Aloha John! Caught the replay. I love these walking tours that you do off-the-beaten path around the Tokyo area. So much fun seeing places we'd normally never venture off to. I could spend an entire day just hanging out with you checking out places like this and sharing a nice meal. Have a great weekend my bro.
Fantastic video as always, thanks John. Perhaps it explains part of the popularity of tourism to Japan over the last few years, some people want to see the "old school" parts of post-war Tokyo (myself included) before giving way to the more "earthquake resistant" modern buildings. Beautiful, clean, narrow allys, especially that one with the shrine and tree growing through the building is a sight to behold. As a bicycle mechanic myself, I find the bikes parked around the houses fascinating as well, a bit different in the details to the ones available here in Australia. Thanks for the Q & A stream from yesterday as well, very informative with a few tips picked up. As a Samurai Patreon supporter for the last few months, the Discord server has been an amazing source of info from everyone using it (I'm MrTamiya on there) to help me plan my next trip to Tokyo next year. My first time there was for less than 24 hours a few months ago, but I had a few days at Hakuba which was excellent, saw your camping video on that too. Keep up the great work!
Me too! Just feels very homey to see them parked outside like that. Thanks for being a Samurai and member on Discord! It’s been amazing to see it grow and be a helpful tool for planning and taking about Japan!
Thanks for this fascinating look behind the facade of the Monja street -- we've eaten monja on this street and loved it, but didn't take the time to explore down the alleys and adjacent blocks.. Next time I'm there, I'll definitely take the time to look around a lot more. Hope the old homes are still there when I come!
you've mentioned tsukishima a few times other past streams too and i've had it saved but still yet to visit. thanks for showing us around though. it looks like a really nice neighborhood, will have to visit over my upcoming winter break
The time right after an amazing trip is the hardest 😂 I returned to the US for a while in 2003 and remember wanting to jump back in the plane a month later!
Thanks John, another interesting area to go visit next trip. We prefer mostly to find regular slice of life areas, restaurants, eat where the locals do etc. We still tick off the popular tourist spots but then go to areas like these. Thank you for pronouncing To Kyo the we we should, now for A Sa Ku Sa 😅
Thank you for this wonderful tour. The best rourist places for me are the ones that are Off The Beaten Path! And Tokyo is so vast - I'm so glad you explore those places for us. I was fortunate to have been able to tour Japan back in the 90s with Les Ballets Trockadero de Montecarlo - "The Trocks". I so want to visit when not working, but as a tourist. I do this vicariously through your wonderful videos.
Hi John, how would you compare the melon pan at Tsukishima from the one (Kagetsu, if I spelt it correctly) at Asakusa? Is it similar? I’ll try to visit Tsukishima next trip. Went to Omihachiman about 2 weeks back and finally found the sake you bought from a vending machine some 4 years back! Left a comment (see if u can) on that video when u took us there. It made me visit :) Thank you for all these years of showing us Japan and sharing your experiences.
Different. I think Tsukishima is more traditional. Tastes great out of the oven! A big smaller, cheaper for sure. I don’t like melon pan if it’s not out of the oven and burn do that. Kagetsudo has options for whip cream! Tsukishima does not but they have APPLE PIE which is good :) they also have ice cream 🍦anyhow, I always stop there after dinner anyway in Tsukishima because it’s a happy ending! The other melonpan shop “Tokyo Melonpan” is a chain and is okay but I like the local place.
I love this video, it really warms my heart and I can’t explain exactly why. Maybe cause it’s the Japan I’d like to visit, ride a bicycle and eat with locals. So lovely 😊
Just got back from my first trip to JP. I'm sorry i didn't run into you John! On one of the days, I realized too late you were exactly where I had been (Azabudai Hills). As much as I liked places like Azabudai (swank!), I loved places with more history and character, like Yanaka Ginza. The narrow streets and sweet old houses just made me feel such nostalgia, even though i had never been there before :)
John, I don't think it has to be inevitable that the old alley houses will all go away, and if it were my city, I'd work to preserve them somehow. They give the neighborhoods distinct personalities and buffer population density--it is good to have wide-ranging diversity in housing options. Thanks for taking us down these streets and alleys. Cheers!
