Comments by "Jordan, inside-outsider in Japan" (@Jordan-inJapan) on "Abroad in Japan" channel.

  1. And while we’re on the topic… A little advice for food travellers in Japan. There are a lot of intriguing little independent sushi places around. And while they are sometimes amazing, they often don’t have a price (clearly) displayed, and you can find yourself stuck with a 10,000¥ bill unexpectedly. So if you’re not a local, it’s usually safest to stick to the chain restaurants OR if you have the budget, well-established places like the one in this video. KP!
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  2. I had been considering buying an old house in my area, but my wife (who is Japanese) said “absolutely not”. So we ended up building a new house instead. Can’t say I regret it at this point. (Of course it costs more to build a new place, but land is pretty cheap rural Japan. And then there are those zero interest bank loans… 😆)
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  3. Gotta love these seaside Japanese markets. No scams, no haggling; just honest, friendly vendors, fresh seafood, and chocolate bananas.
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  4. Exactly! This has been the bane of my existence for the 20 years I’ve lived in Japan. Luckily for me I work in schools here...so everyone is just, “SENSEI”.
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  5. Fresh wasabi is a COMPLETELY different thing than the stuff in the tubes. A bit hard to to get your hands on, but if you have the chance I definitely recommend you try it.
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  6. “Land of opportunity”. Haha, yyyess as an English teacher of 20 years this one rings true in a painfully personal way. It’s lucky I actually enjoy teaching, cause my salary is actually slightly lower now than it was when I first started. (Hmmm... Maybe I can make it as a YouTuber, instead... 😆)
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  7. The timing of this video is interesting… Just a few weeks ago, there was a shocking incident where some jerks uploaded videos of themselves licking the soy sauce dispensers and just generally behaving in an unhygienic manner in another SushiRo restaurant. Initial public reaction was for people to freak out and stop going out for sushi (as much), but since then many others have been showing their support for the industry by eating going out for sushi even more — especially to SushiRo since they got hit the worst image-wise. So I’m wondering if the timing of this video is just coincidental, or are Chris and Ryotaro making a statement and Standing in Soidarity with Sushi?
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  8. Chris: “In rural Japan, you never know what you’re going to find around the next corner.” Me (true story): Last night, I’m driving home from a local event which happens to take place in the mountains in a rural area. (I live in Mie Prefecture in central Japan.) Anyway, I’m driving on a road I haven’t used before, and it’s dark and I’m getting a little bit nervous whether my ‘navi’ is sending me astray, and I come around a corner and there... looming up out of the darkness just ahead WAS A MASSIVE, HEADLESS WINGED FIGURE (Nike of Samothrace in fact). Like, 100m tall or something. So naturally (after my initial feeling of terror subsided) I thought of Chris’ recent ‘horror film’ with the creepy statutes in the dark. (And then I think, I wonder when his new video’s coming out. And here it is!) But yeah, rural Japan is quirky and awesome.
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  9. Chris, I’m really glad to see you’re sticking with your plan of introducing lesser-travelled regions of Japan. I mean, I’ve lived in this country even longer than you (20 years!) and I still haven’t made it up to the Tohoku area. That said, I live in one of those ‘lesser-travelled’ areas myself (Mie Prefecture) and I certainly have explored THIS area quite a bit. (I’ve been working on a ‘lesser-travelled’ video of my own, but that’s another story.) Anyway, keep up the inspirational work and I’m looking forward to that video series! 🍻
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  10. That was painful to watch. 😂 For those of you who are or will be in Japan and are looking for an ‘eating challenge that can be done anywhere, check out the Coco Ichiban curry chain. If you can finish the super big size of their spiciest curry, it’s free. (I tried, years ago, and failed. Miserably.)
