Author: Chris Broad
Genre: Travel Memoir, Nonfiction, Humour
Ideal For: Fans of Abroad in Japan (the YouTube channel), readers curious about Japanese culture, travelers seeking honest and funny expat stories, and anyone who enjoys memoirs that balance comedy with insight.
Why I Picked Up Abroad in Japan
Some travel books are guidebooks, packed with practical itineraries and tips. Others are memoirs, blending personal experiences with broader reflections. Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad manages to be both and something more: it’s a witty, honest, and deeply engaging account of one man’s journey of culture shock, discovery, and adaptation in one of the most fascinating countries on earth.
For readers familiar with Broad’s popular YouTube channel of the same name, this book is a natural extension of his storytelling. But you don’t need to be a subscriber to enjoy it. What makes Abroad in Japan shine is Broad’s ability to capture the joys and frustrations of expat life in Japan with warmth, humor, and humility. It’s not simply about sightseeing or quirky anecdotes; it’s a reflection on what it means to live between cultures, to misunderstand and learn, and ultimately to fall in love with a place that is both foreign and home.
Plot Summary (Spoiler‑Free)
Unlike a traditional travelogue with a chronological itinerary, Abroad in Japan unfolds in loosely connected chapters that each explore a different aspect of life in Japan. Broad recounts his arrival in rural northern Japan through the JET Programme, a government initiative that places foreigners in schools as English teachers.
From there, the book becomes a tapestry of stories: the awkward challenges of teaching in a small town, the confusions of etiquette, the joys of Japanese food, the strangeness of public baths, and the adventures of traveling across the country by bike and train. Along the way, he introduces the reader to colorful characters—both Japanese locals and fellow foreigners—who enrich and complicate his journey.
What ties it all together is Broad’s self-deprecating humor. Whether describing his first encounter with fermented natto or his struggles with the Japanese language, he never takes himself too seriously. Yet beneath the laughs is a genuine respect for Japan and an honest exploration of the ups and downs of life abroad.
Writing Style and Atmosphere
Chris Broad’s writing style is exactly what fans of his videos would expect: witty, conversational, and unfiltered. He has a knack for turning even mundane experiences into entertaining stories. A simple trip to the convenience store becomes a cultural deep dive; a minor mistake in the classroom becomes a meditation on cross-cultural communication.
The atmosphere shifts easily from laugh-out-loud funny to tender and thoughtful. His descriptions of Japan’s landscapes—the neon-lit chaos of Tokyo, the snowy stillness of Tohoku, the serenity of shrines tucked in the countryside—are vivid and immersive. It feels less like reading a book and more like sitting in a bar with a friend as they recount the best stories of their travels.
Themes and Emotional Resonance
At its heart, Abroad in Japan is not just about Japan but about the universal experience of living outside one’s comfort zone. Several themes stand out:
- Culture Shock and Adaptation: Broad captures the bewilderment of trying to navigate a culture with different rules, from bowing etiquette to vending machines that sell everything under the sun.
- Humility and Learning: The book is filled with moments where he gets things wrong, sometimes hilariously, sometimes painfully. What makes the narrative compelling is how these mistakes become opportunities for growth.
- Belonging and Identity: The longer he stays in Japan, the more he grapples with the question of what it means to belong in a place where he will always, in some sense, be an outsider.
- The Joy of Discovery: From culinary adventures to hidden corners of the countryside, Broad conveys the thrill of stumbling upon something unexpected and wonderful.
The emotional resonance comes from the honesty of these reflections. Many readers who have lived abroad—or even just traveled extensively—will recognise themselves in his stories. For those who haven’t, the book offers a candid window into what that life feels like.
Characters
Though Abroad in Japan is a memoir, it features a lively cast of characters who bring the narrative to life.
Chris Broad himself is the central figure, portrayed with humor and vulnerability. He doesn’t shy away from sharing his flaws and insecurities, which makes him a relatable and endearing narrator. Japanese colleagues and students provide some of the funniest and most touching moments, from the awkwardness of language barriers to the warmth of unexpected friendships. Fellow expats serve as mirrors, showing the different ways foreigners adapt—or fail to adapt—to life in Japan. Some embrace the culture wholeheartedly; others resist it at every turn.
Together, these characters turn the book from a solo travelogue into a tapestry of voices and perspectives.
Why This Book Stands Out
There are many books about Japan written by foreigners, but Abroad in Japan stands out for several reasons:
- Humour without Condescension: Broad pokes fun at his own mistakes more than he does at Japanese culture, making the humor feel respectful and inclusive.
- Balance of Entertainment and Insight: The book is entertaining enough to read on a plane but insightful enough to leave you thinking long after.
- Relatable Honesty: Unlike glossy travel writing that only shows the highlights, Broad is refreshingly open about the loneliness, confusion, and missteps that are part of expat life.
For fans of travel writing, this balance makes the book both enjoyable and meaningful.
You’ll Love This Book If You Enjoy…
- Fans of Chris Broad’s YouTube channel looking for deeper stories behind the videos
- Readers interested in Japanese culture, from food to festivals to daily life
- Aspiring travelers or expats curious about what it’s really like to live abroad
- Anyone who enjoys humorous memoirs that balance entertainment with heartfelt reflection
Final Thoughts
Chris Broad’s Abroad in Japan is a rare travel memoir that manages to be hilarious, insightful, and deeply human all at once. It captures the thrill of discovery and the discomfort of dislocation, the joy of connection and the sting of isolation. Most of all, it celebrates the messy, beautiful process of learning to see the world—and oneself—through new eyes.
For me, the book worked both as an introduction to Japan and as a mirror reflecting the universal challenges of stepping into a new culture. It made me laugh, it made me reflect, and by the end, it made me want to pack a bag and hop on the next plane.
This is travel writing at its best: personal, honest, and endlessly engaging. Whether you’re planning a trip to Japan, dreaming about one, or simply curious about what life abroad feels like, Abroad in Japan is a must-read.
