I Travelled 500km to Japan's Most Overrated Town

[@AbroadinJapan]

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: One thing we probably didn't convey well in this video was how it was about 40 degrees throughout the shoot! Hence Natsuki, myself and cameraman Paul felt rather obliterated through the shoot. Enjoy the journey to Amanohashidate!

[@KlingonGamerYT]

lol as a northerner thats like SUMMER :) to me anyway .....best wishes from JERSEY CHANNEL ISLANDS ..... Bergerac Country

[@Paminjapan]

Matsushima Bay was soooo disappointing. I use to live in Misawa in Aomori Pref. thought I was going on this amazing boat ride. The shrines were mahh .Well, the highlight was a 7.4 earthquake while getting on the bus to go home LOL

[@atleast3c]

It's equivalent of 104 freedom units in case anyone wondering

[@Blorboy]

Been complaining about it getting chilly here lately since it's dropped from mid 20s to low 10s with rain, but after seeing this I'm left quite content with our Dutch climate 😭

[@cheriestl]

Thank you for enduring.

[@xander0901]

There was a time where a place like this might have seemed boring to me due to the lack of “things to do,” but I’ve come to appreciate these small idyllic towns situated in areas of stunning natural beauty.

[@garryferrington811]

Getting hard to find now, too.

[@sharonmoller7414]

100% I want to find the places where I can walk or bimble around on a bicycle without folk getting frustrated with me.

[@xander0901]

@@garryferrington811Japan still has quite a few of these places. In fact, one of Japan’s solutions to combat over tourism is to promote these regions for international and domestic tourism. Some common themes I’ve seen with places like this are that they are quite remove and are serviced by major Shinkansen lines (although some places can still be on the same route).

[@sneer0101]

​@@garryferrington811 They're not really

[@NawRoseProd]

​@@sharonmoller7414Portugal has a decent amount of placed like you discribed

[@BoggWeasel]

No over tourism, lots of space, peace and quiet... a nice, beautiful place to decompress from life in the city. That's more than enough for me 😁👍

[@gagamba9198]

And a chairlift without a safety bar. It's like travelling back in time.

[@peko7446]

@@gagamba9198 There's a safety net underneath though

[@nagasako7]

If I was ultra wealthy 💴, I'd be on a hunt for 2nd home in Japan... Requirements overlooking bay view, Inaka town, top tier restaurants, no tourists.

[@frankthetankricard]

@@gagamba9198 That chairlift was so close to the ground a tall person could probably get out halfway through the trip.

[@gagamba9198]

@@frankthetankricard Check out @57:00. That's at least two metres off the ground. _'get out halfway through the trip'_ What about the other half? Just fall?

[@BaldinJapan]

9:30 "I don't really know how to explain chikuwa, so I'll put some text up on screen" The text on screen "Unexplainable fish tube" Lol thanks Chris 😂

[@gagamba9198]

Chikuwa is freeze-dried fish flatulence.

[@Abrvpt]

And Natsuki, a few seconds later... --- "Chicken skin condom !" XD

[@azukisanhonmono]

I am a Japanese person who doesn’t understand English, so I was watching this video with translated subtitles and never thought it would be such a sloppy explanation. lol Just in case, for those who really want to know what “Chikuwa” is, it is made by grinding fish meat and steaming it. The hole in the center is because the ground meat is wrapped around a stick. The dish that appeared in the video is called “Isobe-age,” which is “Chikuwa” coated with a batter containing aonori (green laver) and deep-fried. It has the flavor of aonori and is very delicious.

[@frijoles0007]

Chikuwa is a type of "rice cake". Rice cakes are made from a fish paste (surimi) and comes in many different shapes. Chikuwa is made by forming the fish cake around the bamboo stick and then cooked. Chikua can also be cooked in different ways "Isobe-age" which is coated and fried, “Isobe-yaki" which is flame grilled with nori, etc. Oh and one more thing.. the Chikua name comes from "bamboo ring"

[@justinedzard]

​@@azukisanhonmono"doesn't understand English", proceeds to give a great explanation for an undefined fish tube, thanks man

[@quietusplus1221]

7:32 "The last Jesus dinner" had me cracking up. Never change Natsuki XD

[@katydid5088]

It's accurate. Natsuki is a master of using his English vocabulary.

