Paul Hollywood has never been to Japan. As far as he’s concerned, it’s a land without bread – and a land without bread, is a land without bakers. A new three-part Channel 4 series, Paul Hollywood Eats Japan, will see Britain’s favourite baker discover just how wrong he was – and how Japan is fast becoming one of the world’s top foodie destinations.

Food is an integral part of Japanese culture and Paul wants to know why. His three-week culinary and cultural adventure begins in Tokyo, the largest megacity on earth. The Japanese capital may have more Michelin starred restaurants than any other world city, but this isn’t a series about stars and sushi. In Tokyo he experiences the Japanese obsession with pot noodles, visits a restaurant where you eat alone in flavour enhancement booths, so nothing distracts you from the food and embraces their love of themed restaurants including one where he’s locked up in a prison cell.

Paul gets schooled in Japanese dining etiquette, finds out why eating on the street is a no-no and finds his very unorthodox way of using chopsticks under scrutiny.

Across the series, viewers will travel across the country as Paul samples regional delicacies and gets taught some of Japan’s most famous dishes. Paul will take part in a traditional Okonomiyaki cooking lesson in Hiroshima and sample both the world’s most expensive strawberry, and a pickled plum in fish semen.
He’ll also reluctantly enter a solo karaoke booth, live out his ultimate train spotter fantasy and risk life and limb on a karting tour on the streets of Tokyo whilst dressed as a ninja turtle. Lifelong loaf lover Paul also finds out the Japanese are actually quite keen on bread – as long as it’s baked their way.
Throughout his adventure, Paul will be accompanied by a host of travelling companions including chefs, comedians, rice farmers, a band of exuberant and slightly overweight Okinawan surfers and unsurprisingly, bakers.

Paul Hollywood Eats Japan is not your regular food show – but then Japan is far from your average country.
Sarah Lazenby, Channel 4’s Head of Features and Formats said, “From cat cafés to robot restaurants, Japan is the capital of quirky culture. If you thought you’d seen it all, think again. Paul Hollywood opens this joyful travelogue driving a go kart through Tokyo dressed as a ninja turtle with a professional wrestler called Ladybeard. And that’s just one reason to watch…”

Paul Hollywood added, “Japanese food and culture is so unique, and each experience is totally different. As a novice traveller to the country it was a complete eye opener to me. An amazing journey, meeting some extraordinary people along the way”

Paul Hollywood Eats Japan will air on Channel 4 in 2020.