This episode features natto, a fermented soybean product known for its powerful smell and sticky texture. Both economical and nutritious, natto is a staple Japanese breakfast food. Mito, north of Tokyo, is the natto capital of Japan. See how traditional, organic natto is made, and have a look at a variety of unique dishes that feature natto.

In Trails to Oishii Tokyo, reporters from around the world discover Japan's best ingredients. This time, fermented foods like katsuobushi, the skipjack tuna flakes used to make dashi soup stock, miso and soy sauce, 2 of Japan's favorite seasonings, tsukemono pickles, a precious food source in harsh winters and sticky natto beans. All these ingredients have helped make Japanese food the world-renowned cuisine it is today. Learn how each is created with methods stretching back generations.

Winter is hot pot season in Japan. A single pot of veggies and seafood boiled in soup is all you need to stay cozy and warm. This episode focuses on the seasonal delicacies used in some of the most beloved recipes. Visit a port in Aomori Prefecture to see how a fish is prepared on the snow, and join sumo wrestlers for a traditional breakfast at their stable. From poisonous fish to radishes that grow in tuna fertilizer, discover the many winter gifts from the sea and land.

Dip into the vibrant world of Japanese tea to sample different aromas and flavors at a specialty shop. At a tea farm using a novel method, a shop owned by a former researcher selling 70 types of leaves, and a restaurant teaching the principles of food and tea pairing, discover how today's experts are keeping tea's evolution alive.

Darwin called ginkgo trees living fossils. In fall, they offer a fun splash of yellow to the colorful landscape. Today, we focus on their nuts! The outer shell may smell a bit funny, but inside is nothing but great flavor. Harvest ginkgo nuts from 10,000 trees at a famous production site and chow down with local farmers. Feast your eyes on traditional recipes, and discover how the nut is paired with champagne at a French restaurant in Tokyo.