This Abroad in Japan book review comes from someone who spent eight years living and working in Japan. I didn’t expect Chris Broad’s memoir to tell me much I didn’t already know. Instead, the book surprised me by feeling less like a tourist-friendly introduction and more like a reflection for people who still have Japan […]
This Abroad in Japan book review comes from someone who spent eight years living and working in Japan. I didn’t expect Chris Broad’s memoir to tell me much I didn’t already know. Instead, the book surprised me by feeling less like a tourist-friendly introduction and more like a reflection for people who still have Japan in their hearts: anyone who has lived through the strange, funny, exhausting, and occasionally beautiful reality of life in Japan.
Maybe I was Wrong?
I received this book as a gift when I was a tour guide in Japan. At the time, I was perplexed. Why would you give a book about living in Japan to someone who has lived there? Hadn’t I already been doing exactly that for the past eight years? Earlier that year, I had received a book titled I May Be Wrong. The irony is, I was wrong about this one. Sitting in Seattle, reading the book, I think I understand the value of the book (Thanks Betty, for the wonderful gift)
At first, I thought Chris wrote strictly for those unfamiliar with the country. The book serves as a great introduction to the culture. Conversely, people who have already spent significant time in Japan will be able to feel and understand what makes this book special. So here’s an Abroad in Japan book review by someone reluctant to read the book.
What is the “Abroad in Japan” Book About? An Overview
Published in 2023, Abroad in Japan is a 320-page memoir written by British YouTuber and former English teacher Chris Broad. The back cover sets the stage for a classic outsider narrative:
“Abroad in Japan charts a decade of living in a foreign land and the chaos and culture clash that come with it. Packed with hilarious and fascinating stories, this book seeks out to unravel one of the world’s most complex cultures.”
The book chronicles a decade-long journey that begins with Chris arriving in the snowy, rural town of Sakata in northern Japan. A JET program participant, Chris had zero teaching experience. Even more surprising he had no knowledge of the Japanese language or culture. The first half of the book focuses on his early years navigating intense culture shock, complex language barriers, and the awkward realities of the Japanese school system.
Abroad in Japan Book Review Starts Here
Storybeats, Structure, and Pacing
Abroad in Japan is at its best when Chris uses his sarcastic, witty, and dry humor to convey Japanese life. All of the wonders, absurdities, and contradictions are what make Japan unique. At only 300 or so pages long, even a slow, unfocused, and ADHD-afflicted reader like myself was able to finish it in about three days.
The structure heavily mirrors the Hero’s Journey, following a strict “Show, Tell, Insight” formula:
- Show: Chris starts with a narrative story.
- Tell: He transitions into explaining a specific Japanese concept.
- Insight: He shares his internal thoughts on the experience as a whole.
The only time this rhythm differs is during major life transitions. Instead, these transition periods follow a standard arc of the inciting incident, how or why the event occurred, followed by the consequences of said event.
Victim of His Own Success
About 85% of the book is relatable, enjoyable, and informative. Where it falters, however, is when Chris borders on bragging about his achievements.
It mirrors the exact point where his YouTube channel began losing its appeal for me. The shift away from speaking on everyday life toward events only made possible by having a successful YouTube channel. The massive, viral following allowed for high-profile collaborations and exclusive access. Most people can relate to sitting under a warm lantern, eating yakitori, and drinking beers before a sleepless workday. It’s much harder to relate to joking complaints about not getting royalties from a viral TV program.
Shameless self promo here’s a video I made about drinking in Shinjuku.
The Myth of the Creator’s Journey
While I understand this might be a personal bias—given that the projects I’ve touched feel like they’ve failed miserably. I’ve grown incredibly tired of the survivorship bias parroted by celebrities and influencers. There is an underlying assumption that they are the only ones who have taken risks and made sacrifices. These later chapters could have been vastly improved by exploring Japanese social dynamics or the absurdity of local entertainment. Sadly, it reads like a laundry list of “look at this cool thing I did.”
Chris also subtly contradicts himself. He actively calls out “white saviorism” in the expat community, yet later writes, “With my platform, I have to do something about X cause.” The issue isn’t his genuine relief efforts; it’s the clash with his own anti-saviorism theme.
Lastly, before the end of the book, which ends on a positive note, there is real heavy subject matter in regards to Natrual disasters that afflicted the Tohoku region. That’s not to say they don’t belong there, but it just seems like an odd placement to have it right before the end of a fairytale ending.
Shared Experience
Some readers might be put off by the frequent cursing and the slight contempt Chris holds toward keyboard warriors and Japanophiles. Certain sections lean heavily into gatekeeping (“Only people who have been to Japan can really appreciate the culture”). He occasionally borders on disrespectful, though to be fair, looking at certain aspects of Japanese culture from the outside is objectively absurd. As someone else who lived there, I share some of his sentiments toward weaboos—even if I have to admit I was one myself at one point in my life.
The book is truly excellent when it evokes the subtle flavors and memories of your own experiences. Reading about Chris’s odd encounters with teachers immediately makes you think of your own awkward moments in the school staffroom. If you’ve ever been an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan, I strongly recommend you give it a read. Having a foundational understanding of the culture, or at least Chris’s channel, will help you catch all the inside jokes and get the most out of every word.
A Flawed Cliché Happy Ending
The book stumbles slightly at the finish line by leaning into a subtle, self-help-style pitch. Chris ends with a segment on how stepping out of your comfort zone and taking risks will lead to greater things in life. But sometimes, things just don’t work out that way.
While it’s a nice, digestible ending meant to appeal to the masses, most real-life stories don’t wrap up that neatly. Not every ALT walks away with a thriving media career and zero regrets. Some walk away with a stunted career, debt, and social isolation. . . at least that’s what I got out of it. Though I still cherish many great moments and memories.
(At least he’s not as cringe or arrogant as ALBO is. . . fuck that guy . . . and Johannes too. . . oh shit, where was I)
The Heart of the Book
I’ll close on one of my favorite passages from the book, which perfectly sums up the push-and-pull of the entire expat experience:
“Living in Japan has challenged me every step of the way to become a stronger person. More resilient, more open-minded — and more overweight, thanks to the greasy wonders of Family Mart fried chicken.”
Abroad in Japan book review Verdict: Mitarashi Dango
To wrap things up, Abroad in Japan is a lot like Mitarashi Dango.
Uninitiated Westerners will eat the sweet, soy-sauce-covered grilled rice ball and think, “What an odd combination of flavors… I think I like it, but I’m confused.” On the other hand, those who have actually spent time in Japan actively look forward to that exact combination of flavors. They anticipate that dry, charred crunch followed by the soft, chewy texture of the rice.
Despite its flaws, the book strikes a great balance of dry humor, cultural information, and wholesome storytelling, making it a mostly good read.
9/10
