Overland Japan. A new beginning... (Ep134)

Everything happens for a reason!
We truly live our lives by this simple phrase. It seems Japan was not finished with us just yet.
With the rapidly deteriorating situation in Australia we count ourselves very fortunate that we never made it in the end.
In Japan we have our freedom, liberty and an open road ahead of us.
We hit the ground running taking up an invitation to meet up with fellow Land Rover Defender owners from the yet unvisited west coast of Japan.
If you enjoy our videos and if you would like to support our work, we have a PATREON account.
Become a PATRON and be part of the adventure.
Thank you very much.
/ grizzlynbear
GrizzlyNbear MERCH (T-shirt, stickers and more)
www.redbubble....
INSTAGRAM
www.instagram....
Music : Epidemic sound
Join us as we travel the world overland, exploring the cultures and traditions of all the countries we visit.
In our Land Rover Defender camper which is our full time home we will take you rock climbing, hiking and exploring across all the continents on this planet.

[@marcosavio1020]

I have not seen any evidence of another overlander channel that lives up to Grizzly n Bear for time spent traveling, distance, countries covered, and video documenting to the levels Stephanie and Leigh have captured. Quite remarkable. Japan was simply an eye opener.

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you so much for the kind words 🙏☺️ We have no plans of stopping anytime soon 😉

[@STYLEHUAHINONAIR]

very nice.

[@spikedominikovichspikearoo1900]

Great vid thanks to you guys awesome rain pain same here in Scotland

[@badgerpa9]

I do not understand why you got refused to go back home, but all that matters is you are safe, healthy and most important having fun. Very glad you keep running into the nicest people, makes life so much better.

[@leighdearle5965]

We are still struggling to understand how a country can refuse it's own citizens 😔 We stay very positive and are happy in Japan 😉

[@stevestott3652]

Wow what a great fun filled video . Japan sure has been awesome to travel threw with your videos . And the people have been awesome . Thanks for sharing your awesome , adventures and videos with us all your over landing friends . From Steve Stott in Sutherlin Oregon U.S.A.

[@rodtrevor2315]

Keep safe you four. Love all that you do. 👍

[@ThePiero52]

You're so lovely guys: every country you go, it becomes your country! Thanks for sharing!

[@aroundtheworld8353]

LOVE YOU SO MUCH MY FRIENDS. GOOD LUCK.

[@zacherypreyser3777]

Another beautiful video Steph and Leigh! So awesome to see so many defender fans in Japan. Thanks for sharing your experiences and fun times with us. A real inspiration.

[@trunorthland3193]

You guys are the best!!

[@sliew888]

Please drive all the way down to Kyushu Island again. I lived in Fukuoka for 2 years and travelled around the whole island. Amazing roads and awesome sights. Plenty of nature. You guys will love it.

[@leighdearle5965]

When the weather cools down we're thinking about it. Our favourite rock climbing area is in Kyushu 😉

[@HotelGoldenTree]

So positive. Inspiring the world even when home country refused your entry.

[@rosssyster]

What am amazing channel you’ve put together. I stumbled upon your channel, and while I’ve only watched maybe a dozen videos I’m hooked and will have to go back to start at the beginning to see where this incredible adventure started. From one overlander to another, you guys are awesome, and I'm looking forward to seeing more.

[@andrewdavies2975]

Looking forward to your journey in and adventures in chapter 2.good luck.

[@gilliandearle9771]

Once again a great video and so proud of you both in the COVID circumstances re Australia. Always happy and making the most of the situation, so proud of you both. I am loving the opportunity of seeing and learning more about beautiful Japan and it’s kindness to my children.

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you Gillian 😘😘😘😜

[@henryescobar6803]

You guys makes me happy during these times

[@gerdacoonan7250]

So glad that Steph has the steps back again, . . . . happy wife, . . . happy life !! :-)). Stay safe, Cheers from Aussie.

[@terrylloyd6114]

Love watching you guys

[@luisclaro3386]

Happy for you guys! All the best! :)

[@Guss96]

Community Defender Meets are amazing, it show how much of a family it is! And them Bonsai gardens, credit to the man you met, they were incredible..

[@andrewhepburn5271]

What a lovely happy episode, glad all`s turned out well for japan 2 !!

[@hugosstudiosdenver]

Over overlanding ! Time to learn the language and what a great privilege to be learning so much about that great culture !! Safe travels ! Thanks for sharing ! Merci !!

[@greebo7857]

Gotta be the best TDi ever. That thing is sweet.

[@leighdearle5965]

The attention to detail is incredible 😍

[@SiCrewe]

You can tell that 300tdi is the owner's pide & joy. Full of tasteful little mod's, end to end. A work of art!

