Natsuki and I get more than we bargain for when we go in search of long lost treasure on a remote island in the Sea of Japan - armed with a sword and an airport metal detector.
Earlier this year, Natsuki and I tried and failed to get to the secluded island of Tobishima in the Sea of Japan due to bad weather.
But yesterday - finally - we successfully reached the island and spent two days exploring it in search of the fabled long lost treasure of ...
2020-10-01 02:41:06 +0000 UTC
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We've certainly no shortage of things to discuss in this month's Patreon live show!
From the imminent launch of Journey Across Japan: Escape to Fuji, to a second attempt to reach a remote island in the Sea of Japan with Natsuki, a final Abroad in Japan Q&A video and a secret video in Tokyo all taking place in the next two weeks.
The live show will be held this weekend on Saturday 26th (22:30 Japan time) and I'll be all yours to ques...
2020-09-25 12:06:17 +0000 UTC
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It's not everyday you get to produce your own therapy.
Often while I'm stuck indoors editing away for hours on end, I like to have some music on or the sound of an ambient setting to help me relax and stay focussed.
Back in August when I was out filming the Driving in Japan episode, I was able to shoot one of my favourite compositions I've ever shot.
A luscious rice field blowing gently in the wind, with a gushing stream in t...
2020-09-23 15:27:18 +0000 UTC
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For those of you who've listened to me drone on forever about wanting to make a cinematic video in Tokyo at night ("LIKE BLADE RUNNER INNIT"), you'll be shocked and surprised to learn I finally did it.
A couple of nights ago I was in Shinjuku for dinner with my good friend and fellow night time photography enthusiast Victor (better known as Frame of Travel: https://www.instagram.com/...
2020-09-20 16:20:49 +0000 UTC
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AN IMPULSE PURCHASE 8 YEARS IN THE MAKING.
But how could such a beautiful creation spark so much childhood resentment?
And why did I finally buy one?
ALSO this week, news on the upcoming Journey Across Japan: Escape to Fuji road trip series and of course FILM FRIDAY!
All that and quite poss...
2020-09-19 01:47:03 +0000 UTC
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6 days.
5 prefectures.
1,000km.
An action-packed journey through the mysterious Japanese Alps, wandering through creepy abandoned buildings, secluded villages, stunning hot springs, an eroding coastline, wacky hotels and eventually, hopefully catching an amazing glimpse of Mount Fuji once and for all.
Journey Across Japan: Escape to Fuji is the first series to kick off the next generation of Journey Across Japan, where we...
2020-09-12 15:38:35 +0000 UTC
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So a couple of days back I was visiting a friend in neighbouring Iwate prefecture, and after he shot off in the evening to meet someone better, I grabbed my new camera and went for a night time stroll alone.
I don’t do it as often as I should, which is a shame as photography is often best done alone, when it’s just you, your camera and the street with no distractions along the way.
There was no plan other than to test out the new camera and ...
2020-09-04 16:09:57 +0000 UTC
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**UPDATE** - This video is now available in 5k!
Well August was certainly a fun month (utterly absurd temperatures aside).
From the long awaited "Driving in Japan" video and mocking Google Translate, to catching up with Natsuki for his birthday and making the Abroad in Japan Podcast twice weekly - as well as upgrading to an iMac and a new camera.
And with the impending Sushi restaurant documentary next week, an upcoming journey t...
2020-08-28 17:49:47 +0000 UTC
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Following on from last week's intense live show with Natsuki, I'm rather looking forward to our far more chilled out Patreon live show this weekend.
August was certainly a fun month (utterly absurd temperatures aside).
From the long awaited "Driving in Japan" video and mocking Google Translate, to catching up with Natsuki for his birthday and making the Abroad in Japan Podcast twice weekly - as well as upgrading to an iMac and a new camera.
2020-08-28 17:04:43 +0000 UTC
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Natsuki's Birthday Live Show is now all set and ready to go!
We've got the candles. We've got the sake. And we've got the biscuits.
All we need is you.
Live Show: https://youtu.be/T-lZTHOyXM0
And while you wait, it's time for FILM FRIDAY.
