Wow! Thank you for your positive comments! I’m riding the gondola right now taking some time out to make the most of some perfect snowpack. I will reply to you very soon!! ❤🙏 わぁ！素敵なコメントありがとうございます！今、ゴンドラに乗りながら最高の雪質を楽しんでいます。少ししたらすぐにお返事しますね！🙌❤
I'm from Zurich and living in Tokyo. After I bought an apartment here in Tokyo, I longed to own a house with yards so I bought one in a rural mountain area of Nagano. It's such a great place to escape the heat of Tokyo's summer and a heaven for winter holiday due to the thick, powdery snow.
Really man, you are such a kind, grounded and positive guy. At first, I watched your videos because I thought the topics are interesting, now I just watch it because of you and to get grounded after a stressful day. Keep up the great work!
The secret to happiness in life for me has been; 1. Invest yourself in something that contributes to the greater good. It can be volunteering, it can be helping your neighbor, it can be tutoring for free, etc. 2. Be grateful for the good things you have. When you only think about things you don't have or the things that are not going well, your entire personality will shift towards a negative state, and you won't be pleasant to be around, and you will have less friends, you won't get promoted, you'll have less meaningful connections, more prone to depression, etc. 3. Challenge yourself. Whether it's a small goal or a big goal, challenge yourself. We weren't put on this planet to seek comfort. I could say more, of course, but these 3 things have helped me so much.
My list doesn't have number 1 yet but I do try and do something nice for someone everyday. I'd also add: 4. Happiness is the goal in life. 5. Be better than the person you were yesterday.
Really great comment! All wonderful life lessons and glad you took the time to share them. Something I like to think that contributes to life enjoyment is remembering how creating the stories is more fun than telling the stories. Love the journey :)
Snowboarding tours would make you a pretty penny. Wow Matt, that footage of you absolutely sailing down that mountain was brilliant. I felt almost hypnotised and could have watched another five minutes of that alone. What skill, and filmed so perfectly!
Thank you Matt for your videos. I really appreciate your vlogs and watching you has helped me a great deal in making my hopes of living in Japan possible. Keep up the great work!!!
You sure are my favourite snow bunny in Japan. You showed up on my YT quite a while ago, with Chani Japan just slightly before you - I wonder if you know each other, she likes vanlife, too. Since most of the big names of early japan content creators have slowed down, settled in or are in advanced mode, it felt so good to have this discovery feeling, nature, appreciaton and motivation again especially since you are in the snowy region that hasn't been seen all that much. Thank you for being you and taking us along, best wishes to you and your girlfriend from Germany!
Ah thanks for the comment! I’ve been quite focused on my life here and slowly moving things along as I find the styles in video that resonates with me the most. This video was close to it but I still have some ideas for creative edge. Then again, I also like switching up my video style as I experiment just for my own enjoyment. I think you’ll find a variety of styles from me depending on the week :)
@@im.mattguy Definitly, I've been watching you for half a year at least and have already watched almost all of your previous videos. The "ski lift open" short completly killed me, leaving me wondering, how long it has been since I hopped through the snow like a snow bunny - definitly too long. *chuckles* I do own a house, so I'm always interested in Japanese solutions all around the house, too. Japan has a lot of innovative and unique things, pretty much everywhere, like your big snow shovel sled, I wish I could get one in Germany, but the closest thing to it are big snow shovels on wheels - not quite that light or easy to use. At Christmas we watched your heavy snowfall video - everyone was seriously impressed with the amount of snow coming down and interested in how you handled it - great PJ, too! Thank you for all the effort you put into your channel, I'll keep watching as long as you keep making content. =)
I'm so incredibly thankful that you were able to make such an amazing lifestyle change so that you can provide all of us viewers a glimpse into your life. I thoroughly enjoy your videos and look forward to seeing more!
Really great content. I think lots of people are looking for exactly this kind of info. The kill yourself to work and maybe save enough for retirement is over. Working smarter, with less living expenses while not sacrificing the lifestyle you want is an all around win!
Thank you Matt🎉 I always look forward to your videos, they are all well done and with a lot of interesting and good information too. Japan is such a beautiful country ❤
I really like this kind of video. It was calming. It's nice you show and talk more about your journey and simple day. I hope I will be able to visit this beautiful country one day. I wish you all the best.
As I have been to the U.S. as a student for a few years, it's always refreshing to hear views about this country by someone like you. I feel I re-discover or re-realize beautiful things of Japan, not so easy to do in normal everyday life in a city like Tokyo. Thank you so much!!
