I Escaped to Japan's HIDDEN Mountain Village 🇯🇵 48Hrs Walking the Nakasendo

🍿🍿Where we went: www.funliday.com/abroadinjapan/journals/72736
NOTIFICATION SQUAD: These sorts of travel videos don't seem to do as well as they used to on Clip-Share! If you enjoyed it PLEASE be sure to like the video - it honestly makes a difference. CONVERSELY feel free to also dislike the video now that Ryotaro is finally back.
For behind the scenes videos & to support what we do, check out Abroad in Japan Patreon! www.patreon.com/posts/why-i-want-to-78050215

You know it was really nice of Chris to allow Sharla to come along on this trip with him and his boyfriend Ryotaro

Man it's good to see a travel video with Chris and Ryotaro again. It's been a while, honestly kind of nostalgic. I've missed seeing Ryotaro more often in these.

The editing is improving day by day. The Bear and Ninja were really cool.

This is by far my favorite area you have highlighted in Japan. Many people associate Japan with futuristic technology, but I love the history and nature. More please!

I have actually never had the desire to visit Japan. But after watching so many of your videos showcasing both the good and the bad, I am in the budgeting and planning process of making the excursion to this land of unlimited beauty! And this coming from a Canadian!! Wonderful objectivity Chris. Thank you.

I nearly choked on my sweet tea when Ryotaro said his wife loves his slurp! 🤣😭🙈
Jokes aside, this is such a beautiful video! I love it when you guys walk around different parts of Japan, enjoy the scenery and environment, and taste the local cuisine 😋 I can almost feel the atmosphere! Looking forward to more of your content, Chris ✌🏼✨

As a backpacker this is the fastest a trail has gone from 'never heard of it' to 'how much are plane tickets'

Never stop making these content. It's inspiring a lot of us to visit Japan, and not the usual Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka route.

I love videos with Chris and Ryotaro. Feels like the old days. With Sharla, it's just a bonus!

I walked the Magome to Tsumago section of the Nakasendo in December, and it was very beautiful. Mountains, waterfalls, a very old tea house, and even little bells you can ring to scare off the bears! If I could do it, I'm sure an accomplished athlete like you would have no problem.

What I love about your travel videos is getting to see the things that are off the beaten path and what you would never learn about in travel books. There is so much I want to see in Japan now that there’s not going to be enough time in just one trip.

So glad Chris has focused back on Clip-Share. Glad he was able to focus on himself for a bit but Clip-Share needs Chris Broad!

The most impressive part of this video is how well colour matched the bear walking behind Chris and Ryotoro is. Bravo editor, bravo 👏

Finally visited Japan on a business trip. Stayed at Tokushima, but visited Osaka too! I must admit, I fell in love with the country, it's nature and it's people! Watching your videos helped me blend in, knowing their customs, what to expect and how to conduct myself when interacting with the locals. Thank you for that, Chris! If you want a great panoramic shot, go to Tokushima on a sunny day, and climb up the Mt. Bizan. The 360 view is breathtaking!

Mate, the production value on your videos has been consistently top-tier for years, the actual content is always an impressive blend of informative and entertaining, and the way that you balance self-deprecating humour and light-hearted cynicism with grounded humility and sincerity makes your stuff easy to watch, not to mention your roster of awesome friends. You've accomplished a lot, especially in recent months, and somehow I feel like you are underrated among your peers, and although there is an endless stream of thousands of people yelling their thoughts at you, I feel compelled to say - good work bro.

Finally my favourite guest on this channel - Mr. Risottoro - is back! Loved the video, the jokes and the beautiful picures. These old Japanese towns have such a unique flair, 100% something I want to experience someday.

Congratulations, Chris and Sharla. You both make such great content and seem like genuinely good people. To many years of happiness and good fortune.

I don't know how long you've been putting kanji and explanations for niche Japanese things that foreigners may not encounter outside of Japan. I've been studying Japanese for about a year independently, and this little bit of editing is greatly appreciated.
Sidenote, when I finally get to Japan, this might be an entire week of my itinerary.

I honestly don't have the words to describe the beauty of towns like these. This is one of your best videos yet Chris. If they had internet I would move to a place like this in a heartbeat.

It’s the whole set of people not just one that makes Abroad in Japan enjoyable. Really fun to see familiar and new faces and the quality of videos given.

