Why I AVOID Eating 7-Eleven Onigiri Rice Balls 🍙 |  

20:15 is where the rice balls are talked about

I usually listen to the podcast on my way to work, so unfortunately I can't give these new videos the watchtime they deserve, but I have to say, having a comment section to read other's thoughts on it is a really welcome change. It's something I thoroughly missed in the past hundreds of episodes.

Fun fact: you just learned about Japan from guys that were not in Japan at the time of recording! This is indeed is the best podcast to learn about Japan without being there 🎉❤

the reason why spherical ice is preferred for spirit forward drinks like whiskey on the rocks or an old-fashioned etc etc is because spherical ice has less surface area in contact with the drink compared to a cube of the same mass thus melting slower and keeping the drink chilled and less diluted for a longer period of time then with a cube of the same mass

Not sure if it’s because you’re in the same room together or just by chance, but the laughs and energy in this episode are great!!

Been listening for like 2.5 years now, I plan to mainly still listen to audio but it is kinda nice to see a video version of the podcast every now and then

Hi Chris, it's really nice to see your faces in these podcasts! Although I think I'd prefer to see both of you in the same frame, instead of the camera switching back and forth. Cause, podcast is a form of where you guys have a conversation, rather than an interview or any other video. I think it would be easier as well on the editing side, just put both camera perspective side by side for the entire episode, and just put necessary photos/images that you guys are talking about. Please give it a thought!

A chronicle of a ton of different summer festivals sounds really interesting. I'd love a video like that.

The people who get the breastfeeding version of the book are truly blessed.

Just in time for AbroadinUK and almost in time for PeteInJapan!

Chris Should have got Conner with his best VA voice to read his book for the audio book version 🤣

At the Piccadilly book signing I told you about a train through a mountain gorge in Kyoto! It’s called the Sagano scenic train , you wanted me to msg you that haha

Need a copy of Abreast in japan

Wishing for a sequel, relating more stories, whimsical or feel-good or cautionary tales, from your time in Japan - friends, travel, business, love it all

Recently put a TV in my garage gym, seeing you handsome boys gives me strength 💪

Pete's weed face and Chris's singing face are the real selling points of the podcast being on YT now

thing with chris's book is ive watched him so much that i can read it in his voice and mannerisms and i think its quite accurate too.

I just love being able to see you guys as well as listen. It was a great idea.

Dear Curvy Chris and Pointy Pete, Although you still haven't officially lifted the 'bear ban' that Chris previously imposed, with the news of Cockroach flavoured onigiri and the story of Lucy the Piñacolada girl, this episode, as always, has been thoroughly entertaining and profoundly informative. And don't worry Pete, the football ramble is just as much of a riveting book as AIJ even though it is not a Sunday Times best-selling work. Thanking you, Sayantan.

Do you get more money if I watch here or listen on Spotify? I've listened for like 4 years, but I'll watch here instead if you get a little extra cheddar.

My Review of the Book (almost no spoilers) As a long-time viewer of the channel and occasional Patreon supporter, it was obvious that this book was Chris's product, and I found myself listening to his voice in my head as I read the book. Many stories have been mentioned in videos here and there on his channel and on Patreon, but the book fleshes them out beautifully, providing context, and the fact that while reading the book I could visualize what he was writing about thanks to various clips from his videos made the book even more enjoyable. It may be because I've rewatched most videos on his channel more than 5 times each, and a lot of the patron community live streams, but sometimes I found myself wanting the ratio of told vs untold stories to be a little more towards the latter. If you are a long-time viewer, there are still many stories in the book that you haven't heard of, and the ones that you have are given more life and introspection than in the RU-vid videos, so it is definitely worth reading. This is a nostalgic book that makes you feel nostalgia for an experience you didn't have, and I found myself tearing up at the airport scene in Sakata. My only hope is that the later years in Chris's life in Japan, which don't feature much in the book, have not been less enjoyable due to the increasing success of his hobby turning into a full-time job. The only thing I would have liked to see added, would be a couple more chapters regarding the more recent years of his life, and get a little more than the big events that I had already heard about on RU-vid (e.g., the earthquake, Hyde, and Ken Watanabe). Whether talking about potential shifts in his mindset and purpose, or just smaller recent stories, it would have been a very welcome addition. But I am just a greedy fan that finished the book in two days, a book that I never wanted to end. Thank you for the incredible experience, Chris, I will come back to this book regularly in the future, whenever I need a reminder to escape my daily routine and do something different. I absolutely recommend reading this book not only to fans of the Abroad in Japan channel, but also to people who want to get an idea of what the JET programme is like, what rural life in Japan is like for a foreigner, and most importantly to anyone who hesitates to take on a big adventure. While reading, I was ready for my next adventure, and it prompted me to reflect on what the big moments have been in my own life. It also made me leave my house on a Sunday morning and take the train to a nearby town just to have coffee by the sea, finish the book there, and get a sense of adventure before the weekly routine rolls in tomorrow.

