Thanks once again to @backpackerben for driving us around Japan. Wouldn’t have been possible to travel to the places we went without him. Check out his channel for some Love Hotel fun
Hi from Japan. I love the scene that you bought the most NOTORIOUS alcohol drink in Japan: "STRONG ZERO" without any hesitation. The sedatives barely legal, for the weary Japanese people, forced to work for incredibly cheap wages. I hope you enjoyed this country. p.s. According to Wikipedia, the hospital ["Himekawa Hospital" : 姫川病院] you visited in the video was closed due to financial difficulties, not because of tsunami for sure ;) To add to this, most local cities have been devastated by the super-aging population. Local cities have no youth workers to pay taxes. Hell holes like Itoigawa can be seen everywhere in Japan ---except Tokyo.
I remember buying Strong Zero, not realising it was alcohol 😮😂 Japan is a beautiful place, I had the most amazing time there. I hope Japan opens more to outside workers, because unless people make more use of the love hotels the worker shortage will only get worse.
Strong Zero also known as the Gaijin Killer lol Famously western people down cans of them not knowing each one has 3 to 4 beers worth of alcohol in them
STRONG ZERO is incredible! I wish they still had the umeboshi flavor. But yes, the financial troubles of Japan are there for sure. At least you don't have the massive wealth inequality of many Western countries.
I watched this right after the vid from Bangladesh. The contrast between the endless noise and street hustle there, with the quiet orderliness in Japan is just ....wow!
When people follow traffic laws, the need to constantly honk to prevent collision disappears. Traffic moves faster and more smoothly, so everyone gets places quicker and spend less on fuel because they don't need to stop and idle all the time. That's why traffic rules exist. The rules make you go faster. Stupid people think of rules are there to make you go slower for no reason. If the proportion of stupid people in your society gets too high, everything starts to break.
I visited Japan a few years back and in a small town somewhere near Nagoya I posted several postcards back to England. I had given them to the staff to put stamps on. We wondered off on foot to a friends house we were staying at when after about 10 minutes a car came speeding up to us and out jumped the post master. I had forgotten to put an address on one of the cards! Can’t imagine this ever happening in the UK.
@@guilleport I knew about that from stories and videos but when I went there a couple of months ago I actually experienced it and it's just unbelievable. I can't comprehend where do they get so much energy and motivation to keep on doing this... I wouldn't go as far for myself as they go for others.
Honestly, I love when you visit less touristy places like this. It lets us see a much more personal side of the country that not many get to experience.
Japan is like a place for tired and jaded travelers. When you visit, everything is just so nice. Everything is clean, safe, on-time and works properly, and every day you head out to explore everyone is going to be nice, helpful and considerate. I loved it!
Think you’re overrating Japan, it has Europe syndrome, first world country, super advanced but slowly regressing. A mix of old and new. Sure they have some AI and a culture of cleanliness which is great, but when I compare Japan to a nation like Norway, Switzerland, Germany or the Netherlands I think in every aspect the European ones are cleaner, more advanced, more equal and just better overall. I’m sure Japanese people are blown away by certain aspects of countries like these when they come too.
Obviously you have never had to deal with Japanese tourists. Butting in line, throwing trash down wherever. Europe, Alaska, wherever, it's always the same.
@@joshando6035 yes but $25 US for burger king in zurich airport is a whole different world , sure west europe still has some cool things but I can assure you places like Albania in the east certainly do not ..
No, they are not. I live here. In Japan. And I could easily show you some of the filthiest, neglected, and putrid alleys, and entire streets and roads, that would leave you gobsmacked. Particularly if you harbour any illusions about the place.
@@Albert-Arthur-Wison225 yes every country is going to have it's squalor, but generally speaking he's right. I was in Tokyo for a month in May and didnt come across a single "putrid alley" or entire streets and roads that were trashed lol not sure what part of Japan you live in
This is it, when he first talked about feeling it was low quality content, nah man this is what you'd want to do just turning up to some place and having a wander. We've all seen Tokyo a million times over.
Just wanted you to know. I took your advice this summer and spent more time adventurizing around my area. Generally found myself happier in day to day life. Doesn’t matter how far you go, as long as you learn or go somewhere new!! Enjoy life people!
I was fortunate enough to live in Japan for four years (1979-1983), just outside of Tokyo. I enjoyed it very much. I took the opportunity to climb Mt. Fuji, also. I don't know if this has changed, but when I was there one could buy sake and beer from vending machines on the side of the street. A couple of times when I got lost a perfect stranger would walk with me quite a way to get me back on the path I needed to travel. Generally, very nice folks. Would love to go back.
Don't know about beer but I know you can buy cigarettes from vending machines but you have to use a Japanese driver's license or some other kind of Japanese ID for it to work
Flipping heck!! I can’t believe Benjamin is in Japan. In his vids, I only saw him visiting places nothing like my homeland. And now seeing him somewhere very close to my hometown, it’s incredible.
Bald keeps saying there is no content but he is the content himself, its honestly enjoyable just watching him walk around places and showing the world off even if its just going to a Japanese 711
See I grew up at 7-Elevens when I was a teen so it was very comical for me and I wish the 7 11s were like that when I was growing up but they did have the XXX magazines
Mate, Japan is a content treasure trove. Lived in Japan for over 5 years and never got bored. The moment you think you have seen everything --Japan has got you covered. Hidden gems everywhere. Best years of my life. Thanks for the vid, enjoy your stay!
You don’t seem to know what this channel is about. The content mentioned is the interaction with random people he meets in places off the beaten path. Probably not what you were thinking of.
I think the real issue is that he doesn't speak Japanese. Bald's content focuses on impromptu interviews, adventures and other interactions with local people. Doesn't really work if they have to speak pidgin English to each other.
23:45 she's laughing because 'Sayonara' is a very formal and rather final way of saying goodbye that japanese people really don't use much. It's probably a very dramatic way to say cheerio so amusing.
@@official_alphabet_inc Yeah, because it's so serious that it's not really used in real life anymore, unless it's sarcastic Like you could say "farewell" to your friend and it would just sound humorous, because it sounds so serious
He should go up to Nemuro or Wakkanai next and look at all the Russian signs there for all the Russian fishermen who visit those towns. For what it's worth, he might have an easier time reading the signs there lol
So happy to see Bald in my homeland! I'm very impressed you went to sea of Japan side (Itoigawa city, Niigata.) The sea of Japan side has some depressing small towns. You should definitely be visiting Yubari city in Hokkaido as well. The city, once a coal mining hub of Japan went bankrupt some years ago and is mostly abandoned.
Honestly I don't mind if it's not exciting content. I just enjoy living vicariously through you and seeing all of these places and how other people live every day. that in itself is exciting
Matsumoto castle is one of the few original castle keeps still standing, many are modern reconstructions. Adams arrived in 1600 AD at a fascinating time in Japan's history. One of the great unifiers Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the most powerful man in Japan who was Shogun in all but name due to his peasant origins died in 1598. During his time in power he disarmed the non samurai classes and created the ridged caste system that stopped the very social mobility that he himself used to get to the top. His 5 year old son was too young to rule so a council of 5 Lords was set up to rule in his place until he was old enough. One of those lords was Tokugawa Ieyasu who plotted to seize the title of Shogun from the Toyotomi. William Adams was very lucky to find himself under Ieyasu's custody because later that year (1600) Ieyasu and his supporters would be victorious in the Epic battle of Sekigahara which would later bring about the Tokugawa Shogunate that would rule for the next 250+ years. Adams become a valued advisor and was rewarded with land and a samurai title.
For those who are curious as to what happened to the abandoned hospital, I searched on wikipedia and the hospital named Himekawa Hospital was actually shut down due to financial difficulties that the hospital was facing. The business went bust and it forced the hospital to be closed down.
Wait, what the hell? What business are you talking about, when there are lovely Japanese people who might have an urgent need to be cured and treated in that exact region and they don't want to care about someone's business issues? Are you serious?
Lived in Japan for 3 years in the countryside and I remember hearing the dialup tone when I walked into city hall for the first time. The desks and equipment at work were as old as I am, dating almost 30 years ago. I preferred this side of Japan than the polished stuff people usually see. Thanks for showing this off.
It really is charming when you get accustomed to it. When he called Itoigawa a shithole, I wanted to tell him, hey, give it a chance. It's just some random little seaside town. I'm sure England has many towns exactly like it. And the people were nothing but kind to him.
