James May: Our Man in… poster

TV series

James May: Our Man in…

2020TV-143 seasons7.5 / 10

James May embarks on a remarkable journey across Japan, from its icy north to its balmy south. He’ll see the sights, meet the locals, and eat the noodles in a bid to truly understand the Land of the Rising Sun.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 25, 2026

James May: Our Man in… is available to stream on Prime Video in United States. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

James May embarks on a remarkable journey across Japan, from its icy north to its balmy south. He’ll see the sights, meet the locals, and eat the noodles in a bid to truly understand the Land of the Rising Sun.

Season 1 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

Episode 1

Go!

50m7.8 / 10

James begins his epic journey across Japan on the icy northern island of Hokkaido, throwing himself head first into the physical demands of dog sledding, snowball fighting and the baffling struggle of ordering noodles from a Japanese vending machine. Despite all that, there’s still time for octopus fishing and learning the art of samurai sword making.

Where to watch James May: Our Man in…

Episode 2

Cabbage Roll

47m7.7 / 10

James arrives on the main island of Honshu, and the beautiful region of Tohoku. He seeks inspiration with a mountain expedition and naked plunge with a friendly wandering monk, battles giant robots, becomes a samurai, gets adopted by some local J-Pop sensations, before embarrassing himself and his hosts on the world’s most luxurious train.

Where to watch James May: Our Man in…

Episode 3

Deodorant

51m8.0 / 10

The cherry blossoms are out, and James hits the streets of Tokyo with his new guide Yujiro. As James discovers, this unique city is home to some of Japan’s greatest eccentrics and ideas. From obsessive trainspotters, musicians and baffling hi-tech gadgetry to cat superfans, penis festivals and mind-blowing computerised art shows, James tries to understand what makes Japan tick.

Episode credits

Guest stars Yojiro Taniyama

Where to watch James May: Our Man in…

Episode 4

Hey Bim!

52m7.7 / 10

In his epic journey across Japan from north to south, James leaves bustling Tokyo to travel to the ancient capital of Kyoto. Along the way he indulges his passions for motorbikes, Japanese cars and culture by painting Mount Fuji, tackling the Suzuka F1 circuit and taking a music lesson from a Geisha. It’s then time for a taste of the future as a confused robot shows James around Kyoto.

Where to watch James May: Our Man in…

Episode 5

Peach Boy

50m7.9 / 10

James arrives in Osaka, Japan’s vibrant good-time city, where Pachinko gambling halls, incredible street food, and stand-up comedy are all on the menu. Yujiro, his trusty guide, returns to introduce James to Sumo wrestling, after which James escapes on a bullet train to explore the mysteries of local hero Peach Boy. Then it’s on to Hiroshima and the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine.

Where to watch James May: Our Man in…

Episode 6

Pickled Plum

51m8.1 / 10finale

The final leg of James’s journey from north to south finds him in Shikoku and Kyushu – the largest of Japan’s Southern Islands and a stunning paradise of blue water and semi-tropical sandy beaches. Cycling, archery, noodle making, and motorbike manufacturing are all in store, plus James is preserved for eternity in a creepy scarecrow village.

Where to watch James May: Our Man in…

Episode information updated Jul 26, 2026

More about James May: Our Man in…

Cast

James MaySelf
Yojiro TaniyamaSelf

Credits

Created by
Tom Whitter, James May, Henry Dalton

Production details

Status
Canceled
Series type
Documentary
Episodes
15
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • Prime Video
  • Plum PicturesUnited Kingdom

Themes

indiaitalyjapanjapãotravel showviagem