Fifteen years after James May first visited Japan as a baffled tourist, he'll be embarking on a quest to understand the unique, extraordinary and complex country. The birthplace of the haiku and classical art forms driven by the principles of Wabi (stark beauty) and Sabi (natural inspiration) and Yugen (grace and subtlety). Japan is also the place that's given us Godzilla, Hello Kitty, Cosplay, and some of the strangest obsessions on the planet. James will embark on an epic journey across all of Japan from North to South, determined to understand why this unique land and its people are the way they are, what drives their whole culture and what their approach to life can teach the rest of us. James can't speak the language, he is clueless about Japanese etiquette, but at least he knows there's a small tree called a banzai.
James begins his epic journey across Japan on the icy northern island of Hokkaido, throwing himself head first into the physical demands of dog sledding, snowball fighting and the baffling struggle of ordering noodles from a Japanese vending machine. Despite all that, there's still time for octopus fishing and learning the art of samurai sword making.
James arrives on the main island of Honshu, and the beautiful region of Tohoku. He seeks inspiration with a mountain expedition and naked plunge with a friendly wandering monk, battles giant robots, becomes a samurai, gets adopted by some local J-Pop sensations, before embarrassing himself and his hosts on the world's most luxurious train.
The cherry blossoms are out, and James hits the streets of Tokyo with his new guide Yujiro. As James discovers, this unique city is home to some of Japan's greatest eccentrics and ideas. From obsessive trainspotters, musicians and baffling hi-tech gadgetry to cat superfans, penis festivals and mind-blowing computerised art shows, James tries to understand what makes Japan tick.
In his epic journey across Japan from north to south, James leaves bustling Tokyo to travel to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Along the way he indulges his passions for motorbikes, Japanese cars and culture by painting Mount Fuji, tackling the Suzuka F1 circuit and taking a music lesson from a Geisha. It's then time for a taste of the future as a confused robot shows James around Kyoto.
James arrives in Osaka, Japan's vibrant good-time city, where Pachinko gambling halls, incredible street food, and stand-up comedy are all on the menu. Yujiro, his trusty guide, returns to introduce James to Sumo wrestling, after which James escapes on a bullet train to explore the mysteries of local hero Peach Boy. Then it's on to Hiroshima and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine.
The final leg of James's journey from north to south finds him in Shikoku and Kyushu - the largest of Japan's Southern Islands and a stunning paradise of blue water and semi-tropical sandy beaches. Cycling, archery, noodle making, and motorbike manufacturing are all in store, plus James is preserved for eternity in a creepy scarecrow village.
James' journey begins with him exploring the sunny shores of Sicily, a fascinating island where cultures collide under the shadow of Mount Etna. James explores the simple pleasures that have sustained people for generations, such as chopping bits off statues, Canoe Polo, and bagpipes.
In the beautiful, rural south of mainland Italy, James is forced to confront a vision of hell courtesy of Dante's Inferno, and Bettina goat who urgently needs milking. The Amalfi Coast offers some much-needed respite before he dives headfirst into the chaotic, city of Naples for ancient catacombs and pizza.
James starts his epic 3,000 mile journey in Mumbai with an eye-opening encounter with one of India's top comics. After having his fortune told and meeting an unexpected Bollywood legend, James then heads to storm hit Udaipur for a spot of kite flying before experiencing the wild and colourful celebrations of Holi, one of the Hindu calendar's greatest festivals.
After a date with a local Duke, James finds himself in the capital Delhi, where the heavens open and all the street food seems to be fried. Then it's time to tackle some Indian icons: cricket, trains, and the Taj Mahal, before the majesty of Varanasi and the mighty River Ganges beckon.
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All roads lead to Rome, so it was inevitable James would end up in Italy's magnificent capital. However, it's not just Romans and ruins. James is schooled in how best to drive his Panda through the city, boards a virtual reality bus tour that takes him back 2000 years and meets Italy's own Gandalf.
James puts his Renaissance man credentials to the test with a spot of medieval sport, art, science, and modern-day alchemy in the Tuscan capital, Florence. A little further North in Emilia-Romagna, he sets his sights on the world of fast-moving cars and slow-aging cheese before he wraps up his visit in a town with a slightly different feel to it.
Size really does matter, as James visits the marble quarries of Carrara and the massive container port at Genoa. Then it's from the big to the elusive, as James searches for truffles, learns the noble art of falconry, and faces off with a few killer robots. James learns some hard truths along the way; that Italians rule at penalty shoot-outs, whilst the British are more skilled in tea-making.
In Milan, James finally submits to a long-overdue wardrobe update. Dressed to impress, it's time to try his hand at some exquisite Italian craftsmanship – and bid a final goodbye to an old friend. Next stop: Venice, by land, air, and lagoon, while in the snowy Dolomites James investigates the darker side of Christmas.
High up in the stunning foothills of the Himalayas, James experiences the three cornerstones of local culture: Buddhism, tea, and heavy metal. Next stop: Kolkata, city of arts, where he gets his big break in Tollywood. And finally, on the mangrove islands of the Sundarbans, James braves giant bees and killer tigers to greet a very special new arrival.