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Extracts

Extract: Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad

Journey Across Japan

From the author of the Number one bestselling Abroad in Japan, Journey Across Japan takes us through the 47 unique prefectures of the Land of the Rising Sun 
 
Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with millions flocking there every month to follow the same cookie-cutter itinerary. 
 
But beyond the well-trodden tourist trail lies a country made up of forty-seven unique prefectures. Each one has its own story to tell, shaped by centuries of squabbling lords, impenetrable topography and a fierce local pride. 
 
On his quest to show the world that there’s so much more to Japan than Tokyo and Kyoto, Chris Broad has visited all of forty-seven prefectures himself. Now, in Journey Across Japan, he takes us with him on an epic adventure that spans every corner of the country. 
 
A collection of embarrassing stories, practical recommendations and hard-learned lessons, this book show us just how much each region has to offer, whether it’s a signature dish, a festival or a mildly terrifying mascot. 
 
From flying a plane over Japan’s most active volcano to exploring perfectly preserved Samurai districts, this guide will encourage readers, whether you’re a Japan neophyte or a seasoned veteran, to carve out your own story in the Land of the Rising Sun. 
 
Readers loved ABROAD IN JAPAN 
'Undeniably the best book I've ever read' ***** 
'Experience Japan without ever setting foot there' ***** 
'A heartfelt, humorous journey into Japan and its culture' ***** 
'I 1000000% reccommend it!' ***** 
'A must-read for Japan enthusiasts' *****

Chris Broad is a British filmmaker and founder of the Abroad in Japan Youtube channel, one of the largest foreign Youtube channels in Japan with over 2.5 million subscribers and 400 million views. 
Over 10 years and 200 videos, Chris has visited all of Japan's 47 prefectures, focussing Abroad in Japan on travel, culture, food and covered contemporary issues through documentaries on the Fukushima nuclear disaster and the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami. His experiences have made him a sought after voice on life inside Japan, featured on the BBC, Tedx, NHK and the Japan Times.

Japan is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, with millions flocking to the Land of the Rising Sun every month. Despite this, everyone follows the same cookie-cutter itinerary. But beyond the well-trodden tourist trail lies a country made up of 47 unique prefectures, each one with their own rich history, traditional crafts, local foods, and mildly terrifying mascots. 
 
On his quest to show his viewers that there’s so much more to Japan than Tokyo and Kyoto, Chris Broad has travelled the length and breadth of Japan and visited all of 47 prefectures himself. Now, in Journey Across Japan, Chris will show Japanophiles just how much each region has to offer. 
 
From flying a plane over Japan’s most active volcano to staying overnight in a mountain-top temple, this guide will encourage readers to explore more than just the famous sights. Packed with enthralling and hilarious anecdotes from Chris’ own travels and guides to etiquette, essential Japanese and top tips for what to eat, buy, and see, this will be the only book you ever need to take to Japan.

Chris Broad

A chortleworthy look at the land of karaoke, cat fanatics and chocolate-coated fries.

From wide-eyed exchange teacher to seasoned youtuber, Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory, surviving earthquakes, North Korean missile alerts, cat cafe allergies and Love Hotel evictions. Endlessly fascinating!

Will Ferguson, author of Hokkaido Highway Blues

Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny. Broad's wry humour, in-depth knowledge and adept storytelling make him an engaging guide to the bewildering Japanese experience. Accurately captures the excitement and dream-like disorientation of a foreigner discovering Japan. An excellent and enjoyable read for the Japan-curious. I loved it and learned a lot.

Sam Baldwin, author of For Fukui's Sake: Two years in rural Japan

Chris Broad's wry, self-deprecating memoir carves a unique path across Japan bringing him into contact with far too many cats, heartening renewal in Tohoku, and even pizza with Ken Watanabe. This is a thoroughly contemporary book, a memoir of life in Japan that couldn't have been written at any other point in history.

Iain Maloney, author of The Only Gaijin in the Village

This book seeks to unravel a culture that can often seem distant to visitors, charting his life over ten years and countless quirky anecdotes.

When Englishman Chris Broad landed in a rural village in northern Japan he wondered if he'd made a huge mistake. With no knowledge of the language and zero teaching experience, was he about to be the most quickly fired English teacher in Japan's history? 
 
Abroad in Japan charts a decade of living in a foreign land and the chaos and culture clash that came with it. Packed with hilarious and fascinating stories, this book seeks out to unravel one the world's most complex cultures. 
 
Spanning ten years and all forty-seven prefectures, Chris takes us from the lush rice fields of the countryside to the frenetic neon-lit streets of Tokyo. With blockbuster moments such as a terrifying North Korean missile incident, a mortifying experience at a love hotel and a week spent with Japan's biggest movie star, Abroad in Japan is an extraordinary and informative journey through the Land of the Rising Sun.

Chris Broad

Praise for Abroad in Japan

A chortleworthy look at the land of karaoke, cat fanatics and chocolate-coated fries.

From wide-eyed exchange teacher to seasoned youtuber, Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory, surviving earthquakes, North Korean missile alerts, cat cafe allergies and Love Hotel evictions. En ...

Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny. Broad's wry humour, in-depth knowledge and adept storytelling make him an engaging guide to the bewildering Japanese experience. Accurately captures the excitement and ...

A chortleworthy look at the land of karaoke, cat fanatics and chocolate-coated fries.

From wide-eyed exchange teacher to seasoned youtuber, Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory, surviving earthquakes, North Korean missile alerts, cat cafe allergies and Love Hotel evictions. En ...

Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny. Broad's wry humour, in-depth knowledge and adept storytelling make him an engaging guide to the bewildering Japanese experience. Accurately captures the excitement and ...

A chortleworthy look at the land of karaoke, cat fanatics and chocolate-coated fries.

From wide-eyed exchange teacher to seasoned youtuber, Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory, surviving earthquakes, North Korean missile alerts, cat cafe allergies and Love Hotel evictions. En ...

Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny. Broad's wry humour, in-depth knowledge and adept storytelling make him an engaging guide to the bewildering Japanese experience. Accurately captures the excitement and ...

Books by Chris Broad

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Extract: Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad

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