I had thought about moving to Japan for a year and do a series where I use an electric skateboard to get around, visit niche restaurants and bars, and record a full series on it. Then I learned Japan hates electric skateboards etc. Was a sad day.

Anne of Green Gables was also animated by a pre-Studio Ghibli era Hayao Miyazaki, which was how I first grew to love the story. It's really a very pleasant and heartwarming series.

YES! I would watch an episode with Chris riding around Tokyo on a motorized suitcase!

Calorie-free drinks can be made with three types of ingredients: 1) ingredients that your body doesn’t break down for energy, such as water, vitamins, etc. 2) ingredients that your body technically *does* digest but spends more energy digesting than it can get out of it and 3) ingredients like artificial sweetener that technically have the same amount of calories as sugar… but are so sweet in comparison that they can use a tiny amount that generates less than a calorie of energy (while 2 has been listed for completeness I doubt it’s actually used as that would require people to actually understand how calories work).

I have a feeling that "riding the electric suitcase" means something different in Texas.

You can ride an Ebike in Japan without a license so long as it is "pedal assist" (even on a sidewalk). If a vehicle has a throttle that allows for motorized travel without human assist, it is considered a motorized vehicle, requires a license, and cannot be used on a sidewalk. I believe in the US the difference is what is called a Cat 3 and a Cat 2 bike.

I saw a wee old man scooting about florence this summer on one of those suitcases. I think they're a great idea for anyone that's not as physically able to get about for prolonged periods when travelling (airports etc) as assume they're far less stressful than trying to travel without if you're older. Totally understand the challenges they could pose though if everyone was scooting about on them... Still... looked kinda fun.

Peace and love Ringo ✌️

"Oi oi, do you have a license for that, kuso yaro ?"

Pete. Loving the collection of toilet stopcocks on the wall behind you... my favourite is the fully carbon fibre Floater 3000.

Remember everything motorized and throttled in Japan is considered a motorcycle. EVERYTHING. That's why electric bicycle there all pedal-reliant. If it has throttle, it's now a moped. Make sure your suitcase has license plate.

yay I've managed to finally catch an episode early

Isn’t a weak Strong Zero basically just a Hooch? (British alcoholic lemonade popular in the 90s) You can buy imported proper Japanese Strong Zero in the Japan Centre off Leicester Square in London. I was gifted a can last NYE and it did, as the urban legend foretold, lead me to blackout.

1:10, this is exactly why fines should be connected to the perpetrator's income like Finland. 'Rich people' will think otherwise about parking violations and speeding when it costs them a significant percentage of their income instead of just a few hundred bucks.

The bag is Airwheel SE3 Mobility Scooter and The government classifies the suitcase the same way it does 50cc mopeds or motorcycles and this is the first time the government has charged a person for this sort of crime. Interestingly, Japan doesn’t require a license for other electrified vehicles like bicycles which are allowed to travel up to 20 km/h or 12 mph.

Lol, I've seen probably 5 kids riding electric suitscases in and around Tokyo in May 😂

Wuuuu my fav podcast ❤

We have Tokyo Central/Marukai in Califronia which I think is owned by Don Quijote. Those usually carry Coolish. I dont care if people say Coolish is mid. It is still one of my favorite cheap sweets to get on a hot day, especially with all the inflation going on where boba /coffee/tea is on average $6+ now.

The story is about the Japanese tourists visiting the location of Anne of Green Gables is no different from other literary/ film inspired tourism. We based an Edinburgh holiday around the Rebus books, I went to Pont de Bir-Hakeim because of Inception and recently visited Hakone Checkpoint because of Samurai Champloo (a terribly under rated anime series).

Animal Farm is a phenomenal book indeed.

Those cases are cool, I saw heaps of kids riding them in Osaka

Podcast 17 of asking Christ to speedrun nearly every main temple in Tokyo !!

I saw a decent amount of people traveling around on those suitcases in Yokohama on the sidewalk. 😅

We have hichew in the US. My mom got addicted to it for a bit

I can see a Suntory sponsorship in your future Chris!

Japan has some really ridiculous laws regarding electric scooters, skateboards, wheelchairs, bikes and suitcases ☹️ It makes things very difficult if you've got a disability... Yet Japan allows tourists to drive go carts in Tokyo traffic wearing Mario costumes !!?? Usain Bolt did 47kmh

With the motorised suitcase, I suppose should have been OK if she had an international driver licence, may be

I still remember the tweet I sent out to Pete of coolish from Hawaii Donki 😂

Countries love giving gifts to each other 😊 There's a portion of the Berlin Wall displayed in a museum in the Philippines. I wonder if it's real or a replica... If it's real, it would be dope! How did they transport that all the way there? 😅

Another western cultural import to Japan is Moomin, I've seen quite a lot of it around.

We have hi-chew in Canada. At least we did when I was growing up.

On a basically level course I was able to maintain fifty miles an hour on a multi gear bicycle.

I almost kinda died in Sendai last year because I wasn't prepared for the heat and humidity... in September. In September! Just suffocating, like walking into a wall once you exited any air-conditioned space. And you're telling me that's actually still one of the more agreeable places in summer? Next trip to Japan will _definitely_ be in October again, unless it's the bucket list onsen hopping winter vacation after all.

there are countries in mainland Europe where the penalty amount depends on the income/net worth of the individual in question...

Have to disagree with you about Harajuku, I'm not their target audience either and had very low expectations. But it was great! Super fun atmosphere, crème brulé crêpes are incredible and the thrift shops further down are pretty cool. Also otter petting was awesome!

