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Nakano Broadway or Ochanomizu have to be some of my favorites. Of course Akihabara but that’s kind of low hanging fruit. Can’t wait to visit and explore Tokyo someday!
Love how people that know Norm greet him when he walks in the store; it's also incredible how you're able to make these videos so entertaining and so useful at the same time; thank you for all that you do, hope your flight training is going well.
I want to travel to Japan and experience both the bigger cities and the countrysides to get a better "all-around" experience of the country. I love that I can get Tokyo Lens content "all-around" Japan to help me know what to expect and things to do. Thank you Norm for all your lovely content!
This is the best Tokyo guide that I will always rely on from now on! Left my hometown Osaka three years ago and now I live in Tokyo. Was always difficult to entertain my friends from Osaka but now I will come back to watch this and see what they wanna do. Thank you so much Norm! And also great music selection as well😆✨
I'm not a big fashion fan but when I visited Shimo Kita on a whim at night the vibes were so nice the warm yellow lights from izakayas and the passing trains from overpasses were so comforting, its definitely my favorite memory from visiting tokyo
Honestly right now you might be the best youtube channel to learn new things about Japan in a fast and fun way. While many channels redo the same old stories and places, you do find unique and fresh things each week. For that, I thank you very much
Thank you so much for this video Norm. Been going in-and-out of tokyo lately, but I still didn't know which area specialized which (Other than Akiba). Now I can just show this video to my friends who are visitting the first time❤
So refreshing to finally come across a video on Tokyo that doesn't repeat the same thing over and over again! I swear all the videos on Tokyo at the moment are all the same. Thank you!
It's honestly amazing how you're able to fit more information in a 14 minutes video than a half-hour long "Tokyo Guide", even with an ad tucked in. Also, 8:09 was so smooth
I feel like im traveling to Japan every time i watch your videos, doubt id ever get there in real life! but iv become sooo fascinated with all of it! thank you for taking us along ♥
Just came across this video, only have a day left in Japan, but this video should be on every tourists videos to watch before entering Japan. Thank you!
So interesting to know that Tokyo has its speciality areas! I loved the places that showed craft stuff, and I know I'm in danger of overspending if I go near any of the anime shops. I got lost in Tokyo Station during my last visit. I was looking for the Pokemon store but I didn't realize there were several floors under the station. Ended up just buying some food and enjoying the sights outside the station. Ameyoko and Ueno are my favorite places, and even if Asakusa's crowded, i liked exploring that area too.
I have just returned from Tokyo and this would have been so useful if it were posted 3 weeks ago. The size of the city is amazing and it is packed full of life in all of the little alleys and the buildings with 7 floors of bars and restaurants. It amazes and surprises me even though I have been 3 times now.
Tokyo is such an expansive microcosm of things. You'd be surprised at what you'll find in even the smallest corners and crannies in the most unlikely of places. And the food...GOD the food! Please do a whole video showing what we'd miss out on if we weren't looking for it because there is just so much.
The way you filmed this was SO much fun! ♥ I may never get to experience Tokyo in real life, but you made me feel like I was there for a second. The only thing I was missing on this incredible overview was looking at art supply stores - but that's just the artist in me *laughs*. These are the kind of stores I will seek out whenever I go to a new city.
I've been living in Tokyo for about a year now, after being in another prefecture for years, and was not particularly excited at the thought of moving here. I will say that your videos exploring Tokyo have helped a lot in making me want to explore and learn about the city, this video is fantastic, will definitely visit a few of the places you mentioned!
I been watching for the past 61 days and I just love you norm. Your aurora and character, and your calm demeanor helps me on my bad days. Love all your content. CANT WAIT TO MEET ONE DAY.
This is an amazing guide. Hopefully I'll be able to use it one day when I can finally afford to travel! Love the content, Norm! Keep up the great work!
Okay, you're not only a formidable and enthusiastic presenter, you must also be psychic! Because I was just wondering about stuff like this just a few days ago and here you are, just handing information right in my lap... Very nice and informative video, cool to know that Tokyo is so much more varied than I previous thought! As a fan of sumo, it would be awesome to get myself to Tokyo some day!
This video is exactly what my wallet needs ahead of my trip in a couple of months - definitely a few areas I'm still to check out! Looks like I might need to take an extra bag with me 😂
loved this format! definitely do this again with more specific subjects. so many things you showed which i missed on my last trip that i will have to come see
This video was super helpful! I’ve been to Tokyo 4 times now, but I always feel a little overwhelmed by how big it is. Breaking it down like this is amazing. Definitely want to see a breakdown for food! Food always the best part of traveling!
