Somewhere Street

Islington is an area located north of central London, which is the capital of the UK and Europe's largest financial center. It's a popular spot for Londoners to hang out and is known for its luxuriant greenery. Famous for its freshwater springs since the Middle Ages, it became a resort for Londoners who wanted to enjoy nature during the 18th century. However, due to the damage the city suffered during World War II, Islington lost its popularity. And then came the 60s. Young people reassessed its charms and once again, it became a crowded bustling, trendy hot spot.

The capital of Spain for over 400 years, Madrid is one of Europe's most prominent cities. Walking in Madrid is the best way to discover the city and in Madrid, it is a way of life. In the throes of a makeover, the city is undergoing renovation. When air pollution exceeds a certain level, driving gasoline automobiles is restricted. Eco-friendly alternatives are available such as electric bicycles and powered kick scooters for sharing. Route buses are electric as well and even electric cars are available for driving and dropping off. The city is also being transformed and revamped for pedestrian use as well.

Tokyo's Ginza is an upscale shopping, dining and entertainment district lined with department stores and luxury boutiques. The fashion capital of Japan, Ginza is upbeat with a fascinating history. 17th century Ginza was modeled after a Go board with its districts laid out in a grid pattern and crosswalks dividing the streets at regular intervals. This layout still remains. Famous for its spectacular, cutting-edge window displays, Ginza features a yearly show window contest. Each one is a work of art.

Ho Chi Minh City is Vietnam's largest commercial center. The city has seen many changes throughout its history. In 1859 French forces occupied the town. In 1954, Viet Minh revolutionaries led by Ho Chi Minh defeated the French, which solidified the end of French rule in Indochina and led to the division of Vietnam to North and South. In 1975, the revolutionaries took over Saigon, and the War came to an end. Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, adopting the name of the hero of Vietnamese independence.

Hobart is a port city located in the center of Tasmania, an island south of Australia. Established by the British in the 19th century, it's a city with a rich and intriguing history. Its residents are known for honoring tradition, but they also live in the now. Tasmania has an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna. It's based in a temperate region, which means the species do not migrate much, so there are a number of animals unique to Tasmania, such as the wombat, echidnas and Tasmanian devil.

Mandalay is the second largest city in Myanmar. It was the capital of the Konbaung Dynasty that ruled Burma from the 18th to the 19th century. After the Konbaung Dynasty fell in 1885, the country became a British colony. Independence was eventually restored in 1948. Mandalay has grown as a commercial and distribution hub in the central region of the country. A Buddhist city, the massive 2 kilometers square palace in the city center is surrounded by many temples and monasteries.

Warsaw is the capital of Poland. The city has experienced a turbulent history. During World War II, the severe oppression of Warsaw by the occupying Nazi Germany resulted in the cityscape being devastated, turning the city to ruins. After the war, a reconstruction campaign recreated a meticulous restoration of the Old Town. The reconstruction has been appraised highly and in 1980, the cityscape was registered as a world heritage.

Located in the southeastern part of Cuba Island is Santiago de Cuba, its second-largest city. Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century, it's known for colonial architecture influenced by the fusing of cultures. Its revolutionary history celebrates the city as the Home of the Cuban Revolution. Baseball, an amateur sport, is associated with the national identity and is quite popular with fans. And the Rumba is a genre of Cuban music that is widely appreciated by Cubans of all ages.

Penang is an island in Malaysia that sits at the Strait of Malacca. The city here was built in the 18th century by the British as an important Asian base of operations. The island became a bustling trading hub, which motivated people from China and India to cross the seas and settle here. It's a multi-ethnic city with many different cultures flourishing, living side by side. Located in the northeastern part of Penang Island, George Town was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia. In 2008, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The city of Zanzibar is the heart of Zanzibar, an island in Tanzania on the east coast of Africa. A trade hub for India, Arabia and Europe, in the 19th century it became a British protectorate. The protectorate ended in 1963 and the following year Zanzibar joined the United Republic of Tanzania. It's a place of diverse cultures living together in harmony. Its historic Stone Town is a World Heritage Site. The beautiful beaches in this Indian Ocean attract tourists from all over the world.

