ABROAD IN JAPAN CHRISTMAS SPECIAL | | Exclusive Patreon Video | Goodbye 2018

The only speak Japanese video was a highlight, especially Sharla’s attempts to poison you with natto and fried noodle sandwiches.

Denis Looby

Hi, just wanted to post and thank you as your videos never fail to make me smile. This is going to sound very cruel but my favourite moment was your reaction to tasting the full strength black ramen broth. Hope you are allowing yourself some down time to enjoy Christmas and New Year!

Jonathan Turmaine

Following the behind the scenes updates on Patreon as you edited Natsuki the movie, excited to see the new ones as "Natsuki 2: The Search for Sid" begin. Get yourself an assistant editor man! Thanks for a good 2018 and all the best for 2019!

John P Kowalchuk

Your growing bromance between yourself and Joey the Animation man, culiminating in the Dr.Jelly Advert.

Kenneth Smith

The Podcast! An extra piece of Chis, with the added benefit of Pete. Helped a lot in 2018, while doing regular 2 hour drives across the country (and 2 hours back) for family things. Stockpiled a few weeks worth together at points to make the journey seem shorter / fly by. Many Thanks, and have a good 2019!

Matthew

Ryotaro

I second this.

My highlight would likely be the whole "Journey Across Japan" project. I didn't think that you had it in you to actually pull it off (for various reasons). I stand corrected, and I could not be happier! Your editing skills have improved massively, video quality, considering you're a Youtube vlogger, is simply amazing. Thank you Chris for an amazing year. Keep it up.

Tom

My highlight was discovering your channel. I’ve wanted to visit Japan for years and was so happy to find you giving not only travel advice but information on culture and trends in the area. It makes me feel one step closer to being immersed in the culture myself. So until I can manage a trip, I’ve been living vicariously though you. Thanks for sharing, Chris.

I enjoyed every video. Probably what stands out to me the most is how much your editing skills have improved from the begining of the year until the end. It's been a joy to watch. Happy holidays Chris!

Been watching the Abroad in Japan channel for years Chris. Adored your old original content, but this year you've topped your best with the latest cycle across Japan series. You're a friend across the Tube. Cheers.

The mountain temple visit was great. It felt like a really personal trip, which gave the video a bit of oomph.

Has to be Natsuki saying “I kill customer” 😂 Also the little bit of Risottoro The Movie you made, loved the drone shots

Fran Batchelor

I'm sure there would be many more moments that I'd love to rewatch, but these are definitely among my favourites: 1) the Fukushima documentary, 2) Dr. Jelly, 3) you in an American accent, 4) you in Japanese and almost being sarcastic, 5) something from Natsuki the Movie, e.g. Natsuki trying his magic trick on someone in the UK, 5) when you opened up about your emotions and revealed that you weren't always as happy and confident as you seemed, especially in the run-up to moving to Japan. That was powerful stuff!

Nynke de Haas

All your videos in general are entertaining and funny to watch. My favorite moment would be that music video you made. That's on a different level, even higher than normal Japanese commercials.

My favorite video of this past year was definitely What Happened in Japan After the Tsunami? I loved being able to see the human element of the Japanese culture and having more of an opportunity to see individuals working through what happened. I hope to see more videos like that one in 2019!

As much as you hated it, my favorite of the year and the one I've watched more than any other (yes, I rewatch your videos) was the "Only Speak in Japanese" episode of the Never-Ending Cycle of Despair.

My favorite moment of 2018 was watching you reignite your passion for making videos, trying new ideas to step up the content, and continue to grow from the different challenges you set for yourself. It’s been amazing to see and makes me happy to support you via Patreon. (Although if I had to pick a moment, it would be when you spoke in an American accent for an entire video!) Congrats on a successful year and best wishes for the holidays!

I also discovered your channel earlier this year and I'm amazed by the growth it's exhibited over that time. I'm so happy to be along for the ride! I think my favorite video has still got to be the introduction of Dr. Jelly. You and Joey were great together as it is, but the commercial was the icing on the cake. I was laughing so hard my cheeks were sore! Have a Merry Christmas Chris!

