WHY the Abroad in Japan Podcast is now TWICE a Week | *Also* NATSUKI Becomes the Ultimate PIRATE
Added 2020-07-15 16:06:45 +0000 UTC
This week, Natsuki and I planned to be on a remote island in the Sea of Japan, digging up long lost treasure. It was going to be glorious.
ALAS yesterday's hellish stormy weather meant our boat was cancelled and we were forced to postpone our pirate themed adventure for another few weeks.
ALL was not lost however!
As the stormy weather temporarily subsided, the most stunning rainbow I've ever seen burst out of the clouds and illuminated the evening sky. We didn't hesitate to exploit it as you can seen in the above photos of Natsuki decked out in his stylish pirate costume!
He's honestly never looked so suave.
We also used the spare time to film the ending to the upcoming Driving in Japan video, with the lengthy journey ending with Natsuki on a secluded rainy beach. It's the satisfying, beer-filled conclusion that the video sorely deserved.
You can also have a face-to-face with the man himself this weekend, as we're planning to do a live show on Abroad Perspective this Saturday at 10pm Japan Time. I'll be posting the link across social media (and here) on Friday!
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ABROAD IN JAPAN PODCAST
In other good news, I'm delighted to announce as of this week the Abroad in Japan Podcast is now being broadcast TWICE a week, every Sunday and Thursday!
It's crazy to think up until 2018, I had no idea what a Podcast even was, believing it to be some sort of forgotten relic from 2006.
In the 2 years since we've recorded 127 episodes and impressively - somehow - never missed a SINGLE week. It's a testament to how much Pete and I enjoy doing it. (And above all, Pete's ability to edit the episodes instead of me).
There's no single reason why we decided to broadcast the Podcast twice a week; firstly and surprisingly, we've continued to gain listeners over the last few months, even though a lot of people have stopped listening to podcasts in the absence of a daily commute.
Every week around 100,000 people listen in to the show from every corner of the Earth (especially Sweden), and it blows my mind to hear from listeners who religiously tune in from far off exotic lands like Brazil, Italy and Canada, to hear Pete obsess over coolish ice cream or to listen to me repeat a story about how I once got a shoutout from The Rock and won a Japanese speech contest.
Increased listenership aside, Pete and I just genuinely enjoy discussing the many strange, unique and bizarre goings-on from within Japan, that most western media outlets never report on.
We love the thrill of opening the fax machine and reading stories sent in by listeners, involving terrible accidents in hot springs and cultural faux pas. And ultimately, we realised we were more than willing to sit down for an extra hour a week and record an extra episode.
So in a nutshell, a growing audience + enthusiastic presenters + available free time = more Podcasts.
The beauty being because Podcast are simpler to produce, they've never got in the way of my video productions - unlike the fucking weather.
We're also currently exploring interview segments with guests going forward - something I've always been reluctant to do in order to maintain audio quality. (After all, most people don't have a condenser microphone lingering around). But it's something that's absolutely worth trying.
But I'm open to your ideas on how we can improve the Abroad in Japan Podcast; if you've got things you'd like us to try or do more of, please let me know in the comments!
There's no rulebook here.
We just make it up as we go along (as you can probably tell).
Whether it's pirates, driving in Japan or Podcasts, I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts guys. I hope wherever you may be, your week is going well so far.
More updates to follow on Film Friday!
Chris
Comments
Idea for the podcast - Pete has such talent in finding unique (and wacky) places to visit or things to try in Japan. So I thought it could be fun if you and Pete pick a prefecture or a city and do your research independently to find 5 things you want to try or places you want to visit in that prefecture/city. Since prep work is involved, maybe shoot for doing this type of episode once or twice a month. Given the travel restrictions, people may enjoy listening to these virtual tours of Japan.
2020-07-18 01:28:56 +0000 UTCI was so happy to hear the podcast is going to be twice a week now!
2020-07-17 16:34:28 +0000 UTCI was wondering when you were gonna do that episode about working in Japan without teaching English. I have a great story that I've been trying to send in that I'm sure people would enjoy, but my email is a bit long. Fingers crossed it'll be read out soon!
2020-07-17 02:43:42 +0000 UTCOn behalf of everyone I would like to say Arigato-COW-zaimasu to you both. I admittedly listened to too many, too quick and was worried I would run out. So now I've got a fair few to look forward to and upgrading to twice weekly is welcome news!
Michael Taylor
2020-07-16 10:07:40 +0000 UTCYou could do a crossover episode with Thersa Matsuura from Uncanny Japan Podcast. She definitely has a good sound setup an lots of interesting stories to tell about Japanese folklore and Japanese ghost stories.
2020-07-16 06:26:59 +0000 UTC"Chris: Exotic lands like Brazil. " "Me: *Smiles in exotic Brazillian." Hahahah. Seriously though, so hyped for two podcasts a week. I used to always save them up so I didn't have to wait too long lol. Thanks so much!
Lucca Saraiva
2020-07-16 01:07:19 +0000 UTCYay to more podcasts! I have to say, I start and drop podcasts all the time, but yours is one of the only two podcasts I consistently tune into. Pete is a funny dude, and you two have an excellent rapport!
2020-07-15 21:48:04 +0000 UTCIdea for guests: you could bring in a jet program ALT from your area into your house or wherever you record (solving the sound issue and being a bit more "intimate"). I mean, supposing there are a few you know and wouldn't mind talking with for an hour hah
2020-07-15 20:21:41 +0000 UTCI felt as discombobulated as Pete sounded when I found out there would be two episodes a week now, but I think it's a great idea, especially if you also start interviewing interesting/fun/knowledgeable people! The experience you have between the two of you can only take you so far, and with some topics a guests would really take the show to a higher level - imagine you could have had, say, Chiaki on the show when you discussed the position of women in Japanese society! I loved how you both appear to be stout feminists, but it's not the same as being an actual woman :). (On a related note: I think what transgender and nonbinary people tend to do when they want to visit an onsen is save up extra for a private bath...)
