GUEST
Beebo – A live streamer on a Mission
Meet Beebo, an American from Minnesota who has taken on a challenge that few could handle. His journey, alongside his Twitch audience of over 10,000 followers, has taken him on a walk spanning over 2,500 kilometers from Kagoshima Prefecture in Kyushu—the southernmost of Japan’s four main islands—to Hokkaido, the northernmost island. While approaching the halfway point of his trek, he stopped in Osaka, where we had the chance to welcome him into the studio. Beebo shared his backstory, how he got into streaming, and details about his incredible journey.
Why did we reach out to Beebo?
In a previous episode of our podcast, we welcomed Akasan, a YouTuber living in Japan, who shared his unique experience of creating reaction content in the country. While talking to him, he mentioned a live streamer embarking on an epic walk across Japan. We decided to dig deeper, do our research, and find a way to bring this fascinating traveler onto the podcast.
What we talked about:
What brought him to Japan
Beebo arrived in Japan under unique circumstances. His partner’s passion for Japanese culture, anime, and manga led them to apply for an English teaching job. They found themselves in a remote village in Nara, with his partner working at one of the most isolated high schools in the country.
Living nearly three hours by bus from Nara City, they adjusted to life without “konbinis (convenience stores)” and the nearest grocery store being an hour’s drive away. Despite the challenges, Beebo fondly remembers his first five years, surrounded by beautiful mountains and a peaceful lifestyle.
How He Began Streaming
While living in the mountains, Beebo kept busy with freelance work like voice acting, audiobooks, and home repairs. After a few years, he grew bored while his partner was at work and began streaming games at home to connect with people.
5 and a half years later, his partner’s contract ended and they moved to Osaka. There, Beebo discovered outdoor live streaming, which felt like giving virtual tours while interacting with his audience in real-time. With more gear and a larger audience, they started directing him to places they wanted to see. However, by 2023 he felt his content was slowing down. He needed something new, something big.
The Journey
Originally, he planned to bike across Japan but switched to walking. With a 60-kilogram customized baby stroller (minus the baby) loaded with live-streaming gear, he began his 2,500+ km journey.
Starting in Kagoshima Prefecture, he set up his gear in the pouring rain and began walking toward Hokkaido. On average, he walks 22–23 kilometers daily, sometimes reaching up to 45 kilometers. Without much physical preparation, he confronted obstacles navigating narrow streets, tunnels, and coastal roads.
Despite the challenges of rain, blisters, and long empty stretches of roads, he shared some pleasant surprises. Stunning coastal views and the generosity of curious locals—offering food, water, and encouragement—have been highlights of his journey.
We believe his journey reflects curiosity, strong will, and a deep connection with Japan’s terrain and its people. Beebo is nearing the end of his incredible walk across Japan, so be sure to check out our podcast with him and explore his channel!
