JOURNEY Across Japan: Escape to Fuji | DAY 1 - The Horror.
Added 2020-10-11 15:37:41 +0000 UTCBloody hell. If today had been an episode on the original series of Journey Across Japan, it would easily have been one of the most eventful.
So after weeks of waiting and two years of much need recovery time from the last series, the all-new series of Journey Across Japan is finally under way!
I don't want to spoil the episodes, but over the coming week as our journey takes us 1,500km through the Japanese Alps and ultimately in search of Mount Fuji, I'll be sharing a diary of events here on Patreon through behind the scenes photos and clips.
*SPOILERS WITHIN*
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DAY ONE: Tokyo to Nagano
The journey kicked off at 7am from Shibuya, Tokyo where I drove - bleary eyed - to meet Joey in Saitama (greater Tokyo area). From there we received our first challenge from our beloved Anpanman, sent in by a viewer. (We had 5,000 challenges submitted this week alone!).
The challenge was to shoot a horror film, which to be honest was a pretty bold opening challenge.
Nevertheless, while in Gunma prefecture on the outskirts of Tokyo, we popped out Google maps and found an abandoned quarry that looked like a lost alien city combined with a scene out of Indiana Jones.
While wandering through the labyrinth of the forgotten quarry, we were able to film some scenes and taste test Fish and Chip Pringles ("London Flavour" - genuinely), before dashing off to meet Natsuki at Takasaki, about an hours drive from the quarry.
Natsuki was initially utterly furious that we were 2 hours late to meet him; but once we gave him the Fish and Chip Pringles, he gave us BIG smiles.
- It was like a magic.
En route to our hotel in Nagano, whilst taking a cigarette break in the middle of nowhere (one of many), Natsuki inadvertently stumbled across a run down abandoned building.
It certainly picqued our interest.
As we dashed in and escaped the heavy rain, we found ourselves in what seemed to be an abandoned hotel; filled with bats, mice and despair.
Honestly, it was one of the creepiest buildings I've ever set foot in.
As we went deeper into the hotel, we realised it was a love hotel that had been closed and left in complete disrepair.
The rooms were destroyed and littered and creepy drawings were scribbled on the walls. We were all pretty freaked out by the discoveries within and I think we were all a bit shocked by how obscenely surreal it all was.
Suffice to say, we got our damn horror film - and it turned out to be non-fiction!
Honestly, it really was an incredible start to the series and set the bar pretty high for upcoming days on our journey!
I'll be back tomorrow for Day Two as Joey, Natsuki and I travel from Nagano to Toyama prefecture. I look forward to filling you in on what happens on the next chapter of our adventure.
God only knows what we'll stumble across on Natsuki's next cigarette break...
Chris
Comments
Chris, I just have got to know: How in the world, did you get Natsuki to take a holiday again???
Heylow Bond
2020-10-15 23:57:01 +0000 UTCScreaming mouse time!!!
Elaine Sparklemonkey Campbell
2020-10-14 21:14:42 +0000 UTC"It was like a magic." 笑笑デイブさん! 遅れについて悲しくなっている。
2020-10-13 06:05:34 +0000 UTCIf you got to enoshima, don't forget the dragon's cave !
2020-10-12 16:46:15 +0000 UTCSo happy to see everything coming together as planned! Marked my calendar for the first video😉 Take care, stay safe and thanks in advance for this amazing Journey Across Japan! P.S. Finally was able to get the hoodie from your online merch shop and it’s perfect for fall weather🍁
Jolie
2020-10-12 15:24:10 +0000 UTCTrailer within 10 days! Series airs around October 24th!
Abroad in Japan
2020-10-12 09:40:49 +0000 UTCToyama! Japanese Alps here we go.
2020-10-12 05:46:58 +0000 UTCThanks for the diary/bts content. It's nice to get a sneak peak of the awesomeness in the making 😁
2020-10-11 23:52:59 +0000 UTCSounds like a good start. So, when can we expect to the the first vids from the this great trek, Chris?
Chris Maddox
2020-10-11 23:13:16 +0000 UTCI'm so excited to watch the series, I cant wait to see what Adventures you guys will be getting into.
2020-10-11 21:34:07 +0000 UTCYeeesss!! I am so excited for this one because I'm sure with Chris's exemplary editing skills it will be both spooky and amazing!
Froppuccino
2020-10-11 20:43:40 +0000 UTCI've seen the video with the cave and the whole time Joey was like, "NOPE!" How was he ok with the creepy abandon building?
