Without a map and cell phone in Japan: Gamer Ludwig Ahgren tests the borders

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In a unique adventure, the American game streamer Ludwig Ahgren and his YouTube friend Michael Reeves decided to explore Japan on motorcycles-without cards, smartphones or highways. With only basic knowledge of Japanese and an unshakable spirit of discovery, they went on a journey that not only offered breathtaking landscapes, but also unforgettable encounters with Japanese culture.

The challenge without technology

The two friends did without the smartphones, which are so typical for their generation, and started without a travel guide. This decision forced her to interact with locals to point out the way, which led to warm encounters with the friendly Japanese. The route of Cape Sata, at the southern end of Kyushu, to Cape Soya, the northernmost point of Hokkaido, is about 3,200 kilometers - however, they had already strayed.

unforgettable experiences along the route

In a video that was published after returning to Ahgrens YouTube channel, they described their experiences from two weeks of travel through Japan. From the pulsating metropolis of Tokyo to the forested landscapes of Miyazaki, where they fed deer cookies, to the impressive cherry blossoms in Shizuoka - where they enjoyed a picnic with a view of the Fuji. During their trip, they cost a variety of Japanese delicacies, from Udon noodles to Okonomiyaki, a hearty pancake dish from Osaka. To save time, they often used the typical convenience stores or instant noodles from machines.

challenges on the way

Without a card, they got off the course in Miyazaki and thought they were in Shikoku, Japan’s fourth largest island. This confusion led them to a city where they found that they were miles away from their destination. They had also planned to attend a sumo wrestling event. But when they decided to turn off their motorcycles and use public transport, it took three hours without a smartphone to navigate through Japan's complex rail system. When they arrived at the Edion Arena in Osaka, they saw a sign: "Tickets sold out."

support of friendly locals

In his videos,

ahgren expressed that he was often dependent on his sense to understand the Japanese of the locals. However, many people were ready to help them and overthrown the language barriers. "Ichiban", which means "number one" or "the best", was besides "NAN-JICA"-"How many hours?" - For his most common inquiries when he asked for hotel and restaurant recommendations. A man even bought coffee in a convenience store and showed them the way by car.

a different trip than influencers

In contrast to other influencers who got into the headlines through provocative actions in Japan, Ahgren and Reeves managed to illuminate the lesser -known pages of Japan. Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at the Kanda University of International Studies in Japan, pointed out that the country is increasingly opposing the disturbing behavior of tourists. What distinguishes ahgren and reeves from other stimuli influencing influencers is their respect for the Japanese social norms, including the privacy of people. Ahgren often turns the camera away when he speaks to humans - a conscious step to respect the personal space of the locals.