facility. Various people work here to support logistics. This program explores the unknown work of people who sweat 24 hours a day behind the scenes of affluence and convenience.

The setting is a post office in Shibuya, Tokyo. In recent years, due to the cross-generational popularity of flea market apps, the volume of packages handled by this post office has been increasing. A woman selling nearly new clothing. Young people exchanging idol merchandise with friends on social media. Meanwhile, there are also people diligently writing postcards at desks inside the office... Who is sending what? As the era transitions from “Heisei” to “Reiwa,” this program explores the thoughts and feelings behind the postcards and packages at a bustling post office in the heart of the metropolis.

As you drive through the farm roads of Chiba Prefecture, a mysterious spot suddenly appears. People dressed in camouflage uniforms run around a vast field with air guns in their hands. This is survival gaming, commonly known as “Saba-ge,” which is currently gaining popularity. It's not just children and young people who are hooked. There's an older man who came to find a hobby after retirement. There's also a woman who came alone, away from household chores and childcare. What is it about this activity that captivates adults?

Amid the health craze, “mini-fasting” is gaining attention as a method for weight loss and improving physical condition. At a facility in Shizuoka's Izu Highlands, many people visit not only to improve their health but also to clear the “fog” in their minds. A woman from Ginza who visits regularly to heal her mental fatigue. A man struggling with his relationship with his daughter, who is a recluse. People who drink smoothies and miso soup without toppings in the morning and evening, hoping to “change something.” What lies beyond hunger?

Tokyo, Asagaya. In front of the station, surrounded by buildings and apartments, there is a slightly unusual place. It is a fishing pond specializing in goldfish that has been in operation for over 90 years since the Taisho era. For 600 yen per hour, including a fishing rod and bait, it's easy to drop by without any preparation, and people come and go all day long. There are regulars who have been coming for over 50 years, salarymen with extra time on their hands due to work-style reforms, and even women who catch nearly 100 goldfish in a single day. What do they all think as they gaze at the pond filled with countless goldfish?

Shinjuku Kabukicho. The setting is a “wig specialty store” located in a corner of the underground shopping street. For over 40 years, the shop has catered to the needs of people of all ages and genders who require wigs for various reasons. A 40-year-old woman concerned about her receding hairline opts for a partial wig. A woman visiting for a dance performance selects a long wig that reaches her waist. Each customer chooses according to their individual circumstances. A “secret item” that transforms both appearance and mindset. What kind of self do they aspire to become?

The setting for this episode is a “giant shoe store” located in the suburbs of Kobe City. The 1,000-square-meter sales floor features approximately 100,000 pairs of shoes. What's surprising is the price. Sandals for 499 yen, pumps for 980 yen, and business leather shoes for 5,000 yen for two pairs... the store is filled with ultra-cheap items. Customers flock to the store daily in search of affordable shoes. At the beginning of summer, people are seen walking out in their new shoes.

The setting is a climbing gym in Kawasaki City. Here, you can try “bouldering,” climbing a wall about 4 meters high, and “rope climbing,” where you use a safety rope to climb heights over 10 meters. From beginners to national team athletes, people of all ages and genders sweat it out here. Many users say, “In everyday life, we rarely challenge our limits. Here, we can challenge our limits and feel ourselves growing.” Who are the people who visit? We listened to the voices of those who stoically challenge the walls.

Okinawa is seeing an increase in tourists every year. Construction of hotels and department stores is booming throughout the city. Behind the scenes, driving schools where you can obtain truck and bus licenses are also bustling. A woman in her 20s is changing careers and aiming to become a large truck driver. A man who retired and moved to his dream destination of Okinawa, now aspires to become a bus driver. A college student who is attending driving school with money earned from part-time work dreams of becoming a civil servant in the future. What are the dreams they envision beyond obtaining their licenses?

Amidst the ongoing population concentration in the Tokyo metropolitan area, there is a place where people considering relocation to regional areas gather. It is the Relocation Consultation Window in Yurakucho. Consultants from 39 prefectures across the country provide free consultations on all matters related to relocation, including employment and housing. Seventy percent of the consulters are from the younger generation, under 40 years old. A man who came to find a new home after divorce, and a woman who wants to move to Hiroshima because of her love for the Carp. What kind of ideals do they all have when they visit here?

The setting is a self-service car wash in Shinagawa, Tokyo, where people line up to wait their turn. Using spray bottles filled with water and detergent, they take their time polishing their beloved cars. A woman who bought a car for work but has since become so fascinated by it that weekend drives have become indispensable. A couple who wash their car instead of going on a date. A man in his 70s who is considering returning his driver's license. Each with their own circumstances, they silently wash their cars. At the end of July, after the rainy season ended, what do they want to wash away along with the dirt on their cars?

