Document 72 Hours - Season 4 Episode 12 Route 439: Japan's Last Frontier
Season - Episode
13
Season 13 Jan 07, 2025
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13 - 1A Mobile "Warabi Mochi" Cart in Fukuoka Jan 07, 2025 -
13 - 2A Farmers' Market in Inadani, Nagano Jan 21, 2025 -
13 - 3Praying for Blue Skies at Tokyo's Weather Shrine Feb 04, 2025 -
13 - 4An Everyday Family Diner in Tokyo Feb 18, 2025 -
13 - 5Beyond the Books at a Kanazawa Library Mar 04, 2025 -
13 - 6At a Huge Thrift Store in Saitama Apr 01, 2025 -
13 - 7A Martial Arts Gym in Tokyo Apr 15, 2025 -
13 - 8A Winding Road Through the Kii Mountains Apr 29, 2025 -
13 - 9A Midsummer Service Area on Awaji Island May 20, 2025 -
13 - 10A Niigata Drive-Through Restaurant in Winter Jun 17, 2025 -
13 - 11The Lure of Token Games at an Amusement Arcade Jul 01, 2025 -
13 - 12A Supermarket in Snowy Iwate Jul 15, 2025 -
13 - 13At a 24-Hour Ramen Restaurant in Fukuoka Aug 12, 2025
12
Season 12 Jan 09, 2024
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12 - 1Yomotsu Hirasaka: Between This World and The Next Jan 09, 2024 -
12 - 2 -
12 - 3Nagano: Watching for Hawks Feb 06, 2024 -
12 - 4At a 24-Hour Roadside Restaurant in Okayama Feb 20, 2024 -
12 - 5Farewell to a Hyogo Chairlift Mar 05, 2024 -
12 - 6At a 24-Hour Chinese Restaurant in a Tokyo Suburb Apr 02, 2024 -
12 - 7The Bench by Lake Biwa Apr 16, 2024 -
12 - 8Nature's Bounty at an Okayama Community Garden Apr 30, 2024
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12 - 9Ueno: A Discount Women's Clothing Store May 21, 2024 -
12 - 10At Shinjuku's 24-Hour Drugstore Jun 18, 2024 -
12 - 11Kerosene Delivery Service in Snowy Sapporo Jul 02, 2024 -
12 - 12Fukushima: An Ice Cream Shop in Winter Jul 16, 2024 -
12 - 13Spinning On at a 24-Hour Osaka Laundromat Aug 13, 2024 -
12 - 14A 24-Hour Discount Supermarket in Osaka Aug 27, 2024 -
12 - 15A Midnight Soba Shop in Akita Sep 10, 2024 -
12 - 16Fresh Starts at a Yokohama Electronics Store Oct 01, 2024 -
12 - 17Life Voyages on a Sea of Japan Ferry Oct 15, 2024 -
12 - 18A Low-priced Gas Station in Wakayama Oct 29, 2024 -
12 - 19Lives Inside a Huge "Danchi" Housing Complex Nov 12, 2024 -
12 - 20A Local Penny Candy Shop in Tokyo Dec 10, 2024
11
Season 11 Jan 10, 2023
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11 - 1The Lure of a 24-Hour Fishing Shop Jan 10, 2023 -
11 - 2Korokke Pan Shop: Happiness in a Bun Jan 23, 2023 -
11 - 3 -
11 - 4A Cat Temple: Soothing the Mind and Soul Feb 20, 2023 -
11 - 5Lifting Spirits in a Tokyo Liquor Store Mar 06, 2023 -
11 - 6University Art Festival: Portrait of Campus Days Apr 04, 2023 -
11 - 7At a Small Kobe Okonomiyaki Shop Apr 18, 2023 -
11 - 8A Quiet Pier in Minamiboso May 01, 2023 -
11 - 9Ringing in the New Year at a Fukuoka Bus Terminal May 23, 2023 -
11 - 10 -
11 - 11Amami Oshima: On the Radio Jul 03, 2023 -
11 - 12Behind the Headlines at Ofunato's Local Newspaper Jul 18, 2023 -
11 - 13 -
11 - 14Sakura in the Seto Inland Sea Aug 29, 2023 -
11 - 15The Aomori Shrine Where "Umineko" Soar Sep 11, 2023 -
11 - 16At a Hospital Roof Garden Oct 03, 2023 -
11 - 17Nishinomiya's "Manbow Tunnel" Under the Tracks Oct 17, 2023 -
