how it's made in japan

April 30, 2016 9:21 PM

Ever wondered what a possible Japanese equivalent for How It's Made could be like? The jstsciencechannel has one! There are from 2 to 150, and 151 to 309 videos to choose from. Sadly, they lack English subtitles, however there are a handful of videos that do have them. Starting with mayonnaise, the series takes you through the making of steel balls (available in English), the construction and testing of sewing machines, how rice crackers are made, a thermos factory, the recycling of PET bottles, a matcha tea factory and the creation of bamboo whisks, and plenty more.
posted by aroweofshale (19 comments total)

So, like, Jack the Ripper is still toasting rice crackers, for at least another couple of lives?
posted by Oyéah at 9:40 PM on April 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

Dammit, I've got work to do! This will eat up ALL. MY. TIME.
posted by zardoz at 9:53 PM on April 30, 2016 [1 favorite]

OK, I will accept fishing reels and rollerblades, but train bogies and wind turbines don't use ball bearings.
posted by ryanrs at 10:04 PM on April 30, 2016

This is fantastic! I've always thought the biggest flaw of How It's Made is that the answer is always "we run a big ol' machine that makes it", so the skilled handicraft in the bamboo whisk segment is up my alley indeed.

I'd be happy to translate any subtitles that are lacking English versions, if anyone has requests.
posted by J.K. Seazer at 10:27 PM on April 30, 2016

I can't begin to count the number of times I have walked down the Asian foods aisle in my grocery store just so I can feel up the Kewpie Mayo package. If you have never done this, I highly recommend. It's hard to explain but, if you have ever poked your finger at it, you will understand.
posted by Foam Pants at 11:37 PM on April 30, 2016 [2 favorites]

Just as a note, these videos are provided by the Japan Science and Technology Agency.

I don't have anything more intelligent to add, I'm kind of nodding off at the moment.

If I'd noticed that the bamboo whisk video had an English equivalent earlier I would have linked that one instead.
posted by aroweofshale at 12:07 AM on May 1, 2016

Wow, How much do those whisks cost and how come they aren't covered in blood?
posted by Mitheral at 2:34 AM on May 1, 2016

I watched the Thermos one, and it seemed much more thorough than any How It's Made episode. Since there was no narration, and I don't read Japanese, I don't know if they avoided HIM's common misuse of technical terms.
posted by Kirth Gerson at 4:20 AM on May 1, 2016

The whisk one was just as fascinating with the Japanese subtitles I don't understand. Thanks!
posted by sneebler at 6:50 AM on May 1, 2016

Yessssss. I work in manufacturing, and my favorite part is getting to go to other plants and see a real-life version of 'How It's Made'.
posted by Fig at 7:57 AM on May 1, 2016

The rice cracker video seems to be contrasting more handmade crackers with a more automated process? I have to say the handmade ones looked yummier.
posted by Squeak Attack at 8:10 AM on May 1, 2016

The Sewing Machine one, tho - they hooked me in with the retro-awesome IBM CAD system, and then had me completely at the automated foundry!
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:16 AM on May 1, 2016

Thanks! I've always wondered how pachinko balls ball bearings are made.
posted by Rash at 10:03 AM on May 1, 2016 [2 favorites]

I hope those bamboo whisks cost an arm and a leg, because that is a lot of hand labor!
posted by Squeak Attack at 12:26 PM on May 1, 2016

I found myself narrating in English, a la MST3K, but amusing only to me. I love the amount of people participation even in the highly mechanized/automated ones.
posted by halfbuckaroo at 1:02 PM on May 1, 2016

I don't think I've seen it here yet but How It's Unmade: Oreo Cookies is pitch perfect.
posted by creade at 1:58 PM on May 1, 2016 [1 favorite]

Oooh...I can personally vouch for The Making episode 151, in which small peep-like foodstuffs have a pair of eyes burned on with hot pokers.
posted by MrBobinski at 6:19 PM on May 1, 2016

Oedipeeps!
posted by rifflesby at 7:55 PM on May 1, 2016

Good presentation, only 🌟🌟🌟🌟, tho. Needs more Brooks T. Moore
posted by cyclotronboy at 11:39 PM on May 1, 2016