Inside Japan's Coolest Store! This Place Has Everything!
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Today we get exclusive access to what just might be Japan's coolest and craziest store. A shop focused on finding the most interesting products, both Japanese, and from abroad, and gathering them all in one place. Welcome... to Village Vanguard!
SHAMISEN PLUSHIE! teespring.com/...
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*Where to Send Stuff* - As of 10.2021
Norm Nakamura - Tokyo Creative Redhorse Corporation Co. Ltd
1-10-5 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Kokugikan Front Bldg 2F
130-0015
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Fun Fact... I spent WAY more than I ever should have after I finished shooting LOL
did you see anything that you would have grabbed? How about a livestream here over on the Tokyo Lens Explore channel next time?
And yes... The Shamisen! teespring.com/shamisen-tokyolens
livestream would be cool. there's a TON of fun stuff in there...goodness...
I would definitely like to see a livestream here! 👍
Do the livestream!💯%
Milo is from Australia, but I be had it when I was younger when visiting family in Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹. We just made chocolate milk with it.
Me and my brother would like to see the live stream ^^
YOOO I want that homemade sushi train!!! That would be so fun every now and then!! These little shop tours are my FAVOURITE Japan content. So many awesome little niche shops with the most amazing products. Videos of eating food are kind of overdone these days, but these awesome little mom and pop tours are like a true little Slice of Life. It really makes me feel like I'm browsing sometimes.
The food review videos are somewhat mixed. It' nice to know good food spots to got to, but I don't get anyhthing out of a youtuber telling me how crunchy/tasty/sweet something is ^^ And therefore I love these videos a lot more about shops with unique or funny stuff like here!
WOWO THATS SO COOL!!!!!!111!! CAN I BE YOUR FRIEND ? WE WILL EXPERIENCE SLICE OF LIFE TOGETHER!!!😁
Hi Norm, as an Australian living overseas, I was thrilled to see Milo!! It's what Aussie kids are raised on, and I didn't realise it was in Japan too. It's a chocolate flavoured malt drink, certainly NOT a health food, and is pronounced my-low (my as in mine, low as in low down) in English. Most kids will spoon it into a cup with a 1:1 ratio of cold milk and eat it with a spoon, while most parents will serve it to their kids as an alternative to tea; with one spoonful per cup of warmed milk (or milk with hot water). Highly recommend either way, it's delicious 👍
The same in Colombia
Its a Nestle product though
Ovaltine in the USA.
Milo was founded in Australia by Thomas Mayne, unveiled to the public in 1934.
As someone from the (probable) birthplace of Milo, it's uncanny valley to know how wide it's known, for both its good and bad. (edit: wait, it's Australian? Crikey, now that's something new.)
And congrats on launching your plushie Norm.
As someone who works retail and manages inventory, it gives me major anxiety seeing the sheer volume of all these products! Then again, I'm very impressed at the organization chaos! They know what their doing lol! Definitely going on my list to visit when I can make it out there!
I wonder what their inventory looks like. We do ours twice a year and we dread it every time.
I don’t work in retail but the variety of items made me think about how hard restocking would be. Especially in that maze like building.
i would probably quit on inventory day due to the meltdown I'd surely have trying to keep track of everything
I was thinking the same thing, just 🙀
It is so heartwarming to see how excited and proud he is, especially when he was mentioning about the shamisen plushie 😊
If I ever visit Japan again I'm so going to this place and bring my best friend! We'd go nuts looking at so many cute stuff 😱
Ketemu kimi 😮
I feel like I would need a whole day to look through that shop and want everything lmao
Great video Norm! And love the shamisen plushie!!
And almost everyone is different
So you end up spending multiple days haha
Thank you!!
@@TokyoLens very true lol!
Well, that explains your excitement for this weeks video - merch drop in a physical store.
That store looks absolutely massive and amazing, I must go one day. Looks like it’ll take a good day or so so see everything 😅
Milo, yes, we have it in powder and cereal form. Both delicious. But powdered form is best - not that I would call it a powder. It’s hard to describe. I like to eat it out of the tin with a spoon. Hot water/milk is optional 😂
Mini tamagotchis exist here too. They are making a comeback.
A livestream through the store would be amazing 😍
Nowwwwww you get it right??? So exciting haha
Thanks so much eh!!
Totally understandable and I don’t blame you for being this hyped.
