What REALLY Happened on Tokyo's Hidden Island with Connor 🇯🇵PATREON Exclusive Video
Added 2023-09-24 07:42:49 +0000 UTCHey guys!
If working like a madman has taught me anything over the years, it’s that the greatest, most original ideas come from the moments in between when you’re doing nothing.
Surprise, surprise, when you’re not consumed with mental overload and your mind is clear, wonderful things happen.
With that in mind, I tried my god damn hardest to take a couple of weeks off in September, hence why I’ve been quiet on social media and Patreon this month guys, so my apologies for that.
I say “tried my god damn hardest” because ultimately I failed. As you may have noticed we’ve had three weeks of videos back to back this month and while on holiday I spent half of it slumped on a hotel bed with a microphone narrating scenes of Connor and I stumbling across Huntsman spiders, or the owner of a Ryokan inn going kayaking at 5am, or Natsuki triumphantly stumbling across the summit of Mount Fuji.
Still, it’s certainly been an extraordinary month of content so far! And with the Wacky Weekend Patreon Exclusive episode out today and one more cool video out this month shot in the studio, there’s plenty to look forward to.
In today's Patreon Exclusive video you’ll find a few scenes that we couldn’t fit into the main video, a story about Yakuza at a ramen shop and perhaps a record number of bloopers.
What Really Happened on Tokyo's Hidden Island: PATREON Exclusive Video
🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/FhVXn5e4YJs
But I’m now finally back in Japan refreshed, renewed and undeniably jet lagged, with a bucket load of ideas to dive into from now until January, that I’m very excited about.
Having rushed off to the UK to narrate the audio book in August, it’s been amazing to return to Japan and have not only an apartment in Tokyo, but best of all, an oven-ready studio that we can film in at long last.
In case you missed it, while it’s not publicly been released yet, you can catch an exclusive first look here on Patreon.
Inside the Abroad in Japan TOKYO Studio: 1970's Living Room 🇯🇵 Patreon Exclusive FIRST LOOK
Watch: https://youtu.be/LHX_Woa9aLI
As to what lies in store between now and January, why I don’t want to give too much away right now, above all you can expect a lot more videos.
It’s no secret that during the last 18 months, Youtube hasn’t been my absolute top priority, what the fitness arc last year with cycling, chessboxing and Spartan races, and more recently the Abroad in Japan Book this year. Moving my whole life (and studio) for the first time in half a decade wasn’t easy either!
But we’re now ready to go full throttle and in the coming months you can expect a brand new travel series with Natsuki, the long awaited Japan itinerary video, a couple of documentaries, more in-studio episodes and more Wacky Weekend to name a few.
I’m so proud of Natsuki for pulling off the Mount Fuji climb and I feel like he deserves a reward of some kind - something the upcoming travel series may well revolve around.
I’m also thrilled that the latest Wacky Weekend was essentially a mini-documentary on Japanese island life in disguise - something I discuss in the Patreon episode.
My delight at the release of the Ryokan documentary set in Yamagata was tempered by it's not-so-great performance. Quite possibly, as I don't appear in the thumbnail, regular viewers weren't aware it was an Abroad in Japan episode. It's not entirely clear, though I'm proud of the video and having the chance to tell the amazing story of Takinami Ryokan. Check it out if you missed it!
What Owning a Traditional Inn & Hot Spring in Japan is Like
Watch:https://youtu.be/xYmiU5PSyE0?si=YoJQ7Z5eISWall56
For now guys, enjoy the weekend and the Patreon behind the scenes episode!
I’ll be back in the next few days with more exciting news.
Chris
Comments
I’m going there in a couple of weeks, but part of an organised tour (Japanese mate works for a high end tour company so it’ll be a bunch of muckity mucks and my scruffy mates on a bus). We’re taking the ferry though.
Bergkattse
2023-10-03 03:38:31 +0000 UTCAll great videos. Your videos honestly are (if not better than) tv quality. Looking forward to seeing what else you have planned. No need to apologize for the break, it sounds like it wasn’t particularly a restful one. Looking forward to getting the audiobook. It was a fantastic read, I feel I could really picture it from the videos. It was cool to read it and think “ahhh that was in x video”. Keep up the good work sir!
Hayley Khan
2023-09-27 06:02:58 +0000 UTCI am sure you have your reasons for not doing it but you could try changing the thumbnail to make it look more “abroad in Japan”. It is a shame to not have more people see it.
Nick Lawton
2023-09-26 23:03:54 +0000 UTCGreat videos Chris! Love all of them and the documentary was great too!
Fluffyspark7
2023-09-24 15:46:54 +0000 UTCThe Ryokan documentary was great! I’m excited for your upcoming videos, especially the Wacky Weekends, but no need to apologize for taking a break! You do a lot of great work. :) By the way, if you ever do finally do a video with Garnt I have a title suggestion: Garnt but Not Forgotten. Cheers Chris! Really looking forward to what you have in store for us!