[@alexandresobreiramartins9461]

Yeah, me too! I immediately had to tell my wife and comment here.

[@cartoonthunder]

He should name a meal at his bar after that new catchphrase.

[@sissichu]

That and the 17:11 "Crash Abroad in Japan" :D

[@nicholausbuthmann1421]

Love Natsuki's outlook on life !

[@Ozai75]

As a person very near Natsuki's age (3 years younger) it always makes me happy and is quite nice to see him giggle at the stupidest things and just genuinely enjoy things others would consider "Childish" Also 40C throughout that entire trip? WOOF. I bet any breeze coming off the bay had to feel like it was sent from heaven.

[@sam-ky9sj]

It seems silly but it's actually really refreshing to see an older person have fun and be goofy without being shamed for it LOL

[@400cabal]

A breeze when it's 40°C would feel like standing behind a window type AC. Or maybe being inside an air fryer. Experienced exactly that just a few months ago. Hopefully, the bay cooled the air a bit if it did blow in their direction.

[@HenrikoMagnifico]

"It's a Swedish house!" Says Chris as he points at the least Swedish looking house in all of Japan

[@eriklagergren7124]

Sweden hills in hokkaido. Now that's swedish

[@joakimkupfer5097]

This, exactly this

[@Cybit.]

@@eriklagergren7124 Chris should definitely go there for a video.

[@MrSteve420b]

Sponsored by IKEA 😂

[@alaner1383]

@@Cybit. With Felix as a guest, that would be awesome!

[@rahzark]

4:01 "I love these retro style trains" Ohh, are they from the 80s? Or maybe even the 60s? "This is like over 10 years old" Ok then

[@jameswilkes451]

Meanwhile England be like: "From the 80's? We'll put them in our latest fleet"

[@rollatorwieltje]

The green class seats of the brand new N700S Shinkansen look like they were pulled straight from a 1970s Boeing 747, the only thing missing is the cigarette smell

[@bigpappasmoggie]

I'm on a retro styled train right now! (20 year old train in australia smh)

[@XLStress]

​@@rollatorwieltjeAnd they are so bloody comfortable. I wish I could have one at home.

[@tomkandy]

@@jameswilkes451 even earlier, there's still Class 43s from the late 1970s in service

[@ap_Pan]

chris always looks so much happier when doing video with natsuki. love it

[@icholi88]

Natsuki being Japan's national treasure for about 30mins... love it.

[@oscarmendez1477]

That scene where he just bikes away in the sunset is just too majestic! Your friend is hilarious and also your cameraman is amazing, what a great shoot!

[@areeedan2889]

22:48 That Deer side-eye. It is on a mission.

[@_Hewman_]

awesome editing!

[@KevinLou1]

That sniff sound effect is so unnecessary and so good lmao

[@MrVvulf]

I'd rank Miyajima / Itsukushima #1 on places to visit. Not purely for the "deer factor" although they are great, but because Hiroshima is less than an hour away. A visit to Japan should include (if time allows) visiting both Itsukushima Shrine and Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Museum and Park.

[@Sasa-mi3xd]

What’s touching me most over the places nature and even discovery is this beautiful friendship between those two men from different borders and cultures…humanity still exists 🥹🙏🏼greetings from an old friend to this channel from Morocco 🇲🇦🤝

[@eunhyuekpark6159]

Always good to see old man Natsuki and his great over the top personality. A true Oji-san.

[@gagamba9198]

After all he's given to this channel, I think he earned a Marlboro cigarette factory visit.

[@skycloud4802]

If he hasn't already, I'm surprised he hasn't started his own side channel.

[@kyokoyumi]

@@skycloud4802 He has his own channel. I think it's called Natsuki Travels or something like that.

[@dminard1]

The ad drop for the insta 360 camera was masterfully done. It seemed natural yet talked up the camera. I want this camera and I dont even make video content.

[@tasmium]

Thanks to sponsorblock i didn't even know there was an ad

[@Broken_dish]

bro i was stun locked it made me want one. when he explained how you can move around the camera while editing to pick the shot you want since its 360 you get everything. and won't miss a nice shot cause you were filming a little bit to the side i don't even film stuff other than my new kittens lololol.

