48 Hours at Japan's Biggest Snow Festival

Sapporo snow festival is one of Japan's most popular annual events, but does it live up to the hype? We spent 48 hours in the city, eating, drinking and getting serenaded by random people....

I Tasted Kobe Beef for the First Time | A5 Japanese Wagyu

We taste A5 Kobe Beef (A5), the highest grade of beef in Japan and have our taste buds ignited. What better way to spend our time in Kobe of Day 18 of Journey Across Japan (and send off Pete)....

24 Hours in Osaka | 6 Things to do in Japan's Nightlife Capital

Osaka is Japan's nightlife capital; a vibrant city home to amazing food and people. On Day 17 of Journey Across Japan we spend a night out taking in the city! Leave us a LIKE if you enjoyed joining our night out!...

24 Hours in Kyoto | Japan's Best Monkey Park

Kyoto Monkey Park is loved by all. We make our way through it and uncover the mysterious monster street on Day 16 of Journey Across Japan with Pete Donaldson....

I Got Lost in Kyoto with only a Paper Map

Kyoto is difficult to navigate with Google Maps, let alone using a paper map. On Day 15 of Journey Across Japan we get lost in Kyoto....

Natsuki: The Movie (Life in Japan Documentary)

Burnt out and suffering from a mid life crisis, the eccentric Natsuki decides to take an emergency one-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. Surprisingly, not everything goes according to plan....

Japan's unspoken social etiquette...

Pete and Chris are back with another slice of Nihono-nonsense!...

Revealed: the craziest trip to Japan ever!

Pete and Chris pull more faxes from the fax machine, warm and with that lovely inky smell on them....

82 year old Japanese woman fights off bear!

Could your gran chin a fully grown bear to actual bits? Find out how, in your midweek dose of Abroad in Japan......

Why Japan's losing enthusiasm for The Olympics

As the domestic tourism economy tries to get back on its feet, Tokyo falls foul of a COVID resurgance. Do the Japanese want their Olympics?...

How much do you really know about Japan? A 21 question quiz.

Test your 日本 trivia with Chris's big quiz! Can you beat Petey?...

Japan's all you can eat and drink culture explained

It may be cost-effective - but what are the pitfalls when it comes to drinking and eating at volume?...

Why living in Japan will turn you into a minimalist

Chris and Pete are back with their regular Wednesday celebration of all things Japan... as we learn about the possibly the world's worst man....

The biggest mistake you can make in a Japanese Hotspring

Two individual Coolish packets, taped together, being inhaled through each nostril - that was dream forged in Pete's maniacal brainhole. "Double the Coolish!" Pete shouted into Chris's confused face. But Chris had a better idea. His idea was to gi...

12 films set in Japan you need to see!

Fillums! We've all seen at least one...so here are twelve more you need to see before you die. To be honest you could probably do it in a couple of days, so why wait?...

Japanese foods you should avoid!

Chris and Pete are back running the rule over some of the most exotic morsels Japan has to offer. Spoiler alert: nothing is good on a hangover....

Why Chris won't be on Japanese TV anytime soon

...and it's not because of his bad language! Pete and Chris are back, and the Broadster is angling for his very own alcohol range......

Japan's legendary 90 year old video game grandma

It's the most wonderful time...of the week! Pete and Chris are back in your ears, and Chris is eating crisps, the little filthbag....

How awkward is stripping naked in a Japanese hot spring?

Another dose of 'Nihonophile nonsense' for your podcatchers - hide your gameboys kids, Shinzo's coming for them!...

Don't think about climbing Mount Fuji this year!

Pete and some complete rando called Chris are back, having a lovely time. Sex toys and love hotels, and everything in between....

Japan's creepiest abandoned places!

Super-spooky goings on in abandoned Japan!...

Japan's most notorious animals revealed...travellers beware!

It's an email special, baby! Thanks for everyone who sent in questions, and we both hope you're keeping safe wherever you may be in the world....

$40 dollars to save your marriage - Japan has the answer!