Norm, this video as an absolute treat! Thank you so much for the run down. I thoroughly enjoyed the editing. My wife, myself and our toddler arrive in japan in only 21 days! I deliberately booked our accommodation within walking distance to Nakano Broadway, since last time we were there in 2019 (before kiddo was born) we loved the food and shopping experience. I'll be hunting down vintage camera, gameboys and ipods during our stay!
Amazing and tremendously helpful list. Ive lived in/around Tokyo for 7 years and while some were well known, others not, I appreciate learning more about this amazing city. I have my best friend and his family visiting in a couple weeks, perfect timing to add to the itinerary. Thanks!
This is the guide needed. Knowing what each prefecture specializes in, makes it so much easier to organize your visit. Coming for the first time at the end of the month. Cant wait to become completely sensory overloaded. Thank you norm for doing these awesome videos!
These are not prefectures. They're not even wards... which is what you probably mean to say. While central Tokyo is divided up into wards and that affects some laws, most people refer to areas by the main station name. It's a train city so in terms of attractions most things are within a few block radius of a major station with more residential between these bubbles. Don't mean to accccshuually on you, just trying to help you understand how it's put together so when you're there you understand how to communicate where you are and where you're trying to go.
Another great video. I was lucky enough to go with work earlier this month, so moved my flights to give me four days there on my own beforehand. I walked 45 miles and did Akihabara, Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya and managed to get the Shinkansen to Kyoto, to walk to and around Mt Inari. What struck me most was the beautiful shrines. Staying in Omiya, I woke early on the first day so walked to that shrine and just saw locals worshipping. So humbling. I made a list of everything I wanted to see (including of course the Tamiya shop, Kyosho Village, Seiko museum, Senso Ji and a huge number of places in Akihabara). But your video has shown there's still so much I want to go back for! It's not all about the shopping for me - it's the beauty of the place and the whole culture. But yes, what struck me there was how you really can buy everything! I even found a tiny shop with about eight women in making jewellery, so bought my wife some earrings that she loves, for only about £45. That was just off the main street in Ginza... You wouldn't get that just off Oxford Street in London! After that, the work part involved riding motorcycles in the mountains to the north west of Tokyo. Yeah, 'work'. I love Japan...
I went to Japan about 3 months after the ban covid ban was lifted the first time. And I cannot tell you how incredibly lucky I feel to have been there with so few other tourists. Seeing some of the b-roll from asakusa is insane! There were maybe like at most a 100ish people there when I went and most of the shops weren't even open, but I didn't care because the shrine was beautiful to look at and appreciating it a little extra now seeing how calm it was when we went (comparatively)
The wife and I literally just got back from Japan a little over a week ago and were barely able to scratch the surface on everything it had to offer.. two weeks definitely wasn't enough to experience everything we wanted. Now we have an excuse to come back sooner 😊
I honestly don't think I could pick which area is my favorite. They all seem to have their own unique style and charm. Seeing all the various architectural styles together makes me really interested in the history of each region as well. Thanks for bringing us along on this fascinating journey! Also, I'd unironically be interested in a video on all the different guardrails!
I will be taking my first trip to Japan this end of November after thanksgiving with 3 friends and I, been watching your videos for some time and the excitement only grows more and more. Luckily 2 of the 4 have already been there so my first time won’t be so overwhelming hopefully haha. Thank you for the videos and what you do! We’re gonna be staying like a 8 minute walk from downtown akihabara !!
I've been to Japan, and when I went I only spent a few 4-5 days in Tokyo before moving on to Hakone, and I had always felt that despite managing to check out a lot of the places mentioned, I still missed out. Norm killed me with this video, its difficult to phrase it diffirently. I came back from JP some 4 months ago, and I am aching to go back JUST to stay in Tokyo this time I really really really wish I had this video when I left, because despite all my research online, I could not even get close to the comprehensiveness of this vid Norm, do the same for Kyoto will you? I feel like there is a hidden Kyoto full of interesting places, but I ended up spending most of my time the same 4-5 places Video gets a 10/10, Norm gets an 11/10 for effort alone
Great video, this is exactly the guide I needed! For now my favourite place is Harajuku but you got me intrigued with Jinbōchō and his shops filled with books. I’ll visit it for sure.
I visited the majority of those places but did not know they were specifically for those items. Wow this guide is amazing and will definitely use it when I go back to Japan Next month.
