I Escaped to Japan's HIDDEN Hot Spring Village

Our 2,000km Journey Across Japan kicks off as we head deep into the mountains to a town that time forgot.
🍿BEHIND the Scenes: / abroadinjapan
Journey Across Japan: Non-Stop-North is an epic trip 21 days across the northern region of Tohoku. Join us each day through December as we make our way across Japan's most underrated region.
Despite being home to six huge, diverse prefectures, Tohoku region in north Japan receives less than 1% of overseas tourists. Over the course of 21 days travelling through Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, Aomori, Akita and Yamagata, on Journey Across Japan we’ll encounter the people, places, sights and dishes that make the region unique.
Edited by: Eiji Iwakawa, David Parish (and Chris Broad)
Camera: @PaulBallard
► WEEKLY Podcast: hyperurl.co/nhgr30
► BEHIND the scenes Patreon: goo.gl/NWEoQm
*FOLLOW THE ADVENTURE*
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Business Enquiries: [e-mail]

[@AbroadinJapan]

*Journey Across Japan: Non-Stop-North begins!* Having survived our drive out of Tokyo, Natsuki and I continue our journey deep into the mountains of Tohoku today! I hope you've been enjoying our adventure so far guys. We're just getting started!

[@giraffe_fails]

[@XxAryaxX]

Nice

[@WarsunGames]

Hows the haunted Car that that old lady died in an cursed anyone who would drive it?

[@sui5435]

I don't know if it's intentional or not but you forgot to censor the license plate at around 1:21

[@PONO-go3ee]

AaSO , TOY Car Adventure , Ichiban Ya, Ooo 😳 NATZKIZILLA

[@Olimorveu]

It's crazy to see how many people behind the scenes are needed to get these videos out in time

[@MrStrange1984]

And the thought that they all get paid aswell (hopefully). Can't be cheap having a crew that big!

[@velmi_malenkaja_zabka]

And they have an office in the car to edit everything in time!

[@jaydaniel2145]

@@MrStrange1984 Only 7 likes, no wonder why you replied in a Weird way to my comment in another thread. Be happy in life 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@superfactorial5717]

@@MrStrange1984 i heard that they are only getting paid with Dr Jelly bottles and exposure from The Sunday Time's No. 1 Bestseller author Chris Broad! thats kinda messed up

[@JasonB808]

Many big KZbin channels have become media production companies. It just shows how much work goes into making engaging videos.

[@finnthehuman9033]

So nice to see all the hard working people behind the scenes.

[@stephjbean]

I’ve always wanted to see behind the scenes that way

[@stephanieok5365]

Right? I think Tokyo Creative does this a bit as well. I love even small things like mentioning the camera person for the segment.

[@Zombie_Problem]

Those cats don't get a day off!

[@Paul-hq7gf]

I'm most delighted to see Ellen here

[@jaydaniel2145]

You are SNEAKY making your comment 1st when mine has MORE LIKES. You're the 3rd person to do this tonight 😂😂

[@shadowtheimpure]

There is a reason that you're considered a cultural ambassador to the West. Your content is always high quality and allows us to vicariously experience Japan through you, plus it gives us incentive to make that once-in-a-lifetime trip.

[@Epscillion]

This 100%! I would not have been able to plan the trip to Japan we had without Chris' immense library of Japan tips.

[@LGWV]

@@WolfietheheroProductions if you don't mind, what did your budget look like? I'm planning out a 1 week trip during spring and am trying to get an idea on what the food, entertainment, and hotel prices are

[@kitschking]

absolutely

[@gmkgoat]

You've come a long way, Chris. I remember you staying up all hours of the night trying to edit and release daily videos in the first Journey, and now you've got a whole fleet of minions to do it for you.

[@MiaogisTeas]

Pretty sure this is paid for by a tourist board, so it's much easier when you have a bit of money to throw at the problem

[@sexmansex4776]

a fleet of minions 😂 like he's british gru

[@quirelll]

​@@MiaogisTeashe said it's paid by Patreon.

[@tachytack]

@@MiaogisTeas bro is actually stupid

[@kaede1_346]

calling them minions is a bit fucked

[@tomhoots]

MANY thanks for introducing us to "the team!" Oh, you bet, these folks are a vital part of your videos, and they deserve a proper introduction to us. Let me offer them -- and everyone else who will be involved with Non-Stop-North -- a heartfelt "Thank You!"

[@cooljammer00]

I find it very hard to believe that's the scariest bridge Chris has ever been on. We have video evidence of much worse. The zip line one, the one with the hole in it over the rapids, etc.