...and now it's Pete's birthday. So naturally Chris taunts the man with a new flavour of Coolish. Unbelievable!...

A terrifying morning earthquake for Chris!

Chris continues his journey deep into a wheel of cheese, but it's allowed because it's his birthday!...

Geoff United

Pete has become an excellent chef - and Chris is basically subsisting on a diet of cheese and crackers. Also, Ryotaro goes for the jugular in J-vlogging land!...

Japan's overrated tourist traps

Chris-chan and Peter-kun are back and they're ready to tear into another week of emails, fun, games and home invasion. Pete learns how to correctly describe aliens in Japanese, and we hear from some of you awesome frontline medical staff. Love to y...

The most luxurious trip to Japan!

The boys are back! And they've apparently got loads of money to spend in Japan. (We wish.) What would you drop a sweet grand on?...

12 productive things to do when you're stuck indoors

The boys are back behind closed doors, doing what they do best - talk nonsense!...

Life in Japan - Tokyo in Lockdown?

Pete returns from his holiday to a very different London, and Chris considers hanging out with some hungry deer. Oh and the Olympics looks like it might not happen for another twelve months, for obvious reasons!...

Coronavirus hits hanami season - are the cherry blossoms worth the hype?

This week we’ve got some chat about where the best place is to go and see 'Hanami', otherwise known as Japan’s world famous cherry blossom! We’re also discussing whether you’re likely to be denied access to certain areas if you have piercing...

Japan's worst hotel room

As the coronavirus epidemic continues, we're talking about the value of silence in Japanese culture. Chris had a very awkward experience in a silent meeting when he first started working in Japan. We're also giving some tips for recovering fr...

The Reason Japan is Panic Buying Toilet Paper

On today's episode we're talking about why people are frantically stocking up on toilet roll in Japan, as well as some more on the coronavirus and how COVID-19 might impact the Olympics. Also coming up, Chris is introducing his brand new we...

Coronavirus fears: a 'Japanese only' ramen shop?

As the COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, is the crisis making Japan less friendly to visitors?...

How has Coronavirus affected Japan | Is it still safe to travel?

On this week's episode of Abroad in Japan, we're talking all about the Coronavirus, and the impact it's had on Japan so far. We discuss the precautions the government have been taking, how it's affecting tourism, and advise you whethe...

Two year anniversary special

It's been two years since the first ever episode of Abroad in Japan! The boys are together in Japan celebrating, with even more Strong Zero than last week. It's a fax machine special to mark the occasion, so they're tackling tonnes of you...

Sapporo Snow Festival!

Armed with ample amounts of Strong Zero, Chris and Pete are bringing you a special episode of Abroad in Japan, from the Sapporo Snow Festival! There's also Speedy Japanese, some dodgy receipts found under the bed and some of your Mailbox question...

Must see places outside of Tokyo...2 weeks in Japan

This week we're offering up some of the best places to visit in Japan! All of the destinations on the list are a little bit off the beaten track, outside of common tourist destinations like Tokyo and Kyoto, so we'll be telling you how easy th...

What NOT to do on a Japanese Train

Whether you're a regular commuter in Japan, or you're planning a big trip across the country, this week we're preparing you with everything you need to remember not to do on the train. From blocking doors, to how you should sit, consider ...

12 things we want to do in Japan in 2020 | Our bucket lists

We're a few weeks into 2020 and it's time to start planning. Here are some of the things we're going to be getting up to this year, from purchasing oyster shaped cushions and tasting wagyu sandwiches in Shibuya, to going on road trips and...

Japan’s most wanted foreigner flees country hiding in luggage

Apparently Carlos Ghosn has snuck out of Japan in a music box... So we're discussing Japan's justice system. Also on the show, we answer your questions about sustaining a vegetarian diet in Japan and avoiding alcohol!...

Japanese women want husbands with these kinds of jobs

Happy New Year! It’s the start of a brand new decade! Chris is planning a trip to the Sapporo Snow Festival and a study has (supposedly) revealed the top careers Japanese women find the most attractive, but can you guess them? We also talk about eq...

