Leaving aside the usual plaudits about Miss Lumley - charming, witty, urbane, observant, smart, eye-pleasing and bubbly etc - she more than ever brings home a really intriguing insight into this fascinating nation.
The choice and mix of people, places, culture, cities and landscape, and off the beaten track locations is useful and thought-provoking.
Among many things of interest, included was her gutsy visit to the radio-active and deserted ghost town Tomioka down the road from Fukushima, with condiments and almost half eaten food on restaurant tables and other evidence of an extremely hurried evacuation..... According to her hand-held radiation counter, she was wandering about locations where the readings were above 250 units, and where anything above 7 is harmful.....
(Of interest to occidental viewers is to see a people/nation which is very old but also ultra-modern, without however the usual accompanying degeneracy or poly-culturalism)
If you are interested in this (still) mysterious land, this well photographed, decently edited and an entertaining vid is nigh compulsive, nay, almost compulsory viewing.
PS. Althought marketed as a 'std' DVD, the transfer is actually HD ie. 1080p (vertical), which on a std 40 inch screen is fairly stunning.
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Joanna Lumley's Japan (DVD)
$11.21$11.21
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Genre | Special Interest/Travel |
Format | DVD |
Contributor | Ewen Thomson, Joanna Lumley, Neil Ferguson |
Language | English |
Runtime | 2 hours and 15 minutes |
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Product description
Joanna Lumley travels to the far reaches of Japan, from the icy Siberian seas of the north to the subtropical islands of the south. With her natural curiosity and engaging storytelling, Joanna will take viewers on an adventure exploring some of the most uncharted corners of Japan's 6,800 mystical islands.
Product details
- Aspect Ratio : 1.78:1
- Language : English
- Package Dimensions : 19 x 13.6 x 1.6 cm; 85 Grams
- Item Model Number : DPA0157
- Director : Ewen Thomson, Neil Ferguson
- Media Format : DVD
- Run time : 2 hours and 15 minutes
- Release date : 8 January 2020
- Actors : Joanna Lumley
- Language : English (Dolby Digital 2.0)
- Studio : Universal
- ASIN : B07ZWBFHM6
- Country of origin : Australia
- Best Sellers Rank: 7,710 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
- 1,810 in TV Shows (Movies & TV)
- Customer Reviews:
Customer reviews
4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
246 global ratings
How are ratings calculated?
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Top reviews from other countries

Frank D
5.0 out of 5 stars
Easy, informative, near compulsive viewing
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 30 December 2016Verified Purchase
22 people found this helpful
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Greg Chapman
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compulsive viewing!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 August 2017Verified Purchase
Got this today, and was not disappointed. A very informative and educational view of the country and traditions. Easy to follow, and excellent picture quality. I particularly enjoyed watching the Cherry Blossom Festival, and Joanna is often privileged enough to go into areas where the tourist wouldn't normally see, so that was a bonus for the viewer! Subtitles are very helpful.
In fact, anyone who is interested in Japan at all would do well to get this DVD. A must for anyone who is unlikely to visit Japan, but is interested in the country!
In fact, anyone who is interested in Japan at all would do well to get this DVD. A must for anyone who is unlikely to visit Japan, but is interested in the country!
10 people found this helpful
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Eric Firkins
4.0 out of 5 stars
A travelogue that gets to the heart of the country.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 May 2019Verified Purchase
Her intelligent selection of what to film grabs me during the playing of this three part series because what is chosen is outside of the usual tourist trail of this country. I have spent nearly two months in Japan but never seen most of places that are selected for the series . Those that I have seen (Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima) Joanne show an original side that added to my enjoyment.
Why i have taken off a star is because too often i wanted her to spend longer time in a place but, on reflection, The programmes have to cover the whole of the country. The other reason is that her overuse of the word 'Darling' and the time spent on what she looks like on screen.
But I have learnt something from these programmes and since they are very well filmed I will play them to remind myself of those places that have been filmed.
Why i have taken off a star is because too often i wanted her to spend longer time in a place but, on reflection, The programmes have to cover the whole of the country. The other reason is that her overuse of the word 'Darling' and the time spent on what she looks like on screen.
But I have learnt something from these programmes and since they are very well filmed I will play them to remind myself of those places that have been filmed.

N. Kamm
5.0 out of 5 stars
Marvelous!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 January 2020Verified Purchase
Joanna Lumley is simply amazing!
I do not know what facinated me more - the landscapes and cities she visits or her calm and respectful way when she speeks to people and finds out more about their culture, their way of life.
The video is worth watching - if you are a fan of Japan, a fan of Mrs Lumley or just want to be swept away by beautiful pictures and interesting stories!
Thank you Mrs Lumley for taking me on this amazing journey with you!
I do not know what facinated me more - the landscapes and cities she visits or her calm and respectful way when she speeks to people and finds out more about their culture, their way of life.
The video is worth watching - if you are a fan of Japan, a fan of Mrs Lumley or just want to be swept away by beautiful pictures and interesting stories!
Thank you Mrs Lumley for taking me on this amazing journey with you!
One person found this helpful
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S. Newton
5.0 out of 5 stars
Joanna Lumley is a natural!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 July 2021Verified Purchase
Joanna Lumley is enthusiastic, compassionate, respectful and grateful towards the people she meets.
The sights that she presents us with, as she travels from the far North to the far South of Japan, are breath-taking.
Thank you, Joanna, for a wonderful visual experience, backed by your warm, articulate and friendly comments.
The sights that she presents us with, as she travels from the far North to the far South of Japan, are breath-taking.
Thank you, Joanna, for a wonderful visual experience, backed by your warm, articulate and friendly comments.