Episode 1 of the new season takes place in Fukagawa, Tokyo where Basho wrote many of his famous haiku poems. Special guest Hideho Kindaichi, a revered linguistic scholar, along with our Haiku Masters Michio Nakahara and Kit Pancoast Nagamura take you on a journey through the world of Photo Haiku at the beautiful Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine.

Episode 3 takes place at Dogo Onsen, one of the oldest hot springs in Japan going back 1300 years, in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, which is known for its rich literary culture and for producing many haiku poets. Haiku is part of the fabric of Matsuyama with Haiku Posts installed throughout the city for people to submit their haiku. Episode 3 will seek to explore the history and culture of Matsuyama with the guest of the month, Noriko Kan, lecturer, Matsuyama University.

Episode 4 of HAIKU MASTERS takes place in Matsuyama city with world-renowned cellist, Mr. Nathaniel Rosen, who joins us at Taisanji Temple, one of the 88 temples of the Ohenro pilgrimage.

Episode 5 takes place in the city of Nikko, one of the most popular tourist destinations in Japan, located just north of Tokyo. We hope you enjoy the beautiful sceneries of Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with our Haiku Masters and our guest, Uruma Takezawa, a photographer who has traveled over 103 countries.

Episode 6 takes place in Kurobane, Tochigi Prefecture, a place where Basho stayed the longest to take refuge and to ponder the journey ahead while on his Okuno Hosomichi trail. The guest for this episode is Ms. Barbara S. Morrison, associate professor of the International Department at Utsunomiya University.

Episode 7 takes place in Rikugien Gardens in Tokyo which was constructed 300 years ago over a period of 7 years. Rikugien means Garden of the Six Principles of Poetry as its aesthetics are rooted in the world of Waka poetry. Our guest for this episode is photographer Lisa Vogt who has traveled over 50 countries around the world.

This episode’s featured guest is Mr. Kai Falkman, Ambassador and the Honorary President of the Swedish Haiku Society. A haiku poet himself, Mr. Falkman will talk about the photo haiku submissions. The episode was filmed at the Embassy of Sweden in Tokyo.

Episode 9 of HAIKU MASTERS takes place at Hatakeyama Memorial Museum of Fine Art in Tokyo and our guest is Rakugo Performer Katsura Kaishi who has performed in over 15 countries and 93 cities.

Episode 11 of HAIKU MASTERS takes place at HAPPO-EN in Shirokanedai, Tokyo. Our guest for this episode is KENCHI TACHIBANA who is a member of the prominent pop group EXILE and EXILE THE SECOND.