The Hardest Thing about Moving to Japan? Feat. Sharla |

Featuring ‪@sharlainjapan‬
With Chris' journey across Japan putting pay to our Wednesday pod release this week - we thought we'd make it up to you by bringing you Sharla for our Sunday show. Enjoy!
Feat. @AbroadinJapan and Sharla
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• 21 Days Driving Across...
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[@seebastian5834]

I like how Ryotaro showed off his house to you and then promptly kicked you out of it.

[@TheCulturalBomb]

Makes a change it was one of the guests 😅

[@WolfietheheroProductions]

It’d wouldn’t be Ryotaro if he wasn’t a bit horrible 😂

[@soph96374]

Classic Rissotaro

[@RyzawaVT]

He just wanted to flex on everyone.

[@Jppanp]

If he wanted to stay at ryotaro's house it would've been in the "secret room"💀

[@jeandunaway9428]

I love the juxtaposition between you two. Chris is all in black, with dark hair and his dark humor, and Sharla in white and her light hair and bright, happy attitude. You guys are truly yin and yang personified. Love that!

[@waltersumofan]

that's funny! I didn't realize that now that totally fits!

[@Felice_Enellen]

Awesome comment. :) So true!

[@johngumm]

opposites attract 😁

[@theglowcloud2215]

I think they're more alike than you realize. "Opposites attract" is kinda bullshit.

[@meiyodesigns]

@@johngummp

[@Ceddy94T]

Came here from the audio podcast just to see Sharla attempt beatboxing on video, it sounded hilarious on audio and even better on video 🤣

[@ylee5923]

As a 58 year old man, my pits are just fine, TYVM!!! :' )

[@w-z198]

😂

[@Blex_040]

5:24 That is one of the most Chris & Sharla exchanges I've ever seen 😂 Chris spouting some nonsense and Sharla instantly telling him to shut up xD

[@Chris-ut6eq]

Typical husband and wife exchange. :)

[@ShiroiTengu]

Wait till they're actually married. . . 😂

[@graywolf2600]

Sharla seems to be picking up the accent as well.

[@moreblack]

They been like that on videos since before they were even a couple!

[@HemiKaos]

this was so funny

[@hathor2]

The mention of Simon and Martina in one sentence just make me sigh of nostalgia.

[@ThePerfectKagome]

Fun fact: Martina has a KZbin channel of her in Japan called King Kogi!

[@chelseacarpenter2302]

5:26 😂😂 sharlas "shut up" was fuckin hilarious! Sounded like a mixture of a Canadian and a British accent

[@ghostpepper6303]

Aww, I love Rick Steve's. He seems like such a nice guy! I'm from the US, so I would watch his show all the time and just leave it on in the background. 😅

[@mizzprettyhuston]

It's easy to see why so many people love you two! You guys are awesome for not having your team sleep in the stinky room. Only kind people would do that ❤

[@saturnight.3026]

Rick Steves is great! He also has a free app with tours around cities or museums. It saved me a lot while travelling, his comments offer all the necessary insight and titbits into history. Highly recommend.

[@lililinda6947]

He’s great he should guide a meditation app so relaxing 😅

[@Slamdeath]

Sharla trying to beatbox is the best thing I have ever seen and I just woke up my neighbours because I had to laugh so much

[@user-bf7td1gn3t]

The Hungarian part really surprised me, I guess since I’m Hungarian I listen to these more. But the fact that so many of my favorite Internet personalities are related to Hungary is so interesting. I remember even Joey has some relatives from there.

[@Hopeghostone]

"Sounds like a robot exploding" Chris you are a comedy genius 😂😂😂

[@nicktankard1244]

Interesting that Sharla said Canada was already unaffordable so many years ago. I moved to Canada 2 years ago and it's just crazy expensive these days. I'm looking at housing prices and rent even from 10 years ago and it looks so cheap compared to now. Now, I can't even dream about buying a property because it's just unrealistic unless you move to more remote parts of Canada.