You're welcome. I've been enjoying the podcast so thank you

I love this on in the background and still listen to the Pod in the car

Congratulations Chris! Greetings from me and my mom from Uruguay! We all love you here, I hope the signing goes well!

Cant always watch your guys videos but always catch the podcasts during my drive. Keep up the good work

love this podcast, particularly the frequency, in fact i could even go for 3 a week

Would absolutely love to watch a series on festivals Chris

Pete pretending to be the cockroach "are you youtuber?" Made me die laughing 😂

On the topic of rats in Japan (or just in general): in any big city, you can pretty much expect rats either in supermarkets or around restaurants. You may not see them, but they are there. Anything food-related in a huge city will attract them. Take a walk through 3-chome in Shinjuku at like 12 to 1am and you will find yourself a lot of rat friends!

Absolutely love the podcast, I’ve been listening for years. Have you ever considered doing an audio only version of the podcast??

Looking forward for the audiobook and hope you enjoy your time back in the UK

speaking of food in izakaya.. I remember my first parttime job in an izakaya I quit after a week without getting paiyed. they literaly had droped food and put in up (3 seconds rool) from the dirty flor and served it.. I hated that job

Thanks for the quick upload time! I don't much listen to the video version because it's uploaded 2 days later but now I have no excuse

New studio looks amazing

Love you guys. Awesome podcast.

Congratulations on the book. You're an inspiration to all.

I'm pretty excited for the book. I haven't bought a physical copy yet, but i have pre-ordered the audiobook. 😀

Chris new book titty abroad : discovering breastfeeding around the world

currently reading your book, i like the way you write. Witty and insightful.

Love these podcasts, this is my source of the news.

I'm so excited to actually see Pete! I listen in the shower and while i get ready for my day. Congratulations guys.

Congratulations Chris!!

I died laughing when Chris was talking about the cockroach following him and Pete does the "Are you RU-vidr?" voice, LOL! Great podcast/video guys! Nice to see you were able to get together before Pete's trip to Japan.

Peacock Pete has one amazing jersey on! I'm more into Sanfrecce Hiroshima but Shimizu S-Pulse has a little spot in my otherwise purple heart. These podcasts are a lifesaver. I love to put this on the background and listen lads talking this and that. Keep up the good work!

Good to see Pete and Chris in the same studio! Congrats for Chris as Book got listed as number one.

Well done on the book sales Chris'

I'm opening the package the book arrived in as I'm listening to this, cheers lads.

Pre ordered the audio book weeks ago... no pressure Chris!

I keep looking for your book here in Australian bookstores. It is sold out everywhere I look, Nicely done.

Absolutly love this podcast These guys will keep it going till 2042

The rice ball story is horrifying. When we were in Tokyo in 2017 my wife and I stayed at the Tokyo Grand Hotel and every morning, before taking the train to our destination for each day we'd stop by 7-Eleven, get an Onigiri Rice Ball and coffee in one of those pre-packaged cups or from the outside vending machine (I've scoured many US Asian markets to no avail to get the same milk-coffee they had there). Now we have a kit and occasionally make them ourselves at home which honestly- if done right- is just the same if not better. What is one Japanese food you've found yourself, if any, enjoying more homemade (including by friends as we're all aware of your cooking skills Chris haha) than food from a store or restaurant? A stand out for us has been okonomiyaki- I know there are great spots to have it in Tokyo, but we unfortunately didn't enjoy that as much as having it made by friends and ourselves.

Festivals, you missed the famous Kanamara Matsuri Festival in Kawasaki, "Festival of the Steel Phallus"!

Congrats on the best-selling book!!!!

I always wanted to eat those 1kg Onigiri. Now, I'll think twice. 😅 Thanks for the great content, wish you the very best!

Now the book is a success, and you are not keen doing another one, take the lazy route and do a redux version with a photo insert, and perhaps a sticker on the front 'Soon to be a Major Motion Picture'. The obvious one is Chris Broad's Travel Guide to Japan, where you adapt your existing research from your RU-vid channel

Loving the book so far

Speaking of festivals, I would LOVE to see if Chris can find a town that does the new years Namahage tradition!! I love it, we did a little version of our own to scare our kids into behaving for the upcoming year and honestly way better results than Santa 👀

This video pops up 3 days before I go to Japan the topic seems interesting😄

I've been living in Japan for nearly 4 years now and I'm not a city person either. Which is why I'm gonna be moving to the beach!