[@groofay]

Yeah, that Wacky Weekend episode with Connor was way more terrifying than this one; at least this bridge has at some point in history been structurally sound.

[@Booootsie]

I have a feeling Chris might've expunged that experience from his memory 🤣

[@sshipm1]

I think all wacky weekends content is kept in his short term memory and is immediately deleted when over (usually through excessive alcohol consumption).

[@cooljammer00]

@@groofay This bridge had other people on it, and was secure enough for Chris to bounce on it to scare the locals. He would never have tested a bridge that way if he didn't think it was safe.

[@Gundumb_guy]

My god... a whole editing team... rolling across Japan, editing on the fly. What an absolutely hilarious concept!

[@rachelleallen-sherwood8527]

Touring TV programs have even bigger crews, sleep-in buses, transmitters etc. Chris's crew is relatively small and compact. At least now he doesn't have to stay up until 3-4am editing JAJ vids after spending all day filming!!

[@kkcombs622]

Is it really necessary though? Cant they just send the raw video to editors back home?

[@ext609]

@@kkcombs622 I guess you didn't think about the large 4K file size, render time, etc huh? And they may or may not have good internet to do multiple upload wherever they are.

[@Gundumb_guy]

@@rachelleallen-sherwood8527 I just think it’s very cool that Chris is at a point where he can do all of this. The dude is a great story teller and has a great eye for amazing shots.

[@eicha41624]

​@@kkcombs622the other homie has a point, raw video files are MASSIVE, especially in 4k. It could take almost a day to send, then they would have to edit and send back cuts for approval. It's easier to have the crew along to work together

[@LiefTheBeef]

If people still watched cable TV, this series easily would have been on the top channels. It’s so well produced and Chris has such a natural way of presenting things while still being himself

[@tomatha132]

So glad to hear the Journey Across Japan theme at the start of an episode 😁. Also love the idea of Abroad in Japan Mythbusters, dispelling myths about places in Japan which unfortunately don't get enough tourists 😂

[@littlebird101]

i love this idea too!!

[@platysaur874]

I cannot begin to express how much of a treat it is to have these daily videos.

[@silviastanziola659]

I can barely believe that we're getting daily videos this time. not that he has to do it, it's just that it's such a feat to pull this stuff off.

[@monkemods6472]

It reminds me of the cyling across Japan series (my favorite)

[@denastrong800]

I'm enjoying it ❤🎉

[@aduboo29]

You just HAD to say it, didn't you?

[@reverb4311]

Daily🤫

[@rice_frying_shrimp]

As a massive fan of the OG Journey Across Japan series, I am so stoked that Ellen is back! She was honestly my favorite guest from the original run and I really enjoy all of her small guest appearances on the channel since the then.

[@Happi___]

Natsuki is an endearing guy, I feel like he makes every situation a bit more fun

[@arandombard1197]

The thing to remember is that even when a day of filming is a complete disaster and failure like this one, that is still entertaining for the viewer. it's nice to see the other side of travel, where it rains and it's all a bit shit, but you're with friends and have a good time anyway.

[@gast321]

It's really good to know that Chris isn't suffering in the middle of the night editing videos anymore. Now he has other people doing that for him!

[@SteffenMiethke]

Business basics 101 - I think^^

[@jaydaniel2145]

Trying to make your comment be 1st when i have more likes than you 😂. Very WEIRD 😂😂 You got a DISLIKE for that

[@sillyface8501]

​​@@jaydaniel2145 Quite a few people do it to get likes because they can't do good without cheating. Dislike the OP's comment

[@sillyface8501]

​​@@jaydaniel2145 He keeps doing it, that is sad lol

[@kristianbasile7141]

Can't be that much suffering considering they are an army... Chris really got Mr Beast's editing team for this project.

[@cassiebillion3511]

My holidays this year are going to be quite lonely and quiet. These videos? They're going to be a highlight. Thank you! Keep up the amazing work to everyone on the team!

[@Omar_E11]

I feel that. It sucks to be alone but these vids always help

[@karindv9477]

I loved Natsukizilla, what a legend! ❤ Thanks to the whole team for taking us on this journey, it's so much fun already. 🥰

[@thefray123]

HUGE shout out to the editors and team! You guys are killing it so far!!!!

[@kankun123]

it's always fun to watch chris and natsuki together no matter where they are or what condition they are in

[@langadubazana]

Oh my those people at the shop at Ouchijuku were so warm and kind!