You're so right. London has degenerated into a filthy, crime-riddled, congested, ridiculously expensive, soulless, appalling dump. The energy of the city is very aggressive and cold. Ten times worse than NYC in this context. It's incredibly sad. I love seeing how tourists vlog their London trips because I just don't see London through their rose-tinted glasses. Same goes for Paris.
Matt, Ben and Sarah here again from Tassie. Soooo glad to finally see your beautiful g/f 😁. Now, where can we get some of your merch, we will be in Nagano end of January, Sarah wants one of your hoodies😉. You are an absolute pleasure to watch and join you on your journey, it's absolutely fantastic. Your presentation style is really perfect, well done on that.
Thank you so much! I'm really grateful for the kind words! Your trip must be coming up soon and you're going to have a wonderful time :) I finally made a store for the hoodies and some other merch! Check it out on www.orija.me/category/all-products :)
Probably a GoPro on a stick, possibly a 360 camera version of the GoPro. If you look at his left hand you can see he’s holding something. That’s the stick the camera is attached to. The camera has software which makes the stick invisible; it does this in real time and automatically
Good onya Matt love the channel and inspiring that you followed your dream. Enjoying the journey and hope to get over to the lodge for a stay. A mate of mine living in Japan for the last 25 years was back in Aus and we caught up, mentioned your channel and one amazing thing I thought the amazing kimono draw and kimonos you found when moving in. Beautiful! He said they are probably worth a bit! For those on the channel I recommend a watch when Matt moved in. Cheers mate from Oz and enjoying the amazing season there!
Thank you so much! It's exciting to think of the possibilities for a ski lodge over here. Funny you should mention the kimono, I will be creating a new video related to that soon! About something I found in the house when I first moved in... ;) Thanks for the recommendations!
I just happened to come across this channel and this video was such a treat. You have a way with words my friend, you've earned yourself another subscriber.
This was a lovely insight into your journey, Matt. I very much enjoy watching your videos. I think you are finding a good thread beyond finding a cheap house in Japan ;)
Glad you noticed it :) that’s a hot spring hole used to melt snow - hot spring water runs through there and snow is pushed inside to melt it down. Some homes have them just like this
I really enjoyed the video. I loved seeing all that snow, it reminded me of when I was a child in Germany. Unfortunely except for a light spattering one night we really haven't had any here yet in East Anglia, although the north of the UK is having fun.They keep saying we're going to get some but it hasn't materialised yet. We might get some between now and March if we're lucky. Looking forward to your next video and stay well.❤
Thank you so much! Where did you grow up in Germany? My family are south London and send some snow photos sometimes letting me know it's causing some havoc haha
@im.mattguy My Dad was in the army. So essen, dusseldorf and osnabruck. My mother came from oldenburg and we had relatives there who owned a small holding who we used to visit. My parents met up in Pickering in Yorkshire where my dad was training recruits on the ranges and my mum was a nanny. He was from Wigan but joined the grenadier guards so we spent my first 5 years in London. I have fond memories of him yelling at the troops chaging the guard and trooping the colour at Buckingham Palace. The queen was their colonel in chief and apparently we attended a garden party there when I was 3 but I don't remember it.
Admire your courage to post so many videos of where you live and around where you live I wouldn’t be brave enough to share for safety But enjoy watching your videos I also live in Japan and own a house, but I bought a newly built one around six months ago Have lived here for over 10 years now Keep up the good work 😊
Man I am so jealous. I am stuck in the SF bay area and am not doing van life due to having dogs and a wife. I’d give anything to be able to convince my wife to just move abroad and stop this madness. Your house cost less than our monthly fixed expenses (as I’m sure you understand) and it is driving me crazy wasting so much money in this failed system. I’ll just continue to live vicariously through your videos I suppose. I almost did the JET program out of University since I had taken 3.5 years of Japanese, but couldn’t make it work due to responsibilities. I guess in hindsight sometimes it’s best to just make the leap…
The reason places like Japan are so cheap, is because it is so hard to get a visa. If the US took a US first approach like most of the rest of the civilized world we too could afford to live.