[@socalguy829]

Sharla is from Vancouver/BC area which was one of the first areas where property prices went really crazy, so makes sense, now the rest of Canada is just as unaffordable as the west coast

[@nicktankard1244]

@@socalguy829 yeah I’m in Vancouver as well. But it was nowhere near as crazy 15-20 years ago. You could live here on a decent salary. Now even with tech salaries it’s completely unaffordable.

[@moreblack]

Gotta get on that youtuber content grind. I'm sure Sharla/Chris can afford houses in Canada now.

[@LibertyDino]

Same in western Europe. I am paying 450€ for a room with flatmates in a very untouristic city in Austria. Shopping for groceries has also getting so expensive.

[@nickelnl7111]

As someone who lives in a slightly more remote area of the country, even the remote areas are ridiculously expensive.

[@w-z198]

Rick Steves is a legend! Something cosy and comforting about his vlogs 😊

[@li8583]

Aww that photobook story warmed my heart! Who knew Chris was such a romantic?! 🥰

[@Jett20x6]

As a long-time Rick Steves watcher, I'm now going to keep imagining him saying "I'm going to the pub to meet the home boys" anytime he's in a drinking establishment.

[@ZeroXSEED]

Ay, classic couple interview now as podcast! Loving those new information we could learn. Thanks Chris and thanks Sharla!

[@salembookworm]

Please do a Journey across Scotland! I would love to see this. Japan and Scotland are my favorite countries.

[@katherineochoa4695]

Really admire you both! Thanks for existing 🥰

[@JanFromCanada1]

The two of you are amazing! Sharla, you were great trying to beat-box. Don't let Mr.Affable bring you down. He's just competitive and yes, he loves you to the moon and back!❤ You both have inspired me so much, that this Canadian gal from Ontario is here in Japan (and loving it), finally after watching the two of you for inspiration over so many years., i have been sucked into the Tokyo and will be staying in Japan for 2+ months. Please smile because you warm all of our hearts!😊

[@t_revvington]

Ideal video to see as a Canadian going to Japan soon. LETS GOOOO.

[@DamnAwesome]

Awesome video! I didn't know you had a podcast but now that I found out I can't wait to binge them!

[@PatrykPonichtera]

I did 2 trips to Japan and the countryside is the highlight of the trip. You get to travel on cute short trains crossing mountains and fields, see breathtaking views, wild animals crossing your path, you get to stay in cheap accomodations that have character and eat amazing food and all that with the appreciation of the locals for coming and experiencing their corner of Japan. Getting around by car is another amazing experience, I've driven all over europe and Japan is by far my favourite place to visit by car, a close second is the Italian alps

[@tokyotales_shop]

I didn't know Sharla is half Hungarian. So am I! And I can completely relate to not being homesick, because things have just been so much easier for me in Japan, than it has in my own country. Everything was always too expensive there and I could never find a decent job and here in Tokyo, everything seems to somehow work out much easier. People always think I'm exaggerating or I simply hate my own country, so it's hard to explain and I'm glad to hear that Sharla feels the same way.

[@sharlainjapan]

Just saw you’re from the Netherlands, so are you half Dutch as well? :D

[@tokyotales_shop]

@@sharlainjapan I'm actually half Puerto Rican, haha 😅 But I was born and raised in the Netherlands. And yeah next time you're in Europe, you should really visit Hungary, it's beautiful and unique in many ways ❤️

[@sharlainjapan]

⁠@@tokyotales_shopoh so interesting!❤️ I’m half Dutch so that’s why I asked😂

[@tokyotales_shop]

@@sharlainjapan That's so interesting too! Also, I work in a Dutch bar in West Tokyo, if you ever feel like getting more in touch with your Dutch side :D You'd be surprised how many Dutch people live in Tokyo haha

[@gloglonomi9366]

Rick Steves is wonderful! Been watching his show for 16 years

[@JasSchMin]

this was such an enjoyable Q&A podcast. Lol so cute the way Sharla tried to beatbox! I love Japan because of both of you ...just got back from Japan, made Nara & Kanazawa my base but had a lots of sidetrips from those areas to Dorogawa, Mt. Yoshino, Mikawa etc [i love the smaller rural towns, so refreshing , people are genuinely friendly], air is clean, less noise lol]..thanks to both of you for all the recommendations and superb content! Have a lovely Christmas you two ☺

[@eckyf15a]

Looking forward to the next release - keep up the good work.