[@elftax]

@@Broken_dishthe 360 is amazing, you can see that Chris isn’t even pointing/framing the camera, just holding it in front.

[@Broken_dish]

@@elftax right dude im sold on it 🤣🤣

[@warriorxheart]

Midsommar being your only reference for what swedish houses look like is hilarious

[@AbroadinJapan]

It's my only reference for anything Swedish. Swedish people now fill me with immense dread since that film.

[@ParisuSama]

@@AbroadinJapan They're too relaxed. Definitely hiding something.

[@WafflesX3XD]

chris has never heard of abba confirmed ?

[@feexy41]

@@ParisuSamaWe aren’t hiding anything… Trust me c:

[@kraatarin8226]

And Midsommar was filmed in Hungary....

[@Unmeijones]

I went to your Lost bar when I was recently in Japan! I'm so proud

[@HawaiiJapan808]

I love Amanohashidate. They missed one of the best parts. If you go, rent a bike, ride across the sandbar, take the other chairlift up to other side of mountain and enjoy that view.

[@ajrich96]

I was here last month but I stayed in Funuya, Ine. Both places were very beautiful and it was a cool experience to stay the night in a boat house from the Edo period!

[@AbroadinJapan]

Would love to visit Ine - we planned to but we ran out of time sadly!

[@ajrich96]

@@AbroadinJapan I was glad to be able to go to Ine but like amanohashidate there are very few places to eat at. Might have to drive 20 minutes for a convenience store if you don’t have a reservation too!

[@ClementDonovan-s2d]

Every video you produce is 10/10. I'm sure it's abundantly clear but we really appreciate the work put into these and it makes every dull day outside of Japan a little bit more hopeful!

[@universe682]

I'm Japanese.Amaohashidate is my hometown.Amanohashidate is very beautiful place and you can feel very relaxed. I highly recommend for foreign people.

[@MeleeTiger]

"not many tourists" honestly sounds like a selling point, for me at least.

[@chinjianle269]

True, and doing real life drawing there is heaven

[@ChineseKiwi]

Yep, always ask the locals. Chris is a local at this point really. Having old Asian uncles and aunties look at you thinking 'What the hell is this tourist doing here?' at multiple food places only locals go to, like I did, is a compliment LOL. Yeah, I didn't travel to this random food place in the middle of an industrial area for nothing LOL

[@Asmodelta]

Honestly just avoid Tokyo and Kyoto and tourists won't be a problem 90% of the time.

[@coolbrotherf127]

Anywhere I go on vacation I always try to do it in the least crowded areas. I am from a small quiet town in the Southern US so rural Japan actually reminds me of home, heat included lol

[@yoplait3256]

WOW that's nuts! I was in Japan and went to Kyoto only 3 days after this video was shot. To think if I wasn't stuck in Tokyo during Shanshan I might have run into you. The very man who convinced me to travel to Japan back in 2016-17 when I first found your channel!

[@NiklasHjelmSmith]

6:30 There is a place in Japan where they've built Swedish-like homes - a full town of them: Sweden Hills in Tōbetsu, Hokkaidō. And they actually also celebrate midsummer there!!! (It genuinely looks Swedish!)

[@EnsadMiljkovicPsihoterapeut]

I would also advise to visit Ino fishermen village (Funaya) which is 20-30 minutes away. There is a local bus going between cities every hour. There is also a second view point, which has a much better view, on the other side, you visited the closer view point. You also didn't try to do Matanozoki :)

[@paultuck]

Natsuki always comes up with these gems, correct but no-one would have thought of phrasing it like that. "The Last Jesus Dinner".😂🤣 Thanks for sharing this trip with us. It definitely looks gorgeous and so peaceful, quiet and un-touristy!

[@CharlieCheong]

I definitely appreciate long-form travelogues, especially seeing the camaraderie these two longtime friends have while exploring these spots, and showing us the local delights. Thank you to the team for the hard work!

