abroad in japan book review guardian

Abroad in Japan

By Chris Broad Bantam (2023) ISBN-13: 978-1787637078

Review by cameron bassindale.

In the more than 10 years since he began his rise to Japanese YouTube super stardom, amassing almost 3 million subscribers along the way, Chris Broad of the immensely popular Abroad in Japan channel has made documentaries, appeared on NHK television programmes, and cycled the length of Japan. Now, he has written a book. Abroad in Japan charts Broad’s journey through the JET programme, teaching in a high school in a far-flung corner of Tohoku through to the present day, where he educates and entertains his legions of Japan-mad fans. Published by Bantam (Penguin Books) and now on The Sunday Times best-sellers list, readers can expect a considered, interesting, and often hilarious read throughout.

I have had the pleasure of being on this journey with Chris for the past decade, watching his videos go from pixelated rants about Japanese fast food in a tiny tatami room in Sakata to the highly produced, well-polished travel content he produces today. His abilities as a filmmaker and YouTuber are well established, but can he write?

The short answer is a resounding yes. You would be forgiven for thinking the whole book is a transcript of one long Abroad in Japan video, such is the strength of his voice shining through. For people familiar with his work, Broad’s quintessentially British jibes and withering self-criticisms are wheeled out in full force and are instantly recognisable. The fact that, as I was reading, I could picture in my head Chris’ body language and hear his distinctive home counties accent is a testament to how strongly his personality and joie de vivre is imbued in the book. Readers unfamiliar with Broad’s videos will find a narrator who is funny, engaging and refreshingly self-deprecating.

Fortunately, Abroad in Japan is helped along not just by its quirky narration but also by its genuinely bizarre situations. Within the space of a handful of chapters, Broad climbs Mt. Fuji, gives a speech about Family Mart fried chicken to hundreds of (presumably bemused) people and travels around Harajuku looking for a man famous for pushing nine Siamese cats around in a pram. Broad keeps the theme light and frothy for the most part and does not linger too long on any story, being no mean feat in what it is essentially an autobiography.

He does handle the more serious topics with gravity, however. When a student attempts suicide at the start of his second year of teaching, or when he receives a terrifying (false) nuclear missile alarm. I am not surprised, as in Broad’s videos he does not shy away from more serious topics, and usually does so with sensitivity. Readers will appreciate Abroad in Japan ’s brief changes in tone, before Broad inevitably steers the narrative back towards eating, drinking and smoking.

Where the book does fall a little short, I am sad to say, is in its overall goal. I am not entirely sure who it was written for; it tries a little to be all things to all people. I went in with the expectation that it was written for fans of the Abroad in Japan channel. As such, I couldn’t help but skip past the bits about how different convenience stores are in Japan, or Broad’s sometimes clunky explanations of the Japanese social hierarchical culture. Interesting, for sure, but topics most people familiar with the Abroad in Japan channel, or an interest in Japan at all, have probably come across numerous times. Clumsy phrasing at points (two groups of people fall into a “chorus of snores” in a bus and then a hotel within two pages) gave me the impression that Abroad in Japan would have benefited from more editorial oversight.

All things considered, any issues I found with this book didn’t at all impact my enjoyment of it. For a first book, Chris Broad can most certainly hold his head up high. His unromantic descriptions of feeling totally in over your head, riding an emotional rollercoaster everyday will make even the most seasoned Japan “lifer” wistful for the time they first stepped off the plane and into a new world. For those who have yet to live in Japan, or for those who never will, Abroad in Japan is as realistic a depiction of a Brit in modern Japan as you are likely to come across.

• Writing, Research & Publishing Guides

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Audiobook Price: $17.79 $17.79

Save: $6.30 $6.30 (35%)

Buy for others

Buying and sending ebooks to others.

• Select quantity
• Buy and send eBooks
• Recipients can read on any device

These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold.

Sorry, there was a problem.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Abroad in Japan: The No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller Kindle Edition

THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 'Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory..Endlessly fascinating!' Will Ferguson, author of Hokkaido Highway Blues '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.' Iain Maloney, author of The Only Gaijin in the Village 'Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny..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 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. Number one Sunday Times bestseller, August 2023

• Print length 298 pages
• Language English
• Sticky notes On Kindle Scribe
• Publisher Transworld Digital
• Publication date August 1, 2023
• File size 2589 KB
• Page Flip Enabled
• Word Wise Enabled
• Enhanced typesetting Enabled
• See all details

Customers who bought this item also bought

Editorial Reviews

About the author, product details.

• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BPHC3K9S
• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Transworld Digital (August 1, 2023)
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 1, 2023
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• File size ‏ : ‎ 2589 KB
• Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
• Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
• Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
• Print length ‏ : ‎ 298 pages
• Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1787637085
• #8 in Japanese Travel
• #19 in Travel Humor (Kindle Store)
• #34 in Travel Writing

About the author

Chris broad.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 74% 20% 6% 0% 1% 74%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 74% 20% 6% 0% 1% 20%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 74% 20% 6% 0% 1% 6%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 74% 20% 6% 0% 1% 0%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 74% 20% 6% 0% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book fun, insightful, and interesting. They describe it as fantastic, entertaining, and well-written. Readers also find the writing style poignant, heartwarming, and moving.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book fun, interesting, and enjoyable. They appreciate the stories intertwined with whimsical and sometimes harrowing anecdotes that bring out the essence of the book. Readers describe the book as captivating, hilarious, and incredibly moving.

"...reinvent the wheel or talk down to the reader and the result is a comfortable book that you don't want to put down until you have completed the last..." Read more

"...It was truly a pleasure to read !" Read more

"...a holistic view of Broad's journey, intertwined with whimsical and sometimes harrowing anecdotes that bring out the essence of his experiences in..." Read more

"Vibrant color, hardcover seems durable and a very good read " Read more

Customers find the book fantastic, funny, interesting, and entertaining.

"This book is like the the channel: funny, interesting, and above all , entertaining...." Read more

"...So far I can’t put the book down. Do yourself a favor and read this fantastic book ." Read more

"...For the rest of us, it's just a decent , well-written book." Read more

"...This is written so well and I found myself laughing and crying. One of the best books I've read all year...." Read more

Customers find the writing style well-written and engaging. They also say the book is an easy read with interesting stories.

"A very entertaining and easily readable book that does not leave out the downsides of moving to and living in Japan...." Read more

"...10+ year journey of living in Japan, though highs and lows, is conveyed wonderfully , from coming to Japan as an assistant English teacher with the..." Read more

"Chris's writing was really enjoyable . I found the book (in combination with the audio book, which is voiced by him) was difficult to put down...." Read more

"...For the rest of us, it's just a decent, well-written book ." Read more

Customers find the book inspiring, poignant, and heartwarming. They say it's captivating, hilarious, and incredibly moving. Readers also mention the book provides great lessons in taking on new opportunities.

"...Captivating, hilarious, and incredibly moving , I found myself with tears in my eyes when it came time to reading the epilogue...." Read more

"...Not only was this book a pleasure to read, but it has also been inspirational too . Sometimes you have to take a chance and explore...." Read more

"...and love of the little things in life in this ever witty, yet ever poignant book ...." Read more

"... Great lessons in taking on new opportunities ...." Read more

Customers find the book undeniably real, brutally honest, and depicts an authentic real-life Japan.

"...It's a ride that's sometimes smooth, at times bumpy, but undeniably real ." Read more

"... Brutally honest , sharing every bit of his time in Japan from the embarrassing to the sad, and sarcastic as ever, Chris Broad’s book really shows..." Read more

"...He depicts an authentic real-life Japan , not just what Westerners think Japan should be...." Read more

Reviews with images

Romantic Romanji, Kanji, Hiragana, and Katakana Tour of Japan

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

Report an issue

• About Amazon
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell products on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Become an Affiliate
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Amazon and COVID-19
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices

• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices

Abroad in Japan

Japan's Biggest Morning Market

Video Aomori

Chris and Ryotaro from 'Abroad in Japan' head up to Hachinohe to check out the biggest morning market in Japan. Who wants squid mouth? Not Chris.

Could the Tomb of Christ Be Hiding in Aomori?

Tohoku Resorts Aomori

Located roughly three hours north of Tokyo by bullet train, the isolated village of Shingo claims to be home to the 'Tomb of Christ.' We sent Chris Broad of Abroad in Japan to get to the bottom of this mystery.

This website uses cookies.

Chris Broad

Abroad in japan.

Select a format:

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

About the  author

Sign up to the penguin newsletter.

By signing up, I confirm that I'm over 16. To find out what personal data we collect and how we use it, please visit our Privacy Policy

MariaTheMillennial

Literature, Languages and Philosophy

Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun | Book Review

I have been searching for the right book about Japan even before I visited the country. I wanted to read something that would prepare me for my trip, and after my visit, I wanted a book that would understand my experiences there. However, such a book was hard to find. Here and there I read some interesting articles or found some valuable information in a book, but it was never really complete or just barely touching the surface. Until… One of my favourite YouTubers of all time wrote a book about his experiences of the ten years that he spent living in the Land of the Rising Sun. I am talking about Chris Broad from the channel Abroad in Japan.

