What NOT to do in Japan 🇯🇵 WORST Etiquette Disaster

What NOT to do in Japan! 3 horrors stories on when life in Japan goes wrong from food to language blunders.
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Edited by Marcus Canning & Chris Broad
00:00 The Japanese Language Mistake
07:59 The Awful Sushi Mistake
19:50 The Lying to Ken Watanabe Mistake
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[@AbroadinJapan]

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: Three horror stories in equal measure. But which was the worst mistake of all? You decide. And if you want more of these story time videos guys let me know - hit the like button! That’s often the main way we work out if people like the content or not.

[@reecehickey7455]

Defiantly the sushi mistake, mr. broad.

[@TheKewlPerson]

Maybe the language mistake? Idk haven't had time to watch the video yet but also want to still comment early so my reply's not hidden lol

[@XYXYZ]

the language barrier story was hilarious!

[@PONO-go3ee]

Ahh YouOrder a Big Chimpo

[@AirTMZ]

The barrier issue was funny, but the sushi story must have been REALLY embarrassing

[@jorgeporras9262]

Ken Watanabe asserting his dominance by calling Chris' BS is one of the funniest things I've heard on the channel hahaha

[@cancerino666]

I hope he ended up explaining to Ken why he lied.

[@Vagabond820]

@@cancerino666 me too

[@M______M]

@@cancerino666 well, he just did in the video. :)

[@philtkaswahl2124]

Chris needs a shirt saying "I Got Rumbled by Ken Watanabe."

[@Emperorerror]

I can't believe he literally caught it on camera lmao

[@xjunebug1452]

I'm somewhat convinced that the chef was purposely feeding you the worst things on the menu just to see how far he can push a foreigner 😂

[@Kumimono]

That's the true, Gaijin Smash. :p

[@superboobs890]

A lot of people like the food he ate. Personally I think Geoduck is delicious.

[@Pehmokettu]

In many countries there are traditional foods that many local people love but they know that foreigners probably hate it. But they feed that to tourists anyway to see their reaction. Here in Finland those disgusting traditional foods are mämmi (an Easter dessert that is made from malted rye and it looks like poo) and salmiac (a black licorice candy that has ammonium chloride in it, different tasting salt than the regular table salt sodium chloride). I hate mämmi but I love salmiac. 😊

[@takayamuramoto4490]

@@Pehmokettu salmiac is very popular, at least in germany.

[@Leilani91]

Mirugai & akagai are some of my favorite sushi, but tbf I grew up eating it, although my dad didn't tell me what it was for years & then when he told me, it was already too late, I didn't care.

[@koan7144]

Worst I've done in Japan is calling my Japanese host family mum - "mama-san". I was explained that "mama-san" is actually a term they use for mistreses in brothels 😮 It was the honest mistake all was good, the only one bothered at the end was ME since they let me call her that for like 2 weeks 😅

[@rashelkeeley6712]

that is hilarious haha

[@resolutelament]

LOL

[@spritemoney]

What's the proper term to use?

[@nigsbalchin226]

Indeed, sometimes having your weaknesses tolerated can turn out to be a burden! 🤣

[@user-tt5xj5ib1e]

Thank you I needed that laugh today :) 🤣🤣🤣

[@SpaghettiNachos]

I think the Genkin and Genki mix up is the funniest to me. Just imagine, you're having a great day, nothing can mess it up. Your wife packed you your favorite bento for lunch. Then some English bro rolls in, screws up the toll and when you try to fix it and ask him for money he goes "I'm good" and speeds off. Dude was probably destroyed for the rest of the day

[@vokay]

Absolute king behavior

[@gsingh5402]

This is how nihangs act in punjab

[@pangkouxiong1244]

Yo he probably hated foreigners for that.. 😅😅

[@kekoraspow9153]

I got second-hand embarrassment from watching this, that was some excellent storytelling

[@CJT3X]

I don’t, it makes no sense to assume someone’s abilities just because of how long they live somewhere.

[@xodox2505]

​@@CJT3X it kinda does where in a country english isn't used that much and your forced to learn Japanese

[@barbievale]

What do you mean??

[@barbs8851]

​@@barbievale It's called empathy.

[@miyoshimoore7417]

😂😂😂😂😅😅😅second hand embarrassment

[@E-A-Z-Y]

That first story was great 🤣 “cash?” “I’m great!”

