NHK World TV Guide — Saturday, 4 July 2026

Browse the full NHK World TV guide for Saturday, 4 July 2026. 82 programmes listed , including 21 tonight. UK listings updated daily — scroll down to tonight's highlights or use the day tabs above to browse the weekly schedule.

Early Morning

00:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

00:10 5m

Chatroom Japan

A spotlight on our diverse international community as we report on issues, speak to those involved, and get a fresh look at what it's like to live in Japan.

00:15 15m

Japan's Top Inventions

The behind-the-scenes tales of hit products and creations from Japan: this is 'Japan's Top Inventions'

00:30 30m

Japanology Plus

The 19th-century educator Yoshida Shoin lived only 29 years, yet his teachings helped shape Japan's modernisation - his words published as books remain popular today. We visit his birthplace of Hagi.

01:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

01:10 50m

The Deadly Escape Game of Refugees

As the number of refugees in the world reaches unprecedented heights, smugglers have appeared claiming to transport them to safety but they instead become pawns in a game with their lives at stake.

02:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

02:10 44m

Core Kyoto Special

The Zen school of Buddhism emphasises the practice of zazen meditation as the path to enlightenment - the spirit of Zen flows through the gardens, art, cuisine and other aspects of Kyoto culture.

02:54 6m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo mini 5min.

We focus on moyashi (bean sprouts) - they may not look like much, but they're popular as they're packed with vitamins and minerals, are easy to use and - most important of all - are affordable.

03:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

03:10 45m

Train Cruise

Train rides provide panoramas of landscapes and lifestyles, with opportunities to hop off and meet the people. The tracks run to well-known and less-explored parts of Japan.

03:55 5m

Japanology Plus Mini

Japan now has roughly 8.5 million vacant homes - we look at various initiatives that aim to address this issue, including renovating homes as investments or using them to revitalise local communities.

04:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

04:10 30m

Design X Stories

Today's theme: Vanishing Tools. As the rising age of artisans puts the survival of certain crafts at risk, we shine a light on the vanishing tools used to keep them alive and their anonymous designs.

04:40 10m

Story Land in Classical Japanese

A selection of acclaimed programmes from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

04:50 10m

Mitateru-phose

This programme employs 'mitateru', a Japanese technique, to inspire children's imagination by encouraging them to view objects differently and develop their unique perspectives and creativity.

05:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

05:10 30m

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore

The yokai Ubume was said to be a ghostly woman appearing at night asking passers-by to hold her child under threat of death - we examine how this terrifying figure came to be seen sympathetically.

05:40 15m

Cinematic Journey

Kyle Card hikes along a 1000km trail following the Pacific Coast in northern Japan - he discovers local lifestyles, stunning nature, traces of the area's 2011 disaster and resilient people.

05:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Doodles or Ukiyo-e

A series of doodles by famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day; what kind of statement was he trying to make?

Morning

06:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

06:10 15m

Bosai: Science That Can Save Your Life

...Your Life. Japan has a long history of natural disasters - 'Bosai' explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.

06:25 5m

Design Museum Japan

Hokkaido / Takeya Takayuki (model maker) Fishing boats in the herring industry-which thrived here until the 1950s-featured swirling decorations that made a big impression on Takeya, a Hokkaido native.

06:30 30m

Kabuki Kool

Choreographers create the movement and staging of a kabuki performance, contributing hugely to its appeal - our guest, expert choreographer Fujima Kanjuro, talks about the intricacies of the job.

07:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

07:10 50m

The Deadly Escape Game of Refugees

As the number of refugees in the world reaches unprecedented heights, smugglers have appeared claiming to transport them to safety but they instead become pawns in a game with their lives at stake.

08:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

08:10 44m

Core Kyoto Special

The Zen school of Buddhism emphasises the practice of zazen meditation as the path to enlightenment - the spirit of Zen flows through the gardens, art, cuisine and other aspects of Kyoto culture.

08:54 6m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo mini 5min.

We focus on moyashi (bean sprouts) - they may not look like much, but they're popular as they're packed with vitamins and minerals, are easy to use and - most important of all - are affordable.

09:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

09:10 30m

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore

The yokai Ubume was said to be a ghostly woman appearing at night asking passers-by to hold her child under threat of death - we examine how this terrifying figure came to be seen sympathetically.

09:40 15m

Cinematic Journey

Kyle Card hikes along a 1000km trail following the Pacific Coast in northern Japan - he discovers local lifestyles, stunning nature, traces of the area's 2011 disaster and resilient people.

09:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Doodles or Ukiyo-e

A series of doodles by famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day; what kind of statement was he trying to make?

10:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

10:10 30m

Design X Stories

Today's theme: Vanishing Tools. As the rising age of artisans puts the survival of certain crafts at risk, we shine a light on the vanishing tools used to keep them alive and their anonymous designs.

10:40 10m

Story Land in Classical Japanese

A selection of acclaimed programmes from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

10:50 10m

Mitateru-phose

This programme employs 'mitateru', a Japanese technique, to inspire children's imagination by encouraging them to view objects differently and develop their unique perspectives and creativity.

11:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

11:10 45m

Train Cruise

Train rides provide panoramas of landscapes and lifestyles, with opportunities to hop off and meet the people. The tracks run to well-known and less-explored parts of Japan.

11:55 5m

Japanology Plus Mini

Daytime

12:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

12:10 15m

Bosai: Science That Can Save Your Life

...Your Life. Japan has a long history of natural disasters - 'Bosai' explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.