I've only just started watching your videos and I really am enjoying them. I am an Englishman who is absolutely obsessed with Japanese music of all kinds, so the moment I set eyes on that Shamisen plushie I just had to have one. Keep up the good work!
Aww man I miss Japan so much I can't wait to get back!!
Hope it can be sooner than later~
Well said. I miss Japan very much too.
We never even got to go!!! We've pushed the trip back 4 times. From March 2020 to Sep of 2022...
What a cool shop!! I really like that each store location is able to do its own buying for all of the items they want to stock for their individual location. Yay they have the plushie as well!! And Nerds! It looks like such a fun store to explore!
Such an amazing place!!
I love exploring Village Vanguard stores ... Have been to several and you never know what you can find. It's always interesting to see the cards where the staff have written about the products.
Good to see that you are able to have them sell the shamisen plushies there too ... The sort of rare, quirky product that you can turn up in them so hopefully would sell well
Thanks so much, Tim!!
Yeah it’s always been one of my favourite shops
So understandably I was pretty excited about everything from the video, all the way to the Plushie lol
I’d never heard of Village Vanguard before your video, and I’m shocked honestly. This place seems so unique and like something that more cities should have something similar to. I love the worn floors throughout the store that show off the history of where things/people frequent over the years and how the layout has changed.
I could literally spend hours and hours in a store like that, and leave with no money and way more things than I could ever need. lol As for the Tamagotchis, we do still have those here in the US! I work at Walmart as an order puller and I've pulled several of them for, what I assume are, Christmas gifts. In fact, we have a Hello Kitty one that I have asked my husband to get me for Christmas. lol
They’re a thing in New Zealand too but I think mostly teenagers and young adults buy them as a nostalgia thing. They’re usually marketed as a retro thing and not a kids toy. I own two lol.
I've always loved how products are packaged in Japan.
It's almost like going to a flea market, with so much variety. Would definitely drop some cash in there.
I love Shimokitazawa. I stayed there for a little over a week during their curry festival in October (circa 2014). The neighborhood is pretty chill which we thoroughly enjoyed.
That place seem so fun. It's one of those places that's interesting to walk into cause there's so much to see and could get attention. They have snacks, books, and lots of stuff I'd be interested in!
lol there's so many edible bugs. Vtuber Haachama would love it there XD.
Here in the Philippines, we pronounce it "Mai-low" and it's delicious as a drink!
The shamisen plushie looks so cute!! Congrats on the merch!
Hehe thanks so much eh!!!
Haachama would definitely be excited about the tarantulas
Village Vanguard was my favorite store growing up - I would always run inside the mall to the closest VV. It’s still the first store that comes to mind when I reminisce on my favorite stores in Japan. I miss it so much
Would love a shop like this in my city! One-stop shops where you know you can find that perfect gift for anyone in your life are so comforting. Thanks for taking us along for the ride and love how you got distracted so often!🌸
Totally bought one of your Shamisen stuffys online a few days ago! Can’t wait to get it. I bought it not only to support your work, but as a gift for my wife. As it reminds her of her dad. Who sadly passes a few years ago.
Japan is indeed has a lot so much to offer, from it’s amazing and beautiful places and sceneries to visit, up to these coolest and interesting different stores that they have in their country, I just love it so much! Well I don’t really mind if I would strolling and wandering around in this store for a couple of hours, I mean there’s a big bunch of stuffs and things to see in this store! Tokyo Lens, you never fail to amaze me in your videos, they are the best, a very worth - watching and entertaining to watch this holiday season! It just feels like that I’m in Japan too, thank you so much, we highly appreciated and enjoyed all of your contents! Keep it up your good work, man!
A live stream would be cool. Love shops like that. You can spend hours in there looking at all the unique stuff.
This makes me regret not visiting a Village Vanguard the last time I went to Japan! Shimokitazawa was one of my favourite areas to visit with all the thrift stores they have there! My parents and I got a good haul of winter clothes and ended up wearing them throughout our trip!
I'll definitely try to see a Village Vanguard next time I visit!
What an amazing store!
Everything everyone loves about Japanese merch! It's a vibe!
I want to say thank you for sharing something a simple as this, I am stuck in the US have had to postpone my second trip to Japan so seeing all this is a great thing to tide me over plus you always present things in a fun and energetic way. Look forward to see what other adventures you have before the end of the year or the start of the new year. Stay safe and have a great holiday.
I just want to say thank you. As a father of five kids, it would be impossible for me to see these amazing sites of Japan without this content.