Kenneth
2023-09-24 12:50:36 +0000 UTCI love the travel videos (whether they are for wacky weekends, journeys, etc) where we get to see around and learn some history, but my absolute fave is the documentaries!
Chrisy
2023-09-24 12:26:36 +0000 UTCThe ryokan video was amazing!!!
Lina
2023-09-24 11:19:58 +0000 UTCCongratulations Chris, not sure if anyone's pointed out to you but me and my partner think there's an error in your book on the top of page 25. Interested to see if you picked it up in your audiobook. Please also announce your future book signings as it wasn't mentioned anywhere and we had missed the opportunity despite living minutes away... :(
Joseph Hamilton McConnell
2023-09-24 09:20:15 +0000 UTCAh, I should have waited to ask my question until after watching the BTS - all was of course revealed, including Dan's name 🙈
Nynke de Haas
2023-09-24 09:11:02 +0000 UTCThe last three videos have been some of my favourite ones you've ever made, so in that sense narrating them was worthwhile, but I hope you get to take some time off in the coming months too! Before I go off to watch the BTS, I've been wondering: was Oshima JET guy someone who'd written in to the podcast? So many JETs do!
Nynke de Haas
2023-09-24 08:46:29 +0000 UTCExciting stuff, looking forward to it. I think the travel videos in Japan with Natsuki sound great, makes me feel nostalgic for the original set of videos you did with Ryotaro across small towns or sites of interest in Northern Japan. Glad you rested well, good luck with the rest of the year!
Lewis
2023-09-24 08:41:40 +0000 UTCIt was to see you again last month! Looking forward to what's to come 🥳
Amy W - UK
2023-09-24 08:38:54 +0000 UTCLooking forward to seeing that. Sakata looks absolutely beautiful. Sadly haven't quite got the time on this trip to visit it. This will be my 2nd time in Japan and will be doing the golden route... In reverse this time. But my next trip to Japan will definitely be to spend more time out of the major cities and in the countryside. Though I imagine the toll roads will possibly bankrupt me. Unless I gaijin smash my way through.
Dave Morrison
2023-09-24 08:30:26 +0000 UTCCheers Dave - Minami san is indeed a legend! One of the most hardworking folks I've met in the last 10 years here for sure. I feel pretty at home in Sendai and Sakata. Still working on Tokyo! But for me it's all about where your friends and sense of purpose are and for me, that's Japan right now. I'm really keen to do another Day in the Life episode set in the countryside though, showing what I get up to when I go back to my first home of Yamagata!
Abroad in Japan
2023-09-24 08:18:05 +0000 UTCI am so excited for what's to come! Your book finally got here in Thailand a couple of weeks ago and I've been absolutely loving it! It's such a fun good read that honestly makes me enjoy watching your content even more! I am definitely looking forward to see more trips with Natsuki, maybe ou can pull another Ryotaro fight for one of them?
Camilla Fontana
2023-09-24 08:14:06 +0000 UTCThis latest wacky weekend was one of my favourites, perfect blend of infotainment!
Caz T
2023-09-24 08:08:02 +0000 UTCI loved the ryokan documentary. The owner was a legend. Was wondering though, what is "home" to you now after 10 years? I'd like to see a documentary on that. I'll be travelling to Japan for 2 weeks in November. Im really excited for it. But I know on my flight back out of Japan I'll be wanting to get home to my cats, my sofa and my bed. I guess it's your holiday while you're back over here in the UK now. But I'd love to see you film something over here next time you're back. All the best. Dave
Dave Morrison
2023-09-24 08:05:46 +0000 UTCYou're doing awesome! Thank you for all you share with us. I'm heading to Japan in November and what you've shown me is a big reason for that. Thank you!
Matthew Thompson
2023-09-24 07:57:38 +0000 UTCI look forward to more videos! I really enjoyed the Fuji video with Natsuki and can't wait to see how you reward him. Lol
Krispi
2023-09-24 07:52:52 +0000 UTCGreat to hear Matty! The itinerary video will be out before then, with hopefully a few extra ideas for your trip!
Abroad in Japan
2023-09-24 07:52:26 +0000 UTCNo need to apologise for taking time off (or trying to)! Excited to see the new content!
Soph
2023-09-24 07:48:41 +0000 UTCSeeing your excitement jump out in your words about all of these projects makes us excited too!Looking forward to all these adventures. 🥰🙌
MikkiNB244
2023-09-24 07:47:53 +0000 UTCKeep up the hard work, my family enjoys your content a lot!! We are visiting Japan in December for the second time, since 2018. :)
MattyB
2023-09-24 07:45:39 +0000 UTC