As someone who’s special interest is Japan, thank you Chris for posting these videos. Always such high quality and a familiar face I can watch when feeling down. Wishing you (and Sharla!) all the best in the future Abroad in Japan endeavors!!! Sending endless support from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!🤍🍜🍡🇯🇵

I've missed these kind of videos so much. Just you and a guest (especially Ryotaro) showing us different views of Japan you typically don't see.
MORE RYOTARO

Oh snap I live like 30 minutes away from Narai-juku! Can confirm, Nagano's "shinshu" soba is the best I've had in Japan. The valley that holds the Nakasendo, Kiso valley, is probably one of my favorite hidden gems, so many villages and places to discover. Hope y'all get a chance to explore more of Nagano in the future!

I'm so glad to see more of these walk around Japan videos! Super nice to get to see more of daily scenery and life in Japan!

Not sure if Chris and Ryotaro realised how much danger they were in. A ninja literally snuck past them and got attacked by another unknown assailant.
Glad they're fine.

Since I will probably never be able to afford seeing Japan in person, your wonderful videos are always a joy. Those three towns were gorgeous!

Hey Chris, your videos always help me escape my busy life. I’m always stuck between my schoolwork and my cop-op work and these breaks are a life saver. Thanks for your amazing content ❤

Not sure if anyone else agrees with this but my favorite part about this channel is that unlike a lot of other Vlog/travel channels Chris picks locations that you truly would not have every heard of. Obscure tourists stuff that still is accommodating. So I guess this trail will get added to the list now.

god, the production quality on these videos always blows me away. makes me desperately want to visit japan some day. thank you for the hard work!

Good old travel videos, I don’t know about other people Chris but these are my favorites amongst all your top notch videos 👍

I'm just finishing up my trip in Japan and I went on the route from magome to tsumago and it was such a peaceful walk with a really friendly volunteer giving green tea halfway

What makes these towns even nicer is that unlike every other town in Japan, there are very few visible power lines.

Let's pump the viewership numbers up. Love these videos. I almost cried every time I see the beautiful natural scenery. Thank you Chris for bring me the joy!

I love your content, it's so cool to get to see all the amazing things and locations in japan through expertly directed cinematography in the form of Clip-Share vlogs!
P.s. Sharla is absolutely beautiful and I love that you two are together! ❤️

I traveled in the late Spring-very early Summer, so caught the sakura 'season; that pleased me a lot, but I can see that Autumn has a lot of charm, too! Thanks for bringing us along : ))

Love is alive and well in Japan. It's always great to see a relationship continue to blossom over time.
Too bad they needed Sharla there to film it.

That's the happiest I've seen you in any of your adventures, Chris. A solid breath of freedom I bet :)

i had never rly gotten the "thanku for making videos, it got me through dark times".
i mean its a nice thing to say. but it always seemed to be on the most random types of videos.
however. these videos of chris just going around in japan doing stuff. the funny shit he says, the attitude and even his voice lmao. it have actually given me a feeling of calm in a time i wish i didnt have to experience. so i get those people now. and damn, thank u chris. thanks for making such good videos. im sure that for you this seems just as weird as i thought these comments were before. but it is genuine. it really helps. i hope you enjoy making these videos, because it really have made shit times bareable for me lately. even rewatching old ones.
cheers.

I knew I recognised that street in Naraijuku! I used it as a gorgeous scene backdrop in a Pathfinder Society 1st edition scenario. Love that Chris gets to show me more of it. Ryotaro was definitely channeling my old fellows playing mahjong NPCs.
Keep up the attempts on Chris's life, Ryotaro! :D I think you nearly got him with "She loves my slurp". ;)

I do wish this was a full hike. I love the last few hike videos and i look forward to seeing more if you continue to do them.

This brought back good memories ☺️. I made the walk from Tsumago to Magone in 2009. With lack of transportation options back to Tsumago we were offered a ride back to our minshuku in his mini-van by a local farmer.

Loving the more regular release schedule, feels like a new golden age of AIJ :D

Of the countless videos I've watched on this channel this one in particular makes me want to book a trip to Japan immediately. If I ever do find myself fortunate enough to visit Japan, the Nakasendo Trail will absolutely be on my itinerary.

I definitely want to walk the Nakasendo one day. Seems like a great way to see the countryside and stop for food each day as you stop by the towns.

I don't understand why youtube doesn't promote these travel type vids as much as others. These are my favorite!

The production quality on these videos is INSANE! Thank you for all your hard work and keen attention to detail showing us life in Japan.