Finally, a book about Japan that I was looking for the whole time!

Chris’s memoir of his life in Japan touches on various themes. Chapters may range from funny stories to very awkward moments or serious live questions. I enjoyed every page of this book and I would recommend it to everyone who is interested in living, working, or just travelling in Japan.

If you are familiar with the Abroad in Japan channel and you like that kind of content. Then you are in for a treat! The stories that you will find here are just as filled with humour and sarcasm as the videos that you are used to. This does not mean that Chris’s writing cannot go beyond humour. Multiple serious subjects are presented in this book; the Fukushima disaster, the problem with bullying in Japanese schools, the working culture and many more daily-life hardships.

In one of the chapters, Chris discusses the difficulties of learning the Japanese language. He decides to take part in a speech contest for foreigners living in Japan. This chapter was very inspiring to me. I can’t imagine how difficult it must be to give a speech in Japanese just after one year of studying. The large audience didn’t make it any easier I think. After studying Japanese for three years on my own I am barely able to speak in full sentences for a couple of minutes. And my broken speech is filled with a lot of mistakes. It took me years of learning to be able to speak comfortably in English, but learning English is in no way comparable to learning Japanese.

In my opinion, this book is best read after visiting Japan. It is not a guide on how to plan your trip or how to not be disrespectful of the culture (which many other books/guides/YouTube videos already focus on). On the contrary, it is a perfect book for reflecting on your own experiences. To reminisce the memories that you have made and fall in love with Japan all over again.

Watch my review also on YouTube here .

1984 and the Radicalization Through Literature

Autumn TBR 2024

Reflecting on Literature and Languages #3

Discover more from mariathemillennial.

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Type your email…

Share this:

One thought on “ abroad in japan: ten years in the land of the rising sun | book review ”.

• Pingback: Favourite Reads of 2023 – MariaTheMillennial

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Website Built by WordPress.com .

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

Select your cookie preferences

We use cookies and similar tools that are necessary to enable you to make purchases, to enhance your shopping experiences and to provide our services, as detailed in our Cookie notice . We also use these cookies to understand how customers use our services (for example, by measuring site visits) so we can make improvements.

If you agree, we'll also use cookies to complement your shopping experience across the Amazon stores as described in our Cookie notice . Your choice applies to using first-party and third-party advertising cookies on this service. Cookies store or access standard device information such as a unique identifier. The 96 third parties who use cookies on this service do so for their purposes of displaying and measuring personalized ads, generating audience insights, and developing and improving products. Click "Decline" to reject, or "Customise" to make more detailed advertising choices, or learn more. You can change your choices at any time by visiting Cookie preferences , as described in the Cookie notice. To learn more about how and for what purposes Amazon uses personal information (such as Amazon Store order history), please visit our Privacy notice .

• Politics, Philosophy & Social Sciences
• Social Sciences
• Anthropology

Sorry, there was a problem.

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required .

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Follow the author

Abroad in Japan: The No. 1 Sunday Times Bestseller Paperback – 3 Aug. 2023

THE NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER 'Chris Broad explores Japan in all its quirky glory..Endlessly fascinating!' Will Ferguson, author of Hokkaido Highway Blues '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.' Iain Maloney, author of The Only Gaijin in the Village 'Fascinating, fact-packed and very funny..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 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. Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, August 2023

• Print length 320 pages
• Language English
• Publisher Bantam
• Publication date 3 Aug. 2023
• Dimensions 14.61 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
• ISBN-10 1787637085
• ISBN-13 978-1787637085
• See all details

Product description

From the back cover, about the author.

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.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bantam; 1st edition (3 Aug. 2023)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1787637085
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1787637085
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14.61 x 2.54 x 22.86 cm
• 923 in Computer Scientist Biographies
• 1,549 in Computers & Internet Humour
• 12,922 in Anthropology & Sociology Biographies

About the author

Chris broad.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read author blogs and more

Customer reviews

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 62% 27% 9% 1% 1% 62%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 62% 27% 9% 1% 1% 27%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 62% 27% 9% 1% 1% 9%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 62% 27% 9% 1% 1% 1%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 62% 27% 9% 1% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the book fun, engaging, and amusing. They also say it's full of wonderful insights and information about aspects of daily life. Readers describe the book as phenomenally well-written and hard to put down. They find the content heartfelt, poignant, and touching.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the book fun, engaging, and fascinating. They say it brings back memories of travelling through Japan. Readers also mention the book has plenty of humour and sarcasm. They mention it's well worth buying and provides interesting insights.

