NHK World TV
United States
NHK World TV provides English-language news and information programming from Japan, with a focus on current events, business, and cultural reporting. The channel’s news coverage includes live updates from Asia and the Pacific, often drawing on reports from NHK’s domestic bureaus. Documentary segments cover topics such as Japanese history, technology, and traditional arts, while lifestyle programs explore cuisine, travel destinations, and social trends within Japan. The schedule also includes shorter bulletin-style updates on global weather and financial markets. As a service operated by Japan’s public broadcaster, the channel is available in the United States through select cable and satellite providers, as well as via some over-the-air digital subchannels.
Viewers can access the channel’s live stream and on-demand clips through its official website and mobile app, which offer the same news and feature content without a subscription. Program listings are published on the channel’s site, with times noted in Eastern and Pacific time zones for U.S. audiences. The broadcast is commercial-free, relying on public funding from Japan’s television license fee system. Some segments include English subtitles or narration for Japanese-language interviews and field reports, making the content accessible to non-Japanese speakers.
Schedule
00:00 - 00:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
00:10 - 00:40
Samurai Castles
Aizuwakamatsu Castle
Series, History, Documentary
The 400-year-old Matsue Castle retains its original keep, a national treasure; black and imposing, it stands like a battleship; why did the lord build such an enormous keep on such a small site?
00:40 - 00:55
Cinematic Journey
Northern Nagano in Winter
Series, Travel, Documentary
Daniel Moore explores Nagano, a mountainous region with a rich cultural heritage; he's captivated by the winter landscape of its northern area.
00:55 - 01:00
Ukiyoe Edo-Life
Rush Hour in Old Tokyo
Series, Art, History
The host examines "Yoroi Ferry at Koami-cho," a woodblock print by Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige that features a ferry transporting people across the Nihonbashi River.
01:00 - 01:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
01:10 - 01:25
BOSAI: Science That Can Save Your Life
Series, Science, Documentary, Technology
Many mountains in Japan that attract tourists are active volcanoes. The filmmakers present safety tips for climbing them and the latest on eruption prediction research.
01:25 - 01:30
Design Museum Japan
The Logic of Coastal Architecture
Series, Art, Documentary
In a coastal district, boat builders used their skills to make houses. Ryue Nishizawa explores how architecture is affected by a community's terrain and values.
01:30 - 02:00
Kabuki Kool
Enjoying Kabuki with Kataoka Ainosuke
Series, Drama, Dance, Documentary
Renowned kabuki actor Kataoka Ainosuke shares the different attractions of kabuki theater and highlights some of his performances.
02:00 - 02:50
Stateless
The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines
Series, Drama, Documentary
A cult escapee, refugee, office worker, and bureaucrat find their lives intertwined in an immigration detention center.
02:50 - 03:00
Century Signboards
Living Through Fire
Series, Documentary, Community, Arts/crafts
Explore Tokyo's oldest izakaya; with its traditional fare and lucky cats, surviving war and pandemic, it has been a place to feel at ease for over 100 years.
03:00 - 03:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
03:10 - 04:00
Project X: Unsung Heroes
Documentary
There are unsung heroes in Japan; these ordinary individuals work on projects that end up shaping Japan after the country's economic bubble burst in the 1990s; this series brings to life the passion and courage of those who made history happen.
04:00 - 04:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
04:10 - 04:40
J-MELO
ANGERME and LOVEBITES
Series, Music, Newsmagazine
Staying in the groove with updates from the latest Japanese music, ranging from pop and rock to jazz and classical.
04:40 - 04:50
Little Charo
Series, Anime, Adventure, Animals, Educational
Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. I want to see my owner again! Charo starts his adventure back home.
04:50 - 04:55
Japanology Plus Mini
Repair
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers explore the growing need for a circular economy through the repair of electronic appliances and the creative upcycling of discarded garments.
04:55 - 05:00
A Cat's-Eye View of Japan
Nature, Documentary, History, Animals, Pets
Globe-trotting wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Iwago Mitsuaki, offers the best of a vast collection of cat footage he took in Japan; on this unique trip around the country, discover the lesser-known charms and customs of regions through the eyes of cats!
05:00 - 05:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
05:10 - 05:40
Cycle Around Japan
Oita - Warming Body and Soul
Series, Bicycle, Community
The cyclist visits hot springs in Oita and encounters a wrangler organizing duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art.
05:40 - 06:00
The Wakey Show
#3 Children
Series, Children, Educational
Wakey and his friends introduce FUNclusion Day, an event where people with and without disabilities can enjoy playing and chatting together.
06:00 - 06:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
06:10 - 06:57
Somewhere Street
Bologna
Series, Travel, History, Documentary
The host travels to various cities around the world to explore tourist attractions and monuments and speaks to the local people there.