11 - 18Early Summer on the Kisoji Oct 31, 2023 -
11 - 19See You in Osaka's Korea Town Nov 14, 2023 -
11 - 20At a Tokyo Insect Store Dec 12, 2023
10
Season 10 Jan 11, 2022
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10 - 1Salvaging Bargains at a Tokyo Grocery Store Jan 11, 2022 -
10 - 2At an Underground Bicycle Parking Lot Jan 25, 2022 -
10 - 3The Fishermen's Convenience Store Feb 08, 2022 -
10 - 4 -
10 - 5Boards and Bonds at a 24-Hour Skateboard Park Mar 08, 2022 -
10 - 6Finding Your Style at a Used Clothing Store Apr 05, 2022 -
10 - 7Nursing School: Nurturing the Next Nightingales Apr 19, 2022 -
10 - 8Seeking a Sweet Finish to Another Busy Year May 03, 2022 -
10 - 9Bidding Farewell to an Amusement Park May 24, 2022 -
10 - 10Tsugaru Railway: A Midwinter Lifeline Jun 21, 2022 -
10 - 11The Supermarket on Wheels Jul 05, 2022 -
10 - 12Heartfelt Flowers from a Miyagi Florist Jul 19, 2022 -
10 - 13A Shinjuku Cell Phone Store Aug 02, 2022 -
10 - 14Capturing Happy Moments in a Photo Booth Aug 16, 2022 -
10 - 15Plastic Model Shop: A Hobby Making Worlds Come Alive Sep 13, 2022 -
10 - 16Nature's Treasure Hunt on a Niigata Beach Oct 04, 2022 -
10 - 17The Vegetable "Vending Machine" in Tokyo Oct 18, 2022 -
10 - 18Asakusa's Rakugo Theater: Filling Lives with Laughs Nov 01, 2022 -
10 - 19Fluttering Yellow Handkerchiefs at a Seaside Station Nov 15, 2022 -
10 - 20Osaka Shaved Ice Shop: Midsummer Memories Nov 22, 2022
9
Season 9 Jan 12, 2021
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9 - 1Adios, El Dorado Carousel! Jan 12, 2021 -
9 - 2Seeds of Happiness at a Tokyo Garden Center Jan 26, 2021 -
9 - 3Giving Kitchen Equipment New Homes Feb 02, 2021 -
9 - 4The Zoo on a Hill Feb 16, 2021 -
9 - 5Sapporo Born and Bread: A 24-Hour Sandwich Shop Mar 09, 2021 -
9 - 6Opening New Doors at a Furniture Outlet Store Apr 06, 2021 -
9 - 7Shimanami Kaido: A Ride Along Life's Cycle Apr 20, 2021 -
9 - 8Tanga: The Market With a Big Heart May 04, 2021 -
9 - 9Seeing Out 2020 in the Heart of Tokyo Bay May 25, 2021 -
9 - 10Fukushima Bento Shop: Serving Meals and Hope Jun 22, 2021 -
9 - 11New Beginnings from an Osaka Bus Terminal Jun 29, 2021 -
9 - 12Life Stories at a Hospital Convenience Store Jul 20, 2021 -
9 - 13 -
9 - 14Water Taxis: Across the Sea and Beyond Aug 17, 2021 -
9 - 15Quiet Prayers at a Secluded Shrine Sep 14, 2021 -
9 - 16Starting Fresh: One-Stop Uniform Shop Oct 05, 2021 -
9 - 17Tokyo Stationery Store: Messages from the Heart Oct 19, 2021 -
9 - 18The Station Under the Cherry Blossoms Nov 02, 2021 -
9 - 19Warming Body and Heart at a Yakiimo Shop Nov 16, 2021 -
9 - 20Fireworks Shop: Lighting Up a Quiet Summer Dec 14, 2021
8
Season 8 Jan 13, 2020
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8 - 1Chasing Dreams in a Shared Office Space Jan 13, 2020 -
8 - 2 -
8 - 3A Toast to Life Feb 17, 2020 -
8 - 4A 400K "Survival Run" in Okinawa Mar 10, 2020 -
8 - 5Akihabara: Infatuated with Electronics Apr 06, 2020 -
8 - 6Home for the Holidays: A Supermarket in Fukushima Apr 21, 2020 -
8 - 7Big Fish, Big Dreams May 05, 2020 -
8 - 8Spilling the Beans at a Coffee Stall May 26, 2020 -
8 - 9From Gang Ties to Business Suits Jun 23, 2020 -