Hello from Scotland 🏴🇨🇦 loving your channel, it's keeping me sane. You're enthusiasm and passion for Japan is a beautiful thing to see. 👑
I would probably end up spending a whole day exploring village vanguard if I was there. When I was younger, a trip to the main branch of National Bookstore (similar concept here in Quezon City, Philippines though now it is not like what it used to be) was the highlight of our pre-opening-school-year-shopping-spree.
Also grew up drinking Milo (pronounced with a long I in our country), with Ovaltine as the counterpart.
Hello Norm!!
I just wanted to say that I am really happy and appreciative to have stumbled across your channel. I am Japanese American, born and raised in South Florida, and unfortunately have not had the opportunity to visit Japan yet. I am really happy to have your videos to get a deeper look into the country and help me keep learning about it before I am able to visit in person. Keep up the great work!
OMG, my favorite shop in Tokyo!!! Everytime I go to VV, I ended up buying a lot of stuff! When I went to Tokyo 3yrs ago, almost everyday I must visit and shop at VV! 🤣 Can't wait to go back and shop more!
this channel should blow up pretty soon, Im leave any videos unwatched, you take me to places i only dream of visiting, and im begining to take my japanese bucket list trip more seriously now. thank you and god speed. keep it up.
That is so cool that you not only made your own plushie, but YOU GOT IT IN A PHYSICAL STORE! That’s just another level entirely. Kudos to you for sure
Yelled at the top of my lungs when I saw the location. The first VV I've ever been to and as a result the ultimate VV experience, at least in my eyes. It's such a fascinating place to just shop around in.
Stumbled across Village/Vanguard when in Japan, absolutely adore these stores.
I love shops like this, just eclectic collections of anything and everything.
Shamisen plushies! Seeing how much joy exudes from you while showing us your very own shamisen plushies makes me smile so much. That is definitely a major accomplishment and I still hope one day I can proudly display one of these in my home. This store makes me feel like a kid again. There’s so much to find!
Wherever you look there will be something that'll took your interest in this shop. There's so much unique and lovable stuff inside, this might become one of my must visit shop soon in the future. How do they based their products according to the place they are in? Does most of the products they chose get the positive outcome for their business? Those plushies are so CUTE! A keychain Shamisen would be nice too. Can't wait for your next vid Norm-san.
Had to rewind when you entered the store to confirm I spotted the shamisen plushie. Would not have realized if I had not seen the insta story
This dude has grown a lot! I remember him having 150k subs and now he's almost at 400k! Proud of you bro, keep grinding! I'll be waiting till you hit 1mil subs!
YAS VILLAGE VANGUARD VIDEO! Woke up a little late to be notif squad but I love it when you go visit shops and show all the neat interesting things you can find ^.^
Still in the squad!
Especially if you’re early enough for us to chat 😊
@@TokyoLens good to hear I made it!! Also I would be so down for a village vanguard live stream!! And Congrats on the shamisen plushie Norm, they’re absolutely adorable!!
I may have gone a little crazy in Village Vanguard when we visited Japan. 😁 But I did recently see a pair of Tamagotchi in western Canada in the toy aisle, so I guess it is still a thing here!
So excited for you that you got your special project in store! That's amazing! Congratulations!!!
Hahaha I’ve always done the same!
Glad to know they have them in Canada too
And thank youuuu!!!
Tamagotchi are also here in the US still too!
I saw a brief shot of a Tamagotchi Story in Tokoy iirc in another youtubers chanel. So they sem to have either never died or a kind of revival going on :)
I love how informative your videos are. Plus, your enthusiasm is so palpable it's contagious! Keep 'em coming!
... at the beginning I thought straight away: this is THE perfect place for your Shamisen plushie!!!
And then... there it is!!!
Wow to you!!! ✩✩✩
I just got back from my first trip to Japan and I actually stumbled upon this place when wandering around Shimo Kitazawa. It’s such a fun quirky shop!
Definitely going to add this to a "Must go" list for when I visit Japan! Thanks for showing it!
Awesome video brother. Thanks to you, I've been listening to bunch of shamisen covers. I love the unique sound it makes. Keep up the great work!
That microwave rice cooker (looks like a bento box) is so cool! It seems like a great product for someone living alone--especially if they lack a real kitchen. They can supplement a take-out meal with extra rice from that little cooker.