06:57 - 07:00
Time-Lapse Journey
Mt. Fuji
Series, Travel, Community
The filmmakers capture the beauty of the many different faces of Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan southwest of Tokyo, through time-lapse photography.
07:00 - 07:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
07:10 - 07:25
Laugh Then Think: Japan's Offbeat Science
No Flies on Striped Cows
Series, Science, Documentary, Comedy
Eccentric scientists share insights into their unconventional research and reveal the methods behind their out-of-the-box thinking.
07:25 - 07:30
Core Kyoto Mini
The Future of Dyeing: Random Beauty Bound in Fabric
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers shed light on the art of clamp-resist dyeing, which results in unique color patterns on fabrics.
07:30 - 07:45
Easy Japanese for Work
Turning Down a Request for Support Politely
Series, Educational, Bus./financial
Foreigners learn useful Japanese workplace expressions, explore business cultures and improve kanji proficiency.
07:45 - 08:00
Zero Waste Life
Sails Unfurled Again
Series, Documentary, Nature, Arts/crafts
A look at the people around Japan who strive for a life without waste under the traditional philosophy of Mottainai.
08:00 - 08:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
08:10 - 09:00
Stateless
The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines
Series, Drama, Documentary
A cult escapee, refugee, office worker, and bureaucrat find their lives intertwined in an immigration detention center.
09:00 - 09:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
09:10 - 10:00
Project X: Unsung Heroes
Documentary
There are unsung heroes in Japan; these ordinary individuals work on projects that end up shaping Japan after the country's economic bubble burst in the 1990s; this series brings to life the passion and courage of those who made history happen.
10:00 - 10:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
10:10 - 10:57
Somewhere Street
Bologna
Series, Travel, History, Documentary
The host travels to various cities around the world to explore tourist attractions and monuments and speaks to the local people there.
10:57 - 11:00
Time-Lapse Journey
Mt. Fuji
Series, Travel, Community
The filmmakers capture the beauty of the many different faces of Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan southwest of Tokyo, through time-lapse photography.
11:00 - 11:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
11:10 - 11:40
Cycle Around Japan
Oita - Warming Body and Soul
Series, Bicycle, Community
The cyclist visits hot springs in Oita and encounters a wrangler organizing duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art.
11:40 - 12:00
The Wakey Show
#3 Children
Series, Children, Educational
Wakey and his friends introduce FUNclusion Day, an event where people with and without disabilities can enjoy playing and chatting together.
12:00 - 12:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
12:10 - 12:40
J-MELO
ANGERME and LOVEBITES
Series, Music, Newsmagazine
Staying in the groove with updates from the latest Japanese music, ranging from pop and rock to jazz and classical.
12:40 - 12:50
Little Charo
Series, Anime, Adventure, Animals, Educational
Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. I want to see my owner again! Charo starts his adventure back home.
12:50 - 12:55
Japanology Plus Mini
Repair
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers explore the growing need for a circular economy through the repair of electronic appliances and the creative upcycling of discarded garments.
12:55 - 13:00
A Cat's-Eye View of Japan
Tokyo: Cats in the Big City
Series, Nature, Documentary, History, Animals, Pets
Wildlife photographer and filmmaker Iwago Mitsuaki records the cute antics of cats he encounters in various picturesque locations across Japan.
13:00 - 13:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
13:10 - 13:25
Laugh Then Think: Japan's Offbeat Science
No Flies on Striped Cows
Series, Science, Documentary, Comedy
Eccentric scientists share insights into their unconventional research and reveal the methods behind their out-of-the-box thinking.
13:25 - 13:30
Core Kyoto Mini
The Future of Dyeing: Random Beauty Bound in Fabric
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers shed light on the art of clamp-resist dyeing, which results in unique color patterns on fabrics.
13:30 - 13:45
Easy Japanese for Work
Turning Down a Request for Support Politely
Series, Educational, Bus./financial
Foreigners learn useful Japanese workplace expressions, explore business cultures and improve kanji proficiency.
13:45 - 14:00
Zero Waste Life
Sails Unfurled Again
Series, Documentary, Nature, Arts/crafts
A look at the people around Japan who strive for a life without waste under the traditional philosophy of Mottainai.
14:00 - 14:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
14:10 - 15:00
Stateless
The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines
Series, Drama, Documentary
A cult escapee, refugee, office worker, and bureaucrat find their lives intertwined in an immigration detention center.
15:00 - 15:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
15:10 - 16:00
Project X: Unsung Heroes
Documentary
There are unsung heroes in Japan; these ordinary individuals work on projects that end up shaping Japan after the country's economic bubble burst in the 1990s; this series brings to life the passion and courage of those who made history happen.
