What Owning a Japanese Public Bath is Like
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- Today we meet Sakai-san, who has run his sento (public bath) in Tokyo for 62 years.
Some people have asked where it's located. Here's the Google Map link and website goo.gl/maps/XT...
一心湯
4 Chome-9-8 Matsushima, Edogawa City, Tokyo 132-0031
〒132-0031 東京都江戸川区松島４丁目９−8
www.oyunofuji1...
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Greg, this is a really touching portrayal. It hits on so many prescient topics; ageing, family, loss and companionship. It's the kind of film you'd encounter at a short film festival. Thank you.
This sums it up perfectly.
I agree, imagine with a good budget how great a series this would be to watch at the movies? Move over, Jiro Dreams of Sushi!
@@leonprowse5806 no no a big budget would remove what makes it special. More lights, cameras, staff would result in a loss of intimacy, and that is what is most engaging about it.
Yeah, this was very moving.
Actually, it is about the virtue to work hard. Not to play the Wall Street casino. And just because of the hard work, Japan state is where it is.
A bit of a different feel and pacing for this story. I hope you all enjoy. - Greg
Hello, how are you sir. i watch all your videos. I have a question. Is japan a good place for foreigners to invest in real estate..?
@@prisheyzeas Sorry, no clue.
I really loved the way you opened this one! You let the story tell itself through the video and audio. It was really interesting and sweet!
@@LifeWhereImFrom Thank you for responding. Hope i can mail you in case of help.🙏
I love this type of documentary, it is so humanized and I think that is that aspect of your channel that is so very special.
Listening to him speak about bathing his wife for what might be “the last time” brought me to tears. Cancer is atrocious, I gave my Mama her last bath after her fight with cancer. Bitter sweet feelings and memories. May Creator continue to bless Sakai-San with good health, strength and joy 🤲
god bless your mama 🙏. i’m very sorry for your loss 💗
I thought that was very sweet and loving gesture..
I'm sorry. I had also lost family members to cancer, it never gets better
Thank y’all so much for your kind words
Be blessed 🌻
Peace to all ✨
💖
"As always, so many good looking girls." Sakai-san is such a flirt, even in his old age. It's very endearing.
Idk man. It sounds like he knew his customers for years and he just casually roast them 🔥🔥
hahaha...What a player ;)
shocked me too when i first read it hahaha he's smooth hahah
feel bad for the guys who flirt and aren't so endearing
….
I'm tearing up at work. Our elders are precious people who lived long and hard lives. I'm grateful he has such supportive children.
You should be working....
@@paulschellnegger2004 Don't worry about it love.
This is the best film you have ever made. I'm so impressed with the editing of it and with the story you have told of him. I'm so touched by his candor and humor. This is a side of Japanese culture and life, that I haven't seen before on film. You should feel really good about your work and what you have done.
I'm reminded of the elders in my community. Tired, and old, yet still lively and full of humor.
Agreed!
I very much appreciate this type of film they’ve made here. It feels very different from the others and gives more of the vibe of being a short documentary film. The amount of names listed at the end really give this away.It’s nice being able to see this side of Japanese culture. We know it’s there but we don’t get to see it very often. Usually it’s either for the very young to middle-aged every day working lives or the elderly who have a bit more money but are retired. This was both should be and sad at the same time, which I guess makes sense considering this side of the culture but also of this point in one’s life. Really loved it and hope we see more like these in the future.
The "it's worn out" while closing couldn't be a better metaphor for the life of this man. Very Very touching.
Loved you let this one practically tell itself. While we were there I marveled at seeing those in their 70's and 80's still lifting, hefting, working and being active members of their local communities. its pleasant to see Sakai-san's family still keeping tabs on him while he continues to provide a service and fill a role within his community. I hope, once he's truly ready, he takes time to relax at some point.
That exchange between your wife and Sakai-san towards the end was really touching. Love this style of candid interviewing that you're doing.
I love how his late wife tells him to retire in his dreams. I don't know how he has the energy to keep going. I'm only in my 20s but I already want to retire.
he does something he loves
@@ShaferHart Yes! I need a job that I love in my life. 😥
@@yaimamartinez9576 True love involves difficulty and hard work, and in return his life is enriched with purpose and socialization. Love is about hard work and sacrifice.
He is from another time, but as long as he keeps up the sento he can maintain a pocket of that past.
Staying active and socializing with all these people helps keep him alert and healthy. He's a little slow to respond at times, but his daughter is right when she said that he'll get dementia if he stops working. That's how my parents were until the Covid lockdown hit and seniors were not allowed to leave their homes for more than a year.