Oamaru is a town on the east coast of the South Island in New Zealand. Settled by British settlers in the 19th century, its white limestone architecture is a popular town feature. In the 1860's and 70's, the export of grain and wool began to boom. And then gold was discovered - kicking off a gold rush. Fortune seeking immigrants from both Europe and Asia descended on the town, prompting the construction of new buildings in rapid succession. These white stone structures still line the streets today.

Located 1,500 meters above sea level in Vietnam's Central Highlands, the city of Da Lat was developed in the 19th century by the French as a "heavenly paradise" resort. It is now a favorite honeymoon destination and resort center welcoming over 5 million visitors every year. With an average temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius, the climate is favorable for cultivating domestic and foreign flowers. Due to the number of beautiful flowers adorning the city, Da Lat is known as a romantic flower paradise.

This is Andalusia, in southern Spain. Midway up the mountain is the village of Mijas. The walls of the buildings were whitewashed in order to fend off the powerful rays of the sun, making it one of Andalusian's traditional "white villages." During the 1960's the walls were whitewashed with lime in order to protect the city from the harsh sunlight and disease, as well as to attract tourists. The whole town highlights the beauty of the white walls by cleaning them daily and growing colorful flowers. Due to these efforts, Mijas is now visited by tourists from around the world seeking to enjoy this spectacular "white village."

A popular tourist destination, Naha is the capital of Okinawa Prefecture and the gateway to its southern islands. Kokusai Street which is a sightseer favorite, Sakaemachi Market with its post-war reconstruction atmosphere, and Shurijo Castle, the palace of the former Ryukyu Kingdom are featured on the tour. We also meet craftsmen carrying on the tradition of Tsuboyayaki pottery, a distiller of the famous Okinawan liquor Awamori, children practicing martial arts, and a Sanshin musician. The program explores the supportive lifestyle in a community that embraces and encourages international cultural exchange.

The coastal California city of Santa Barbara is touted to be one of the state's most popular beach resorts. Established by Spanish missionaries in the late 18th century when they built the Mission Santa Barbara, whose graceful beauty has earned it the name of "Queen of the Missions." They set up a Spanish town and preached Christianity to the indigenous Chumash people. After a period under Mexican rule, Santa Barbara was annexed to the United States in 1848. The California sun, the ocean, the Spanish style townscape ... and all the spirited and freewheeling people who love this city.

Vigan, a city on the western coast of the island of Luzon in the Philippines, became a World Heritage Site in 1999. The Spanish established the city as a trading port when the Philippines was a Spanish colony. It's distinctive building styles incorporate the influence of Spain, the Philippines and China. Similar neighborhoods were built across the country -- in Manila, Cebu, and so on, however, almost all of that architecture was destroyed during the World War II. Only Vigan survived intact. Its Spanish colonial era preserved the townscape attracts visitors from all over the world.

Palermo, a city located on the island of Sicily in Italy, has been a flourishing port town on the Mediterranean Sea for hundreds of years. Positioned at the crossroads between Europe and Africa, it is a city with a diverse multi-ethnic background and history. Due to its changing cultures and shifting allegiances, it has been called "The Most Conquered City in the World." Throughout its history, Palermo has always welcomed cultural diversity and encouraged co-existence, which is why this city is considered to be one of the most magnificent places in the world.

Asakusa, an area of Tokyo with a long history, is still brimming with tradition. It's a popular tourist spot with Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, Sensoji, drawing over 30 million visitors a year. And just across the river is the TOKYO SKYTREE, recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the tallest tower in the world. There are so many different facets of Asakusa to explore. And it is one of the few neighborhoods, where you still may spot a geisha while you enjoy the sights. Asakusa cherishes its history and culture as well as welcoming innovation. It's a city with a wonderfully warm heart!