8 - 1010-Year Milestones in Bikers' Life Journeys Jul 07, 2020 -
8 - 11Mountain Views, Life Insights Jul 21, 2020 -
8 - 12Climbing the Walls of Life Aug 04, 2020 -
8 - 13Inside Japan's Largest Freight Terminal Aug 18, 2020 -
8 - 14Osaka Castle Park: The Park That Never Sleeps Sep 15, 2020 -
8 - 15Finding Solace at Inokashira Park Oct 06, 2020 -
8 - 16Tanabata Wishes at a Tokyo Temple Oct 20, 2020 -
8 - 17Muscle and Bustle: A 24-Hour Gym in Tokyo Nov 03, 2020 -
8 - 18Small Wedding Stories Nov 17, 2020 -
8 - 19Tokyo Taxi Oasis Dec 15, 2020
7
Season 7 Jan 15, 2019
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7 - 1Hakodate's Hamburgers of Happiness Jan 15, 2019 -
7 - 2Tokyo Station: Meet me at the "Silver Bell" Feb 05, 2019 -
7 - 33333 Stones: Japan's Longest Flight of Steps Feb 19, 2019 -
7 - 4The DIYers of the Suburban Home Center Mar 12, 2019 -
7 - 5A Matchmaking Lounge in Sendai Apr 08, 2019 -
7 - 6New Year Countdown at the Airport Apr 22, 2019 -
7 - 7A Barter Chain in Osaka May 06, 2019
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7 - 8A Realtor in Fukuoka: Opening the Door to New Lives May 28, 2019 -
7 - 9Flipping Backward, Looking Forward Jun 24, 2019 -
7 - 10Small Island, Big Send-Offs Jul 08, 2019 -
7 - 11Jumokuso: Resting Beneath a Cherry Tree Jul 22, 2019 -
7 - 12 -
7 - 13Shibuya Post Office: Countdown to a New Era Aug 19, 2019 -
7 - 14Fasting Retreat: A Break for the Body and Mind Sep 16, 2019 -
7 - 15Catching Goldfish at a Fishing Pond in Tokyo Oct 07, 2019 -
7 - 16Wig Shop: A New Appearance, A New Self Oct 22, 2019 -
7 - 17Bargain Shoes for the Next Step in Life Nov 04, 2019 -
7 - 18A New Life Away From Bustling Tokyo Nov 18, 2019 -
7 - 19Nurse Visits: Home is Where the Heart is Dec 02, 2019 -
7 - 20From Town to Town on Hokkaido's Blood Donation Bus Dec 16, 2019 -
7 - 999Lines and Lives at Airport Immigration Dec 24, 2019
6
Season 6 Jan 16, 2018
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6 - 1Mountain Restaurant: Creating and Reliving Memories Jan 16, 2018 -
6 - 2Life Without a Smartphone Feb 06, 2018 -
6 - 3Born to be Wild: Motorcyclists' Road to Happiness Feb 20, 2018 -
6 - 4When a Man Shines His Shoes Mar 13, 2018 -
6 - 5Printing Shop: Lives in Print Apr 10, 2018 -
6 - 6Bento Tales from a Northern Fishing Town Apr 24, 2018 -
6 - 7Christmas at a 24-Hour Bakery May 08, 2018 -
6 - 8Heading Home on the Strait Ferry May 29, 2018 -
6 - 9A Park Where Dreams Take Wing Jun 26, 2018 -
6 - 10Lives Along Route 45 Jul 10, 2018 -
6 - 11The Traveling Library Truck Jul 24, 2018 -
6 - 12A Spring Miracle: The Firefly Squid of Toyama Aug 07, 2018 -
6 - 13The Women on the Cosmetics Floor Aug 21, 2018 -
6 - 14The Race Before the Japanese Derby Sep 18, 2018 -
6 - 15The Great Hospital Move Oct 09, 2018 -
6 - 16Relaxing in a Nagoya Café Oct 23, 2018 -
6 - 17Hooked on Fishing in Tokyo Bay Oct 30, 2018 -
6 - 18The Sight Beyond the Undersea Tunnel Nov 20, 2018 -
6 - 19Surviving the Summer with Fresh Juice Dec 04, 2018 -
6 - 20From the Remittance Office with Love Dec 18, 2018
5
Season 5 Jan 17, 2017
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5 - 1The Little Station and the Sea Jan 17, 2017 -