I wish we had stores like this in America! I love Japanese culture and wish I could visit someday though I would spend so much money!😄
Oooh I spy something exciting a few seconds in 💜 (I’m going to watch the rest now)
😏 😉
I love going to village vanguard when I’m struggling to get a gift. Most times you’ll stumble upon some wacky wonderful thing that’s just perfect. Last year I got my dad some Tabasco flavored chocolate and he thought it was hilarious 😂
This is so cool! I'm planning a trip in a couple years and this is definitely on my list for shopping excursions!! I want that shamisen plushie that's so cute!!🐰🌙💗🌸
Why do I feel proud of a guy I've never met, selling a plushie of an instrument I've never heard of, in a shop I've never been to?
One thing right away I noticed is they must have turned off all the little video screens and speakers that are always playing loud music and videos. Love these stores! Thanks Norm for doing this video!
I saw the "edible bugs" in Japan for the first time thanks to a Japanese Virtual RUclipsr, who would've known that they're even more popular in Japan than I thought. I also love the whole concept of Villain vanguard! It is sad that depending on where you are you might miss out on very incredible stores, but if you are able to travel around, it makes that experience much more worth it.
The shamisen plushies were the most awesome thing I've seen all week.
great job on designing them. Excellent video as always
Oh my god i literally screamed in excitement when i saw the german Esspapier right next to the nerds
Oh the nostalgia!
its such a odd candy to find in a store overseas since its literally the cheapest most bland candy imaginable
That is definitely my type of store. Filled with different unique finds everywhere. I would Not try the bugs. I love the plushie but as a broke college student I will just admire it from afar. :)
I went to that store when I was in Tokyo in 2019, it was fun. They had a lot of other locations but they were smaller and less interesting. It reminded of a combination of Urban Outfitters/Hot Topic/Spencers Gifts and a hippie new age shop.
Would love a lovestream of this shop!!! So much to see and so many little goodies, I wish we had one of these overseas. Like a magical bookshop.
Hi Tokyo Lens. Love your regular Sunday videos of this kind of interesting places. Looking forward already to your next Sunday video.
When shopping malls are mostly overrated, this shop is a top spot to buy some cool stuff to your house :D
And your plushie is beautiful!
Love the video, I really want to check this store out :D
Also Milo is actually an Australian drink (pronounced My-low), we have a breakfast cereal version and candy bar version as well
Counting down 7 days for a plushie is totally worth it Norm! Can’t wait to watch this video in the next week!
CONGRATS ON LAUNCHING YOUR OWN PHYSICAL PRODUCT!!
Your videos are so inspiring to me. Gives me inspiration planning my 5 to 6 week vacation next year in May and June. Hopefully Japan has opened up for tourists by then.
I've always dream of going to Japan!!
Hope you can 😊 the
It’s a cool shop, I live a few minutes away from that shop and would always take friends there when they come to visit
i loved this video, thanks for showing us around! ♥♥
Just saw something related to yuru camp 2:34 to minute 2:39 on the shelf, in orange :D Great video I really like those types of stores actually where every corner u go to there something unic and rare to see in your average store, and the fact that they change cosntatly to make it even more intersting and vivid or rather alive I ould say makes it better!
Those kinda shops are a lifesaver for gifting presents to your family and friends!
I would like to see a livestream !
Village Vanguard and Shamisen Plushie…that’s like birthday and Xmas all together!! 💝🎄 Congratulations Norm!!
I don't know how you look so composed in the videos, I'd go crazy and throw everything in a cart lol
Wow, I love love love that store!!! Much more interesting than yet another walk down a Tokyo street, though I love watching those as well. Thank you for sharing this, and yes... gotta love that Shamisen plushie!
You can tell that building is well loved from the wear and tear on the floor :)
About 10 years ago I was in A village Vanguard and looked at a book with 'artistic pictures' of young women. The thing was, the photos had been taken in that store with the models standing in front of the book shelf on which the books were placed. I'd forgotten about that till I saw this video. Now I wonder if I just imagined it.
OH MY GOD IVE BEEN TRYING TO REMEMBER THE NAME OF THIS STORE FOR TWO YEARS!!!!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!!
The face roller thing, its in Australia too. There's even western companies bringing them out now. And for Milo, its common here too. We pronounce it "My low"
Great video! I never got to V.V. while in Tokyo but it's totally the type of shop I would love. Love the books, stickers, and snacks, and hello, can we talk about that shamisen plushy! I have bought those Korean almonds in the US; i bought yoghurt covered ones for myself and spicy tteokbokki flavored ones for someone else. I haven't missed shopping in a while, but this did it! Livestream please!
