Next Episode of James May: Our Man In… is
unknown.
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' 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.
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.
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.
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.
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