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  11.  @shiromochi-kun  The house itself it’s mostly modern, but we had it built by a local carpenter who uses a traditional approach to building. It was a fascinating process. (Which I video blogged, if you’re interested.) 🍻
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  12. OK, that guy clearly had a rough ride. But as someone who has English in Japan for more than 20 years, I just thought I’d share some of my own experience now, for the benefit of anyone who may actually be considering moving here… First of all, a lot of it obviously comes down to the situation you find yourself in. You might have bad luck of course. Generally speaking the pay is decent, especially if it’s your first job and you don’t have any dependents. I should mention though that English teacher salaries DON’T really increase with experience or time. (And transitioning to another line of work in Japan isn’t easy either.) The work situation is also really different depending whether you work at a private conversation school, as a dispatch company ALT, or JET ALT. The latter is definitely the cushiest option, but hard to get into. Anyway, I’ve done all of those, so If anyone has any specific questions, I’d be happy to answer. 🍻
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  13. Bronson Wally If you’re in a popular tourist area in Tokyo (etc), then most restaurants will have at least some English on the menus. (Maybe not those smaller places, though.) If you’re in a small town or more rural area, it gets a bit harder to find English translations. But the big, 100¥ sushi chain restaurants are always a safe bet.
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  14.  @lewisnorden3744  I guess it can be. But here in Japan we generally try to avoid ‘conflict’ in any form. (It’s possible I’ve been here too long... 😆)
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  15. To call Chris a “YouTuber” at this point is like calling Doraemon a cat... I mean, accurate in a sense but kind of missing the point. (Natsuki is... Nobuta?) Seriously though, this is filmmaking, not YouTubing.
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  16. Aeneas Yeah, I tried to remember students’ names for the first couple of years...and then realized the futility of that and just basically gave up. Where were you teaching, btw?
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  17. “The amount of foreigners I know who live in Tokyo and don’t have any Japanese friends is astonishing.” Maybe because they live in Tokyo?? 😆 There definitely is some variation around different areas of Japan in how much people actually ‘keep their thoughts to themselves’. And in my experience (20 years!) living in a rural community, people definitely will accept you as a full-fledged community member and even friend if you’re willing to play by the rules and put in the time. (Quite a LOT of time, I admit.) That said, this is excellent and surprisingly accurately cultural information from Chris. Nice work. 🍻
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  18. Info for beer people! Nagano Prefecture is also home to one of Japan’s best breweries: Yo-Ho brewing. These guys make absolutely delicious beer, including an IPA (Indo no Ao Oni) that rivals anything else out there. So if I’ m in Nagano, that’s where I’m headed! (let’s just say that I won’t be drinking ‘Asahi Superdry’ if I can help it. :-) KP 🍻
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  19. MacArena 1. Take a step towards the student in question while gesturing and maintaining eye contact. 2. If that still doesn’t work, I ask, “what’s you’re name?” Because hey, it’s an English class...maybe I’m just quizzing them. ;-)(this is my strategy for Middleschool kids, anyway.)
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  20. Yeah, the cult thing is real…I’ve been approached by sparkling-eyed individuals more than a few time over my 20+ years in this country. That said, I don’t want anyone to lose out on any potential great cultural experiences because of a fear of cults. Most Buddhist sects are actually quite secular here in Japan, and are not interested in ‘converting’ you. I once joined a zazen meditation session once that was really interesting and not ‘culty’ at all. (I didn’t go back though, mostly because it hurt my legs too much. 😂) Closing words: use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is.
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  21. If anyone wants to try... uh, ‘wild, local meat’ when you’re visiting Japan, look for the word ジビエ (Gibier) on restaurant signs. Pretty much any mountain village in here hunts and eats whatever large animals wander into there farms. (We draw the line at monkeys, though.)
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  22. Beautiful work, Chris. And I appreciated the ‘majime’ vibe on this one. AND a note for BEER people: look up Spring Valley Brewing. They’ve turned one of these gorgeous old places into a brew pub, and it’s definitely worth checking out next time you’re in town. 🍻
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  23. Also should be mentioned: convenience store coffee in Japan is great too. 7-11 and FamilyMart tired for first. The flavor is pretty much as good as major coffee chains but it only costs and only 100¥. (Stopped going to Starbucks years ago.)