16:00 - 16:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
16:10 - 16:40
Cycle Around Japan
Oita - Warming Body and Soul
Series, Bicycle, Community
The cyclist visits hot springs in Oita and encounters a wrangler organizing duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art.
16:40 - 17:00
The Wakey Show
#3 Children
Series, Children, Educational
Wakey and his friends introduce FUNclusion Day, an event where people with and without disabilities can enjoy playing and chatting together.
17:00 - 17:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
17:10 - 17:40
J-MELO
ANGERME and LOVEBITES
Series, Music, Newsmagazine
Staying in the groove with updates from the latest Japanese music, ranging from pop and rock to jazz and classical.
17:40 - 17:50
Little Charo
Series, Anime, Adventure, Animals, Educational
Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. I want to see my owner again! Charo starts his adventure back home.
17:50 - 17:55
Japanology Plus Mini
Repair
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers explore the growing need for a circular economy through the repair of electronic appliances and the creative upcycling of discarded garments.
17:55 - 18:00
A Cat's-Eye View of Japan
Tokyo: Cats in the Big City
Series, Nature, Documentary, History, Animals, Pets
Wildlife photographer and filmmaker Iwago Mitsuaki records the cute antics of cats he encounters in various picturesque locations across Japan.
18:00 - 18:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
18:10 - 18:57
Somewhere Street
Bologna
Series, Travel, History, Documentary
The host travels to various cities around the world to explore tourist attractions and monuments and speaks to the local people there.
18:57 - 19:00
Time-Lapse Journey
Mt. Fuji
Series, Travel, Community
The filmmakers capture the beauty of the many different faces of Fuji, the tallest mountain in Japan southwest of Tokyo, through time-lapse photography.
19:00 - 19:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
19:10 - 19:25
Laugh Then Think: Japan's Offbeat Science
No Flies on Striped Cows
Series, Science, Documentary, Comedy
Eccentric scientists share insights into their unconventional research and reveal the methods behind their out-of-the-box thinking.
19:25 - 19:30
Core Kyoto Mini
The Future of Dyeing: Random Beauty Bound in Fabric
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers shed light on the art of clamp-resist dyeing, which results in unique color patterns on fabrics.
19:30 - 19:45
Easy Japanese for Work
Turning Down a Request for Support Politely
Series, Educational, Bus./financial
Foreigners learn useful Japanese workplace expressions, explore business cultures and improve kanji proficiency.
19:45 - 20:00
Zero Waste Life
Sails Unfurled Again
Series, Documentary, Nature, Arts/crafts
A look at the people around Japan who strive for a life without waste under the traditional philosophy of Mottainai.
20:00 - 20:50
Stateless
The Japanese Left Behind in the Philippines
Series, Drama, Documentary
A cult escapee, refugee, office worker, and bureaucrat find their lives intertwined in an immigration detention center.
20:50 - 21:00
Century Signboards
Living Through Fire
Series, Documentary, Community, Arts/crafts
Explore Tokyo's oldest izakaya; with its traditional fare and lucky cats, surviving war and pandemic, it has been a place to feel at ease for over 100 years.
21:00 - 21:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
21:10 - 22:00
Project X: Unsung Heroes
Documentary
There are unsung heroes in Japan; these ordinary individuals work on projects that end up shaping Japan after the country's economic bubble burst in the 1990s; this series brings to life the passion and courage of those who made history happen.
22:00 - 22:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
22:10 - 22:40
Cycle Around Japan
Oita - Warming Body and Soul
Series, Bicycle, Community
The cyclist visits hot springs in Oita and encounters a wrangler organizing duck races and an artist interacting with locals through her art.
22:40 - 23:00
The Wakey Show
#3 Children
Series, Children, Educational
Wakey and his friends introduce FUNclusion Day, an event where people with and without disabilities can enjoy playing and chatting together.
23:00 - 23:10
NHK Newsline
News
Japan's disaster relief; Asia news; business and global current events.
23:10 - 23:40
J-MELO
ANGERME and LOVEBITES
Series, Music, Newsmagazine
Staying in the groove with updates from the latest Japanese music, ranging from pop and rock to jazz and classical.
23:40 - 23:50
Little Charo
Series, Anime, Adventure, Animals, Educational
Little Charo is an animation series about a Japanese dog who got lost in NY. I want to see my owner again! Charo starts his adventure back home.
23:50 - 23:55
Japanology Plus Mini
Repair
Series, Documentary
The filmmakers explore the growing need for a circular economy through the repair of electronic appliances and the creative upcycling of discarded garments.
23:55 - 00:00
A Cat's-Eye View of Japan
Tokyo: Cats in the Big City
Series, Nature, Documentary, History, Animals, Pets
Wildlife photographer and filmmaker Iwago Mitsuaki records the cute antics of cats he encounters in various picturesque locations across Japan.