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

NOTIFICATION SQUAD: To miss the Natsuki cameo in this video would be a crime! Well folks, you can't beat a good road trip and this was easily one of the most fun videos I've produced in 9 years. A HUGE thanks to my best American friend PETE for coming along for the ride (even if his motives were questionable). You can find him over on Twitch where he streams most nights (🌟www.twitch.tv/premiertwo ) and I look forward to stopping by and doing some shows with him in a few weeks to celebrate surviving our journey.

The happy enthusiastic american and the non excited sarcastic complaining Brit, best combo ever

The chemistry between you two is amazing, this is one of my favourite episodes of Abroad in Japan.

“Hey, do you know what Japan’s northernmost town is?”
“Wakkanai.”
“Ok, I’ll ask someone else.”

I think this is still one of my fave single videos to come back to and rewatch, the contrasting personalities between you and Pete are always a delight :)

This was maybe one of the best videos Chris has ever done. I don’t know if it was legit or scripted, but I laughed so hard, when Natsuki explained the mixup, that I couldn’t catch my breath.

Chris is that serious friend with witty comebacks while Pete is that bubbly friend who is always excited and energetic, trying to cheer up Chris. A dynamic duo. *chef's kiss*

Their reaction to the "floating rock" just shows the difference between an American and a British

When Pete was telling the "how-we-met" story, you knew for sure he was lying, when he said "... and he pulled out his business card and..." - pfft, everyone knows Chris is the only person in Japan to never have a business card on hand

Pete is probably one of the most entertaining guests you've had on the show because the only thing he needs to he fun and funny is his charisma. What a joy to watch ^^

Pete: "Thanks for the present! Oh ... I've smashed it. I swear I'll replace it. Where did you get it?"
Natsuki: "Narnia. Good luck."
Pete: "Chris, road-trip!"

Pete is the golden retriever puppy to Chris's grumpy old terrier.

The British Humour versus The American Humour: The Road Trip

I love how the more foreign a Japanese interior designer tries to make a hotel room, the more Japanese it looks. They did a nice job capturing some of the colors and shapes of the Midwest, but it's still so very perfectly Japanese when you see the fixtures. I love it though. I would be pleased to stay there.

pete : "i dont go outside much"
also pete : "it looks like something out of ghost of tsushima"
hmm~ i see this patern, you da real man of culture

That ending scene from 27:28 though - I'd love to see an animated series of this duo and their (mis)adventures!

The beautiful snow and scenery in Hokkaido looks like it should belong in a slice of life anime

Hey, cut him some slack. Anything noticeably sticking above the ground is exciting to someone from Kansas

this guy is a gem to be around, i'll love to see him again in future episodes

This was absolutely wonderful and amazing. The floating stone with the torii gate, the Buddha statue in the dome... Please make the sequel with the most southern part of Japan too :D I would love to see it! (And I know I'm not the only one for sure!)

I absolutely LOVE Pete's enthusiasm with the room tours, and the fact that its brutally aggravating Chris!

Cinematography truly was on point with this one, mate~
Absolutely loved it

The most southern, and western and eastern points of Japan sound like great episodes from a wonderful series, the first installment of which we had the pleasure of experiencing in this video.
Please make it a series!

The logistics may be hard, the headaches may be real, but SOMEHOW...... could you have a trip with American Pete, Natsuki, and Joey the Anime Man for a trip from the South of Japan to the North?
Sarcasm versus Enthusiasm.
Who will survive?

As a Japanese, I think it's great to be able to speak English, so I'll do my best

I was waiting for the inevitable "Wakkanai"/"Wakannai" gag. I was not disappointed.

22:46 you can see the understanding in Chris' face when Natsuki said "What do you mean?" and waited for the right time to absolutely rail Pete about his misunderstanding

Honestly I'm looking forward to the journey South. Hopefully you guys can make it happen

alternate video title: miserable British man goes on a road trip with an enthusiastic American

😂 I’m dying - the wakkanai 稚内　🆚　wakannai 分かんない - I thought it could be possible from the beginning and it was!! Awesome drone footage Chris! The ice floes and Hokkaido snow… beautiful! Drumstick island!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how animated Pete is! Soooo awesome and refreshing. More videos with you two! PLEASE! Sincerely - A Texan :>

This is the epitome of a family trip going to a new place, that was meant to be a bonding trip. Beginning there’s excitement, happiness and end with disappointment and estranged relationship, the total opposite of expectations lol

I vote for him to be a regular guest. You two are hilarious together!

I think this might have been my favorite video on this channel so far as it shows a side of Japan that's rarely shown. I would have loved to have seen more of the towns. The fancy drumstick rock and the one with the torii gate looked extremely scenic.

