Shows like Begin Japanology??

January 29, 2015 9:15 PM

What are some shows that are like Begin Japanology? Things I like about Begin Japanology: close examination of foreign culture, high information density, lots of episodes, goofy host.

I've watched most of Japanology Plus. Some other show I love: How It's Made & The Secret Life of Machines.

posted by gregr to Media & Arts (3 answers total)

Heh, I love this show too.

I'd recommend California's Gold and two other NHK world productions: Tokyo Eye and Journeys in Japan. Tokyo Eye is hosted by Chris Peppler and a rotating cast; Journeys in Japan has various people (some are better than others).

"California's Gold" isn't international, I realize, but still in the same vein as far as I'm concerned.
posted by wintersweet at 9:28 PM on January 29, 2015

Core Kyoto, The Mark of Beauty and Kabuki Kool are three other NHK World shows that are centered on cultural stuff around Kyoto, traditional crafts and kabuki theatre, respectively. The first two have a bunch of episodes uploaded to YouTube, but it seems people aren't recording Kabuki Kool, so you'll have to watch it streaming. It's more fun than it sounds, seriously.
posted by sukeban at 10:52 PM on January 29, 2015 [2 favorites]

Oh my god, I was literally just in the middle of drafting this exact same question! I'm really interested to see what answers you get here.

I haven't found any english-language programs similar to Begin Japanology, but you may be interested in the website Short of the Week- they have a documentary section that is full of interesting stuff. Most of the shorts are about the US, but like wintersweet said, there's still a lot of American culture that is totally foreign to me (an American).
posted by lollymccatburglar at 1:29 AM on January 30, 2015 [2 favorites]