NEW! How Abroad in Japan Can Change You From A Tourist to A Traveller

Japan’s surface beauty captivates first-time visitors, but return travellers seek deeper experiences beyond shines and cherry blossoms.

Chris Broad’s memoir Abroad in Japan offers a brutally honest guide to genuine cultural immersion.

His messy, confusing, sometimes heartbreaking journey provides valuable lessons for anyone planning a more meaningful exploration of Japan.

In this guide I’ll show some powerful ways you can use Chris’ book to improve your future travels in Japan, including my personal travel tips and some practical resources you can use to add more meaning to your travels.

When Broad landed in Tokyo to start his JET Programme assignment, he wasn’t prepared for what awaited him. Instead of a glamorous urban posting, he ended up in rural Yamagata Prefecture, surrounded by rice fields, mountains, and a steep language barrier.

He describes his arrival frankly:

“It’s one thing to read about a place, but experiencing it firsthand is something else entirely.”

There’s a powerful truth here: real connection with a place happens when you give up control. Broad couldn’t ‘curate’ his experience the way ‘influencers’ curate their Instagram feeds. He was dropped into rural Japan with only a few Japanese phrases, a suitcase, and a willingness to figure it out.

👉 Travel Tip: If you’re planning a second or third trip to Japan, don’t just stick to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Venture into lesser-known regions like Tohoku, Shikoku, or Kyushu. Consider adding destinations that feel a little intimidating. Say yes to the unknown.

Resource: Check out my guide to Hachimantai: Northern Tohoku’s Next Must See Destination?

One thing Broad captures brilliantly is how overwhelming Japan can be at first – and how important it is to lean into that.

He writes:

“It’s not just what we see, but what we smell, hear, and feel that truly brings a place to life.”

He describes Tokyo’s intense humidity, the unique scent of tatami mats*, the sound of cicadas screeching in the countryside. None of these are “beautiful” in the traditional travel guide sense. But they are real.

*(Broad isn’t alone on not being fond of the smell of tatami, but I’ve always liked it. For me, it’s one of the defining ‘smells of Japan’.)

👉 Travel Tip: Instead of planning every moment, leave time to sit in a local park, wander some backstreet markets, or listen to the nighttime sounds of a small village or town (watch the video below for an example). These sensory memories will stay with you longer than photos of famous sites.

Resource: Take a look at Going Beyond Tokyo – Why It Pays To Be Bold

Broad’s early struggles with Japanese led to endless awkward (and often hilarious) moments. But instead of viewing these as failures, he realised they were essential steps toward real connection.

He shares how in Japan, ‘chinmoku’ – silence – is a normal part of communication. At his first meeting with a school principal, he panicked during long silences, thinking he’d offended someone, only to learn later that silence was a sign of respect and consideration.

👉 Travel Tip: When faced with awkward moments – mispronouncing a menu item, misunderstanding instructions, feeling out of place – smile, excuse yourself, and stay open to the responses you receive. These moments often create the most meaningful memories. I’ve dozens of them.

Resource: Save time and minimise stress by picking up the eBook and Audiobook bundle of my bestselling title “How To Travel in Japan Without Speaking Japanese“

Many travellers learn about bowing, taking off shoes, and using honorifics. But Broad’s experience showed that deeper cultural dynamics – like group harmony versus individualism – are far more important to understand.

He writes about struggling to adapt his teaching style because calling on individual students directly could cause embarrassment, unlike the Western emphasis on individual performance. He learned that in Japan, the group often comes first – a value that shapes everything from classroom behaviour to social gatherings.

👉 Travel Tip: In Japan, read the room carefully. Watch how locals behave before jumping in. Small actions like letting others board a train before you or lowering your voice in restaurants show deep respect for this group-centered culture. Seeking to blend in rather than stand out while in Japan will go a long way in transforming how you experience the country.

Resource: Learn the basics of manners in Japan by reading my guide Top 7 Etiquette Tips For Travelling in Japan.