5 - 2Golf Driving Range: Slices of Life Feb 07, 2017 -
5 - 3Art Supply Heaven in Tokyo Feb 21, 2017 -
5 - 4Starlit Tales from a Nagano Tent Village Mar 14, 2017 -
5 - 5Daycare Center in Fukuoka's Nightlife District Apr 11, 2017 -
5 - 6The Traveling Ballot Box Apr 25, 2017 -
5 - 7Behind the Masks: Halloween in Roppongi May 09, 2017 -
5 - 8From Okinawa to the World and Back May 30, 2017 -
5 - 9Lines and Lives at Airport Immigration Jun 27, 2017 -
5 - 10A Cafe Awaits in Omiya Jul 11, 2017 -
5 - 11Jellyfish Wonderland Jul 25, 2017 -
5 - 12The Melodies of a Street Piano in Miyazaki Aug 08, 2017 -
5 - 13Tokyo's Crossroads of Life Aug 22, 2017 -
5 - 14New Bags, New Beginnings Sep 19, 2017 -
5 - 15Small Funerals in a Big City Oct 10, 2017 -
5 - 16Fabric and Buttons and Me Oct 24, 2017 -
5 - 17Thoughts and Reflections on a Rooftop Ferris Wheel Nov 07, 2017 -
5 - 18Mt. Kongo: A Climb to the Webcam Nov 21, 2017 -
5 - 19Truck Stop: A Break on Life's Journey Dec 05, 2017 -
5 - 20The Daily Life of a Tokyo Mosque Dec 19, 2017
4
Season 4 Jan 12, 2016
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4 - 1Life on the Squid Hunt Jan 12, 2016 -
4 - 2A Video Transfer Shop: Replaying the Past Feb 02, 2016 -
4 - 3Up and Away with Low-cost Carriers Feb 23, 2016 -
4 - 4A Secret Workshop in Akihabara Mar 15, 2016 -
4 - 5Kappabashi: Tokyo's Kitchen Capital Apr 12, 2016 -
4 - 6Christmas at the Bus Terminal Apr 26, 2016 -
4 - 7Benches and People: An Osaka Shopping Arcade May 10, 2016 -
4 - 8Valentine's Day at the Shrine May 31, 2016
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4 - 9Farewell Funabashi Auto Jun 28, 2016 -
4 - 10Tales Over Rice Bowls Jul 12, 2016 -
4 - 11At the Food Court Jul 26, 2016 -
4 - 12Route 439: Japan's Last Frontier Aug 09, 2016 -
4 - 13The Ferry to Volcano Island Aug 23, 2016 -
4 - 14A Nostalgic Roller Coaster Ride Sep 20, 2016 -
4 - 15Kyoto's Kamo River Delta Oct 11, 2016 -
4 - 16Faces Behind an Online Auction Oct 25, 2016 -
4 - 17A Women's Prison: Up-close and Personal Nov 08, 2016 -
4 - 18Obon with a Bang in Nagasaki Nov 22, 2016
-
4 - 19People-Watching at a Monster Hotspot Dec 06, 2016 -
4 - 20Where Cultures and Meat Meet Dec 20, 2016
3
Season 3 Jan 06, 2015
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3 - 1The Ameyoko International Food Market Jan 06, 2015 -
3 - 2General Hospital Store: Where Shopping Meets Healing Jan 13, 2015 -
3 - 3Dreams Along the Yamanote Line Apr 07, 2015 -
3 - 4 -
3 - 5A Discounted Ticket to Happiness May 05, 2015 -
3 - 6A Standing Oden Bar in Tokyo May 19, 2015 -
3 - 7A Taste of Home: A Soba & Udon Vending Machine Jun 02, 2015
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3 - 8A Driving School: The Start of Many Journeys Jun 16, 2015
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3 - 9Tokyo Capsule Hotel: Encapsulating Life Jul 14, 2015 -
3 - 10A Used Car, A New Life Jul 21, 2015 -
3 - 11Yakushima: Island of the Mystical Tree Aug 04, 2015
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3 - 12A Kebab Restaurant in Roppongi Sep 01, 2015 -
3 - 13 -
3 - 14The Lucky Cat at the Shopping Street Oct 06, 2015 -