Can I collude sneakily (but joyfully!) with your plans to convince your missus to try a different lifestyle? I speak from experience so I'd like to suggest three things that MAY work in you favour: 1) You have to start concentrating on what she values the most. She won't talk about it. You need to STUDY her far more carefully to work all these deeply embedded values out. Appealing to these values is a doorway. Don't talk about fears and insecurities-- it really is about what she most values about her existence. This will take gentle persistence and creative psychology (read: not manipulation, that's not what I'm talking about, yikes!) 2) Ask her to imagine her biography. Wouldn't she like an exciting new chapter to be included? Tell her security is one thing but stagnation is another. Remind her that if things truly don't pan out and you're both disappointed by the bold foray into life abroad then hey presto; you can ship your stuff back to your hometown/SF Bay area and just start up your old lifestyle again with some added personal growth thrown into the mix. You can always leave. Some people forget that and become deeply intimidated by the idea of moving towns/countries. You're a team. 3) I'm sorry to add this but you need to talk about mortality. Nobody gets out of this thing alive and tomorrow is promised to none of us. Good luck taking the bull by the horns and taming her fears too. 🤞🤞 You're citizens of planet earth. The whole thing is there for you both. Don't stay rooted on one teeny tiny slab of dirt and think that's all there is. It's tragic dude, really tragic. She's luck to have you by the sounds of things. I wish you both well.🌎✈😃
I really enjoyed seeing more of your daily life and hearing more about your journey. Your kindness and strength of character really shine through in all of your videos. I would love to hear more about Japanese culture, as you have experienced it. 🎍💴🍡
Hey matt! You could make a video about your vellfire! a hybrid 4x4 van looks like the perfect vehicle for your travels i am also considering one since i live in japan too, and currently own a gas guzzling 3.5l v6 lexus
Good idea and thanks! I recommend it! I actually used one recently that wasn’t a hybrid and it cost a lot to run. I get about 700km from a full tank which is about 8000 yen around here. I’m happy with that for the size of the adventure mobile
@@im.mattguy 700km a tank is awsome, i only get between 300-400 but its a lot smaller sedan and RWD which suck in the snow, maybe i should really consider these vellfire hybrids. I want to get back to snowboarding too =)
Otsukare! I had been wondering for a while if you and your partner were in a long distance relationship, as you always talk about 'my house', but if this was a very normal day, I guess not! Happy for you both - if you're anything like me, living apart together is hard!
Nah dude forgot to mention the chounaikai horror stories and need to speak Japanese just to buy the place. Visa is much easier than these two things respectively.
@@DiegoGomez-pk5tgthe whole experience has been a pleasure in my case. Visa takes time and effort. Buying property straight forward and easy. My neighbors and the previous owner were amazing from the start
Discovered your videos last year and really enjoy them. Your house renovations turned out great! How did you shoot the footage from the front of you snowboarding, drone?
You should try to make it to the next UA-cam creator event in Japan. If you really want to jump start your channel this year start collaborations and doing UA-cam shorts. You’re an awesome content creator.
Great. What visa did you qualify for? I'm trying to get out there but my business is online also. They seem to want a conventional business that will benefit Japan for a business visa. I have no wish to get a job there.
Thank you!! It's called insta 360 and it's a 360 degree camera. I made another video for it where you can drag the screen and move the camera. If you would like to see it check my other videos :)
Akakura? I love the way you can ski to the car there. I live in Shinanomachi, almost. Have a place there near my in-laws who are aging and becoming more needy so we spend a lot of time there. From their place at Furuma shotengai, we look up at Myoko. It looks like you live in Myoko Kogen. I hit that 7-11 frequently when in my bike.
Hi! I would like to know about Your merch. I did not find links in the description. Will the shipping be worldwide? I am from Estonia. We sometimes have cold winters and I liked hats. I would like to know more about the opportunity to purchase it with Your logo.
I finally made a store for the hoodies and some other merch! I'm sure it should be fine for Estonia. Check it out on www.orija.me/category/all-products and let me know if the shipping doesn't work and I can try figure it out :)
Unfortunately I didn’t! I was really pushing things at that time. I would work the 9-5 style job and after work go hiking or skiing depending where I was. It was an adventure intense lifestyle. A lot of people asked me to document it at the time but I was also trying to lay low to avoid being found and followed on social media by my old company 😂 but it really would be some unbelievable content-it was a very extreme lifestyle
so inspiring. You are a great snowboarder. I wonder if this is compulsory to remove the snaw near the house in case someone bought a japanese house for vacation and isnt around
Thank you! If the snow became a problem the local government would most likely contact the owner or take note of the issue and send a letter. Worst case scenario they would need to remove it and charge the fees for it. I could imagine it being a very bad impression for the neighbors though!
I'm listening to you talk about engaging your audience while all I see is you engaging your stupid sick snowboarding skills, dang dude, you're killing it on the slopes!
Although I've yet to visit Japan, I've reached the point in life (just North of 50) where I'd like to make a big change, especially with no ties, and part of me would like to live in Japan, although I understand I'd need some sort of trade if self-employed, as I couldn't just put myself down as vlogging and making UA-cam videos 😃 I certainly couldn't do construction. It was amazing how you renovated the bathroom in a previous video, but I can't even put up shelves. 😁
I love the idea of buying a van in Japan to do "vanlife" in small chunks on a tourist visa, but the research I have done indicates that even if I bought one I could not register and insure it as a non-resident 😢
This is awesome and inspiring, and you are a role model. However, it would be great if you could dive into the visa situations most of us will face, some issues to beware of, and how we can rent out or monetize the property when not staying there, as foreigners on a visa.