To be honest, it's a miracle we've made it so many weeks in to Film Friday without mentioning my favourite Japanese...
2020-08-21 17:34:04 +0000 UTC
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So this week the Abroad in Japan channel's in-house rock legend turns a year older and to celebrate, Natsuki and I are hanging out for a few days, including this weekend when we're doing a live show to celebrate.
You're all invited to join us for the mayhem!
The Live Show will be held on Saturday evening (22nd) at 22:00 Japan time on the Abroad Perspective channel and naturally being the "good" friend I am, I'll be bringing...
2020-08-19 14:56:26 +0000 UTC
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So this morning I received a wonderful, albeit unexpected surprise.
I opened my inbox to find an email from Shin Suzuma, the acclaimed musician behind the song “Ikebana” used in the opening countryside montage of the recent Driving in Japan video.
Apparently all week he’s been inundated with folks asking about the soundtrack after hearing it on the Abroad in Japan channel and he’s received a record amount of traffic to his website and So...
2020-08-14 13:07:34 +0000 UTC
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Unsurprisingly, not everything goes according to plan when filming an Abroad in Japan video. In fact it's a bloody miracle if everything goes right.
From dodgy equipment and bad weather, to painful decisions to remove entire scenes from the video, in this Patreon exclusive Behind the Scenes video, I reveal the the ups-and-downs, mishaps and lessons learned in the recent "Driving in Japan" episode on Abroad in Japan.
► Watc...
2020-08-13 03:51:08 +0000 UTC
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The arch villain of the Abroad in Japan Cinematic Universe is back.
So this week instead of my film recommendation, I sat down with Risottoro to hear him reveal his top 3 favourite films (in glorious 4K no less).
▶︎ Watch: https://youtu.be/Go2fBrS0yuU
Apologies for missing our regular slot this week. As I mentio...
2020-08-09 16:59:34 +0000 UTC
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So tonight I went to meet my arch nemesis Risottoro for a catch up and over dinner he suddenly springs a surprise live show on me that he wants to do this evening.
I suppose it was always inevitable, that'd I'd be dragged kicking and screaming into a live show with Ryotaro. Anything to promote his beloved "Ryotaro's Japan" channel.
With that in mind, we'll be doing an hour long live show starting at 10PM Japan time...
2020-08-07 12:44:07 +0000 UTC
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FASTEN your seatbelts.
We're going on a road trip.
What Driving in Japan is REALLY Like
► https://youtu.be/uQw1SwPo0UA
Bears, missiles, abandoned buildings, stunning Japanese countryside and an abusive Natsuki on a beach, what more could you want?!
Expect a behind the scenes Patreon exclusive revealing the ups and downs that ...
2020-08-03 15:37:13 +0000 UTC
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Frustrating.
Educational.
Rewarding.
Cars.
These are just some of the words in my extensive vocabulary that I’d use to describe the production process of this weekend’s Abroad in Japan video.
It’s been quite the tough production, but I’m pleased to announce the Driving in Japan video will be up this weekend. It’s a truly monstrous video, shot across ...
2020-07-31 16:11:52 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys,
I'm pleased to announce July's Patreon Exclusive Live Q&A will be held this weekend!
The show kicks off on Sunday 26th at 07:30am Japan time, which means for most of you it'll likely be afternoon or evening on the 25th. (Times listed above).
I'll be talking about behind the scenes events from July, what's coming up in August and answering your questions about ABSOLUTELY anything, all while trying to appear slick and composed at ...
2020-07-24 15:16:16 +0000 UTC
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Good news!
Ryotaro’s restaurant wasn’t just good - it was rather spectacular.
Though to be fair, it’s not as if he runs it himself or cooks the food.
- If that were the case, I’m not sure I’d have gotten out of there alive.
We filmed our meal and a tour of the restaurant - of which he is a stakeholder - and the video will be out on his channel in a couple of weeks! As you can see in the photo (above), the...
2020-07-24 13:24:42 +0000 UTC
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Beyond the relentless sarcasm, beyond the culture, the cuisine, the Ryotaro or even the Natsuki, the Abroad in Japan channel has always been about escapism.
