Japan with Sue Perkins

Japan with Sue Perkins is a captivating travel series that aired on BBC Select in 2019, featuring the charismatic comedian and broadcaster Sue Perkins as the host. Over the course of two enchanting episodes, Perkins brings the intricate and profound tapestry of Japan to life for her audience, journeying from megacity Tokyo's cutting-edge technology to the enduring traditions of rural parts harking back to Japan's ancient past.

The series bravely sets out to explore a side of Japan that often remains unseen by foreigners. Perkins embarks on a full immersion journey, seeking to cut beneath the typical clichés and stereotypes surrounding this Far Eastern land. The viewers get to see Japan through her intelligent and often comedic perspective, providing viewers an insightful, visceral, and at times, a heart-stirring experience.

Throughout the duration of the series, Perkins exposes the complex paradoxes of contemporary Japan. She showcases a unique blend of a society that is racing towards the future while simultaneously remaining steeped in its revered past. From neon-lit avenues of Tokyo, filled with bustling people and high-tech charm, to the surreal stillness of Fukushima, nine years after the nuclear disaster, the audience gets a taste of the contradictions that define Japan.

Perkins' journey takes her deep into Tokyo's urban labyrinth, taking viewers through a whirlwind of sensory experiences. She introduces the world to invisible technology that improves citizens' lives, the unique phenomenon of popular manga cafés, avant-garde culinary inventions, and the intricacies of Japan's frenetic pop culture. An encounter with an AI robot in a Tokyo department store equally both captivates and unsettles her, underscoring the tension between tradition and technology in Japan.

Beyond the urban mecca, Perkins travels to Tohoku, one of Japan's most diverse and strikingly beautiful regions. Here, she expertly sheds light on some of the deadliest areas affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Perkins further humanizes the magnitude of these events by interacting with locales, making their experiences and stories the protagonist, revealing the resilience and enduring spirit of the Japanese people.

Throughout her journey, Perkins displays an innate ability to connect emotionally with the Japanese people she meets, gaining sagacity from their experiences and narratives. She forms relationships with workers at a sake brewery, learns the disciplined art of sumo wrestling, and gets an intimate look into the world of the Fukushima cleanup workers.

Perkins leverages her comedic background to deliver a unique look at a changing Japan, with plenty of humor and wit interspersed with moments of deep reflection. This humorous side aptly complements the series' depth, maintaining a balanced tone throughout. Her empathetic approach puts a human face to the challenges and victories of Japan, allowing the audience to resonate deeply with its people's stories.

The series is filled with moments that capture Japan's nuanced culture - from solemn Shinto ceremonies to indulgence in cherry blossom viewing ("hanami") parties, from the chaos of sumo wrestling to the tranquility of traditional tea ceremonies. Alongside this, the series does not shy away from addressing some of Japan's taboo subjects such as loneliness, hikikomori (social withdrawal), and the increasing grouping of elderly citizens.

The production shines with its stunning cinematography and artful storytelling. It encapsulates Japan's vibrancy, portraying it as a beautifully perplexing nation that effortlessly coexists with both tradition and innovation. Through Perkins' lens, Japan emerges as a country of stark contrasts and contradictions, yet the persistent underlying theme is a nation that courageously adapts and endures, displaying remarkable resilience in the face of change and adversity.

Japan with Sue Perkins is a fascinating ride for audience members, filled with humor, healing, and appreciation for the complexities and wonders of the Japanese culture. It balances exploration, empathy, education, and entertainment in equal measure. Perkins’ genuine curiosity and honesty make her the perfect guide for this journey, with her ability to elicit profound, personal narratives amplifying the distinctiveness of this series.

Whether you're a novice to Japanese culture or hold a deep fascination for this unique nation, this is a series you don't want to miss. It's more than just a travelogue; it's a deep dive into the heart of a truly fascinating country seen through the candid and charming persona of Sue Perkins.