A+E Japan Teams with Agency for Cultural Affairs for Culinary Series

A+E Japan has partnered with Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs for the hour-long culinary documentary The Art of Washoku, Honoring Nature and the Seasons.

The documentary takes viewers on a journey through Japan’s culinary heritage, celebrating the beauty and artistry of Washoku, which has been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Among the items featured are the smoked and fermented pickled delicacy Iburigakko, the rice dish Kiritanpo and traditional New Year’s foods known as Osechi-ryori.

The Art of Washoku is set to premiere across multiple regions on A+E’s History brand, beginning on March 8 on Sky History 2 in the U.K. On March 29, it will premiere across Sky and H2 across Europe. In Southeast Asia, the documentary will air on History on March 31. Finally, in Japan, it will broadcast on May 4 on History.

“A+E Japan is thrilled to partner with Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs on a project that unearths a deeper meaning behind the country’s rich and intricate food culture,” said John Flanagan, managing director of A+E Japan and Southeast Asia. “The visual beauty of Japanese food often captures our attention, but this program goes a step further to reveal the fascinating history behind the ingredients, intricate tea ceremonies, traditional sweets, and even tableware and knives that are passed down from generation to generation and make the Japanese culinary experience so unique.”