Document 72 Hours

Season 7 Episode 17: Route 439: Japan's Last Frontier

Route 439 is a national highway that cuts across the mountainous island of Shikoku, in southwestern Japan. In some spots, it is barely 2 meters wide and poorly maintained. People come from all over Japan to drive along the 340-kilometer-long rugged road connecting many small villages. Some people living along this route are self-sufficient and live on a diet mostly consisting of edible wild plants, freshwater fish and even Japanese pit vipers. Residents live a free life surrounded by lush nature. Over 3 days, we drive along Route 439 to meet people living amid Japan's traditional landscape.

Genre:

Documentary

Seasons:

17

Episodes:

502

Cast:

Quality:

HD

Duration:

25 min

First Air:

2006

Rating:

8.5