[@tedweird]

"Gonna put some text up on screen" "Unexplainable Fish Tube" Very helpful

[@AYK894]

Natsuki just assuming everything is for him on this trip and stealing Paul's only snack was so funny and very on brand )))

[@doggowhisperer6844]

Once again, Paul did not get fed

[@Unfourjhinately]

Wonderful video with a wonderful cameo from CameranManPaul

[@yobel_i]

I was lucky enough to visit Ine, a village near Amanohashidate this May. I arrived in Amanohashidate quite late in the day though, so I could only visit Ine since trains are limited in the evening and there is an extra 1 hour bus to Ine so if you're planning to visit both Amanohashidate and Ine, please take the earliest train. Although I would recommend staying there since the WHOLE of Tango Peninsula is such a hidden gem, especially the coastline at the edge of the peninsula if you can bike or have a car.

[@kaltaron1284]

I liked it there. Was a nice stop for a few hours on a tour I did with my brother ages ago. We had planned to go swimming there but the season had ended a few days before so we asked at the tourist information if we could. The answer was no but I asked if we weren't not allowed to and it turned out that sure you are but nobody does it and they found it strange that we would. Was a nice refreshing dip. And they were really surprised when we told them that we did upon returning.

[@zacharymonthey]

This is so awesome. Great work. Absolutely love these videos. Japan is amazing!

[@afilthyweeb8684]

That camera is actually insane. Had no idea the tech had come so far.

[@franticfanatic2315]

yeah im not gonna lie it blew my mind when they showed you can change the angle of the video after because its recording everything. I never thought about them like that

[@danlake7970]

The day we spent in Amanohashidate was our favorite day of our last trip to Japan. It was mid-April and we had the town and the amusement park practically to ourselves. What a peaceful, beautiful town and area.

[@MeadowKira]

Honestly appreciate you getting genuine sponsors that you seem to care about.

[@InVerum]

Shoutouts to the camera guy just absolutely rawdogging that entire train ride when not filming. What a beast.

[@zombiethezerker]

Paul is just built different

[@lyndylou752]

Paul is just a legend

[@Some_Idiot_on_the_Internet]

Honestly sometimes the best thing about a getaway location is the lack of stuff to do. Who wants to make themselves busy on vacation? Sometimes it's all about the vibe and the serenity, like Bonnie Doon.

[@shrimps616-tiktok]

the best selling point is, seeing you walk without bumping into anyone. Theres only 1/8th of what tokyo have with how the video is. thats good enough for me. and its not loud or noisy

[@donywahlberg]

Through all the content and cycling trips you and other creators have done I feel like the northern coast has been the least highlighted. Great idea to go there, I am buckled in to enjoy this one while I work!

[@yummyapplestroodle]

Natsuki's condom comment ABSOLUTELY killed me 🤣🤣

[@AbroadinJapan]

He ruined that food indefinitely

[@BlaueMaus]

SAME! This man is a national treasure!!!! 🤣

[@lorekeepermeerah]

You and Natsuki's adventures never fail to cheer me up. Thank you so much for what you guys do

[@McAster99]

My partner's parents are getting on in age and we want to go some place with them and honestly this sounds like a wonderful place to do so. Being able to sit down in numerous places and just appreciate the view while talking about life away from the city life, away from the typical mountains they visit Much appreciated for the idea..

[@samwachman5221]

The sign at 13:49 says "Please hag your pet". Amazed that Chris didn't comment on this

[@BushidoDevilDog]

The people that make the signs here in Japan: “英語辞書は何だ？聞いたことがない。。。” 🤔😲

[@DimstTalon]

That poor DJI taking a plunge made me simultaneously laugh and cry for the production crew. Edit: 2 min later: HAHAHAHAHA IT WAS THE INSTA360. xD

[@NoxisYT]

I was going to comment this! I've never had anything sell me on a product so easily

[@VigilantBal]

Production quality is stellar 👌 👌

[@-Troy-]

Thanks for showing us more of Beautiful Japan, i've never known of this place before. Happy bday Natsuki!

[@Bun800]

Currently reading your book Chris!!! 🎉 And cheers to another adventure with Natsuki and Cameraman Paul 🍷🍷🍷

[@brothernemiel6465]

Oh, I was at a conference in Kyoto at the same time when you went on the trip with Natsuki! Tried to catch you at the beginning and the end of the trip at LOST bar not knowing you were around the same area ^^ The Shanshan situation was quite scary to be fair...I kind of left Kyoto last minute to catch my flight from Tokio...with no Shinkansen running. Was an adventure to plot a way back using regional trains from Kyoto to Tokio via Nagoya and Nagano.