Thank you! Appreciate it! I’ve been on a bunch of visas over the last 15 years. The simple answer is that people need to either be working or studying and choose the poison from there haha. As for monetize the property it will need to be set up with a property management company which will cost a fee
Your situation regarding leaving your corporate job to buy property in rural Japan for a more outdoor lifestyle resonates with me deeply. I also work in the IT corporate sector, specifically in the finance industry, as a Senior DBA while running my own outdoor e-commerce business. I have been contemplating selling my properties in Australia and moving to Japan to pursue a more relaxed outdoor lifestyle, allowing me to enjoy my interests in mountain biking and snowboarding rather than having my life dictated by my job. However, I'm unsure where to start. Perhaps I could travel between Australia and Japan on weekends, working remotely for a week at a time, to explore country towns in the prefectures that align with my interests and lifestyle. Do you have any recommendations?
Good!! First time I see one of your videos. My first time in Japan was also in 2011! I've been there pretty much every year after that, spent one year on working holiday and worked in Hakuba, went back to study for another year in Japan last year... Since the beginnings I've always loved the idea of settling permanently in Japan. But unfortunately I didn't find work after completing my University degree, maybe because I'm too old? I'd love to find a way to live in Japan... A desperate Canadian.
Wow! Thank you for your positive comments! I’m riding the gondola right now taking some time out to make the most of some perfect snowpack. I will reply to you very soon!! ❤🙏
わぁ！素敵なコメントありがとうございます！今、ゴンドラに乗りながら最高の雪質を楽しんでいます。少ししたらすぐにお返事しますね！🙌❤
can we go eat at your neighbours sushi restaurant please
weeb
I love the Japanese style of life ( the food, the kindness and humble nature, and the beauty of the land) Thank you ❤
I'm from Zurich and living in Tokyo. After I bought an apartment here in Tokyo, I longed to own a house with yards so I bought one in a rural mountain area of Nagano. It's such a great place to escape the heat of Tokyo's summer and a heaven for winter holiday due to the thick, powdery snow.
what visa are you on?
@@overanalyzings working visa
2 housses in japan, what else?
Can someone point me in tge direction of buying in Japan IM interested in buying a home and moving abroad
I just love the way you and your darling said hello to each other so sweetly. Also, dinner looked delicious! Bless you both. 💖💖💖💖
Really man, you are such a kind, grounded and positive guy. At first, I watched your videos because I thought the topics are interesting, now I just watch it because of you and to get grounded after a stressful day. Keep up the great work!
The secret to happiness in life for me has been;
1. Invest yourself in something that contributes to the greater good. It can be volunteering, it can be helping your neighbor, it can be tutoring for free, etc.
2. Be grateful for the good things you have. When you only think about things you don't have or the things that are not going well, your entire personality will shift towards a negative state, and you won't be pleasant to be around, and you will have less friends, you won't get promoted, you'll have less meaningful connections, more prone to depression, etc.
3. Challenge yourself. Whether it's a small goal or a big goal, challenge yourself. We weren't put on this planet to seek comfort.
I could say more, of course, but these 3 things have helped me so much.
I could not agree more. This is the ultimate 3 point short list. You're spot on.
My list doesn't have number 1 yet but I do try and do something nice for someone everyday. I'd also add:
4. Happiness is the goal in life.
5. Be better than the person you were yesterday.
Really great comment! All wonderful life lessons and glad you took the time to share them. Something I like to think that contributes to life enjoyment is remembering how creating the stories is more fun than telling the stories. Love the journey :)
Snowboarding tours would make you a pretty penny. Wow Matt, that footage of you absolutely sailing down that mountain was brilliant. I felt almost hypnotised and could have watched another five minutes of that alone. What skill, and filmed so perfectly!
Just the pow dumps alone make it amazing! Nice Korua, keep up the stoke ❄️❄️❄️
Thank you Matt for your videos. I really appreciate your vlogs and watching you has helped me a great deal in making my hopes of living in Japan possible. Keep up the great work!!!
You sure are my favourite snow bunny in Japan. You showed up on my YT quite a while ago, with Chani Japan just slightly before you - I wonder if you know each other, she likes vanlife, too. Since most of the big names of early japan content creators have slowed down, settled in or are in advanced mode, it felt so good to have this discovery feeling, nature, appreciaton and motivation again especially since you are in the snowy region that hasn't been seen all that much. Thank you for being you and taking us along, best wishes to you and your girlfriend from Germany!
