I absolutely love watching movies and TV shows. For me, this is my number one way to relax. Sometimes I sit down and watch an entire TV show or movie, but more often than not, I just watch shows bit by bit while having a coffee or taking a break from doing other things. Some people might not like watching things in short sections like this, but it suits my lifestyle well and helps me to balance my hobby of watching many different shows while also getting other things done. Most of the shows and movies I watch are in English, however, my partner is Japanese so sometimes we watch shows in Japanese that we find on YouTube or that he has recorded on TV in the evening. Let me introduce one of my favorites to you.
Who Wants to Come to Japan 世界ニッポン行きたい人応援団
Who Wants to Come to Japan is my number one recommendation to both learners of Japanese and Japanese people themselves. In this show, people who have a deep fascination in a particular aspect of Japanese culture are given a free trip to Japan, during which they are taken to different places and introduced to experts connected to their area of interest. These areas of interest broadly range from more famous things like 'ramen' and 'soy sauce' to perhaps less well-known things such as “taiyaki” and “yuzu” to some more obscure areas such as “bamboo fences” (takegaki) and “plaited cords” (kumihimo). The show is absolutely fascinating because you can learn about the overseas participants' stories of how they became interested in Japan, and you can also learn a lot about the area of Japanese culture they are passionate about. It is also beautiful to see the warm relationships that are often formed between the participants and the experts they are introduced to over such a short period of time. Their shared passion for their field of interest really seems to create a special bond. On top of this, the show often gets back in contact with the participants after some time has passed, so you are able to see how their experiences in Japan and what they learned has impacted their lives. For some participants, their area of interest in Japanese culture is just a hobby for them and often their friends and families to enjoy. However, for others, it is actually their source of income so the skills they learn in Japan can be an invaluable way for them to further hone their craft and increase the quality of their work, which may in turn potentially lead to an increase in their profit. So, not only is this show an interesting way for both Japanese and non-Japanese people alike to learn about Japanese culture, but it can also be a life-changing experience for participants.
If you are looking for a heart-warming show that both informs and entertains, then this show could be for you! I really hope that it will be subtitled into English in the future as I would love to recommend this show to my friends and family in Australia because of the way it gives an in-depth insight into some well-known, but many less well-known aspects of Japanese culture. I really can't recommend this show highly enough!
Belinda
Vocabulary
more often than not (phrase) – usually, in a way that is typical of somebody or something
fascination (noun) – a very strong attraction that makes something very interesting
obscure (adjective) - not well known
hone (verb) – to develop and improve something, especially a skill, over a period of time
in turn (phrase) – as a result of something in a series of events
in-depth (adjective) – very detailed, careful and complete
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