BRAND NEW Journey Across Japan Series | LOCATION & GUEST Finally Revealed!
Added 2020-09-12 15:38:35 +0000 UTC6 days.
5 prefectures.
1,000km.
An action-packed journey through the mysterious Japanese Alps, wandering through creepy abandoned buildings, secluded villages, stunning hot springs, an eroding coastline, wacky hotels and eventually, hopefully catching an amazing glimpse of Mount Fuji once and for all.
Journey Across Japan: Escape to Fuji is the first series to kick off the next generation of Journey Across Japan, where we’ll pick an exotic region in Japan, grab a guest, hop in a car and film the entire adventure in glorious 4k.
AND what better place to begin the next chapter of Journey Across Japan, than by going in search of Mount Fuji, after 8 years of consistently failing to get it on camera.
- This time, it’s personal.
For this first series I’m delighted to announce we’ll be joined by returning guest, Dr. Jelly himself - Joey the Animeman - and we’re ready to kick off shooting in early October.
Like Journey Across Japan, we’ll even have a small team helping us to film along the way, although this time around it’s solely an Abroad in Japan project (aka. Tokyo Creative aren’t involved).
- Perhaps best of all, there won’t be a single bicycle in sight.
As this series is a road trip, we can focus on experiencing a wider range of locations on each day and pack way more in. Given we won’t need to dedicate half the day to cycling 50km, we can do twice as much and make each of those 6 days truly count.
We’ve spent a great deal of time researching to plan the perfect route to make the trip as crazy and intense as possible, with a mixture of jaw dropping scenery, mind bogglingly bizarre locations and terrifyingly creepy hot spots, and with challenges sent in by viewers once again, we’re looking to spice things up even more.
Who knows, we may even see Dr. Jelly himself put in another appearance!
(God, I hope not).
As grumpy as I may be, even I’m genuinely excited to have Joey on board for this series, given the unpredictable and creative videos that marked his segment of the original Journey Across Japan trip; from pimping out bicycles and exploring a haunted abandoned tunnel, to shooting a Japanese commercial inside a train carriage.
Above all though, I’m just excited to go on a spectacular adventure through a part of Japan I’ve always wanted to immerse myself in.
I’ve been lucky to travel through central Japan and the towering mountains of the Japanese Alps several times, but Journey Across Japan went around them last time (thankfully). I’ve always been keen to explore the region more than anywhere else and hopefully with cameras, drones and GoPros we can finally do the region justice.
The project will be announced publicly in a couple of weeks and while I’m keeping the itinerary under wraps for now, I’d love to hear what you would like to see us do during the series. Let’s face it, the trip wouldn’t be the same without the kind of challenges, competition and one-upmanship that defined Journey Across Japan the last time around.
After all, why merely walk through an abandoned building when you can shoot an entire fake commercial there?
So join us for another wild ride, as we fasten our seatbelts, head off into the mountains and Journey Across Japan once again.
—————————
In other news, thank you for all the kind words on the most recent Abroad in Japan documentary, “What Owning a Sushi Restaurant in Japan is Like”.
It feels absurdly satisfying to release a video that Ueno-san (the restaurant owner) and I had been talking about filming for 5 years now. One of the best things about producing videos is turning your conversations and ideas into physical events, then filming them and sharing them with the world.
Admittedly, that sounds a bit lame and pretentious given my dreadful phrasing, but hopefully you get where I’m coming from. Ueno-san was delighted his restaurant got on the channel and I was fantastically grateful that he let me go in and film around for a couple of days. A win-win all around.
Though to be honest, like a lot of Abroad in Japan videos I did a good job hiding my suffering. On the second day of the video when we went off to the Fishmarket, I had to wake up at 4am to meet him at the market.
Given my body knew I had to get up early, the adrenaline meant I had absolutely no sleep - perhaps 45 minutes at best - meaning the entire day spent filming, interviewing and presenting was done on less than an hour of sleep.
By the time we returned to the restaurant to film the scenes with the awesome chef and taste test the food, I was completely dead to the world - hence my underwhelming review of the food. (You know I’ve given up when I use the phrase “melt in your mouth” for the 100th time).
As obscenely delicious as the sushi was, the only thought playing on repeat in my head the entire time was “SLEEP. SLEEP NOW.”
Never the less, I lived to tell the tale and overall I’m proud of the mini documentary. Even if you’re not big on sushi, hopefully the scenes of the tuna auction, or the master chef revealing the one thing you should never do at a sushi restaurant will be enough to entice you to watch it.