Ah thanks for the comment! I’ve been quite focused on my life here and slowly moving things along as I find the styles in video that resonates with me the most. This video was close to it but I still have some ideas for creative edge. Then again, I also like switching up my video style as I experiment just for my own enjoyment. I think you’ll find a variety of styles from me depending on the week :)
@@im.mattguy Definitly, I've been watching you for half a year at least and have already watched almost all of your previous videos. The "ski lift open" short completly killed me, leaving me wondering, how long it has been since I hopped through the snow like a snow bunny - definitly too long. *chuckles* I do own a house, so I'm always interested in Japanese solutions all around the house, too. Japan has a lot of innovative and unique things, pretty much everywhere, like your big snow shovel sled, I wish I could get one in Germany, but the closest thing to it are big snow shovels on wheels - not quite that light or easy to use. At Christmas we watched your heavy snowfall video - everyone was seriously impressed with the amount of snow coming down and interested in how you handled it - great PJ, too! Thank you for all the effort you put into your channel, I'll keep watching as long as you keep making content. =)
I'm so incredibly thankful that you were able to make such an amazing lifestyle change so that you can provide all of us viewers a glimpse into your life. I thoroughly enjoy your videos and look forward to seeing more!
Really great content. I think lots of people are looking for exactly this kind of info. The kill yourself to work and maybe save enough for retirement is over. Working smarter, with less living expenses while not sacrificing the lifestyle you want is an all around win!
I love your channel. I so enjoy and learn a lot watching your content. Thanks!
Your videos are inspiring! I appreciate the realness and rawness of your footage and your narrations.
The snow and scenery is amazing to watch, thank you Matt. I’ve always admired the Japanese culture and people.
Thank you so much! It's amazing how they just do what needs to be done :)
Is nice that you don’t take this for granted! Hope you join you on the mountains one day mate
Thank you Matt🎉 I always look forward to your videos, they are all well done and with a lot of interesting and good information too. Japan is such a beautiful country ❤
I just found your channel! Love it. Keep up the great work.
I love this channel!
Thank you for the beautiful and well thought out content!
Thank you so much! I put a lot of time and effort into this one!
This video was great. So inspired mate, mission accomplished.
I really like this kind of video. It was calming. It's nice you show and talk more about your journey and simple day. I hope I will be able to visit this beautiful country one day. I wish you all the best.
What a lovely video! I’ve been hoping that you’d allow us a small view into your average day, and here we are - thank you! ❤
Thank you! It was long overdue and for some reason it just felt right to film this day when I woke up :)
As I have been to the U.S. as a student for a few years, it's always refreshing to hear views about this country by someone like you. I feel I re-discover or re-realize beautiful things of Japan, not so easy to do in normal everyday life in a city like Tokyo. Thank you so much!!
great content matt .... big fan of of your content about japan .... best of luck on your journey in life !!!!
Wow, incredible how you go down the snowy hills. Love the Orija hats.
Thank you so much! If you want to check out the hats I just made a store with some Orija stuff on my website www.orija.me/category/all-products :)
Great video. I am glad that you found your paradise.
I love this so much. Subscribed.
Nice one! Thats the way to live Life. I left trashy London 6 years ago came to Japan. Having the best time of my life.
You're so right. London has degenerated into a filthy, crime-riddled, congested, ridiculously expensive, soulless, appalling dump. The energy of the city is very aggressive and cold. Ten times worse than NYC in this context. It's incredibly sad. I love seeing how tourists vlog their London trips because I just don't see London through their rose-tinted glasses. Same goes for Paris.
What a great video, I loved ur other videos, but this one was even more enjoyable than usual!! thank you
Loved this video. You look so comfortable on that board! Flying down!❤
Matt, Ben and Sarah here again from Tassie. Soooo glad to finally see your beautiful g/f 😁. Now, where can we get some of your merch, we will be in Nagano end of January, Sarah wants one of your hoodies😉. You are an absolute pleasure to watch and join you on your journey, it's absolutely fantastic. Your presentation style is really perfect, well done on that.
Thank you so much! I'm really grateful for the kind words! Your trip must be coming up soon and you're going to have a wonderful time :)
I finally made a store for the hoodies and some other merch! Check it out on www.orija.me/category/all-products :)
Just beautiful! Enjoy!❤
How did you film yourself snowboarding? I can’t figure it out!
go pro
Probably a GoPro on a stick, possibly a 360 camera version of the GoPro. If you look at his left hand you can see he’s holding something. That’s the stick the camera is attached to. The camera has software which makes the stick invisible; it does this in real time and automatically
insta 360! It's a 360 camera on a long pole. I made another video shoing the 360 capability :)
and thank you!! Appreciate it!
