Why I've Escaped to Hokkaido This Week
Added 2021-02-07 12:40:29 +0000 UTC
If you've been following the Abroad in Japan channel or the Podcast this week, you may think I'm in a morning market in Sendai with Ryotaro, a karaoke booth with Connor (CDawgVA), a Burger King in Kyoto with Sharla or doing a podcast with Youtube legend Penguinz0/MoistCr1TiKaL.
(You can find a link to all of these videos/podcasts below in case you missed them).
BUT IT'S ALL A LIE.
In actuality I'm in the absolute middle of nowhere on a remote corner of Hokkaido's coastline, on a 4 day road trip I've been wanting to make for years to Japan's most northern point, Cape Soya.
I've always wanted to visit Japan's most extreme north. Tragically Ryotaro beat me there a few weeks ago and filmed a video for his channel, although he avoided the middle of winter and the heavy snowfall I'm currently battling my way through.
But I've always wanted to go in the height of winter amidst freezing cold conditions and heavy snowfall, and capture the spirit of adventure on camera, that such a journey brings.
You never know what you'll find off the beaten path in rural Japan; case in point, today I turned a corner on the coastline and spotted a rock that appeared to be a glitch in the matrix, precariously balancing in the sea, with a Torii gate looking on overhead.
And though it was just a brief stop on the journey (and you can watch a 15 second montage over on Instagram/abroadinjapan), it was one of my highlights of the trip so far.
I won't lie, the driving has been brutal and it's disturbingly cold, but hopefully the journey will be worth it, when the video comes out in a few weeks!
In the meantime, if you haven't seen the latest episode with Ryotaro, "What $20 Buys You at a Japanese Morning Market", give it a watch. Best chocolate banana ever. IN 5K.
🍿https://youtu.be/IMSYyb5U-9g
Connor (from Trash Taste) and I had a hilarious time chatting in our karaoke booth last week on the Abroad in Japan Podcast. Give it a listen and find out why we ended up stuffed inside a karaoke booth!
🎧https://bit.ly/3cubsRc
ALSO Sharla and I crossed paths in Kyoto a few weeks ago while she was doing some videos with TC and she enticed me into filming at a Burger King with her (she had me at "burgers"). And even though it was a vegan burger, it was worryingly good.
🍔https://youtu.be/L4-xJTDhG_Q
AND finally, I joined as a guest on the Official Podcast with Penguinz0/MoistCr1TiKaL & the lads a few days ago and dispelled some myths about Japan. Have a listen below.
🎙️https://youtu.be/hXHRvHwW1_o
Keep on eye on the neglected Abroad in Japan Instagram as I've been posting stories on there the last few days, including the 15 second Torii gate/magic rock video!
That's all for now folks, but I'll check back in over the next few days if I make the journey intact. I may even attempt a live stream if the internet holds it together from the rural mountains of central Hokkaido. Wish me luck!
Chris
Comments
Knowledge and society, the search for how community can share in a common goal and overcome the elements. I can understand the importance of migration in Japan and sell of goods. China, Korea, and Ainu are all ancient peoples building a bridge of metaphysical acceptance through cultural know how. I am sure ancient texts illustrate this in some form or another, but no other than true comrades or friends. "While the location of Jingū's grave (if any) is unknown, she is traditionally venerated at a kofun and at a shrine." From, Empress Jingu. Wikipedia Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empress_Jing
Andrew Drazdik Jr
2021-11-04 19:40:28 +0000 UTCI thought the same thing, but I looked it up, and it's real! https://www.triplisher.com/stories/58840/6-amazing-japan-torii-gates-in-unexpected-locations/
2021-02-14 21:38:32 +0000 UTCJust saw there's been a 7.1 magnitude earthquake very close to where you live. Hope you're safe and okay
2021-02-13 15:07:14 +0000 UTCThis was amazing. I watched Ryotoro's video and it looks amazing. Hope you had fun :)
2021-02-12 04:39:34 +0000 UTCHave a great time! Hokkaido is still on my list of places to visit in Japan, so I'm looking forward to your video already and maybe getting some more ideas of places to visit there out of it! :)
Muesli
2021-02-10 10:31:55 +0000 UTCHave fun! I love Hokkaido! I’ve only been there in summer in an attempt to escape as much heat as possible in Japan 😂 but it’s such a beautiful island to drive around, the Shakotan peninsula & the Furano flower fields are stunning, and I love Lake Toya & Noboribetsu! I would love to go back in Winter to see the difference. For now I’ll experience it through your video ☃️ Can’t wait!
