Michael begins his time in Japan at Sado Island, where he meets the famous Kodō drummers. He participates in a morning run with drummer hopefuls and then takes his shot at the largest drum. Then it is on to Tokyo, where he meets up with Mayumi Nobetsu, a Japanese Monty Python fan. They tour the Asakusa neighborhood where they decide to bet on a horse race. Michael and Mayumi strike gold with a horse named Super License. The two also eat at a restaurant where the specialty is loaches who have been fed sake, the popular Japanese rice wine. Afterwards, they catch a punk rock concert in Yoyogi Park. Catching the shinkansen to Fukuyama, he takes in a Zen Buddhist meditation session at Buttsuji Temple. During the meditation session in the Zendo, he is struck by a keisaku, which is used to keep meditators from lulling off to sleep. In Nagasaki, he visits Huis ten Bosch, a Dutch-themed park set to symbolize old trading ties with the Dutch.

• Michael Palin