I normally hit up Akihabara and Nakano a lot on my visits but this time i have actually been in Harajuku more, not for the fashion but for the small art galleries in the back streets. This is definitely a good video for showing people what area is good for what and that they should look into things further themselves to see if there us an area which is good for their interests
After watching this vid, I decided to visit Ogawa and I ended up having an hour long conversation with the shopkeeper-He’s so friendly and talkative, I was so surprised! He briefly mentioned a RUclipsr he met in the past and I think I knew who he was talking about 😂 At the end, he even gave me a little present-so kind of him!!
@@PiesGamingRealms oh wow!! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this story with me. This is genuinely made my day and I’m so happy that you shared it. Thank you !!!!
@@TokyoLens of course!! thanks for recommending him! I unfortunately didn’t buy a yukata because he explained that post-covid importing became slow and more expensive 😔 but he was still so nice
I used to live in Shimokitazawa. It’s a really fun place and you only need to walk 5 mins in any direction to find a quiet residential spot or small park. I visited that coffee/thrift store last year. The friendly young dude there makes great coffee and speaks pretty good English too.
Travelled a few times in Japan in the past 10 years, this is a great guide. You might want to know about the textile shops near Nippori. Sewing goods heaven.
I love Norm's shopping video's, I wish I'd seen something like this before I went to Tokyo earlier this year. I was one of those marks that bought "souvernirs" from the Asakusa shops. The used watch shops on Nakano broadway are pretty good for picking up a decently priced used luxury watch, especially with the exchange rate at its current value.
Please please please do a Food Tour video next! Absolutely love the channel, I've since become addicted since my first video. Just makes me so so excited to someday visit Japan.
I just came back from a month long trip in Japan. While in Tokyo, our hotels were in Ueno/Taito/Asakusa. We loved it and walked around Kappabashi many times. I really wanna go back
This was so good. Thanks for showing Tokyo to viewers in an easily digestible format. I had anxiety about travelling there next month because I don't know Japanese, but you have just put me at ease.
Great video, but also your sponsor should LOVE you because I pretty much always skip past sponsor stuff, but you made it impossible to do that with the "tour of some of your favorite shops" while you read the ad copy. Brilliant. Subscribed today.
Having travelled to Japan back in 2018, I only touched a fraction of what you have shown here. Nakano Broadway was such an amazing spot that I went to. Someday I'll revisit Japan and attempt to go to all of the spots you've mentioned!
Thanks Norm. This is really one of my favourites, and will be a great reference if/when I get back to Japan one day. I'm sure it took loads of work but it just flowed beautifully and you made it look effortless.
I loved that you made this! I've always wanted a more breakdown of Tokyo, and this is it! Will make shopping much easier when I'm heading there next year! Thank you!
tbh fact I don't see myself going to Japan within my lifetime, it's actually fun to watch these videos, even though it's not a country I want to live in it is a country I would love to visit for a while.
Ohhh this was fabulous ❤ I was drawn to so many places, haberdashery, books, kitchen ware, furniture, the thrift shops too. All those wonderful shrines, hidden away or the roof tops, fantastic ❤ I've never travelled abroad in my life but I found myself without thinking about it, getting excited about all the different areas to see. Your enthusiasm is catching, and the welcome you get from your friends in the shops is wonderful 😊 I'm so glad that i found your channel about 2 years ago ❤
I think it is really cool that many areas in tokyo kinda have their own theme and sell similar stuff so you just know where to go if you are searching for something special instead if driving around the whole town or even outside of town to search several different places.
Awesome video as always Norm. There were areas of Tokyo that I never knew existed it was fun learning about them. Thanks for showing us around these awesome places Norm.
Wow, this is one of the best, most concise Tokyo neighborhood overviews I've ever seen. I've visited a number of these for the specific specialties that you called out (I loved late evening walks in Ochanomizu to look at guitars~) and still learned quite a lot about some other areas I wasn't aware of their specialty.
I just moved to Tokyo last week from the US. I live in Nakano. I haven’t explored much but there are so many side streets with the coolest looking cafes and izakaya!
I am an arts and crafts person by heart. So all mentioned about artisans and craftsmen get my spark going. If I ever get a chance to go to Japan or even any of these areas, I will hopefully and especially get to check them out. And also the other areas mentioned in this video.
Have lived in Shinjuku for over a decade but still learned something new. Great stuff! That being said could use a part two as there’s lots more to cover! (like Shinjuku, Hatsudai, Yoyogi, Ikebukuro, Koenji, and more :-) )
I would LOVE to see a video on shops that specialize in kimono, yukata and festival wear! (tbh I'd love a video focusing on each of these areas but that one seems like a great place to start haha) I run a shop where we import and sell kimono directly from Japan so it would be extra special to see where everything comes from
Wish this was made months ago... was in tokyo last August 2023 but yeah, our main goal was Mt. Fuji, Shibuya crossing, food food food, Shinjuku area, Mt. Takao and Mutsui outlet store ... we didnt even got to go to Tokoyo Station and Tokyo Tower, 2wks in Tokyo is not enough unless you want to wake up early and go back to the hotel late at night and that would defeat the travel and relax part Lol This will be filed for future Japan travel.