@@dogchaser520 a place can be charming and still a shithole though, and yeah England does certainly have towns like that, and im sure most people would also call those places shitholes
😂that one was great, because funny with little things. I like the way he shows simple daile life moments like buying a can,toiletd, road, borrow the umbrella, check in, etc. Plus the unusual choice of location. 👍
@@tonybrown9875 It's so disgusting making a comparison like this especially when its not even true and you're generalising two massive groups of people who are not all introverted
@@diddlysquat88 And it's dying out because of it. Japan has the oldest society in the world - almost 30% of the population is 65 or older. Due to their strict immigration policies, the number of young people who are entering the workforce and having children is woefully low. Japan has eased up their policies in the last few years, but without more immigration the country will be in real trouble.
This is why we love your videos because you don't just go to the usual tourist sites -- really gives a flavor of a country. Always love watching your adventures....
Japan is something else. Even the bad cities are still impeccably clean and devoid of crazy drugged up homeless people. The abandoned hospital has been ransacked and had some graffiti, but not had anything stolen from it, all the equipment and even the uniforms are still left. I get the sense that it might be the safest country in the world to wander aimlessly. Only in Japan.
@@g76agiI'll agree with you on Norway, but Sweden, they've really gone downhill in recent years. The amount of gang activity is so bad now that they're second only to Albania in Europe for gun crime. It's sad what's happening there.
The first night my wife and I spent in Japan, we tried to leave a tip at the yakitori shop. As we were walking away the proprietor came running after us to give us the tip back. I believe it's a point of pride that they pay their staff a living wage so tips aren't necessary. Old ladies running after you to give you money brought back some fun memories. Have fun! I found something to love everywhere we went in the year we lived there.
Restaurant staff in Japan are not paid particularly well - typically it is a job for students & part-timers looking to earn some extra cash rather than a "living wage". You would probably stand more chance taking money off a restaurant bill for poor service in Japan than getting them to accept more for what is considered normal. If there is one, I think the point of pride here in Japan is that great customer service is standard etiquette, whether it be in a restaurant, hotel, hair salon or taxi, and they are (rightfully) proud of that.
from linkjapancareers - The reason why tipping can be seen as rude in Japan is because they value dignity and respect much more than tipping. They believe you are already paying for a good service, so there is no need to pay extra by tipping. one of the very few countries in the world that offers a truly spectacular service without any strings attached.
@@danzaokid Except someone working in service isn't going to make as much money without tips. They tried to do away with tips in France and it didn't work out so well for the servers.
If you want to tip, just spend a lot of money there legitimately. You are getting paid for your work, so the store and the customer are equals. Tipping money is like giving money to a homeless person, it is not equal and it can be misleading.
Employees in service industries aren't paid well. That's why everything in Japan is so cheep. Normally employees in service industries can't acept tips. Even if their salaries are low,they work hard. Japanese people should learn not being hard on themselves. I feel sorry sometises because they are too polite.
Bald you made my day. You suddenly appeared with your wonderful humour and story telling and exploring like only you can. Don’t keep us waiting so long for the next one we have missed you
When he began his story about that girl in 19:12, that really hit me for some reason. She simply had the misfortunate of walking and bothering absolutely no one but the North Koreans there simply kidnapped her and would never return her. Her life as she understood it would be forever altered and destroyed all because she walked along the beach.
It's an extremely sad story. So unfair that this was her fate. The North Koreans repatriated some of the Japanese they kidnapped, but made excuses and told half truths about what actually happened to Megumi.
It's a very powerful story and has become emblematic of the cause in general. There are some good documentaries out there on Megumi's story that shed a lot of light on North Korea's abuses even as there are many details still yet unknown.
Get this: prices in Japanese 7-11's are NOT a rip-off. Strange, huh? People actually buy grocery items in Japanese 7-11's. In North America, 7-11 prices are much higher than at grocery supermarkets and people are paying extra for the convenience. But in Japan, people like to buy small quantities of food items and they have such a high population density that 'convenience' stores like 7-11, Lawson & others can sell at prices similar to grocery stores because they make up in volume when they lose in markup on each individual item.
Some of the soft drink vending machines are a single price and you can pick any size 500ml 1L 2L they are all the same price the idea is you only take the size you need
I could easily watch 1 hour of Bald walking around his neighborhood, he would definitely make it interesting and entertaining. We love you, Bald, your videos are unique and it's extremely enjoyable watching you around places. As well, I love when you hang out with Simon and Harold, what a great team you guys make! Cheers!
The look on Ben's face as you "ate" your ice cream was priceless. Ben's nervous drinking wine with you in the Love Hotel because he is remembering your ice cream "experience." 😆 I would be too!
@@roulsalzer5407 I busted out laughing when I saw the look on Ben's face 🤣 when Bald was "eating" that ice cream cone. I had no idea of course that the "Love Hotel" would come into play, pardon my pun, later in the video! Yikes!
Small towns whether in Japan or England or the U.S. are where it's at! Uncrowded,peaceful, friendly,perfect. I've been all over the world and the best times I've had are in places like this. Young ppl leave these places for excitement in big cities and its usually elusive to them.
Joking about not having content is good content when it's from Bald Great video once again guys. Your curiosity for anything "ordinary" is what makes this channel unique in the best of ways. More people should try travelling like this!
I love that I can damn near escape life when I watch your videos. Random learning, random comedy, random places. its been a good few years subbed to you, so thank you.
I love that Bald goes to places with a narrative and a way to connect the world together. Like how he made this trip about how William Adams visited Japan.
Feels refreshing to watch this as an international student in Japan who has been residing here for nearly 3 years now. There so much about Japan (both good and bad) that isn't "much" disclosed to the world
Chris has been in Japan for years and never seen it on a clear day. I got a clear sky on my first time going past Mt Fuji on the Shikansen from Kyoto to Tokyo.
this is the only travel RUclips channel I just get addicted to the humor is funny and all the little history lessons he tells in the area he visits just leave me wanting to hear more
He is awesome….i do not know how the travel channel hasnt reached out to him and given him a show……he really is great at his craft and know how to keep us all tuned in
because western media loves to show how "racist" everyone else is, but its not really true. Go to other countries and find out for yourself before letting liberal media tell you how to think
@@art-ux5ff Hi. I spent my 20’s traveling and have been everywhere except Antarctica. I saw a lot of racially and color motivated actions. Like in India, light skinned people get nice jobs and the dark ones shovel shit and take out the trash. Same in south eastern Asian countries where the people vary from light to dark. In Japan, it is no secret that society looks down upon halfbreed Japanese people, and I witnessed that for myself when a woman purposely hit my friend’s half white son with her bike. Instead of apologizing, she made a disparaging comment. In Australia, the whites seem to share a disdain for the Aborigines. In some European countries, I had to leave places with my black friends because thing would get tense when we entered bars and restaurants. Filipinos are VERY preoccupied with skin color. So are black people. We saw how Ukrainians treated black foreigners once Russia stuck their dick in. Yes, America is bad, but at least we dont have a cast system.
Please do more exploring Japan videos!! I love learning about the culture and seeing the buildings, streets and homes. Hire an interpreter and talk to people, find out about their everyday lives and what they think of the area in which they live. ❤
I've travelled to Japan to 4 times between 2013 - 2016 and I'm going again next year. Once you're outside of the major cities English becomes less common. I love Japan, its culture and its people.
Absolute culture shock when I visited in 2018. After two weeks couldn't decide if my vacation was wasted time or expanding my horizons... now I sometimes think of coming back. Fascinating and bewildering. Thanks for posting!
I had the same in China. Went for a tour for two and a half weeks in 2013. Got massive culture shock and anxiety, but at the same time mesmerized by everything around me. Was definitely not a relaxing vacation, but after nearly 10 years I know for sure it has broadened my horizons and I would definitely like to go again sometime.
I moved to the countryside of Japan about 9 months ago. Tokyo is almost a different world to us in the countryside. Much like how Wales is different to London or The Midwest US is to New York. What surprised me the most was all the abandoned and rundown buildings. Thankfully it is still safe, if I lived in a town that looked like this in the US I would have been scared about crime.
I love all your videos and I would like to see you go back to japan at some point! Comparing to the other places you have been in, It's interesting to see such a clean country. The contrast is massive.