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  24. Excellent list Chris. In the 20 years I’ve lived here in Japan, I have made good use of most of these on multiple occasions. One more to add, for those in the Nagoya sphere of influence, is Komeda Coffee. Well-loved by older Japanese, this Nagoya based establishment kind of a ‘coffee house’ themed family restaurant, serving not-that-tasty coffee BUT reasonably priced and tasty sandwiches and desserts. (I live in Mie-prefecture, and they’re everywhere.) Oh and the “Morning Set” is super cheap, and a good introduction to Nagoya breakfast culture. 🍞 🥚 ☕️
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  25. So how many people have now added Kyushu to your list of places to visit after the pandemic winds down? And a note for BEER people (because I can’t help it): if you ever do make it to Kumamoto City, be sure to check out Brewery KAEN. I haven’t made the journey myself yet (5 hours by train), but their beer is good, and a local friend has assured me it’s well worth a visit. (Okay, you might want to visit Kumamoto Castle too, it’s also pretty awesome.) 🍻
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  26. Oh yeah, Chris has serious skills. I catch myself taking mental notes every time I watch one of his (recent) videos.
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  27. Haven’t you guys discovered any better Japanese beers yet?? Well, at least Natsuki’s got his pants back. That’s something. 🍻
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  28. Christmas for Japanese people is really just a light, colorful distraction in the lead up to the main event of the season — Oshogatsu (New Years). There is no interest in getting it ‘right’... it makes a good excuse to spend some money and maybe have a ‘cake & chicken’ party with family or head out to a restaurant with someone special... and then we get back to the important work of prepping for the festivities and rituals that take place over the first week of the new year. And interestingly, New Years’ here feels a lot like Christmas does (did) back in Canada, where I’m originally from.
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  29. I guess if you have a normal, full time job, you probably have a pretty solid morning routine. If not, you probably don’t.
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  30. And so the journey comes to an end. お疲れさまでした！So much fun, and visually beautiful... but for some reason, it didn’t really FEEL like the same Japan I live in... like Japan was just kind of a backdrop for Chris and his friends’ antics? Not that I’m complaining, this series was one of the most entertaining things I’ve seen on YouTube this year. Thanks for the laughs, Chris. I think we all needed them! Also, as a fellow Japan YouTuber, you have seriously inspired me to step up my game. (If only I could decide which direction to take my channel... suggestions or advice welcome.) 🍻
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  31. Once, in my first year in Japan, I was invited to a ‘zazan meditation session.’ (Not by a random stranger, but a friend of one of my students). It ended up being a really interesting and valuable cultural experience, and not ‘culty’ at all. I just wanted to mention this experience so people don’t thing this kind of thing is always a scam or trap. Japan has a lot to offer in the way of perspectives on spirituality, and it would be a waste to close our minds to this out of fear. Basically, use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is.
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  32. Well, now I’ll have to watch it... if only to see what happened to Natsuki’s pants.
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  33. Look, they’re not REALLY that terrible. I’ve tried them once, and while I wouldn’t go out of my way to eat them again, ‘hornet children’ are not as bad as everyone is making them out to be. (Old people here actually seem to like them!) 😆
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  34.  @danielfisher417  Well, thanks for clearing that up. 🍻
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  35. I could only find two things in common between Chris’ day in Japan and my own: Jizo statues and camembert cheese. (same brand!) Maybe it’s because I live in a rural area…but more likely its because I have kids and a job besides ‘YouTubing’. 😆 Anyway, entertaining as usual!
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  36. Ah! You guys must be in British Village in Shuzenji Nature Park. I’ve been there — years ago (I assumed it had gone bankrupt!). Right next to it, is Canadian village, which, while not quite as ‘impressive’, is possibly more stereotyped and hilarious than its British counterpart. Think: Grizzly bears and totem poles. It was amazing.
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  37. Hidden City? The perfect spot for travel during a pandemic! Social distancing is easy.
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  38. Well, I’m admittedly not as entertaining as Chris, but I do make videos on a range of topics that you don’t see much in the ‘Japan vlogsphere’. Check some out if you’re interested. 🍻
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  39. Me before watching this video: Stop whining Chris, you have 2 million subs. Me after watching this video: Thank you, Chris. Thank you. 😂
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  40. Why did I watch this? Ishigaki Island was probably my favorite place in the world. It has this unique, peaceful energy that always made me feel calm and whole. It was actually something close to sacred ground for me. And now… I’ll always associate it with this… 😂
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  41.  @norasyikinali6283  And if you have a dog that needs to be walked and kids who need to be fed and sent to school etc, then you probably have a REALLY solid morning routine… but then you’re probably too busy to be video-blogging it! 😆
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  42.  @megand6233  Exactly.