This was definitely my favourite video! i had no idea Tokyo was like this and i LOVE it! I can't wait to someday come to Japan and your videos are really helping me learn about my favourite place :) So cool how all these different areas carry there own similar things, its like a hobbyists dream.
I live in Greece, Athens and we don’t have those kind of shops Tokyo has. I would be so overwhelmed when I finally visit Tokyo. It really looks amazing! 😍
I knew about some of the bigger districts like Akiba and Shibuya, but I never knew Tokyo districts were specialized to such a degree, guess I got something to look forward to for my next trip. Thanks Norm!
2:18 I visited the gentlemen whose kimono store you featured here. He was very kind and explained to me (with Google Translate) that he custom makes kimonos and it takes 40 days to make them 😅. He told me to let you know he says hello.
Very happy to have this video! My first two visits to Tokyo, I stuck to areas like Akiba, Shibuya and Ikebukuro, but on my next trip, I'd like to venture out to areas I haven't seen.
Awesome video Norm, So much info and visuals in such a neat package. I would love to see more videos in this style either covering different subjects (like you mentioned with food) or maybe even different cities. Keep up the great work.
The tip about Ogawamachi was super helpful, as I was looking at grabbing some snowboard gear on my next trip, I probably might have the best luck at the dedicated street for them!
Super useful video! Friends always ask for tips about Tokyo, and I normally just mention Geek culture in Akihabara, Fashion in Harajuku, overpriced stuff in Ginza, and too many people in Shibuya/Shinjuku/Asakusa. But now I can just send them this video!
*FAVORITE AREA? Join the discussion below and let me know!! And if theres Anything I missed, be sure to drop it in!!*
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MASSIVE Love to the Patreon squad that enables me to spend 2 weeks on a single video without losing my mind!! I appreciate you all!!
Nakano Broadway or Ochanomizu have to be some of my favorites. Of course Akihabara but that’s kind of low hanging fruit. Can’t wait to visit and explore Tokyo someday!
Ueno is now a spot I will definitely need to go and check out; along with Jimbocho because I want to see what hidden treasures I can find!
Ginza, my first destination in Japan back at Nov, 2019. Planned to be back at April 2020, well we all know what happened
Honestly most interested in Tokyo station.
Whatever that shop was with the TV on the wall was super-cool though, I had to show it to a friend.
That shopping area under Tokyo Station is awesome. I didn't even know it existed until now!
Love how people that know Norm greet him when he walks in the store; it's also incredible how you're able to make these videos so entertaining and so useful at the same time; thank you for all that you do, hope your flight training is going well.
It’s Norm, like watch one video and you just know he is a chill and wholesome human.
Japan is basically a speciality shop the size of a nation🤣
Also, can we appreciate the smooth editing, transition and script that ties it all together
yea basically lol
I want to travel to Japan and experience both the bigger cities and the countrysides to get a better "all-around" experience of the country. I love that I can get Tokyo Lens content "all-around" Japan to help me know what to expect and things to do. Thank you Norm for all your lovely content!
thanks for always being here!
This is the best Tokyo guide that I will always rely on from now on!
Left my hometown Osaka three years ago and now I live in Tokyo. Was always difficult to entertain my friends from Osaka but now I will come back to watch this and see what they wanna do. Thank you so much Norm! And also great music selection as well😆✨
Always such a kind comment from you~ Thank you
Any exciting videos coming up?
(pssssttt tell us all your upcoming video secrets lol)
Have you a list made??
I'm not a big fashion fan but when I visited Shimo Kita on a whim at night the vibes were so nice the warm yellow lights from izakayas and the passing trains from overpasses were so comforting, its definitely my favorite memory from visiting tokyo
Honestly right now you might be the best youtube channel to learn new things about Japan in a fast and fun way. While many channels redo the same old stories and places, you do find unique and fresh things each week. For that, I thank you very much
Thank you so much for this video Norm. Been going in-and-out of tokyo lately, but I still didn't know which area specialized which (Other than Akiba).
Now I can just show this video to my friends who are visitting the first time❤
hey gloco whatsup
So refreshing to finally come across a video on Tokyo that doesn't repeat the same thing over and over again! I swear all the videos on Tokyo at the moment are all the same. Thank you!