[@arneh.christiansen4827]

I understand why you like being in Japan, the people are extremely friendly and helpful. I have only traveled by ✈️ and 🚆 and I have some very positive experiences. A man walking with me for 30 minutes, just to guide me to the place I was asking for - and then he walked back 👍👍👍

[@sunshinecatcher8779]

man i so miss not having a running landrover, such a great family

[@leighdearle5965]

Getting the Landy fixed is when we meet most of our new Land Rover family mates 😜 We all have that in common we're never far away from needing some maintenance... Yet we wouldn't change it for the world 😉

[@MrKuhistani]

I can't help but like first before even starting to watch ...stay blessed beautiful people...

[@jamesb8467]

I just got back from a 4,000 mile overlanding trip across the US...inspired by you guys! Thank you for your channel and inspiration! Stay safe.

[@leighdearle5965]

That's one epic trip ☺️ We hope you had a great time 😉

[@Yeti1080]

Amazing good times with you guys be well and safe keep the videos coming and god bless from USA and Romania.

[@RiveraD1988]

hahaha I love when you call the hardware store bunnings. I do the exact same.

[@leighdearle5965]

We've visited Bunnings in every country between here and France! We even visited one recently that had a sausage sizzle happening out front 😍

[@darkhorsetoolworks920]

Great video you two! Glad you are continuing your journey and being always so positive! You guys are awesome!!!

[@leighdearle5965]

G'day me old mate 😍 Thank you so much we always appreciate your feedback 🙏

[@davidjrule66]

very lucky.

[@fawisontour6926]

On the road again! What a beautiful continuation!!

[@scumpert]

Awesome that you meet so many lovely people on your travels! Can't wait till you get to Freo!

[@gme273]

thanks for the heads up, but not necessary. AU PS GREAT VIDEO

[@billsoucess2448]

great video

[@lauramartin4899]

Guys!!! Change your plans!! Come to America!! There is tons of climbing to do here!! If you decide to come my husband and I will take you around Arizona to some sweet climbing spots!.. he is an engineer for the Fire department and an expert on 'technical ' rescues... he also works for FEMA, is maybe not meant to be for you guys to go yo Australia!! Think on the possibilities!! You guys have tons of followers in USA and Canada!! We'll take care of you guys!!

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you so much for invitation, we definitely plan for the America's at some stage. As of right now we have no plans and monitor all countries situations closely... Your husbands job sounds amazing and I'm sure we'd have lots to talk about. I have done a lot of rope access work over the years working offshore. We can't wait to climb in the States 😍

[@gman8606]

Very positive video- Japanese people really seems very friendly and curious- I'm surprised over how many LandRovers there are over there 🤗👍💐🥂

[@gman8606]

@Thordur Hogna I totally agree with that and the long version is much more usable- I actually like the old LandCruisers.

[@nathanhickeyhickey8693]

Life is about the journey and not the destination. Lovely to see the shine back in Steph's eyes .. you too Liegh.The beauty in human spirit shared between yourselves and strangers can hardly be captured in words.Safe Travels. PS. "Maggie" my original hj47 troopy says hello to Grizzly and Bear.😊

[@jGraffi]

I waiting the book once your finish your travel.... if you want to finish one day

[@SpartanSpirit300]

You go everywhere with your truck

[@Nyomar_HM]

Am so inspired. In a bit we would trip around Africa.

[@Simonandisla]

Ace episode guys. Love that wind out awning...first time I've seen it I think. There's something special about the TD5 sound and turbo whistle...I am slightly biased of course 😉😆😆👌 Keep safe guys 🇫🇷🇦🇺🇯🇵

[@christtophek9487]

merci, oui merci pour cette belle expérience, ceux qui osent ! la " tristitude" & la "morosité" sont partout, alors cela fait du bien de vous savoir heureux. keep going, keep moving !

[@zee6917]

love from india guys, love ur videos and your vehicle take care of ur self god bless u!

[@steinar.offroad]

11:00 I remember someone telling me something about rivets in that area. I'm not 100% sure but I believe on the rear quarter pannel they are added after painting (in the factory), which means that if you can see the rivets there it means your vehicle has never been painted since factory. Something along those lines. There should be some more rivets on a panel near there that should be painted, that's how you tell.

[@leighdearle5965]

Cheers Jorn, that's very interesting information. I didn't know that now I need to have a look 😉

[@steinar.offroad]

@@leighdearle5965 I found the video that claimed this. Apparantly the rivets behind the door are blank when they leave the factory, but the ones below the window (on the same panel) should be painted, exactly like shown in the video. /watch?v=JppMu1preYg at around 20:00 he gets to the rivets. Anyway glad to help you figure it out, I wonder if this is the same for 130's though, I believe you lack windows above your quarter pannel. Anyway your content was much appriciated, as always!