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  43. Long-term foreign resident in Japan here. I basically agree with Chris’ ‘hate’ items, but I just wanted to say something in defense of rural living (which Chris lamely used as an excuse for his Hostess club and gambling habits). Most of my 20 years in this country has been in rural or ‘semi-rural’ areas and I never run out of things to do. In that first ‘lonely’ year, for example, with limited language skills and without English-speaking friends nearby, I joined a local Taiko drumming group. This has the effect of pulling me into Japanese culture in a way that I probably couldn’t have experienced in a big city. Also, having extra time for activities like reading and cycling isn’t a bad thing. (Or creative projects like music or… even video making. 🍻)
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  44. #7 Check out a brewpub. (Japan has a lot of great craft beer. Just saying.)
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  45. OK, yes that was hysterical. But dude, you have 2 MILLION subscribers. I think it comes with the territory.
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  46. How to get from Tokyo to Tottori… Chris: first class sleeper train, please. Me: what’s the cheapest way? OK, well how much would I save if I jog down the line a bit and catch the train from the next station?
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  47. Nice work. It sounds like a close call! 😅 But I just want to share my own experience as well… Once, in my first year in Japan, I was invited to a ‘zazan meditation session.’ (Not by a random stranger, but a friend of one of my students). It ended up being a really interesting and valuable cultural experience, and not ‘culty’ at all. I just wanted to mention this experience so people don’t thing this kind of thing is always a scam or trap. Japan has a lot to offer in the way of perspectives on spirituality, and it would be a waste to close our minds to this out of fear. Basically, use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is. 🍻
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  48. Maybe Natsuki is an “outsider” in his own way. 🤔
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  49. That looked tasty. But if I was going to drop 2000¥ at a market in Sendai it would probably be “Craft Beer Market.” (Look it up if you’re in the area.) OK, fine. maybe one then the other...
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  50. Ah ‘Konbini’ snacks, the bane of my existence. But Chris, I think you need to report back about that ‘sleep chocolate’. I’ve always assumed it’s kind of a scam but I’m still really curious. Let us know if it works!
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  51.  @cosmobane6995  It was dark. It was a winding mountain road. And...it might not have been QUITE 100 meters tall. 😆 I’d seen those giant statues (there are several) lots of times from the train as I passed through...but it was my first time to encounter them up close. If you’re interested, check it out online. The place is called: “Japon Louvre Sculpture Museum.”
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  52.  @parkchimmin7913  The ones I tried were marinated in soy sauce or something (I think they usually are), so I’m not sure what they taste like fresh out of the hive, but... I guess, slightly fishy.? Not in a bad way, just fish is the closest flavor I can think of. Oh, but the TEXTURE is quite memorable. They kind of pop when you chew them. Hehe. (A bit disturbing if you’re not used to it, maybe... 😆)
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  53. Looks like Chris managed to plan a production project around ‘what he felt like doing anyway’. Envious. As for the the setting… either Anami Islands or Okinawa? Anyone have a guess?
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  54. Ronald Tan Yes, it is. But there are some places that offer it as a way of making themselves stand out from competitors. (I seem to remember a soba restaurant in Narita airport...maybe that’s where I first had it??)
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  55. Kay Varg Agreed. That’s one of the things I love about Japan!
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  56.  @sandy_sd10  Cool, any stories??
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  57.  @nonamemcnobody2119  haha, that was me initially. I came over here with a work visa provided by Aeon conversation school. Hard work, but an amazing experience at the same time. (And yes, I did get a glimpse of the ‘dark side’ of the industry. Then went back to my home country (Canada) for just long enough to do the JET interview, and I was a JET ALT a year later. So. Much. Easier. But I still value the experience I had as a conversation teacher. If only for the stories I gained.
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  58. @kikuchi S well, I’m still here after 20 years, enjoying my life and not isolated in the least. (Which is why I’m still here.) I think the area you live has a big influence. (I live in a rural area near a medium-sized city in central Japan.) Also, getting married to a Japanese person, having kids, doing PTA and all that stuff does help with the integration thing. Anyway, I agree that it’s not easy to be accepted as an insider, but you can eventually by making deep connections and earning the respect of the people in your communities. (All this said, a lot of my closest friends ARE, like Chris suggested, “outsiders”, both Japanese and foreign.) Anyway, cheers. 🍻
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  59.  @killinglonliness88  That ‘nasty-ass’ black plain stuff is what I call coffee. What you’re talking about I call “desert”. That said, for 150¥ you can get cafe late, which is quite delicious. (High-fat milk, because Japan.)
