Eiheiji: Inside Dogen's Zen Monastery

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle after retirement is the theme of this edition of GATTEN, the show that provides tips on incorporating the latest food and health research findings into daily life.

Our journey takes place in Hokkaido Prefecture, the northern part of Japan. From Asahikawa Station surrounded by mountains, we head to Shiretoko-Shari Station, located on the Sea of Okhotsk and the gateway to the world famous ShiretokoPeninsula. The trains we ride pass through beautifully lit mountains covered with autumn leaves turning deep red and gold. On our way, we taste the unique local food, made with freshly harvested produce grown along the lines, and see people who have been waiting for coastal waters to become teeming with fish.

Hailed from a poor family, blind boy Kanai Chakraborty chooses the daring life of a swimmer rather than begging for a living. But his success in the sport couldn't ensure him a job. Even at the age of 40, he has to continue swimming to retain a respectable identity. He participates in the world's longest swimming competition and tames the mighty river Ganges covering 81km! His success brings him temporary glory but Kanai continues stumbling out of the water while sailing smoothly on it! His uncanny knack for chasing uncertainty remains constant and he falls in love with a married woman.

JAPAN FROM ABOVE takes you on an aerial journey across Japan. Enjoy a bird's-eye view of Japan's amazingly diverse landscapes, as well as intimate portraits of people leading contrasting lives. In this episode, we explore Kyushu and Okinawa Prefecture in southwest Japan. Kyushu is a hotbed of volcanic activity, from the onsen (hot spring) resort of Bepputo the towering majesty of Mt. Aso. While the forces of nature may wreak havoc, they also bring benefits and stimulate the imagination. In Okinawa, we visit gravesites that nurture families.