Susanne Tassin
2020-10-11 19:37:27 +0000 UTCThis was amazing!! Can't wait for the next one 👌
Luis Pais
2020-10-11 19:07:26 +0000 UTCIt most DEFINITELY IS like a magic! ⛩️🏯⛩️
2020-10-11 18:36:11 +0000 UTCThe quarry looks beautiful and the rest sounds amazing! Have fun!
Nynke de Haas
2020-10-11 18:22:39 +0000 UTCThis sounds incredible! I can’t wait!! 😆
Laura Beaumont
2020-10-11 18:19:59 +0000 UTCNatsuki on every video please
Bootleg64DD
2020-10-11 17:59:10 +0000 UTCAnother, regrettable example of Japan's shrinking population, the country side is dotted with abandoned and decaying structures. When I look at these places, I can't help but imagine the people that lived there and then I am brought back to the ramshackled building before me, so sad. When going into these places, be careful of fungi that can be infectious to humans. Cryptococcus and histoplasmosis, they grow on decaying organic mater, most people are unaffected; however, a large exposure may cause issues: both exist in spores, when inhaled can cause disease. You may want to wear a N95 off camera. Can't wait for the rest of series. Gambatte.
Ryori
2020-10-11 17:54:20 +0000 UTCBeautiful pictures. A spooky start for the spooky season. =p Looking forward to more!
2020-10-11 17:40:52 +0000 UTCI couldn't have asked for a better bday present 😄
2020-10-11 16:49:18 +0000 UTCIt's 'piqued our interest', not 'peaked' 😉
2020-10-11 16:44:22 +0000 UTCim so excited fro this series !
2020-10-11 16:33:41 +0000 UTCIt’s a shame you won’t be passing by Okunoin Cemetery, Victor from Frame of Travel posted from there recently and reminded me how atmospheric it is
Eels
2020-10-11 16:14:54 +0000 UTCI’m hoping that finally you’ll be able to see Mt. Fuji Chris. I’m excited to watch the whole series
2020-10-11 16:14:34 +0000 UTCLooks creepy and exciting, looking forward to this EVEN MORE 😀
Elaine Sparklemonkey Campbell
2020-10-11 16:03:33 +0000 UTCOh my gosh I CANNOT WAIT! Safe travels to you, Joey, and Natsuki on this new journey, Chris!!!
2020-10-11 15:58:53 +0000 UTCClearly Natsuki doesn’t read the warnings on the packet although not sure if this was what the manufacturers had intended!
Nick M
2020-10-11 15:49:57 +0000 UTCWow can't believe it's been two years since journey across Japan! Looking forward to the new installment!
2020-10-11 15:49:43 +0000 UTCI'm actually curious, just how pissed off with you was Natsuki, Chris? because I don't think I've ever seen him angry with you before.
Xenin
2020-10-11 15:49:21 +0000 UTCHyped for a banger of a series, keep it up yall!
2020-10-11 15:48:27 +0000 UTCI truly wonder how many hanky-panky having ghosts you guys disturbed in there. Lmao 😂😂😂 And I honestly cannot stop thinking about the Fish N' Chips crisps. Were they any good?! Or were they just as disappointing as the salted egg crisps? I must know! Lol!
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-10-11 15:46:22 +0000 UTCThere's some sort of metaphor in there about the run down love hotel being a symbol of love if left unattended. Or something or maybe it's just creepy I dunno. Man I can't wait for the video. This looks awesome!
Argus9 (Jonathan)
2020-10-11 15:44:55 +0000 UTCWow! I can only imagine the delight when you realised what you had stumbled upon.
2020-10-11 15:44:44 +0000 UTCCan't wait to watch the video
2020-10-11 15:44:14 +0000 UTCOk. Those are some of the scariest places I've ever seen. Didn't you learn not to disturb the dead last time you and joey went exploring!
Sian Smith
2020-10-11 15:43:27 +0000 UTCI can't believe it's been 2 years already, it feels so recent. This sounds like a great first episode
Storm
2020-10-11 15:42:11 +0000 UTCThis already seems like it's going to be an amazing series. Can't wait to see how it turns out.
2020-10-11 15:41:48 +0000 UTCHope you get to see Fujisan soon.. Can't wait to watch the horror film!
Arvin
2020-10-11 15:41:46 +0000 UTCThis is gonna be so good! ANTICIPATION
Søren Lahn Sloth
2020-10-11 15:41:22 +0000 UTC
