NHK World TV Guide — Saturday, 23 May 2026

Browse the full NHK World TV guide for Saturday, 23 May 2026. 75 programmes listed , including 18 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

Chinese mother Yang Hu finds reassurance in a Japanese word that helps her connect with others while navigating cultural differences in Tokyo.

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 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

Sumo is one of the most traditional Japanese sports, boasting a history of more than 1500 years. See how powerful wrestlers with an average weight of more than 160 kilos clash in the sacred ring.

00:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

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

NHK Documentary

A series of documentaries that feature in-depth examinations of political, economic, and social challenges facing Japan and the world.

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 50m

NHK World Showcase

This programme covers a variety of genres, including pilot episodes of newly-developed programmes and special features.

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 50m

Cycle Around Japan

We visit Oita, famous for its hot springs, and meet many warm-hearted people, like a wrangler who entertains visitors with duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art

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: Astonishing Stairs. Creators have taken a simple structure that lets us climb, and imbued it with new significance. Explore the surprising beauty of stairs through architecture and art.

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 10m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo 10min.

Peaches take the spotlight - from June to October, new varieties appear every two weeks letting people enjoy them for months. Big, sweet and juicy, discover the charm of Japan's finest peaches.

05:20 5m

Hit the Road 5min.

Take a drive in Kagoshima! After circling the ever-erupting Sakurajima, we head to the southern tip for a sand bath utilising geothermal energy where you'll feel the vitality of the Earth!

05:25 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Mornings begin early for fishmongers and vegetable peddlers at Nihonbashi Bridge, and here is a reason - they are not going to bow to the lord's procession in a bustling scene from everyday Edo life.

05:30 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

NHK World-Japan presents a sumo highlights programme for fans around the globe. Today the show features all top-division bouts from May 22, Day 13 of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo

05:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

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

Tsukamoto Yoshiharu (Architect) visits Nara. Long ago, people in Nara preserved ice by building an icehouse on a mountain ridge, showing how architecture can make use of natural characteristics.

06:30 30m

Kabuki Kool

Several old theatre buildings around Japan give a feeling of what it was like to see kabuki in the Edo period; experience these performances up close.

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

NHK Documentary

A series of documentaries that feature in-depth examinations of political, economic, and social challenges facing Japan and the world.

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 50m

NHK World Showcase

This programme covers a variety of genres, including pilot episodes of newly-developed programmes and special features.

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 50m

Grand Sumo Live

NHK World-Japan will broadcast Grand Sumo May Tournament Day 14 action live from Tokyo, as top wrestlers have their fourteenth bouts of the 15-day contest

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

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 50m

Cycle Around Japan

We visit Oita, famous for its hot springs, and meet many warm-hearted people, like a wrangler who entertains visitors with duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art

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

Tsukamoto Yoshiharu (Architect) visits Nara. Long ago, people in Nara preserved ice by building an icehouse on a mountain ridge, showing how architecture can make use of natural characteristics.

12:30 30m

Kabuki Kool

Several old theatre buildings around Japan give a feeling of what it was like to see kabuki in the Edo period; experience these performances up close.

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

NHK Documentary

A series of documentaries that feature in-depth examinations of political, economic, and social challenges facing Japan and the world.

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 50m

NHK World Showcase

This programme covers a variety of genres, including pilot episodes of newly-developed programmes and special features.

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 30m

Biz Stream

This programme focuses on the latest Japanese business trends, corporate strategies and technologies - we look behind the scenes and discuss their global impact from various perspectives.

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 50m

Cycle Around Japan

We visit Oita, famous for its hot springs, and meet many warm-hearted people, like a wrangler who entertains visitors with duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art

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 10m

Trails to Oishii Tokyo 10min.

Peaches take the spotlight - from June to October, new varieties appear every two weeks letting people enjoy them for months. Big, sweet and juicy, discover the charm of Japan's finest peaches.

17:20 5m

Hit the Road 5min.

Take a drive in Kagoshima! After circling the ever-erupting Sakurajima, we head to the southern tip for a sand bath utilising geothermal energy where you'll feel the vitality of the Earth!

17:25 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

Mornings begin early for fishmongers and vegetable peddlers at Nihonbashi Bridge, and here is a reason - they are not going to bow to the lord's procession in a bustling scene from everyday Edo life.

17:30 27m

Grand Sumo Highlights

NHK World-Japan presents a sumo highlights programme for fans around the globe. Today the show features all top-division bouts from May 23, Day 14 of the Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo

17:57 3m

Sumopedia

Sumopedia enriches your sumo experience with information on the techniques, traditions and famous wrestlers of the past. The rules may be simple but there is a lot more to sumo than meets the eye.

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

Tsukamoto Yoshiharu (Architect) visits Nara. Long ago, people in Nara preserved ice by building an icehouse on a mountain ridge, showing how architecture can make use of natural characteristics.

18:30 30m

Kabuki Kool

Several old theatre buildings around Japan give a feeling of what it was like to see kabuki in the Edo period; experience these performances up close.

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

NHK Documentary

A series of documentaries that feature in-depth examinations of political, economic, and social challenges facing Japan and the world.

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 50m

NHK World Showcase

This programme covers a variety of genres, including pilot episodes of newly-developed programmes and special features.

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 30m

Biz Stream

This programme focuses on the latest Japanese business trends, corporate strategies and technologies - we look behind the scenes and discuss their global impact from various perspectives.

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 50m

Cycle Around Japan

We visit Oita, famous for its hot springs, and meet many warm-hearted people, like a wrangler who entertains visitors with duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art

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

History Uncovered

Japan opened its doors in the 19th century - emblematic of a broader clothing revolution, the 'Kimono Dress' sheds light on Japan's forward-looking strategy as it joined the global community.

23:40 15m

Cinematic Journey

A scientific trek into Earth's memory - see Anami's ancient strata, the singing sands of Kotobikihama, and the geological time gaps of Uradome's rocks.

23:55 5m

Ukiyo-e Edo-Life

On a Snowy Night

We come across a tranquil and snow-covered Edo cityscape, but there's something in the air - the aroma of foods both sweet and savoury that helps townspeople keep warm in the winter.

Early Morning

Morning

Daytime

Tonight's Highlights

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