Unboxing Christmas presents as Chris returns to the UK! | Xmas Special

Merry Christmas! Chris is back in the UK and he's come to the studio armed with a Christmas present for Pete and a belly full of fry ups. We're also renaming Pete - our top London radio DJ and certified Japanophile. Will we be calling him Kin...

The real reason Japanese stores forbid photography...

If you've ever been told off for taking a photo in Japan, this is the episode for you! We're also enjoying dodgy translations on T-Shirts, freebies in bars and debating the deliciousness of CalorieMate....

Are Japanese Work Parties Actually Fun?

Bingo! The Christmas season has come around once again, Pete's having it large in London, but what about the work party season in Japan? We're also talking typhoons and Tinder....

Where is the best place to hide in Tokyo?

Chris has relaunched his 'Abroad Perspective' channel and Nintendo have opened a brand new shop in Shibuya! Meanwhile, we're talking gaming, dating and working culture....

Why Japan’s cheapest hotel room costs just $1.20 (hint: there’s a catch)

The cheapest hotel in the world - but there’s a catch, and Chris prepares you release his fishiest video yet! ...

12 hidden spots you should know in Tokyo

Chris and Pete share twelve places for you to explore all over Tokyo!...

How to overcome social anxiety in Japan

A genuine YouTube Harry and a top London radio DJ are back to chat all things Japan! (Chris and Petey)...

An awkward encounter at a Japanese restaurant

A fax machine special - Chris and Pete replace the paper in the xerox and read out more tall tales from you legends. ...

School bully insurance is a thing in Japan...

Chris gets super annoyed about digital rights algorithms, and we learn about a new kind of insurance…...

Stalker in Japan uses worrying method to locate victim

Pete and Chris are back with another slice of AIJ: The Podcast, as Japan recovers from Typhoon Hagibis....

Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson...in Japan?

Chris and Pete talk all things Rugby World Cup as the fans don’t exactly cover themselves in glory. ...

Goodbye Chris!

Chris heads back to Japan, but before he leaves we take one last look at the fax machine! ...

Japan's best mascot

Pete and Chris begin the show with a hijacking, go on to talk about Mascots, and then the Olympics. A mixed bag! ...

Sex and rats and rock and roll!

Chris celebrates having a viral video, and a convenience store gets some rather furry visitors! ...

Is Japan about to get flying cars?

Pete and Chris have very different opinions about floating cars. Then again, Pete can't drive......

Japan's greatest theme park isn't Disneyland...

Wild monkeys must be avoided at all costs. You can't win in a fight against a wild monkey! Trust us on that one. Your questions answered in an email frenzy special... ...

Can the introverted thrive in rural Japan?

Still very much topless, Pete hands more of your fax machine questions to Christoper-chan! ...

The real reason Chris moved to Japan

What do the Japanese think about Brexit? Also, does every Japanese person have a 'thing' they do for tourists? ...

12 Things we wish we'd known about Japan before arriving...

The boys return, fatter and swearier than ever, and loaded with 12 things you need to know before heading for Narita (or Haneda) airport! ...

Are Japanese people genuinely kind to strangers?

The journey is over. Chris is free from his laptop. For a bit... ...

Why Japan's bear problem is about to get worse...

Pete and Chris find out that apparently Ryotaro knows...everyone in the world. Also... bears are back and in a big way! ...

How to ruin your reputation in Japan: Kim Kardashian's masterclass

Pete recommends a book about crime, Chris plugs Pete's brand new youtube channel and they both take a look at Kim Kardashians pants for reasons best kept to themselves... ...

Pete and Chris: Operation: Coolish!

Chris and Pete head for Tokyo's Yoyogi park via Don Quijote, and answer your emails. It's a podcast...on the move...again! (Contains more crows and Coolish.) ...

Pete and Chris: Live in Japan!

Chris and Pete take a less-than-leisurely stroll through Shibuya's love hotel district, and answer your emails. It's a podcast...on the move! (Contains crows.) ...