[@BeardedNerdSE]

That point about communicating back home has certainly changed. When I first visited in 2001, I had to trek around Kyoto to find an internet cafe to send some e-mails every week to let my parents know I was still alive. On a more recent trip I just had a video call over the hotel wi-fi. It's really not that different from just living across the country.

[@dannyackroyd8941]

Brilliant episode, great episodes with you both 😊

[@pampoovey6722]

Chris is the luckiest guy ever. As a long time Sharla fan (come on Sharizard) it makes me so happy. After the J-tube drama 10 years ago we still here

[@peterboil4064]

What's a J-Tube and what has been the drama?

[@Diametricallyopposed00]

Me too, I have no idea what this means…please enlighten us.

[@RananaX3]

Sharla is so fun 😊 I can’t wait to visit Japan.

[@nicholausbuthmann1421]

Happy Holidays Chris & Sharla !

[@Liyonavlogs]

Thank you for your answers! That’s why I love your channels, finally someone who is not saying bad things about Japan or doing tipycal videos like : the things I most hate about Japan, the hardest times, it was so difficult etc , you really love the country, I feel so related to your opinion, moving to Japan next year , second time and hope this time more than a year 😊

[@shellymcdonough6876]

Sharla should always be on the podcast

[@Dijitorium]

Hearing about people in the UK being chill made me chuckle a little. That's because I am reminded that I just bought Eric Idle's audiobiography and am looking forward to a little giggle.

[@dagger341]

I love the countryside of Japan! I spent two weeks in Iwaizumi-cho, and they were the best two weeks of my life! Ryusendo cave is amazing, and I can't recommend that small town enough! I know this trip has already been planned out, but please consider adding Iwaizumi-cho to your radar.

[@ThePeteriarchy]

A beatbox training arc for Sharla when? That might be quite a series. Perhaps an 80s style training montage with a beat that you two do together as a show of her progress lol

[@reverendramen4463]

It was cool hearing you guys talk about Hirosaki. I studied abroad there for a month at Hirosaki Gakuin University, which has a lot of western influence, specifically with Christianity. It has an old missionary home and holds church services on campus. Anything apple-flavored is amazing there! I especially liked their apple-flavored ice cream. I was also introduced by the Japanese students to a manga that is based there called "Flying Witch", which got an anime adaptation a few years later.

[@thomasedwards6641]

Been to Budapest and a beautiful city and loved walking along the river at night the parliament building looked beautiful.

[@ScottishRod]

Some of my favourite climb’s in my youth in Scotland were the ranges around Loch Ossian, no main roads for miles, only a Railway Station and Bidean Nam Bian in Glencoe. As well as Isle of Skye, Isle of Mull is worth a visit not only for Tobermory but Fingals cave and the Puffins.

[@ScottishRod]

Oh and Oban's Seafood Hut, the Green Shack!

[@acm_1985]

This Q&A was fun ;) Going to visit Miyagi & Iwate coast area, inspired by some really brillant videos. I found it quite hard to book hotels in some areas as they where not listed on major online booking companies. Some Hotels visible on Google Maps but booking not accessible from outside Japan. There might be some room for improvement in rural areas to enable access...

[@carrerlluna66]

You guys are an inspiration and adorable. Chris I can't wait to see the movie you will make.

[@Del-Lebo]

Amazing fun!!! Lot's of love and hugs!!!!!

[@Melonjam_]

As a Norwegian I’d love to see you visit here and hear about your adventures 🥰

[@melissallanesbrownlee]

I feel this. Getting a good and stable job in the US and not paying exorbitant rent is nigh impossible! Hugs to you both!

