The topic of cultural appropriation has been a hot one in 2015, with a kimono display at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts drawing a small protest and a slew of articles that discussed culturally insensitive Halloween costumes. With this in the background, how easy is it to do a show about experiencing new cultures?

CNN journalist Paula Newton, who hosts one of the cable channel's travel programs, "On the Road," says "respect" is the key.

"You don't ever want to be clumsy with (someone's culture) ... it needs to be a very appropriate experience," she tells The Japan Times. "You have to be absolutely careful — nobody wants their culture to be ridiculed."

Trying on kimono with the help of experts is just one of the experiences that Newton had while filming an upcoming Japan-focused episode of "On the Road." The Canadian-born journalist will also introduce shinkansen, onsen (hot springs) and matcha (powdered green tea) to her audience.

"The Japanese seem to live a good long life, but they also have a good quality of life as they age," she says. "I think people (from around the world) are looking at what the Japanese drink, how they exercise and how they stay fit mentally. I think matcha fits into all of that."

After immersing herself in so many different cultures around the world, Newton has a ready answer as to what she would share from her native Canada.

"I hate to say it, but you do have to start with the hockey stick," she says, explaining that, while hockey might seem like an obvious go-to when it comes to Canadian culture, the sport says a lot about the country's community spirit.

"The other thing would be our wildlife artistry and sketches," she continues. "Certainly, we have a lot of famous artists in Canada, but the one thing you will notice about Canada is our landscape photography and it is absolutely stunning."

Newton ends off with the warm knit cap known to Canadians as the toque, "It's a completely Canadian word, nobody knows what the hell it is."

Take note everyone, there's more to Canada than just maple syrup.

"On the Road" will be broadcast on CNNj on Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 19 at 12 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., and Dec. 22 at 7:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.edition.cnn.com/specials/asia/on-the-road-japan