# CNN's Detours journeys through Tokyo to spotlight centuries-old traditions living on in the modern capital

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/cnns-detours-journeys-through-tokyo-to-spotlight-centuries-old-traditions-living-on-in-the-modern-capital
- Published: 2026-09-02T09:42:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

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HONG KONG, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Tokyo is one of the most visited cities 
in the world, known for its futuristic flash, incredible cuisine, and rich culture.
In this episode of CNN’s **_Detours_**, discover Tokyo beyond the familiar tourist
path, tracing the city’s centuries-old Edo roots to connect with the traditions,
rituals and legacies that uncover the city’s enduring spirit. From the mountains
of Hinohara to the alleys of Kagurazaka, this episode delves into Tokyo’s slower
and lived rhythm.

 [⌊CNN’s Detours journeys through Tokyo to spotlight centuries-old traditions living on in the modern capital⌉](https://mmx.prnasia.com/media/MS1979314/20260901042139EDT_image_1.jpg?id=OA2922754&p=medium600)

CNN’s Detours journeys through Tokyo to spotlight centuries-old traditions living
on in the modern capital

During the Edogawa Fireworks Festival, more than 14,000 fireworks launch over the
banks of the Edogawa River in a breathtaking display of Japan’s vibrant ‘hanabi’
culture. Spanning one hour, it is the capital’s largest summer pyrotechnic event
and requires months of meticulous planning and precise coordination. At the helm
is chief organizer and designer **Dr Akiko Amano,** the first woman to become master
of the historic Kagiya fireworks house. Under her direction, the Edo era tradition
is reimagined with large-scale formations and sequences, whilst honoring the Kagiya
legacy, reputation and way of life. 

Seemingly untouched by the pace of modern Tokyo, historic hillside neighborhood 
Kagurazaka lies on the eastern edge of Tokyo’s Shinjuku ward. Travel back centuries
with **Yokichi Ishii**, the third-generation owner of the century-old fashion accessories
shop Sukeroku, where he explores a neighborhood that flourished as a lively ‘hanamachi’
or geisha quarter during the Edo period. Kagurazaka native **Makoto Odagiri **shares
the magic of the Awa Odori dance, capturing the spirit of the annual Kagurazaka 
Matsuri festival, where the neighborhood transforms from a quiet enclave into a 
vibrant celebration of music, dance, and community.

Away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo’s city center, Hinohara Village offers 
a rare escape into the world that once helped sustain Edo. Tucked deep in the mountains,
a 300-year-old thatched-roof building serves as the home of Kabutoya Ryokan, a traditional
Japanese inn. More than a historic building, it stands as a living link to history,
a remnant from a time when the forests, rivers, and mountain resources of these 
lands supported the growing capital. Here, innkeeper **Keiyu Okabe** welcomes guests
with river fish, mountain vegetables, and dishes rooted in Edo-era sustenance. In
the lush valleys of Tokyo’s "last village," Okabe takes viewers off the beaten path
and explores how heritage survives today through food and tradition, celebrating
the landscapes and customs that continue to shape daily life.

**_Detours_**** (Tokyo) trailers:** [https://bit.ly/4ya1ET4](https://bit.ly/4ya1ET4)
**
_Detours_**** (Tokyo) images:** [https://bit.ly/4i4LMfZ](https://bit.ly/4i4LMfZ)

**Airtimes for ****_Detours_**** (Tokyo): Saturday, 5th September at 7:30pm HKT 

Sunday, 6th September at 9:30am HKTMonday, 7th September at 1:30am HKT

– Ends –

**About CNN International**   
CNN’s portfolio of news and information services 
is available in seven different languages across all major TV, digital and mobile
platforms, reaching more than 379 million households around the globe. CNN International
is the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys
across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region, and Latin America
and has a US presence that includes CNNgo. CNN Digital is a leading network for 
online news, mobile news and social media. CNN is at the forefront of digital innovation
and continues to invest heavily in expanding its digital global footprint, with 
a suite of award-winning digital properties and a range of strategic content partnerships,
commercialised through a strong data-driven understanding of audience behaviours.
CNN has won multiple prestigious awards around the world for its journalism. Around
1,000 hours of long-form series, documentaries and specials are produced every year
by CNNI’s non-news programming division. CNN has 36 editorial offices and more than
1,100 affiliates worldwide through CNN Newsource. CNN International is a Warner 
Bros. Discovery company. 

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  |  This article was produced by Cision PR Newswire, our trusted news partner. The views expressed and the content presented here are solely those of the author and may not fully reflect the opinions of Thailand Business News. |

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