But if there’s anything you’d like to know about the sushi episode, fire away with your questions in the comments and I’ll answer what I can!
FINALLY, COMING UP THIS MONTH ON ABROAD IN JAPAN:
- A brand new Q&A episode, answering questions sent in by viewers and reading out bizarre hate comments
- A cinematic video of Tokyo at night with the new 6k camera
- A Patreon vlog revealing more details of the upcoming Journey Across Japan series and some more large scale projects in the final months of 2020
- An overnight adventure to an (almost) abandoned island with Natsuki in the Sea of Japan; we attempted to film it last month but had to postpone to September as the boat was cancelled due to bad weather!
So another exciting month to look forward to though folks; I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the upcoming series! And I will see you later this week in a Patreon vlog from a cramped Tokyo hotel room.
P.S. Apologies for yesterday’s absence of Film Friday.
My excuse is that I was off producing a video for another major Youtube channel here in Japan (Trash Taste), and as they’re keeping the video a big secret for now, I can’t say too much. Alas, you’ll find out soon!
Comments
I love that the original journey across japan has inspired spin offs. I'm excited to see more in this mini documentary series.
Sian Smith
2020-09-20 18:08:06 +0000 UTCWhy do I subscribe to videos that only makes me envy you more? Travelling around backcountry Japan looks so exciting. I loved your latest video about Ueno-san. Could there be a behind the scenes video from this? Must be a lot of good material that didn't appear in the video.
2020-09-18 20:13:12 +0000 UTCThe sushi mini-doc was great! you certainly hid your sleep deprived pain well and honestly I just attributed your "melt in your mouth" on repeat as a form of speechlessness regarding the taste of the sushi. I'm excited to hear the news about a new Journey Across Japan and would love to see Dr. Jelly put some pep in your step to get you out of a tense situation... or maybe just your next 4am fish market visit. As long as 'Racing Hearts' is still a thing, I'm happy to tag along while you two do anything! looking forward to more escape style shooting and quirky local shenanigans.
Adam C Evans
2020-09-17 23:13:57 +0000 UTChonestly i want a dr jelly 2 commercial
Kevin
2020-09-17 14:19:29 +0000 UTCI finally grabbed a second of much needed free time to watch this episode of yours, and without a doubt Ueno-San's sushi restaurant is one of the most, if not *thee* most gorgeous restaurant i have honestly ever seen. Your explanation of the feelings one gets from being physically there to experience it, is nothing short of perfectly relayed and exactly what my personal take away was as well while watching it. It truly was like being in an art museum, overwhelmingly impressive and undeniably breathtaking in its modern-traditional marriage of refreshingly styled form. And listening to you give such a detailed and lucid verbal walk through with such rich and poignant visuals to accompany it, it truly just felt like i was being shown a living working masterpiece of carefully executed art; harboring innate skill, love, beauty, respect, patience and quality within his exquisitely fine establishment. 💜 And head chef Yuji Yoshikawa has the most artistically mesmerizing way of sushi preparation ive ever personally witnessed. The respect and precision he possesses for his skilled medium is beyond beautiful, nearly like a dance, even. And to address the sleepy elephant in the room in the video--- I couldn't even tell it was present! Lol 😂 Didn't notice said sleepy elephant at all, and you only said "melt in your mouth" once that i caught, but it honestly seemed like the perfect texture explaination while i watched on; fully wishing we had televisions capable of sushi sharing by now. LOL 😂 I can safely say i was sold from the moment i hit play, and i honestly cant stop thinking about that god damn sushi, and I've never even been big into sushi! What the hell have you done to me! Lmao! 😂 Oh god, and the chilled food display cases at the bar, BRILLIANTLY gorgeous! What a fabulous god damn idea, it just tied in so perfectly with the surrounding artwork of the restaurant, making the food itself edible works of pure art. 💜 Just fucking brilliant, Chris. 😊 This video was an experience and a half, and all while you were dog tired. Lol How do you manage to be so incredibly on point whilst day dreaming of pillows?! Lol You epic bastard, bless you. Lol 😂💜 I could go on and on about this episode, but I'm pretty sure I've been long winded enough here. 💜 lol 💞🍚🍣🍶
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-09-17 11:44:24 +0000 UTCYay! Looking forward to the next generation of J-A-J!! Gonna be so cool to see some more places, all the while laced with your sarcastic commentary 😍
2020-09-17 06:39:35 +0000 UTCLooking forward to this series! We spent three days in Takayama last year and it was the highlight of our trip! Beautiful place with amazing food. I discover your channel quite recently and I binged watch Journey across Japan (and all other videos) Can’t wait for this new series ! ☺️
2020-09-14 22:03:03 +0000 UTCI'm super excited that you've planning on turning Journey Across Japan into *multiple* series :)
2020-09-14 17:47:53 +0000 UTCgood luck i cannot wait to watch it
2020-09-14 17:28:19 +0000 UTCSo excited!!!
tootles444
2020-09-14 10:25:40 +0000 UTCWell done Chris. Looking forward to the series, when it airs. 👍 My sisters mother in law who is Japanese (as is my sisters husband - my bro in law) lives in the mountains. Really looking forward to the videos.