Which places would we choose to live in Japan?

A group of Scousers outflank the Japanese mafia and Chris finds out his papers are no longer adequate. ...

Why Japan's $1bn mascot is banned from The Olympics…

Chris updates the world on his favourite dough-bothering vending machine, and we find out about Kumamoto’s favourite son. Or daughter. ...

How much is Japan's most expensive train?

Chris asks the question that’s on everyone’s lips… do you have HIGH ENERGY? And we tear through your messages, still warm from the fax machine. ...

A real life Tokyo horror story…

On the one year anniversary of Natsuki the movie, Pete and Chris talk all things vending machines – and we find out what happened to the one that made pizzas… ...

Why climbing Mount Fuji isn't fun!

Even with those funky little sticks people seem to enjoy using. ...

26 traits Japanese women want in a guy...

What a girl wants, what a girl needs - Chris and Pete see if they stack up to the perfect Japanese man. (Spoiler: they don't) ...

Should travellers be worried about Fukushima?

The radiation may be lower than most people experience on an aeroplane, so why don't people visit Fukushima? ...

4 Scams you should avoid in Japan!

Flags! Get your tiny flags! We're getting scammed in Japan. For science. ...

Can a foreigner ever *truly* be Japanese?

Can a foreigner ever truly feel Japanese? We're also reading some of your emails. ...

Why Japanese KFC might be good for you!

Crispy, crunchy chicken. Great for what ails ya!...

Japan's 40 year old virgins and a worrying population time-bomb

When a man and a woman love each other very much, they give one another a special hug......

When Japanese-English mistakes go too far (Engrish nightmares)

Chris Broad's Engrish nightmares! There was a weird problem with this episode, but if you're reading this it should be fixed. Sorry guys! Pete x...

The first 48 hours in Japan: what should you do?

A mere 172800 seconds in Japan: what would you do with them? ...

Japan's biggest event in 30 years (Feat. Natsuki!)

Natsuki makes his Abroad In Japan podcast debut with his searing-hot takes on the new emperor....

You can buy popularity in Japan!

A poorly Chris gamely drags himself through another AIJ podcast, with wisdom to impart, and fevered sweat to...sweat....

Is Japan losing patience with foreign tourists?

Park rules: leave your Japan as you'd like to find it, or something like that. Ranger Chris says so....

Japanese company turns sex into renewable energy

White day rolls around once again...in the hay, it seems. ...

Japanese culture: Breaking down barriers

Ariana Grande's furious with Japanese Kanji and a woman called Marie gets equally furious with the common chopstick. ...

Is romance in Japan dead?

Pete and Chris are back with some special valentine's day questions! ...

The Abroad in Japan podcast anniversary!

Pete and Chris are back and they want to thank you guys for listening to them for 52 whole weeks. What a trip!...

When travelling in Japan goes wrong

Pete and Chris go through more of your (even crazier) Japanese travel stories! ...

10 Crazy Japan travel stories!

Pete and Chris go through some of your (frankly crazy) Japanese travel stories!...

The strangest conversation you can have in Japan!

Pete and Chris are back, googling things they probably shouldn't. ...

Japan's latest technological wonders revealed

Who wants a robot egg that shouts in the night? We do. We most definitely do. ...

When romance goes wrong in Japan

Don't put things into other peoples meals, unless it's your finger, and then it's *well* funny....

12 Glorious New Year's resolutions and a Natsuki movie sequel?

Pete delights the palette with a graphic description of some *very* specialist cheese, and Chris ponders the future......

Akemashite omedetou! (Happy new year)

Pete swears blind he didn't tip a van over in Shibuya, and Chris still can't think of a new year's resolution. ...

Would you eat hair-flavoured chicken?

Pete introduces Chris to hair-flavoured chicken, and we think about our new years resolutions....

The Christmas party

We're feeling unbelievably festive as the two giants of podcasting actually meet in a room for the first time in a couple of months!...

The ultimate Japanese Christmas gift

Pete deep fries a cheesy octopus, and tries to talk about his favourite Japanese curry brand!...