Nynke de Haas
2020-07-15 19:39:49 +0000 UTCYesss! So excited for the bi-weekly podcasts to hear you and Sir Pete talk about shenanigans. Your lads' podcast was the first one I've ever listened to and satisfied my quench for more whenever a new episode came out (since I had binged all the previous ones the first few weeks of quarantine lol). Glad you both get to enjoy making them, thanks for making us listener's day a bit brighter :)
2020-07-15 19:39:13 +0000 UTCHonestly those pics are freakin badass! And i just started getting into some podcast more so now i have more ti catch up on! I have listened to about 5 of them though!
2020-07-15 19:33:38 +0000 UTCthat is an excellent point!
Nynke de Haas
2020-07-15 19:26:55 +0000 UTCI find it intriguing that the podcast would vibe particularly well with people from a tiny Scandinavian country almost 8000 km away from Japan.
Eels
2020-07-15 19:21:32 +0000 UTCAbsolutely wonderful news! Monday mornings appear from the night like a new born demon from hell - so this will hopefully go some way to brightening them!
2020-07-15 18:11:51 +0000 UTC100k a week?! I wondered... But I'm surprised it's that many. Fab news for us and congrats on going from strength to strength! As for guests, if you wanna interview the writer (or other crew members) of Giri/Haji, let me know.
2020-07-15 18:02:15 +0000 UTCI don't really have words, just looking forward to all the great stuff ahead! Two podcasts a week will be amazing!
Argus9 (Jonathan)
2020-07-15 17:57:38 +0000 UTCHonestly, this is the best news I've heard all damn week. 💙😊 And i personally don't have any suggestions or constructive criticism, because frankly, i enjoy it 100% the way you both present it, and I'd not change a thing outside of the ideals of you two brilliant guys. Basically, I'm on board with whatever you toss at me, i will be a happy wee camper no matter. Lol 💞😂 And I gotta say, I love the intro music too. 💙 Its so relaxing and inviting, i feel like im walking into a familiar place upon hearing it, knowing i am to be greeted by familiar voices and a good unfiltered happy time. Just love it all, so very proud of you both, truly! 😊🎉💞
Jewel - (Freyja's Konjures)
2020-07-15 17:35:57 +0000 UTCI think you could dedicate both podcast moments to a specific style. Keep one just for the normal babbling between you and Pete, and use the other to experiment a bit, get the guests etc.
Dykam
2020-07-15 16:47:41 +0000 UTCNatsuki looks great as a pirate; I hope he finds the treasure.
2020-07-15 16:47:18 +0000 UTCpity about the bad weather, was really looking forward to that video
Gaw
2020-07-15 16:36:17 +0000 UTCI too, thought podcasts were a relic from when iPods were a thing. I decided to give your podcast a listen from your mentions on the youtube channel and started listening during my work commutes. And now working from home, I have it playing in the background for most of the day. Thanks for the laughs, and looking forward to double the "Broad"-casts!
Eric Sison
2020-07-15 16:35:43 +0000 UTCThe fruits of my powerful mind control finally reveal themselves. More podcasts! Excellent!
Sian Smith
2020-07-15 16:34:35 +0000 UTCStoked to have two podcasts a week!
2020-07-15 16:33:09 +0000 UTCPirate Natsuki is the best thing ever. What amazing photos!! Great timing with the rainbow. He definitely could definitely be a character straight out of One Piece. 😆🏴☠️
Laura Beaumont
2020-07-15 16:31:20 +0000 UTCNatsuki is a natural ☠
Elaine Sparklemonkey Campbell
2020-07-15 16:30:37 +0000 UTCThis is perfect, I've always been saying to my self that I wish the podcast was twice a week, and now it is. Hype!!!
2020-07-15 16:28:17 +0000 UTCIf I had any comment...it's a great podcast, I fall asleep to it. As an American I'd appreciate if Pete would quite the political commentary on my country. Not that he can't have an opinion. It's just I don't listen to hear the same crap I get on every other form of media.
Bellamy
2020-07-15 16:17:38 +0000 UTCso happy to hear the podcasts are going to be twice a week, i've only started listening to them recently and have been binge-listening to them throughout the working week at home, one suggestion is at the end of the podcast just to give a quick overview on what you will be talking about in the next podcast - granted might be difficult if you just make it up per podcast, also could have themes, like theme of the month is films and all podcasts are about films, then next month about travel etc just a couple of suggestions :)
2020-07-15 16:17:05 +0000 UTCThe miracle of golden hour! If you shoot at sunset, photos always come off a whole lot better
Abroad in Japan
2020-07-15 16:15:16 +0000 UTCHonesty there are few things more heartwarming than to see two friends enjoying a moment with smiles and beers :)
Luciano Arrieta Martins
2020-07-15 16:13:41 +0000 UTCChris darling, could you reccomend more japaneese movies, like Departured?
2020-07-15 16:12:46 +0000 UTCYour photography is just getting better and better, those photos of Natsuki are great.
2020-07-15 16:11:55 +0000 UTCI love those pictures of Natsuki :D
Max Jensch
2020-07-15 16:09:17 +0000 UTCWhen does the Natsuki the Pirate movie come out?
Matthew Cirilli
2020-07-15 16:09:13 +0000 UTC
