The focus this time is on the king of fish, maguro. Witness the highlight of an auction site at Japan's largest market, Toyosu Market, as one-third of wholesalers are maguro specialists. Our reporter visits Katsuura Fishing Port for a famous haul. Last but not least, don't miss this program's lineup of irresistible maguro dishes.

Today we focus on ginger. Often grated, finely chopped or even pickled, ginger is an indispensable ingredient in Japanese cuisine. The pink "gari" eaten with sushi is actually pickled ginger. The spice has become known for its health benefits in recent years, as it improves blood circulation and can even be used as a disinfectant. Let's find out more about the uses of ginger in Japan.

Shark meat has been eaten in Japan since ages past. It's often used in old-school Japanese soul foods such as Oden. We visit Aomori Prefecture, where shark is still eaten regularly, to discover traditional methods for catching and consuming shark, including a collagen-rich dish good for the skin and another excellent for overall health. Join us as we dive into the world of sharks in Japan!

In Trails to Oishii Tokyo, reporters from around the world discover Japan's best ingredients. This time, Japan's environmentally friendly, sustainable fishing methods. From single-line lures to giant fixed nets to nets thrown into rivers to catch freshwater fish, these methods help to preserve Japan's seafood, the pillar of its culinary culture.

On Trails to Oishii Tokyo, reporters from around the world explore Japan's unique ingredients. Often given as gifts, high-end Japanese fruits aren't only delicious, they have the visual appeal of radiant jewels. Researchers and farmers go to great lengths to ensure they're grown to the perfect shape and pigment. Join us on a journey in search of fabulous fruit.

Some 200 varieties of Togarashi peppers are cultivated in Japan, most of which are dried and used as spices. We visited the largest production site to lend a hand in the fiery red fields and discovered special techniques for enhancing pungency and umami. "Super-spicy" foods ranging from snacks to full meals are a recent craze in Japan. Find out more as our reporter stands up to the challenge!

Our focus today is cutlassfish. This shiny samurai sword of the sea has no scales and swims vertically. Our reporter visits the fishing port that receives the largest haul, where 1,000 trailer trolleys and the family members of fishermen eagerly await to race the fish to market. Also, feast your eyes on savory tempura of minced cutlassfish meat containing its bones, curry featuring a 40-centimeter-long deep-fried cutlassfish, and a sushi bento that holds a unique place in Japanese history.

Take a close look at unique herbs and spices, from the world-famous wasabi to the recently popular Sansho pepper. These small ingredients have played a massive role in the development of Japanese cuisine over the centuries, not only providing a punch of flavor but even disinfectant properties and health benefits. Join our reporters on a mouth-watering journey into the world of Japan's herbs and spices.

Being surrounded by ocean on all sides, Japan has long relied on the ocean for sustenance. Numerous fishing and cultivation methods have been developed over the centuries to ensure the sustainability of such resources. From top quality fish raised on olive leaves and orange peels, to cultivated seaweed and shellfish, learn about several robust methods with our reporters in this special installment of "Trails to Oishii Tokyo," focusing on Japan's fisheries.

Along with renowned gourmet restaurants, Tokyo is also home to many food producers. Urban farms have grown traditional vegetables for centuries. Rooftop beekeeping is made possible by the beautiful flowers found in gardens and parks. The local fishing industry also thrives! This special episode introduces unsung heroes responsible for Tokyo specialties ranging from a world-renowned spice to unforgettable fish delicacies.

Satoyama - mountains surrounding villages where seasonal goodies are harvested all year. Enjoy a variety of mushrooms in fall, or produce gathered once the winter snow melts. These unique natural ingredients helped build the foundation of Japanese cuisine, stimulating all 5 senses throughout the year. In this special installment of Trails to Oishii Tokyo, our reporters visit Satoyama areas across Japan to discover the wonders that nature has to offer.

This episode features unique ingredients that may have you asking, "You eat that?!" Discover secrets behind nori, the papery food you've likely seen at a sushi shop; gobo, a root that's surprisingly versatile; and sea cucumbers! Add gelatinous Konnyaku to your diet as a calorie-free filler, and try the ingredient from the sea that makes Japanese sweets so special. Join us in this special remix about products of nature you wouldn't expect to end up on your dinner table.

