Do you like walking while immersing yourself in Japan’s majestic nature?
In my latest video, my friend, Isabelle, and I explore Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture. A place of stunning beauty, rich seafood, and incredible resilience. Watch until the end to see how this community continues to rise stronger after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the wildfire in February 2025.
As you may all know, a YouTuber named Oriental Pearl released a video titled “What is Happening to Japan?”, claiming that Japan is “covered in graffiti” and “in decline.” The video quickly went viral, sparking global debate.
Last night, Chris Broad released his response, which gained over 1.5mil views and over, 24,000 supportive comments within last 22 hours. In his video, Chris doesn’t rely on flashy edits or shock value. Instead, he walks the streets himself, meets people, listens to their voices, and reminds us that the real Japan lives in its everyday moments,not in the dramatized snippets meant to stir outrage.
Oriental Pearl’s video focuses mainly on small corners of Nakameguro, presenting them as if they represent all of Japan.
Yes, graffiti exists. But to claim the entire country is “falling apart” is careless, even misleading. Some clips in her video were reportedly taken from decades ago, edited to look like they were filmed yesterday.
When creators chase clicks and exaggerate decline, they don’t just distort reality. They feed misunderstanding and, unintentionally, the growing undercurrent of anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan today. She may not realize how such content contributes to that atmosphere.
That’s why voices like Chris’s matter. He chooses honesty over outrage, context over clicks.What we need now is not more noise, but understanding. Not more division, but connection.
We have more important work to do: to show the world the real Japan, the one found in conversations, small acts of kindness, and communities quietly moving forward every day.
Chris, thank you for standing firm with clarity and integrity.
Let’s keep doing what matters: sharing Japan as it truly is.
That insanely expensive villa I showed in the video, the ¥65 million one. it’s already gone! I was honestly thinking about it, but someone else snapped it up before I could even blink. Can you believe it? Sixty-five million yen! Who on earth bought it? Totally shocked right now.
I visited the Fukushima nuclear exclusion zone 14 years after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. I'll head over by helicopter (yes, helicopter!) and then talk to different locals about how they are bouncing back from adversity! Be sure to check it out!
Do you remember my video with Judo World Champion Hiroyuki Akimoto? Well, he has crowdfunding for an exciting new KIMONO Judo and BJJ Gear that is expertly crafted here in Japan! It even features Olympic Gold medalist Christa Deguchi!
Please check it out with the URL above and if you have some spare change, please help him out!
I'm going live on YouTube with Quinlin from GoNorthJapan, a Tohoku expert, mountain climber, and sake sommelier! We'll talk about climbing mountains in Japan, the sacred Hakusan, and what you need to bring and look out for!
Have you done a Samurai type of experience in a real castle acting and speaking like a medieval soldlier who appears in Shakespeare books.
If you haven't, this is for you. All the acting that you do in the experience will be filmed and edited by a professional videographer. Also, no worries about the script either. We have it all ready.
Ryotaro's Japan
Ryotaro's Japan
Do you like walking while immersing yourself in Japan’s majestic nature?
In my latest video, my friend, Isabelle, and I explore Ofunato in Iwate Prefecture. A place of stunning beauty, rich seafood, and incredible resilience. Watch until the end to see how this community continues to rise stronger after the Great East Japan Earthquake and the wildfire in February 2025.
Don’t forget to check the exclusive tour made just for Ryotaro’s Japan viewers
sanrikutours.com/tour/ryotarosjapan-isabelle-en/
1 week ago (edited) | [YT] | 54
View 1 reply
Ryotaro's Japan
[The Clicks That Distort Japan’s Reality]
As you may all know, a YouTuber named Oriental Pearl released a video titled “What is Happening to Japan?”, claiming that Japan is “covered in graffiti” and “in decline.” The video quickly went viral, sparking global debate.
