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Escapes


Most tourists visiting Japan stay in Tokyo, often missing out so much the country has to offer. Whether that’s other incredible cities each rich in culture such as the vibrant southern cities of Matsuyama, Kagoshima and Hiroshima or the snowy countryside regions of Hokkaido and Tohoku.

Maybe you want to escape to a remote mountain temple in Yamagata, adventure across the luscious islands of Japan’s inland sea by bicycle or sail to the mysterious island of Sado off the coast of Niigata. Whether it’s a city, an island or a secretive spot in between, here you’ll find inspiration for travel destinations you never knew existed, but will someday feel compelled to visit.

Featured Content

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I Survived 48 Hours on Tokyo's HIDDEN Desert Island | Feat. @CDawgVA

Could YOU live on Tokyo's biggest island? @CDawgVA & I jet off for Wacky Weekend in the Pacific....

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I Survived Climbing Mount Fuji | 18 Hours of Pain

Mount Fuji is Japan's tallest mountain at 3,776m. 10 years after my last attempt, I'm back to ensure Japan's most eccentric man reach the summit in time for his 50th birthday....

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How My Okinawa Trip Went HORRIBLY Wrong | 48 Hours in Japan's Paradise

Ishigaki island is Japan's ultimate tropical paradise. In the final episode of Journey Across Japan: Escape to paradise, we explore it by land, sea and air in numerous hellish ways....

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I Rented Japan's $3,000 PRIVATE Tropical Villa | Okinawa

Okinawa is Japan's tropical paradise. This week we go full blown Mario Kart, driving buggies through the jungle, stay at the island's top private getaway and bring back a beloved Japanese character. ...

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I Rented Japan's $800,000 PRIVATE Yacht for a Day | Okinawa

Okinawa is Japan's tropical paradise. On our first day of Journey Across Japan, we explore the capital city of Naha, taste the world's spiciest food and charter a luxury yacht for a day of sailing and snorkelling....

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I SLEPT in Britain's Most Haunted Prison Vs. Church | Feat. @CDawgVA & @The Anime Man

Having left Japan for the first time in 3 years, I'm back in the UK sleeping in Britain's most haunted Prison & Church with @CDawgVA & @The Anime Man of Trash Taste fame. Wacky Weekend UK!...

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I Drove to Japan's Snowiest Town | Winter Road Trip Feat. @CDawgVA

Japan's Snow Monkeys are famous the world over located deep in snow territory. On this Wacky Weekend we explore sake vending machines, venture into a creepy tunnel and meet the monkeys face to face! ...

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Inside Tokyo's Most Expensive Hotel Room ($12,000/Night) | Feat. @CDawgVA

Tokyo's luxury 5 star hotels are amongst the best in the world. We stay the night in a $12,000 a night suite with stunning views as a reward to Connor for eating 100 bowls of noodles....

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5 Must Try Japanese Winter Foods | Hokkaido Road Trip

Hokkaido is one of Japan's undisputed food capitals and to celebrate the end of the year Natsuki and Joey join me for a road trip across the island in search of 5 must try Japanese dishes!...

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I Spent 48 Hours on a Japanese DESERT Island

Japan has 6,852 islands. Around 430 are inhabited, but that number grows fewer each year. We sail out into the Sea of Japan to spend 48 hours on Tobishima Island in search of long lost 8th century treasure armed with questionable equipment....

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I Explored Japan's Largest ABANDONED Island | Why 10,000 People Disappeared

Japan has over 6,000 islands. Many are losing their populations and becoming abandoned. Ikeshima island is home to an abandoned area the size of a small city. This week in Journey Across Japan we explore this genuinely jaw-dropping island once and fo...

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I Stayed OVERNIGHT at Japan's BIGGEST Theme Park

Japan's biggest theme park isn't what you expect. This week on Journey Across Japan we explore a mysterious cave, crawl through the nation's tiniest Tori gate and go full Red Dead Redemption....

