Why He Left Tokyo for Rural Japan: Bears, Overtourism & Deep Tohoku | Quinlan Faris

While millions of tourists crowd into Tokyo and Kyoto, there is a vastly different side of Japan waiting in the north.In this episode of The Interlocutor Podcast, Tyrel Cameron Eskelson sits down with Quinlan Faris—outdoorsman, guide, and founder of GoNorth Japan. Quinlan reflects on his early days in Tokyo, why he packed his bags for the rugged beauty of Iwate Prefecture, and what makes Japan so deeply magnetic to travelers.We also tackle the pressing realities facing Japan today: the surging wave of overtourism in major cities, essential hiking safety tips, the rising issue of bear encounters in rural regions, nature-based spirituality, and how travelers can experience authentic, off-the-beaten-path Japan.Connect & Book a TourGoNorth Japan Official Site: https://gonorth.jp/Follow Quinlan Faris on YouTube:  @GoNorthJapan  About The Interlocutor PodcastHosted by Tyrel Cameron Eskelson, The Interlocutor Podcast features long-form conversations with writers, scholars, adventurers, and cultural observers exploring life across Asia and beyond.Subscribe for more episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@UC8H8sJS6iaEaxWyEJV8FVuw Listen on Spotify / Apple Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/033lV6x4Zx8135M1tMPtZqQuinlan Faris, GoNorth Japan, Iwate Japan, Tohoku travel, Japan overtourism, hiking in Japan, bear encounters Japan, bear safety Japan, Japan spirituality, Yamabushi, escape Tokyo, living in rural Japan, travel Japan off the beaten path, The Interlocutor Podcast, Tyrel Cameron Eskelson, Japan travel guide, Tohoku hiking, deep Japan, Tohoku nature