During the 16th century the small fishing village of Macao developed into a trading hub under the governance of the Portuguese. Goods flowed between Europe, China, and Japan making it into an enormously wealthy city. Traces of that era are still found all over the city. In 1999, after being governed by the Portuguese for over 400 years, Macao became Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China. China chose to focus on developing casino gaming/tourist trade, which proved to be quite lucrative. Macao surpassed Las Vegas and is now the largest gambling center in the world.

At the base of Tian Shan Mountains, in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan, is the city of Almaty. Originally, Almaty was a small village on the edge of a broad plain. The people living here were Kazakhs. The Kazakhs kept sheep and camels, and led a nomadic life. Major changes came in the mid-19th century. The Russian Empire claimed this as its territory, and many Russian settlers came. They laid out streets in a grid, and built a modern city. Almaty is known for its rich greenery. It's also called a "garden city."

The city we visit this time, Johor Bahru in Malaysia is a major economic center. Situated along the Johor Straits, just across from Singapore, the city is located at the southernmost tip of the Malay Peninsula. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic nation with a population consisting of Malays, Chinese, and Indians. It is a harmonious society with each group retaining their distinct language, religion, and culture.

Samarkand, the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Central Asia, is known as the "blue city" due to its many beautiful blue buildings. Positioned at a center point of the Silk Road, the oasis city of Samarkand prospered as a crossroads for Eastern and Western cultures. In 1220 Genghis Khan and his armies conquered the area, killing three-fourths of the city's residents and reducing much of its historic architecture to ruins. In the 14th century, Amir Timur established the Timurid Empire. He designated the city as the empire's capital, populating it with great craftsmen and artists to rebuild the city.

Located in southern Germany, Stuttgart is one of the country's largest producers of wine. One of the world's most famous automobile manufactures is also headquartered here in Stuttgart. Stuttgart has a lot of hills. The houses are built on slopes. The steps connect the city and the people.

The capital of Tonga, which is the only kingdom in the South Pacific is Nuku'alofa. During the 17th century in the Age of Discovery, Tonga was visited by a number of European explorers and missionaries. The people of Tonga extended a warm welcome to them, and the country became known as the "friendly islands." Today, almost all people in Tonga are Christians. In the 19th century, even though the islands of the South Pacific were colonized by the Great Powers of Europe, Tonga manage to retain its independence. Nuku'alofa means "abode of love" in Tongan and is home to approximately 35,000 people.

Kagoshima, the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture, is a city on Japan's Kyushu Island. Located across the bay from Sakurajima, an active volcano that continues to erupt daily, dropping volcanic ash on the surrounding areas. About 150 years ago Saigo Takamori, a Kagoshima samurai, led an uprising that ended the rule of the feudalistic Tokugawa shogunate, bringing about the modernization of Japan. In this episode, we explore Kagoshima and meet its residents who love Saigo and Sakurajima.

Ushuaia, Argentina is the world's southernmost city. Close to Antarctica, it is located between the ocean and the Andes Mountains. Ushuaia was established as a city in the 19th century. It wasn't until the 1970s that the industry began to develop, attracting people seeking work and tourists from all over the world. Located on the southernmost tip of the South American Continent, it is now a popular destination for backpackers. In this episode, we explore Ushuaia and meet the friendly, kindhearted folk who have made their homes here.

The city of Chiang Mai is located about 700 kilometers north of Bangkok, which is the capital of Thailand. Until the 18th century Chiang Mai was the capital of the Lan Na Kingdom. Located on a high plain surrounded by mountains, the city is an international crossroads with a mild climate. Known as a "city of healing," Chiang Mai is acclaimed as a spot for resting both body and mind making it a popular tourist destination. In this episode we explore Chiang Mai and meet its residents who love their traditions and enjoy life in this peaceful city.

