This four-hour HDTV series takes us on a journey to discover some of the most beautiful and magical parts of Japan, China and Korea. While traveling, we have the opportunity to experience the people, culture and history of these rich and colorful countries.
Episode 101: “Japan, Tokyo & Central Honshu Island” For centuries, the Japanese warred among themselves and their neighbors, creating a colorful, rich and sometimes brutal legacy. Intriguing to outsiders for centuries, modern Japan is no less so in the 21st century.
Featured locations: Tsukiji Fish Market & Tuna Auction Senso Ji Buddhist Temple Roppongi Hills Ginza Shopping District Ueno Park & Cherry Blossoms Hakone, Owakudani Boiling Valley & Mount Fuji Nikko & Shogun Tokugawa?s Mausoleum Takayama & Festival Floats Koyasan & the the home of Shingon Buddhism Transportation via subways, local trains, Shinkansen Bullet Trains, Komagatake Ropeway, Aerial Cableway & Lake Cruise.
Episode 102: “Kyoto & Western Honshu Island ” Kyoto is one of Japan’s most beautiful cities. Once the capitol, royalty held court here for over 1000 years. In the 21st century Kyoto remains the cultural capitol of Japan with over 2000 temples & shrines. Remarkably 20% of Kyoto’s population is involved in the Kimono industry making a wide variety of kimonos, the most expensive and elaborate of which go to the Geisha or Geiko’s and Maikos. Geiko’s in training serve a several year apprenticeship and this program introduces the viewer to one of these extraordinary young ladies.
It’s also Cherry Blossom time in Kyoto. An explosion of color so intense it’s hard to imagine. Himeji Castle is considered one of the three finest examples of Japanese Castle architecture in the world. Hiroshima– a graphic reminder of why nuclear war must be avoided at all cost. Miyajima Island — Once the sole bastion of holy men, is now a popular resort island with several sites of historic significance.
Episode 103: “China, Beijing, Great Wall, Xian, Guilin, Hong Kong, Shanghai” Beijing has an amazing history exemplified by three of the city’s most impressive historic attractions: Tiananmen Square, The Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. The Great Wall of China was first built in the 7th century as a defense against the Mongolians when China was still divided into many small states and today it still twists and winds along hill crests, gorges, and rivers for thousands of miles. One of the most spectacular landscapes in China is Guilin and the Li River with it’s limestone towers and the view from a river cruise through it’s crystal-clear water is outstanding.
Hong Kong is a kaleidoscope of life, a blending of East and West in a city of diversity where new and old meet at every turn. Symphony of Lights, The Star Ferry, world’s longest open-air escalator, markets and fantastic historical photos taken from Victoria Peak all leave an indelible impression.
Hangshou is considered one of the 10 most scenic cities in China and Shanghai, one of the largest urban areas in the world, is recognized as China’s most important centre of commerce. A cosmopolitan city buzzing with a ‘lifestyle revolution’, shown in the architectural temples of art, fine dining and contemporary urban living on the Bund.
Episode 104: “Korea” Korea has distinct shopping districts and streets for specific kinds of commodities, featuring Namdaemun, Insadong and Myeongdong shopping areas. Enjoy the colorful changing of the guard ceremony at 14th century Gyeongbok Palace and tour Changdeok Palace built in the early 15th century.
The resort city of Geongju is home to 52 UNESCO designated World Cultural Heritages, seven of which are Korean National Treasures. Featuring some of the 23 royal tombs from the Silla Dynasty, the Gweoreung Tomb of King Weonseong, and the 38th king of the Silla. Busan boasts the largest fish market in Korea, the Jagalchi Fish Market. Jeju Island is south of the Korean mainland surrounded by the Yellow and East China Seas and has the highest mountain in Korea, Mount Halla.
Visit Seogwipo Fish Auction, where Jeju’s famous women divers called Jamsu free dive for clams, abalone, oysters, sea urchin and a variety of other shell fish. Experience Seogwipo Submarine, which is an authentic submarine ride that goes down about 56 meters, has 26 viewing ports and allows people to enjoy the fish & coral from below the surface. For over 50 years Chang Kong-ik has been carving stone statues which have long been enjoyed and admired by many.
Reviews
A sister project to Bennett-Watt’s Discoveries…America travelogue series, Discoveries…Asia explores the splendor, history, and culture of the Far East. Japan—Tokyo & Central Honshu Island focuses on Tokyo and its environs, with attention to scenery, shopping, and shrines. Viewers will visit the Tsukiji Fish Market—the largest in the world of its kind—to witness a tuna auction (where other seafood delicacies are also sold to wholesalers), travel to the Senso Ji Buddhist temple with an English-speaking guide (who offers commentary about local holy places), see footage of the Roppongi Hills multi-complex property development, drop into the posh Ginza shopping district (where a square meter of real estate costs over $100,000), and attend a picnic celebrating the blooming of cherry blossoms in Ueno Park.
In addition, the program looks at the work of Takayami artisans and highlights Matsuri festival floats, as well as presents a peek at the Koyasan Buddhist mountain retreat. One of the neatest segments here features a trip to the Mt. Fuji area that follows a public transportation labyrinth: from subway to train to bullet train to electric train (with switchbacks) to funicular cable railway to ropeways to boat to bus…whew! Armchair travelers and aficionados of Asian culture will appreciate both the sightseeing and the information provided in this beautiful, high-definition filmed journey to the center of the Land of the Rising Sun. Recommended *** Stars – Video Librarian
Details
LENGTH: 4 x 60 Minutes
FORMAT: Series
CAMERA: HDCAM
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: No
TEXTLESS: No
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2008
RELEASE YEAR: 2008
SUPPLIER: Bennett Watt Entertainment
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: United States
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide
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