A Japanese production team traveled to Guimarães to film an episode of the program "Sekai no Mado" (Windows of the World), dedicated to the traditional windows of the city. The visit resulted from a site identification process carried out with the support of the World Heritage and Classified Properties Division of Guimarães City Council, which selected dwellings and residents with the characteristics desired by the production. The team focused on sash windows and windows with traditional shutters, known as rótulas, characteristic elements of the traditional architecture of Guimarães's Historic Centre.
The Japanese program is dedicated to discovering traditional windows in different regions of the world, exploring not only their architectural value but also the stories, memories, and experiences of the people who inhabit these spaces. The production prioritized effectively occupied dwellings and authentic contexts, placing the residents themselves at the centre of the narrative. With more than 800 episodes produced over approximately two decades, "Sekai no Mado" is a reference in Japanese television.
During their stay in Guimarães, the team was received by councilors Isabel Ferreira, responsible for the Culture and Tourism portfolios, and Constantino Veiga, councilor for the Historic Centre, who highlighted the importance of Guimarães's presence in a program with wide viewership in Japan. The broadcast of the episode dedicated to Guimarães is scheduled for the end of 2026.
The initiative is part of a long-standing partnership between Tokyo Broadcasting System and the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, through which the television station has contributed to disseminating the principles and values of the World Heritage Convention among the Japanese public.