[@agamersinsanity]

Natsuki seems to be a fun guy to hang out with xD

[@themiddleman5763]

Love how JAJ has become a basically annual series, with its own increasingly creative title cards. Certainly a sign of good times ahead.

[@Zanon]

RIP AbroadinJapan. Guess that cheap little car they got was not a good idea after all. They are with Grandma now

[@AntiNexus1]

You've put so much effort, planning and coordination into this! Amazing team, brilliant presenters. This is going to be an amazing JAJ!!!

[@crazymike7883]

It's always funny to see Chris and Natsuki. It also proves what my friend (who also lives in Japan) said about Japanese people being friends with foreign people. They all tend to be some sort of outsiders themselves.

[@kikoualoe808]

Its really funny thinking about Chris editing all of the videos on the first Journey and now there is a whole team editing being driven alongside him. Lessons learned from the first one, im sure its much less stressful than having to edit to 3am after a long day.

[@arrrressss]

I really love this series because it feels real. Like you're seeing how these places really are, the good and the bad. Not just the touristy highlights or the perfect conditions. Good luck, and as a Canadian who knows about driving in the snow...gooooooood luck in that rollerskate. 😅

[@jaydaniel2145]

Who else here LOVES Journey across Japan?? ❤

[@jaydaniel2145]

Natsuki is too FUNNY 😂

[@graffitisamurai]

It's alright.

[@phillyjones3028]

WOOOOOO

[@jaydaniel2145]

​@@phillyjones3028😊

[@josephputinch3090]

Your mom and dad

[@kevingault2333]

Absolute joy hearing the Journey Across Japan music again. Also lovely seeing Ellen is part of the team!

[@treeboyproductions]

It's always better to under-promise and over-deliver than it is to over-promise and under-deliver. You should've never said anything about daily uploads and just surprised us with your frequency. Now we're all expecting it and anything less is a complete failure, no matter the quality of the product ultimately given.

[@travel_ready]

I agree, but I am beginning to wonder if something bad happened. Today's video should have been completed several days ago since it appears the team has a 3 day headstart on the upload schedule. Plus, they had preview clips in this video, so all they should have needed to do is upload. I will give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

[@treeboyproductions]

​@@travel_readylet's hope it's nothing serious! I'm going to guess it's logistics related. The more people you bring in, the more points of failure you introduce. All it takes for something like this to happen is a storm to knock out power to the editors house assigned to this video and the whole thing collapses. Daily travel content just isn't possible unless you do it all yourself start to finish and by then what's the point? You're travelling to work not working to travel.

[@chloeyoung4045]

The famous cat works 😂 I love how sweet the shop owners were ❤️

[@StimParavane]

They are celebrities now.

[@kevinezra2115]

Japan is the most aesthetic country I've ever seen. Even those derelict buildings looked so nice with the green backdrop

[@hybrid352]

It really is and I always appreciate people showing the sides of Japan that not many tourists go

[@Callumstaples226]

I hope you give your editors a pay raise. Doing crazy amount of high quality editing in such a short time. Big ups to the edit team, uploading the videos insanely quickly!!

[@Don_Rodrigo44]

Jesus this series better do a billion views just to pay for all the crew. Mans brought along a whole production company and a fleet of vehicles

[@Taiyo_Jinja]

Imagine that, 1 Billion views!

[@TestSubject375]

The fact that there's still so much to do after all the other journeys, Japan truly is an incredible place

[@phantom9930]

Dayyum son missed a day already!!

[@jackneville3885]

Was just about to comment this 😂

[@m3932213]

Thank you for introducing kinugawa! It’s one of my favorite underrated onsen towns. Really hope it doesn’t end up being a complete ghost town, this place is a beauty and perfect complement to nikko.

[@user-lv7bo3bc8d]

I feel like Natsuki has actually been studying or at least picking up on English. It's better than it used to be. Love to see you and Natsuki explore Tohoku! It's one of my favourite parts of Japan, right behind Hokkaido

[@silverian]

Ian's way to give anpanman to Chris is legendaric :-) Godzira of Natsuki was hilarious. Nice way to present editing and other crew!

[@PremierTwo]

When that JAJ music hits you can’t help but get teary eyed knowing that SOMETHING amazing / painful is about to happen

[@Benobot99]

Next episode please. It's been over 24 hours. :)

[@grayfox11010]

I'm so hyped for this series. The original Journey Across Japan is some of my favorite media to this day! After the toll the first series took it would be understandable if he never wanted to do it again, but seeing him grow over these years and want to tackle it again is really inspiring. It makes me not want to be complacent and keep pushing my self to see what I can accomplish too! Safe travels!