An awkward situation with a Japanese neighbour

Chris deals with a big slamma jamma, and Pete wants to talk about automatic doors. It's a door special, guys!...

Rude Japanese people - do they exist?

...we're not exactly sure. What we're certain of, however is that Pete sleeps through alarms like a hibernating bear. Idiot....

Getting a Japanese Tattoo

Chris is considering a new tattoo - his first - after a harrowing month-long bike across Japan....

Less than super Bomberman

Still in their cabin in the woods, Pete and Chris squabble over who is best at 80s video game, Bomberman....

The cabin in the woods

Pete and Chris are back on the pod trail, and they're oddly enough stuck halfway up a mountain in a spooky cabin in Kobe! Who will get eaten first?...

Japanese billionaire risks life for art

Pete and Chris get a little spaced out as the former pleads for the chance to perform a bicycle kit in zero gravity. ...

Desert Island: What Japanese items would you take?

Speedy vocab is back with a vengeance, and Chris demands an indestructible car to destroy the rare fauna on his desert island. What an animal. ...

How to handle physical contact in Japan

More of your incisive queries answered, and is hugging allowed? Who doesn't love a hug? People we don't want to be friends with, that's who. #huggyboys...

Japanese hostess bar culture uncovered

Chris and Pete take a look at one of the most talked-about aspects of Japanese nightlife culture - host and hostess bars....

Japanese hand gestures and swear words uncovered

Delight your friends and family with the official Abroad In Japan-sanctioned swear words!...

Are pizza vending machines the future?

Pete and Chris marvel at the very idea of an automatic pizza vending machine, and Pete uses the word 'spaff.'...

How not to rob a Japanese convenience store

True crime being such a hot podcast topic, Chris and Pete delight listeners with one of the most underwhelming robberies in recent memory. ...

Don't do this in Japan!

Chris and Pete go into more detail on the subject of one of Chris' most popular YouTube videos, 12 things not to do in Japan - also the guys read out some of your emails from the fax machine. What they're doing coming out of a fax machine, w...

Gender equality in Japan - does it exist anywhere?

A topic that's been dominating Japan recently, the search for something approaching equal rights for women continues. Spoiler: they ain't even close. ...

Adult toys and bathing suits!

No coolish, but plenty of waifu pillow chat - think the heat may have got to Chris and Pete......

Japan Vs. Korea - 10 ways they're different

Chris and Pete are back together, and they're sharing their experiences on recent trips to Korea. It won't surprise you to hear that Coolish gets a mention. ...

Japan's most ridiculous festival - explained

Chris and Pete are back, in the loosest sense of the word to talk all things festivals, soy sauce and wrestling. A mixed bag, then. Next week: the Korea vs Japan special and everything will be back to normal. Well, as normal as they get. ...

Is Japanese KFC the best in the world?

Chris' popcorn chicken levels are almost dangerously low. KFC's new all you can eat in forty-five minutes offer is of no use, though. Rubbish....

Flying a drone in Japan - how hard is it?

Chris has finally taken the plunge and bought himself some primo drone tech. Look out, power lines - our man is set to slice and dice. In other news a man gets thrown off his own private island and Chris answers your questions. ...

Buying friends in Japan - a good idea?

In this episode, Harry Potter fawns over a top London radio DJ, K-pop gets a bit of love and Chris tells us what he'd have in a food-based care package. Spoiler: it's loads of crisps....

Natural disasters: is Japan safe?

Chris and Pete touch on the recent seismic and atmospheric activity and ask the question...is Japan safe? Pete goes on for ages about oyster ice creams, and Chris educates us all on bear safety. Important stuff....

Large Earthquake Ruins Natsuki's Day

Chris films in a Pachinko parlour, and gets caught up in a rather robust quake. He also debuts his new character, 'American Man'. ...

How Awkward is Meeting Viewers in Japan?

Our favourite piece of office equipment whirrs into life as Pete educates Chris on sexy rope-play, and Chris helps out a left-hander. Something for everyone, there....

