Japan Season on BBC4

Hidden Japan season on BBC4

Last Monday (16th March 2009) marked the beginning of  BBC4′s ‘Hidden Japan’ season. A month-long focus on all things Japanese the season kicked off with Marcel Theroux’s ‘In Search of Wabi Sabi’, one of three films which form the centrepiece for numerous other documentaries, animations and dramas.

According to Richard Klein, Controller of BBC4, the season aims to “get under the skin of one of the most famous and yet incomprehensible countries in the world” through the various programmes that will be aired during the month, with the hope of discovering the hidden soul of Japan.

Running until 6th April 2009 the season will include the following programmes:

• Fish! A National Obsession (Keo Films)
• Japan: In Search Of Wabi Sabi (Keo films)
• Japan: A Story Of Love and Hate (Ten Foot Films)
• Japan In Colour: Albert Khan (BBC Productions)
• The Kawasaki Candidate
• In The Shadow Of Fujisan
• AGD Goes Samurai
• Great Railway Journeys: Tokyo to Kagoshima
• Natural World: Buddhas, Bees & Hornets
• Spirited Away
• Geisha
• Gohatto
• Twilight Samurai
• The Sumo Tokoyama
• Secret Life Of A Masterpiece – The Wave
• Natural World: Garden Of The Gods – Hokkaido
• Natural World: Satoyama – Japan’s Water Garden

BBC4′s Hidden Japan season is a great way to learn more about this intriguing country, especially if it is a destination you are considering travelling to. With a culture so very different from our own I think this collection of programmes is going to be eye-opening and really informative – I’ll definitely be tuning in. If you would like to find out more then visit the Hidden Japan section on the BBC’s website.

If you’re interested in travelling to Japan visit the main Audley website for information on holidays to Japan.