[@Blex_040]

4:24 Hall of the Mountain King is usually used when someone descends into madness, so it's a very fitting BGM for Natsuki xD Okay, well, technically Natsuki doesn't _descend_ into madness... he's been there for decades 😄

[@spineonthepine4933]

Never realized just how much work, and how many people, went into producing Journey Across Japan until this. That is hardcore content creation. Kudos!

[@peytageo4432]

This feels like a tv documentary with all the great camera work and editing (not to mention the host 😊) instead of a KZbin video. Looking forward to the daily uploads as am planning a trip to Japan and love the cold. Thank you for the pre Christmas treat Chris and your team (:

[@UltraDoug]

You guys may be unwittingly creating a journey that many fans will take in the future. The Abroad Japan Trail. 😎👍🏼

[@83917Michael]

Based on some previous videos, I'm pretty sure its intentional.

[@datlam7836]

We're so blessed to be getting so many new episodes of Journey Across Japan. Thank you Chris and the team for working so hard!

[@ceilingsintheireyes6288]

Even when the video is a complete fail (as in the whole town was shut and you had to go find a random cat to be the "celebrity" and even that wasnt there) it still kills me 😅 Abroad in Japan can do no wrong. Natsuki saying lets just say some random person is famous had my crying haha

[@eechauch5522]

It’s very surreal to see Chris walking around a place I visited just a month ago. Kinugawa Onsen is actually a very interesting and somewhat surreal place. On the one hand it’s a stunning valley and on the other hand you have these ugly, falling apart hotel towers which really do look lieb they came straight out of the apocalypse. These two things clash in a way I honestly haven’t seen yet. Also they had Baumkuchen and a steam locomotive, so they won anyway.

[@intractablemaskvpmGy]

The quality of these videos had dramatically improved! Chris, you've gathered a good team together and are making great episodes as always.

[@joejo6690]

These days, whenever I watch your videos, I swear I'm watching smth from tv. The locations, editing and overall production just looks so great! Good job guys!! Be safe and always keep warm!

[@ThePowerofJames]

We stayed in Kinagawaonsen at Asaya and we the best two days of just relaxation and peace. What a lovely town, lovely people, and the onsens relieved all the soreness from our week of walking in Tokyo before that!

[@SaturnAmethyst]

So excited for this series, as always! You guys are doing an AWESOME job!

[@vasilikonstan]

Thanks for introducing your team! This series rocks. Keep up the good work everyone!

[@RealPi]

はい、お前! WHERE IS TODAY'S VIDEO? (3 December) ... joking, great job Chris and team XD

[@maxime1776]

Did he already fail on posting daily? 😆

[@RealPi]

@@maxime1776 He did xD …Two days so far xD Which is getting me a bit worried, I hope his fat belly did not result in the Kei car toppling over xD

[@maxime1776]

@@RealPi yesss, I just saw that he posted. I was a bit worried too xD

[@HouseMDaddict]

So cool to see the full team! Thanks to everyone who works on this project! I'm so glad to have found this content/channel originally during 2020 and been subscribed ever since.

[@TheRealDocBrown]

So happy this is out. I love the Journey Across Japan series! Great stuff!

[@elizabethdavis8496]

The shot of the river lined with buildings is STUNNING. Such a shame to be left abandoned. One of the prettiest places I’ve seen.

[@SticksPrime]

Used to teach there, very nice, a few better spots 20mins up the road

[@volgg]

mad respect to everyone working behind the scenes! looking forward to all the videos!

[@vanvo9996]

absolutely love the content - thank you Chris, Natsuki and all the people involved.

[@jennb3112]

awesome to meet the team especially all the editors working to get these out for us thanks for all the hard work everyone!

[@meikyuu_]

i love the vibe of this journey across japan series. unplanned things like the people at the shop calling to you are awesome

[@ziyaliu2733]

Loved the old journies across Japan series, can’t wait for this new one

[@Spott715]

nice to see the crew cant wait for the next video

[@sandyderubusfruticosus5022]

It is so cool!! I really hope the weather calms down a bit for you two. Great idea to show us your team, thank you all for making all this videos possible!!

[@lazyshinobi2861]

we are so back boys Big o7 to everyone in front and behind the camera who makes these episodes feel like a magic ❤

[@glad9310]

Shout out to the editors and the entire crew! This is a really fun start to the journeynd the entire crew! This is a really fun start to the journey and cant wait to see more!!! Amazing work!!!

