Product Details

• Directors: Jonathan Stone
• 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: Sesame Street
• DVD Release Date: February 10, 2004
• Run Time: 60 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00016XO7Y
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,238 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

There's plenty of adventure, music and mystery for Big Bird and Barkely the Dog in Japan! The excitement begines when they're seperated from their tour group in Tokyo and are befriended by a young-and mysterious-japanese woman. Could she be the mythical "Bamboo Princess" of Japanese folklore? Come along as Big Bird searches for the true identity of his new friend and discovers the beauty of Japan and the Japanese people. Travel with him as he explores some of Japan's most famous sights, meets a Japanese family and learns some Japanese words and customs. Four original songs make Big Bird in Japan a magical musical trip!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars so sweet even grown-ups I know have enjoyed it, March 3, 2004

By 

PJ "arataman_79" (CA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan (DVD)

I saw this when I was 9 yrs. old. I've seen it subsequently on PBS/Disney Channel several times since over the years and still enjoy it. Big Bird and his canine pal Barkley travel to Japan and within less than one day of arriving in the country are lost with very little money, no plane tickets home and unable to communicate in the native language. Fortunately, a lovely but mysterious young Japanese woman befriends them and takes them acorss Japan learning the language, meeting interesting new people and seeing the amazing sights. The scene with the children's play of THE SHINING PRINCESS OF THE BAMBOO alone is worth seeing simply for the incredible costume design. All-around entertainment for kids 1-100!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars We're off to Kyoto like Dorothy and Toto..., July 6, 2005

By 

Diana M. Gauvin (Portland, Maine, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan (DVD)

There is no greater testament to the strengths of this movie than my admitting that at the age of 22, I still remember the lyrics to half of the songs in the movie (and I haven't seen it since I was 5).

Big Bird is in Japan, but he and Barkley lose their bus when they spend too much time trying to eat plastic sushi. The mournful song "Homesick" follows ("I don't have a fever / but I do feel a pain..."). Luckily, a mysterious Japanese woman who speaks English comes to their help, and an adventure through Japan begins.

They sing on the car-ride:
"We're off to Kyoto like Dorothy and Toto;
I've got feathers,
He's got fleas,
--I speak Japanese."

A classroom of children enact the story of the moon goddess, Barkley is frightened by the statues in a temple, Big Bird learns how to bow and to speak common phrases in Japanese (and yes, I still remember the entire songful) - and they all find out that their Japanese friend has a secret of her own.

The movie has a kid-pleasing plot, if one that may occasionally frighten the youngest, and it definitely teaches some important basics on Japan. Most impressive, however, was the catchy music. Even now, whenever I see a moon "hanging in the trees / so pretty and white," I think of the haunting tune of the misplaced Japanese moon goddess from this very film.

A movie that stays with you indeed.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What you need to know for Japan, April 22, 2000

By 

Gregory Crabtree (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sesame Street - Big Bird In Japan [VHS] (VHS Tape)

We recently returned from living in Japan for 3 1/2 years. This movie was loved by our children and it provides a great snapshot of what life is really like in Japan. Although it is oriented for youngsters, there are numerous jokes and comments for the "older" crowd. As a matter of fact, we showed this video to a group of Japanese junior high students who thought it was wonderful. Highly recommended for anyone interested in preparing children for living in Japan or for children interested in a different culture.