@7:40 You can actually be fined for cycling on the pavement. In the UK at least. Usually you won't be but it's definitely not "allowed".

Totally agree, the rainbow cheese looked gross, the rainbow candyfloss looked cool though.

Soz Pete, but I also found Coolish in Australia! 😋

So, would a motorised suitcase be allowed on the shimanami kaido? This could be a game-changer for my next planned trip to Japan...

Gyutan is nice in flavour but i don't like the confusion of not knowing if I'm chewing on the cow tongue or mine

Parking fines are a joke. If all you get is a fine to pay, then for a rich person that's just the cost of parking there and they wont care in the slightest.

Buy one. Put it in a video. Right it off lol

I’m dying for an episode that isn’t about how Japan hates foreigners

It's kind of sad that Chris still thinks he was eating a rainbow cheese sandwich. It was a totally normal grilled cheese, no rainbow to be seen at all, mate. You've gone barkers, you work too much. Sharla, come get your man and tell him that there was no rainbow cheese.

To answer the first question from the fax machine, that Jesus shrine or whatever that Chris visited is a good example of an unusual transcendental cultural thing.

Scooter, hoverboard, or even electric suitcase across Japan sounds dope! Here in the States, we have electric coolers on wheels, and when the drunks lose their license, the good ole ride on lawnmower, lol 😂 All of which id be glued to my laptop watching yall travel around japan on. I triple dog dare you.

Surely they could have just given her a warning first.

Non alcoholic beer uses the flavor compounds of beers to my knowledge so it has the same taste/flavor without the alcohol

4:36 just like Bean movie. (Mr Bean 1997 movie)

buy a weedwacker, dismatle for engine and slap on a skate board or on 2 roller skates.

Chris, i would love to see a dive into the homeless in Japan. Maybe a look into the street kids. Also, a look into the gay communities, give some perspective on how they are all treated and how the Japanese feel about all of the above. Thanks.

Even if you do have a license, you'd probably not be allowed to ride the suitcase on the sidewalk. I wonder; how popular are electric mountain bikes in Japan? They're bloody expensive, sure, but they're very capable through pretty much everything and offer comfortable suspension. 25 km/h seems to be the "standard" option, but you can get them in a 45 km/h "speed pedelec" spec as well.

Second story made me chuckle knowing that you can't even ride bicycles on the pavment in the UK above the age of 12, let alone suit cases 😂

Chris, learn to read ingredients on non-alcoholic beer to find out what chemicals they use l, or even better that there’s alcohol but about 2% worth.

💜💜💜

What is the penalty/fine for illegally riding an electric suitcase in the airport from one gate to another.

Well with wheelchair access everywhere it's just a matter of compression.

We were recently accepted into the weird Japanese program. We looked up riotoro and he ran us off. He he ha ha

Average running speed for a man is 15mph... and that's a reasonably fit man.

Riding an electric suitcase. Hilarious 😂😉

HighChew for the WIIIIIN!!! 🙂

They gonna go after heelies next?

There is an electric suitcase drivers license for 8 miles per hour in Japan?

Average speed of a male human, according to Google, is about 8 mph, same as the suitcase.

Chris - you ain’t middle aged until 40! We still got a few years of youth left

it's a good thing riding something motorized on public pavements needing a license its a good thing, look at all the electric bicycles/scooters on the pavements on Singapore speeding more than 20km/h, i wish our gov could do something about it soon as there are already cases of these electric bicycles/scooters knocking down and injuring people on pavements.

The hi chew we get in Australia is made in China. Is that the same everywhere else?

The electric suitcase "has high functionality" like your classic t-shirt, Chris. I agree with you, Harajuku is crap...

Fifteen miles an hour is a 4 minute mile. I don't the average person runs a 4 minute mile.

a bicycle can go faster than 8mph. so a motorized wheelchair needs license in Japan also?

Big up the mexican in kokubuncho!

Not sure rules are in Japan, but in the UK you Ard not allowed to ride a bike on the Pavement as the comment made on the video.

in what universe is 8mph 50cc scooter territory, that is mobility scooter speed which makes me think do they harass disabled people for not having a license or are mobility scooters not a thing in japan

Riding the electric animal farm around Tokyo requires a drivers license?

a 50cc engine can go 40mph. the classification is just wrong. you don't need a license for the electric scooters you can rent because they're classified differently and the suitcase should be too

Kevin from LA. You are incorrect. Do better.

I wouldn't be surprised if alcohol free beer was basically just carbonated water and flavorings. Maybe they boil it in special wooden casks or something and I bet that's the only special bit.

Who wants an American hot dog when you can have a sausage or banger?

Now let's say you do have a license, would it be illegal to soup up the motorized suitcase? And if not, can you still ride it on the sidewalk?

Well, I'm not first, but I'm early!

This comment drives engagement.

In New York City there are that guys with tow trucks cruising all the time just looking for anyone who parks illegally. The offending vehicle doesn't have to have a ticket, just be in the wrong place that forbids parking and they'll hook it up and tow it off to the city car pound which is located miles outside of the city in a not very nice area, and you have to pay on the spot ( I think it's about $250 ) to get your car back. Might solve a few parking problems in Mayfair....😁

Fines are just pay to play irl 🤷

Cultural influences: the Beatles/john Lennon?

Japanese snacks

Non alcoholic, no calorie beer uses synthetic sweeteners that have poisonous chlorine substituted on half the hydrogen atoms on the glucose😢?

FIRST!!!!!!!

0 views in 43 seconds - abroad in Japan podcast fell off lol