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  60.  @feiryfella  Stop by anytime! 🍻 (The playlist is: Home Construction Adventure in Japan)
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  61. I was thinking about what it is, exactly, that feels different about shopping in a market in Japan (especially as a tourist) vs in many other countries. It’s not just the chocolate bananas or absence of haggling. In most countries I’ve traveled in (specifically in Latin America or SE Asia) I really felt a sense of economic disparity while shopping. Like the value of money is different for the shoppers/tourists and the market vendors. Tourists are assumed to be rich and therefore inflating prices etc is ethical. But in Japan there is a sense (real or imagined) of equality. No one is scheming to rip you off of relying on your purchase for their subsistence. Things can be a little expensive. But it’s a good vibe.
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  62. Interesting observation! One interesting thing about ‘social hierarchy’ here though is that it’s still very strong within organizations (ie schools or big companies) but mostly invisible in society-as-a-whole. I mean, you can be tempted to see Japan as a classless society when youre in public, or passing through as an outsider, since there are few observable signs of any social hierarchy. And interestingly, this is one of the reasons why Japanese people traditionally tend not to interact with people they don’t know in public…without a designed relationship, we don’t really know HOW to interact, how to refer to the other person, whether to use Keigo, etc. Probably another reason why Japanese people often come off as being ‘unfriendly’.
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  63.  @Handles_are_garbage  Good point. If you’re in Tokyo, that’s probably true. ( I guess part of my problem is that I don’t live in a big city.)
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  64.  @sarahwatts7152  interesting idea. Although I suspect the responses would be totally different in different areas of the country. People where I live (small-town, central Japan) tend to have a decent balance, and I often hear people say they feel sorry for Tokyoites.
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  65.  @browniebear9282  I recommend it too. That channel has great videos in general, offering an un-sensationalized and non-judgmental view of Japan.
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  66. You did what!?? 😂 Good luck…and have a great time!
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  67.  @DoctorEbot  hey, thanks for the encouragement! 🍻
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  68.  @Maya-vw6uf  Uh, no. (Well, probably yes. But it was dark...)
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  69. Sour Puss 北斗の拳, is that you!??
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  70.  @AeneasMTG  Haha I can relate. I know the good kids AND the really bad ones.
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  71. My thoughts exactly. 🍻
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  72.  @cdscissor  🍻
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  73.  @xBINARYGODx  Creepily vague? I meant like, join the neighborhood committees, fire bridge/garbage station upkeep when it’s your turn,, clean and weed the park with neighbors on the designated days etc. That stuff is a really a pain, but THATs how you become a real member of a Japanese community. (Outside of the big cities anyway.)
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  74.  @FlowerEmblem  Absolutely true! I’ve recently been re-watching Star Trek (TNG, Voyager, etc) and man, the way a lot of those ‘aliens’ act/think seems so NorthAmerican to me…now that I’m not.
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  75. My favorite was definitely the Japan-TV-icized simulation of AIJ. Now THAT is quality programming. :-D (starts at 9:31)
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  76. Markius Fox yes, IF you’re just meeting someone for the first time. But it could also, be “I’m really relying on you” or even just a very strong, “PLEASE!”, etc., depending on the situation. It’s a very useful little phrase, once you get used to it! :-)
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  77.  @musicmonkey602  haha yeah it’s been interesting. At the moment it’s not too bad, but there are a lot of rules and special precautions we have to take. When we were under a State of Emergency, things were even more challenging…but also interesting! I made a video on that topic if you’re interested. https://youtu.be/VH8MmyzFxOc
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  78. No, they probably should have been checking — Japan’s got snakes too!
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  79.  @clothar23  ah, I guess I’ve become Japanese then. 😆
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  80.  @Aeybiseediy  true. I guess a major difference is that I already had a personal connection with the person doing the inviting (via my student). And the temple was like a proper neighborhood temple…in my town…not some random person’s living room.
