Search

Journeys in Japan

2010

Journeys in Japan provides an eye-opening look at the many unique places to visit in Japan. English-speaking visitors travel the length of the country, exploring the culture, meeting the local people, visiting historic sites and offering travel hints rarely found in guidebooks.

Kyle Card

Cast · Known for Journeys in Japan

Kyle Lawrence Card is a Canadian actor and television reporter. Card is best known for his starring role of Kyle in the Japanese on demand series “The Benza” and spin-off series “Benza English” on Amazon Prime Video. He also works as a reporter for multiple NHK World programs, including "Journeys in Japan", "Trails to Oishii Tokyo", and "Tokyo Eye 2020". Card is fluent in Japanese and has won awards for his acting abilities in it.

Janni Olsson

Janni Olsson is a Swedish TV host, model, actress and outdoor columnist. She is best known for her appearances on Japanese TV shows such as The Benza, Trails to Oishii Tokyo (former Trails to Tsukiji), J-Trip Plan, Tokyo Eye 2020, and Journeys in Japan.

Bridget Hoffman

Bridget Hoffman (born 1961/1962) is an American voice actress and ADR writer who has provided voices for a number of English-language versions of Japanese anime films and television series, usually under an alias such as Ruby Marlowe. Prior to her involvement in anime, she had some on-screen acting roles in films and television including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and other media produced by Sam Raimi. Some of her major voice roles are title characters such as Belldandy in Ah! My Goddess: The Movie, Mizuho Kazami in Please Teacher!, Mima Kirigoe in Perfect Blue, and Lain Iwakura in Serial Experiments Lain. She also voiced lead ensemble characters as Rune Venus in El Hazard, Miaka Yuki in Fushigi Yûgi, Raquel Casull in Scrapped Princess, Fuu Hououji in Magic Knight Rayearth, Shinobu Maehara in Love Hina, Nia Teppelin in Gurren Lagann, and Irisviel von Einzbern in Fate/Zero. She served as the ADR director for the Fushigi Yûgi series and films, Ah! My Goddess: The Movie, and a series of shorts called The Adventures of Mini-Goddess. She also provides background voices in a number of animated films recorded in the Los Angeles area, including Frozen, Epic and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2. In video games, she provides the voice of KOS-MOS in the Xenosaga series as well as Atoli in the .hack//G.U. series. ... Source: Article "Bridget Hoffman" from Wikipedia in English, licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

Tetsuro Tamba

Cast · Known for You Only Live Twice

Tetsuro Tamba (July 17, 1922 – September 24, 2006) was a distinguished Japanese actor known for his versatile talent across five decades. Recognized globally for his portrayal of Tiger Tanaka in the iconic 1967 James Bond film "You Only Live Twice," Tamba's cinematic journey was a remarkable blend of cultural bridges. Before embarking on his acting career, Tamba worked as an interpreter for the Allied Powers' Supreme Commander. Graduating from Chuo University in 1948, he later joined Shintoho company, making his debut in the film Satsujin Yougishain in 1951. Tamba's impact on Western audiences extended beyond Bond, with standout performances in films like Bridge to the Sun and The 7th Dawn. He earned acclaim in Japan as well, most notably as the lead in police dramas like Key Hunter and G-Men '75. His talents weren't confined to the screen alone. Tamba lent his voice to characters like the Cat King in Studio Ghibli's The Cat Returns and graced historical roles in television dramas, leaving an indelible mark on period pieces. In 2005, Tamba faced health challenges but continued to contribute until the end. Sadly, he passed away in Tokyo at 84 due to pneumonia on September 24, 2006. His legacy lives on through his son, actor Yoshitaka Tamba, while his last appearances in the 2005 Taiga drama Yoshitsune and the 2006 film Sinking of Japan remain a testament to his enduring impact on Japanese cinema and beyond.