Centrally located with an easily accessible port, Vietnam's Da Nang is one of the country's most popular beach resorts. During the Vietnam War, it served as an important base of operations for the U.S. Forces until the war ended in 1975. The city experienced difficulty with its recovery after the war, until the year 2000, when the city was redeveloped as a beach resort. Da Nang is now a dream vacation spot for international travelers. In this episode we walk around exploring the Da Nang, meeting its inhabitants who love their traditions and are also delighted with the new face of the city.

Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay is located in the middle of South America. Established during the 16th century by Spaniards who had traveled across the Atlantic Ocean, the city proved to be a convenient and strategic base for colonial development. Rather than fighting with the Spaniards, the indigenous Guarani chose to protect their bloodline by entering into alliances and intermarriage with the conquerors. Thus the Guarani culture is still a vital part of life in Asuncion today. In this episode we explore Asuncion and meet its residents who love their traditions and their distinctive culture.

Venice is a beachfront neighborhood located on the west side of Los Angeles, California. Known for its beaches, canals that were created in imitation of Venice, Italy, and Ocean Front Walk that attracts the young and trendy who love sports, the arts and the free-wheeling atmosphere, Venice is one of LA's most free spirited and forward-thinking areas. In this episode we stroll through the neighborhood meeting locals who share the lifestyles that they enjoy as residents of Venice.

Ayutthaya is the city that flourished as the royal capital of Thailand from the mid-14th century for about 400 years. The Ayutthaya Kingdom utilized its topographical advantage of being surrounded by rivers to flourish as a trade hub connecting Europe with Asia. The ruins of the Buddhist temples of that era are collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and they attract tourists from all over the world. In this episode we explore Ayutthaya and meet its residents who love their traditions and their distinctive culture.

Home to around 150 Buddhist temples, Vientiane is the capital of Laos. In the 16th century King Setthathirath of the Kingdom of Lanexang built Pha That Luang, considered to be the most beloved Buddhist stupa in Laos. Buddhist philosophies have a powerful impact on the lives of all Laotians and it is believed that men should leave home and experience the life of a monk at least once in their lives. In this episode we explore the rapidly growing city of Vientiane, meeting its residents who passionately uphold their traditions and distinctive culture.

Located in the foothills of Japan's Northern Alps and surrounded by forests is the city of Hida Takayama. Known as Hida's "Little Kyoto," Takayama's old town, retains a traditional touch with its streets lined with wooden buildings. During the spring and fall, the city hosts the celebrated Takayama Festival featuring a parade of large floats, which has been added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. It is a popular tourist destination. In this episode we explore Hida Takayama and meet its residents who love their traditions and their distinctive culture.

Attracting over 6 million visitors from Japan as well as the rest of the world, Nagasaki Prefecture is a major tourist destination. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, Nagasaki was the only port in Japan where foreign trade was permitted. After Japan opened its doors to the West in the 19th century, Nagasaki's prosperous shipbuilding industry triggered the modernization of Japan. In this episode, we stroll around the beautiful city surrounding slopes and covered with houses known as the "city of hills."

Manila is the capital of the Philippines. In the 16th century, the Spanish built "Intramuros" the fortress city in Manila. Spain colonized the Philippines, and continued to rule it for 300 years. Today suburban development is advancing but the traditional lifestyles have not been totally discarded. In this episode, we stroll around the city which is rapidly changing in step with its developing economy.

Siem Reap is a popular tourist destination because it is close to the largest religious monument in the world, the temple complex of Angkor Wat. A legacy of the Khmer Empire which ruled the area for 500 years beginning in the 9th century, Angkor served as its capital city. The majestic monuments are testimony of the impressive achievements of that era and continue to be popular tourist attractions. The people of Siem Reap take pride in the monument they consider the soul of Cambodia. In this episode, we explore the city of Siem Reap and meet its residents who embrace Buddhism and preserve the culture of the Khmer Empire.

