A Cat's-Eye View of Japan

Photographer Iwago Mitsuaki takes viewers on a distinctive journey across Japan, capturing the country’s hidden charms and regional customs. The series presents these sights from the perspective of cats, offering a fresh, feline‑focused view of each locale through their curious eyes.

The series offers a unique tour of Japan, recorded by wildlife photographer Iwago Mitsuaki. Framed as an episode‑style programme, it follows his camera as it moves across the country's varied scenery, presenting a visual record that blends his photographic eye with a travel narrative. The footage captures both urban streets and rural corners, giving viewers a broad sense of place. Throughout the journey, viewers are encouraged to uncover the lesser‑known attractions and local customs that each area holds. Rather than a standard travel guide, the story is told from the perspective of cats, allowing the audience to experience regional quirks and hidden charms as if they were observing the world through feline eyes. This feline viewpoint adds an insightful layer to the cultural exploration. The programme’s distinctive angle comes from merging Mitsuaki’s wildlife photography expertise with observations of human tradition. By letting cats serve as guides, the series highlights aspects of Japanese life that might otherwise slip past a conventional camera, offering a fresh visual entry point into the nation’s regional diversity. It invites viewers to pause and notice details that are often overlooked. Overall, the episode presents Japan through an unconventional lens, where the ordinary becomes intriguing when seen from a cat’s perspective. This approach not only showcases the country’s hidden gems but also demonstrates how a simple shift in viewpoint can reveal a richer, more nuanced picture of everyday life across the islands. It encourages curiosity about the places and people encountered along the way.