They were left to their own devices the whole time, only socializing with friends and family online. And ever since then, their memory and mental abilities have slipped a lot and their health has been steadily getting worse. Thank goodness the country lifted the strict lockdown a few months ago and they're able to go out and have people visit them now.
Seniors are often forgotten, so I'm glad that this video puts them front and center.
It seems to me this man misses his wife so dearly, but he's staying on for his commitment and fulfilling his father's expectations and for his children's as well.
I see these businesses in Japan on RUclips where there are owners in their 60s and 70+ that still do the most of the work and wonder what will happen to those businesses when those owners can't physically do the work anymore and it looks like they have no family to take over the business.
They used to have over 100 sentos in Edogawa a couple decades ago. Now there's 31/32 left. So they're closing down. On the other hand, I think that super sentos are becoming more popular (this is my guess, I have no data to back this up). Super sentos are bigger places that are more spa-like (you can get massages, you can eat food).
@@LifeWhereImFrom I guess as all things must, Sentos will also progress to suit the coming generation
@@LifeWhereImFrom I always like going to the small sento when I go to Tokyo. Where I live in rural Shizuoka there are very few left (as far as I can tell). I've been to one or two very small onsen, but I'm struggling to recall if I've ever seen a small sento in this area. There is something charming about the matter of fact independent sento. The fact that it's not an occasion to go makes it different to me. You just go.
Like everything else, the sentos will all be consolidated into a handful of corporations that will streamline and homogenize the whole experience.
@@ray13317 more like, as capitalism progresses, small businesses get crushed by giant monopolies. None of his children wanna take it over cause it’s not worth it. Too much work, very little pay. It’s better to sell it to another kind of development or to a chain that will exploit its workers therefore making it more profitable…
This is such a moving piece, Greg couldn’t have have chosen a better filmmaking style to convey Sakai-san’s story. A lot of content about Japan tend to lament the disappearance of old, traditional establishments. But here we get an idea why that happens. Hearing that some of his customers spend hours in his sento because they’re lonely t home really hit me.
When he spoke so lovingly about his wife I started to cry. Definitely wasn’t expecting this when I clicked the video but so happy I got to watch this ❤️
Me too .. the way he talk about his wife 😢 ...the moment they shared ..love is so precious
Oh my gracious. Sakai-san and his family are the sweetest. I love how this sento is a hub for the seniors of the community. We all need more community places like this.
Man, this hit me right in the feels today. Thank you Greg.
Also makes you wonder what happens if he ever sells it or passes away and his family doesnt take over. Maybe the buyer will keep it going as-is, but losing Sakai-san would impact all his customers- his friends, and then losing the bathhouse would impact the senior community.
it is not easy to have a similar thing in the US (or most of north America) because of how the cities are built here.
Just allowing for the building of town houses in most of the city area where the house only has one family and a ton of free space around it goes inherently against the development of such communities.
there is simply not enough population density in the area to sustain such a thing (assuming that it was allowed, which is not true in most of the cases, they only allow for houses in the housing areas no small business).
This is a genuine part of Japanese culture, so much more interesting than anime and sushi. Loved it! So sad that people like the elderly gentleman featured in the video are probably the last generation that represents that culture. It was surprising to see the chitchat, I thought Japanese people are more reserved but the interactions between the owners and customers were so friendly.
I think the reserved attitude is more of a urban thing, which is why so many Westerners get that impression, because they're mostly visiting Toyko and Osaka. When you go out to suburbs and rural areas some of the people will talk your ear off.
Fascinating as usual, Greg. There are so many RUclips channels that focus on the odd side of Japanese life, I love the fact that you spend time looking at the ordinary, but coax out the subtle (and not so subtle!) differences with life in the West. I lived in Japan myself years ago and it's those subtle differences that I miss the most.
I really like the way you showcase daily life of people with interesting stories, even if they sometimes don't understand why you think their stories are interesting. It's funny how often this style of documentary omits the people talking about the fact that they're being filmed, when that's obviously all anybody is going to talk about that day, lol.
This is really well made. As one commenter said, this actually feels like a film you would see in a short film festival. Amazing that during this era, we could watch films like these for free right in the comforts of our own home (or wherever you may want to watch it).
I work with a guy who turns 65 this month. He's always talked about what he'll do after he retires, but he is terrified of being bored. His retirement plan involves still coming in to work two days a week. He loves what he does, and we all have a great time together every day. I like that Sakai-san is keeping busy and interacting with people. I hope he gets to keep doing this for as long as it makes him happy.
