Wakaba (2004)
A moving NHK morning drama about resilience, nature, and rebuilding life after the Great Hanshin Earthquake.
Wakaba - Series Information
- Original Title: わかば
- First Air Year: 2004
- Last Air Year: 2005
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (15 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 151
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- Networks: NHK
- Production Companies: NHK, NHK Osaka
- Production Countries: Japan
- Alternative Titles: 新叶 (CN)
Wakaba - Plot
The story is about a young woman who becomes a landscape gardener following her father's wishes. Wakaba, born and brought up in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, lived happily with her parents and younger brother until the Great Hanshin Earthquake shook and destroyed the city in 1995. In the disaster, Wakaba loses her father, who was an architect and moves with her mother and brother to Obi, old castle town in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, where her grandmother lives with her uncle and aunt. Living in Obi's rich natural environment, Wakaba learns that plants can heal people's hearts. She makes a resolution to return to Kobe and reconstruct the city abundant in greenery.
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Wakaba - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Fukumi Kuroda
- Yuko Tanaka
- Takashi Tsukamoto
- Teruhiko Saigō
Writers
- Kenichi Onishi
Wakaba - FAQs
What is Wakaba about?
Wakaba follows a young woman from Kobe who loses her father in the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake. Relocating to a castle town in Miyazaki Prefecture, she discovers the healing power of plants and resolves to return to Kobe as a landscape gardener to help restore the city with greenery.
Is Wakaba based on a true story?
Wakaba is a fictional drama, but it is grounded in the real historical event of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of January 1995, which devastated Kobe and its surroundings. The series uses this tragedy as a backdrop to explore themes of recovery, resilience, and the healing power of nature.
Is Wakaba an asadora series?
Yes, Wakaba is an asadora — a morning drama serial broadcast on NHK. It aired in 2004–2005 as part of NHK's long-running tradition of short daily episodes following a young woman's journey through life, hardship, and personal growth. It is the 70th asadora series produced by NHK.
How does the Great Hanshin Earthquake shape the story?
The 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake is the pivotal event that sets Wakaba's story in motion. The disaster claims the life of her architect father and uproots her family from Kobe. This loss drives Wakaba's determination to become a landscape gardener and eventually return to help rebuild her hometown.
Who are the main actors in Wakaba?
The main cast of Wakaba includes Fukumi Kuroda, Yuko Tanaka, Takashi Tsukamoto, and Teruhiko Saigō. The series was produced by NHK and NHK Osaka and broadcast on the NHK network in Japan.
Where to watch Wakaba online?
Streaming availability for Wakaba varies by region. You can check JustWatch for the most up-to-date information on where to watch or stream the series in your country, including any subscription, rental, or purchase options currently available.
How many episodes does Wakaba have?
Wakaba consists of 151 episodes across a single season. Each episode runs approximately 15 minutes, which is typical of NHK's asadora morning drama format. The series aired from 2004 to 2005 on NHK in Japan.
What are similar shows to Wakaba?
If you enjoy Wakaba, you may also like other NHK asadora dramas such as Massan (2014), Amachan (2013), Warotenka (2017), Ochoyan (2020), and Dandan (2008). For earthquake-related themes, After the Quake (2025) and To Heal the Heart (2020) are also worth exploring.
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