Good onya Matt love the channel and inspiring that you followed your dream. Enjoying the journey and hope to get over to the lodge for a stay. A mate of mine living in Japan for the last 25 years was back in Aus and we caught up, mentioned your channel and one amazing thing I thought the amazing kimono draw and kimonos you found when moving in. Beautiful! He said they are probably worth a bit! For those on the channel I recommend a watch when Matt moved in. Cheers mate from Oz and enjoying the amazing season there!
Thank you so much! It's exciting to think of the possibilities for a ski lodge over here. Funny you should mention the kimono, I will be creating a new video related to that soon! About something I found in the house when I first moved in... ;) Thanks for the recommendations!
Thank you for your great videos, still considering to move to japan for nihongo gako next year,
Awesome episode! Keep up the good work 💙
we were in MYOKO 2 week ago. love the place and the snow. already planning a trip next winter
I just happened to come across this channel and this video was such a treat. You have a way with words my friend, you've earned yourself another subscriber.
This was a lovely insight into your journey, Matt. I very much enjoy watching your videos. I think you are finding a good thread beyond finding a cheap house in Japan ;)
Hopefully that drain hole at 10:55 is cover with something else beside snow. Abunai
Glad you noticed it :) that’s a hot spring hole used to melt snow - hot spring water runs through there and snow is pushed inside to melt it down. Some homes have them just like this
I really enjoyed the video. I loved seeing all that snow, it reminded me of when I was a child in Germany. Unfortunely except for a light spattering one night we really haven't had any here yet in East Anglia, although the north of the UK is having fun.They keep saying we're going to get some but it hasn't materialised yet. We might get some between now and March if we're lucky. Looking forward to your next video and stay well.❤
Thank you so much! Where did you grow up in Germany? My family are south London and send some snow photos sometimes letting me know it's causing some havoc haha
@im.mattguy My Dad was in the army. So essen, dusseldorf and osnabruck. My mother came from oldenburg and we had relatives there who owned a small holding who we used to visit. My parents met up in Pickering in Yorkshire where my dad was training recruits on the ranges and my mum was a nanny. He was from Wigan but joined the grenadier guards so we spent my first 5 years in London. I have fond memories of him yelling at the troops chaging the guard and trooping the colour at Buckingham Palace. The queen was their colonel in chief and apparently we attended a garden party there when I was 3 but I don't remember it.
Great video. I’m travelling to Japan, for the fourth time, in August. My first trip was in March 2011. 🇦🇺
Very cool! Where are you visiting in March?? Getting in some winter sports?
so much snow this year in aomori and Hachinohe but so beautiful i never see so much snow. now back in france boring
Thank you for the great content!
Wich sky resort is that ?
Good work Matt! I'm excited to see where this channel goes in the future, also when's the merch drop?
Thank you! And it's overdue! Hopefully the next week if I can pull it together!
Can you tell me about the quilted door curtains on your front door? Haven't seen though before, are they typical?
thank you Guy, I really enjoy watching your videos very inspirational ♥
It's so amazing brother. Living the dream of every man who wants peace.
great content 🙌 Thanks for the info
Admire your courage to post so many videos of where you live and around where you live
I wouldn’t be brave enough to share for safety
But enjoy watching your videos
I also live in Japan and own a house, but I bought a newly built one around six months ago
Have lived here for over 10 years now
Keep up the good work 😊
Seeing you eat that onigiri at 12:38 made me miss Japan and made me hungry. Thanks. :)
Man I am so jealous. I am stuck in the SF bay area and am not doing van life due to having dogs and a wife. I’d give anything to be able to convince my wife to just move abroad and stop this madness. Your house cost less than our monthly fixed expenses (as I’m sure you understand) and it is driving me crazy wasting so much money in this failed system. I’ll just continue to live vicariously through your videos I suppose. I almost did the JET program out of University since I had taken 3.5 years of Japanese, but couldn’t make it work due to responsibilities. I guess in hindsight sometimes it’s best to just make the leap…
The reason places like Japan are so cheap, is because it is so hard to get a visa. If the US took a US first approach like most of the rest of the civilized world we too could afford to live.
Can I collude sneakily (but joyfully!) with your plans to convince your missus to try a different lifestyle? I speak from experience so I'd like to suggest three things that MAY work in you favour:
1) You have to start concentrating on what she values the most. She won't talk about it. You need to STUDY her far more carefully to work all these deeply embedded values out. Appealing to these values is a doorway. Don't talk about fears and insecurities-- it really is about what she most values about her existence. This will take gentle persistence and creative psychology (read: not manipulation, that's not what I'm talking about, yikes!)
