Chris Abroad, better known as Abroad in Japan, is a British YouTuber who, you guessed it, lives in Japan.
He is also a filmmaker, author, and podcast host whose dry humour has made him one of the most charismatic influencers currently!
Ever wanted an English person to make you laugh while showing you what life in Japan is like?
You might want to watch one of the biggest foreign creators in Japan!
With over 3.19 million subscribers and more than 560 million views, his channel stands as one of the largest English-language resources that looks into life in Japan.
What Inspired Chris To Start Making Videos?
In 2012, Chris Broad moved to rural Yamagata, Japan.
And, as you might have guessed, he moved there to teach English!
He started making YouTube videos to share his experiences with his personal circle.
Who knew that his videos would also be seen from strangers worldwide?
Chris quickly realised there was a lack of English-language content about life in lesser-known parts of Japan.
So, he used his passion for filmmaking to fill that gap.
His honest, witty take on Japanese culture and daily life resonated with viewers worldwide!
Starting The YouTube Channel: Rural Vlogs
From 2012 to 2015, Abroad in Japan’s content was mainly vlogs about daily life in rural Yamagata.
These videos focused on culture shocks, like reviews of Japan-only fast food and explorations of love hotels.
The style was straightforward, it was often filmed solo, and Chris delivered it with his dry humour and honest commentary.
Switching Up Content: From Rural to Riches
From 2016 to 2018, Chris made the tough decision to pursue YouTube full-time.
This is the move that would change his life forever.
His content switched from rural vlogs to city guides, since he moved from rural Yamagata to Sendai.
He also produced travel documentaries and deep dives into Japanese culture.
In addition, he had recurring characters due to collaborating with local friends like Natsuki.
Beginning His Hit Series: Journey Across Japan
From 2019 to 2021, Chris released a major documentary-style series like Journey Across Japan.
He went on epic cycling and road trips across the country, featuring other YouTubers and friends.
These series had travel, humour, and cultural education all in one package, setting the standard for travel content!
Branching Out To Music, Podcasts, And A Book
From 2022 to 2024, Chris launched a successful podcast that had in-depth discussions, interviews, and themed episodes.
Chris talked about current events and social issues in Japan, such as the Fukushima disaster causing China to completely ban Japanese food!
Since then, Chris has collaborated with many creators and media outlets.
In 2023, he even published a book called “Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun”.
The book is about his decade-long journey in Japan, from his arrival as an English teacher in rural Yamagata to his evolution into one of Japan’s most popular foreign YouTubers.
A TEDx talk was delivered by Chris on the power of YouTube as a storytelling platform.
MrBeast VS Abroad In Japan
Abroad in Japan is not just a travel channel.
Chris has also voiced out his dislike towards MrBeast’s style of doing content and selling products in a stream.
He believes that it is wrong to collaborate with Logan Paul, a controversial figure who has done many scandalous things for the past decade.
There was a video uploaded on the issue that Chris has about MrBeast and Logan Paul.
The Future of Abroad In Japan
With a second channel called Chris Abroad, Chris creates more casual and experimental content.
While exploring new directions, he has maintained the high-quality productions fans want.
Whether he is cycling across the country, sampling bizarre snacks, or demystifying Japanese customs, Chris Broad continues to redefine what it means to experience Japan.
For those who enjoy the culture in Japan, or wish to go to Japan, you would likely enjoy watching his channel!
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