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  81.  @archaingel  You did the right thing. In my case, it was just in the neighborhood temple, and no one was pressure-selling it. Anyway, it was pretty cool. The worst part was that my legs hurt afterwards. 😅
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  82.  @Miko0219  Ah, right. There definitely is some truth to what Chris said. It takes tremendous effort to cross that boundary and be excepted as an ‘insider’ by Japanese people. (It is possible, and sometimes even necessarily, if you live in a rural area.) But yeah, as Chris suggested, most of us just give up and form ‘outsider’ communities. It’s certainly easier!
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  83. Haha, one scam I’d forgotten about. 😂 But definitely. (they don’t harass me anymore, because I just gave in and started paying them. My family does watch NHK, so…)
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  84.  @killinglonliness88  ah, you got me. (But in my defence I was PLANNING to watch until the end. But then my kids woke up and wanted breakfast…)
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  85.  @KrishnenduMukherjee  I guess it depends what country.
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  86.  @Surdeigt  You would fit in well in Japan then.
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  87. @Unknown ah. I was thinking of several south-east Asian countries I’ve been to. Anyway, it always kind of stressed me out. (So I’m glad if it’s less widespread than I thought!)
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  88.  @southcoastinventors6583  Agreed. Yeah, that’s a huge one. And given the amount of effort involved in mastering Japanese language (and culture), I guess it’s easier for foreign residents in Tokyo to just hang with other English speaking foreign residents. (OR find quirky culturally nonconforming Japanese friends… although most of them speak English too.) I’ve never had the option since I’ve always lived in real areas or small cities.
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  89.  @KyokujiFGC  fair enough. It wasn’t my original plan either…but here I am. 😅
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  90.  @Karagoth444  Someone I would love to have a beer with. 🍻
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  91. Agreed! That would be hilarious I’m sure.
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  92. Actually, that would be amazing. (He would need to bring Natsuki of course.)
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  93. OK, just to be clear... this has nothing to do with the job that the vast majority of non-Japanese people reading this are likely to get here — teaching English. English conversion schools usually don’t have the best pay, but foreign teachers are treated relatively well because the manager knows that if they aren’t, they can just walk away and easily get another job. For ALTs working in public schools (like me), hours are consistent (typically 8:30 to 4:00) and I don’t know anyone who works beyond that unless they’re voluntarily joining club activities with kids or trying to pick up one of the Japanese teachers at their school. Full time, licensed (usually Japanese) teachers in public schools are a different story. They often work crazy hours. (Their pay is pretty decent though.) That’s all. Kp. 🍻
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  94. That’s been on my ‘must do’ list for ages. I hear Shikoku is paradise for cyclists, btw.
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  95.  @fatdoi003  Yes, exactly!
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  96. Ah, was it, アース, like “earth”? (Side story: I remember an English worksheet in a junior high school where I worked that had the example sentence, “It’s important for me to love the EARTH.” Only that’s not how the homeroom teacher pronounced it...)
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  97. Dave Evad Ah, yes. Come to think of it, that’s exactly what I do! ;-)
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  98. That was...one of the best things on YouTube. Chris, you’ve come a long way!
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  99.  @thomasedwards6641  Mystery solved. 😆
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  100. You had me at, “Narnia”. lol
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  101. Blue Agreed. But I don’t think the YouTube algorithm is hurting him TOO much. (2 million subs) 😆
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  102.  @harryg9976  Yes, private students can be a good source of income. It’s hard, though not impossible, to get by on income from privates alone. I have one friend who does, and he actually makes a slightly-above-average income (for an English teacher). But it takes effort and persistence to build up a reputation and then a workable schedule that pays that much. It’s safest to take a standard, full-time teaching gig first and just teach some private lessons on the side as supplemental income. (You MIGHT even get lucky and find some rich kids to tutor. I’m still looking, though...)
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  103.  @Handles_are_garbage  Really? I always got the feeling that Tokyo was ‘where it’s at’ for internationally-minded companies and subsequent employment opportunities. But actually, I love Osaka, and it’s only a 2-hour train ride away from my home in Mie-pref. Something to consider. 🍻
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  104. I know. 😆 I think that line will still be with me after the rest of the video has faded from memory.
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  105.  @DoctorEbot  YES! You can actually get it in supermarkets and convenience stores in Japan. In Mie Prefecture, where I live, Lawson usually stocks a few of their brews. (OUTSIDE of Japan is trickier of course, but not impossible. Check online!)