2020-09-13 22:25:34 +0000 UTCHave you heard of “Toyota Woven City” ? It’s a future city prototype that TMC is building in the soon to be former car factory in Shizuoka Prefecture at the foothills of Mt Fuji . I recently just got hired to be part of the project... anyway, you should look into it, Toyota is very open to letting YouTubers film the project once it gets going and finishes ... https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/01/07/business/tech/toyota-woven-city-mount-fuji/
Johanne Almoza
2020-09-13 13:57:12 +0000 UTCThanks for sharing your thoughts in-depth Miguel. You're absolutely right, we'll be filming each of those 6 days fairly intensely. There'll scarcely be a minute when the cameras aren't rolling! I'm hoping to get at least 5-6 videos out of the series and there'll certainly be some extra Patreon bonus content along the way!
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:41:11 +0000 UTCLet us never speak of daily videos again, haha
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:39:14 +0000 UTCIt's top secret, but it may be on the list ;)
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:38:55 +0000 UTCI think the sweet spot would be around 19 minutes per episode. From my experience, once you hit 20 minutes viewership drops off fairly fast sadly. After all, it's Youtube! People are easily tempted by the next video in the sidebar. And I completely agree, the key to a good trip is the people along the way and I'm sure we'll encounter some intriguing characters along the journey!
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:38:26 +0000 UTCPond5 and Epidemic Sound mostly!
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:36:48 +0000 UTCI'm hoping the October weather might be on our side! Typically it's one of the best months of the year weather-wise.
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:36:34 +0000 UTCHaha, I'm afraid not
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:36:06 +0000 UTCGiven it's a short series, I'd rather film the intense 6 days, then spend the following few weeks editing the series to release in the second half of October. The aim is to release the videos every 4-5 days and learn from the many mistakes made on Journey Across Japan's erratic release schedule!
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:35:19 +0000 UTCThat bouncy park was probably the highlight of Journey Across Japan. It's a good thing I don't live nearby or I'd be down there everyday!
Abroad in Japan
2020-09-13 13:33:47 +0000 UTCImagine if Chris was actually DEEP into anime. xD
Miguel Martins
2020-09-13 12:34:06 +0000 UTCSeems like you have some really interesting ideas for the content to come, you have been doing videos for so long, but it is great to see you still keep them coming. LOVED the sushi restaurant video, while you could hide, I think Patreon viewers, already of what goings in the backstage figured it out, when you said you had to awake up 4 00 am, like Chris old sleep habits would let him sleep much in such a situation... nah, you didn't fooled us, but you did a great job now showing it up on the video. Really nice to see more Joe, I follow his channel, but it is refreshing to see him in different stuff, and you two make a great combo, plus a series with Natsuki on sea, cant wait to see him in his pirate outfit! Don't really have many suggestions for Escape to Fuji, other than film a lot so you can produce a lot of good content... I don't think you will see a complaint from any viewers if you are able to come with around 6 videos of content, each for one day, if each is meaningful enough, it doesn't need to be as highly produced as some mini-documentaries, try to explore the most you can, and if you end up cutting some content, at least make it as bonus for Patreon viewers to watch. Cheers mate and I hope to see Journey Across Japan, expand to even bigger highs and capture a lot more areas of Japan that you have yet to fully realize in video.
Miguel Martins
2020-09-13 12:26:31 +0000 UTCSo hyped, good luck Chris!!!
2020-09-13 10:21:02 +0000 UTCYay! I am so hyped about the Journey Across Japan 2.0. I have been dreaming during lock down that I want to hire a car and explore the remote area of Japan but there are so many options of places to go.
Georgina Luxford
2020-09-13 07:30:40 +0000 UTCWow, this is awesome. I'm super excited. The car was a good investment. :)
2020-09-13 05:01:07 +0000 UTCI'm hyped! Loved Journey Across Japan and want more! Can't wait.