Tatsuo Nadaka

Tatsuo Nadaka, born on February 9, 1951, is a multi-talented figure in the Japanese entertainment industry, excelling as an actor, painter, and TV personality. He is associated with Production Ogaki. Hailing from Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City, Nadaka's journey began with academic pursuits, graduating from Kanazawa Institute of Technology with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Despite familial ties to a metalworking business, Nadaka ventured into the world of modeling, prompted by a chance encounter with a renowned model at Kanazawa Station. The allure of the modeling world, with its lucrative income and exposure, prompted him to take on the name Tatsuro Nadaka and pursue a career in fashion modeling. However, his aspirations extended beyond modeling. Nadaka's path took a pivotal turn when he was scouted for acting. Overcoming initial uncertainties, he embraced the world of acting and transitioned to a full-fledged career. In 1976, he made his mark with the TBS drama "Tokyo Sunday Theater: Kon'yaku Jidai," marking his official entry into the acting scene. Nadaka's notable roles include starring in the Tokyo 12 Channel series "Oyako Deka" (1979), where he gained prominence. Renowned for his robust and distinguished presence, Nadaka solidified his popularity with his portrayal of the lead character in "The Hangman" series, under the name Tatsuro Nadaro. At the recommendation of Yoshihiro Minami, he later adopted the name Tatsuo Nadaka in 1994. His acting range extended to antagonistic roles in recent TV dramas and his appearance in NHK's historical drama "Komyo ga Tsuji," as well as hosting travel and gourmet shows. In 1986, Nadaka made headlines when his engagement to TV personality Kaoru Nishio was called off. Despite the intrigue, the reasons for the cancellation remained undisclosed. He later married a woman 17 years his junior, the niece of actress Yutaka Nakajima, with actor Keiju Kobayashi serving as the matchmaker. They have a son and a daughter. In 2011, Nadaka introduced the men's accessory brand "N Collection," which he produced. The brand was launched on the TV shopping channel QVC. Nadaka's life took a dramatic turn in 2012 when he was involved in a four-car collision caused by a rear-end collision while waiting at a traffic signal. Although he suffered mild whiplash symptoms, he proceeded with his scheduled work engagements. (Source: Wikipedia JA)

Mai Tachihara

Mai Tachihara, born on February 16, 1967, is a Japanese actress and jazz singer known for her dynamic talents. Her birth name is Ritsuko Iwayama. She is affiliated with the agency Friend's List. Hailing from Tokyo, Mai Tachihara's journey into the world of entertainment began at a young age. During her high school years at Kanagawa Prefectural Shichirigahama High School, she was drawn to acting. In 1983, while still in high school, she stood out among 6,108 contestants in the "'83 Toho Film New Star Scout Audition," marking her entry into the entertainment industry. Her involvement in the anime series "Igano Kabamaru," where she voiced the heroine Maiko Okubo, served as the catalyst for adopting the stage name Mai Tachihara. She further honed her skills by graduating from Tamagawa University's Faculty of Literature, majoring in theater arts. Mai Tachihara's acting career flourished over the years, with a notable regular role as one of the lawyers in the television drama "Nananin no Onna Bengoshi" (Seven Female Lawyers) since 1991. Her artistic abilities extend beyond acting, encompassing various talents and interests. She excels in traditional Japanese dance, mastering the art of Nihon Buyo. Additionally, she is skilled in playing the traditional instruments of Wadaiko (Japanese drums) and Nagauta Shamisen. Tachihara's hobbies are equally diverse, including playing the guitar (acoustic, electric, and classical), engaging in boxing, jazz dance, cheer dance, classical ballet, gardening, and DIY projects. Her qualifications span a wide range, from holding a regular driver's license and being a certified cook to achieving second-level certification in the English Language Proficiency Test (Eiken), becoming a Medical Yoga Instructor and a Medical Aroma Instructor, and obtaining the title of Centenarian Advisor, specializing in supporting health and longevity. Mai Tachihara's remarkable journey is a testament to her multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication to both the performing arts and personal growth. (Translated from Japanese Wikipedia Article 立原麻衣)