I'm drawn to alleyways no matter where I've gone. Just so much more interesting. Places like these speak of those who live (lived) there. Sad to see it go away.
It’s not cheap, usually a small building takes 48 hours. That move fast. I’ve seen it come and go so fast. Not sure costs but less then you’d think but more than you’d want to pay 😂
Definitely interested in a video about when they have to replace the old buildings and homes with new apartment buildings in their place. Do they get bought out at a fair price? Do they get a option to move into the new building? Are they able to choose to keep the old building and say No to the developers? Those are the 3 questions I can think of atm but id love to see a video on it please.
Nostalgic. 300 ft brand new and 15 feet very old right next to each other. They government should let the old streets stay if the people still live in the buildings
I do these type of walks, just be careful with locals that don't want to see you lol but from my experience peoplejust say high, construction workers will laugh as long as you follow the rules
Glad you spoke about your "Tokyo" pronunciation. It's been kinda bugging me, I must admit. If you're speaking English, American English, then I would assume you'd say Tokyo without a heavy Japanese accent. If you're speaking in Japanese, then of course pronounce it accordingly. I just don't see the need to suddenly drop into a heavy Japanese accent to say one word. It does stick out.
Heavily accented? “Kyo” even in English is actually 1 syllable (kiyo would be two) so I don’t get who is saying it in “heavy accent” … wouldn’t it be … the other way round? Say it how you like to, I won’t criticize 😉 but it’s still actually to-kyo and there’s nothing “heavy” about it. It’s pretty subtle. And by the way, I do say To-ki-o anyway in English. It comes out both ways. You’ll hear it 50% of the time. I’m pointing out how and why I say it. You don’t have to 🤷🏻♂️
It does not, in fact, stick out. Tokyo - 2 syllables - is the common, normal pronunciation. I am American and have been pronouncing it correctly most of my life. Just as Beijing is pronounced with a hard j and not a soft j. Being American does not give you liberty to say that the native pronunciation of words is incorrect 'in English'. The pronunciation is the same in English. You've just never bothered to learn what that pronunciation is, and to your uninformed ear it sounds weird. It sounds normal to anyone who actually knows how it's pronounced.
what the heck are you talking about? there's no noticeable accent when john pronounces tokyo. he's literally just saying it the correct way. i have no idea what youre hearing because there is no "heavy japanese accent"
Thank you, John. Your walkthrough is one of my favorite pieces of content on RUclips.
I really enjoyed this episode a lot!! Thank You!
Thanks, John. That area and the area where the Monz cafe is located are on my list.
Aloha John! Caught the replay. I love these walking tours that you do off-the-beaten path around the Tokyo area. So much fun seeing places we'd normally never venture off to. I could spend an entire day just hanging out with you checking out places like this and sharing a nice meal. Have a great weekend my bro.
Aloha to you too! Great to have you along with me on this walk today on playback! 🙏😊 we were just here with Brandy!!
@onlyinjapanGO I was so jealous that she was able to hang out with you. Lol. We're hoping to travel together to Japan and spend time with you.
Fantastic video as always, thanks John. Perhaps it explains part of the popularity of tourism to Japan over the last few years, some people want to see the "old school" parts of post-war Tokyo (myself included) before giving way to the more "earthquake resistant" modern buildings. Beautiful, clean, narrow allys, especially that one with the shrine and tree growing through the building is a sight to behold.
As a bicycle mechanic myself, I find the bikes parked around the houses fascinating as well, a bit different in the details to the ones available here in Australia.
Thanks for the Q & A stream from yesterday as well, very informative with a few tips picked up. As a Samurai Patreon supporter for the last few months, the Discord server has been an amazing source of info from everyone using it (I'm MrTamiya on there) to help me plan my next trip to Tokyo next year. My first time there was for less than 24 hours a few months ago, but I had a few days at Hakuba which was excellent, saw your camping video on that too. Keep up the great work!
Me too! Just feels very homey to see them parked outside like that. Thanks for being a Samurai and member on Discord! It’s been amazing to see it grow and be a helpful tool for planning and taking about Japan!