In this episode, we stroll around the city of Valletta, the capital of the Republic of Malta which is a small island off the shore of Italy. A World Heritage Site, Valletta is a walled city built by Christian Knights during the 16th century. The old fortresses, churches and buildings of that era are still used to this day. We meet and talk with residents who maintain the traditions of the Knights.

Located on the Aegean Sea, Hydra Island is one of Greece's most beautiful. With a population of about 3,000 and no automobiles allowed, the popular tourist destination is only a day trip from Athens. In the 15th century, a powerful merchant fleet was constructed, enabling prosperity through transit trade. The fleet joined the fight for Greek independence, achieving victory in 1827. But Hydra's transit trade suffered so vehicle roads were not built. Mules are the principal mode of transportation.

Located about an hour and a half away from the hectic hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Chichibu is a quiet leisurely paced city. In 2016 its Night Festival was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Chichibu Kabuki is a big draw at this festival. For over 400 years, Chichibu has been home to various industries. In the early 1900's silk industry flourished and a number of factories and stores were built. Chichibu's weaving industry went into decline after the second half of the 20th century. In this episode, we stroll around the old city where the retrospective buildings are carefully preserved.

Haarlem is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. During the middle ages due to trade via boats on the canals and rivers, the city prospered. It was the northern urban hub of the Netherlands. Many historical monuments, like the Cathedral of Saint Bavo which is a masterpiece of Gothic architecture and the windmills which were used to drain the water from the land, still remain. In this episode, we stroll around the city and meet inhabitants who share how they enjoy their lives on the canals.

Bayonne is a city located in the Basque Country in southern France. Settled by the Basque people during the time of the Roman Empire, Bayonne was a Roman stronghold on the main highway. During the middle ages it developed as a trading port and flourished. Basque people are known for their rich heritage and unique culture. Since the 12th century the city has been known for the production of Bayonne ham and in the 15th century, it became the first city in France to make chocolate. In this episode, we explore Bayonne and meet its residents who love their traditions and their distinctive culture.

Ulaanbaatar is the capital of Mongolia, a country famous for its grassy plateaus and nomadic culture. Due to Mongolia's rapidly growing economy, the city of Ulaanbaatar is now prospering and developing at an incredible rate of speed. Jobs are bringing more of the country's nomads to the city resulting in lifestyle changes for many of its residents. In this episode we walk around and explore Ulaanbaatar while meeting with its inhabitants who are experiencing and embracing their new urban lives.

San Marino is the capital of the Republic of San Marino, which lies in the middle of the Italian peninsula. It's the oldest surviving republic in the world with a medieval feel and its town atop the cliff is registered as a World Heritage Site. Although it's surrounded by Italy, San Marino has maintained its independence for 1,700 years. Let's take a stroll in San Marino streets!

Trinidad is located near the southern coast of central Cuba in the Caribbean and has been a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988. During the Spanish colonial period in the 18th and 19th centuries, the sugar trade brought enormous wealth to the area and the inhabitants spent extravagant sums of money on developing town. In this episode, we stroll around the perfectly preserved town.

Cape Town is a popular tourist spot in South Africa. Many people come from around the world to see the Cape of Good Hope and enjoy the wine. It is home to people of all different races, cultures and religious beliefs. In this episode, we stroll around the beautiful city streets.

Antananarivo, also known as Tana, is the capital of Madagascar surrounded by hills, an island country in Africa, and over 100 years ago. In this episode, we stroll around the city of Antananarivo.

Hakodate is the entryway to Japan's northern island, Hokkaido and it's around 4 hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen. It was one of the first ports in Japan to be built for international trade. This program will take you to the beautiful streets in Hakodate!

Jerez de la Frontera is in Andalusia, southern Spain, famous for flamenco and sherry. It has been a center of trade since Roman times. And it was once under Islamic rule, so traces of that heritage can still be found. In this episode, we stroll around the streets of Jerez de la Frontera.