The focus on Sakai-san and staying away from a lot of voice over was a very good choice for this video.
Bravo!
Sakai-san is a adorable and his love his wife makes me want to cry in happiness. I hope i find a love like that
This is so well done, the cinematography, the lack of music letting us breath the mood of the scene, the editing, the way you managed to portray different themes about community, family, work and old age. It's something more than a bath house, you've represented an entire face of Japan here.
I love the pace of this video, and it managed to make me cry. This is so beautiful to see that the man is still trying to keep the tradition going even after so many years. Recently, one of my closest person passed away and even she was like that, everyday getting up and going to the shop even when they were tired or didn’t feel that great.
Amazing choice of no music, Greg. Really lifts the piece to another level.
I'm ashamed of myself that I only 27 but life feels so hard then I see the ojisan still working great at his 80, thanks for the amazing video, well done Greg!
The sento I went to in Japan gave me such a warm feeling, and I hope this tradition survives in the children of all the owners
Fantastic work, Greg, I liked how you just ‘showed’ what was happening in these people‘s lives, without narrating or trying to lead the story. No music or anything to cover up the sounds and feeling of being there. But I’m a bit jealous…how do you convince people to let you into their private world like this? In my experience, older Japanese people generally don’t want outsiders to see inside. (I get rejected every time I ask someone to let me take video of their life.) Anyway, I’m glad they let you do this!
Greg, this one has a solid NHKドキュメント７２ vibe to it. Just raw, seeing the people at the ground level while portraying them in respectful realism. This was SO good!
His high spirits and persistence almost brought tears to my eyes. Do your best Sakai- san!
Love that you let him lead the conversation, shows how such a community bathhouses can still be relevant in this age to allow people to connect with each other!
japanese accent is one of my fav accents. the way they talk, its so respectful and friendly.
I look forward to your videos. Thanks for letting me see what Japan is like.
This is as good as any NHK human story documentary. You kept the voiceover to a minimum and let the people tell their story in their own words. And yes there is a local bath house near me in Osaka and I go there often.
Love the way his family is willing AND wanting to help him keep his business running. I feel most times, once a parent/grandparent reaches the elderly stage, many of their family members don’t want to care for them. Even if it means just helping them with little things around the house. At least from what I’ve seen and heard with people I know. Idk if it’s a Japanese tradition but I absolutely appreciated seeing his family help out. He sure looks like he loves what he does and I think the fact that they are willing to help just to make him be happy is the greatest gift ever.
Out of all of the impressive things that Sakai-san does in this short video, I was very impressed that an 80 year old man can get up from the floor with ease by flat footed squatting! Most people, even the youth in the west cant flat footed squat, and of course, a majority of elders cannot get up from normal chairs with ease.
Despite what he says about retiring and relaxing, I think that his children have the right idea in keeping him busy and working, its good for your mental and physical health to keep busy in old age.
A great video!
What a wonderful man. And his kids are so supportive. They understand this is his world. Retire, right. And die of boredom and isolation within a year. Belonging and interacting with people is what keeps older people going. Not retiring. May he lead a long, happy, engaging life.
I think this was one of the more emotional videos you have made. I'd love to see more.
Additionally, I think these kind of videos you make really portray the story of a person/owner, a business and the culture. I'm happy you make videos and hope you're doing okay too.
What a beautiful life this man has lived. Doing honest work being part of his community. Thanks for sharing this.
Sakai-san reminds me of my late grandfather, may god bless him and his family.
This is so Sweet! I was totally crying when he talked about giving his late wife a last bath. He reminds me so much of my late grandpa, who was also spritely and had two shihzus and out lived grandma too. He lived to 100. Miss him.
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful video and beautiful people!
I absolutely love sento ! Me and my friends & neighbours often go there. There are two in my neighbourhood and both of them are owned by very nice elderly couple in their late 70s.
Hello! Ive stumbled upon your videos recently. I know you might not notice this comment but I love your portrayal of living in Japan. My brother lived in Japan since the 1990s and I like how you just give honest, down to earth unbiased videos of daily life of Japan. Its not glamourizing, hating or hyping it up. Its just "here is Japan". Keep it up sir.
Omg the commentaries of him sharing with his friends that you're taking a day in a life of his store and him. So cuteee!!