[@triniep82]

Live in Toronto; Sharla is 100% right. Canada has become grossly unaffordable for the younger generation(s).

[@ThorPalsson]

Sharla has such a great smile and sparkling eyes

[@AndyLifeInVideo]

Fun Q&A! One of the things I wonder most about Chris' videos is how relatively little Kanagawa is covered. I was glad to see you cover it in your itenarary video though! There's loads of fun spots there aside from Yokohama, Kamakura, and Hakone and I wish more people would explore it!

[@catherinebutler4819]

So Sharla was a translator for Viktor Orban, and Chris served Elon Musk a birthday cake. A pattern is emerging!

[@nicholausbuthmann1421]

Oh Yes, They're Undercover Leftist Agents.......Hee, Hee, Hee.....I Don't Have A Problem With That Either !

[@nicholausbuthmann1421]

Don't Worry, They Both Reported Back To "Whitehall & Ottawa" of All Their Findings !

[@Grahzzyvtvlog]

Sharla a spy for Canada 🇨🇦 sounds like a tv show

[@marks150]

haha I was gonna say this! What's next, Andrew Tate or Alex Jones somehow emerge from their past?? XP

[@zZiL341yRj736]

Very premium face.

[@besinji2000]

You two are absolutely adorable together

[@ashoween8728]

I love Aomori! I grew up in Misawa. I really hope yall get lots of snow while you're there!

[@jtru0]

Sharla beat boxing was adorable 😅. Cheers to you both!

[@ItIsJustJudy]

I love watching Rick Steves. He makes everywhere look interesting.

[@macstabby_j]

I have hiked Isle of Skye, 10/10 recommend! Also loved Edinburgh, such a great city.

[@Grahzzyvtvlog]

Chris blames the weather on his 1st attempt at getting engaged 😂

[@Nanimations3]

Scotland is great to visit when the weather is nice. We usually get the best/most reliable weather in May. Summer can be pretty rainy. Also, I recommend going around the time of the highland games. The highlands are pretty rural but mostly served by train lines. If you're in the UK for New Year then you should visit Pitlochry on New Year's Day. They have a big ceilidh on the street. Usually the streets are lined with people dancing! I live in Japan now but whenever I plan to take my son and husband to visit my family we plan to time our visit around one of those two events.

[@jamesnewman4351]

I will always love Journey Across Japan because i love Japan and adore Abroad In Japan Channel. However i do prefer less episodes but more detailed and all of you together like in Frozen Frontier , so funny, so elaborate. Thankyou though for Non Stop North and thankyou for your wonderful book! Ciao.

[@sirbob1977]

I got to live in Misawa, Aomori the last three year since my wife is in the navy. We loved the country life in Japan. Hoping to move back to Japan one day. It is the best!

[@sueKay]

Hope you both enjoy visiting Scotland when you get here! I live in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park - there's TONS of good walks and hikes here and we're only an hour north of Glasgow. If you're looking for recommendations I used to work in tourism here and know most of the country very well.

[@mchotsie4723]

I too love Rick Steves. He’s as relaxing to watch as Bob Ross. Love it. Chris, that gyoza vid had me drooling and so jealous 😩😩

[@CoveringFish]

It worked! We changed our trip my girlfriend actually really was dead set on spending a big chunk of the trip in Osaka and Kyoto. Well we changed our trip to go to the country side

[@tontj]

If this is your forst trip to Japan spending some time in Osaka and Kyoto is good. But definitely dont need more than 5 days there.

[@CalebHSumo]

A few days in osaka and kyoto is good though. But the countrysude of Japan is amazing.

[@dangraef7520]

Yes! Scotland represent! The old man of storr and the fairy pools are well worth it. If you go to the Isle of Mull, you might see otters too. Just make sure that you book the ferry in advance, unless you're up for an epic drive - we didn't make it on to the ferry and opted for a 6 hour drive instead (over the bridge). 'The three chimneys' was a great restaurant on Skye.