I've traveled to Japan many times and while most people don't speak english, communicating with them really isn't that difficult. Most signage is in both Japanese and English so getting around is fairly easy. I find the culture to the most accommodating. It's by far my favorite country in the world to visit.
@@deletedwaffles i travel thru the Japanese countryside on many motorcycle trips. People everywhere exceptionally polite and friendly. Maybe its just you?
@@missplainjane3905 all thru Shikoku., around Kyushu seeking out the winding mountain pass roads (toge). Stopped in many mountain and country villages and also up the west coast to Tsuruga. My first trip was in 1980 and I hitchhiked from Toyama to Fukushima and back to Tokyo.
@@arch5701 Oh wow! I don't think I've ever been recognized on another channel before. I enjoyed my time there very much. I didn't want to leave and I'm trying to get back as soon as I can. ☺️❤️
Japan is the last place to have any shenanigans. It just looks like such a perfect AI generated country. Maybe in the remote provinces something wicked happens.
Dear Ben- google translate photo is the BEST thing I ever discovered when in Japan and Korea!! ( yes I am late to the party! ) but you take a photo of signs or info boards or packaging in supermarkets and it translates it instantly!!! 😃😃😃
@@anonony9081Fr I was wondering why he wasn’t doing that. Totally would love to learn Japanese words but IDK if I could ever get to learning how to understand and write most asain PLUS Arab languages. Spanish and French might be easiest to read once you learn the language. Russians tough to but not as hard
I hope you don't quit making videos any time soon, we all love them and you do an amazing job. We all appreciate you! Whenever you upload it's the highlight of my day.
I just returned from a tourist trip to Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone. Never saw ANY of this😲!! What a reality-check. So glad I've subscribed to you. Looking forward to watching more!
Matsumoto castle (raven Castel) is one of the only castles that is almost to 100% in his original state, except for things that rod away. Matsumoto castle is almost unknown to foreign people, so kudos to you for visiting.
6:21 Matsumoto Castle is in the City of Nagano, about 80 km south from the coastal town of Itoigawa. Matsumoto City is about 80 km southwest of Nagano.
When my brother showed me this channel I loved it immediately as well!! So I even went back and started with all of his first videos and his journey !! Magnificent content. I still need to catch up on some of the videos between this one and his COVID train i think 🤔 but all is well and his content is great!!
you should watch all of this former videos. this is no joke. there were so many gems and insiders made before like sovjet sinks and bus stopps. i wish you lots of fun, because everyone can see them just once first time.
Ur in for a treat. May I suggests watching his India videos, his Mexico videos and his Moldovan vids. But basically all his vids are good. Excited for more Japan vids.
Only one video from Japan? Come on B & B. I lived there for 8 years with my Japanese wife and two kids. Japan offers so much more than a rain-drenched ghost town on the Sea of Japan coast. Now I'm back in the UK for good, I really loved this (one and only) video you made. And yes, public toilets are absolutely spotless. Loved the video as always. Without doubt, you are the best RUclips travelogue maker out there. Harold's a close 2nd, though.
When Benjamin uploads, it will be a good day! There was a self taught sushi master Rolf Anschuetz in Suhl, Germany who made Sushi when the GDR existed. He even was approved a trip out of the country and invited to Japan for a few weeks in 1979. His story was told in the movie "Sushi in Suhl". It was the first Japan restaurant of the GDR. This is another story, you probably did not know.
I live in Japan. Almost the whole country outside of big cities is like this. Itagawa is below average but not even close to the worst I have seen and I have only traveled through part of the country. There are towns where almost everything other than the 7-11 and post office are closed! The hospital footage was amazing though.
I’ve travelled many countries and Japan is the only country that I didn’t want to leave! Not once did I ever feel threatened or scared. The people were exceptionally kind and the places we visited were pristine! I can’t wait to revisit this wonderful country!
@@desdicadoric The problem with that theory is, many countries around the world don't have multiculturalism, Muslims, or Jews, but hardly any is on the same level with Japan. Meanwhile, Singapore as one of the richest nations in the world, has both multiculturalism and Muslims.
Ben, if I may give you a suggestion, there are some apps that maybe can help you to snapshot non-English words (such as: Kanji, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, etc.) with your camera then the app will translate those words into English (vise-versa).
Ben, many people like to say "sayonara" when talking to a Japanese when they say goodbye. Some people find it funny and fun. In fact, people often do not fully understand the meaning of this word. The Japanese themselves never use the word "sayonara" in a serious conversation. The fact is that it does not just mean "goodbye" or "bye", but goodbye forever. The implication is that you will never see the person to whom you said "sayonara" again. For the Japanese, respect in communication is very important, so they try not to use words with such a categorical meaning.
"Farewell" might be a good translation. It can be for a long goodbye, too. But I found that pretty amusing, too. Seemed so serious whenever he said it.
In formal conversations "sayonara" just means "goodbye" and is used by everybody. It's just something you wouldn't say to friends or in informal conversations.
MANY Japanese people know a decent amount of English. There are examples in this video itself, from when Bald calls those people filming at the castle "the most famous people in Japan" and they all laugh because they understood him, to the various people he asked for an umbrella and for directions. English is ingrained in both their media and bigger cities, plus they're always willing to help out and try to understand. You'll notice a few times the people he's speaking to laugh when he says "Sayonara", this is because it's a very formal way of saying goodbye and it's usually used to mean "goodbye for a long time / forever". Amazing country, and this kind of stuff isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Plenty of abandoned picturesque locations, and plenty of wildly different cities and landscapes. I hope he covers more here! On a side note, because the Japanese are often too polite to correct anyone, thank you is "Arigato Gozaimasu", not Koshaimasu.
@@robertjenkins6132 You are correct. Japanese worry what others think when they speak English. The colloquial expression of Sayonara are’じゃまた ' またね’ and バイバイ. many
@@robertjenkins6132 I can understand spoken Japanese probably as good as a 3yo (lol) but was extremely nervous about speaking it in Japan due to my unpracticed pronunciation. I think a lot of Japanese are in the same position, understanding a fair amount of spoken and written English, whether through schooling or cultural exposure, but they rarely actually speak it.
@@barca1397 You probably wouldn't really say any of those things to the random 711 clerk you're only going to meet once though unless maybe you were a regular at that 711 and knew the clerk. Just say "arigatou gozaimasu" and never see each other again.
Ive seen so many videos about Japan but this one for sure is one of my favorites! Usually people show the colorful, tourist friendly, and lively areas of Japan but not that many show the other side of it, I just love that you go to the not that well known areas and go explore the shadiest places with absolute confidence even if you dont know the language of the country Literally the best travel vlogger on this platform and im super happy that you visited Japan to show us what is hidden there!
The perception of Japan is that it's so crowded, I was surprised that there would be any abandoned buildings not to mention practically an entire town.
The country is almost entirely empty. Huge swaths of open land that can't be farmed or built on. The mudslides are constant, as monsoons are common and the soil is geologically fresh, meaning you reach hard volcanic rock after just a short way down in most places other than near the rivers.
Fascinating! When you were forced to abandon your previous adventurising, I really wondered whether you could match that content from elsewhere, but you have! More of Japan please! I've always been fascinated with the country.
Few gems in Itaigowa! Firstly ignoring one of the only bits of English you see all trip (pushing a door that says 'pull' - classic!) and then taking the wrong umbrella back to the ladies in shop! The legend lives on. We love you Bald.
“This is where you brought Ms Fujihoma… This is where Mr Fujikoma…” I’m Japanese and I still find it hilarious. I also find it amazing to see places I’ve never even seen.
What a huge number of vending machines in Japan…I have never seen so many vending machines. And the people are so lovely, shy, quiet, and very helpful for tourists! What an amazingly clean country too.
The most satisfying, best tasting Coca-Cola I ever drink in my life was on a really hot summer day from a Japanese vending machine. It dropped a cup down poured ice into it and then poured me the coke and it was amazing
@@skyclarking-123 Very expensive, though. The best part of the Fuji climb are all of the little bare-bones restaurants. Huge amounts of people come through so it's worth it to them to stock up. Would not recommend that climb despite the good memories. It's a slog. Fresh volcanic rock means you're basically walking on ping pong balls for hours. Hell on the legs.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
Thanks once again to @backpackerben for driving us around Japan. Wouldn’t have been possible to travel to the places we went without him. Check out his channel for some Love Hotel fun
Alrighty then.