Thanks for this fascinating look behind the facade of the Monja street -- we've eaten monja on this street and loved it, but didn't take the time to explore down the alleys and adjacent blocks.. Next time I'm there, I'll definitely take the time to look around a lot more. Hope the old homes are still there when I come!
Thank you for taking us to Tsukishima today John. I will catch your next live real soon.
Love your videos! Best regards from Puerto Rico🙏🇵🇷✝️
you've mentioned tsukishima a few times other past streams too and i've had it saved but still yet to visit. thanks for showing us around though. it looks like a really nice neighborhood, will have to visit over my upcoming winter break
Sits a slice of normal Tokyo life near Ginza, definitely a great contrast and chill place along the Sumida River.
I just returned from Japan, but this makes me want to come back soon. Thanks !!
The time right after an amazing trip is the hardest 😂 I returned to the US for a while in 2003 and remember wanting to jump back in the plane a month later!
@ It took me only a week 😉. All the best from Amsterdam.
Andor
Thanks John, another interesting area to go visit next trip.
We prefer mostly to find regular slice of life areas, restaurants, eat where the locals do etc. We still tick off the popular tourist spots but then go to areas like these.
Thank you for pronouncing To Kyo the we we should, now for A Sa Ku Sa 😅
Thank you Aiken! It was great to have you with me in Tsukishima today!
Thanks for the livestream, John. Finally im a member of OIJ. 👍
Welcome the the community ٩(^‿^)۶ it’s great to have you here 🎌
Thank you John for showing us the back streets of Tokyo. It’s always interesting seeing Japan.
Thanks John, is the monjayaki made with rice flour? Gluten free?
I’ll ask Kanae, I think no but it could be in some shops with the modernization.
i was home last night but lost power. so just went to sleep. sad i missed it live. thanks for the share say awesome!
I should also say, I love your content and videos. 😀And I'll be in Tokyo for Spring!
I enjoyed the video hope you find something good in that area
Thank you for this wonderful tour. The best rourist places for me are the ones that are Off The Beaten Path! And Tokyo is so vast - I'm so glad you explore those places for us. I was fortunate to have been able to tour Japan back in the 90s with Les Ballets Trockadero de Montecarlo - "The Trocks". I so want to visit when not working, but as a tourist. I do this vicariously through your wonderful videos.
Glad you came here. Love this area. Cheers to Kanae and Rio❤❤❤
Hi John, how would you compare the melon pan at Tsukishima from the one (Kagetsu, if I spelt it correctly) at Asakusa? Is it similar? I’ll try to visit Tsukishima next trip. Went to Omihachiman about 2 weeks back and finally found the sake you bought from a vending machine some 4 years back! Left a comment (see if u can) on that video when u took us there. It made me visit :) Thank you for all these years of showing us Japan and sharing your experiences.
Different. I think Tsukishima is more traditional. Tastes great out of the oven! A big smaller, cheaper for sure. I don’t like melon pan if it’s not out of the oven and burn do that. Kagetsudo has options for whip cream! Tsukishima does not but they have APPLE PIE which is good :) they also have ice cream 🍦anyhow, I always stop there after dinner anyway in Tsukishima because it’s a happy ending! The other melonpan shop “Tokyo Melonpan” is a chain and is okay but I like the local place.
I love this video, it really warms my heart and I can’t explain exactly why. Maybe cause it’s the Japan I’d like to visit, ride a bicycle and eat with locals. So lovely 😊
Thanks for sharing it. ✌️
Favorite city in the world! What a cool neighborhood.
this is what makes me love japan
Just got back from my first trip to JP. I'm sorry i didn't run into you John! On one of the days, I realized too late you were exactly where I had been (Azabudai Hills). As much as I liked places like Azabudai (swank!), I loved places with more history and character, like Yanaka Ginza. The narrow streets and sweet old houses just made me feel such nostalgia, even though i had never been there before :)
John, I don't think it has to be inevitable that the old alley houses will all go away, and if it were my city, I'd work to preserve them somehow. They give the neighborhoods distinct personalities and buffer population density--it is good to have wide-ranging diversity in housing options. Thanks for taking us down these streets and alleys. Cheers!