Originally a penal colony for convicts, Sydney was declared a British colony during the late 18th century. Due to a gold rush in the mid-19th century, laborers poured into Australia from around the world and the population of the town grew dramatically. The city of Sidney is now one of Oceania's leading financial hubs. In this episode we begin with a stroll through the city area with its skyscrapers and end it in the rowhouse neighborhood of Paddington.

Dunedin in New Zealand is the town where settlers from Scotland arrived with the intent of creating a new Edinburgh in a land of plenty and it retains much of its original flavor. In this episode, we stroll around the beautiful city streets.

Kobe is one of the busiest international trading ports in Japan. A hub for trade with China and other countries for hundreds of years, the city has incorporated its ties with foreign cultures into modern Kobe. Despite of a disastrous earthquake in 1995, it has rebounded and has recovered impressively. In this episode, we stroll around Kobe streets.

La Paz stands for "Our Lady of Peace," which is Bolivia's seat of government. It's located at an elevation of about 3,650 meters, which is nearly the height of Mt. Fuji, it is truly a "city in the sky." Even at this high altitude, 800,000 people live there. In this episode, we stroll around the city in the sky.

Dunhuang in the northwest region of China, flourished as a major stop along the Silk Road for more than 2,000 years. It served as a place of communication between ancient China and the rest of the world. In this episode, we stroll around the city in an oasis in the desert.

When seen from afar, Dalian appears to be a city floating on the ocean. With a population of about 6 million, it is known as the City of Plazas as there are more than 80 plazas located in the city. Established as a city of commerce by the Russians in the 19th century, it was originally called Dalnyi which means remote in Russian. During the Russo-Japanese War from 1904-1905 the Japanese occupied the city changing the name to Dalian. Many of the buildings in use today were constructed under Japanese rule. In this episode we explore the city, meeting residents who love their traditions and culture.

Surrounded by the ocean on 3 sides, Helsinki, Finland's capital, is a hub port for marine routes in the Baltic Sea. For over 750 years from the 12th century to the 20th century, Finland was controlled by Sweden and then Russia. Finland gained its independence in 1917. During World War II, Finland allied with Germany to stand against the Soviet Union and suffered defeat, incurring a huge settlement cost. Though a dark period of poverty followed, the country was able to overcome all difficulties. Now seen as the perfect sized city, Helsinki is loved for being convenient and easy to live in.

The Greek island of Santorini is a very popular resort in the Aegean Sea. Many of the tourists who visit the island say that it was their dream to visit Santorini at least once in their lifetime. Located at the top of the steep cliff, Fira appears to be a city floating like a cloud in the sky. The white-washed buildings along the cliffs are said to resemble drifting snow. People from all over the world find this landscape incredibly enchanting.

Graz that had developed under the Habsburgs is Austria's 2nd-largest city and it's a World Heritage Site. Graz has carefully preserved many architectural jewels through the centuries, so people call it an architectural treasure trove. Let's have a walk in Graz streets!

Canterbury, a World Heritage Site, is situated in the southeast corner in England and it's a major tourist destination that receives 1 million visitors every year. It's just an hour's ride from London with high speed trains which have been running here since 2009. Let's have a stroll around Canterbury streets!

Oslo, the capital of Norway, is a city founded by the Vikings in the 11th century, and tourists from all over the world come here attracted to its unique history and culture. In this episode, we stroll around such unique city streets.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland which borders the Lake Zurich, located in northern part of it. Around 20km away from the German border, the city has been an important transportation hub since the old days and it has been chosen as one of the top livable cities in the world. Let's take a walk in Zurich streets!

Nouméa is the capital of the French territory of New Caledonia, an island group known as the jewel of the South Pacific. Early inhabitants of the islands were the indigenous Melanesian people called Kanaks. During the 19th century France took possession of the islands and immigrants from Europe and Asia arrived to work in the nickel mines. In this episode we stroll around the city, meeting and talking with various inhabitants who show us how they enjoy their lives in this island paradise.