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  106.  @greghelton4668  Nice! (Jealous.) Where are you based in Japan, btw?
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  107.  @greghelton4668  Baird’s...is that the one by the Numazu fish market? If so, it was the first place I had craft beer in Japan. (20 years ago when I lived near there.) Anyway, same brewer! I’ve been meaning to make it back there for years now.
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  108.  @Croissant69_  hey! First, I just want to clarify something… you’re working on a teaching license for the Philippines, I’m assuming. (Not Japan.) Also, how’s your Japanese language ability at this point?
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  109.  @saharkeydar9091  OK, I see your point. There’s no doubt that Chris earned his status through brilliance and hard work. But a lot of small YouTubers are (understandably) desperate to get attention any way they can. And I guess taking a swipe at ‘the king’ is an easy way to achieve that. (And to be honest, I’m kind of glad they did. Chris’s response was probably the funniest thing I’ll see this week.)
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  110.  @DrJustininJapan  確かに, that ‘double espresso latte’ thing is pretty awesome. But for the 100¥ option, I’ll stick with my initial statement. 😆 (BTW if the the topic was beer selection, Lawson would definitely get my vote.)
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  111.  @eeveeeleven9766  (Me or the main comment? If it’s me, it’s because YouTube glitched when I posted (I thought) so I did it again. ごめんなさいました。)
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  112. Ah, the monkey park! I’ve been there too. Fun for the whole family! 😆
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  113. How about bee larva on pizza? 😆 But seriously, there are some pretty *amazing things in those little local-specialty souvenir shops. I tried soysauce-and-sugar-flavored grasshoppers once. (Not terrible. But...)
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  114. Yes, the Japanese countryside is beautiful. As a tourist, you have limited time so you tend to stick to the big cities where you can cram in as much as possible into your itinerary. But the it’s in rural areas where you find ‘real’ Japan. (And those mountain villages often hide amazing sake breweries and other goodies.) 🍻
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  115. Agreed. (And Natsuki’s appearance at the end sealed it for me too. 😆)
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  116. Well said. 😆 It’s been such a weird vibe here with no tourists for the last few years. Hoping that things open up soon! 🤞
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  117.  @Pay-No-Mind  Dangerously so. 😅
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  118. Amazing. That’s the exact alternative title I came up with. 😆
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  119.  @kauswekazilimani3736  Really?? It always kind of stressed me out. (I guess I’m just not aggressive enough. 😆)
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  120.  @azahel542  Yeah, that was pretty spectacular.
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  121.  @MrSkeltal268  Japan has so many beautiful and fascinating places outside of the major urban centers. (My area, near Ise Grand Shrine in central Japan, is similar in some ways. But without the volcanos!)
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  122.  @southcoastinventors6583  cool, all the best!! 🍻
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  123. Anton Grigoriev Interesting idea...you could be right!
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  124. Definitely something to watch out for. But I just want to share my own experience, so people don’t write off all experiences with Japanese spirituality as suspect. Once, in my first year in Japan, I was invited to a ‘zazan meditation session.’ (Not by a random stranger, but a friend of one of my students). It ended up being a really interesting and valuable cultural experience, and not ‘culty’ at all. I just wanted to mention this experience so people don’t thing this kind of thing is always a scam or trap. Japan has a lot to offer in the way of perspectives on spirituality, and it would be a waste to close our minds to this out of fear. Basically, use your sense. If something feels weird or scammy, it probably is. 🍻
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  125.  @katelady1370  Maybe. But personally I think it’s just that sensationalism sells. I don’t think that media empire owners really care about the effect of their news programming on viewers as long as people are watching (or reading) and the advertisers are happy. Things aren’t really much better here (in Japan), btw. The government actually has more direct influence over the content. (They can revoke media licenses very easily for anyone who touches on taboo topics, for example.) But enough politics for one day!
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  126.  @Alex-fv2qs  😆
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  127.  @ThreadBomb  Yeah, there used to be a ton of quirky little attractions like this during the ‘bubble era’ when the economy was going crazy. Then a lot of them had to shut down in the late 90s/early 00s. But apparently not this one! 😆
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  128.  @Stealste  😂
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  129. Kyla Well then. Lol
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