[@rrf3f9x7a1g2]

Seriously he could've gotten arrested😂

[@eisenklad]

@@rrf3f9x7a1g2 imagine Chris paying interest on that 50dollars totaling like 3000 because the admin and late fees also add to the interest.

[@hcc9969]

😂

[@ryanruizvargas2517]

He literally just said "nah I'm good." And went away.

[@kwedl]

"Double it and give it to the next person"

[@arwilson51]

I would legitimately cry after that first encounter. The stress from blocking other people going on their way, then realizing I didn't pay would just be too much lmao

[@QCLagstone]

That is because you are weak.

[@tor279]

LMAO rightt woulda bought a plane ticket and moved right back home 😭😭

[@canihavethesauce]

if you'd have a breakdown because of a misunderstanding, you shouldn't be on the road.

[@s_oba]

@@canihavethesauce Misunderstanding?

[@kleenexbox974]

I deadass woulda jus up and left the country

[@vyse19861]

I was invited to someone's house in Japan, along with a few other people, and took interest in a book he had about Japanese slang language. After a while I found a chapter titled "Japanese Penises", started laughing, and haphazardly showed it to the girl sitting next to me, expecting her to find it funny as well. Then I started reading the chapter, and the first paragraph started by making it absolutely clear that this is a highly taboo topic in Japan, and that people will be extremely embarrased if you bring it up, going as far as claiming that they don't have a word for it if you ask "What's 'penis' in Japanese?" I went from laughing to realizing that I had royally fucked up in about 20 seconds.

[@sunahamanagai9039]

I would say it's taboo in other countries, too. Not an everyday conversation unless between good friends or appropriate circumstances.

[@vanshudapure6744]

Can you name that book?

[@vyse19861]

@@vanshudapure6744 Honestly I don't remember, but there's a book called "Dirty Japanese" by Matt Fargo which might have been it.

[@JB-xl2jc]

How did she react? Was it brought up?

[@vyse19861]

@@JB-xl2jc She acknowledged it with a very dismissive "yeah..." and went back to ignoring me. So there wasn't any fallout and it was never brought up again. I may have destroyed one of that guy's friendships by being a Gaijin, but that was a different day and with a different person. ^^;

[@levi7581]

This video was an emotional rollercoaster. From the embarrassment of unintentionally screwing over a toll worker because of poor Japanese knowledge, to feeling the need to gag just from hearing what you had to eat whilst being watched by a chef with a bloody katana to the unimaginable shame of lying to Ken mfing Watanabe... truly one of the videos of all time Chris.

[@melissadunton3534]

Yes, it is one of the videos. 😅😂

[@dannivizion]

I love that Ken Watanabe obviously knew the lie from the get-go and just sat on that for days, just waiting for the optimum moment to call you out with it. 😂

[@bshthrasher]

Can't hide an awl in a sack. The truth will always show up)

[@rolfathan]

I 100% believe that Ken did that in a way to express that he thought your japanese was absolutely fine, sort of a "Come on dude, don't lie about it. It's fine. Tell him it's 10 years." That's why he, after that, focused more on japanese conversations rather than english. I've had some people do stuff like this with me, firm moments of "own who you are" and they honestly improved me and my confidence for the better.

[@chaytonhurlow840]

Yeah, a while back I started a job. I was nervous, and I was getting overwhelmed. The manager told me to stop acting like I didn't know what I was doing. Seemed slightly rude, But that made me relax a bit.

[@Mvn06]

This is the true comment

[@Lubsana86]

I think it's more like in Japan someone always introduces you to someone, so when they reach out to him about this project and told him who Chris is and what he does, they most definitely mentioned how long he has been in Japan. That is why you can see his facial expressions and surprise when initially he got a reply 5-6 years. The public image is everything in Japan, so before you agree or associate with anyone, people and figures, the calible of Ken Watanabe or his team, are definitely doing extensive background checks, like 100%

[@robinreliant8888]

My Japanese in-laws ran a bath for me in their house during New Year a few years ago, piping hot with Yuzu lemons freshly picked from their garden. A good long soak, a few cheeky farts, and a good scrub later, I pulled the plug, dried myself and went to the living room to thank my in-laws. With a beaming smile, I said "arigatou", as the last remnants of the water gurgled loudly down the drain. Little did I know that the water was supposed to have been saved for everyone to use, and that they had allowed me to bath in it first as a mark of respect. Ooops.

