NEW VIDEOS | Behind the Scenes and Q&A

Why is it that you include elements of horror/thriller genre (such as those sfx and dutch angles) in your videos? I like it because it's unexpected, and is quite humourous, but do you have a particular influence or reason why you do this?

The identity crisis was HILARIOUS! 😂

Luke Beaman

I just wanted to say (in regards to the whole identity crisis thing) that I really appreciate how much effort you actually put into your videos. While I do watch a couple of vloggers, the quality of all your videos far surpass the quality of any of their daily vlogs that they threw together in 2 seconds. The fact that you manage to upload so many videos on different and interesting topics showcasing the weird and wonderful parts of Japan regularly is worth a lot of praise. So thank you! (Also I did not notice that you added footage from different days on the Geibeki gorge vid at all holy shit that is hilarious)

I'd say it's half and half - if it's a video where I'm going off travelling like I did in the recent Aomori video, then I think of a story afterwards (in this case, going in search of cider). However, videos set in my apartment are usually more or less scripted out (e.g. the hate mail and Japanglish videos). It's hard to think of a story when you're travelling around to be honest - but it's still important. It makes it a lot easier to watch the video if you feel you're watching a narrative, as opposed to a series of random locations.

Abroad in Japan

My only regret is not making that shot into a slow motion pan, to heighten to the ridiculousness even further.

Abroad in Japan

I absolutely love your style of videos mate, particularly because it's different to the standard vlogs that are currently all the range. Once you learn the formula, they just become white noise, and I can easily finish a video without actually taking in a single word. Your stuff always has a unique flare to it (don't think I've ever described cutting British sarcasm as flare before XD), which make them fresh and interesting, and I'll happily sit down and watch them all the way through. I have one question though- when filming, do you have in mind a story you want to tell, and get footage to fit that story; or do you just shoot whatever seems interesting and natural at the time and then piece it together in edit with appropriate narration. Keep up the awesome videos dude!

Loved the identity crisis video.. how the hell did the joke go over ANYONE'S head? Maybe in the beginning, but how much more obvious could you get than having a dumb look on your face while the camera does a 360 pan around (<a href="https://youtu.be/RdJMKRs7nhk?t=127)?" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">https://youtu.be/RdJMKRs7nhk?t=127)?</a> Hilarious.

Seriously... I am so glad to see Japan through your eyes. I will slap you though if you ever go on the wrong path of upbeat music and oversaturated scenic clips, don´t worry. :-))

Hana Mik

Great videos - as always :) Reminds me I have to eat my KitKat's. Maybe the "For Fuck's Sake" Shirt will give me strength, or a bottle of Sake!

Only that shop I think (and several in Aomori). They did mention an online shop though - google the brand and see if it comes up!

Abroad in Japan

It worries me mate - I may have to start labelling the videos with sarcasm warnings in order to stop this madness from continuing.

Abroad in Japan

I haven't tipped anyone in 4 years and you won't have to either! Tipping doesn't exist in Japan and it certainly makes eating out a lot more convenient/cheap.

Abroad in Japan

It's one of the best royalty free songs I've come across actually - I got it from Premiumbeat.com and the song was called "First Crush" by Julian Bell.

Abroad in Japan

I'm afraid not - if I see it I'll definitely try it though!

Abroad in Japan

The main reason I decided to do the videos with Odigo was because I had complete creative control actually. I chose where I wanted to go and what I wanted to film (except Okinawa which was planned as a group trip with other vloggers). In fact, Odigo didn't even know I'd filmed at Tazawa Lake or Geibikei Gorge until a few days before I released the videos - I just told them I had some cool places I planned to feature. So it was very favourable - the only thing I regret was releasing the travel videos all in close succession last week and focussing too much on travel this year. Now that the Odigo videos are done, and thanks to the success of Patreon, I plan to do a bit more random, crazier stuff. Expect more satire and bitterness going forward.

Abroad in Japan

Yes it's certainly a mixture of personal discoveries and recommendations from friends. Geibikei gorge was somewhere Natsuki actually recommended - and I ended up showing Rachel, Jun and Sharla there last year. Tazawa Lake was somewhere I'd visited twice before, and the places in Aomori were Ryotaro's recommendations. I try to make sure wherever I'm showing is interesting and unique in some way, and will come across well on video. I don't always get it right though - as beautiful as Geibikei Gorge was, it's a bit dull to watch.

Abroad in Japan

Fantastic to hear that Melissa - I'd buy lying if I said I wasn't delighted by this story. I'll be sure to keep the cute faces at bay for the foreseeable future.

Abroad in Japan

I'm curious about what your favorite ciders are. We have quite a few here available in the Midwest states, as all we can grow are apples and corn. Personally I like dry and less sweet ciders like Hornsbys...tthough I haven't seen them in stores lately. Smith and Forge is ok, but seems too processed.

Jeremy Carlson

Is the cider only available at that shop or can you get it in other parts of Japan?

Kieran Sharp

Good grief, I just looked at the comments on the Tazawa Lake video... My favourites were the ones claiming that they "love your sarcasm so much", that they were disappointed you'd switched styles. Methinks they hath a problem with their brain being missing...

Creative and true to who you are. You inspire me Chris! Sorry to go slightly off topic here but, is tipping customary in japan? Really trying to get a lot of cultural aspects in perspective for my trip to Tokyo in November! And by the way, when you cut back to the beginning seen simply with: "oh! I dropped my cup!

What is the name of that song you played in the Cider video when you guys are looking at the large floats? It's catchy as hell and has a good beat.

Have you ever tried Martinelli's Apple Cider? Very very good.

Even if you were being sarcastic, being able to hear you say "What's up, guys! It's your boy, Chris here!" was the funniest thing I've ever seen, especially coming from such a wry guy such as yourself. I'm glad that you're able to recognize your own style and keep it consistent rather than bowing to whatever pressures you face to become more 'mainstream'. Now that your series of Odigo sponsored videos is complete, I have to ask: How did you decide on where to go for your Odigo sponsored trips? Did you have to pick from their list of places or could you convince them that your own choice was worth sponsoring?

After falling down a YouTube rabbit hole of jvloggers, I have to say I honestly like your style the best so far. I think you do a great job of showing authentic experiences and places while letting your personality shine through. I thought I knew a lot about travelling in Japan but it turns out it's mostly high level "what to do with 10-14-20 days in Japan" kind of stuff and these videos have opened up a lot of new places I'd love to visit the next time I go. How do you find or decide on the different locations or activities? Is it just from living where you do, your own research, or do your friends suggest things? Mixture of both?

Christina Woog

The worrying amount of capital letters you've been using made me wonder if there was some underlying cry for help haha

Denver Dauthe

blasphemy!!! who told you you need to change your video styles! it was Joey, it was joey wasn't it!

I introduced your channel to a friend, and at first she wasn't a fan probably because it wasn't as....full of time lapses and sweeping shots from a drone. But then a week later we were talking and she dismissed nearly all of her old fav tubers over you, saying, "I actually watched a few and he SHOWS you where he's at and talks about it instead of just showing us his face while he walks around. He's one of my favorites now. I can't really stand everyone else's videos anymore. They're all about the person shooting, not Japan." I remembered this convo well because she never fucking admits I'm right so it stuck with me. Keep it up, I love that your videos are about Japan, complimented by your snarky attitude and cutting sarcasm and not you just making cute faces for 5 fucking minutes while saying how hot it is outside. A+.

I haven't had a chance to watch your last couple of videos yet, though I obviously will soon ;) Please keep the satire coming though Chris!

James Keen