[@BradmyrEdits]

Something to look forward to. Great job guys.

[@laggard31]

Super excited for this series!

[@ThorPalsson]

Haha that Eiji and Mario reveal xD Loving the start of this series

[@littlebird101]

This content has brought me through such a hard period of my life. thank you chris and the team for the amazing content and laughs and making me genuinely smile 😃🙏

[@Vugen18]

I love this so much! These journeys are always so fun and cozy to watch. Also its nice having something to look forward to each day!

[@Triquetral]

The shots look so cool and the production quality itself is amazing 👌🏻. Thanks for all the hard work, Chris and gang. Can't wait to binge-watch all the videos at the end of the series! 😁

[@RubyRoks]

Wonderful episode. Mad props to the editing team. I imagine this was a lot of footage to sift through.

[@bewhitey]

So awesome seeing episodes everyday! This is going to be a good month

[@missgelaaa]

Teamwork makes the dream work and the hard work is definitely seen, thank you to all involved!

[@alise4041]

Glad you allowed other to edit your videos and they are doing great job of doing your ideas and work justice. Big thumbs up for editors and other crew, you guys are champs!

[@Electronjames]

So um no upload today in none stop JAJ

[@maija222]

Woah, never clicked a notification that fast. This whole journey looks good and cant wait to see what kind of chaos is ahead! 😄

[@CHEFPKR]

Paul is actually the goat. But this set up is amazing.

[@konaplays1920]

The people are so kind and nice, I love how the town has such a comfy feeling even in the rain!

[@arcaine3907]

This is so entertaining. Love the team and different characters. We have gloomy Brit with self-depricating, sometimes dark humor, Natsuki who is just a joy under any circumstances to watch and others. Great idea, awesome final product. Greetings guys from snowy and cold Poland

[@lazarusvirtus]

2:36 ‘took a step’ bruh hahaha

[@IronicSonics]

loving this series so far!

[@sebastianbryndorf1771]

Really missed this style of content, great jpb Chris and co.

[@Saph1r0]

I love how the moment you stopped living in Tohoku, you decide to come back for Journey Across Japan to promote the region you love so dearly ❤ Hope you're having fun back home!

[@thelightsilent]

it be better to put a number in the title so people know which episode of the journey Across Japan this is otherwise I think half the channel doesnt even know the trip has started.

[@Hirami_de]

Very well done, loving it so far! You look more calm and relaxed with your backup, so even bad weather and closed shops can't stop you. You've come a long way, well done! Also shout out to your team, it's hard to step into your shoes and everyone's doing great! Looking forward to the next videos ❤️

[@gamedeathmatch]

Thanks for another video Chris and Team

[@kloud6539]

I absolutely love The Journey Across Japan series! I wish the episodes could be longer but I get that there’s an absurd amount of work that goes into them so it’s nearly impossible to keep the same quality if they were longer.

[@TheMimzez]

I know I've complimented the drone shots before, but you just get such amazing shots! also nice to see the whole team behind this project

[@myoshi1979]

Absolutely loving the daily format! Looking forward to each day's new video.

[@slmsmanutd]

The production is so good! Looking forward to the daily updates!

[@SpicyPumpkin001]

Love these series! Thank you so much! Natsuki and you are the cherry on top of entertainment!

[@JC-hu6wg]

Unlucky day, but great job AIJ team for making this still so enjoyable and entertaining. Shows you the talent everyone in this team has.

[@theodavis4565]

What a great video! Kudos to everyone on and off screen putting in the work for this Journey Across Japan😊

[@CalebHSumo]

I spent a week in Kinugawaonsen last month. Awesome little town. A lot of struggling hotels, nice onsens in every one of them. Short ride from the main area of Nikko. Beautiful national park. Awesome.

[@ricardobaeta3184]

Thanks to the large team that makes all of this possible ❤

[@Ezmarii997]

Loving the format of the release schedule so far, thanks for sharing the team setup that helps make it all possible. Hi team! thank you for your hard work! Oh yeah also that Chris guy for putting his face on the content

[@user-wd3zs9cp7l]

These videos are so relaxing. I especially love the ones about food.

[@Kami-the-Foxy]

Love seeing the team that helps make these videos so fun to watch ☺💙 Also seeing the miniature twin towers is not something I expected seeing in this video, lol 4:52

[@Luckdragon12]

Way to keep this up despite the sad weather. Thanks to you and the whole team for sharing the stories of these places, and the journey!