The drastic difference in their personalities is just a joy to witness haha

This is definitely the best video ever made on this channel. Pete is an incredible personality, he 10000% could have his own tv show. Very entertaining guy

Hahaha I loved the winter scenery, looks exactly like a typical Canadian winter where I live. Only with smaller roads and tiny Japanese cars 😁

Holy Hell Pete was amazing. You guys suddenly just multiplied each other's wittiness. It was like watching a buddy cop film with how you two kept bantering. Just phenomenal work guys.

Thank you for your channel, since childhood I have always dreamed of going to Japan and your videos have reinforced my love for this country. Thank you for positivity, great sense of humor, they are helping me get through this pandemic!

Chris, hear me out: We all know Mt Fuji is the highest point in Japan, but what about the LOWEST point in Japan? Hachirogata in Akita (natural lowest point) and / or Hachinohe mine in Aomori (man-made lowest point)!! Bet that would be an awesome adventure!

We need more of Pete in your travels round Japan.

This was easily one of your best videos. It’s so cool to see the north in winter. I know you hated the cold, but daaaamn it’s so beautiful!!!
Also the floating rock was so neat!

Congrats on getting featured on Tom Scott newsletter! You deserve it, great videos

Holy cow, that Hokkaido is beautiful in winter.
That scene with sea pillars was breathtaking.

I didn't know that I needed a spunky, American counterpoint to Chris, but this duo between Pete's enthusiastic finger-guns and Chris's sarcasm and eyebrow raising is perfection.

Ahahahaha! Oh my God! I am actually laughing out loud 🤣
I love the comedy movie-esque of this episode. Well put and well edited.
And the ending bit, really sealed in the deal. Sands, Sailing, a journey South. I love it 💖

Loved this episode Chris. Your buddy is great! Don’t underestimate Kansas City barbecue however. It’s the best in the world. The look on your face when you found out that Wakanai wasn’t the same as Wakannai was priceless. I laughed my ass off! Hysterical. Great to see the northernmost point in Japan. Looking forward to more episodes. Sincerely David “Ken” Sato

Beautifully made and so entertaining :) Thanks for the wanderlust and the good laughs :)!

Most of me, of course, understands the whole "Wakkanai"/"Wakannai" bit was scripted. But there's a very adamant part of me that thinks Natsuki would do this to them...and laugh at their misfortune.

"Pete my only American friend"
*angry Quinlan noises

I think out of all the road-trip videos so far (Dec 2021,) this is probably my favorite one out of the bunch, with the dynamic between you and Pete, the way you've layered out the music, it's very nostalgic for me in the scenic tone, I guess.
Thank you.

28.29 minutes of full entertainment. I love the sarcasm you use every time along with the British accent . definitely one of my favorite videos.

This is my favorite video by far, Pete is so funny i love the banter you guys have. Pete was so fun to watch i hope to see more of him on your channel!

This was such a good episode.
The skits were very well done guys! Your two personalities clash/blend so well

I love the contrast between the two , with Pete's all American enthusiasm and Chris's dry British humour. 😂

Pete's enthusiasm and Chris's unimpressed sarcasm is so wholesome!

Dare I say this video is: Like a MAGIC! Undoubtedly one of your Best. The combination of taking a most negative, grumpy, 'rather be home eating fried chicken' protagonist and dropping him into a very uncomfortable, challenging, but amazingly beautiful environment, together with a hyper fun-loving, humorous, spirited, upbeat, happy-go-lucky, adventurous soul is undeniably a recipe for guaranteed success! Like Pete said, it's the JOURNEY that's the most Fun! Hence the unquestionable fame of the JOURNEY across Japan series.
Very Fun to watch again and again! Would've liked to see more exploration of the northernmost town and culture (I suppose the snow says it all). Very much looking forward to Journeys to the Southern, Eastern and Western points! Imagine: Chris, Pete, Rissottaro, Joey and Natsuki as the "Pirates of the Yaeyama" (with cameo by Johnny Depp)... 😃
Ironically, you do realize you were ONLY about 500km away from Cape Nosappu 😉☺ Wakannai 🤷‍♂️😅

Hi Chris! Big fan, I would love to see more videos with Pete, he's so happy I dig it! Great Job as always!

More stuff with you and Pete please!!!
🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🇯🇵

This feels like Abroad in Japan rebooted or the sequel to Abroad in Japan. How did we go all these years without seeing Pete and then all of a sudden it's revealed to be Chris's best friend for years?? This is like the new Fast and Furious movie because after 8 movies they never mention it but then we discover Vin Diesel has a brother and it's John Cena

That was awesome guys. You two have a great dynamic. Also I love seeing other people be freezing cold whilst I'm snug as a bug in a rug.

