Product Details

• Directors: Jim Watt, Kelly Watt
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Bennett-Watt Master
• DVD Release Date: June 8, 2010
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 193468208X
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #236,812 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

?Kyoto, formerly the imperial capital where royalty held court for over 1000 years, is one of Japan's most beautiful cities. In the 21st century Kyoto remains the cultural capital with over 2000 temples & shrines. Featuring: Kyoto Train Station, 400 year old Nishiki Market, Gion Teahouses and Arashiama District Gardens including Tenru-ji Zen Temple & Garden, Moss Garden & Bamboo Forest. Remarkably, twenty percent of Kyoto's population is involved in the kimono industry making and displaying a wide variety of kimonos, with the most expensive and elaborate going to the traditional female Japanese entertainers... Geisha, Geiko and Maiko (Geisha in training). Maiko serve a several year apprenticeship and the viewer is introduced to one of these extraordinary young ladies. Cherry Blossoms are Japan's unofficial national flower. It has been celebrated for many centuries and holds a very prominent position in Japanese culture. Most of the cherry tree varieties only bloom for a couple of days in spring and festivals abound! Himeji Castle was never destroyed by war, earthquake or fire and survives in its original form today. It is considered one of three fine examples of Japanese Castle architecture in the world and is both a national treasure and a UNESCO world heritage site. Hiroshima is a graphic reminder of the costs of nuclear war. Miyajima Island (Shrine Island), once the sole bastion of holy men, is now a popular resort destination with several sites of historic significance, roaming deer and monkeys atop 1700' Mount Misan.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Disappointment, November 20, 2009

By 

Annie Raks "leitzke" (Carbondale, Illinois United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Discoveries Asia Japan: Kyoto & Western Honshu (DVD)

I was extremely disappointed by the lack of information regarding Kyoto. Only two gardens were profiled, along with a food market, a kimono fashion show and the very modern train station.
Instead of descriptions by the narrator (an American whose accent was terrible) much information was provided by interviewing local guides. If your interest is in Kyoto, this dvd is a complete waste of time.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Better Contemporary DVDs on Japan, December 3, 2008

By 

Robert Nishi "Open Book" (Northern Cal, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Discoveries Asia Japan: Kyoto & Western Honshu (DVD)

This is a great contemporary DVD on some of the most majestic spots in Japan. The ancient capital of Japan - Kyoto and other beautiful spots of Japan. Great for viewing prior to visiting Japan or as a great reminder of spots visited. I also recommend Anthony Bourdain's DVD on Osaka, Japan for contemporary well rounded Western views of Japan.