[@jameswilkes451]

Reminds me of when I was younger, my father used to always share the bathwater with me too. My less working class friends always considered it strange XD

[@mamihashimoto1429]

Did you soak in the bath before scrubbing and cleaning yourself first? In Japan, you should scrub and clean yourself entirely with soap and wash your hair before you soak in the tub.

[@JeffTiberend]

That would be hard. I could imagine doing that myself. But, I knew that you're supposed to bathe before going into the bath.

[@robinreliant8888]

@@mamihashimoto1429 I didn’t occur to me to wash before getting into the bath….

[@basssgurl]

That toll incident would literally haunt me 😂 such an innocent mistake but the guilt you’d feel.. damn (love that he donated it to charity🙏🏻)

[@MrVvulf]

I'd be mortified that the toll employee paid out of his own pocket to avoid paperwork. I'd have been compelled to ask a Japanese friend to help me get to the bottom of it and makes things right.

[@TheAxeMan301]

We have a similar cashless system here in California. But here if you don't have the pass the system just reads your license plate and bills you later - if you are in a rental it usually gets added to your rental bill.

[@definitlynotbenlente7671]

​@@TheAxeMan301 in europe you can pay with credid or debit card or cash at the same exit

[@nyaqua]

Yeah I was just thinking how I'd probably go back there after realizing and try to explain mistake I made and pay properly :D

[@Tyler_Wildman]

Not just the driving off without paying but just being stuck there without being able to move, I’d have been flapping like an old flange.

[@enriquedominguez3963]

I have never felt so much empathy with a toll guy. 😂

[@msjsr9364]

I think the toll guy was probably just happy to have the problem sorted, his job is to keep traffic flowing. I've done this sort of thing before. Our superiors always tell us it's more important to keep things moving than to ensure everyone pays their way. He probably didn't think twice about it.

[@Da_wn_Light]

@@msjsr9364 Chris just fucked off down the highway 😭

[@philosophy_bot4171]

Beep bop... I'm the Philosophy Bot. Here, have a quote: "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being" ~ Carl Jung

[@HeyLookaSandwich]

One of your greatest strengths as a content creator/film maker is your amazing ability to tell a story. This video was superbly entertaining from beginning to end. Thanks for all the amazing content troughout the years, Chris

[@matthewlawton9241]

The music choice, too, particularly during the geoduck part of the story....-chef's kiss-

[@R0CK0Nbaby]

You know Chris, my respect for you actually skyrocketed after watching this. The level of horror you felt after realizing the genkin vs genki misunderstanding and making up for it by donating to the earthquake fundraiser, to sacrificing yourself to remain polite and respectful to the sushi chef, as embarrassing as the outcomes were, it still showed how much you care. And most of all, your retelling of your time with Ken Watanabe was so brilliantly explained. I really relate to the fear of Japanese people overestimating my speaking ability that even though I can speak it on a conversational level, I always intro myself by saying i can’t speak it. Anyways, the fact that you were able to include the clips from your most cringe moments, and add the blushing effect, and show it multiple times, you’ve got real cojones my dude. I could never do that, like as soon as my most cringe and regrettable moments come into my thoughts i react quite strongly and get rid of them immediately. Thanks for putting yourself out there like that, i hope more people can gain the courage to show their most human sides, it’s what makes them most relatable. Major props to you 🙏

[@silviastanziola659]

I think I would self-combust if I had gotten caught on a lie by Ken Watanabe like that.

[@northwanderer800]

i would have said ken ive been here 10 years but have stopped studying so im asham,ed at my japanese level but ill try my best and he prob would have been like no worries lad, try your best .. but im not the epic man that is chris broad and i wasn't in that situation so ill shut my face now

[@silverhawkroman]

At least it wasn't doing some stupid Yakuza cosplay and interviewing a real one 😂😂😂

[@nathanlonghair]

I almost self-combusted just LISTENING to it 😭

[@silviastanziola659]

@@silverhawkroman Who did that??

[@Vald3x]

@@silviastanziola659 TheAnimeMan.

[@ZeusWagner]

Nice to see more content regarding your experiences/anecdotes. Thanks for the content, mate!

[@AbroadinJapan]

It's been a while! Always fun to return to the well of awful memories.

[@ZeusWagner]

@@AbroadinJapan 😅👍

[@HeliosDharakSennkohcoola]

​@@AbroadinJapan lying to Ken was your biggest mistake as you should always be truthful to someone that you admire.