2) Ask her to imagine her biography. Wouldn't she like an exciting new chapter to be included? Tell her security is one thing but stagnation is another. Remind her that if things truly don't pan out and you're both disappointed by the bold foray into life abroad then hey presto; you can ship your stuff back to your hometown/SF Bay area and just start up your old lifestyle again with some added personal growth thrown into the mix. You can always leave. Some people forget that and become deeply intimidated by the idea of moving towns/countries. You're a team.
3) I'm sorry to add this but you need to talk about mortality. Nobody gets out of this thing alive and tomorrow is promised to none of us.
Good luck taking the bull by the horns and taming her fears too. 🤞🤞 You're citizens of planet earth. The whole thing is there for you both. Don't stay rooted on one teeny tiny slab of dirt and think that's all there is. It's tragic dude, really tragic. She's luck to have you by the sounds of things. I wish you both well.🌎✈😃
life's short my friend, take action so you wont regret later part
Same situation as you; gf and I are moving out asap
I hope in 20 years you will not regret your life choices. Go for it.
Don't stop uploading i subscribed.
I really enjoyed seeing more of your daily life and hearing more about your journey. Your kindness and strength of character really shine through in all of your videos. I would love to hear more about Japanese culture, as you have experienced it.
🎍💴🍡
Bro milked the hell out of “I bought a 6k house” title💀💀
Bro is still milking it bro bro
Hey matt! You could make a video about your vellfire! a hybrid 4x4 van looks like the perfect vehicle for your travels i am also considering one since i live in japan too, and currently own a gas guzzling 3.5l v6 lexus
Good idea and thanks! I recommend it! I actually used one recently that wasn’t a hybrid and it cost a lot to run. I get about 700km from a full tank which is about 8000 yen around here. I’m happy with that for the size of the adventure mobile
@@im.mattguy 700km a tank is awsome, i only get between 300-400 but its a lot smaller sedan and RWD which suck in the snow, maybe i should really consider these vellfire hybrids. I want to get back to snowboarding too =)
Otsukare! I had been wondering for a while if you and your partner were in a long distance relationship, as you always talk about 'my house', but if this was a very normal day, I guess not! Happy for you both - if you're anything like me, living apart together is hard!
The main issue: how did you get your visa?
He mentioned in previous live video that he had a business visa
Nah dude forgot to mention the chounaikai horror stories and need to speak Japanese just to buy the place. Visa is much easier than these two things respectively.
@@DiegoGomez-pk5tg mind explaining what the chounaikai horror stories are? I'm an ignorant baboon
Applied for the business visa. I’ve previously used the student visa and work sponsorship visa
@@DiegoGomez-pk5tgthe whole experience has been a pleasure in my case. Visa takes time and effort. Buying property straight forward and easy. My neighbors and the previous owner were amazing from the start
Discovered your videos last year and really enjoy them. Your house renovations turned out great! How did you shoot the footage from the front of you snowboarding, drone?
Cool of you living in Aomori
I think that snow would get really annoying once you turn 55 or 60... 😀
53 and my back is cooked😂😂😂
You should try to make it to the next UA-cam creator event in Japan. If you really want to jump start your channel this year start collaborations and doing UA-cam shorts. You’re an awesome content creator.
Great. What visa did you qualify for? I'm trying to get out there but my business is online also. They seem to want a conventional business that will benefit Japan for a business visa. I have no wish to get a job there.
There is a digital nomads visa but limited time and minimum income requirements apply.
I love watching your video before going to bed.
Hi Matt. Thanks for the video. I learned a lot. What is the temperature outside and in your house??
I would love to purchase one of those ORIJA hoodies!
Yes! I finally made a store for the hoodies and some other merch! Check it out on www.orija.me/category/all-products :)
what kind of mount do you use for your pov video parts?
How do you like the Korua pencil? I'm enjoying the Dart.
How did you fix the hole at the back of your house where the coldness seeps in?
Did you use a drone when ski/snowboarding? You are very (!) talented. It was beautiful! Thank you.
Thank you!! It's called insta 360 and it's a 360 degree camera. I made another video for it where you can drag the screen and move the camera. If you would like to see it check my other videos :)
Akakura? I love the way you can ski to the car there. I live in Shinanomachi, almost. Have a place there near my in-laws who are aging and becoming more needy so we spend a lot of time there. From their place at Furuma shotengai, we look up at Myoko. It looks like you live in Myoko Kogen. I hit that 7-11 frequently when in my bike.
You live a beautiful life sir!