You were giving the ice cream a BJ.
legend
Asuh dude
Hit up pewds while your there, he lives in the gundam statue now.
Hi from Japan. I love the scene that you bought the most NOTORIOUS alcohol drink in Japan: "STRONG ZERO" without any hesitation. The sedatives barely legal, for the weary Japanese people, forced to work for incredibly cheap wages. I hope you enjoyed this country.
p.s. According to Wikipedia, the hospital ["Himekawa Hospital" : 姫川病院] you visited in the video was closed due to financial difficulties, not because of tsunami for sure ;) To add to this, most local cities have been devastated by the super-aging population. Local cities have no youth workers to pay taxes. Hell holes like Itoigawa can be seen everywhere in Japan ---except Tokyo.
I remember buying Strong Zero, not realising it was alcohol 😮😂
Japan is a beautiful place, I had the most amazing time there. I hope Japan opens more to outside workers, because unless people make more use of the love hotels the worker shortage will only get worse.
Strong Zero also known as the Gaijin Killer lol
Famously western people down cans of them not knowing each one has 3 to 4 beers worth of alcohol in them
😂😂
Wow. Japanese sure are incels
STRONG ZERO is incredible!
I wish they still had the umeboshi flavor. But yes, the financial troubles of Japan are there for sure. At least you don't have the massive wealth inequality of many Western countries.
What a nice change from Eastern Europe and the Middle East! Thanks Bald for taking us to Japan
He said - "Japanese babushka" - His Heart's in the Russia. Врагу не сдается нашъ гордый „Варягъ“
Where was he in the middle eaat besides Syria
@@user-pd6ci6fk1i Technically Afghanistan but that's more of Asia
Agreed!
@@user-pd6ci6fk1i I consider Kazakhstan etc. as middle east as those countries are clearly not part of europe.
I swear this guy helped keep me sane through the lockdowns. This is such a valuable show.
❤❤❤😂😂😂❤❤❤
Covid is over punk
Covid is over punk
@nathanrobinson9075
💯
I feel this dude.
I watched this right after the vid from Bangladesh. The contrast between the endless noise and street hustle there, with the quiet orderliness in Japan is just ....wow!
@@adambane1719me theee
When people follow traffic laws, the need to constantly honk to prevent collision disappears. Traffic moves faster and more smoothly, so everyone gets places quicker and spend less on fuel because they don't need to stop and idle all the time. That's why traffic rules exist. The rules make you go faster.
Stupid people think of rules are there to make you go slower for no reason. If the proportion of stupid people in your society gets too high, everything starts to break.
I visited Japan a few years back and in a small town somewhere near Nagoya I posted several postcards back to England. I had given them to the staff to put stamps on. We wondered off on foot to a friends house we were staying at when after about 10 minutes a car came speeding up to us and out jumped the post master. I had forgotten to put an address on one of the cards! Can’t imagine this ever happening in the UK.
The Japanese ate from another World.👍💯
@@guilleport I knew about that from stories and videos but when I went there a couple of months ago I actually experienced it and it's just unbelievable. I can't comprehend where do they get so much energy and motivation to keep on doing this... I wouldn't go as far for myself as they go for others.
@@Premislao89 sadly because of that, mental health is a big problem there, and suicide rates reflect that.
@@allinaday3526 I doubt that's the reason, lol.
@@Tinkering902 I'd imagine it doesn't help though.
Honestly, I love when you visit less touristy places like this. It lets us see a much more personal side of the country that not many get to experience.
Ja tak samo szanuję, zajebisty odcinek 🍷👍
That’s why I love his channel! Like how would any random American see the little towns of Belarus or Japan without him showing us?? It’s so cool :)
Bald visiting Afghanistan must have beeen the least touristy place yet 😆
That’s basically his whole channel
@@CH-tj2ru Except that that "random American" could also go out there and visit those little towns himself...
Japan is like a place for tired and jaded travelers. When you visit, everything is just so nice. Everything is clean, safe, on-time and works properly, and every day you head out to explore everyone is going to be nice, helpful and considerate. I loved it!
Think you’re overrating Japan, it has Europe syndrome, first world country, super advanced but slowly regressing. A mix of old and new. Sure they have some AI and a culture of cleanliness which is great, but when I compare Japan to a nation like Norway, Switzerland, Germany or the Netherlands I think in every aspect the European ones are cleaner, more advanced, more equal and just better overall. I’m sure Japanese people are blown away by certain aspects of countries like these when they come too.
Obviously you have never had to deal with Japanese tourists. Butting in line, throwing trash down wherever. Europe, Alaska, wherever, it's always the same.
@@rcs3030 think you’re mistaking them with Chinese fella. Lmao.
@@joshando6035 in terms of equality and diversity I agree with you, but in terms of cleanliness and courtesy in my experience Japan is better
@@joshando6035 yes but $25 US for burger king in zurich airport is a whole different world , sure west europe still has some cool things but I can assure you places like Albania in the east certainly do not ..
Can we all appreciate how clean the streets are even though things look derelict and forgotten.
No, they are not. I live here. In Japan. And I could easily show you some of the filthiest, neglected, and putrid alleys, and entire streets and roads, that would leave you gobsmacked. Particularly if you harbour any illusions about the place.
@@Albert-Arthur-Wison225 yes every country is going to have it's squalor, but generally speaking he's right. I was in Tokyo for a month in May and didnt come across a single "putrid alley" or entire streets and roads that were trashed lol not sure what part of Japan you live in
they're clean because nobody lives there
His Russian friend would not approve.
@@missingno88Probably stayed in the city center and tourist trap regions
He ALWAYS shows up at the most unexpected place after every while. But he never fails to provide a damn good adventure wherever that may be
Perfect for a lazy Sunday morning.
Real and true.
Fr bruh, l hope japan can handle this guy's sass
and he has the most unique icecream eating technique...😵😵🤔🤔🤣🤣
true. I thought he would still travel around europe and now he's here.
He's exploring Japan the way that I'd want to. Completely lost but still having a great time
This is it, when he first talked about feeling it was low quality content, nah man this is what you'd want to do just turning up to some place and having a wander. We've all seen Tokyo a million times over.
@@NeonGenesis808 That's how travelling in general is done best. Head somewhere and see where it takes you.
@@KrasszTV That's been my personal experience too, I look forward to more.
I’m extremely racist
@@idrinkbreastmilk2883 Dangerously based
Just wanted you to know. I took your advice this summer and spent more time adventurizing around my area. Generally found myself happier in day to day life. Doesn’t matter how far you go, as long as you learn or go somewhere new!! Enjoy life people!
Where/when did he give that advice?
@@hnng9205 he’s advised his viewers to do that on a number of occasions
Adventurizing, that word makes me smile every time.
What type of places did you go on your adventures?
I'd do this but thinking about where I live it'll probs be a bit shit tbh 😂
@@CD-ng7ur what's your location?
I was fortunate enough to live in Japan for four years (1979-1983), just outside of Tokyo. I enjoyed it very much. I took the opportunity to climb Mt. Fuji, also. I don't know if this has changed, but when I was there one could buy sake and beer from vending machines on the side of the street. A couple of times when I got lost a perfect stranger would walk with me quite a way to get me back on the path I needed to travel. Generally, very nice folks. Would love to go back.
Don't know about beer but I know you can buy cigarettes from vending machines but you have to use a Japanese driver's license or some other kind of Japanese ID for it to work
Yes you can still buy beer and sake from vending machines!
I am so happy that this channel keeps going. I was afraid when the video 'the journey is over' came out that it was actually the end of the channel.
Yeah, I had heard that he planned to quit after he finished USSR countries. Maybe he changed his mind.
@@moccalou he plans on releasing a few more videos then retiring and publishing a book, he usually posts on his ig about updates like these
Are you dumb? You can't read? Just pay attention to what he wrote
@@gook5219 haha holy shit you need some positivity in your life my friend
Flipping heck!! I can’t believe Benjamin is in Japan.
In his vids, I only saw him visiting places nothing like my homeland.
And now seeing him somewhere very close to my hometown, it’s incredible.
Greetings from Cambodia. 👋🏽
Englishman here.
The phrase is *flippin' heck* Toshiya, but it's easy to see how you might think he's saying 'egg'!
@@jasperdemann5936 It could be an intentional pun, considering bald has an egg-shaped head.