It's honestly amazing how you're able to fit more information in a 14 minutes video than a half-hour long "Tokyo Guide", even with an ad tucked in. Also, 8:09 was so smooth
Really enjoyed this-- It was especially cool how the audio quality stayed consistently perfect even when switching locations
8:12 Love this; me thinking you were just doing a simple split shot, then you up the effect by going behind yourself. Nice!
Super helpful and really well made! I appreciate that you went to all of these places in person
When other Japan RUclipsrs struggle to find new things to make content about, Norm continuously impresses.
I feel like im traveling to Japan every time i watch your videos, doubt id ever get there in real life! but iv become sooo fascinated with all of it! thank you for taking us along ♥
Thanks so much~
Ill keep bringing you along until you get here!
Just came across this video, only have a day left in Japan, but this video should be on every tourists videos to watch before entering Japan.
Thank you!
So interesting to know that Tokyo has its speciality areas! I loved the places that showed craft stuff, and I know I'm in danger of overspending if I go near any of the anime shops.
I got lost in Tokyo Station during my last visit. I was looking for the Pokemon store but I didn't realize there were several floors under the station. Ended up just buying some food and enjoying the sights outside the station. Ameyoko and Ueno are my favorite places, and even if Asakusa's crowded, i liked exploring that area too.
I have just returned from Tokyo and this would have been so useful if it were posted 3 weeks ago. The size of the city is amazing and it is packed full of life in all of the little alleys and the buildings with 7 floors of bars and restaurants. It amazes and surprises me even though I have been 3 times now.
I have 1 day left lol. I really wish this was posted 2 weeks ago
Really delightful. What a special 'city' Tokyo is. Would be happy to see the 'where to eat everything' follow up.
Tokyo is such an expansive microcosm of things. You'd be surprised at what you'll find in even the smallest corners and crannies in the most unlikely of places. And the food...GOD the food! Please do a whole video showing what we'd miss out on if we weren't looking for it because there is just so much.
The way you filmed this was SO much fun! ♥ I may never get to experience Tokyo in real life, but you made me feel like I was there for a second. The only thing I was missing on this incredible overview was looking at art supply stores - but that's just the artist in me *laughs*. These are the kind of stores I will seek out whenever I go to a new city.
I'm planning my first trip to Tokyo, and this video has been _incredibly_ useful. Thank you so much for making it!
I've been living in Tokyo for about a year now, after being in another prefecture for years, and was not particularly excited at the thought of moving here.
I will say that your videos exploring Tokyo have helped a lot in making me want to explore and learn about the city, this video is fantastic, will definitely visit a few of the places you mentioned!
I been watching for the past 61 days and I just love you norm. Your aurora and character, and your calm demeanor helps me on my bad days. Love all your content. CANT WAIT TO MEET ONE DAY.
This is an amazing guide. Hopefully I'll be able to use it one day when I can finally afford to travel! Love the content, Norm! Keep up the great work!
time is actually made for him, no time to waste..actual content creator that i have been looking for❤❤
Okay, you're not only a formidable and enthusiastic presenter, you must also be psychic!
Because I was just wondering about stuff like this just a few days ago and here you are, just handing information right in my lap...
Very nice and informative video, cool to know that Tokyo is so much more varied than I previous thought!
As a fan of sumo, it would be awesome to get myself to Tokyo some day!
hahaha yay!! Psychic status unlocked! thank you~
This video is exactly what my wallet needs ahead of my trip in a couple of months - definitely a few areas I'm still to check out! Looks like I might need to take an extra bag with me 😂
Glad it was helpful!
travel wisely and stay safe!
loved this format! definitely do this again with more specific subjects. so many things you showed which i missed on my last trip that i will have to come see
7:27 MY FAVORITEEE
This video was super helpful! I’ve been to Tokyo 4 times now, but I always feel a little overwhelmed by how big it is. Breaking it down like this is amazing. Definitely want to see a breakdown for food! Food always the best part of traveling!
Thanks!
Norm, this video as an absolute treat! Thank you so much for the run down. I thoroughly enjoyed the editing. My wife, myself and our toddler arrive in japan in only 21 days! I deliberately booked our accommodation within walking distance to Nakano Broadway, since last time we were there in 2019 (before kiddo was born) we loved the food and shopping experience. I'll be hunting down vintage camera, gameboys and ipods during our stay!