Next book: "The next 10 years in Japan" 😄😉😃👍

Best thing about listening to the pod for awhile is learning who the random lad is that showed up in a few vids and how wonderful his understanding of the world is. JP slander is always appreciated

What a beautiful S-Pulse shirt. Amazing

Dear Chris, thank you for your continued normalizing and educating on breastfeeding. Your mum friends appreciate you 👍

The video version audio is good. On the audio version for this episode Chris’s mic sounded like his levels were turned all the way up.

It’s funny, after all these years of listening to the podcast through the podcast app I always thought it would be awesome to see a live video recording… and it is! The funny part is I still usually listen at bedtime with the phone face down on the side table while the video plays. 😅 Still love the option of watching the antics.

One week till the book signing in Nottingham

I love that my favorite mixed drink is the same as Chris’s: Moscow mule. You can’t go wrong with ginger beer, lime and vodka. And I love the copper mug it’s usually served in. If you’ve never had one, I highly recommend giving it a try.

The speakeasy is called Bar Nayuta! Bit difficult to find even with google maps, but the drinks are banging! 🍹🍸

OK, very worth it seeing Pete´s face when speaking about weed xD This makes the Podcast Videos worth it 🙌

literally just finished the prev ep naisu

IMO: If in doubt order an Gin&tonic

I would definitely watch videos about the various festivals. When you are coming or going is it green or white? 🤣

I remember the first time I saw Pete in a video after listening to the podcast for awhile. He turned out to look exactly like how I imagined!!! 😊

Sounds like Bar Nayuta ...... visited it in March '23 and it was bloody brilliant. Tell them what spirits and flavours you like and they whip up a fabulous cocktail. A great experience, highly recommended. Loved the onigiri's .... would 'risk it for a biscuit' even after the cockroach story 😂 Love the podcast chaps xxx

xD damn nice show

If you can't write a sequel Chris, you could always try your hand at fiction. Maybe a story about a girl living in her auntie and uncles attic, where a strange man turns up saying she is an alien or something.

How peripatetic of Mr. Affable to be back home with Pete for this podcast.

Great podcast, had a good chuckle with the shitting on weed, then going about fantastic cocktails for several minutes before news lol.

Pete broke the Stevie Ray golden rule , no liquids in the podcast studio 😂

"And that's why you should always travel with a pineapple🍍".... LMAO

When's the book coming out in Canada?

I would like very much to see a series of Japanese festival videos.

It's nice (and kinda weird) to finally see the video version, after listening to the podcast for like 2 years.

Cockroaches - Lived in southern Japan in the 80s, and cockroaches were plentiful. Perhaps in the northern areas they are less common.

Tried to order your book in the US. A couple of days later I got the email that it was sold out :( Congrats though!!

Ohh yeah? you read all your comments Chris? well, read THIS! D:

Put the audio podcasts all up on this site.

Chris I was wondering when you did your cycle across Japan, did you travel down the Shimanami Kaido. Also is your book on audio? Being visually Impaired that would make it easier to read. If it is on audio, yours will be my second book written by an ex-pat about Japan. The first was At home in Japan, by Rebecca Otowa.

i want to see pete famous car

lmfao, I was reading the reviews and did see the "there's blood on my book!" review, didn't put me off I'll buy it lol

I love how British people ask you to confirm what they just said -- "Its a bloody good book, isn't it?" "There's nothing more to write, is there?"

I have always wondered why Chris does not make videos about Japanese festivals.

Is Pete a professionel gamer? I am fairly new to this Podcast. Great Podcast, by the way. 😃👍

A couple of years ago I found a worm inside of a chocolate packaging. Yummy...

Damn I wanted to try the conbini rice balls when I go in November 😅

I hope you start writing a points list so you can start reaching the one hour, to one hour thirty minutes range. I think that's going to the biggest hurdle to overcome

Chris, would you like to buy an AKIYA in Japan?

Is the broken sound my end or yours?

Finding something seriously wrong with Japanese food is VERY unusual. The image of Chris peering through a door peephole at a cockroach waiting outside for him is HILARIOUS.....

All the talk of cocktails had me thinking 🧐 of a little bar in Shibuya that runs open mic nights (mainly rock) and they have a cocktail list that is all famous rock/punk ect musicians e.g. a Jimmie Hendrix is served in a manhatern glass and has a shimmering purple haze colour, where as a Jonny Rotton is in a plain tumbler looks vaguely gray/yellow but tasets strong and like Anarchy has been let loose 🤘