821k viewers in 4 days?! Damn. I have been watching Chris' videos for almost 10 years and he has done some great videos in the past, but it's crazy the amount of views he is getting recently and for this video. I guess he got a bunch of new subscribers from all the collaborations in the last year. This is just a pretty basic Nakasendo video no different to any J-Vlogger that's done it, but I guess he has done very well to sell himself. He has put in the effort so I guess its starting to pay off.

I just wanted to say thanks for posting videos Chris, you really do allow me to live in Japan vicariously through your camera lens and that's something i really cherish a lot so keep doing what you're doing.. ☺🤗

How does your editing and camera work keep getting better every video!?

I stayed in Magome during my first trip to Japan and it was truly magical. I didn't know much about the hiking trail there but after seeing this I have to go back sometime and experience it in full.

This is a really nice video. The locations are beautiful and the mountains are nice. I also appreciated the history lesson in the middle. Do you mind if I say, though, that you guys seem a little tired in it? I hope you had a good time! Also, I was shocked by the CGI bear! Because, well, it's a CGI bear, but also because it wasn't a CGI plane crash.
Edit: I like when you guys walk through villages like this, whether they're abandoned or not. :)

Chris, another outstanding video. Please never stop, you are such a natural in front of the camera and I love your storytelling. We need more of those walking-tour videos!! Love from NZ

The absolute Britpanese chaos of this experience that you've shared with us fills me with determination.

Chris really just rotoscoped something walking behind him and Ryatoro... not once, but twice. That's dedication. I don’t even want to know how much time he spent on that visual gag.

More often the beaten path videos like this! I love this kind of content, and would be cool to see you visit a bunch of different maintainers of different crafts that a lot smaller towns in more rural areas pride themselves on.

It's not that it doesn't do well -- these city walks are wonderful videos. I think people just knew you were on vacation and didn't know when you'd be back. Now that we all know you've returned from the UK, people will start watching again. Shinpai nai kudasai.

Gorgeous video Chris! thank you for sharing another wonderful area of Japan with us❤

When I imagine a trip to Japan, this is the mental image I get of tranquil exploration. The calmness and beauty is poetic. While I feel the major cities are what I would end up seeing, this experience is what I would long for.

I live in the mountains and love when it rains. Really makes natures colors pop. Especially the green. Love the video!

At first I was thinking a 3-person trip might be kind of awkward, but actually I can see how this was very beneficial to have a 3rd person to help with filming duties while the other two converse or show things off. STRATEGERY. Well done.

Sharla is such an adorable cutie, I love that you two are together and love when you make content together! ❤️

This brings back so many memories! I did this trail the last time I was in Japan. This and Miyama are definitely my favorite spots in Japan (so far). If you ever get the chance to do this, I recommend using the luggage service that transport your bags from Magome to Tsumago. There is a 1.5 hour hike that you can take between the two towns that really spits you out in nature. There are even bear bells all along the trail! Definitely recommend! Can't wait to go back

Thank you for showing the world a side of Japan people like to pretend doesn't exist. I love videos like these that show what the country side is like. Looking forward to more hiking/walking videos this year

This is just beautiful, I hope one day I can travel there, it looks so relaxing

Welp, one more reason to go to Japan. How dare you make me want to go there?! 😂
This was just so calming and gorgeous. I love mushrooms too so I’m here for all the food and gorgeous pictures.
And I’m happy to see Ryotaro back😁😁

From a Twitter account I found online who recounted John's trips to Japan he states, "John and Yoko would escape the summer heat and humidity by heading to Karuizawa, a resort northeast of the metropolis, and stay at the Mampei Hotel. The former Beatle was a frequent customer at Cafe de Minoriya and a fan of their vanilla soft-serve ice cream." So I guess this rumour has some credibility.

faffable room for the win. I love these travel videos & the cultural stuff you include is just wonderful. This place is just beautiful. keep up the great work!

More please! Awesome to see Sharla and Ryotoro in your videos too.

Absolutely stunning, thank you for sharing! These are the kind of adventures I want to do whenever I visit Japan.

Thank you for the awesome video~
I love to see videos like this exploring Japan, Thank you for bringing us all along for the trip, I hope it was an amazing experience
Thank you for your hard work, Keep it up m(_ _)m
(Also glad to see Ryotaro again for the first time in a while)
I hope everyone is having a lovely day, Have a wonderful rest of your week, Be safe and Take care out there wherever you are (^=W=^)7

Always good to see more exploration videos from you, Chris. I hope you enjoyed your romantic trip!