12:25 5m

Design Museum Japan

12:30 30m

Kabuki Kool

Choreographers create the movement and staging of a kabuki performance, contributing hugely to its appeal - our guest, expert choreographer Fujima Kanjuro, talks about the intricacies of the job.

13:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

13:10 50m

The Deadly Escape Game of Refugees

As the number of refugees in the world reaches unprecedented heights, smugglers have appeared claiming to transport them to safety but they instead become pawns in a game with their lives at stake.

14:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

14:10 44m

Core Kyoto Special

The Zen school of Buddhism emphasises the practice of zazen meditation as the path to enlightenment - the spirit of Zen flows through the gardens, art, cuisine and other aspects of Kyoto culture.

14:54 6m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo mini 5min.

We focus on moyashi (bean sprouts) - they may not look like much, but they're popular as they're packed with vitamins and minerals, are easy to use and - most important of all - are affordable.

15:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

15:10 25m

Darwin's Amazing Animals

A natural history show that's a huge hit with families in Japan is now set to go global! This series explores the amazing stories of animals in Africa, the Americas and Asia.

A natural history show that's a huge hit with families in Japan is now set to go global! This series explores the amazing stories of animals in Africa, the Americas and Asia, including Japan.

15:35 5m

Time-Lapse Journey

Seto Inland Sea is the largest body of water of its kind in Japan - see the sights of the Great Seto Bridge and the shallow coastal waters through time-lapse photography.

15:40 10m

Story Land in Classical Japanese

A selection of acclaimed programmes from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

15:50 10m

Mitateru-phose

This programme employs 'mitateru', a Japanese technique, to inspire children's imagination by encouraging them to view objects differently and develop their unique perspectives and creativity.

16:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

16:10 45m

Train Cruise

Train rides provide panoramas of landscapes and lifestyles, with opportunities to hop off and meet the people. The tracks run to well-known and less-explored parts of Japan.

16:55 5m

Japanology Plus Mini

17:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

17:10 30m

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore

The yokai Ubume was said to be a ghostly woman appearing at night asking passers-by to hold her child under threat of death - we examine how this terrifying figure came to be seen sympathetically.

17:40 15m

Cinematic Journey

Kyle Card hikes along a 1000km trail following the Pacific Coast in northern Japan - he discovers local lifestyles, stunning nature, traces of the area's 2011 disaster and resilient people.

17:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Doodles or Ukiyo-e

A series of doodles by famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day; what kind of statement was he trying to make?

Tonight's Highlights

18:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

18:10 15m

Bosai: Science That Can Save Your Life

...Your Life. Japan has a long history of natural disasters - 'Bosai' explores how to overcome them and save lives with the power of science.

18:25 5m

Design Museum Japan

18:30 30m

Kabuki Kool

Choreographers create the movement and staging of a kabuki performance, contributing hugely to its appeal - our guest, expert choreographer Fujima Kanjuro, talks about the intricacies of the job.

19:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

19:10 50m

The Deadly Escape Game of Refugees

As the number of refugees in the world reaches unprecedented heights, smugglers have appeared claiming to transport them to safety but they instead become pawns in a game with their lives at stake.

20:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

20:10 44m

Core Kyoto Special

The Zen school of Buddhism emphasises the practice of zazen meditation as the path to enlightenment - the spirit of Zen flows through the gardens, art, cuisine and other aspects of Kyoto culture.

20:54 6m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo mini 5min.

We focus on moyashi (bean sprouts) - they may not look like much, but they're popular as they're packed with vitamins and minerals, are easy to use and - most important of all - are affordable.

21:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

21:10 25m

Darwin's Amazing Animals

A natural history show that's a huge hit with families in Japan is now set to go global! This series explores the amazing stories of animals in Africa, the Americas and Asia.

A natural history show that's a huge hit with families in Japan is now set to go global! This series explores the amazing stories of animals in Africa, the Americas and Asia, including Japan.

21:35 5m

Time-Lapse Journey

Seto Inland Sea is the largest body of water of its kind in Japan - see the sights of the Great Seto Bridge and the shallow coastal waters through time-lapse photography.

21:40 10m

Story Land in Classical Japanese

A selection of acclaimed programmes from NHK's domestic channels dubbed into English.

21:50 10m

Mitateru-phose

This programme employs 'mitateru', a Japanese technique, to inspire children's imagination by encouraging them to view objects differently and develop their unique perspectives and creativity.

22:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

22:10 45m

Train Cruise

Train rides provide panoramas of landscapes and lifestyles, with opportunities to hop off and meet the people. The tracks run to well-known and less-explored parts of Japan.

22:55 5m

Japanology Plus Mini

23:00 10m

NHK Newsline

NHK Newsline delivers the latest news, business, and weather every hour with stories and analysis from Japan, the rest of Asia, and around the world

23:10 30m

YOKAI: Exploring Hidden Japanese Folklore

The yokai Ubume was said to be a ghostly woman appearing at night asking passers-by to hold her child under threat of death - we examine how this terrifying figure came to be seen sympathetically.

23:40 15m

Cinematic Journey

Kyle Card hikes along a 1000km trail following the Pacific Coast in northern Japan - he discovers local lifestyles, stunning nature, traces of the area's 2011 disaster and resilient people.

23:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Doodles or Ukiyo-e

A series of doodles by famous artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi turn out to be carefully considered depictions of the kabuki actors of the day; what kind of statement was he trying to make?

Early Morning

Morning

Daytime

Tonight's Highlights

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