3 - 15Tonkotsu Ramen Restaurant: Bowls for the Soul Oct 20, 2015 -
3 - 16Japans Northernmost Bus Stop Nov 10, 2015 -
3 - 17Voices in Front of the Diet Dec 01, 2015 -
3 - 18An Iconic Hotel: Until We Meet Again Dec 15, 2015
2
Season 2 Apr 15, 2014
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2 - 1Night Clinic: An ER of Last Resort Apr 15, 2014
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2 - 2The Live-streamers: Interactive Webcasting Apr 22, 2014 -
2 - 3The "Rain, then Fine" Coin Laundry May 06, 2014
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2 - 4Climbing Mt. Fuji May 13, 2014
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2 - 5
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2 - 6Yanaka Cemetery: Dialogs between Death and Life Jun 03, 2014 -
2 - 7Personal Glimpses at a 24-Hour Gym Jun 10, 2014 -
2 - 8Printing Handheld Memories Jun 17, 2014
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2 - 9The Game Center, and the Prize beyond the Prize Jul 01, 2014 -
2 - 10The Makeup Room Jul 08, 2014
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2 - 11The Voyage of Life on a Giant Ferry Jul 15, 2014
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2 - 12One Tower, Many Lives Jul 22, 2014 -
2 - 13The Call of the Dunes Aug 05, 2014 -
2 - 14A 24/7 Discount Store Aug 12, 2014
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2 - 15A Giant Travel Agency: Destinations and Detours Aug 19, 2014 -
2 - 16Night Train to Izumo: Destination - Destiny Sep 02, 2014 -
2 - 17The Post Office that Never Sleeps Sep 09, 2014 -
2 - 18Youth "HelloWork" - A Job Agency Sep 16, 2014
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2 - 19An All-night Eatery Sep 23, 2014 -
2 - 20A Giant Bookstore: Wandering in a World of Words Oct 07, 2014 -
2 - 21Self Storage: Secrets and Memories Oct 14, 2014 -
2 - 22Mt. Osore: Between Life and Death Oct 21, 2014 -
2 - 23Wrestlers on the Road Nov 04, 2014 -
2 - 24The 24-Hour Supermarket: Just Another Day Nov 11, 2014 -
2 - 25At a Gas Station in a Downpour Nov 18, 2014 -
2 - 26A 260-person "Sharehouse" Dec 02, 2014 -
2 - 27A 24/7 Animal Hospital: When a Pet Needs a Vet Dec 09, 2014 -
2 - 28At a Train Station in Fukushima Dec 16, 2014
1
Season 1 Aug 22, 2013
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1 - 1Points of Departure: New Chitose Airport Aug 22, 2013
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1 - 2Underground Idols Aug 23, 2013
Overview
Route 439 is a national highway that cuts across the mountainous island of Shikoku, in southwestern Japan. In some spots, it is barely 2 meters wide and poorly maintained. People come from all over Japan to drive along the 340-kilometer-long rugged road connecting many small villages. Some people living along this route are self-sufficient and live on a diet mostly consisting of edible wild plants, freshwater fish and even Japanese pit vipers. Residents live a free life surrounded by lush nature. Over 3 days, we drive along Route 439 to meet people living amid Japan's traditional landscape.
Year 2025
Studio NHK WORLD-JAPAN
Director
Crew
Popularity 1.1757
Language English
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