How does Chris always show use things we've never seen before?!? For someone who's been all over Japan and shown us so much, it's surprising he can still find awesome places like Nakasendo! Can't wait for all the videos this year 🤩

Actually walking from Magome to Tsumago leads you over an old part of the Nakasendo trail and it also goes past a few waterfalls. You guys missed out on that. There is also a great Chaya just outside the village of Magome.
There is also a post office with working ATM in Magome so a bit of exploring would have gotten you some cash.

I am just crying at how beautiful everything there is and how much I want to go there..

If I were more confident with the language, this is definitely the kind of Japanese vacation I would love. Out of the big cities, in the mountains, beautiful scenery, and authentic and historic towns. So awesome.

Japan is just a paradise😍

I loved this video a lot! It was entertaining, gave me a lot of insights into not so well known parts of Japan. Thank you and enjoyed it. 😀👍

Sad that these travel videos don't do too well anymore, these are some of my favourite content on Clip-Share.
Chris somehow makes Japan look even more beautiful than usual in these shots and it's so interesting to find out about these places. Top notch as per usual Chris!

I walked from a JR station to Tsumago and then to Magome (downhill direction) in one day a few years ago. The sunset from Magome is spectacular.

Loving this content. Definitely putting this on my to do list for my next trip to japan ☺️

Love this look at an amazing part of Japan. So beautiful!

Love these videos!! Never stop. I love seeing different areas I would otherwise not know to check out. So much cool architecture mixed with the nature. And the nice rooms you guys got felt so unique but also homely. Damn i wish i was in japan

I have to say I really appreciated the quality of this video. Especially the history at the beginning.

Nice to see Pete last time, and Sharla and Ryotoro this time 😊 Will Natsuki, Connor and Joey join you during the other videos in this series?

I love these kind of videos! And I think one can really see how much effort goes into making these. They let me dream of the time I can finally go and explore the country myself :) Thank you for the effort :)

I think that Chris should hike in Japan’s three national parks, I’d especially love to see Chris in Daisekirinzan.

We walked from Magome to Tsumago a few years back. Unfortunately just a day trip from Nagoya but fantastic nonetheless. We were there in Winter but would love to go back during other seasons. The views along the way are spectacular and the villages are both amazingly beautiful and welcoming.

Love these kind of videos. It was the reason I followed years ago.
I keep them and wait until I need something to bring my mood back up after a long day of work.
Have you ever considered doing a journey across Japan but only in an ev ?
I have not seen any ev videos with this kind of aesthetic and planning in Japan yet. Plus as someone whom I think never drove one, his experience might be interesting.
Maybe even sleep in one. Also congrats on the engagement.

This place looks so beautiful! Would love to go there someday 😍

What a coincidence! I'm currently doing the Nakasendo Trail on the Conqueror Challenges and I'm 10% done. I'm past the Pâtisserie Sadaharu Aoki. Cool!

It would be cool to see you visit, Aogashima. It's said to have an estimated population of 170 people and the last google images that were taken were around the year of 2018.

Welp, that's on my must go list....
Thank you for showing these places!!! ❤️ Absolutely gorgeous 🥰 oh and the food too.

Video has more of a classic Abroad in Japan vibe. 10/10 would watch again.

It's absolutely amazing to experience such a different perspective on life and the surrounding beauty. Almost feels like under all the things from day-to-day life, we forget to take a breath and absorb instead of being sucked into the craziness. Thank you for sharing this and I wish you all the best :)

Lovely video, very enjoyable. Beautiful scenery, really looked like being back in the past. I'd appreciate more videos of this type, please.

I could never get enough of these travel videos, a slice of the past in a modern context showcasing the beauty that is Japan.

Your shots are always so beautiful, the production quality is truly on par with what I used to see on like tv reports or documentaries (but even better bc of the fun commentary 😊)
This also straight up went to my japan travel recs haha I'd love to hike a part of that trail! It looks so calm and just remote enough for what I need in my life atm...

I did the Tsumago-Magome section of the trail with a girlfriend about 15 years ago. Was a glorious experience. And… one of the Minshuku (traditional bed and breakfast) that we stayed included some special items in the Teishoku (meal on a tray). Basashi and Inago-- raw horse meat and fried locust😮

Watching Abroad in Japan finally in Japan. Thanks Chris for all the wonderful videos through the years.