Hi! I would like to know about Your merch. I did not find links in the description. Will the shipping be worldwide? I am from Estonia. We sometimes have cold winters and I liked hats. I would like to know more about the opportunity to purchase it with Your logo.
I finally made a store for the hoodies and some other merch! I'm sure it should be fine for Estonia. Check it out on www.orija.me/category/all-products and let me know if the shipping doesn't work and I can try figure it out :)
When you were a "vanlifer" did you take any video? If so, would you be sharing any of that?
Unfortunately I didn’t! I was really pushing things at that time. I would work the 9-5 style job and after work go hiking or skiing depending where I was. It was an adventure intense lifestyle. A lot of people asked me to document it at the time but I was also trying to lay low to avoid being found and followed on social media by my old company 😂 but it really would be some unbelievable content-it was a very extreme lifestyle
今回の動画は何気ない日常を描いていて、それが逆にとても刺激的で面白かったです。人生観も紹介されていて勉強になりました。またそれぞれの季節ごとに同じ感じの動画をお願いします。
Your channel is the best! living the Dream man!
so inspiring. You are a great snowboarder. I wonder if this is compulsory to remove the snaw near the house in case someone bought a japanese house for vacation and isnt around
Thank you! If the snow became a problem the local government would most likely contact the owner or take note of the issue and send a letter. Worst case scenario they would need to remove it and charge the fees for it. I could imagine it being a very bad impression for the neighbors though!
@@im.mattguy thanks that's good to know. Really like your lifestyle and hopefully i can do that as well later on this year.
U can shred matt, sick 🤙🤙
Do you service your own snowboards? Great content Matt!
New ti your channel. Like your content🎉
I'm listening to you talk about engaging your audience while all I see is you engaging your stupid sick snowboarding skills, dang dude, you're killing it on the slopes!
Hahaha thank you! Loving the snow right now and getting out there a lot!! Do you snowboard?
Very nice content and you have a lovely house. I currently live in Tokyo but there's no way I'm living somewhere with snow.
what did you use to learn japanese?
Although I've yet to visit Japan, I've reached the point in life (just North of 50) where I'd like to make a big change, especially with no ties, and part of me would like to live in Japan, although I understand I'd need some sort of trade if self-employed, as I couldn't just put myself down as vlogging and making UA-cam videos 😃
I certainly couldn't do construction. It was amazing how you renovated the bathroom in a previous video, but I can't even put up shelves. 😁
I love the idea of buying a van in Japan to do "vanlife" in small chunks on a tourist visa, but the research I have done indicates that even if I bought one I could not register and insure it as a non-resident 😢
Awesome video. Well done sir ! 😃👍
What kind of Visa do you have?
Business
Very inspiring to watch!!
Where are you originally from?
Happy New Year 2025 😊😊😊 by S.Gowtham😊😊😊 All the Best Sucessful😊😊😊
How long were you snowboarding before you came to Japan?
This is awesome and inspiring, and you are a role model. However, it would be great if you could dive into the visa situations most of us will face, some issues to beware of, and how we can rent out or monetize the property when not staying there, as foreigners on a visa.
Thank you! Appreciate it! I’ve been on a bunch of visas over the last 15 years. The simple answer is that people need to either be working or studying and choose the poison from there haha. As for monetize the property it will need to be set up with a property management company which will cost a fee
Your situation regarding leaving your corporate job to buy property in rural Japan for a more outdoor lifestyle resonates with me deeply.
I also work in the IT corporate sector, specifically in the finance industry, as a Senior DBA while running my own outdoor e-commerce business. I have been contemplating selling my properties in Australia and moving to Japan to pursue a more relaxed outdoor lifestyle, allowing me to enjoy my interests in mountain biking and snowboarding rather than having my life dictated by my job.
However, I'm unsure where to start. Perhaps I could travel between Australia and Japan on weekends, working remotely for a week at a time, to explore country towns in the prefectures that align with my interests and lifestyle.
Do you have any recommendations?
Good!!
First time I see one of your videos. My first time in Japan was also in 2011! I've been there pretty much every year after that, spent one year on working holiday and worked in Hakuba, went back to study for another year in Japan last year...
Since the beginnings I've always loved the idea of settling permanently in Japan. But unfortunately I didn't find work after completing my University degree, maybe because I'm too old?
I'd love to find a way to live in Japan...
A desperate Canadian.
where can i find houses like this for sale ?
I've got about that after the flight and I know how to make a ramen noodle where do I sign up at? lol.
You must do some off piste boarding?
Thanks for sharing this, how do you get a long term visa btw
ho to get the easiest and best visa for permanant residence in japan????
Thanks for the videos< mon ami.
Quick question - What's your visa status please? How do you get to stay in Japan?
How did you purchase that house? I want to own one