In today's aging society, hospital beds are chronically insufficient. On the other hand, more people are choosing to receive home healthcare, with the desire to “spend their final days at home” or “care for their loved ones at home.” Supporting those who choose home healthcare are “visiting nurses.” This episode follows a visiting nursing station in Tokyo's Higashikurume City, which cares for over 180 patients. In a town where the population is rapidly aging, we spend three days with those awaiting visiting nurses, each with their own unique circumstances.

At the end of August, more than 2,000 motorcycle enthusiasts gathered at Kusasenri in Kumamoto/Aso. The purpose of the event was not racing or socializing, but to “create a photo album.” Volunteer staff photographed riders and their beloved motorcycles from all over Japan. The event is held once every ten years. It was started by a single photographer in 1979, and this year marks the fifth time it has been held. Employment, marriage, illness... Holding the photo album from ten years ago, they reflect on the stories of the past decade.

We follow the “blood donation bus” as it travels across Hokkaido. There is a chronic shortage of blood donors. In fact, Hokkaido has the highest percentage of blood donors in the country. In this sparsely populated region, the bus plays a crucial role in collecting blood. A farmer who has donated blood nearly 100 times. A young man who believes that helping others brings good fortune. A salaryman who feels refreshed after donating blood. Over three days, we encounter “small acts of kindness” as we travel through the small towns of Hokkaido.

The setting is a “shared office” located in the heart of Tokyo's Nagata-cho district, where government offices and office buildings cluster. The stylish, café-like floor features coworking spaces and rental offices, where people of various work styles quietly go about their tasks. Freelancers, of course, but also satellite offices for companies launching new ventures. Many have left large corporations to start their own businesses. Over three days, people explore “their own unique work styles” while pursuing their respective dreams.

The setting for this episode is Osaka Castle Park, located in the heart of Osaka City. The vast 100-hectare park features Osaka Castle's main tower, the Nishinomaru Garden, Osaka Castle Hall, and other facilities, attracting over 2.7 million visitors annually. The park surrounding the main tower is open 24 hours a day, and people of all kinds spend their time there as they please, day and night. What kinds of people visit this place? For three days, cameras will be set up in the never-sleeping Osaka Castle Park.

This episode is a Chinese version of “Document 72 Hours” produced by a Chinese production company. The setting is Kunming, Yunnan Province. Blessed with a warm climate throughout the year, in autumn, flocks of black-tailed gulls arrive here from Siberia. There is a large pond in the park in the center of the city, where thousands of seagulls rest their wings for several months until spring. In the spring, when the seagulls fly away, what kind of feelings do people have as they see them off?

The setting is a “24-hour dental clinic” in Fukuoka City. Patients enduring pain come in day and night. A salesman whose poor lifestyle has led to an increase in cavities. A college student whose improved dental hygiene has brought more smiles and a brighter personality. A man who lost his teeth in a fistfight in his youth reflects, “No matter how much I regret the past, my teeth won't come back.” On November 8 (Good Teeth Day), we explore the dramas surrounding teeth.

The setting is a liquor store in Ginza, Tokyo. With a focus on wine and whiskey, the store stocks more than 3,000 types of alcoholic beverages from around the world. Among them are ultra-luxury beverages costing over 2 million yen. Despite this, around 1,000 varieties are available for tasting starting at 100 yen per glass, drawing crowds of young adults in their 20s and salarymen on their way home from work. A business owner who visits alone due to reduced opportunities to drink with subordinates. A club manager who finally opened her long-awaited store. A man in pursuit of the perfect beverage for himself. The story of a sake shop in Ginza.

This episode takes place at a wedding venue where you can hold a wedding for a few tens of thousands of yen. The venue prides itself on being affordable, small-scale, and quick to organize, with 3-4 couples coming in for consultations every day. A 40-something couple who are remarrying say, “We want to keep it simple this time.” A 60-something couple who couldn't have a wedding when they were young and were given the gift by their children. A couple who wants to hold a wedding in a month to show their sick father their wedding dress. The episode explores various small wedding stories from different lives.

The setting is Achi Village in southern Nagano Prefecture. As autumn turns to winter, people from all over the country flock to the 1,600-meter-high observation deck. The main attraction is the starry sky stretching across the entire sky and the massive sea of clouds that can only be seen during this season. The sight of white clouds spreading as far as the eye can see, all the way to the Southern Alps in the distance, leaves people speechless. Many people also make wishes while gazing at the rising sun in the distance. In November, what do people think when faced with a scene worthy of being called “sky-high views”?

The setting is a little-known amusement facility in Amagasaki City, Hyogo Prefecture. With billiards and table tennis available from 100 yen for 30 minutes, the facility is bustling with customers day and night. During the day, you'll see elderly people returning from shopping, groups of middle-aged and older adults sweating it out at table tennis, and at night, young people quietly enjoying games. Some reminisce about their youth, others try to distract themselves from loneliness, and still others cherish the time spent with their families... This program delves into the amusement facility where various lives intersect.