Why I Wanted to End 2021 in Hokkaido 🇯🇵 | Patreon Exclusive Video | Also: GOODBYE 2021!

Live music scene…like to see something around that. public transport and live music are the best ways to get a sense of a place. Not just techno clubs but rock, ska, jazz etc.

Alison Williams

glad I checked my email

SIXCOINS

Wait, you released a book in Japanese? Totally missed that. What is it called? :D

Happy New Year! Congratulations especially on your awesome studio. My favorite content is usually when you're traveling and visiting places such as on Journey Across Japan, your more spontaneous trips like the one with Pete, and Whacky Weekend with Connor. It's fun seeing you with a friend traveling and getting to play off their energy, especially when it's Natsuki and he's just making you laugh with his antics lol Connor is fun too since you both snark in equal measure. Your absolute best content are when you do an interview or documentary though - I really enjoyed your earthquake/tsunami documentary and your Hyde and Natsuki documentaries so I can't wait for the one for Ken Watanabe. I kind of would like a Natsuki style one for Ryotaro just because I feel like it would be interesting to dive into his past experiences traveling and the different enterprises he does now - I feel like although we've heard bits and pieces of his background he's a little more shrouded in mystery although that may be by choice!

Valerie

Wishing you a bigger and better 2022!! The highlight of 2021 has got to be Too Much Volcano - catchiest song ever. I would love to see Sharla join you, Joey and Natsuki in more videos together. I think she always brings great energy and dynamic to the group. Thank you so much for your incredible content and hard work over the years. I've been watching all your old videos on repeat coz i miss Japan so much and your podcasts have made my commute to work more bearable!!!

The random Easter Island + Stonehenge cemetery on the Hokkaido trip with Pete was incredible!

Sereen

It’s not New Years yet here in New Mexico USA. Not too early to wish everyone here a Happy 2022. I hope there is a trip home to the UK this year for you. I’m planning a trip to Japan next fall if the country opens up and it’s all your fault. During lockdown, I was obsessed with YouTube videos and went down many rabbit holes. Got totally engrossed in the tsunami videos and watched the Fukushima disaster one which led me to your Fukushima video. Which led to your Channel. Before I knew it, I had subscribed and was hooked. Now, I’m a Patreon and am studying Hiragana and Katakana. The kanji book you recommended is next. Your JAJ Lost Islands had some of the most incredible videography I’ve seen. I had no idea that Japan was so beautiful. Your drone footage is stunning. I am always a bit disappointed when an episode ends because I want to see more. This Hokkaido episode is no exception. I always want more. In 2022, I want to see your next journey and another song by the Nippon trio. A compilation video of drone shots would make me very happy, but I’m sure we will all love whatever you come up with. Thank you for bringing some joy to this awful year.

Susan Ray

Amazing year for you. It was a lacklustre year with another long lockdown thrown in for me, but it was made bearable thanks to you and your mini-docos. It helped with the feelings of nostalgia over Japan. I think your cinematography & editing jumped up noticeably in quality by a lot this year over previous years, so kudos. All the best this new year.

Henry PoP

Watching 'The Lost Islands' today! Absolutley brilliant camera work (and content!), wouldn't be the same without that British wit, and sarcasm - though, it would be better without your face.. 😂 Also, it's midnight here in the UK, so Happy New Year to you all at AiJ!

Eric

Personal highlight? Hmm. The studio sure takes things to new heights. That and I really enjoyed the new Hokkaido video just now. ❤️

Andrew Roque

Yeah 2021 was awesome for your content Chris. I think the best thing was probably your studio, close second would be JAJ obviously. As for what I'd like to see more of...probably your studio. Just more up close details. We've seen a lot of the Blade Runner half but I feel like we haven't seen a lot of the 1960s candy store half. It doesn't have to be a video either, just some pictures would be nice lol. I want to see what all the toys and candy are! Happy New Years Chris, hope have an even better year in 2022!

