JOURNEY ACROSS JAPAN BEGINS! | Episode 1: I Spent $1,200 on Japan's Tiniest Car

Hi Guys!

So today we unleash Journey Across Japan: Non-Stop North! Shooting kicked off a couple of days ago and we can't wait to share the ridiculous first episode with you all.

We've truly compiled the 'A-Team' to make this ludicrous project possible - Chris (that’s me!), Ian, Yasu, Paul, Ellen, Marcus, Dave, Mario, Eiji, Ross, Lucas, Eugene. Before we left Tokyo, we took a quick team photo in the Abroad in Japan studio - let's see how long it takes within the 21 days to wipe the smiles off their faces! This is the most complex production we’ve undertaken, both in scale and time on the road and we're looking forward to sharing the adventures and challenges with you.

Transporting the team through the 2,000km of remote Japan countryside is no joke and requires some serious logistical planning. We've snapped up 3 vehicles to transport the team between locations - the tiny Kei car that Natsuki and I purchase in episode 1, the RV for the editors (so they can work from anywhere along the route), and our support van. We'll be taking you guys along for the ride, alongside our clothing, equipment, and sanity (or what's left of it) through North Japan, come rain, sleet or snow.

Since this is such a complex production, I know you guys will be interested in the 'making of' the series, so I'll be sharing a daily production diary with you here, as well as an exclusive weekly video featuring behind-the-scenes action from throughout the week.

Episode 1 kicks off in typical frenetic JAJ style! It’s day one of the trip and we managed to grab Japan’s tiniest Kei car, admittedly no thanks to Natsuki. With a budget of almost nothing, Natsuki and I wandered through a car showroom with over 200 cars to choose from. Naturally the not-so-thrifty Natsuki encouraged me to buy absurdly priced vehicles including a Mercedes and a Mini. Eventually however, we found quite the bargain - a Nissan Moco - something more akin to a toy car.

After much speculation as to why it was so cheap (including Natsuki’s theory the previous driver died at the wheel), it turned out it was just due to mileage and the age of the car, so we did the deal and I found myself in the surreal situation of making a 3 hour journey across the world’s largest city, in the world’s tiniest car, with the world’s worst navigator (as you’ll see).

The day ended at Kinugawa Onsen in Tochigi, an old run-down resort town with an 80’s charm and a stunning river, setting us up for the first real day of our Journey Across Japan (tomorrow).

Episode 1 drops in a few hours, don’t miss it - we’ll be back tomorrow with the diary for Episode 2!

Chris