Waiting for your videos always feels like years that's how great your videos are 🤟
too kind~
Thank you so much
Amazing and tremendously helpful list. Ive lived in/around Tokyo for 7 years and while some were well known, others not, I appreciate learning more about this amazing city. I have my best friend and his family visiting in a couple weeks, perfect timing to add to the itinerary. Thanks!
Love the editing, love the flow, love your intonations. Perfect and informative!
I always try to give my ups to Tokyo Lens whenever theres a new video as early as possible. Its kinda automatic cuz the videos are always a banger.
Spot on timing Norm, I'm off to Japan next week and finalising my travel itinerary, so this video is definitely helping out. Thanks man!
This is the guide needed. Knowing what each prefecture specializes in, makes it so much easier to organize your visit.
Coming for the first time at the end of the month. Cant wait to become completely sensory overloaded.
Thank you norm for doing these awesome videos!
These are not prefectures.
They're not even wards... which is what you probably mean to say.
While central Tokyo is divided up into wards and that affects some laws, most people refer to areas by the main station name.
It's a train city so in terms of attractions most things are within a few block radius of a major station with more residential between these bubbles.
Don't mean to accccshuually on you, just trying to help you understand how it's put together so when you're there you understand how to communicate where you are and where you're trying to go.
Another great video. I was lucky enough to go with work earlier this month, so moved my flights to give me four days there on my own beforehand. I walked 45 miles and did Akihabara, Ginza, Shinjuku, Shibuya and managed to get the Shinkansen to Kyoto, to walk to and around Mt Inari.
What struck me most was the beautiful shrines. Staying in Omiya, I woke early on the first day so walked to that shrine and just saw locals worshipping. So humbling.
I made a list of everything I wanted to see (including of course the Tamiya shop, Kyosho Village, Seiko museum, Senso Ji and a huge number of places in Akihabara).
But your video has shown there's still so much I want to go back for! It's not all about the shopping for me - it's the beauty of the place and the whole culture.
But yes, what struck me there was how you really can buy everything! I even found a tiny shop with about eight women in making jewellery, so bought my wife some earrings that she loves, for only about £45. That was just off the main street in Ginza... You wouldn't get that just off Oxford Street in London!
After that, the work part involved riding motorcycles in the mountains to the north west of Tokyo. Yeah, 'work'.
I love Japan...
I went to Japan about 3 months after the ban covid ban was lifted the first time. And I cannot tell you how incredibly lucky I feel to have been there with so few other tourists. Seeing some of the b-roll from asakusa is insane! There were maybe like at most a 100ish people there when I went and most of the shops weren't even open, but I didn't care because the shrine was beautiful to look at and appreciating it a little extra now seeing how calm it was when we went (comparatively)
I previously lived in Nihonbashi and I remember so many people being confused when I said I lived in Chuo. It's nice to have this finally explained!
The wife and I literally just got back from Japan a little over a week ago and were barely able to scratch the surface on everything it had to offer.. two weeks definitely wasn't enough to experience everything we wanted. Now we have an excuse to come back sooner 😊
I honestly don't think I could pick which area is my favorite. They all seem to have their own unique style and charm. Seeing all the various architectural styles together makes me really interested in the history of each region as well. Thanks for bringing us along on this fascinating journey!
Also, I'd unironically be interested in a video on all the different guardrails!
I will be taking my first trip to Japan this end of November after thanksgiving with 3 friends and I, been watching your videos for some time and the excitement only grows more and more. Luckily 2 of the 4 have already been there so my first time won’t be so overwhelming hopefully haha. Thank you for the videos and what you do! We’re gonna be staying like a 8 minute walk from downtown akihabara !!
I've been to Japan, and when I went I only spent a few 4-5 days in Tokyo before moving on to Hakone, and I had always felt that despite managing to check out a lot of the places mentioned, I still missed out.
Norm killed me with this video, its difficult to phrase it diffirently. I came back from JP some 4 months ago, and I am aching to go back JUST to stay in Tokyo this time
I really really really wish I had this video when I left, because despite all my research online, I could not even get close to the comprehensiveness of this vid
Norm, do the same for Kyoto will you? I feel like there is a hidden Kyoto full of interesting places, but I ended up spending most of my time the same 4-5 places
Video gets a 10/10, Norm gets an 11/10 for effort alone
This might just be your best video yet Norm! My next visit to Tokyo will definitely be enhanced by the knowledge imparted herein!
I found this video... right after I left Tokyo 😅
Me too 😅😂
Ah dude, thats unlucky :S Glad I just found it, since I'm planning on going by the end of the year 😅
Oof😊
Haha I’m pretty sure that you will be back
Me too 😄😄😄
Shimokita and Ochanomizu sounds like the place I'd spend my time wandering around in, the vibes is just amazing!