Astor Reinhardt

Chris X Joey X Natsuki is just the best trio. ♥ Thanks for all the awesome content in 2021, Chris! Cheers to more on 2022!

Happy new year. It's over for you but still hours away on the USA east coast... Hope the future looks good on your end. 🙃 Nice to see the cool Japan crew out for a last stint. Best wishes for another prosperous year for all.

Happy new year Chris! (Also… I missed the Japanese book, that’s amazing do you have the details?)

Samuel Clements

Happy New Year Chris. Here’s to another banger year! Found your channel in late 2018/early 2019 when I sent my son to Japan as a gift, you helped me choose the trip without him knowing and it turned out fantastic for him. Thanks for that. But I’ve stayed for the excellent content and you helped me mentally escape the hellish lockdowns we’ve endured. I’ll never ever get to visit Japan but I’ve sure enjoyed feeling like I’ve been there thru your excellent shows. You seem like just our ( hubby and I ) sort of person in almost every way, we can easily imagine having a great evening with you at a pub or something. Love your sarcasm, wit, goofiness, taste in booze, and appreciate your perfectionist attitudes toward your work. Also I got a fucks sake shirt for Christmas! Love it!! Hope you are surrounded always by people that truly love and care about you! Hope your life is exactly the way you want it to be, and if anything isn’t to your preference that this year changes that! And here’s to achieving the goals you’ve set for yourself! Cheers🥂 PS please spend more time with Connor, on and off cam, I think it’s very personally/creatively beneficial for both of you and Fing hilarious for the rest of us! 💕 and perhaps solve the mystery of the lost jumper 🤣 What do I want to see? Another big, long, lots of friends included ( well maybe not Rytoro 😉), JAJ series, like the bike special but employing various modes of travel or multiple countries or all prefectures in one go or something epic (world situ permitting) -around the world in 80 days style or perhaps a scavenger/treasure hunt of sorts. Lots of anpanman challenges too! Also more ..more wacky bachelor adventures with Connor please! And For Fucks Sake go skiing already ( take Connor and TT friends /crew with you - that will be interesting no matter what you do and think of the great Bond-esc drone shots ) and this summer please do some fun and sun in Okinawa, you need some Vit D!

WT

Happy New Year! Wishing you health, happiness, and more success for the coming year!

Happy New Year Chris! Here's to making the most of 2021!

Argus9 (Jonathan)

Happy new year! What you've done this year would be impressive even without the pandemic leering over your shoulder - with it taken into consideration, it's frankly astounding. Aspiration is a great thing, just try not to get caught in the trap of feeling like you always need to top what you've achieved previously. So long as you're still getting to improve your craftsmanship and experimenting (and paying the bills) you're doing great. Loved all the content you put out this year! Got many chuckles from your collabs with Joey, you guys have a fun dynamic on camera. Exploring abandoned places is always fascinating, and any general how-tos when it comes to traveling Japan. Would love to see some more Bladerunner style footage montages too. And of course, more chats in the studio. Really, you can't go wrong.

Sassamifrass

I'm dieing to know. Did you eat the vending machine chicken? Was it any good? Also, Happy New Year. 🙂

Happy new year Chris and to all the team 🎉🎉🎉

Happy New Year Chris! Here’s to another amazing year of AIJ, I’m excited to see what what’s in store!

Happy New Year Chris! 12 days of Christmas was certainly a great way to end the year, but you guys really outdid yourself with Too Much Volcano! It seems there’s enough in store for next year to look forward to, though I personally would love to revisit the Seto Inland Sea and the Shimanami Kaido. Here’s to a great 2020!

Alex Cheng

Happy New Year Chris. As for what my highlight from Abroad in Japan was this year? it was the fact that you finally went to Akita Prefecture and did a video there. As for what I want to see next year? well: 1. I want to see you with Joey, Conner and Garnt compete in airsofting in Japan. 2. I want to see you WALK on foot the entire Ōshū Kaidō trail or the San'indō trail and 3. To compete in a food challenge in Tottori City, at a place called Maneki Koyamaten. Apparently yhe challenge is to eat a Katsudon that is 5 times the size of a regular portion in 30 minutes and if you win you get 10,000 Yen prize. It would be great to do a food challenge video again I think the lat time you did one was back in 2018 with Natsuki, here is a link to the shop with the challenge: http://tabelog.com/tottori/A3101/A310101/31001014/

Xenin

Happy New Year Chris! I'd love to see more Natsuki and Connor together.