[@hh23490]

You are so sweet together ❤

[@med6399]

Sooooo glad to see you 2 together! Lovely! You 2 are so sweet!🎖🎖🎖😎😎😎🌹🌹🌹

[@leahlemieux]

Isle of Skye is AMAZING! Weather can be good round mid May--sun and spring flowers, but before the midges come out in swarms to make everyone miserable! Its fun to take the ferry over and before that, stop for an excellent lunch at the Glen Elg Inn--the food and views--delicious!

[@cheneyleung4627]

Isle of Skye is a magical place, if you are driving toward it don’t forget the Harry Potter train (The Jacobite Steam Train). Though I cannot recommend going during the summer as there is a lot of midges in the highlands, I’d go May or early June. And it was great meeting you both during Leeds book signing.

[@saypinecone]

I remember Martina talking about that in one of her animal crossing livestreams and now I’m super curious to see the video too. I think she had said it was something about the comments from the live show, that Chris’s viewers weren’t used to her joking style and she got attacked a lot online from it.

[@TheCelestialhealer]

Sharla never stopped with YT🎉🎉🎉Never knew you had videos on japanese.

[@ferluisa]

the funny thing is, i found chris's channel(s) because i was binge watching all rick steves's videos (that i had just found lol) so him saying he loves rick is so meaningful for me but also funny 🤣

[@ross_codes]

I live in Scotland and visited the Isle of Skye once with my partner. It's beautiful and the pubs are very cosy.

[@chicagomatt06]

We LOVED Takayama so much- breakout hit of our trip!

[@StuffedCabbageAdventures]

Journey Across Europe: Hungary as a destination? WOW, that would be amazing! Would love to Welcome you guys in our Country and help Sharla learn more about here family's roots :)

[@coraleamckay3714]

Love that you want to come to Scotland. I am a Scottish subscriber, love you both, hope You come over to Scotland soon to see the big cities as well as lovely highlands. I used to live on the Isle of Skye so highly recommend visiting if you get a chance! Xxxxx

[@lovelokest2]

I love Rick Steves! I grew up watching him on PBS.

[@r.fredwilliams3620]

Round about 14:00 - I've done a fairly thorough tour of Hokkaido entirely on public transport and it was fine. A car would have got me to more obscure places, but trains busses & ferries worked well. Note that on the islands SW of Okinawa, busses switch from the normal Japanese easy "recognise where you're going & pay the displayed amount on exit" mode to the harder "state your destination & pay what the driver asks you for on entry".

[@st0rmrider]

You should do a journey across Greece and visit all the rural areas that are also empty. You will love it

[@alexschwalbach8229]

Lol I literally just referenced Rick Steve's a couple weeks back in the comments of your 14 days in Japan itinerary video!

[@Neeko2lo]

My favourite video from not only Chris but english Japan content was when chris and ryotaro where it a temple in a deep snow burdened forest. That one I will watch every year.

[@chrissonnenschein6634]

① Somewhere between Aomori and Hirosaki cities is a statue to the British man that introduced apples to Japan (in theory) in late 1890s-1900s.. ② Also there are several old Sake breweries that have Sheffield Steel girders/I-beams used in the construction of the brewing buildings. ③ If I recall some of the Jōmon pottery found in Aomori prefecture is among some of the oldest known in the world.

[@svenningk]

If you like nature I highly recommend a trip around Northern Norway during the summer. Absolutely stunning up there.

[@HeathenTrucker]

Great videos guys!

[@TheMbangel]

I got a position with Interac West for next year. So cannot wait to finally be in Japan. Hearing Chris say that Interac is a good option, lessened some of the worries I had.

[@wolfnails666]

Stop answering dolphin for everything 😂

[@Blex_040]

I'm curious to what he also answered dolphin, maybe we will see in the next couple of JAJ videos xD

[@Pepe-dq2ib]

Dolphins are assholes and molesters.