2021-02-09 19:25:10 +0000 UTCAaah, so jealous! I can‘t wait to explore Hokkaido in the deepest of Winters one day. Definitely something I‘m looking forward to the most in all of my plans re: Japan 😃! So excited for the upcoming videos!
Ouranor
2021-02-08 18:25:45 +0000 UTCHokkaido in winter and summer offers the quintessence of each season. The evening white-blue light fading into darkness as the sunsets is uniquely Hokkaido. The layers and layers of snow bending the tree branches, transforming the snow laden tress into silhouettes of monsters found in comic books. You are going places no YouTuber has gone before, keep-up the good work. Lastly, thank you for the AIJ, marathon. I love the early works; you present the excitement of discovery of the new entrant to Japanese life uniquely and superbly.
Ryori
2021-02-08 07:42:38 +0000 UTCThere's something about the ocean and the cold. Enjoy!
2021-02-08 07:24:56 +0000 UTCWishing you luck !
AJ
2021-02-08 06:10:20 +0000 UTCalthough i would not enjoy that much cold; that place looks stunning, as if it doesn't belong to this space/time. you're sure you didn't accidentally open up a portal to an alternate reality?
Alev Akkor
2021-02-08 05:14:03 +0000 UTCNot going to lie.. That Tori gates looks oddly suspicious.. as if it didn't properly render. Where are you really Mr. Broad?! Where are you reaaalllyy?!
2021-02-08 03:07:54 +0000 UTCOmg. Maybe you will find an old traditional Japanese Inn in the middle of nowhere. Preparing the best hot ramen ever made since generations by old traditional people. Giving you shelter from the blizzard. Shelter for body, soul and heart. :) The thaughts about adventure made my mind wandering. Thanks <3
Kevin Bischoff
2021-02-07 23:24:16 +0000 UTCWorryingly good burger 🤣
Andrew Roque
2021-02-07 21:23:28 +0000 UTCAwesome photo, look forward to the seeing the video. Its a shame Ryotaro beat you to the Northern Part.
Chris Templeton
2021-02-07 19:26:26 +0000 UTCGood luck! Looking forward to the video
2021-02-07 19:11:16 +0000 UTCWhere would we be able to see the live stream? (Sorry, im new)
2021-02-07 16:59:24 +0000 UTCSounds like a snowy adventure! I look forward to the video. Was amazed you can fly a drone when it's snowing!
2021-02-07 16:57:19 +0000 UTCYou’ve been looking nice and healthy despite the absurd tempo you seem to be keeping up! Looking forward to finding out how the hell that torii gate ended up perched on that rock (aliens?).
Eels
2021-02-07 16:33:46 +0000 UTCAwesome! Drive safe Chris and looking forward to seeing the highlights of your trip!
2021-02-07 14:20:15 +0000 UTCCape Soya, nice!!
Artemis
2021-02-07 14:13:34 +0000 UTCBeautiful, dude! Stay safe on the roads and good luck! Thanks for the stellar content!
2021-02-07 14:00:05 +0000 UTCThat "journey up some stairs" segment had me in stitches 🤣
Argus9 (Jonathan)
2021-02-07 13:39:39 +0000 UTCMy absolute favourite place in all Japan is Toyako, mentioned by Connor in the podcast. Hope you managed to stop off there. I blended in so well there I was offered a job by a Belgian guy to run a new café by the lake. Bizarre.
John Manning
2021-02-07 12:56:00 +0000 UTCLooking forward to the majestic video!
DinoKōyō
2021-02-07 12:51:36 +0000 UTCMaybe you'll be able to see Russia, unlike one Japanese YouTuber :-D
2021-02-07 12:51:25 +0000 UTCThat's one amazing photo, Chris.
2021-02-07 12:46:35 +0000 UTCWith a drone shot and my dashing smile, I'll demolish Risottoro.
Abroad in Japan
2021-02-07 12:46:09 +0000 UTCYou will simply have to outdo Risottoro’s video then. Shouldn’t be too difficult for you to do 😏
Matthew Cirilli
2021-02-07 12:43:27 +0000 UTC