[@jambo2685]

@@AbroadinJapan mate... the sushi story was pretty grim. I felt bad for you. The Watanabe one... hmmm... respectfully, I think your pride and understandable nerves got in the way of you simply explaining to Ken that your Japanese was limited. Either way, I really enjoyed this video and hope you do more like this one.

[@notmuch_23]

@@AbroadinJapan I bet if that well was actually dug in real life, its depth would make the Russian attempt at digging the world's deepest hole seem like a footprint. I bet it would actually bore into the outer core!

[@mastersingleton]

Chris I think that Ken is honestly trying to help you improve your Japanese skills through conversational Japanese.

[@pineapplegamer6986]

I love the stories told here. Embarrassing mistakes are so relatable and it’s nice to hear someone else’s 😂

[@Thelinguist]

It's never too late to learn a new language, including Japanese.

[@bshthrasher]

Looking into the evening sky on the horizon, Robinson Crusoe felt his virginity slowly returning to him.

[@WreckItRolfe]

I don't think my brain is cut out for it.

[@ketchup901]

​@@WreckItRolfe The dichotomy of saying this in a human language that you learned.

[@nzgamer1797]

I'd love to! I've already learned Hiragana and now I'm learning Katakana!

[@NeonIceyy]

I applaud you Chris. Such a simple and straightforward video idea, yet the cinematography makes the scenarios look so immersive. Especially the highway incident, it's like I was REALLY THEREEEEEE wooooo

[@philosophy_bot4171]

Beep bop... I'm the Philosophy Bot. Here, have a quote: "Whosoever is delighted in solitude is either a wild beast or a god" ~ Aristotle

[@ProjectEnglishII]

The sushi story reminds me of the time I went to Hakodate morning fish market the first year I lived in Japan and wasn't yet used to all raw delights. My friend ordered us each a mixed sashimi bowl and while she "mmm"d and "yum"d, I pushed the food into my mouth with the mental mantra, "Just eat it; don't think about it." That was 30 years ago and now I'll eat pretty much anything.

[@ProjectEnglishII]

I've also been here 30 years and my Japanese is still sh*t.

[@CZsWorld]

Can't stop laughing at the term "farmyard slop bucket".

[@ScuffTuff]

These videos are coming at a perfect time with the new JET programme members about to move to Japan in the next 2 months :)

[@AbroadinJapan]

Hopefully they can learn from my many mistakes 😅

[@marcusmcgowan844]

Yea I'm moving to Nagasaki on August 6 for JET and wishing I hadn't stopped my study for a year. I forgot so much!

[@feiryfella]

A good friend of mine did it at the end of 2019...poor bugger! He just got settled in then Covid!

[@rrf3f9x7a1g2]

Genkin deska? 😊

[@user-ci4jw9ur3c]

Yup! I'm moving to Takasaki, Gunma in the beginning of August, really looking forward to it!

[@darksteelmenace595]

Honestly I think if you told Ken Watanabe that you have lived in Japan for 10 years, but aren't good at Japanese, he would have understood, because being insecure about your language skills is probably one of the most Japanese things ever.

[@jonah2027]

No shit... that's the whole point of it being in the video

[@diablomom]

Jonah is a geoduck

[@kevinlawrence8588]

No doubt - humility seems to be an admired trait there

[@inoscopedjfk8207]

​@@kevinlawrence8588Humility is an admirable trait in most places

[@ScottMcMaster-er4xj]

Absolutely. Being humble about your ability is very Japanese. This is always how I approached it. The phrase: "-------- 年間ぐらいです、けどまだ私の日本語がまだ苦手です。 (------- nen kan gurai desu, kedo watashi no nihongo ga mada nigate desu, / Around ----- years, but still my Japanese is not skillful.)” is so useful. And if anyone says to you "日本語が上手ですね。/ nihongo ga jyouzu desu ne", you should immediately respond "いいえ、まだまだです。/ Iie, mada mada desu / No, not yet". They will be amused by that response, because its so thoroughly Japanese, and you will get an approving smile from them. You will have impressed them with your humility.　Chris this advice is for you. Use these phrases next time. Japanese love humbleness about one's ability. You will endear yourself to people by presenting yourself this way.

[@anezikiel]

The best part is that after being caught out by Ken Watanabe, in the background at 27:56 the kanji reads "許されざる者", in other words "The Unforgiven!" You will never be forgiven for lying to the almighty Watanabe.