[@vintagevinylvets1187]

Hi guys, we would love you to visit various music and audio stores in Japan. Love you guys, we never miss a video on either channel, keep up the great work!🙏🏻❤️😻-Chris & Beth🎧

[@avicennam7708]

As a Scotsmen who does like hill walking I would recommend torridon or neo park in sutherland (suilven) but yes skye is very beautiful and it geology is something to behold it is very busy with tourist so would recommend they other place so it is more remote in the spring and summer if hiking. Also you both have great video which helped when I was travelling around Japan and going back with my significant other next year.

[@mikeyadrick5154]

It is always fun and pleasant to view your videos, I was in Japan during Vietnam. working from there on a submarine--I wish I had spent mjore time to get to know the people and to travel about--as I am doing thru you both--Thanks------Mikey, Belfair, Wa, USA

[@zippidydoodah5365]

Smashing. Thank you. 😀

[@spiderliliez]

Loved the Q&A! I love when you guys tour the Tohoku region. Let me guess... haha the hotel is APA Aomorieki-higashi hehe. I stayed at the APA Aomorieki Kenchodori, further from the train station, which i chose as it's much newer. But yeah, I liked Aomori and plan to return next summer for the Nebuta festival. I spent so much time around the Aomori Port, at the museum, and I love the apple burger at Ocean's Diner.

[@NatashaMerkes]

The gift part and not remembering. So relatable. 🤣🤣

[@Robeight]

Yes, we need that explanation.

[@Toddis]

When Chris said he'd never do journey across Europe, my first thought was sometimes Chris should try and do the opposite of his first instinct, it'd probably be good for him, we'll be here watching anything from wherever he goes. Actually, why not journey across Antarctica, a month long trek across the most southern continent

[@lililinda6947]

Well his gig is he lives in Japan, he’s abroad in Japan, wouldn’t be logical and what could he possibly comment on? His whole vibe is sharing his perceptions of where he lives , he would be a tourist regurgitating other bits of tourist based info sure would be entertaining but limited. No point really.

[@Toddis]

@@lililinda6947 well I watch Chris because I like him as a person, not only because I value his experience living in Japan I wanna see the world through his eyes 👀 I get the name of the channel wouldn't translate though, but he has another channel without Japan in the name, so maybe there will be content there from other places in the world. I'd hate to think he feels trapped anywhere because he has to stay in a niche

[@crypticvega88]

My favorite celebrity couple!❤

[@ourtube2693]

Viktor orban a problem like having no crime, no terrorist attacks or not going bankrupt 🥴

[@FAMEROB]

weird common sense is frowned upon by people in media, and Chris being in Japan since 2013 makes him out of touch with the whole thing

[@wuthebest]

@@FAMEROB Common sense like being the most corrupt country in the EU?

[@Cliffdog01]

I think you two should come to New Zealand in the Summer. I'm biased, but these are the reasons why I think it'd be perfect. 1. You can take direct flights here from Narita faster and sometimes cheaper than flying to The UK. 2. There is almost no Jet lag (just a 2-hour time difference). 3. It's Winter here, so you can avoid the heat, but our winters are generally pretty mild, so it's generally just pleasantly cool (especially in Hawkes Bay, where I live or in Northland). 4. The vibe is similar to Japan, with hot springs, Nature and live-and-let-live culture; everyone (outside Auckland) is friendly and very chill.

[@Lordmrgrumps]

I love the Arrochar Alps in Scotland. On a clear day from the top of Beinn Ime you can see as far as Ben Nevis and there's the famous Cobbler where you have to what we call Thread the needle to summit.

[@catspajamas7660]

Rick Steves is the best, he is to travel what Bob Ross is to painting. We watch his European Christmas Special every year ❤

[@Taltosmaster]

Yesss, journey across Hungary! :)

[@bellenber]

For Film-making Ideas, have you considered a full on documentary? I think it would be right up your alley.

[@jimrat92]

I lived in hirosaki its sooooooo amazing. Apples, cherry blossoms in the castle park followed by the apple blossum. iwaki San and skiing, amazing winter scenery, tsugaru jamisen, tsugaruben, the missionaries and western town, im glad u didn't pass by hirosaki on this trip. I wanna get a place there someday to look at the mountain