This was pure gold, so entertaining to watch!

It was so freaking funny! You have an insanely awesome friends Chris :D

I think its always funny hearing Chris complain about how cold it is though it was just -12C. As a Canadian I find that hilarious

I think we all need a American friend like that to make us look more British lol

Guyz, amazing content! The whole experience is quite an adventure with both of you hosting.

This is exactly where I need to go. Thanks for this video. My Dad lived there as a kid in the 60's.

_Great video, great drone footage, good laughs and I really liked some of the shot compositions like __11:52__ definitely want to visit Hokkaido someday!_

This started out having that weird energy that's in the room when you meet up with a friend for a drink... but he's brought along HIS friend that you've never met and you're like, "Who's THIS guy?" But by the end of the night, you're Facebook friends and you declare that he's "a top bloke".

Just want to say, even if you might never see this, your videos are utterly fantastic Chris! Genuinely one of the very very few channels that make me ecstatic when I see a new upload, thanks for your hard work :)

This is gorgeous. Imagine a road trip to Karuizawa, Nagano!!!

love the video and the landscape! more of this please :)

Pete's great! Bring him with you more often. Excellent video and amazing scenery.

Was planning to live in Hokkaido, and this just gave me more inspiration and motivation! Thank you Chris Broad and fun American guy!!

Pete’s chaotic enthusiasm is a great foil for Chris’s stoic sarcasm. I hope he shows up more often in the future!

Maybe it’s too pricey, but I was made to believe that one of the oldest art forms they HAVE in Japan is artistically repairing items like bowls and vases etc. granted they do it with gold, might be cost prohibitive, but would be a great way to repair your mug 😋

Pete: So what was your favorite part of the trip? :D
Chris: *eye twitches*

Loved your banter! And beautiful scenery. I’d love to see this part of Japan

I wish Chris made more videos with Pete, their personalities really compliment one another.

My hometown is Wakkanai, so I'm glad to see Wakkanai featured!
WAKKANAI and WAKANNAI are so similar that even the locals often make puns about them (lol).

having a cup noodle in the snow is actually so underrated. it's so satisfying lol

Honestly I'm looking forward to the journey South. Hopefully you guys can make it happen

Pete was really great actually, he fit in nicely and added another piece of comedy. really great at presenting stuff and real funny to watch (y) great job on this one! :)

Watching this made me go on a Google maps/streetview trip. Wow, that area looks very remote with very few people. Kind of spooky and alien for someone from a small and densely populated place like the Netherlands. Everything in my country is like a 2-3 hour drive max

watching chris and pete feels like watching a moody cat and an energetic dog

I feel like I’m on vacation with my friends
Is just the best and warm feeling there can be
Thanks

Omg, you guys are stereotypes. You are perfect representatives of your countries!
You are right, Pete. It’s about the moments in-between.
I remember that plane crash.

The quality of these videos get me every time. Clearly done by a passionate mind. I feel like I have experienced some of this firsthand.

Your videos helped me a lot these past two years of the pandemic (even before that, actually). Thank you so much!

"Yes, a drumstick, because all you think about is chicken!"
"How Dare you!"
Holy shit, the BANTER of these two, why is Pete not a more regular guest on this channel, i love it.

Love the videos Chris. Got to say a lot of your vids Should be on legit television. Well thought out, great information, and the shots in these videos are stunning.

I legit was shocked when even the PASSING BY BULLDOZER DRIVER POLITELY BOWED HIS HEAD ON CAMERA, Japan really takes politeness to the next level

Thankyou!! That looks amazing, ive always wanted to go there, and now i almost feel like i have. Very much enjoyed this. I wish yall would have shown us more about the town, maybe the cuisine, ect.

I didn't stop smiling for a second while watching this video, but man am i jealous of japan this is awesome

I think this trip is Pete’s revenge for Chris not getting him a birthday present.

I've had the pleasure of hanging out with Pete on his TWITCH channel and play some JackBox games online with him during his streams! It was a blast and we laughed like crazy!! Pete is all class and a stand up personality. I highly recommend checking out his channel for a good wholesome time. CHEERS!

I found this channel about half a year ago and man I love these videos so much! I live my Japan trip dreams our through them since I can’t go right now

Chris' greatest video outro ever. I laughed my ass off.

cant imagine the effort you put in all of your videos. just amazing

this trip felt like as if an overly enthusiastic dog and the crankiest cat on Earth went on a journey together