[@steveb9542]

The language learning thing is completely normal. In the beginning you study hard to be able to communicate with other people without too many problems. Once you've achieved that, diminishing returns mean it's incredibly difficult to stay motivated to keep learning and take it further.

[@DevilHound66]

I've not laughed that hard in a while hearing about that toll booth situation. Thanks for sharing that gem Chris 😂

[@NiGHTSaturn]

I think you’re being hard on yourself for the 3rd one. I’m sure Ken understood the situation even by finding out everything. When you don’t practice your second/third language much, it’s quite hard to keep up. Plus, focusing on your KZbin channel these past years and to a _broader_ audience (bad joke), it was inevitable that English was to be used. Keep it up Chris. ⭐️

[@cyan_oxy6734]

I mean not practicing the language much when you live there is different than forgetting the latin you learned in school and never use afterwards.

[@JoaoPessoa86]

Hell, with lack of practice even your first language can get rusty

[@nutleyoleo]

​@@cyan_oxy6734 agreed. I've long suspected Chris doesn't speak much Japanese and to hear it confirmed is a bummer, tbh. If I lived in a foreign country, I'd be heavily focused on improving my grasp on their language, _especially_ if I'd spent a decade there, during which I taught English and ran a famous YT channel dedicated to their culture. I'd be embarrassed to even _visit_ Japan a with just the limited Japanese I know. The idea of living there for a decade and not improving would be mortifying for me, _especially_ with how important precise/polite communication is to them I guess if you're an expat that doesn't work for a Japanese company, it's easier just to surround yourself with a bubble of other English-speaking expats

[@jtsh]

I disagree... that's a great joke.

[@arandombard1197]

@@nutleyoleo But you don't live in a foreign country so you don't know what it's like. It can be hard to connect with locals and you often end up connecting with other expats who are feeling similarly out of place. Then you gradually form that bubble and from that point onwards, you have to deal with all your life problems and when it comes to socializing, you just take the path of least resistance which is hanging out with your english speaking friends.

[@Danitamaria233]

I am in hospital in Gifu prefecture. Just got my gallbladder taken out thanks to japans great healthcare. Been feeling pretty crummy but this right here. This video he managed to make me smile and laugh at a time that my lonely, sore bones really needed it. Thanks Chris

[@skytwist]

Thanks for a bit of self-derrogatory humor and fluent storytelling, Chris. Love your interaction with Ken Watanabe - who is NOT scary which is why he got scary at you (but I understand wobbling a bit in the face of one's hero). The spinning coin shot of that episode is precious🍀

[@mate7686]

Lying must have felt the worst. Toll and food story is something that can happen to anyone but lying to your hero and being caught red handed must have felt million times worse

[@vantedante3638]

It takes a lot of humility to own up to your past mistakes I was dying of laughter at the toll road part when you drove away without paying 🤣 Chris is naturally hilarious and a great storyteller thanks for consistently giving us amazing content! Looking forward to the book release!

[@tomkins7382]

Love your opening statement: regret IS a slippery slope! So long as we actually learn from our mistakes. We're only human at the end of the day.

[@Reira_Newgate]

Your stories are so relatable!! I traveled to Japan three times now and have experienced some situations where I felt a very similar kind of embarrassment.

[@artbabbit900]

Chris, I really appreciate the way you framed this. As you said, you're not a Mr. Perfect, and you could've just shown that through the three mistakes you listed (which honestly, anyone could've made) but the way you also opened up about your level of speaking Japanese not being where you want it to be, and about feeling embarrassed and ashamed for not studying as dutifully as you couldve felt really personal. I'm sure it wasn't easy to talk about -- kudos to you! It really demonstrates how nobody is perfect, despite how easy it can be to make yourself seem that way on KZbin. Very proud

[@lortnokmeister]

this literally made my day thank you so much! Congrats for the book Chris, very cool!

[@johanfr]

The second story is why I usually go for B-kyuu gourmet when I am in Japan. Twice I have been to Sushi places where you sit by the counter (not by any means high end places, but really good tasting Sushi) and it's indeed a bit stressful having the chef staring at you and waiting for your next order. I played it safe both times and stuck to tuna. The conveyor belt sushi is way more relaxing for the average gaijin I think haha.