@@jamesmccomb9525
😄
True enough!
Such a shame lol😂 my poor English skill
Thank you very much. It's nice to see people still being nice.
Bald keeps saying there is no content but he is the content himself, its honestly enjoyable just watching him walk around places and showing the world off even if its just going to a Japanese 711
And his Accent😊
“There’s an umbrella, let’s check it out” you know it’s a slow day😂. Indeed he is the content, man is hilarious.
See I grew up at 7-Elevens when I was a teen so it was very comical for me and I wish the 7 11s were like that when I was growing up but they did have the XXX magazines
Loving the fact that Bald is dramatically yelling 'Goodbye forever!' at everyone he meets
That explains why they’re all laughing
What's the appropriate way to say Goodbye?
@@Adam_Alarabi in an informal situation you could say 'Ja ne' which means 'see ya' or 'baibai' which means... you guessed it, bye bye! 👋
Especially when he borrows the umbrella for one hour and then immediately says goodbye forever. She liked the joke.
Knowing this information changes everything 😂😂
Mate, Japan is a content treasure trove. Lived in Japan for over 5 years and never got bored. The moment you think you have seen everything --Japan has got you covered. Hidden gems everywhere. Best years of my life. Thanks for the vid, enjoy your stay!
So many content creators move to japan just for content lmao
You don’t seem to know what this channel is about. The content mentioned is the interaction with random people he meets in places off the beaten path. Probably not what you were thinking of.
I think the real issue is that he doesn't speak Japanese. Bald's content focuses on impromptu interviews, adventures and other interactions with local people. Doesn't really work if they have to speak pidgin English to each other.
@@Oliver_Saer yeah, it’s a shame that the Soviet travels are out of the question now.
23:45 she's laughing because 'Sayonara' is a very formal and rather final way of saying goodbye that japanese people really don't use much. It's probably a very dramatic way to say cheerio so amusing.
I caught that too I found it funny. Sayonara is really only said on your deathbed because it’s very formal and very final. Mata ne is way better :)
Yeah it was funny, he's like a stereotypical clueless foreigner (not in an offensive way).
Sayonara is like saying "farewell"
Uhhh.. Wiktionary says it's a "informal, often humorous" form of saying farewell
@@official_alphabet_inc Yeah, because it's so serious that it's not really used in real life anymore, unless it's sarcastic
Like you could say "farewell" to your friend and it would just sound humorous, because it sounds so serious
@@Cypekeh So "farewell" and "sayonara" is so formal that it's not formal?
He should go up to Nemuro or Wakkanai next and look at all the Russian signs there for all the Russian fishermen who visit those towns. For what it's worth, he might have an easier time reading the signs there lol
Good idea, Bokusan (:
Arigato gozhaimasht...or whatever the hell Ben kept saying XD
Hope he is still there and is able to read ur comment!
Any soviet frescoes, there?
@@The_Gallowglass he didn't get that arigato gozaimas and arigato gozaimashita are two different things
@@5naf6 and he kept saying kushai instead of gozai, pretty much almost saying 'thank sneeze' every time (kushami) lol
One of the best channels you could watch without being bored from the start of your click to the wonderful finish. Great content. Jacolyn
So happy to see Bald in my homeland! I'm very impressed you went to sea of Japan side (Itoigawa city, Niigata.) The sea of Japan side has some depressing small towns. You should definitely be visiting Yubari city in Hokkaido as well. The city, once a coal mining hub of Japan went bankrupt some years ago and is mostly abandoned.
Bro i think it’s nigahata not niigata
@@HAMID-un8zo google learns you the local knows best
@@HAMID-un8zoDude it's Niigata, Nigahata doesn't exist LOL
If it is literally having depopulation I can come to your homeland for breeding purposes.
Hmmmm... Was it just a coincidence that Quentin Tarantino called that psycho teenage assassin in "Kill Bill" Gogo Yubari?
Please never stop making videos. Your videos are the only 20min+ vids I can sit through on youtube. Always amazing no matter where you visit
So glad we're getting more adventures with this absolute mad lad!
Took the words right out of my mouth.
Lmomo
Honestly I don't mind if it's not exciting content. I just enjoy living vicariously through you and seeing all of these places and how other people live every day. that in itself is exciting
The grandmother running to Ben because he forgot his change made my day! I don’t know why but it was pure
After charging him £20 for a tactical air commander hat 😂
@@blaise777 and what?
They will not steal or touch anything that isn’t theirs
Ethan - that is Japan at it's purest.
@@caz9940 so there’s no thieves then 🤦🏼
Matsumoto castle is one of the few original castle keeps still standing, many are modern reconstructions. Adams arrived in 1600 AD at a fascinating time in Japan's history. One of the great unifiers Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the most powerful man in Japan who was Shogun in all but name due to his peasant origins died in 1598. During his time in power he disarmed the non samurai classes and created the ridged caste system that stopped the very social mobility that he himself used to get to the top. His 5 year old son was too young to rule so a council of 5 Lords was set up to rule in his place until he was old enough. One of those lords was Tokugawa Ieyasu who plotted to seize the title of Shogun from the Toyotomi. William Adams was very lucky to find himself under Ieyasu's custody because later that year (1600) Ieyasu and his supporters would be victorious in the Epic battle of Sekigahara which would later bring about the Tokugawa Shogunate that would rule for the next 250+ years. Adams become a valued advisor and was rewarded with land and a samurai title.
For those who are curious as to what happened to the abandoned hospital, I searched on wikipedia and the hospital named Himekawa Hospital was actually shut down due to financial difficulties that the hospital was facing. The business went bust and it forced the hospital to be closed down.
Wait, what the hell? What business are you talking about, when there are lovely Japanese people who might have an urgent need to be cured and treated in that exact region and they don't want to care about someone's business issues? Are you serious?
@@portospolgo welcome to real life. Yeah, its sad, but at the end of the day, no one cares about peoples health, just money...
@@portospolgo Japan is a capitalist country, what do you expect
@@rajdeepvijayaraj4243 Japan has one of most equitable health systems out there, just look it up on Wikipedia.
Biwldings 🤣🤣
What i love about this channel is the sheer amount of raw content.
what i love about your comment is nothing
How does he manage to be so respectful and disrespectful to a foreign culture at the same time xD
Hes never respectful; he just acts nice, like a typical westerner.
@@Maverick.D. Lmao, good joke. Westerners are so polite and respectful compared to arabs, africans and such for example.
@@Maverick.D. Truth! He's ignorant and arrogant. He views the world only through a western lens.
@@Maverick.D. Yes because Asian/Blacks/Arabic people are so respectful right? Pffft.
@@GratDuForloradeArgumentet Stop bringing us Muslims to this conversation.
Ben’s ability to make the mundane fascinating is quite a gift.
Lived in Japan for 3 years in the countryside and I remember hearing the dialup tone when I walked into city hall for the first time. The desks and equipment at work were as old as I am, dating almost 30 years ago. I preferred this side of Japan than the polished stuff people usually see. Thanks for showing this off.
It really is charming when you get accustomed to it. When he called Itoigawa a shithole, I wanted to tell him, hey, give it a chance. It's just some random little seaside town. I'm sure England has many towns exactly like it. And the people were nothing but kind to him.
@@dogchaser520 a place can be charming and still a shithole though, and yeah England does certainly have towns like that, and im sure most people would also call those places shitholes
Oh god, can you stop with this old timey horseshit?
@@dogchaser520 yeah it wasnt that nice but honestly he calls England and ex ussr shitholes too lol
@@dogchaser520 I think it’s referring to damp places, abandoned buildings etc
😂that one was great, because funny with little things. I like the way he shows simple daile life moments like buying a can,toiletd, road, borrow the umbrella, check in, etc. Plus the unusual choice of location. 👍
It's a lovely clash between your direct and open way of approaching people, and the Japanese politeness and respectful reserve. love it! :D
I don't :-(
Lovely my ass, they're just introverted to an autistic level; Rainman's Brazilian in comparison.
@@tonybrown9875 It's so disgusting making a comparison like this especially when its not even true and you're generalising two massive groups of people who are not all introverted
A homegenic country without forced multiculturalism!
@@diddlysquat88 And it's dying out because of it.
Japan has the oldest society in the world - almost 30% of the population is 65 or older. Due to their strict immigration policies, the number of young people who are entering the workforce and having children is woefully low. Japan has eased up their policies in the last few years, but without more immigration the country will be in real trouble.