Wow! I had no idea there were so many different specialty shopping areas. So interesting!
Thanks for showing us around! 😊
Great video, this is exactly the guide I needed! For now my favourite place is Harajuku but you got me intrigued with Jinbōchō and his shops filled with books. I’ll visit it for sure.
I visited the majority of those places but did not know they were specifically for those items. Wow this guide is amazing and will definitely use it when I go back to Japan Next month.
hope its a great trip!
I normally hit up Akihabara and Nakano a lot on my visits but this time i have actually been in Harajuku more, not for the fashion but for the small art galleries in the back streets.
This is definitely a good video for showing people what area is good for what and that they should look into things further themselves to see if there us an area which is good for their interests
After watching this vid, I decided to visit Ogawa and I ended up having an hour long conversation with the shopkeeper-He’s so friendly and talkative, I was so surprised! He briefly mentioned a RUclipsr he met in the past and I think I knew who he was talking about 😂 At the end, he even gave me a little present-so kind of him!!
@@PiesGamingRealms oh wow!!
Thank you so much for taking the time to share this story with me.
This is genuinely made my day and I’m so happy that you shared it.
Thank you !!!!
@@TokyoLens of course!! thanks for recommending him!
I unfortunately didn’t buy a yukata because he explained that post-covid importing became slow and more expensive 😔 but he was still so nice
I used to live in Shimokitazawa. It’s a really fun place and you only need to walk 5 mins in any direction to find a quiet residential spot or small park.
I visited that coffee/thrift store last year. The friendly young dude there makes great coffee and speaks pretty good English too.
As someone who is currently planning their trip to japan in next march... This video is a godsend. A follow up food one would be amazing! Thanks Norm!
Travelled a few times in Japan in the past 10 years, this is a great guide. You might want to know about the textile shops near Nippori. Sewing goods heaven.
I love Norm's shopping video's, I wish I'd seen something like this before I went to Tokyo earlier this year. I was one of those marks that bought "souvernirs" from the Asakusa shops. The used watch shops on Nakano broadway are pretty good for picking up a decently priced used luxury watch, especially with the exchange rate at its current value.
Please please please do a Food Tour video next!
Absolutely love the channel, I've since become addicted since my first video. Just makes me so so excited to someday visit Japan.
I just came back from a month long trip in Japan. While in Tokyo, our hotels were in Ueno/Taito/Asakusa. We loved it and walked around Kappabashi many times. I really wanna go back
Okay, that rotoscoping you walking behind yourself at 8:10 was pretty great!
Would love to see this type of video with food! When we went last year, my favorite area was Nakano Broadway - it was such a nostalgia trip!
This was so good. Thanks for showing Tokyo to viewers in an easily digestible format. I had anxiety about travelling there next month because I don't know Japanese, but you have just put me at ease.
It’s an insanely kind comment.
Thank you so much
This is the most useful video about Tokyo I've ever seen, brilliant!
Great video, but also your sponsor should LOVE you because I pretty much always skip past sponsor stuff, but you made it impossible to do that with the "tour of some of your favorite shops" while you read the ad copy. Brilliant. Subscribed today.
Having travelled to Japan back in 2018, I only touched a fraction of what you have shown here. Nakano Broadway was such an amazing spot that I went to. Someday I'll revisit Japan and attempt to go to all of the spots you've mentioned!
Thank you so much for taking the time filming this. It's filled with incredible information. Keep it up Norm!
What an amazing video Norm, thanks for explaining all the different places you can go in Tokyo.
Thanks Norm. This is really one of my favourites, and will be a great reference if/when I get back to Japan one day. I'm sure it took loads of work but it just flowed beautifully and you made it look effortless.
This is a dang useful video. I'm saving it to watch later when I eventually get to visit someday. Thanks Norm!
Seriously one of the best "where to" guides I've ever watched (and that is a lot). good one norm @TokyoLens
I loved that you made this! I've always wanted a more breakdown of Tokyo, and this is it! Will make shopping much easier when I'm heading there next year! Thank you!
Norm, fantastic video! And the quality, dude! That moment when you walk next to yourself is so creative. It's an honor to watch.
tbh fact I don't see myself going to Japan within my lifetime, it's actually fun to watch these videos, even though it's not a country I want to live in it is a country I would love to visit for a while.