Check out the Silkie chicken, once considered part of the recipe for longevity. It lays only about one egg a week, which can sell for the high price of 6 dollars a pop. Our Swedish reporter Janni visits a poultry farm in Tokyo to see how they're raised, and their feed that contains 16 ingredients including herbs and seaweed. She also tries some fresh Silkie eggs for the first time. Feast your eyes on French and Chinese dishes using the chicken's nutritious black meat.

Bananas - a tropical fruit also grown in Japan. Technological advancement has allowed their cultivation in snowy areas. Visit a plantation in one of Japan's snowiest regions, and check out a wide variety at a wholesaler in Tokyo's Ota Market. See how the ripening process is carefully managed in massive warehouses from the time of import to market release.

Nori seaweed is an indispensable Japanese ingredient. Its flavor is influenced by elements from the sea as well as the nutrients that flow down from mountains. Our reporter Janni tries a selection at a 150-year-old shop and is shocked by how flavors can vary. Visit a plant that makes nori using a process inspired by traditional methods. Then, feast your eyes on colorful sushi rolls and see how nori can be used in French cuisine.

Takenoko, or bamboo shoots, are the flavor of spring. Our reporter Janni is put to work on a steep grove where skill and timing are key to harvesting young stems before they harden in direct sunlight. Afterward, enjoy the various textures and flavors the ingredient adds to exquisite Japanese cuisine, and see how it's used in place of meat in innovative French dishes.

As an island nation, Japan has enjoyed a plethora of seafood since ancient times. In natural form, some may not look particularly appetizing, and some may even frighten you! But preparation and cooking methods have evolved over the centuries to transform these strange creatures that you may not have imagined were edible into tasty delights! Join us on a recap of some of our coolest seafood discoveries!

Kaki, or Japanese persimmons, represent fall in Japan. Introduced to Europe in around the 16th century, the fruit is referred to by its Japanese name around the world. Around 60 varieties of nutritious kaki can be found across Japan, with differing flavors and shapes. Visit Wakayama Prefecture to taste local kaki dishes, then head to a village deep in the mountains where curtains of dried kaki hang. Discover a New Year's tradition involving the fruit, and more about kaki's deep roots in Japanese culture.

Shiitake — the star Japanese mushroom known for its strong umami. Visit a farmer who uses centuries-old cultivation methods to conserve the natural surroundings, then head over to our reporter's hometown in Sweden to see how shiitake have grown in popularity overseas. We'll be cooking up all kinds of mushroom dishes, from Scandinavian to French to Japanese.

In Japan, food has long symbolized prosperity, playing a key role in annual festivities. Mochi rice cakes bring fortune in the New Year while azuki red beans ward off evil spirits. Takenoko bamboo shoots grow quickly, symbolizing success, and candies handed out to children bless them with a healthy future. Tour the country with us on a recap of some of Japan's most important foods and the special meaning behind them.

The hoya, or sea pineapple, is one of the ocean's hidden delicacies. Protected by a hard shell, the marine animal's meat offers a wide range of flavors, including rich umami. In Miyagi Prefecture, hoya aquaculture has come a long way since the devastating tsunami that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Feast your eyes on an array of dishes featuring the edible ascidian, and discover how a restaurant in Tokyo is breathing new life into French cuisine.

Saitama Prefecture, next to Tokyo, is known for its wheat cultivation and as an udon noodle kingdom. We explore Saitama's wheat culture by visiting flour mills and farmers and trying local udon and even beer.

Mentaiko is cured and spiced pollock roe, with a deep flavor provided by kombu and katsuobushi broth. Discover the secrets of a beloved food that spread from Fukuoka to the rest of Japan.

Wakasagi—small, 10-cm fish—are the star of Japan's winter fishing season. Drill holes in an icy lake for some line fishing, and meet fishers who are passionate about conservation efforts.

Asparagus brings a pop of color to early summer, and increasing demand is promoting a bevy of new varieties. Witness cutting-edge cultivation in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan's largest production area.