The roller things that they use for fat reduction. Is actually used by us occupational therapists in sensory intergration, which is to help people, that are having trouble selfregulation their sensory system. It can also be used to help lowering arousal if you are feeling stressed or anxious.
Your excitement about all these little odd things was sooo sweet and pleasant to watch! X3 And I'm very happy for you that you got your own beautiful shamisen plushie ♥
What I also noticed and which gave me a little chuckle (when you pointed out the candy, Nerds was it?) was the Esspapier (literally "Edible paper"). It's from where I live, Germany - and I'm pretty sure they sell the exact same brand in the local supermarkets here. Didn't expect to see that in Japan. XD
Omg that love and passion for the Shamisen plushies! This store looks amazing, never been to one. Need to find it next time I'm in Japan.
Norm: you have a shamisen plushie! Woop woop
Omg! The entire time I was looking at the plushies, so cute~ ❤️
I loved staying in Shimokita, I loved walking around the area and getting lost in this store for about 2-3 hours. I still have so much that I got there from my last trip in 2016!
I love Village Vanguard! And that one is massive, it’s going on my map. I would be sorely tempted by some of the really useless kitchen stuff, like the somen slides or takoyaki grills… love that place. ❤️
This walk through Village Vanguard reminds me of my first time walking through donki. it's so chaotic yet everything is wildly interesting and unique. I'll definitely have to make a stop in next time I see one!
Ha! Thanks for visiting my neighborhood Norm...Shimokitazawa is where I moved from America, sight unseen, because I heard it was a good place for musicians to live--I should say, I am an architect by day. I stumbled upon Village Vanguard after I moved here 7 years ago....I hate shopping, but love to stroll this shop when I am walking by.
My Son always makes a beeline for the Village Vanguard in Diver City in Odaiba. We love that shop.
What a nice guy! Thanks for taking us along with you to an exotic store.
That store looks so cool! I could probably spend a ton of time in there.
The sheer number of gadgets Japan has amazes me. I've been in Japanese stores here in California (Daiso, Marukai Living, etc) and I swear they have gadgets for everything. Including things you didn't know you needed in your life. And also they've somehow discovered how to make things both practical AND cute at the same time...how I have no idea.
Amazing how they can prevent shoplifting as effectively as they do with the literal maze of trinkets and good everywhere. No way their cameras can catch all customers movements.
Sees Norm beeline for the moss terrarium… You know, I think that was one of the first videos I ever watched on your channel…
You made a plushie!? So cool!
This place is cool! I’m definitely down for a livestream!
Also: Tamagotchi is a nostalgia item rn, but it’s due for a comeback. I wouldn’t be surprised to find it in stores. A lot of 90s stuff is getting rebooted.
Hahaha that’s amazing
SOOOOO OG lol
Thank you for the tour Norm! I would love to see more of it in a livestream or even better a documentation style video like you did with the closing Sega Gamecenter in Ikebukuro.
Norm, Tamagotchis are still a thing in the West. Target has them. Japan just got the best new model called Smart. The West got one with a camera called Pix. An R2-D2 crossover Tamagotchi also recently came out.
Ohhh yeah! I want that noodle waterslide! 🤣🤣 thank you again for adding a new item to my list if places I must go when I finally manage to get out there! I had to push my 2022 trip to March 2023 because of the restrictions still in place. I Hope this next year helps clear things up and get international tourists back in Japan 💜
Also congrats on your plushie!!! I want one!
Much love from Arizona ❤️❤️
14:19 Amogus merch
I would love to have one of those cute Shamisen plushie. And good to see Milo being there as I still drink it almost everyday since way back
I could have spent a good chunk of time looking at that sticker wall alone. What a cool store!
I could lose myself for days in a store like this, only to emerging with overflowing with items I never knew I needed and probably would never use 😁
In about 2013 I bought a talking plush of Obama wearing a superman spoof outfit from Village Vanguard. Still works! His signature "Yes we can" is the phrase. I love that store.
seriously, this place will be on my bucket list when I visit japan next time
I'm always amazed when you emerge from shops like these empty-handed. No way could I go through a store like that and not, at the very least, buy some of the snacks to try (but I'll pass on the bugs, thanks). We have an Asian store in Seattle called Uwajimaya, and inside the store is a Kinokuniya book store - I've recently fallen in love with their stationary section & will have to really rein myself in when I'm there.