Joanna Lumley explores Japan's culture and travels to some of the most uncharted corners of the country's islands in a new documentary series.
The actress embarks on an epic journey across the country, travelling more than 2,000 miles by boat, train, plane and foot, for three-part ITV series Joanna Lumley's Japan.
Joanna, 70, starts in Hokkaido in the north, before heading to Honshu, the largest and most populated of Japan's islands. Winding her way south, she takes a bullet train into the metropolitan sprawl of Tokyo, before visiting the ancient capital of Kyoto.
The star then visits Japan's forgotten island, Shikoku, before crossing over to the volcanic Kyushu island.
Joanna Lumley (Ian West/PA)
She said: "Isn't it odd, we feel we are so familiar with Japan, with sushi and Toshiba, kimonos and Hello Kitty, tsunamis and sake… and yet when we travelled around that spectacular country I couldn't even guess at the unknown wonders that were in store for us.
"Every moment was thrilling, fascinating and often very moving. With my hand on my heart I can say: please come with me… to Japan!"
Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV's controller of factual, said: "Exotic, enchanting, exciting, Japan is a country with so many gifts and with her natural warmth, vibrant curiosity and inimitable humour, Joanna Lumley is uniquely equipped to bring them home to our viewers as she guides us through this latest adventure."
Joanna's previous travel documentaries have seen her exploring Greece, sailing up the River Nile and travelling more than 6,000 miles from Hong Kong to Moscow on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
