JOURNEY ACROSS JAPAN | Day 9 | Visiting Jesus and Japan's Cheapest Retro Restaurant

Folks, today we’re going on a pilgrimage.

To the tomb of Jesus Christ. At least in an alternate universe, where Christ fled to an obscure village in Aomori

But our journey starts in Miyako on the picturesque Sanriku Coastline, one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in all of north Japan. The area holds a difficult history though, given it was badly affected by the tsunami in 2011 and travelling down the route, you’ll chance upon structures bearing the scars and serving as a reminder to future generations of the devastation that was experienced on 11th March 2011.

Our start point is the Tao Kanko hotel, which was struck by the wave, destroying the lower floors, though remarkably the building is still intact and accessible today to explore. (FYI: It’s not the hotel we featured in the previous documentary which was in Minami Sanriku). And today like most of the East coast, it’s protected by a 200km long concrete seawall, that’s been quite divisive with locals along the Tohoku coastline.

Having fully recovered from our 48 hours of hell on the island and having trashed my car with Connor’s guns and sex toys, our challenge of the day arrives and quickly proves to be the hardest challenge of them all - to be kind to each other for one whole day.

Oh dear.

Nonetheless, having recalibrated my brain to function in a world where I’m nice to Connor, we head off to find the final resting place of Jesus Christ.

Somehow appropriately, we faced our own trials and tribulations making our way to the tomb of Christ. On the winding roads to Shingo village, where the tomb is located, we face our first test when there’s only one box of Karaage chicken at Lawson. Rather than argue over it, I bestow thy chicken to Connor under the terms of today’s challenge. It wasn’t easy.

On our way to the tomb there seems to be a lack of signage, which makes navigating to the spot rather difficult, but then it’s often been said that everyone takes their own path to Christ.

We arrive at the tomb, where Connor immediately wonders why on earth we just made the two hour pilgrimage.

To summarise the story; Christ came to Japan at 21 to have a poke around, then left at age 33 for Judea, got in a bit of bother for which his brother was nailed (quite literally) for the crime, then finally returned to Japan where he settled in the village of Herai until he was 106.

What’s not believable about that.

The site is apparently visited by 20,000 pilgrims every year - a pretty impressive number for such an out of the way ‘attraction’. Thankfully, it’s maintained by a nearby Yoghurt factory for all to enjoy.

Come for the pilgrimage, stay for the yoghurt.

Jesus managed to feed the 5000, and I in turn must feed CDawgVA and for that we head to Hachinohe city, to the cheapest restaurant I could find.

Still, cheap doesn’t mean awful - not at Hanbey, the 1960’s Showa era restaurant chain. Surrounded by memorabilia from the post war era, posters, toys and sweets, we tuck into a delicious last supper of chicken, cheese and corn beef. The perfect way to end Connor’s 72 hours of madness on his first ever appearance on Journey Across Japan.

Thanks to my ‘dear friend’ Connor for joining us on the series.

Like Jesus, we too have gone through ‘the ups and downs’ of travel. (You’ll understand the reference when you watch the video…)

Our next guest is serial Pokemon copyright infringer, the Youtuber Sharmeleon. You may have heard of her! Tune in for the next episode where we explore Japan’s most haunted inn. Don’t say I never take her anywhere nice…

Chris

P.S The Patreon exclusive behind the scenes video is almost ready! Keep your eyes peeled. You’ll find extra footage from the trip, including bloopers from both the guests and the crew.