Maximilian Lee Piazza

Maximilian Lee Piazza is a New York-based actor and martial artist specializing in Iaijutsu, a Japanese sword martial art known as Ryushin Shouchi Ryu. Maximilian's journey began with his role as the young Tim Kono in Hulu's Emmy-nominated series, Only Murders in the Building. In 2022, he made his film debut as Josh Hubbins in Spirited, working closely with the talents of Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell and Octavia Spencer. In 2023, Maximilian took on the iconic role of young Zoro in Netflix's live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's One Piece, the best-selling manga of all time with over 510 million copies sold worldwide. As an animal lover and budding activist, Maximilian devotes time to raising awareness for several charities including Charity Water, 4Oceans and donates proceeds from each of his projects to Cornell Skop, a sanctuary for wildlife animals. He is highly involved in raising awareness about racism and discrimination against Asian Americans, a cause that holds personal significance to him.

Atsumi Tanezaki

Cast · Known for Vivy -Fluorite Eye's Song-, Fruits Basket, My Dress-Up Darling

Atsumi Tanezaki (種﨑敦美) is a Japanese voice actress born on September 27. She was formerly affiliated with Toritori Office, but is now represented by Haikyō. She has performed many well-known roles, including Anya Forger in SPY x FAMILY, and Frieren in Frieren: Beyond Journey's End.

Yoji Matsuda

Cast · Known for Princess Mononoke, Warriors of the Wind

Yoji Matsuda (松田 洋治, Matsuda Yōji, born October 19, 1967) is a Japanese actor and voice actor from Tokyo, Japan. He was born in Setagaya, Tokyo. His older brother is Naoyuki Matsuda, a musical translator and professor at Komazawa University. After studying at Aoyama Gakuin High School, he dropped out of Aoyama Gakuin University's Faculty of Letters and Department of Education. Among his classmates is a member of the Diet and the House of Councilors Renhō (his classmate from high school to university). He joined the Himawari Theatre Group at age five and made his child debut in the TV drama Mother's Suzu in 1974. He gained attention as an actor in the 1983 TBS television drama Family Game (as Shigeyuki Numata). He appeared in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind in 1984, and, in 1987, portrayed the main character Shuna in Shuna's Journey. In 1997, he voiced Ashitaka in the anime movie Princess Mononoke, and voiced Leonardo DiCaprio's role Jack Dawson in the American film Titanic to raise his profile. In 2006, he taught acting as a lecturer at Tokyo Animation College. He became active around the stage, working with directors such as Yukio Ninagawa and Yoji Aoi. He appeared in the drama From the North Country.

Beth Mickle

Production Design · Known for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Superman, The Suicide Squad

Beth Mickle is a production designer. Raised in Douglassville, Pennsylvania, she began her creative journey making short films with her brother, director Jim Mickle. She later moved to New York to study at Columbia University, where she continued collaborating on Jim’s NYU projects. Mickle gained early recognition through her collaboration with directors Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden on Half Nelson, which earned Ryan Gosling an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. In 2009, she teamed up with director Nicolas Winding Refn for Drive, earning an Art Directors Guild nomination for Excellence in Production Design. Their partnership continued with Only God Forgives, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013. She reunited with Gosling on his directorial debut, Lost River, also a Cannes selection. She has since brought her design expertise to high-profile films, including Focus, 2 Guns, and Arbitrage. On television, she worked on the first season of HBO’s The Deuce, created by David Simon and George Pelecanos. Her accolades include a BAFTA nomination for An Englishman in New York, recognition in Glamour magazine’s “Under 35” women in film to watch, and inclusion in Variety’s Below-the-Line Impact Report in 2013. With a strong international portfolio, Mickle has worked on locations across Argentina, Russia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, and Europe. She resides in Hudson, New York, with her partner, fellow production designer Russell Barnes, and continues collaborating creatively with her brother. Jasan Pagni represents Mickle at WME.