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I Flew in Japan's Most Dangerous Airplane | Nightmare at 10,000 Feet

We fly over Japan's most active volcano, Sakurajima, before heading to the subtropical paradise of Yakushima island. But not all goes according to plan. Journey Across Japan: The Lost Islands begins!...

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I Drove to Japan's Most Extreme North | Hokkaido Road Trip

Cape Soya is 1,000km from Tokyo at Japan's most northern point. In the height of winter we drive across a snowy Hokkaido to discover what's up there....

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Why This Japanese Town Eats BEARS

In Japan's northern region of Aomori, the locals regularly eat bear meat. But why's it popular and how does it taste? We travel across Aomori to try 5 dishes and uncover why it has the shortest life expectancy of any prefecture in Japan. (And...

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What Driving in Japan is REALLY Like

Driving across Japan can be a lot of fun. Now that I've bought a new car it's time to go on a road trip from coast to coast in search of adventure and mayhem. ...

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Inside Japan's Most Expensive Bullet Train | $750 Seat

Japan's Bullet Trains are a joy to travel on. Stylish, luxurious and futuristic, we ride inside the premium-first class cabin for the first time and experience railway travel on another level....

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How Does Japan's Rarest Sake Taste?

Sake is one of the most delicate and prized beverages in the world. We travel deep into the Japanese countryside in search of one of the rarest varieties of sake (Doburoku), to brew it for ourselves and discover how it tastes. ...

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Relaxing in a Japanese Hot Spring | 24 Hours in Kagoshima

Kagoshima is a hot spring wonderland and having arrived at our final destination, we explore a public bath house, a unique martial art and the award winning Wagyu beef as we finish Journey Across Japan. (I can't believe it either). ...

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24 Hours in Fukuoka | Japan's Ramen Capital

Fukuoka is home to Tonkotsu Pork ramen, known as Hakata Ramen. In this episode of Journey Across Japan we spend 24 hours eating ramen, seeing Japan's biggest bronze statue and diving into the nightlife....

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What to do in Hiroshima & Miyajima | 6 Must Try Travel Ideas

Hiroshima and Miyajima Island are essential places to visit on a trip to Japan. We pass through the city in search of Okonomiyaki pancakes, Itsukushima Shrine and Japan's first Pizza vending machine! Joined by awesome friend and Japan first timer...

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I Ate Japan's Deadliest Dish | Poisonous Blowfish (Fugu)

Blowfish (Fugu) isn't a delicacy to be taken lightly, given that the poison within the fish can cause paralysis. Ryotaro and I travelled to Yamaguchi - Japan's home of Fugu - to see the dish being prepared and to taste it for the first time....

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24 Hours in Japan's Inland Sea Paradise | Shimanami Kaido

The Shimanami Kaido cycle across Japan's Inland Sea is the most beautiful place in the country. The cycle route across the chain of islands that span it, is the best way to experience it. Even if it's one brutal undertaking on par with Mount ...

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Japanese Sake Vending Machines Are Amazing

Sake Vending Machines are the ultimate reward for Day Three of our journey, as I face my toughest challenge yet....

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24 Hours in SENDAI | 10 Things You Need To Do

We explore Sendai city and nearby Matsushima Bay for 10 things you can do in the area in just 24 hours!...

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Mount Fuji RUINED My Day

Mount Fuji is a spectacular wonder to behold. We head to Lake Kawaguchi at the base of the mountain to get a glimpse....

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Japanese Mountain Training | 24 Hours of Hell

We visit the sacred mountains of Yudono and Gassan to undertake Yamabushi mountain training....

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Is this Japan's Most Mouthwatering Ramen?

Ramen is one of Japan's best loved dishes. We're off to Kitakata, where the dish has shaped the towns identity. 日本語字幕付!...

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Escaping to a Secluded Japanese Mountain

People often romanticise the idea of retreating to a secluded mountain, to a temple or shrine. Now I can see why. (Even if the tranquility is somewhat disturbed by the presence of Ryotaro)....

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48 hours in Hokkaido | Road Trip Across Japan

Let's discover Hokkaido by hopping in a car and going on a road trip across its stunning landscape. ...