このメッセージを日本語で書いていますが、酒井さんが読んでくれることを願っています。酒井さんの勤勉さと奥様への限りない愛情には感心させられます。将来、酒井さんの子供たちが酒井さんの情熱を支えるように、私も母を支えていきたいと思います。この家族は、生活が苦しくても、お互いに恵まれていることを実感しています。お二人のご多幸とご健康、そして末永いお付き合いをお祈り申し上げます。パピーちゃんとラブちゃんは2人の天使です。
And Greg's filming skills have reached unprecedented heights. The cinematic angles. The chromatic contrasts. The sequence of the scenes. The emotions conveyed. I'm speechless. And thank you to our unsung hero, Greg's wife, for always communicating with the protagonists of Greg's videos in Japanese.
Greg, this is priceless! I cried remembering the elderly people in my family. Great work. Thank you!
"They 'took pictures' of me eating breakfast this morning." so endearing. 🥺
Yoo wish my grandmother was like this. She has not worked a single day in her 80 year old life but STILL finds things to complain about. My grandfather died 34 years ago and left her money, land and a house and STILL 34 years later she talks bad about him! Wow to have a relationship with my spouse like Sakai-San.....would be the ultimate achievement in life.
What a lovely family. They are all so precious and hardworking, I had to swallow my tears listening to this. I hope Sakai-san stays active, happy and healthy for a long time to come!
I love your videos so much. As a Nisei in America, I’ve never visited Japan nor do I understand the culture very much. Your videos give me a sense of my heritage. 🙏🏻
Beautiful documentary, interesting and moving.
Thank your for this different kind of story telling.
I find it quiet and calming.
No talk needed - no music needed.
He has quite a long day. Wahnsinn!
As always I love your work. This one was beautiful and I loved how you let the story tell itself. Sakai-san is everyone's grandpa.
Thank you Greg.
This is a touching story, Greg! Appreciate how he's still so active and funny, how his children are helping him and the relationship he has with his costumers. Pls send him our regards and we hope to find his place when travel resumes.
His love for his wife is so genuine that until now he still reminisce their time together before she passes away. This made me cry.
I was just watching another video of yours that hinted at this documentary!
Great video to record Mr Sakai's typical day. Respect his drive despite him repeating his intention to retire. I wish I have half his vigour when I reach his age. His love for his family (late wife and his kids), his dogs, and the community is also so palpable. Thanks for making this!
This was different from your usual content but I loved every second of it. Every time he mentioned his late wife tears would form in my eyes. What a beautiful documentary!
I never regretted subscribing LWIF since 2018... your contents are so good... looking forward for the 10M subscriber =)
This episode hits me real hard... I remember my late old man working hard for us even though he's already sick. *sob*
Thank You LWIF for this episode! =)
I don't know why, but this film brought tears to my eyes. Excellent production, Greg!
Thank you for documenting what feels like... droplets of rain flowing into the river and disappearing into the ocean. I'm surprisingly sentimental about this but it is a generational passing that I feel was accelerated the past 2 years that I'd always wonder what could have been.
Wow, it’s been a long time since something moved me so deeply. I used to volunteer at a nursing home and the seniors living there had so many interesting stories and advices for us. It’s a good reminder that our elderly were once young and had big dreams too.
I love this💕
So genuine makes me miss Japan so much😭
That was the best 3months of my life backpacking Japan.
This grandpa is so lovely. That old photo is so precious. I would look at this photo everyday, if I was him. And very fortunate that he has very supportive children.
Another very good story you have again. Well done Greg!
Such a nice man 🥺🥺 especially when he talked about his wife. I hope he will stay healthy and happy always 🙏🏻
Great story! My grandfather passed away this week and was running his auto body shop until 2 weeks prior. I'm sure if he had closed shop 10 years ago, we would have lost him 10 years ago. It really great to see when work makes a person like this.
This is such a lovely portrayal of daily life! Usually the most 'normal' ones are the most interesting, at least to me. It's awesome that he can still be a part of the community and keep his sento going, with the help of his family. That part about him telling about bathing with his wife...ouch, right in the feels.
It was a pleasure to see a little into the life of average hard working individuals and families. Now a days entertainment and social media look to present the "perfect" and photoshopped life styles but this allows for a different deeper feel to how others in this great world live. Thank you Greg and Sakai-san.
As usual very interesting content brought up to us in such a humanizing way! thanks for your work! also that aspect of senior lives and small business acting as community hub ! i hope Sakai -San can go on as long as possible. and in time i hope they find a suitable solution so the place is still open
Beautiful! Even though he is nearing 80, he still puts in a lot of work. Really loved those simple conversations he had with everyone. It was delightful.