Though to be fair, it took me about 5 years of making these videos before I worked that out for myself. Sometimes it's surprisingly hard to understand what gets you motivated.
As much as I like to make people laugh, teach useful things, or watch Natsuki break his teeth on European sweets...
2020-07-22 16:50:41 +0000 UTC
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LIVE SHOW WITH NATSUKI on Abroad Perspective
Saturday at 10pm Japan time!
Aka. Tomorrow.
Join the fun: https://youtu.be/LLDTLdc63Rg
Crack it in the calendar, and come with a drink. It should be a lot of fun!
It’s also quite scary given you never quite know what Natsuki is about to do at any given moment. The man is more thrilling...
2020-07-17 16:04:34 +0000 UTC
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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 ...
2020-07-15 16:06:45 +0000 UTC
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Once again after 5 long years, I find myself in possession of my very own automobile.
It's a time for rediscovering the joys of driving and wallowing in the sheer sense of adventure that awaits every journey through the Japanese countryside.
To celebrate this historic milestone, the next Abroad in Japan video will be the best video on driving in Japan ever made; a road trip across Japan to see Natsuki, packed full of slick drone...
2020-07-10 14:31:03 +0000 UTC
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So a couple of weeks back, I was draped over the back seat of a taxi in Tokyo, when I quietly snapped this photo.
Even though I liked the photo, my initial delight quickly turned to dismay as I counted the things wrong with it.
The composition was off.
The driver should have been about a third of the way into the frame to make the image visually pleasing. Because it was poorly lit the image was rather grainy and n...
2020-07-06 17:31:56 +0000 UTC
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LET'S FILM FRIDAY.
First off, a huge thanks for all the kind words on the latest video guys. To my shock and surprise, 'Why I Don't Watch Japanese TV' has gone on to become the best performing video on the Abroad in Japan channel so far this year, reaching 1 million views in the first 5 days after being featured on Youtube Trending.
I couldn’t be happier that all those weeks of hard work have delivered a video that viewers seem to really enjoy. ...
2020-07-03 17:04:23 +0000 UTC
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So over the last couple of days many of you guys have been asking me how I pulled off the blue screen scene in the recent "Why I Don't Watch Japanese TV" video.
Finally, in this week's Patreon Exclusive video, I reveal all (and to be fair it's a lot simpler than you'd think).
BUT THAT'S NOT ALL.
Also in this week's video:
1) Which videos have I secretly been filming in June?
2) What videos can yo...
2020-06-30 19:22:32 +0000 UTC
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Hey guys,
So this morning due to some technical errors with today's new Abroad in Japan video, I've been up until 04:30am sorting the video and getting it uploaded (it's now up and...
2020-06-27 19:42:49 +0000 UTC
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After wave after wave of tedious technical issues, at last this weekend the new video on Why I Hate Japanese TV will be out on the Abroad in Japan channel.
The week after that: Why I Hate Blue Screens.
(Though in fairness, most of the technical issues were to do with bloody Adobe).
Sorry for the wait though guys - I hope it’ll be worth it. There’s a lot packed into this one; from my three most ...
2020-06-26 15:30:38 +0000 UTC
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*****UPDATE****
HEY GUYS** This Live Show has been rescheduled to 22:00 JST on Sunday 28th. I've not taken the decision lightly (it's the first time I've done this in almost 4 years). However, this morning due to some technical errors with today's new Abroad in Japan video, I've been up until 04:30am, meaning best case scenario I'd be doing the live show on 2 hours sleep.
It's doable, but it wouldn't be much fun for anyone to watch and a wasted op...
2020-06-25 12:43:36 +0000 UTC
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A horrifying image from the upcoming video on why I hate Japanese television.
Because I figured if you're going to critique Japanese TV, first you must become Japanese TV. To do so ultimately requires:
1) An unnecessary reaction box from another presenter
2) Extremely theatrical enthusiasm from all presenters
3) Annoying over the top sound effects.
4) A sea of confusing onscreen text
Expect to see all fo...
2020-06-21 15:39:25 +0000 UTC
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