Has Trump Saved Japan from North Korea?

Pete and Chris have returned and they're getting a little musical as they wax lyrical about some of their favourite bands. Also, Mr Broad has supped on the clear Coke goodness and is less than impressed... ...

Absurd Japanese Manager Attempts to Rob Own Store

Pete and Chris are back rating their favourite Kit-Kat flavours and taking a look at this week's news. Warning: contains Tab Clear....

Is AirBnB Japan in Danger?

It's been a little while since Pete and Chris had a little look at the news, so this week they're unfurling a gigantic Japanese shinbun and taking it all in....

Natsuki: The Movie (Behind the Scenes Revealed)

After a year and a half, and countless balloons, Natsuki the movie is finally out there on the internet. Ever the perfectionist, Chris piles through a list of things he would have done differently, and Pete tells him he's being silly and that the...

The Greatest Japanese Faux Pas Ever

It's a news special - with Natsuki: The Movie on the horizon, Pete and Chris pile through some important crow-based news stories. Warning: contains Assange. ...

Questions!

The fax machine gets fired up once again, and Pete and Chris do their best to answer every last one of them in under 45 minutes. ...

Two Weeks More in Japan | Ultimate Itinerary Discussed

Chris and Pete return and they've planned out a very different route through Northern Japan. ...

Pornographic clickbait and fussy eaters!

Chris and Pete are back and apologising for their younger selves, and we learn about a bar that an arm-chewing maniac Yoda frequents. ...

Understanding the Japanese Mindset: 3 key concepts

From the new desk of Chris Broad and the sunglasses of Pete Donaldson, a brand new podcast in which we explore the Japanese mindset and why planning a party can be occasionally confusing. ...

Your questions answered!

Pete pulls his favourite questions off the Abroad In Japan fax machine and fires them at our boy out East....

2 weeks in Japan | Ultimate Travel Itinerary

Chris gives us his best itinerary ideas for a couple of weeks in Japan. Warning: contains Tokyo bananas....

Life as a vlogger (and radio DJ)

Our boy in Sendai gives us the lowdown on how to achieve YouTube stardom, or at the very least how not to go crazy when you're living off supermarket ramen. We talk tattoos, Tokyo Game Show and mid-air katana battles. ...

Myths about Japan!

Chris and Pete are back and are taking on some Japanese myths head on. Are the people really that friendly? Do you need to know the language to get around? Pete learns the Japanese word for liver, and a man performs the international sign for 'c...

12 Amazing facts about Japan!

Chris astounds Pete with some astounding knowledge bombs - including Ronald McDonald's Japanese name and the festival of the steel phallus... ...

Six things we'd change about Japan!

Mummified men, fax machines and outdoor drinking all get a once over in this week's episode - and Chris makes an obscene admission about his love for Pocari Sweat....

Natsuki and the Japanese love hotel!

Natsuki and the Japanese love hotel! Chris and Pete (and Natsuki) get all cozy as they take a look at Japanese love hotel culture. Warning: involves creepy crawlies and credit card woe. We learn a few more words in Japanese, and we find out what h...

Why is everything so small?

Chris and Pete are back and talking all things tiny... Is it worth staying in a Japanese capsule hotel? Why is delicious soy sauce dripping from listener Emich's walls? All these questions and more (including some essential Japanese vocabulary...

Japanese Policemen and Beatboxing Teachers!

This week on the Abroad In Japan podcast Chris earns himself a speeding ticket and Pete finds himself explaining Tums to the Po. Chris beatboxes for some reason. Just listen, won't you?...

Food!

Chris and Pete are back and talking all things tiny... Is it worth staying in a Japanese capsule hotel? Why is delicious soy sauce dripping from listener Emich's walls? All these questions and more (including some essential Japanese vocabulary...

Valentines Day!

In the inaugural Abroad In Japan podcast, Chris Broad and his less-than trusty sidekick Pete Donaldson do their best to answer some truly important questions. Questions like...'what's Valentines day like in Japan?' 'Are wood-based sky...