[@SuileanAirgid]

I don’t know man, being bodied by Ken Watanabe from across the room sounds like a highlight to me. The man knows enough about you to call you out, that’s a life goal right there 😂

[@hedera1332]

Also the fact that you know he was eavesdropping on your convo with somebody else 😂

[@SuileanAirgid]

@@hedera1332 Right? Goals indeed :)

[@eliminatorxx713xx]

The sushi incident is something I would see myself doing, not because I would be bold, but because of my sheer ignorance and wanting to be nice to everyone. Honestly just thinking of how he struggled to chow down the geoduck I think I would immediately gag and puke on the bar. Oh and the snail in the coffin was absolutely hilarious!

[@JesterPrince]

Yeah, if there's something absolutly gross in my mouth, my throat pulls the doors shut. That thing won't go down and if it does, it will be on the plate in no time. If I get ugly looks or viewed as a cunt saying I don't like something, then allergy card it is. 🥶

[@illuyanka-]

You are a great storyteller, Chris. I can't wait to read your book!

[@ox4421]

Your storytelling is top notch. I laughed so much during this video... thank you for sharing your agonizing sushi experiences with us.

[@lsanicl]

ANOTHER VIDEO SO SOON?!?! CAN THIS WEEK GET ANY BETTER?!?! LETS GOOOO!!!

[@DavidElkind42]

I was in a business hotel in Sapporo, in the quiet reading/chilling area. Pulled out my phone to browse the web, & I didn't realize I left Instagram open & there was a very loud video of a cat angrily meowing. And in my haste to lower the volume, I accidentally pressed the volume up button instead of volume down. I ended up running out lol everyone was staring at me angrily. 😅

[@rovidelarosa]

You sure it's a cat video or... you know, pr0n?

[@DavidElkind42]

@Rovi Dela Rosa it was a cat video lol 😆

[@animeloverXinuyasha]

These are my favourite of your videos, love your humour! Really lifted my spirits, thanks!

[@Tyler_Wildman]

This is probably my favourite video on the channel, can’t wait to read that book!

[@user-bf7td1gn3t]

I went to Japan 2 months ago with my family. We had a "GAIJIN SMASH" 2 times since my mom lost her trainticket somehow. Thankfully, on both occasions the guy at the barrier told us that "only today, it's fine".

[@jinxedpenguin]

I lost my JR pass and had to spend ~150 USD on a new ticket :( The guy was super friendly and tried his hardest to see if I left my ticket anywhere (he called all of the train stations we went to on the way there!) so I mean, it sucked but I was appreciative that he actually tried super hard to find the ticket. Then months later, back home in the US, I found the ticket and pass in a inner pocket in my bag that I somehow overlooked when searching my bag at Tokyo station (probably because I was freaking out). I wish I would've gaijin smashed my way through that one but at the very least I am happy with how hard the JR employee tried to track down my missing ticket.

[@forgeryyy]

I once bought a one way bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto. I put in in the ticket machine a the entrance but didn't pick it up when it came back out. My Aussie cousin, who is very fluent in Japanese, just told me to gaijin smash it at the Kyoto station

[@BeardedNerdSE]

@@forgeryyy Me too, on my first arrival I was jetlagged and hungry and confused, and missed the ticket somewhere, so I had to gaijin smash my way through the exit.

[@themanyouwanttobe]

Is there a UK equivalent to gaijin smash? I forgot my ticket on a train in Belfast and the conductor let me through anyways. I played it off as being a dumb American (I'm Canadian).

[@mrbeard7701]

I've only been to Japan on layovers on my way to Australia, didn't gaijin smash as far as I was aware, but I was terrified I did on my first trip when the guy at the turnstiles ordered me to stop...turns out, I was overcharged for a train ticket, so he gave me money back.

[@LandoHitman]

I love these videos. I'm always laughing like a madman the whole time because Chris is so relatable.

[@yashnigam2704]

Chris I have been following you from my college days since 2017. One thing I have noticed the videos you do alone contains the best dry humour so keep up with this soliloquy kind of vids, we love them.

[@ArcanusEst]

It takes some real grace to own up to your mistakes with such humility, and real talent to make them into such hilarious stories. Definitely one of my favourite videos on your channel!

[@Ozai75]

I think it's hilarious that Chris couldn't imagine that Ken wouldn't have done his research on this guy interviewing him. Also, what boss shit is Ken doing that? I'll give props for Chris for sticking it out. I would have probably climbed into a hole somewhere had he done that to me.