At least 50% of what was remaining are gone since 2015 😢 it’s inevitable. The shacks must make way. Not many areas of central Tokyo like here.
I'm drawn to alleyways no matter where I've gone. Just so much more interesting. Places like these speak of those who live (lived) there. Sad to see it go away.
Where are all the people? So few people in such a big city.
It’s after lunch. Most people are at work. It’s crowded again at dinner.
I like going to Tsukishima when I stay at Monzennakacho.
31:09 she’s a hustler. Girl power!
John I have a question. When they tear down the buildings there what are they charging? What’s the purchase of it? Just very curious. 😊
It’s not cheap, usually a small building takes 48 hours. That move fast. I’ve seen it come and go so fast. Not sure costs but less then you’d think but more than you’d want to pay 😂
Definitely interested in a video about when they have to replace the old buildings and homes with new apartment buildings in their place.
Do they get bought out at a fair price?
Do they get a option to move into the new building?
Are they able to choose to keep the old building and say No to the developers?
Those are the 3 questions I can think of atm but id love to see a video on it please.
This may sound weird but when I come to Toyko one day the first thing I am going to do is explore alley ways for a whole week. At day and night
Nostalgic. 300 ft brand new and 15 feet very old right next to each other. They government should let the old streets stay if the people still live in the buildings
Yes it is sad when things change. It is clean. Would love to get to eat some of the food. Hope one day i can come and see in person.
I wonder if the locals want their neighborhood flooded with tourists??? We, and our neighbors, do not... 🤦🏿♂️
Flooded? I’m flattered you think so many are watching the show 😊 Not going to happen here, although it’s already flooded at dinner time.
I do these type of walks, just be careful with locals that don't want to see you lol
but from my experience peoplejust say high, construction workers will laugh as long as you follow the rules
How much was the doctor charging a month for rent?
130,000 yen in 2016 but not the doc, he was also renting.
@@onlyinjapanGO thank you
It was nice to see all of those cool alleys 😎Thank you for this Alleys expolration walk 🙂👍!!!
Glad you enjoyed it ٩(^‿^)۶
Ah monja st. Know it well. Had a 1st date with my now wife there 😂. Haven't been back for a few years, looks to have changed a lot.
I am familiar with nagaya from Ito Junji's magnum opus, Uzumaki.
Can you vape in Tokyo?
Not on the streets in Chuo. Every ward in Tokyo is different.
I understand
The best kind of video for me, thanks!!!
toeeekiiiiiyoooo????
😂 that’s one way 🦶 🔑 🪀
Glad you spoke about your "Tokyo" pronunciation. It's been kinda bugging me, I must admit. If you're speaking English, American English, then I would assume you'd say Tokyo without a heavy Japanese accent. If you're speaking in Japanese, then of course pronounce it accordingly. I just don't see the need to suddenly drop into a heavy Japanese accent to say one word. It does stick out.
Heavily accented? “Kyo” even in English is actually 1 syllable (kiyo would be two) so I don’t get who is saying it in “heavy accent” … wouldn’t it be … the other way round? Say it how you like to, I won’t criticize 😉 but it’s still actually to-kyo and there’s nothing “heavy” about it. It’s pretty subtle. And by the way, I do say To-ki-o anyway in English. It comes out both ways. You’ll hear it 50% of the time. I’m pointing out how and why I say it. You don’t have to 🤷🏻♂️
It does not, in fact, stick out. Tokyo - 2 syllables - is the common, normal pronunciation. I am American and have been pronouncing it correctly most of my life. Just as Beijing is pronounced with a hard j and not a soft j. Being American does not give you liberty to say that the native pronunciation of words is incorrect 'in English'. The pronunciation is the same in English. You've just never bothered to learn what that pronunciation is, and to your uninformed ear it sounds weird. It sounds normal to anyone who actually knows how it's pronounced.
what the heck are you talking about? there's no noticeable accent when john pronounces tokyo. he's literally just saying it the correct way. i have no idea what youre hearing because there is no "heavy japanese accent"