"A great book covering some of the adventures, situations, troubles, and problems that bad decision making can result in, after moving to a foreign..." Read more

"I’m giving 4 stars because it’s a fun , easy to read and openly honest approach to life in Japan which was highly enjoyable and certain parts are..." Read more

"Well written … amusing and an easy read" Read more

"...like a light hearted novel than a travel book making it a genuine delight to read ...." Read more

Customers find the book full of wonderful insights and information. They mention it's fascinating and relatable, and offers a unique perspective. Readers also mention the book is inspiring, with much description.

"...written, much smoother than Chris's spoken English (lol), covers a wide range of topics and situations from before his first minutes on Japanese..." Read more

"...where he travels to numerous other places in Japan, which are short but insightful however it won’t appeal to those who want details about Japan as..." Read more

"...A fascinating book with so many difficult facets !" Read more

"... This book is well structured , and it is well written. A worthy best seller." Read more

Customers find the book phenomenally well-written, easy to read, and hard to put down. They say it's a superb precis of life in Japan. Readers also mention the book is informative, realistic, and highly entertaining.

"...The book is well written , much smoother than Chris's spoken English (lol), covers a wide range of topics and situations from before his first..." Read more

" Well written … amusing and an easy read" Read more

"...This book is well structured, and it is well written . A worthy best seller." Read more

"...I found it so interesting, well written and extremely readable...." Read more

Customers find the content heartfelt, poignant, and comforting. They say the genuine gratitude the author has for those who helped him is touching. Readers also mention the writing style is passionate yet not overconfident.

"...In writing style, he's passionate yet not overconfident. He 'speaks' well because he's more considerate of his role - a narrator and witness...." Read more

"...of mystery and intrigue, but everything was so captivating and heart-warming , like I was right there living through the experiences page by..." Read more

"...enjoyed the first half, but after he moves away it becomes less focused and enjoyable ." Read more

"...as I’d hoped, but it was entertaining, interesting and poignant at times ...." Read more

Customers find the videos brilliant and amazing. They say the book is an excellent companion to the videos. Readers also mention the author is an expert content creator.

"...Chris from the start of his career on YouTube and he is an excellent content creator ...." Read more

"...the Abroad in Japan YouTube channel and this book is an excellent companion to the videos ...." Read more

"...The videos were brilliant and helped me prepare for a trip I won't be able to make often...." Read more

"...of Chris for roughly two years now and have always been amazed at the quality of videos he has produced...." Read more

Customers find the book's humor hearty, pleasant, and easy to read. They also say it makes them smile.

"A very pleasant and easy to read book. Ideal holiday food, or hospital waiting rooms. One of the better of its ilk." Read more

"...Chris retells his life in Japan with great affection and humour ...." Read more

"...expat, highlighting the beauty of cultural differences while delivering hearty laughs ...." Read more

"...It's very well written, unsurprisingly as it's by Mr Broad, and will make you smile . A lot." Read more

Customers find the book well-paced, structured, and absorbing. They also say the flow of the book is great.

"...The first part is very slow , detailed and analytical, the second seems rushed and focused on a huge amount of time in a short space...." Read more

"...benefit from a deeper dive, the overall narrative is compelling and well-paced ." Read more

"...But I really enjoyed reading this book and it was well paced and structured chronologically starting from when Chris landed in Japan in the summer..." Read more

"...The flow of the book is great its a really absorbing read." Read more

Reviews with images

Humour and Realism - What's not to like?

• Sort reviews by Top reviews Most recent Top reviews

Top reviews from United Kingdom

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. please try again later..

Top reviews from other countries

• UK Modern Slavery Statement
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell on Amazon Business
• Sell on Amazon Handmade
• Associates Programme
• Fulfilment by Amazon
• Seller Fulfilled Prime
• Advertise Your Products
• Independently Publish with Us
• Host an Amazon Hub
• › See More Make Money with Us
• The Amazon Barclaycard
• Credit Card
• Amazon Money Store
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Payment Methods Help
• Shop with Points
• Top Up Your Account
• Top Up Your Account in Store
• COVID-19 and Amazon
• Track Packages or View Orders
• Delivery Rates & Policies
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Amazon Mobile App
• Customer Service
• Accessibility

• Conditions of Use & Sale
• Privacy Notice
• Cookies Notice
• Interest-Based Ads Notice