Loving this kind of documentary 😍 feels like a movie but with real people, real conversation. Not many narration. Good job!!!!!😍
A perfect and perfectly made video to document Sakai-san's daily life at his sento. He's a wonderful man to watch. His interactions with his customers, his family, dogs and even you and your wife was so endearing and wonderful to watch. His funny, hard-working, friendly and kind nature shows at every scene.
Someday when Sakai-san has passed on (many, many, many years from now I hope), his children and grandchildren will get to watch their father and grandad over and over again and get to remember him as the wonderful person that he is. His love for his wife, his concern for his children and even for his customers, his quiet old days and cheerful conversations, they've all been immortalised in these 15 minutes.
Please keep doing what you're doing Greg. It's such an honourable job and you're very talented at doing these kind of documentaries. I think this is your best work yet. ♥
I love those old style sento, when i lived in Japan I always went to a sento and on the weekends a onsen, specially during winter time.
I always met friendly locals and after the bathing I always felt so clean and relaxed, down to my soul.
I miss having a sento/onsen close by.
Such a genuine slice of life video. The ending was also a nice touch. Highly appreciated the thought and consideration that must've gone in into making this.
Greg, this is probably your most interesting video so far!
I love how candid and casual everything seems, like they don't care to hold back or look "proper" as sometimes Japanese people do when they're on camera/speaking in public.
This one was absolutely beautiful. It left me emotional, but happy at the same time. I loved the low-key pacing and narrating. Thank you for this
Gregor, love all of your work - you are offering something very different and special from any other youtuber in Japan. Always happy to see you’ve posted something.
Amazing! I love how intimate this feels! Like, the talks about aging, family loss, the typical day...
Thanks for the video!
Had to briefly pause this video to comment. What a wonderful short film and charming subject. I am absolutely loving this. Well done, Greg!
Its wonderful that you share these stories. As interesting as Japanese life is to those outside, the personal stories are what keep me coming back. Sakai-san is amazing to be going like he is at 80 and I appreciate him and you for sharing his life.
I can't get enough of your content! Your love and respect for the Japanese culture shines through in every video. Many blessings to you and your family!
This is amazing and touching. There are so many interesting stories and portrayals that can be told from Tokyo and many other places around in Japan, because there are so many japanese people that are passionate about their work and ideals.
What awsome content! Absolutely enjoyed how people shared their experiences, their lives, their journies. Thank you!
More videos like this, Greg. I throughly enjoyed this one. I immediately hit replay as soon that it was finished.
8:27 "Your daughter? But you're so young!"
Says the 79 year old man to the 78 year old woman. I wish I'll ever be this charming, much more so when I'm his age!
Wow. This was beautiful Greg. Tearing up as I write this. I really appreciate the lack of narration in this, because the footage you captured is pretty much all you need to tell this fascinating (happy, yet sad) story. Wow.
My best wishes to Sakai-san and his family too.
What a lovely video, Greg. I adore videos like these that help more people appreciate businesses going out of fashion.
If I were his customer, I will be happy to see him everyday with his joke and joy. He in his 80s is very energetic, bring happiness to the surrounding
The man is such a sweetheart. Thank you Greg for showing the real side of everyday life in Japan
This was an amazing video. I miss Japan dearly and this just makes me feel closer to the people of Japan . Thank you Greg
Yes a different pace but a welcome one. Great video, sobering on the aging journey which all of us are on. May we all be surrounded as well by family, friends and a daily purpose in our own journey.
This is incredibly well made, from the cinematography to the story-telling. Thank you.
Greg... Your style is impeccable. Thank you for yet another jewel of a video.
Greg, you are so wholesome!! I LOVE seeing the seasoned happy and thriving. Thank you🌺
Great video! This video is one of the most relaxing, yet giving another side of Japan, both in business and compassion of family. Hope the owner can live in his legacy until the end.
Best production I've seen on this channel! Really liked the pacing, infrequent narration, and of course the touching story. Thank you.
This man is impressive. It is wonderful to see someone in old age still able to work and contribute to the community. He works so hard, and for many hours!
Brilliant. Moving and informative. I can really understand the old fella. It’s great his family are pragmatic about it being good for him and helping him.
A very interesting video, and what a delightful family! I'd love to visit one of these places someday.
This is a great documentary-style video Greg! A more 'raw' footage of actual daily life in Tokyo instead of all the fancy-pancy 5 things to eat/do stuff in Tokyo you see on YT ;-) Its more interesting because you put yourself in the background while making the owner/sento the star of the video. Awesome!