[@rayhanm2968]

Really enjoyable video Chris, great storytelling and visuals

[@dereli0480]

Great video, funny and also learned something new. Have waited for a "home" Video for quite some time!

[@Hangishta]

It’s been a while since it’s been a while since we’ve been to Chris’ ramen shop.

[@AbroadinJapan]

Welcome home

[@foogod4237]

"What's the worst thing you've ever done?" "I lied about how long I'd been in Japan." "Well, that doesn't seem that bad..." "It was to Ken Watanabe." "Oh."

[@dd776]

Great stories, well told, lots of long words and humorous use of the English vocabulary. Thank You!!!!

[@ageoflove1980]

That sushi story is by far the best thing on this channel so far. Very well done!

[@Matteomax]

Shoutouts to the editor making this an incredible experience.

[@hedera1332]

Chris actually does a lot of the editing himself. Unlike a lot of KZbin presenters, it's actually one of his favoured parts of making videos (from what he has said in the past, at least). He did credit some else with helping him this time though, I'm glad he's getting some help with them now so he doesn't burn himself out too much 😅

[@PKshockwave]

"It's like a magic"

[@AbroadinJapan]

I edited the road toll and Ken segements, Marcus the sushi segment - hence his wonderful graphics!

[@Matteomax]

@@AbroadinJapan Special shoutout for the geoduck segment, I've tried it and absolutely refuse to give it another chance.

[@Demetoriusu]

That story about the toll got a legitimate "oh no" out of me because I can relate as a Japanese learner. The language has a ton of homophones and nuances that takes time to pick up, rather if you're an avid, or a beginner level. One of the most common phrases you learn in textbooks and such is "genki" so, as a student, you're mind will just automatically think they are asking if you're okay. But the last thing that comes to one's mind is "are they referring to something else" especially in a situation as you have endured at the toll booth.

[@matsalvatore9074]

I respect Ken for calling you out. Don't be insecure or afraid to make mistakes. Take advantage of that leeway they give you before you waste it. Great video, I love this channel. You inspire me to learn languages and cultures.

[@juanitajones6900]

This has to be one of the funniest videos ever released on this channel. I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. Especially during the toll booth story.

[@jameswilkes451]

@@dionvids Nothing wrong with that. Laughter is the best medicine after all

[@roclo0111]

2:45 the only mistake I can relate to, is the first example. I could feel that nerve-wracking, gut wrenching feeling in the pit of my stomach. Having all those commuters stuck behind you with no way out, getting more upset and tense by the second and every second feeling like an eternity with little to no hope of escape... Thank God the toll way worker came to you when he did. The other 2 I cannot relate to because I've never had a business meeting at a high-end restaurant with an important businessman. Nor have I had the opportunity to interview Ken Watanabe. 😆

[@DoinStuff4Life]

best video you've done in a while, while I love the travel ones. I really love the stories man. thanks for this.

[@breakawayseoul]

The toll road issue could be solved with cameras in the US they would just capture your license plate on camera and bill you later.

[@markiangooley]

For a few years here in Florida that’s what happens unless you have a SunPass thingie on your car…

[@astrowolvez]

That’s what I was expecting! 😂

[@mr.johnson8974]

This is why we can’t have nice things in the U.S. Japanese people just don’t run off without paying things, they always try to follow the rules in public, including paying at toll gates.

[@wyterabitt2149]

@@mr.johnson8974 But the "nice" thing in this case would be having it automated, so you don't have to screw around with cash or cards.

[@atwdb]

That's what I was thinking. If that was the UK you'd probably get a fine in the mail

[@quantuminfinity4260]

I feel like that first one is just a nightmare scenario I would never forget and would always find a way to creep into my thoughts at 3 AM. 😣

[@LifestylePerfecter]

Preordered the book 📖 thank you for all the great videos 🙌

[@PrimVB]

Love these back to roots style sort of story telling videos

[@lukeskywalkerthe2nd773]

That Sushi Restaurant incident feels like the worst one to me. I couldn't even fathom the amount of embarrassment I would feel having everyone, only just a few feet away, hear me vomit all the food I had to pretend to like for a good social standing! 😂😂😂

[@magamisic5924]

id rather just be honest. imo japan just seems to culture lies

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@ThreadBomb They probably would have had higher respect for him.

[@user-ls2uq3pv1h]

Why would they have a bathroom so close that everyone can hear what goes on inside while they eat? Ew...

[@leetri]

@@user-ls2uq3pv1h Because space is a luxury most places in urban Japan can't afford.

