Christopher "Chris" Broad (born 21 April 1990), [3] also known online as Abroad in Japan, is an English Sunday Times best selling author, YouTuber, filmmaker, podcast host, and former Assistant Language Teacher. He focuses on the creation of videos about Japanese culture, Japanese food and travel in Japan, primarily in the Tōhoku region. In "Abroad in Japan," Chris Broad unveils a narrative that embarks from his initial days as a language teacher in Japan to the serendipitous inception of his YouTube channel. The book is strewn with a gamut of anecdotal stories likely to resonate with, and perhaps charm, the habitual viewers of his digital content. Broad’s storytelling oscillates between immersing the reader in the quintessential Japanese milieu and dragging them through it - a dichotomy that might mirror the gamut of emotions one might traverse in foreign lands. In 2022, Broad appeared in an interview with the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan, and received an honorary membership for a duration of one year. [6] On 11 December 2022, Broad participated in a chessboxing match with PJ Brittain at the Mogul Chessboxing Championship, held at the Galen Center in Los Angeles, United States. [36] [37] Journey Across Japan". Tokyo Creative. 2018. Archived from the original on 25 November 2020 . Retrieved 3 December 2020. Broad's interest in filmmaking began at the age of eight when his grandfather had him record his aunt's wedding in Vancouver since his grandfather could not travel from England to attend the wedding. [4] Broad briefly appeared on the TV series Robot Wars in the UK, where his father and team were regular contestants, with their robot Killertron. [5]

Disclaimer: I do not consider myself an Abroad in Japan fan. I am aware of his content and have watched a few of his videos, but this review is written from a neutral perspective) I Drove to Japan's Most Extreme North | Hokkaido Road Trip, archived from the original on 27 July 2021 , retrieved 27 July 2021I’ve been following Chris’ journey across Japan for a few years now. Me and my husband, who’s been watching Chris since the very first video, have done multiple binge-watching sessions and we always wait for a new video to come out. So when the book got announced, it was a no brainer that I was going to get it.

The hilarious and insightful memoir of a Brit trying assimilate into life in Japan. Over ten years we follow Chris Broad as he unravels the wonders and eccentricities of one of the world's most mysterious cultures, rising from underqualified English teacher to YouTube sensation in the process.In 2017, Broad was the host of a documentary about cats in Japanese culture called Cat Nation where he (despite being allergic to cats) travelled throughout Japan to document the cat-centered activities or places, such as visiting the Wakayama Electric Railway where a cat named Tama became a tourist attraction after it became the station master of Kishi Station. [34] Broad hosted an episode of "Explore Regional Flavors – Visiting the Hidden Village", a documentary about Japan's local cuisine broadcast on NHK World in August 2017. [35]

Disclaimer: I'm a long time Chris fan, have been watching his videos since the 1st Journey Across Japan. What I mean is that I do not need an audiobook to be able to imagine him narrating all of this and I'm familiar with a lot of the moments shared in this book. Cat Nation: A Film About Japan's Crazy Cat Culture.". Archived from the original on 19 December 2018 . Retrieved 18 December 2018. My favourite thing about the channel is Chris's dry and sarcastic sense of humour, and that definitely crosses over into this book. I could almost hear his voice as I read along. This would certainly be a good audio book. Anderson, Shizuka (30 March 2018). "Get To Know Chris Broad from Abroad in Japan". YouTube. Archived from the original on 15 November 2019 . Retrieved 17 December 2018. In writing style, he's passionate yet not overconfident. He 'speaks' well because he's more considerate of his role - a narrator and witness. While he's no expert, he downplays what becomes apparent - his willingness to learn and embrace his new setting.

Abroad in Japan (31 May 2018). "Natsuki: The Movie (Life in Japan Documentary)". YouTube. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019 . Retrieved 27 April 2019. McDonald's Japan's chocolate covered fries: 'it works' – video review". The Guardian. 28 January 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2021 . Retrieved 3 December 2020. acast (4 April 2018). "Abroad in Japan: Myths about Japan! | Abroad in Japan on acast". acast. Archived from the original on 30 March 2022 . Retrieved 21 December 2018.