[@prettysakurachan]

7:15 hearing Natsuki sing this song made me nostalgic wth

[@atharvkulkarni.]

24:03 i love when chirs has one of these emotional constipation moments 😂

[@datlam7836]

Man I just love these types of videos. Always a fun time exploring Japan with Natsuki

[@rztrzt]

The sandbar viewed from the park resembles a dragon ascending powerfully into the sky and is said to bring good luck.

[@McAster99]

I do like the idea of "Aborad investigates", and I hope you get a chance to do it for Ashikaga, which other than "great flower park", I never hear anyone give a reason to visit despite having fireworks in August, really nice museum, geocaching several times during the year, some of the best eel I've ever had with cold soba, and other relaxing activities. And if you just want a simple thing to do for a day trip, look up the Watarase Keikoku Railway from Tokyo to Mizunumaeki to the nearby dam to Ashikaga, and then return trip if you so want. It's an underrated location and worth investigating despite the "overrated" flower park or cherry trees.

[@JVL1988]

I hope i'm half as cool as Natsuki at 51 years old...

[@LHyoutube]

Most people aren't even half as cool as Natsuki at half of his age around 25 years old! 😂

[@Gilraen15]

Thanks for sharing another great place to visit in Japan. Definitely one for the bucket list at least once...

[@WizardOfOss]

Glad to see one of the places I'm about to visit in November isn't overrated after all! And yes, I am gonna stay overnight and will also stay in nearby Fukuchiyama before moving on to Kinosaki Onsen and then Tottori and Shimane prefecture! A bit disappointed though you guys didn't watch it the proper way: Matanozoki style! BTW, that camera is pretty cool! Love it!

[@finalbossmichael]

I love videos like these where you hang out with Natsuki. You two seem like such close friends, it's nice to see.

[@brewstergallery]

Great camera shots!

[@WinterHorizon]

I love watching these video so peaceful looking at the countryside.

[@deemon710]

It's so nice you can cut it so close to the train's departure and expect it to leave precisely on time.

[@X2yt]

The real question is: why is Ryotaro not appearing in videos more often? Dude's hilarious!

[@salamander6361]

Feel a bit smug about doing something in Japan before Chris. Went to Amanohashidate in 2018 summer. Biked through it all and went into the cable car to the top where we actually bought those touristy picture prints since it looked so good 😁

[@Knolin]

I've spent the last week watching many of your videos and I love them. You're very entertaining, funny, and I find your information has great insight and honesty about the pros and cons of Japan. My wife, son, and a group of friends are planning to come to Japan in October of 2025 for the very first time. It's something my friends and I have wanted to do since middle school (I'm 41 now) and my wife really wants to travel internationally with our son and give him rare and valuable experiences and these videos are immensely helpful in getting an understanding of what to expect. Thank you for your service, good sir! Keep up the great work.

[@Busha69]

Funnily enough, Amanohashidate is the only one of the 3 great sights I've ever visited. Living in Kyoto, I feel the same way about Matsushima Bay as you did about Amanohashidate...and as for Miyajima. They were fixing the torii when I moved to mainland and then I just didn't feel like going because too many tourists. One day tho.

[@Adromelk]

NGL, this place looks perfect if you want to just enjoy scenery and just get away from the city and not need a bunch of tourist trap activities.

[@millennialchicken]

Natsuki needs to become a tourist guide and lead people on the greatest (Drunkest), wisest (Smoke-break filled) & most memorable (Questionably spoken) journey of all.

[@dianelipson5420]

Genius ❤

[@ichangedmy]

Chris, I have been watching your channels on and off for a decade. Fuck. Well done. You're smashing it. Your content is always good, and you always make it feel like you're an old mate letting me know what's going on in your neck of the woods. Seriously, it's ridiculous how well you have managed to capture that nuance of friendship in your videos. I wish you continued success with all of your endeavors. I hope I can visit Lost sometime soon, and even better, get absolutely pissed as a fart with you and Natsuki.

[@notjustaweeb36]

It’s the first video of a place I went to before Chris did! I was lucky enough to visit 天橋立 at the start of the year. Unfortunately, it was during the tsunami on January 1st

[@Unboundmakesvideos]

I am really amazed at how great Natsuki's english has come along over the years. Weird to say maybe but I am really proud of him!

