nippon live

Cool Japanese culture, entertainment, and news TV channel dials Houston into the homeland

Some big news for local Japanese expats and fans of international TV: Japanese culture programming, news, and more is now available in Houston.

NHK World-Japan— Japan’s English-language version of its sole public broadcast service, NHK — is now on cable and broadcast. Houstonians can now catch NHK World-Japan on Xfinity channels 304 and 1152 (HD), as well as via broadcast on channel 8.4. It is also streamable on Roku, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire TV; online viewers can catch all the content here.

That means Houstonians can now watch a diverse blend of culturally specific programming, ranging from English-language, hourly live international news from Tokyo and 30 news bureaus around the globe, to curated shows covering Japanese society, politics, scientific advancement, culture, history, food, and of course, lifestyle and entertainment.

Those in the know will especially delight in episodes of Dining with the Chef, one of Japan’s most prolific food programs featuring hosts Yu Hayami alongside master chef Tatsuo Saito, and co-host Patrick Harlan cooking with chef Rika Yukimasa. (A “how much wasabi can you take” segment is our personal fave.)

Dining with the Chef Japan NHK World-Japan

Yu Hayami/Instagram

The popular series Dining with the Chef, starring master chef Tatsuo Saito (left) and Yu Hayami (right) airs NHK World-Japan — now in Houston.

Other shows delve into Japan’s robust culture; Journeys in Japan travels around the island chain, spotlighting trademark traditions and places. (An episode titled Shoyu, for example, centers on shoyu — or soy sauce, the condiment at the heart of Japanese cuisine — its history, and how it varies in creation and flavor across the country’s regions, and even shoyu bars.)

NHK World-Japan Cycle Around Japan NHK World-Japan's Cycle Around Japan rolls viewers through the country. Image via NHK World-Japan

More shows spotlight Japan’s economy via BizLine, while pop culture comes alive in shows like Anime Supernova, which showcases Japan’s global culture of animated entertainment.

The addition of Houston — thanks to a partnership between NHK, Houston Public Media, and Xfinity — now marks NHK’s 14th U.S. market; other cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Atlanta, Seattle, Denver, Baltimore, Salt Lake City, and more. Globally, NHK World-Japan reaches more than 420 million households across 160 countries and regions, according to press materials.

“We are delighted to bring the news and unique cultural perspective of NHK WORLD-JAPAN to audiences across Greater Houston,” said Jun Takao, president and CEO of Japan International Broadcasting, Inc., in a statement. “The Houston community is one of the most diverse in the United States and its people thrive on international culture, so it is a pleasure to bring this content to its English-speaking Asian population and the broader audience that wishes to know more about Japanese news, current events, and culture.”

a beautiful mind

Houston Health Museum's new exhibit shines a light on dyslexia

Sarah Sudhoff created "The Reading Brain" in honor of her son.

Photo by Rose Tylinski

"The Reading Brain" replicates neuron activity in a dyslexic brian while reading

No, "The Reading Brain" isn't the title of a B-horror film from the 1960s. It's a brand new installation at the Houston Health Museum that explores dyslexia.

The piece was created by Houston-based artist Sarah Sudhoff, in partnership with Dr. Guinevere Eden, Director of the Center for the Study of Learning at Georgetown University. Hanging from the ceiling of the Health Museum, it uses light-up colored circles to represent the frontal lobe activity of a dyslexic person while reading. MRI scans of dyslexic brains formed the foundation of the light activity. Sudhoff's own son has dyslexia, and she had to adapt her homeschooling of him to account for his neurodivergence. As much as 20 percent of the American population is dyslexic.

"The Reading Brain" grew out of a similar exhibit at the DoSeum in San Antonio. "Beautiful Minds: Dyslexia and the Creative Advantage" challenged visitors to see dyslexia not as a learning disability but as simply a different way some human brains work. The exhibit featured videos, stories, and art work by dyslexic individuals that show how they succeed and create, as well as a selection of brain puzzles used to teach dyslexic people.

“Even though your brain works differently, it still lights up and is beautiful to watch, a wonderful machine you have. It just means you have to navigate and pivot a little differently,” Sudhoff said.

Sudhoff's innovative bridge between science and art is a permanent part of the Health Museum's MindWorks exhibit. Like "The Reading Brain," MindWorks maps out thinking processes through light and hands-on activities. The exhibit will close on January 5, meaning visitors have a very short time to see Sudhoff's piece.

The Health Museum is a hidden gem in Museum District located a block away from the Children's Museum. It houses a variety of exhibits about the human body, such as a giant plastic colon that kids love to run through. Since opening in 1969, the museum has helped Houstonians and visitors from around the world learn about the way the body works as well well as public health protocols. As the only Smithsonian Affiliate Museum in the Houston Museum District, it has a high educational pedigree despite it's colorful and often whimsical offerings.

houston health museum museum district museums

nippon live

Cool Japanese culture, entertainment, and news TV channel dials Houston into the homeland

a beautiful mind

Houston Health Museum's new exhibit shines a light on dyslexia

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