Ohhh this was fabulous ❤ I was drawn to so many places, haberdashery, books, kitchen ware, furniture, the thrift shops too. All those wonderful shrines, hidden away or the roof tops, fantastic ❤ I've never travelled abroad in my life but I found myself without thinking about it, getting excited about all the different areas to see. Your enthusiasm is catching, and the welcome you get from your friends in the shops is wonderful 😊 I'm so glad that i found your channel about 2 years ago ❤
I think it is really cool that many areas in tokyo kinda have their own theme and sell similar stuff so you just know where to go if you are searching for something special instead if driving around the whole town or even outside of town to search several different places.
Finally, having a break in Japan soon, when will just be in Tokyo for a precious brief time. This is perfect, thanks
Awesome video as always Norm. There were areas of Tokyo that I never knew existed it was fun learning about them. Thanks for showing us around these awesome places Norm.
Wow, this is one of the best, most concise Tokyo neighborhood overviews I've ever seen. I've visited a number of these for the specific specialties that you called out (I loved late evening walks in Ochanomizu to look at guitars~) and still learned quite a lot about some other areas I wasn't aware of their specialty.
I lived in Ochanomizu for many years. Great for browsing shops in the weekend.
I just moved to Tokyo last week from the US. I live in Nakano. I haven’t explored much but there are so many side streets with the coolest looking cafes and izakaya!
I am an arts and crafts person by heart. So all mentioned about artisans and craftsmen get my spark going. If I ever get a chance to go to Japan or even any of these areas, I will hopefully and especially get to check them out. And also the other areas mentioned in this video.
More of this please. It's a big help for us visiting Tokyo with no idea on where to get things. Thank you!
I like Harajuku and Akihabara the most, but Asakusa was really cool to!! And Tokyo Station is like a whole thing on its own, huge and diverse
Have lived in Shinjuku for over a decade but still learned something new. Great stuff!
That being said could use a part two as there’s lots more to cover! (like Shinjuku, Hatsudai, Yoyogi, Ikebukuro, Koenji, and more :-) )
I would LOVE to see a video on shops that specialize in kimono, yukata and festival wear! (tbh I'd love a video focusing on each of these areas but that one seems like a great place to start haha) I run a shop where we import and sell kimono directly from Japan so it would be extra special to see where everything comes from
Wish this was made months ago... was in tokyo last August 2023 but yeah, our main goal was Mt. Fuji, Shibuya crossing, food food food, Shinjuku area, Mt. Takao and Mutsui outlet store ... we didnt even got to go to Tokoyo Station and Tokyo Tower, 2wks in Tokyo is not enough unless you want to wake up early and go back to the hotel late at night and that would defeat the travel and relax part Lol
This will be filed for future Japan travel.
This was definitely my favourite video! i had no idea Tokyo was like this and i LOVE it! I can't wait to someday come to Japan and your videos are really helping me learn about my favourite place :) So cool how all these different areas carry there own similar things, its like a hobbyists dream.
I live in Greece, Athens and we don’t have those kind of shops Tokyo has. I would be so overwhelmed when I finally visit Tokyo. It really looks amazing! 😍
I knew about some of the bigger districts like Akiba and Shibuya, but I never knew Tokyo districts were specialized to such a degree, guess I got something to look forward to for my next trip.
Thanks Norm!
2:18
I visited the gentlemen whose kimono store you featured here. He was very kind and explained to me (with Google Translate) that he custom makes kimonos and it takes 40 days to make them 😅. He told me to let you know he says hello.
For some reason RUclips did not show the video in my subfeed. Thank you for the locations. Can't wait for my vacation to Tokyo. 3 more days to go
Very happy to have this video! My first two visits to Tokyo, I stuck to areas like Akiba, Shibuya and Ikebukuro, but on my next trip, I'd like to venture out to areas I haven't seen.
The best video I've ever seen for a guide to Tokyo. Such a joy to watch!!
Awesome video Norm, So much info and visuals in such a neat package. I would love to see more videos in this style either covering different subjects (like you mentioned with food) or maybe even different cities. Keep up the great work.
The tip about Ogawamachi was super helpful, as I was looking at grabbing some snowboard gear on my next trip, I probably might have the best luck at the dedicated street for them!
Love how you show the best of the country and city with respect yet telling us where we should avoid ❤
My friend is in Japan right now and is planning to go back to tokyo today. Your video came in a clutch! Thank you so much for this
That old red chair, my family had one exactly the same. Super confy. I liked to use it to read all the time.
i think i would love the fabric, book areas, akihabara as well as the vintage and craft areas. so much cool stuff
Super useful video! Friends always ask for tips about Tokyo, and I normally just mention Geek culture in Akihabara, Fashion in Harajuku, overpriced stuff in Ginza, and too many people in Shibuya/Shinjuku/Asakusa. But now I can just send them this video!