Soni Razdan

Cast · Known for Shaque: Trust No One

Mother of Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt, Indian actress Soni Razdan started her career in English theatre with John Fowler`s The Collector and her Hindi stage career with Bund Darvaze, an adaptation of Jean-Paul Sartre`s No Exit. She later went on to star in Sulochana in the hit Doordarshan TV series Buniyaad. She also acted in the Hindi TV serials Saahil and Gaatha. She has also acted in Bollywood movies, including 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981), Ahista Ahista (1981), Mandi (1983), Saaransh (1984), Trikaal (1985), Khamosh (1985), Such a Long Journey (1988), Sadak (1991), Saathi (1991), Monsoon Wedding (2001), Page 3 (2005), Jaan-E-Mann (2006), Patiala House (2011), Love Breakups Zindagi (2011), Shootout at Wadala (2013), Love Affair (2016). Her other projects include Meghna Gulzar`s Raazi (2018) starring her daughter Alia Bhatt in the lead. Her 2019 releases include No Fathers in Kashmir, Noblemen, and War, an action-thriller movie starring Hrithik Roshan and Tiger Shroff in central roles. In 2021, she acted in the Netflix movie Sardar Ka Grandson.

Lisa Ann Hadley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Lisa Ann Hadley (born January 11, 1972) is an American actress. She is best known for the role of Dr. Julie Devlin in the ABC daytime television soap opera Port Charles, which she played from 1997 to 2001. Hadley was born in Seattle and grew up in Arlington, Washington; she is the youngest of four children. She attended Pepperdine University achieving a BFA in theater and went on to study acting in New York and Los Angeles. Hadley began in television in 1995 with a guest spot as a waitress in an episode of Partners. In 1996, she played the former girlfriend of Tom Cruise in the film Jerry Maguire. In the 1996-1997 season, she had recurring roles on both Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and in Melrose Place. In 1997, Hadley was Marie in the short film Cusp. Hadley was Dr. Julie Devlin on the soap opera Port Charles. In 1999, she appeared as Taliah in the film The Lords of Los Angeles, and guest starred as Merriam Rusk on the British-Canadian horror anthology television series The Hunger. Later that year, she appeared as a beautiful Princess in a Honey Nut Cheerios cereal television commercial. From 2001 to 2002, Hadley had recurring roles on TV shows including Gilmore Girls, JAG, and Pasadena. In 2002, Hadley had roles in films Infested and Dead Above Ground.

Arch Goodfellow

played one role in the series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Androcles This drunken Lout informed Hercules that a Cyclops was terrorizing a nearby village. Though he is credited only as "Lout" this character is named on-screen as Androcles by the Innkeeper.

Sharif Dorani

Sharif was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, at the time of the Soviet Union's occupation of the country. The Soviet occupation, the Mujahideen Civil War and the Taliban's initial takeover of Kabul in 1996 forced Sharif (with his parents and siblings) to flee to many countries, including Pakistan, Iran and the Central Asian States. While the numerous journeys weren't easy, they had their advantage: the exposure enabled Sharif to learn about different cultures and speak numerous languages, including Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi, Russian, and some Arabic. After a long and dangerous voyage in late 1999, Sharif, along with his parents, claimed asylum in the UK. Although he'd come far away from the danger of the brutal wars, a new set of challenges presented themselves; chief among them was the language. But Sharif knew he had to learn English and catch up on his education. He committed to studying during the day and worked at night (in factories or as a pizza delivery driver). The hard work paid off: he gained undergraduate and master's degrees in Law from The University of Northampton and UCL, respectively, and a PhD in the United States' Middle Eastern Policy from Durham University. While he learned to love the UK and adopted it as a second home, his love for his native country has never diminished. He has authored several articles and two acclaimed books on Afghanistan: "The Lone Leopard", a novel set in Afghanistan, and "America in Afghanistan", published by Bloomsbury Publishing House. His passion, linguistic skills and in-depth knowledge of the Middle East and South Asia, as well as his postgraduate training from one of the most prestigious schools in London, have enabled Sharif to be part of some major projects by established production houses, including The Millennium Media' war movie and Critic Choice award nominee The Outpost, CBC Films/Lionsgate's action thriller film American Assassin, Channel 5's television movie Agatha and The Curse of Ishtar, Netflix's political thriller series The Diplomat, BBC's BAFTA Awards winner detective drama series Shetland, the Emmy Award-winning series Homeland, Fox's Drama series Deep State, Apple's thriller Disclaimer, Canal+'s French multi-awards winner series The Bureau, Channel 4's the Royal Television Society-UK winner series No Offence, ITV's longest-running police series The Bill and SKY's series Strike Back.