Happy new year everyone! I hope we can all finally go to Japan at some point in 2022 :D

Esteban Gaete Flores

Me too! Hoping to use it to teach about 🌋 in class next year

Wishing you and all behind the scenes a happy, healthy and fulfilling 2022, Chris!

Etienne Sharp

Happy new Year Chris! All the best for 2022! Can't wait to see what you get up to! Hopefully it's the year I finally move to Japan so you never know, I might be buying you a small McDonald's fries before you know it! ^_^

Chris Hunter

just a suggestion. Location: Himuro Mansion, Near Tokyo, Japan Location: Weekly Mansion, Akasaka, Japan

Carissa

Hi Chris, a happy, healthy and a very fruitful year 2022 to you! It's has been a hell of a ride the past eight years or so since I've found and followed your channel. I love all your contents, but what has drawn me the most to your channel is the wacky British take on the subject. The British humour and sarcasm is just priceless. For me personally, one big step in the past eight years was when you improved your sound quality, especially while narrating, from echoey room recording to a proper microphone. Long story short, thank you so much enriching my everyday life, also thanks to the brilliant podcast which has become an integral part of of my time on the road. I'm so happy and proud to be part of the patreon community and look forward to all the great things to come. 2021 highlights for meu are your Journey across Japan pt. 3 and your new studio. For next year why not checking out one of the many world renowned aquariums in Japan? Might not be action packed but I'm sure you can find a good twist for it 😉 All the best and keep up the good work! Louis from the very mild South London

Tinya Wollweber

Happy new year to you and the gang!! Thanks for all you do!!

Carissa

Happy New Year Chris! 2022’s going to phenomenal for your channel, and hopefully our overlord the YouTube algorithm will be a bit more kind next year! (One of my favorite things about the channel has been the adventures into abandoned buildings.) Utterly fascinating.

FupaLawd

All the best Chris, here's to 2022! 🍾

Caz T

Great end to the year Chris. I loved my time at Toyako back in 2019. The part of the town destroyed in the 2000 eruption was very disconcerting indeed. I was there for 3 days and met some great people such as the grumpy woodwork guy (he was ok really, didn't like being disturbed while whittling) and the bar owner who offered me a job!

John Manning

Happy new year from Australia!! All the best, thanks for a great year, Chris!

Japandaman

Is there no family mart chicken wending machine in this one?

Thank you for all the content you've shared for 2021 (been following since 2013 🍻) looking forward to seeing more adventures in the new year 😄🎉

Too much content to pick any favourites. Enjoyed the relatively new dynamic with Connor, Journeys Across Japan and of course the new studio. Happy New Year and keep up the great work!

Have a good new years Chris. See you next year.

Happy new year Chris! 🎆🥳🥂

Hannah Stover

Happy New Year! Can't wait for more adventures in 2022! :)

JG

Happy new year, Chris. Thanks for the countless hours of entertainment this year. Take care of yourself!

Thank you Chris & team for all that you do! Seeing your work and your motivation and strive to make the best content makes me feel motivated and excited to grow and learn as an editor! I really appreciate the time and effort that goes in each video to make them as intricate and full of life as they are! I hope you and everyone has a great new year wherever you are in the big wide world, Much love from a YouTube watcherer, podcast listener patroner 💜🌟

Happy New Year Chris & Friends! thanks for all the great videos! (and for the not that great ones as well) (nah all were great I'm just pulling your leg!)

Peter Varga

Happy New Year! I've had Too Much Volcano in my head on a loop for months now!

Dara

Cheers Chris, here's to an even better 2022!

Alex Bentley