[@oigomieggo24]

First story takeaway: Chris: “You learn Japanese to better understand Japanese people, I learn Japanese to avoid being a criminal, we are not the same.”

[@daniellee6912]

I literally got goosebumps from merely looking at the stuff the chef fed you, I would never be able to do that. Thanks for the heads up

[@hwasaornothing]

You have a lot of courage talking about all of these experiences - especially the last one

[@SomeBody-ce3gq]

Videos like this one where it's just you telling a story are my favorite and the reason I subscribed back in the day! So glad you made another one, it's been a while!

[@simonebaker4915]

I agree 100%! 😂

[@yraishjn]

I love this kind of episode where Chris talks about what's happening behind the scenes. The sense of realness makes me enjoy this episode more.

[@kildareire]

Love the new video game insert edits visuals/sound effects. Wow. That's a lot of work! 👍

[@thentil]

Three absolutely excellent, amazing stories 😂🎉

[@Randamono]

6 Abroad in Japan videos in a month! Chrismas must’ve come early this year!

[@tacla]

Chris i know that you talk about one upping your videos and ideas all the time but your story type videos like this with the editing is such a nice refreshing look into your experiences in japan in a less produced way. I love journey across series, but vids like this definitely feel like a bro just shooting shot sharing stories thanks to the set! Keep up the awesome work mang!

[@robertsvoboda3508]

This makes me love Ken Watanabe even more. Great video, Chris, as always! Thank you! 😊🙏🙌👑😎

[@Johnitus69]

The intro was absolutely funny. Thank you for the vid, Mr Affable

[@ks.kyokudonanshun]

Oh, gosh, no. Those stories hurt me deep down. I wouldn't even want to try listing the many horrors I've had much less making them funny. What a talent, and that's said seriously. And Mr. Watanabe doing his homework, just wow. A big Hollywood star looking up a KZbin channel. I would just cry right then and there and drink sake until I am blind...or wish I could....

[@arjannijk7647]

Dear Chris, please keep making these kinds of videos, they are by far the best, in my opinion. Love listening to them over and over again just to relax.

[@ignasimontserrat]

That was quite the intricate way to name drop. And humility was feigned by self-deprecating was

[@michaellim2703]

I really like your videos. I think they're interesting and entertaining. Keep up the good work. Living the dream.

[@HentaiHentaiHentai]

Good stories. It's hard to share mistakes and embarrassing things you've done, and with an audience of nearly 3 million people! But the fact that you can reflect on them and share with others as a warning/learning experience is something quite inspiring. Thanks for the great video, Chris!

[@mitchyoza14]

Just binged all of the newest series and now another Abroad video let’s go!

[@paulo4034]

Man I freaking love these videos!!!!! Please make more!! 30 minutes just flew by!

[@baraka99]

Hilarious episode. Loved the highway story.

[@jackson7922]

I'm seeing a pleasant upgrade in the presentation of these stories. I enjoy the mix of clip-in pngs, custom dialogue boxes and real-life event re-tellings. Fun stuff!

[@kapkant6197]

Don't rob a bank, that's considered a faux pas in Japan

[@BillPeschel]

I didn't know that. Thanks for saving me from a terrible blunder!

[@cloudkitt]

boy, uptight over there, aren't they?

[@leonthesleepy]

Cant wait for the book, already pre-ordered!

[@gedhill544]

That had me crying with laughter! Particularly the sushi restaurant story. You really are quite a skilled comic, Chris 👏

[@nathanisip]

I can’t wait to meet Chris in Japan and run away screaming in terror 😂 That toll gaff has got to be the worst, you still haven’t paid them lol

[@shadow_gren1nja]

I'd love to see more videos like this where you discuss interesting stories from your time in Japan Chris!

[@panchovilla1910]

You are a hilarious storyteller, man! Just found your channel. Can’t wait to see more.

[@El-ng7mb]

This was the best video I've seen in a while !

[@midnightjay]

I really enjoy hearing about your experiences, good or bad, in Japan or otherwise. There's a type of humor and sarcasm with genuineness that I appreciate lol

[@FrostKing104]

So happy to see a return of these style of videos! Gives me a lot of nostalgia from early episodes. Not to say things like JAJ aren't enjoyable, but there's something special about you, in a room, in front of a camera.

[@mitchellsmith4601]

You make some of the funniest and most informative videos on KZbin.