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman

1993

Dr. Michaela Quinn journeys to Colorado Springs to be the town's physician after her father's death in 1868.

Vincent Reynaud

Production Design · Known for Greenland 2: Migration, Run Hide Fight: Infidels

Born, raised and studied in & around Paris and its beautiful suburbs, grew up idolizing America. Was fortunate to fulfill his dreams and come live in California, under sunny blue skies and palm trees. Loves being a visual story teller, capturing and taking viewers on journeys where he can make your emotions feel his designs . He believes that life can be a balancing act, filled with visceral and beautiful experiences from racing cars at ungodly speeds , riding motorcycles on beautiful days to looking at beautiful art, including his wife's, is some of what makes his life complete.

Alexandra Pelosi

Alexandra Pelosi was born on October 5, 1970 in San Francisco, California, USA as Alexandra C. Pelosi. She is a director and producer, known for Journeys with George (2002), Fall to Grace (2013) and San Francisco 2.0 (2015). She has been married to Michiel Vos since June 18, 2005. They have two children.

Thom Khoury Williams

Thom Williams was born on November 16th 1973 and grew up as a single child in the Midwestern town of Denton Texas. He played football for most of his young life until suffering a knee injury his senior year of high school, thus ending his time in the game he loved. He used his natural athletic ability to transition into NCAA collegiate cheerleading and gymnastics, where he won a national championship while going to the University of North Texas from 1992 to 1996. That in turn led him to a summer job in entertainment as a bad guy in the "Batman Stunt Show" at 6 Flags Over Texas in the summer of 1996. He knew then that he had found his calling, and the following summer moved to Hollywood where he began his career as a stuntman for film and TV after getting his SAG card as a guest star on the TV show "The Journeys of Allen Strange."

John Watson

John Watson is an actor from New Zealand, best known for small roles in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. He has also appeared in other shows, such as Rookie Moon, Air Crash Investigation, Blue Murder and even lent his voice to Saw VI. He should not be confused with fellow New Zealand actor John Carr Watson, who also appeared in Xena and in a different Hercules project.

Erik Thomson

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Erik Thomson (born 27 April 1967 in Inverness, Scotland, UK) is an actor known for playing Hades in the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Dr. Mitch Stevens in All Saints and Dave Rafter in Packed to the Rafters. He won an Australian Film Institute Award for his performance in the Australian feature film Somersault. Description above from the Wikipedia article Erik Thomson, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.​

Kim Michalis

Kim Michalis is a New Zealand actor who has been part of the Xenaverse since Hercules and the Amazon Women in which she played "Young Alcmene." She would later re-appear in that role in 3 episodes of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (H:TLJ "Armageddon Now," "Armageddon Now Part 2," and "Twilight." She also played Lea in H:TLJ "The Wedding of Alcmene" and "The Sword of Veracity" and the role of Scilla in H:TLJ "Eye of the Beholder." Michalis also played Daughter #2 in Hercules and the Circle of Fire. Michalis also appeared on Xena: Warrior Princess as Natassa in "Last of the Centaurs."

The Witcher

2019

Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster-hunter for hire, journeys toward his destiny in a turbulent world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.

Gina Torres

Cast · Known for Suits, Hannibal, The Legend of Vox Machina

Gina Torres (born April 25, 1969) is an American television and movie actress. She is known for her roles in science fiction and fantasy. She has appeared in many television series, including Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (as Nebula), Xena: Warrior Princess (as Cleopatra), the short-lived Cleopatra 2525, as well as Alias (as Anna Espinosa), Firefly (as series regular Zoe Washburne), Angel (as Jasmine), The Matrix sequels in a supporting role, and The Shield. She also starred in the award-winning independent film South of Pico as the fragile waitress, Carla.