Last night, Chris Broad released his response, which gained over 1.5mil views and over, 24,000 supportive comments within last 22 hours. In his video, Chris doesn’t rely on flashy edits or shock value. Instead, he walks the streets himself, meets people, listens to their voices, and reminds us that the real Japan lives in its everyday moments,not in the dramatized snippets meant to stir outrage.
Oriental Pearl’s video focuses mainly on small corners of Nakameguro, presenting them as if they represent all of Japan.
Yes, graffiti exists. But to claim the entire country is “falling apart” is careless, even misleading. Some clips in her video were reportedly taken from decades ago, edited to look like they were filmed yesterday.
When creators chase clicks and exaggerate decline, they don’t just distort reality. They feed misunderstanding and, unintentionally, the growing undercurrent of anti-foreigner sentiment in Japan today. She may not realize how such content contributes to that atmosphere.
That’s why voices like Chris’s matter. He chooses honesty over outrage, context over clicks.What we need now is not more noise, but understanding. Not more division, but connection.
We have more important work to do: to show the world the real Japan, the one found in conversations, small acts of kindness, and communities quietly moving forward every day.
Chris, thank you for standing firm with clarity and integrity. Let’s keep doing what matters: sharing Japan as it truly is.
Time to get back to work, mate.
Link to his video, (Not hers)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEWhm...
4 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 2,989
View 202 replies
Ryotaro's Japan
That insanely expensive villa I showed in the video, the ¥65 million one. it’s already gone! I was honestly thinking about it, but someone else snapped it up before I could even blink. Can you believe it? Sixty-five million yen! Who on earth bought it? Totally shocked right now.
Check out the video to find out how insane it is.
https://youtu.be/Zf92BOVhCAA?si=cpk8k...
2 months ago (edited) | [YT] | 324
View 25 replies
Ryotaro's Japan
NEW VIDEO!
I visited the Fukushima nuclear exclusion zone 14 years after the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. I'll head over by helicopter (yes, helicopter!) and then talk to different locals about how they are bouncing back from adversity! Be sure to check it out!
9 months ago | [YT] | 44
View 0 replies
Ryotaro's Japan
www.kickstarter.com/projects/kimono/exclusive-disc…
Do you remember my video with Judo World Champion Hiroyuki Akimoto?
Well, he has crowdfunding for an exciting new KIMONO Judo and BJJ Gear that is expertly crafted here in Japan! It even features Olympic Gold medalist Christa Deguchi!
Please check it out with the URL above and if you have some spare change, please help him out!
1 year ago (edited) | [YT] | 139
View 4 replies
Ryotaro's Japan
Do you want to climb one of Japan's most sacred mountains?
Forget Mt Fuji, Mt Haku is THE mountain to climb while you're in Japan. Check out my video about the whole experience below!
Tours are available, so be sure to check the link in the description!
1 year ago | [YT] | 49
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Ryotaro's Japan
I'm going live on YouTube with Quinlin from GoNorthJapan, a Tohoku expert, mountain climber, and sake sommelier! We'll talk about climbing mountains in Japan, the sacred Hakusan, and what you need to bring and look out for!
Join us at 12:30 pm today!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDG4G...
1 year ago | [YT] | 47
View 1 reply
Ryotaro's Japan
Have you checked out my latest video? It's all about Akita's famous magewappa bento box!
Made from ancient Akita cedar, it will last you a lifetime!
You can pick yours up here:
kimonofighter.com/products/magewappa-bento-box?utm…
1 year ago | [YT] | 70
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Ryotaro's Japan
Find out what really happened to Chris' car on Journey Across Japan!
Plus, check out my new house here! Or should I say your new home!
1 year ago | [YT] | 98
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Ryotaro's Japan
Have you done a Samurai type of experience in a real castle acting and speaking like a medieval soldlier who appears in Shakespeare books.
If you haven't, this is for you.
All the acting that you do in the experience will be filmed and edited by a professional videographer. Also, no worries about the script either. We have it all ready.
Waiting for you all in Shiroishi castle!
1 year ago | [YT] | 21
View 0 replies
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