This is why we love your videos because you don't just go to the usual tourist sites -- really gives a flavor of a country. Always love watching your adventures....
απο κυπρο?
Japan is something else. Even the bad cities are still impeccably clean and devoid of crazy drugged up homeless people. The abandoned hospital has been ransacked and had some graffiti, but not had anything stolen from it, all the equipment and even the uniforms are still left. I get the sense that it might be the safest country in the world to wander aimlessly. Only in Japan.
Coz theres no black people
It is, next to norway/sweden
@@chrisgartenn i aint the one writing the stats lil bro
@@thesunris there weren't your mom and her ill-bred trash there either
@@g76agiI'll agree with you on Norway, but Sweden, they've really gone downhill in recent years. The amount of gang activity is so bad now that they're second only to Albania in Europe for gun crime. It's sad what's happening there.
That's the most respectable, classy run-down town I've ever seen.
And no graffiti, ok a little bit in abandoned hospital but in Europe it would be everywhere. Probably really safe too
The first night my wife and I spent in Japan, we tried to leave a tip at the yakitori shop. As we were walking away the proprietor came running after us to give us the tip back. I believe it's a point of pride that they pay their staff a living wage so tips aren't necessary. Old ladies running after you to give you money brought back some fun memories. Have fun! I found something to love everywhere we went in the year we lived there.
Restaurant staff in Japan are not paid particularly well - typically it is a job for students & part-timers looking to earn some extra cash rather than a "living wage".
You would probably stand more chance taking money off a restaurant bill for poor service in Japan than getting them to accept more for what is considered normal.
If there is one, I think the point of pride here in Japan is that great customer service is standard etiquette, whether it be in a restaurant, hotel, hair salon or taxi, and they are (rightfully) proud of that.
from linkjapancareers - The reason why tipping can be seen as rude in Japan is because they value dignity and respect much more than tipping.
They believe you are already paying for a good service, so there is no need to pay extra by tipping.
one of the very few countries in the world that offers a truly spectacular service without any strings attached.
@@danzaokid Except someone working in service isn't going to make as much money without tips. They tried to do away with tips in France and it didn't work out so well for the servers.
If you want to tip, just spend a lot of money there legitimately.
You are getting paid for your work, so the store and the customer are equals.
Tipping money is like giving money to a homeless person, it is not equal and it can be misleading.
Employees in service industries aren't paid well. That's why everything in Japan is so cheep. Normally employees in service industries can't acept tips. Even if their salaries are low,they work hard. Japanese people should learn not being hard on themselves. I feel sorry sometises because they are too polite.
Bald you made my day. You suddenly appeared with your wonderful humour and story telling and exploring like only you can. Don’t keep us waiting so long for the next one we have missed you
What an awesome surprise!
Japan has a lot to discover, and I’m all for Bald’s take on it! Would love to see more of you in the country.
Yeah, I just discovered that Europeans are taller than the 7/11 shelves and that if you're above 1.80m in Japan you look like a NBA star.
@@ia3078 if you're 7'11 you probably won't be able to enter a 7/11 in Japan
When he began his story about that girl in 19:12, that really hit me for some reason. She simply had the misfortunate of walking and bothering absolutely no one but the North Koreans there simply kidnapped her and would never return her. Her life as she understood it would be forever altered and destroyed all because she walked along the beach.
It's an extremely sad story. So unfair that this was her fate. The North Koreans repatriated some of the Japanese they kidnapped, but made excuses and told half truths about what actually happened to Megumi.
North Korea is really a sick and suck country, I wish the woman doing good now
It's a very powerful story and has become emblematic of the cause in general. There are some good documentaries out there on Megumi's story that shed a lot of light on North Korea's abuses even as there are many details still yet unknown.
Ngl for a second i thought he made up the story but its true
It's the dumbest idea, kidnap the citizens of another country so we know how they behave. Whoever came with that idea in North korea must be crazy
Get this: prices in Japanese 7-11's are NOT a rip-off. Strange, huh? People actually buy grocery items in Japanese 7-11's. In North America, 7-11 prices are much higher than at grocery supermarkets and people are paying extra for the convenience. But in Japan, people like to buy small quantities of food items and they have such a high population density that 'convenience' stores like 7-11, Lawson & others can sell at prices similar to grocery stores because they make up in volume when they lose in markup on each individual item.
Some of the soft drink vending machines are a single price and you can pick any size 500ml 1L 2L they are all the same price the idea is you only take the size you need
Cool story
100 yen for my George's coffee
Yeah 7-11s in Japan are pretty cheap. In some of the big cities, its hard to find a big supermarket, everyone shops as the Japanese 7-11s.
Only some items are similar in price, about 80% of fares have >50% markups.
I like it most that you always show parts of the world nobody else shows. Even in „well explored“ countries, where so much content of have been shared
I could easily watch 1 hour of Bald walking around his neighborhood, he would definitely make it interesting and entertaining. We love you, Bald, your videos are unique and it's extremely enjoyable watching you around places. As well, I love when you hang out with Simon and Harold, what a great team you guys make! Cheers!
For real though. Come to small town Iowa or Perth Australia or wherever. Just please keep making content.
The look on Ben's face as you "ate" your ice cream was priceless. Ben's nervous drinking wine with you in the Love Hotel because he is remembering your ice cream "experience." 😆 I would be too!
I thought that was hilarious too
@@roulsalzer5407 I busted out laughing when I saw the look on Ben's face 🤣 when Bald was "eating" that ice cream cone. I had no idea of course that the "Love Hotel" would come into play, pardon my pun, later in the video! Yikes!
His expertise is undeniable.🤣
Small towns whether in Japan or England or the U.S. are where it's at! Uncrowded,peaceful, friendly,perfect. I've been all over the world and the best times I've had are in places like this. Young ppl leave these places for excitement in big cities and its usually elusive to them.
I live 10 min drive outside of Los Angeles, maybe 20-60 min drive to Hollywood, and I agree! Can't wait to leave this state and go somewhere green!
@@michaelbread5906 the good thing about LA is you have the Mountains and so much else to escape to
@WanderingGeezaButterfly Slough, Burnley, Huddersfield 😉
The gag that came out of me when he put the massager on his face. I'm sure stuff is cleaned but still. I could never.
Love this mans videos.
😭😭
Joking about not having content is good content when it's from Bald
Great video once again guys.
Your curiosity for anything "ordinary" is what makes this channel unique in the best of ways. More people should try travelling like this!
Sup.
IDK... Japan had a better army than Russia. If Russia were a threat to the world it would get nuked.
Bald has never made a bad video. Some scary ones, but never bad.
No way, you are here too??
It's the legend himself!
I love that I can damn near escape life when I watch your videos. Random learning, random comedy, random places. its been a good few years subbed to you, so thank you.
Ben's face at 12:41 with the ice cream show had me laughing so hard I was crying!!!!
I love that Bald goes to places with a narrative and a way to connect the world together. Like how he made this trip about how William Adams visited Japan.
Great to see him leaving Tokyo to travel deep into the prefectures, where the best adventures are to be had!
Feels refreshing to watch this as an international student in Japan who has been residing here for nearly 3 years now.
There so much about Japan (both good and bad) that isn't "much" disclosed to the world
Share some things you might refer to as no good pls
@@DanWill121 Bukkake isn't as common as we're lead to believe.
Did you move there without being able to speak Japanese? And if so what was that like
@@haywoodyoudome would you consider that a positive or negative?
Chris Broad must have been fuming at how easily you managed to see such a clear view of Mt. Fuji
He was so lucky to have this clear view!
A Broad and a Bald in Japan.
Chris has been in Japan for years and never seen it on a clear day. I got a clear sky on my first time going past Mt Fuji on the Shikansen from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Seriously that man is cursed when it comes to that mountain
@@stuartclarke3171 it took some time but last year or so he finally saw it
This man is all content we need, amazing. Japan on my list high if I ever travel!
I have lived in Japan for 20 years+ and this video was refreshing, entertaining and educational.
this is the only travel RUclips channel I just get addicted to the humor is funny and all the little history lessons he tells in the area he visits just leave me wanting to hear more
same here:)
You should really learn about who this man really is....
