Joanna Lumley's Japan

A gentle journey from the very north of Hokkaido to the bottom most island of Japan near Taiwan. Joanna is the ideal travel guide for this, to western eyes, most alien of cultures. Fun, courteous and wondrous, appreciative of her surrounding, without an ounce of condescension . Wonderful insight into a wonderful country and its lovely people.

Famed British actress Joanna Lumley does another one of her travelogues. She has created a niche of gentle journeys to foreign lands with a good amount of social commentary. In this one, she travels to the land of the rising sun, Japan. It's a short and sweet three episode series. The first episode has her start from the north. She visits a sake brewery, monkeys, the Fukushima exclusion zone, and an old man from a disappearing minority. The second episode has her visiting Tokyo and Kyoto. The last episode has her island-hopping south. Among her stops are a fertility Buddhist temple, a robot hotel, a school in Nagasaki, a radish farm in the shadow of an active volcano, Okinawa, and a singing group of elders.

The first episode's emotional highlight is the old man and his daughter. It's interesting to see sake being made. The second episode is a bit bland. Tokyo has been done to death and it's a little silly to see her overjoyed at shopping. Lots of this feels touristy. The girl group is a little creepy. It's like National Geographic going to and admiring a strip club. It's weird. Otherwise, it still has plenty of charming old school Japan. The third episode is fun, charming, and touching. The kids bowing to peace is poignant. I like Joanna going to out-of-the-way places and presenting different people. She does go too far at times pushing her social views. One does know what to expect from her.

What's not to like about that. In my view What makes this a standout is the curiosity, open mind and absolute joy that Joanna Lumley brings with her on her journey through this spectacular and unique country. I'm sure it's the secret to her youthful beauty. I can't wait to watch the entire series. 👏🏼

Throughly enjoyable 3 part series. Lots of information about Japan and made me want to go back.

A great Limited 3-Part Series, each around 45 minutes long and made 2 Years before Joanna Lumley's other great Series, the Silk Road Adventure. I've never been to Japan, my first thoughts about is about Modernity and Progress.

But here Joanna Lumley shows us it is a lot more than that, there are great Sceneries, great History and Culture. I love the Drone Shots, they made a lot of them, almost every Place they featured. It captured wonderful Panoramic Views of the Areas.

Also one thing I noticed was how Clean, Neat and Orderly almost all the Places in Japan were, whether it was in the Major Cities or in the Rural Areas.

The Series also gives a good Presentation of Japan's Geography, like what its major Islands are, their differences, History, etc. For me this is a Must See Travel Adventure Series.