H J
2020-09-13 02:56:48 +0000 UTCSaw you on trash taste, then binged all your youtube videos then all of the podcast, now just finished all the pateron stuff within a couple weeks.. I think I have a problem lol
2020-09-13 01:50:37 +0000 UTCAwesome news, can't can't wait to watch the hell out of the series! Seeing that you have a good relationship with Trash Taste, of course thanks to Joey, I would love it if both Connor and Garnt made an appearance in the series. And also hoping Emma can get a 2nd chance to make an appearance 😎
Oscar Calderon
2020-09-13 00:18:58 +0000 UTCReally excited for the new Journey Across Japan series. P.S. it's funny how Trash Taste keeps involving you out of all the Jvloggers so far... considering you're probably the least interested in animes 😂🤣
2020-09-12 22:49:44 +0000 UTCOMG! I thought you were dead in a gutter or something for not posting film friday... Glad you're okay and as excited as you are on another journey across japan series. One of the reason I joined patreon fam.
Niken Larasati
2020-09-12 22:08:58 +0000 UTCYeah. Waiting anxiously!💞🥰😍
2020-09-12 21:55:22 +0000 UTCDoes Dr. Jelly have any discount coupons or international shipping for Energy Jelly? I could definitely use some during this hellish uni semester online. At least your guys' antics will keep me sane (or insane? at this point who knows). Love the way you and Joey bounce off one another during the JAJ videos so I'm super excited to see what you have in store. Remember to drink lots of Bikkle :)
2020-09-12 21:37:51 +0000 UTCI'm happy to hear exciting news! I think you and Joey are good for each other.
Satomi Arihara
2020-09-12 20:23:53 +0000 UTCJAJ Part 2? Can't wait. :D
Rainstorm Travel
2020-09-12 18:56:27 +0000 UTCI wholeheartedly second those words in sleep!
Nynke de Haas
2020-09-12 18:51:47 +0000 UTCOoooh, this Journey sounds like it will be so much fun! Provided you're not promising daily videos as in videos appearing daily. You aren't, are you? Please? (and yes, I want that sushi now, even though I'm meh about sushi in general. Knowing about the the people and the background and seeing the beautiful interior of the restaurant makes all the difference!)
Nynke de Haas
2020-09-12 18:46:34 +0000 UTCI hope you cover Shirakawago and the surrounding area at some point it's the most stunning place I've ever been
Luke Watts
2020-09-12 18:26:20 +0000 UTCYou are not going to climb Fuji, though? It is closed for a coronavirus break :( anyways, I am super excited for the upcoming series, yay 😃
2020-09-12 18:13:25 +0000 UTCAnother JAJ? I suppose 2020 isn't all THAT bad. Haha!! I'm excited to see the craziness you and Joey will do! I loved watching the 2000km cycle when you first did it, now I'm eager to see what you'll do next. (And hopefully Mt. Fuji will finally show it's face to you like a man!)
2020-09-12 17:49:31 +0000 UTCSo many exciting things, I can't wait!!
Storm
2020-09-12 17:23:32 +0000 UTCThis will be amazing! I really hope that Driver's High will be the theme song for this
2020-09-12 17:17:22 +0000 UTCLike you said before if your podcast, rewatching the original Journey Across Japan has been a highlight for many this year. Hopefully you don't cram so much work in for yourself this time to get the desired outcome.
Blace
2020-09-12 17:12:15 +0000 UTCStill waiting for "umarvelous" to replace “melt in your mouth.”
Eels
2020-09-12 17:05:59 +0000 UTCYAS. My girlfriend and I are huge fans and have watched at least two of your film Friday recommendations: Tokyo Godfathers and Departures. Can't wait for the new series!
LuisDudis
2020-09-12 16:56:47 +0000 UTCSo incredibly psyched for JAJ Series 2! I know 15-minutes is the magic number for youtube videos, but each episode of the original series went by so quickly and was left wanting more – and so I would just repeat the episode a few more times until I got my fix. Feel free to add a few more minutes 🙂 As far as content, I know it can be difficult but I enjoyed seeing you interact unscripted with the locals – the sake vending machine guy, the fruit shop women, the biscuit cult lady, Aya the chicken bowl girl, the "why aye man" Osaka gang. You've got a talent for showing the best in people for the camera, even though most people there tend to be quiet and reserved with strangers. Also I'd like to see a cameo of that glorious orange helmet somewhere in the background.
Eric Sison
2020-09-12 16:40:54 +0000 UTCI could not be more excited for this new series. The sushi restaurant video was outstanding as well! Keep it up Chris!