@@MNGinger496 yeah found out To Day unbeliveble 😂😂
@@MNGinger496 idc I enjoy the places he visits and the shit he tells about it
He is awesome….i do not know how the travel channel hasnt reached out to him and given him a show……he really is great at his craft and know how to keep us all tuned in
You and Sabattical are both putting out Japan travel videos at the same time. So much good Japan content!
Sabbatical is legit
The Ghost
Better call him Sacuckical. Can't stand the man. Is he even one?
japan is a youtuber magnet right now, everyone is going because it just opened up recently.
Love how you insert "babushka" and "kakashaka" even in Japan. Thank you for your videos from Astana!
Japan is such a fascinating country, I hope there's more content to come..
You could say it's sugoi.
it is amazing how friendly everyone just is wow
Hey guys, just wanted to let you know...your driving on the wrong side for the road, yikes!!
I really miss the 7i & holding/711 pork fried rice and chuhi can.
because western media loves to show how "racist" everyone else is, but its not really true. Go to other countries and find out for yourself before letting liberal media tell you how to think
@@art-ux5ff Hi. I spent my 20’s traveling and have been everywhere except Antarctica. I saw a lot of racially and color motivated actions. Like in India, light skinned people get nice jobs and the dark ones shovel shit and take out the trash. Same in south eastern Asian countries where the people vary from light to dark. In Japan, it is no secret that society looks down upon halfbreed Japanese people, and I witnessed that for myself when a woman purposely hit my friend’s half white son with her bike. Instead of apologizing, she made a disparaging comment.
In Australia, the whites seem to share a disdain for the Aborigines. In some European countries, I had to leave places with my black friends because thing would get tense when we entered bars and restaurants. Filipinos are VERY preoccupied with skin color. So are black people.
We saw how Ukrainians treated black foreigners once Russia stuck their dick in. Yes, America is bad, but at least we dont have a cast system.
Good manners are awesome!
Please do more exploring Japan videos!! I love learning about the culture and seeing the buildings, streets and homes. Hire an interpreter and talk to people, find out about their everyday lives and what they think of the area in which they live. ❤
Man! I clicked the video on impulse because the title is my usual interest. Low and behold, it was made by one of my favorite travelers.
Cheers!
I've travelled to Japan to 4 times between 2013 - 2016 and I'm going again next year. Once you're outside of the major cities English becomes less common. I love Japan, its culture and its people.
Absolute culture shock when I visited in 2018. After two weeks couldn't decide if my vacation was wasted time or expanding my horizons... now I sometimes think of coming back. Fascinating and bewildering. Thanks for posting!
I had the same in China. Went for a tour for two and a half weeks in 2013. Got massive culture shock and anxiety, but at the same time mesmerized by everything around me. Was definitely not a relaxing vacation, but after nearly 10 years I know for sure it has broadened my horizons and I would definitely like to go again sometime.
I moved to the countryside of Japan about 9 months ago. Tokyo is almost a different world to us in the countryside. Much like how Wales is different to London or The Midwest US is to New York. What surprised me the most was all the abandoned and rundown buildings. Thankfully it is still safe, if I lived in a town that looked like this in the US I would have been scared about crime.
I love all your videos and I would like to see you go back to japan at some point! Comparing to the other places you have been in, It's interesting to see such a clean country. The contrast is massive.
I've traveled to Japan many times and while most people don't speak english, communicating with them really isn't that difficult. Most signage is in both Japanese and English so getting around is fairly easy. I find the culture to the most accommodating. It's by far my favorite country in the world to visit.
Yeah, until you hit up a rural town.
@@deletedwaffles nah Japan’s sweet, fat better than here in Australia
@@deletedwaffles i travel thru the Japanese countryside on many motorcycle trips. People everywhere exceptionally polite and friendly. Maybe its just you?
@@missplainjane3905 all thru Shikoku., around Kyushu seeking out the winding mountain pass roads (toge). Stopped in many mountain and country villages and also up the west coast to Tsuruga.
My first trip was in 1980 and I hitchhiked from Toyama to Fukushima and back to Tokyo.
@@nelsonsailor7524 I think he means the language barier
Even the bathroom accommodation to not feel awkward while you're going is awesome 👏 Japan is definitely ahead of us
Japan is hyped for no reason, theres nothing to do there.
@@LucasAlves-yb5lr there hiking mountains hot springs ands the beautiful sites have you seen he shrines and shit
@@LucasAlves-yb5lr There's nothing to do at your mothers.
@@LucasAlves-yb5lrwhat does japan not have what your country has? exactly
@@lightup6751 a person taller than 5'9"? MD 20/20? Boiled peanuts?
That Mount Fuji shot at the start is INSANE! Literally looks like it's in the heavens...
I see that most days in the winter. I was wondering when The Bald man would make it here.
If you ever plan on seeing it yourself be careful of the weather. It's impossible to see due to fog or other weather phenomena most days.
Beutifull eh?
It's weird seeing one big mountain with no others around it but that was a nice shot.
this was a fun vid. The start was slow, but it got fun starting halfway through
And so a new chapter begins...I'm so glad you're still making content.
Love how he says Japanese words with a Russian or even Italian accent out of nowhere hahaha
"There goes a Japanese babushka" lol
Kakashka (meaning shit in russian)
It’s like that John le Carré character who’s polyglot but seems to have a different accent in every language he speaks. Sort of.
He’s so used to talking to the locals in Eastern Europe 😂😂
Yep he does miss 🇷🇺
Bald is obviously a vlogger but also fortunate to be historian. Salute!
OMG that hotel hahaha.I was in tears.. this made me laugh so much!! I am so glad you ended up going to Japan. I am going this year & am so excited :)
So great to see you in Japan! I'm excited to see what kinds of shenanigans you're going to get up to! 😁
Unexpected to see you on Bald's channel. Loved your videos from Georgia. I hope you enjoyed your time here 😁
@@arch5701 Oh wow! I don't think I've ever been recognized on another channel before. I enjoyed my time there very much. I didn't want to leave and I'm trying to get back as soon as I can. ☺️❤️
@@Ellary_Rosewood you produces beautiful art 🧡
@@sakuraa2008 Thank you so much! ☺️
Japan is the last place to have any shenanigans. It just looks like such a perfect AI generated country. Maybe in the remote provinces something wicked happens.
Dear Ben- google translate photo is the BEST thing I ever discovered when in Japan and Korea!! ( yes I am late to the party! ) but you take a photo of signs or info boards or packaging in supermarkets and it translates it instantly!!! 😃😃😃
I said that like 5 times in the first few mins. iphone does it right in the camera app itself. Thanks
You don't even need to take a photo anymore It just translates live as you hold your camera up and point at things It's quite amazing
@@anonony9081Fr I was wondering why he wasn’t doing that. Totally would love to learn Japanese words but IDK if I could ever get to learning how to understand and write most asain PLUS Arab languages. Spanish and French might be easiest to read once you learn the language. Russians tough to but not as hard
I speak both Russian and around jlpt 2 of japanese its not a hard language
💁🏼 its called google lens
I hope you don't quit making videos any time soon, we all love them and you do an amazing job. We all appreciate you! Whenever you upload it's the highlight of my day.
I just returned from a tourist trip to Japan - Tokyo, Kyoto, Hakone. Never saw ANY of this😲!! What a reality-check. So glad I've subscribed to you. Looking forward to watching more!
Matsumoto castle (raven Castel) is one of the only castles that is almost to 100% in his original state, except for things that rod away. Matsumoto castle is almost unknown to foreign people, so kudos to you for visiting.
6:21 Matsumoto Castle is in the City of Nagano, about 80 km south from the coastal town of Itoigawa. Matsumoto City is about 80 km southwest of Nagano.
And isn't it build without a single nail or screw.
It’s a rough looking town, but the people are so friendly and honest.
Damn man. I made it 17 seconds into this and subbed. The way this starts already tells me I'm gonna love this channel.
The binge begins
If you've never seen Ben's videos before, you're in for a treat!!
When my brother showed me this channel I loved it immediately as well!! So I even went back and started with all of his first videos and his journey !! Magnificent content. I still need to catch up on some of the videos between this one and his COVID train i think 🤔 but all is well and his content is great!!
Soviet sink! ..... you'll see 😀
you should watch all of this former videos. this is no joke. there were so many gems and insiders made before like sovjet sinks and bus stopps. i wish you lots of fun, because everyone can see them just once first time.