[@gordonwedman3179]

Good to see you are making lemonade out of the lemon experience with Australia. In November of 2019 I drove down to Mexico for the winter. In March Canada and the USA closed their borders to non- essential travel but our Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau said words to the effect that Canadians would always be able to return to Canada. At the end of March I decided Mexico was not taking the virus seriously enough and decided to drive home two months early. I was worried that I might not get into the USA but they let me in when I told them I was driving straight back to Canada in my self contained motorhome. When I got to the Canadian border the Canadian Border Services Agent said “Welcome back to Canada “. Contrast this with the shabby treatment Lee has received. Do they think Lee and Steph are going to run amok and cough on everyone in sight? Sad way to treat your citizens.

[@shoujivlog7783]

Masih di japan... Here new fans from indonesia.

[@MartinBettler]

Did you realize how what you speak lines up perfectly with the background music on 4:58? Like some 1930s swing!

[@G10-s6g]

Love from Nepal

[@laurentcaraland1404]

Bonne continuation a vous au Japon ! pour Leigh j'ai eu 2 TD5 et un TDI ! :)

[@prasadtemkar4498]

Parking rules definately applied !!!! Onya guys :) that td5 did sound nice and so did the tdi u drive

[@estimatingonediscoveringthree]

Love you guys and great episode, Japan is so beautiful and the people are so sincere and friendly. Btw Fukushima is one of the most radioactive places on earth, you really need to avoid the food and soil from that area. Internal “hot” particles are the long term danger. If you have already been exposed, you can chelate with zeolite, but get physcian to prescribe a regiment, there is a right and wrong way to do it. You need to replace necessary minerals that are to leave it out as well as the bad ( uranium plutocrats noun, cesium, americium, etc) I tell you because I care. I know it’s inconvenient.

[@tukocan]

Leigh, if you guys ever make it to Sweden, you can drive my Series with a 300Tdi. 😉😉

[@leighdearle5965]

Now that is a fantastic invitation! Thank you so much 🙏😉 Hold that thought it could be sooner rather than later... ☺️

[@loickdu09]

Le meilleur moteur le 300tdi !!

[@mikebox]

you guys need to contact the company that produces your camper and get them to sponsor you. I bet you've help to sell several already on your adventures.

[@leighdearle5965]

They contacted us last year and we are proud ambassadors for Four Wheel Campers 😉

[@mikebox]

@@leighdearle5965 great news. I like that camper you got.

[@kinanthiasmara2984]

I'm your new fans, i'm finished watching central Asia, South Korea, and Japan (on going). Thank you for making all those video, and I hope that you two visiting my country, Indonesia.

[@leighdearle5965]

Thank you 🙏😍 We hope to visit Indonesia one day 🤞

[@kinanthiasmara2984]

@@leighdearle5965 can't wait, hehehe 😆😆. Seriously, I'm really really love you two, stay safe and healthy. 💕💕

[@DA_Van4Fun]

Hi guys. Amazing videos! Have you considered go back through Russia (I can recommend a lot of beautiful wild places to visit in Far Eastern Region) and then explore Himalaya and South Asia?

[@leighdearle5965]

We would love to but all borders are closed... Travel anywhere at the moment is very complicated. There is no more ferry route between Japan and Russia for starters.

[@masseyfergusonS]

👍

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU GREAT DETAIL VIDEO AS SAFETY TRAVELING DUE CONVIBE 19 BUG

[@matchstick3333]

I was wondering what a ball park figure for shipping a rig like yours from Japan to Australia would be? Asking for a Mate. Also sad to see you couldn't make it into Australia :(

[@leighdearle5965]

It was going to cost us roughly US $5,000 total to ship to Australia.

[@matchstick3333]

@@leighdearle5965 Thanks for the Info :) Much respect and love watching your adventures from Perth.

[@crixtus]

The camouflage parka looks fantastic. I was wondering if you could tell me the name of the manufacturer or brand? Much Appreciated. BTW does anyone know the name of that type of camouflage pattern? Thanks in advance.

[@leighdearle5965]

It was a gift from a soldier in Turkey. We don't know the manufacturer or brand sorry...

[@crixtus]

@@leighdearle5965 TQ mate.

[@jdenmark1287]

Fly on over to Hawaii when you head to North America we can host you in a little house and we have a couple of LR Perenties to tour the Big Island

[@leighdearle5965]

That sounds like a great idea! Perenties in Hawaii, how amazing 😍

[@jdenmark1287]

Leigh Dearle not many climbing options but lots of easy but inspiring hikes, ocean sports and great scenery. Yes, I have two, a GS and a FFR, a buddy has a LRRV. Another buddy has a 130 HCPU that he fitted with a 300tdi with an auto box. Check out CF Rinkens next time you need to ship.

[@yorkchris10]

Quelque fois, la jeunesse est un handicap. 15 ans pour le Canada et un vrai bijou.

