Happy Birthday Natsuki! 🥳 My 6 Favourite Abroad in Japan Episodes Feat. Natsuki

Happy Birthday to the legend himself - Natsuki!
Twelve years of chaos, laughter and moments that probably belong in a court transcript. We have travelled from the snowy streets of Hokkaido to the beaches of Okinawa, explored abandoned love hotels and even somehow hauled ourselves up Mount Fuji.

But what people see on screen is only half the story. Off camera, Natsuki has been the friend who shows up when life is at its messiest. He knows when to pour the sake, when to make a joke and when to just sit and listen. He’s the real deal. I’m beyond lucky to have him as a friend.

I made the journey to Yamagata today to see him, even if it was just for a short while. And it got me thinking back to my favourite memories we've shared together on screen.

So, allow me to share my six all-time favourite episodes together - and if you have a personal Natsuki highlight, share away in the comments below!

Here's to Japan’s greatest rebel, the soul of Abroad in Japan, and a man I am proud to call my friend. Long may the legend grow 🍻

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6) Driving Japan's Tiniest Car (2025)
There's not that many people on this Earth I'd want to spend two days trapped in Japan's tiniest car with. Thankfully every minute of the journey was eventful, from Natsuki's impromptu taxi drive role play, to battling a real life dinosaur in Fukui.

And while shooting the video was a ton of fun, it was actually the long drive back to Yamagata off camera, where we just listened to music and chatted that I'll look back fondly on. One of my favourite memories of 2025 so far.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/JaONguGKK2M?si=8C-gCgeUE9j0_Bzr

5) Abandoned Love Hotel
"Is your head screwed on? What on earth are we doing?!"
And with that, Natsuki led us into the depths of a terrifying abandoned love hotel only to flee moments later from what he suspected was a bat.

His genuine sense of panic and witty remarks throughout the ordeal within, make me revisit this episode more often than I'd care to admit.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/0pTBsnGsQ-Y?si=P7EGaxMQjXhS5ilC

4) 48 Hours in Sapporo (2017)
It's crazy to think there was once a time when Natsuki and I had never been to Sapporo or Hokkaido and in the summer of 2017, we took our inaugural trip over a three day weekend.

From cookie factories and lamb mutton bbq, to miso butter ramen and neon lit night time scenes, we had an absolute blast discovering the city together. It was one of our first trips in Japan and set the tone for the many travels ahead. I think we did Sapporo justice and had a bloody good laugh along the way.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/2guZrrVMGfI?si=_zWngYK2FUG3-jTk

3) Journey Across Japan: Lost Islands | Too Much Volcano
Who'd have thought a throw away challenge could go on to become an iTune chart topping hit. Natsuki achieved the rare and incredible feat of turning his family name into a song, while throwing in a charismatic vocal performance on the summit of Japan's biggest volcano.

It was an utterly surreal career highlight and the stand out moments of Journey Across Japan: Lost Islands - or as it's often known, Journey Across Japan: Natsuki's holiday.

It was Natsuki's first time ever to join an entire series of JAJ and he made us all wonder how there'd ever been a series without him in every episode. As always, he stole the show from start to finish.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/cqX_2Wmj7xE?si=FNh81aY6QcAu9Bu1


2) Climbing Mount Fuji (2023)
They said it couldn't be done. That a man who's lungs were shot to pieces due to a 30 year smoking habit, should in no way be able to operate at 3,776m.

But he proved us all wrong, powering up to the top of Japan's tallest mountain just in time for sunrise. There were moments of anger, furstration and despair. He even took a nasty tumble half way back down.

But throughout the enduring struggle, Natsuki kept his composure and pushed himself like never before. For a man turning 50, it was one hell of an achievement, and I'll never forget standing proudly on the summit together gazing down at the world below.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/6DQYFfO7BQk

1) Natsuki: The Movie (2018)
I mean there was no way an hour long documentary dedicated to the man himself wasn't going to feature here. An episode in which he almost broke his neck in a wind tunnel, spontaneously and randomly left flowers at the Tomb of Karl Marx and even wrote and performed his own song.

A story of regret, self discovery and adventure to the far side of the world, it was a fun outing packed full of memorable moments. But above all, the chance to share Natsuki's story like never before.

🍿 Watch: https://youtu.be/WLWZBeX-isM
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But what did I miss guys? Share your favourite Natsuki moment of all-time below!
Chris