Abroad in Japan: Ten Years in the Land of the Rising Sun

Chris Broad recounts his shift from a bored IT professional in London to a documentarian living in rural Yamagata. The narrative traces a decade of cultural immersion, beginning with the challenges of teaching English through the JET Programme and evolving into a career documenting every prefecture in Japan. He details specific experiences like surviving the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, filming with local craftsmen in hidden mountain villages, and enduring the eccentricities of Japanese office etiquette. The account focuses on the logistical realities of high-speed rail travel, the nuances of regional ramen varieties, and the complex social dynamics of being a long-term foreign resident.

People planning an extended move to East Asia or those interested in the reality of professional content creation will find practical value here. Readers gain an unsentimental look at Japanese bureaucracy, language acquisition hurdles, and the loneliness of rural isolation. Instead of a romanticized vacation guide, this book provides a blueprint for navigating life in a different culture. You walk away with a realistic understanding of how to bridge the gap between being a confused outsider and finding a sense of belonging in a rigid society.