[@mrpink3630]

soooo all that deep cleaning of the rig for nothing? lol thats crazy.

[@leighdearle5965]

All four nothing... Well at least we had an extremely clean car and camper 😜

[@manolob63]

Salut Stéph,salut Leigh ! je crois en fait...que c'est un "signe"; que vous soyez "obligé" de rester au Japon....et qu'en fin de compte ...c'est une chance extraordinaire ! bien à vous deux! et "Bon vent" pour cette nouvelle aventure ! ;-)

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Salut. Merci. C est excactement ça. 😉

[@frank-lr]

:-)) TSUTAYA ?! When you speak it out loud it sounds like German "zu teuer!" - "too expensive!" 8-) So no German customers I guess :-)

[@leighdearle5965]

Ha ha definitely no German customers if the name sounds like that 🤣

[@chrisg1234fly]

Similar rubbish disposal to South Korea. Takes a bit of getting used to, especially in a different language, but great idea and should be implemented in other countries widely

[@leighdearle5965]

Yes absolutely although during our time in South Korea we found that there were always public bins available. Japan needs the comprehensive recycling especially so due to the extreme excess use of plastic packaging here.

[@chrisg1234fly]

@@leighdearle5965 Its different cultures and styles of living. Koreans generally dont buy a weeks supply of food like us westerners as they dont have the storage space. My wife could never understand how i colud buy 1 banana in a packet. You have to live there to understand and just travelling through will give you the wrong impression of how things are.

[@leighdearle5965]

@@chrisg1234fly for sure although we've been in Japan for 6 months now and have a fair idea of how it works. When you want to buy an apple and it's wrapped in 3 layers of plastic then in a plastic box to top it off 😜 It's an absolutely insane amount of excess unnecessary plastic usage here in Japan. They realise it's a problem and recently a law came into affect that now plastic bags are charged for at the check out to encourage people to bring their own reusable bags.

[@wynandloubser7646]

Leigh Dearle they brought that law in at almost all countries i know and the only effect was supermarkets expense just decreased as they do not carry the expense of the bag anymore people soon adjust to the expense

[@leighdearle5965]

@@wynandloubser7646 we always take our own reusable shopping bags with us to do our bit on reducing plastic usage. In Japan we see it's quite common for the locals to bring their own basket which is good.

[@rcsuch4607]

Ahoj les aventuriers......... pour revenir à votre plaque en bois sous votre cellule, pourquoi ne pas l'a remplacer par une plaque en PTFE de la même épaisseur? Cela faciliterait le glissement du tiroir et plus de problème de pourrissement. Enfin, si cela ne fait pas trop glisser la cellule................. A bientôt, profitez bien de ce superbe pays.

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

Ha merci bonne idee. Je me demande si on peux trouver une planche de teflon de cette dimension . Je pense que cette solution (bois) n est que provisoire. Un jour peut-etre qu on pourra faire faire un vrai tiroir sur rails.

[@rcsuch4607]

@@GrizzlyNbearOverland Oui cela existe, mais faut voir le prix........

[@scumpert]

Bunnings in Japan??

[@leighdearle5965]

I call every hardware store Bunnings 😜

[@project404]

Did I understand that correctly.. in Japanese text, there are blank lines inserted to encourage you to think? Different from the usual paragraph breaks?

[@leighdearle5965]

We don't know 🤣 We're still confused... 😜 Essentially though from Aya's explanation I believe that's correct what you're saying.

[@project404]

@@leighdearle5965 That's fascinating! I wasn't sure if she meant something like 'you have to read between the lines..' But if is the case that that they leave 'thinking spaces' in the text, it's a brilliant system.

[@RockmanDash]

So I have a question how is it being in Japan and not being fluent in Japanese?

[@leighdearle5965]

We were told that it would be very difficult because nobody in Japan speaks English... We've found that to be the opposite. So many people speak English here and when they don't there's always Google translate 😉

[@RockmanDash]

Leigh Dearle good to know I hope to go someday I won’t bring my Land Rover tho . Lol

[@project404]

11:51 Only a defender owner will truly understand why that little bit of cloth is stuck on the door card :)

[@leighdearle5965]

Ha ha I had to go and pause to see what you were talking about... Yes I know exactly why and might have to make that my next modification 😜

[@project404]

@@leighdearle5965 Over the years I have use sticky foam, Glued strips of Neoprene, and even tried a bit of old wetsuit.. I finally got an armrest from an office chair and screwed it on! It works a treat!

[@Martin74152]

Elle a supprimé mon commentaire. Ça montre bien que je disais la vérité. Pauvre femme

[@GrizzlyNbearOverland]

??? Nous n avons pas supprimé de commentaire.

[@clivematthew-wilson7918]

Love you guys. But, could you please wear masks to protect yourselves and others? Also, when you wear a mask, you set an example for the people who watch this channel.