5. Social challenges exist beneath the surface

Japan is often portrayed as a harmonious society, but Broad doesn’t shy away from exploring its challenges too. He shares a heartbreaking story about a student who took their own life due to ‘ijime’ (bullying), driven by pressures to conform.

It’s a sobering reminder that no country is perfect – and every culture has struggles that aren’t obvious to tourists.

👉 Travel Tip: Approach Japan (or any culture) with humility. Beauty and pain often exist side-by-side. Traveling with open eyes and compassion leads to deeper understanding – and helps avoid treating cultures as one-dimensional.

Resource: A visit to Hiroshima will open your eyes to the lasting impact caused by the first atomic bomb.

6. Late nights at the izakaya: true cultural lessons

One of Broad’s greatest teachers wasn’t a textbook – it was late-night drinking sessions at local izakaya (Japanese pubs).

In Japan, ‘nomunication’ – socialising over drinks (nomu means drink in Japanese) – helps people open up. Broad found that while formal interactions during the day could feel rigid, after a few drinks, people would drop their guard, share their lives, and offer real friendship.

He shares:

“Beyond the tourist brochures and textbooks, I was picking up slang, learning about social customs, and experiencing that unique blend of camaraderie and formality.”

I’ve spent a good number of evenings in izakaya since my first visit to Japan in 2000 and, to this day, few things will make you feel more like you’re blending in with the locals. Highly recommended.

👉 Travel Tip: Don’t just sightsee. Eat where the locals eat. Even if you don’t drink, consider visiting a tiny izakaya or neighborhood restaurant. A simple shared meal can reveal more about a culture than any museum ever could.

Resource: Get the low down on Japan’s craft beer scene in my guide Japanese Craft Beer – A Beginner’s Guide

7. You will change – and that’s the point

At the heart of Abroad in Japan is the idea that immersion changes you. Broad didn’t just learn Japanese or adapt to social norms – he fundamentally rethought his assumptions about success, happiness, and belonging.

By the end of the book, he reflects:

“Growth often involves taking risks and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones.”

👉 Travel Tip: Let Japan change you. Let travel change you. Don’t cling to who you were or what you experienced on your first trip. Next time, when you step off the plane be open to the idea that each new experience, each moment of humility, each small triumph will weave into a new, deeper understanding of yourself and Japan.

Resource: Read this guest post by Ryan Biddulph: How To Think Differently About Travel (And Why)

Final thoughts on travel inspiration from Abroad in Japan

Chris Broad’s Abroad in Japan isn’t just a memoir. It’s a practical guide to how travel – real travel, not just tourism – can expand your heart and mind.

If you’ve already fallen in love with Japan and want to experience it on a deeper level, his book is a valuable resource – honest, funny, sometimes painful, often insightful.

If Chris Broad’s story has you dreaming of a deeper, more meaningful journey through Japan, why not make your next trip your best yet? My Concierge Service offers tailor-made planning, insider recommendations, and expert guidance to craft your perfect Japan adventure – whether you’re chasing artisan experiences, hidden countryside gems, or seamless logistics. Learn more and start planning here: Concierge – enjoy a seamless journey into The Real Japan.

Have you ever faced a travel experience that pushed you outside your comfort zone and led to personal growth?
Leave a comment below and tell me about it – I’d love to hear your story and maybe I’ll feature it in a future post or YouTube video.

Further Reading

Going Beyond Tokyo – Why It Pays To Be Bold

Hachimantai: Northern Tohoku’s Next Must See Destination?

Hiroshima City Guide

How To Think Differently About Travel (And Why)

Japanese Craft Beer – A Beginner’s Guide

Top 7 Etiquette Tips For Travelling in Japan

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad – buy the hardback on Amazon

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad – buy the paperback on Amazon

Abroad in Japan by Chris Broad – buy the audiobook on Amazon

Recommended Resources

Concierge – enjoy a seamless journey into The Real Japan

Travel Planning Support – Personalised email Q+A to build a better trip

eBook & Audiobook: “How To Travel in Japan Without Speaking Japanese”

https://www.therealjapan.com/store

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