Ur in for a treat. May I suggests watching his India videos, his Mexico videos and his Moldovan vids. But basically all his vids are good. Excited for more Japan vids.
Only one video from Japan? Come on B & B. I lived there for 8 years with my Japanese wife and two kids. Japan offers so much more than a rain-drenched ghost town on the Sea of Japan coast. Now I'm back in the UK for good, I really loved this (one and only) video you made. And yes, public toilets are absolutely spotless. Loved the video as always. Without doubt, you are the best RUclips travelogue maker out there. Harold's a close 2nd, though.
Did you bring your family with you?
When Benjamin uploads, it will be a good day!
There was a self taught sushi master Rolf Anschuetz in Suhl, Germany who made Sushi when the GDR existed. He even was approved a trip out of the country and invited to Japan for a few weeks in 1979. His story was told in the movie "Sushi in Suhl". It was the first Japan restaurant of the GDR. This is another story, you probably did not know.
Great. One for another B+B video.
wow this is amazing didnt know about him!
Hey other Benjamin! You have to be one of the few vloggers that can make the viewer feel like they are really there with you. Love the content always
I live in Japan. Almost the whole country outside of big cities is like this. Itagawa is below average but not even close to the worst I have seen and I have only traveled through part of the country. There are towns where almost everything other than the 7-11 and post office are closed!
The hospital footage was amazing though.
It's a global phenomenon sadly. Small towns are being slowly abandoned and people move to the larger cities.
@@elimalinsky7069 that's not global
Benjamin. It is what it is. Content is REAL that's the best part 🤯
I’ve travelled many countries and Japan is the only country that I didn’t want to leave! Not once did I ever feel threatened or scared. The people were exceptionally kind and the places we visited were pristine! I can’t wait to revisit this wonderful country!
I felt the same in Taiwan 2 weeks ago. Freaking underrated gem.
@@ivy_47 I hear that a lot - definitely on my bucket list!
@@desdicadoric that's changing rapidly
@@desdicadoric
The problem with that theory is, many countries around the world don't have multiculturalism, Muslims, or Jews, but hardly any is on the same level with Japan. Meanwhile, Singapore as one of the richest nations in the world, has both multiculturalism and Muslims.
@UCbz68UlpkIUrImOR1GUI-MA Actually, there were Blacks in Japan before they were enslaved and brought to my country (USA).
Ben, if I may give you a suggestion, there are some apps that maybe can help you to snapshot non-English words (such as: Kanji, Korean, Chinese, Arabic, etc.) with your camera then the app will translate those words into English (vise-versa).
you know he's not doing that. he like's struggling to get a better experience out of the country he is visiting
Yes, the Google translate app!
Ben, many people like to say "sayonara" when talking to a Japanese when they say goodbye. Some people find it funny and fun. In fact, people often do not fully understand the meaning of this word.
The Japanese themselves never use the word "sayonara" in a serious conversation. The fact is that it does not just mean "goodbye" or "bye", but goodbye forever. The implication is that you will never see the person to whom you said "sayonara" again.
For the Japanese, respect in communication is very important, so they try not to use words with such a categorical meaning.
"Farewell" might be a good translation. It can be for a long goodbye, too. But I found that pretty amusing, too. Seemed so serious whenever he said it.
Make sure to use "abayo" when for saying "goodbye"
A lady in the store laughed at the fact he said that, was quite enjoyable seeing him get by with bare bones japanese haha.
In formal conversations "sayonara" just means "goodbye" and is used by everybody. It's just something you wouldn't say to friends or in informal conversations.
Interesting and amusing comment. This is what the internet is for - learning. 👍
13:38 the sign says "No tresspassing" and the other sign says "patrol in operation". Johnny Somali got arrested for this 😹
MANY Japanese people know a decent amount of English. There are examples in this video itself, from when Bald calls those people filming at the castle "the most famous people in Japan" and they all laugh because they understood him, to the various people he asked for an umbrella and for directions. English is ingrained in both their media and bigger cities, plus they're always willing to help out and try to understand. You'll notice a few times the people he's speaking to laugh when he says "Sayonara", this is because it's a very formal way of saying goodbye and it's usually used to mean "goodbye for a long time / forever". Amazing country, and this kind of stuff isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Plenty of abandoned picturesque locations, and plenty of wildly different cities and landscapes. I hope he covers more here! On a side note, because the Japanese are often too polite to correct anyone, thank you is "Arigato Gozaimasu", not Koshaimasu.
@@robertjenkins6132 You are correct. Japanese worry what others think when they speak English. The colloquial expression of Sayonara are’じゃまた ' またね’ and バイバイ. many
i came to the coments to understand why everyone was laughing at sayonnara! Thank you
@@robertjenkins6132 I can understand spoken Japanese probably as good as a 3yo (lol) but was extremely nervous about speaking it in Japan due to my unpracticed pronunciation. I think a lot of Japanese are in the same position, understanding a fair amount of spoken and written English, whether through schooling or cultural exposure, but they rarely actually speak it.
I wouldn't correct him either, every time Bald says "Arigatou Koshaimasu" an angel gets their wings.
@@barca1397 You probably wouldn't really say any of those things to the random 711 clerk you're only going to meet once though unless maybe you were a regular at that 711 and knew the clerk. Just say "arigatou gozaimasu" and never see each other again.
Ive seen so many videos about Japan but this one for sure is one of my favorites!
Usually people show the colorful, tourist friendly, and lively areas of Japan but not that many show the other side of it, I just love that you go to the not that well known areas and go explore the shadiest places with absolute confidence even if you dont know the language of the country
Literally the best travel vlogger on this platform and im super happy that you visited Japan to show us what is hidden there!
The perception of Japan is that it's so crowded, I was surprised that there would be any abandoned buildings not to mention practically an entire town.
Well obviously it is in the city centers, that's basically the story of every bit city in all of Asia
only Tokyo
The country is almost entirely empty. Huge swaths of open land that can't be farmed or built on. The mudslides are constant, as monsoons are common and the soil is geologically fresh, meaning you reach hard volcanic rock after just a short way down in most places other than near the rivers.
I work in Tokyo 5 days a week. In 5 locations. Eastern Tokyo is ( for me ) horrendously crowded, but the far west of it is lovely.
Japanese people are dying off. Negative population . More people are dying than being born. The dying towns shows this.
This is my favorite video of Bald. Love everything...the cozy atmosphere...the rain...the humor 👍
Fascinating! When you were forced to abandon your previous adventurising, I really wondered whether you could match that content from elsewhere, but you have! More of Japan please! I've always been fascinated with the country.
Few gems in Itaigowa! Firstly ignoring one of the only bits of English you see all trip (pushing a door that says 'pull' - classic!) and then taking the wrong umbrella back to the ladies in shop! The legend lives on. We love you Bald.
That lady is gonna be so confused going home wondering how they left with one umbrella and ended up giving her back another lmao
Can we appreciate the fact that this is the first time I am seeing a semi automatic door.
He took the correct umbrella back.
@@coolhanddruid nope, the one he borrowed had a black handle (22:17). the one he put back had a white handle (30:08).
I'm having some severe "this has happened before" vibes, has he left the wrong umbrella somewhere else before? this is gonna bug me all day.
Love your narrating. You can make any place interesting and entertaining. I live in Japan, so I really enjoyed this. Never stop!
“This is where you brought Ms Fujihoma… This is where Mr Fujikoma…”
I’m Japanese and I still find it hilarious. I also find it amazing to see places I’ve never even seen.
What a huge number of vending machines in Japan…I have never seen so many vending machines. And the people are so lovely, shy, quiet, and very helpful for tourists! What an amazingly clean country too.
The most satisfying, best tasting Coca-Cola I ever drink in my life was on a really hot summer day from a Japanese vending machine. It dropped a cup down poured ice into it and then poured me the coke and it was amazing
The vending machines are beyond elaborate and everywhere. There are a few RUclips channels dedicated to the subject.
you can buy almost anything from just vending machines in Japan from what I've heard
There are vending machines on Mt. Fuji.
@@skyclarking-123 Very expensive, though. The best part of the Fuji climb are all of the little bare-bones restaurants. Huge amounts of people come through so it's worth it to them to stock up.
Would not recommend that climb despite the good memories. It's a slog. Fresh volcanic rock means you're basically walking on ping pong balls for hours. Hell on the legs.