Argus9 (Jonathan)

I can't really think of a favorite moment from the last year but the After the Tsunami video was one of the high lights this year. Love all the usual silliness though!

Making Sharla go on the roller coaster was a great moment, too.

rafa UGM

You should include a clip of the 'Monster Gyoza Challenge' video, your faces of suffering were hilarious. Also, the Hokkaido videos you uploaded were very interesting, like Okano struggling with the magnetic interference of the volcano with his drone (<a href="https://youtu.be/zr_cfb_6JM0?t=458)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/zr_cfb_6JM0?t=458)</a> or drinking water that tastes like chemicals (and dancing!). And, of course, the beautiful view of the closed and snowed lavender fields (<a href="https://youtu.be/zr_cfb_6JM0?t=960)" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/zr_cfb_6JM0?t=960)</a>

rafa UGM

I only discovered the channel in 2018 as well, before my own trip to Japan I was watching 'what not to do', so thanks for that it really helped me a lot! That video is 2017 so I can't nominate it sadly.... I enjoy your more documentary style videos the most, so I nominate the 'Escape to a secluded Japanese mountain'. It was beautifully filmed and had just the right balance of levity while covering the really interesting &amp; unusual topic of Yamabushi training (&amp; the food too!) And of course there was the following exchange: 'Are there any bears in the forest?' 'YES.' 'If I see a bear, can I talk then?' 'NO.' I also really enjoyed 'Lost in Kyoto', mainly for Pete's antics - you should invite him over for some road trips in 2019 :)

Absolutely the Tsunami video. I've loved the funny moments, but the quiet dignity and incredible positivity of the business woman who had lost her husband and son in an accident will stay with me forever. I mean that. That video showed that you are far more than a YouTuber, you really are a cut above the rest.

I loved the Dr. Jelly commercial with Joey, it really took me by surprise. But I also was really happy about the tsunami video, because it showed how much you still improve the quality of your videos each day. One can see that you further improved your storytelling and that you want to involve something educative in your videos, which separates you from all the casual Vloggers out there. Keep up the documentary style with your whacky sarcasm and we're looking forward to a lot more great videos next year!

Definitely the fun times you had with Natsuki!! I particularly loved watching Natsuki the movie because of how you used your youtube channel as a platform to help him live his life to its fullest beyond his mundane routines :)

It's all been Great Chris , well done &amp; merry Christmas 🎄

The highlight of your channel this year is seeing so many potential places to visit outside the standard tourist cities in Japan. I went twice in 2016 and aside from Shizuoka and Hiroshima, I feel like my experience could have been more diverse. Your videos have inspired me to see more and explore in new ways.

This year was also the year that I discovered your channel, and what an influence it's been on my desire to visit the country myself! I even got my parents into watching your videos with me, which has been an invaluable bonding experience ^__^ In terms of specific moments this year, my family and I LOVED your Japanese commercial with Joseph the Animation Man; it was really funny and showed off more of your silly side~

That is great Chris, looking forward to it. My favorite would be the cycling as a whole. Loved the concept and how it involved moments and experiences with each guest.

Cesar S.

Highlight was definitely that drone video of the secret spy Rissotaro getting blown up!

The tsunami documentary was the best video I saw on YouTube all year. Despite being such a departure from the usual AIJ style, it was a story told so well. It was a cut above anything you'd normally expect to see on the site, and definitely one to be proud of. Personally, it inspired me to take a trip up the Iwate coastline to see for myself. It was a shocking and humbling experience that I'm grateful for, and it's thanks to that video.

Harry Bonyari

Not so much a video, but I've loved how far you've come this year as a producer in general. You've taken on some massive challenges and have smashed them all and I'm so happy with the content that we've had this year. Really looking forward to 2019, can't wait to see what goals you'll set for yourself! (but to be specific, the cycle challenge has been my favorite thing this year, the collab-ing has been fantastic, and I always love a good travel video)

Thanks for an amazing year of content Chris! My favourite has to be Pete’s fine form in his search for porn and his home made monster.

I discovered the channel in 2018, so I guess that IS my highlight.