[@dawnpowers7626]

The Last Jesus Dinner! I'm dying! Natsuki, never change!!!

[@sparkymularkey6970]

I will never get that out of my head now. 🤣

[@konradandreenordvik9829]

Very nice, definitely worth visiting without all the stress of other places.

[@TheCreepypro]

man what a great location! great to see these 2 enjoying it all!

[@osukguri]

Did not expect the 22:48 deer sniff 😳

[@DavidParish]

haha glad someone noticed it!

[@elf5012]

This was so much fun. I really enjoyed seeing you guys on your journey to this beautiful area.

[@Ghostghostghostghostghost]

5:53 Chris can feed an entire orphanage with those bahonkers

[@CaptainCoolpants101]

Came to comment that myself hahaha Like actual big bountiful African titties front that wide angle haha

[@Singularity-vp9xo]

As dashing and amazing as always Chris, just one question, where di the wacky weekends go? I would love some more Wackyweekend episodes Chris with our favourite Connordawg!

[@DevilHound66]

9:10 That Lance Armstrong joke made me do a spit take 😂 too funny

[@stephanieok5365]

Cigarettes instead of Doping -- name of Natsuki's autobiography?

[@Buffnie1]

Hey Chris! Would love to see some content on the every day things of living in Japan, for example how insurance/hospitals work, getting gas/electricity/ phone bills (are they paid online or in banks), opening a bank account, school and day care (applying, fees), the process of renting etc. Love your clips!!

[@Marsofearthh]

LMAOO. "I cant really explain what it is because it's a fish tube. Ill put text on screen." The text on screen: "Unexplainable Fish Tube" hahah

[@konplayz]

Looking forward to this being a series!

[@the_dietcam]

Daihatsughini is genius. TENSAIDESU

[@ManiX207]

always happy to see a camera company sponsorship on actually high quality vids

[@jama211]

Let's be real, we'd LOVE to see Natsuki driving a Lamborghini... Chris, it's your obligation!

[@CoffeeKawaii]

03:45 Train cabin is also empty since its first class (single seat on one side). Sometimes worth the upgrade if you think your train will be full.

[@IcicleFerret]

Natsuki is such a f-king treasure!

[@lestatg8]

Trip with Natsuki is always a blast!!!

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

Is he actually 51? If so he looks bloody good for his age.

[@TheStanHill]

Especially considering his lifestyle

[@Johnrigsby]

How bad are 51 year olds supposed to look?

[@rei2515]

Asian don't raisin man

[@RainMakeR_Workshop]

@@Johnrigsby Can you not just let a compliment be a compliment without getting all fragile about it.

[@gagamba9198]

Those 36 years of smoking aren't as hard as they're purported to be.

[@ferrerror]

You're living the dream! I hope you never ever stop.

[@G3an]

Chris, I just hoovered over Tokyo on google maps to find your bar and saw there were some golf courses at the northern part of tokyo. You should go golf on your channel. Bring Pete! Bet he's a great golfer

[@CGermanB]

A beautiful scenic trip. It looked so relaxing, not too crowded and a lot of fun!

[@reed3863]

Earthquake Style has to be the name of the next new item on your menu.

[@-JessicaMTV-]

Thank you Chris. I needed this.

[@marre6]

A Swedish house? Damn maybe I don't live in Sweden cause I ain't seen a house like that anywhere😭

[@henriettacooke438]

Love seeing the friendship in this video ❤️

[@travel4food4life]

The camera with invisible selfie stick is unbelievable

[@abyk.r.7855]

Thanks for the entertainment, this and sewing is keeping me busy with not much else to do thanks to Helene. In Valdosta, we got hit hard, but it's over 90°f 32°c so not picking up more branches till the sun sets this afternoon. Still no power, but I have a signal and a battery pack for my phone.

[@RavyTheRaver]

im watching this episode while in a hotel in kyoto eating a bento in the morning right now on my holiday👍🏼

[@rockymountainfacet5958]

I wish your videos were longer. I also wish we got more videos. Love your work. My wife and I really enjoy everything.

[@diningwithderek]

The legend has uploaded another video!!! It’s truly the best day of the month!!!