Parker Brown
2020-09-12 16:27:51 +0000 UTCI hope this will be the Northern Alps they're talking about. I still have hangover from my Toyama / Hida trip last February. The mountainous horizon of Toyama is just like foreing country insidr Japan.
2020-09-12 16:23:42 +0000 UTCWhere do you get your music Chris?
2020-09-12 16:22:34 +0000 UTCSuper excited for this new series, loved JAJ, so i think I'll love this even more! Best of luck filming Mt. Fuji, when i visited I only saw it once, and that was from the plane 🤣
2020-09-12 16:18:58 +0000 UTCExciting stuff, excellent news. Look forward to the many fruits of your labour.
Elaine Sparklemonkey Campbell
2020-09-12 16:09:48 +0000 UTCAll the best with getting Mt. Fuji on camera this time. I can see it from my balcony, but reality is it's only visible maybe 30 days/year.
Johannes
2020-09-12 16:04:20 +0000 UTCLooks very exciting and promising. I'm looking forward to it!
Evilkwiet
2020-09-12 16:03:40 +0000 UTCOmg trash taste
Linda T
2020-09-12 15:55:24 +0000 UTCI couldnt be more excited about this whole entire adventure package, if i tried!!!🎉😍🎊 And i really hope you are getting some well deserved sleep lately, as i know first hand how terrible it is to know you have to be up at an ungodly hour, only to tediously stay up until you have to wake up, while un-peacefully berating yourself to "sleep" the entire wide eyed time you're dreadfully awake. Lol 😂 I shudder at the thought, honestly. Bless you x10 for your sleep-sacrified work, my good sir. Lol 😂💜 Pillow be with you. Lol
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-09-12 15:53:50 +0000 UTCAsking for a friend - is the Sushi restaurant owner single ?
Johanne Almoza
2020-09-12 15:52:44 +0000 UTCOh hell yeh this is gonna be so good!
Mr Fujisawa
2020-09-12 15:51:44 +0000 UTCand* oops
2020-09-12 15:50:37 +0000 UTCThat is awesome! Can't wait to see the new Journey
2020-09-12 15:50:03 +0000 UTCGlad to hear Joey is back, I've been enjoying Trash Taste ever since your appearance on it. Would you be interested in doing similar collaborations with Garnt anf Connor at some point?
2020-09-12 15:50:01 +0000 UTCJourney across Japan are my favourite youtube videos on Japan EVER. So fair to say I’m extremely stoked for the upcoming series!! Just a question; will you be releasing videos as you go or after it’s all said and done? Also, the new Sushi video is my favorite thing you’ve done this year, he’ll of a job Chris! And Ueno san reminded me so much of my good Japanese pal Masaya... exactly the same humble demeanour haha cheers!
2020-09-12 15:49:28 +0000 UTCThis is such exciting news! I eagerly await! I'm not gonna ask questions, because I'm sure more info will be announced soon™️. As for which content? I honestly love the side stuff/off the beaten path. Ie, that random bouncy park and cave/tunnel you guys found. Stuff like that. Also, maybe some local food places to recommend when visiting Japan. Super excited, can't wait!
Bobby
2020-09-12 15:48:47 +0000 UTCFinally, what Chris really needs: dedicating 6 days to failing to film Mt Fuji. I clearly kid, and really look forward to the series. As you say, you and Joey seem to mesh really well from what we saw with Journey Across Japan, so I can't wait to see what happens with out the time sink of biking.
Disturbed0Angel
2020-09-12 15:47:52 +0000 UTCAll these plans and videos sound exciting, Chris! Can't wait! And both another Joey and Trash Taste team-up sound amazing. Can't wait!
Ramon
2020-09-12 15:47:18 +0000 UTCTrash Taste and their penises at the onsen.
2020-09-12 15:46:34 +0000 UTCYES! I CRAVE MORE Dr Jelly commercials
Søren Lahn Sloth
2020-09-12 15:46:08 +0000 UTCAwesome!
Andrew Roque
2020-09-12 15:43:19 +0000 UTCI am so excited for this new series. Your last video was really interesting but made me super hungry for sushi.
2020-09-12 15:42:26 +0000 UTCYou and Joey are a top tier combo and I’m keen to see this new series. Guaranteed entertainment right there. Joey joining you on journey across Japan actually introduced me his channel. Even though I don’t know much about anime, he does some good content.
2020-09-12 15:42:11 +0000 UTCoh HELL yes! the joey-chris dynamic is legendary
Skipadoo
2020-09-12 15:40:59 +0000 UTC
