people here in Toyama were very happy that it made the list but locals were pretty surpised. I heard many people ask why toyama. Come for the mountains and sushi. On a clear winter's day like today the mountains look amazing. And I might be biased but they look better than fuji. The whole eastern skyline is a wall of mountains. The glass art museum they always show is for me not that interesting.

YAMANOTE , Love that train , this is a real TREAT

Got a bit mixed feelings about this "Tokyo as a travel hub". I did like the enthusiasm from you both, even when it really was all over the place. And I do very much agree with the message of explore both Tokyo and Japan beyond the obvious tourist spots. (even when many places mentioned already do get their fair share of tourist...) But at the same time, when it comes to exploring the rest of Japan: Truly get out there, and don't take the train back to Tokyo in the evening! Sure, you can do Matsumoto as a day trip, but Nagano prefecture has so much to offer, stay there a few nights! Same for Shizuoka or Miyagi. Not only does it sound like a waste to me to spend so many hours each day on a train when you could stay right in the area (and probably cheaper than in Tokyo!), but by staying in the area you open up a whole range of more places to visit that might not be as convenient when you first have a 2 hour shinkansen ride to get in the region. Also, if you don't have to worry about making it back to Tokyo in time, you'll end up with more time to enjoy the local cuisine you guys were (rightfully!) raving about! Not saying you shouldn't do day trips from Tokyo, I've done my fair share as well, and for many places near Tokyo it does make sense. But it's all about balance. I consider Tokyo (and Kansai as well) a gateway to Japan, but if you have the time: Get out and go explore! Even just along the Tokaido shinkansen there are so many places worth visiting for more than just a few hour day trip. And most of those places can very well use some more tourists, while Tokyo, Osaka and especially Kyoto already have more than enough.

Wasabi sausage sounds awesome

Aloha John. Watching the replay brought back such wonderful memories of my visit to Harajuku and riding the Yamanote Line in a circle and stopping off and many stations along the way. My phone ringer is still set to the Yamanote Line jingle so every day I'm reminding of my time in Japan. Looking forward to watching more walking tours this year my bro. Happy Thursday in Japan.

March 20th is the new year first day of spring

Can you please make a video about shopping in Tokyo worth of 5000 dollars please we would love to see such content what can 5000 dollars buy in Tokyo or more money if you can make such video it’s great

Podcast format is great but imo this episode felt too produced like you two were acting.

Tokyo is so fascinating! So clean and modern. Came to Shibuya 5 years ago for our son’s wedding. Good memories. Navigated the trains and enjoyed it all

Osaka is a better travel base in my opinion, awesome food city, and then so many other cities from it just short train ride away like Kyoto, Nara, Kobe

Nice tourism advert, very professional and well thought out - can vouch for getting lost in Tokyo, up in the mountains of Saitama - so much fun, the people and food are wonderful.

My family and I travel only to Japan, at least twice a year for the past decade, save during the pandemic years. We always began or ended our trip in Tokyo for all the good reasons you mentioned in the video. Another key consideration was the relativity low level of racism towards tourists, which can otherwise just spoil the holiday. But I’m rather concerned that this is beginning to change in recent years, with over-tourism and inconsiderate or irresponsible behaviours wearing out the patience of Japanese hospitality.. I’ve seen and experience changes in service attitude of some staff in Tokyo which I wouldn’t have seen some five to ten years ago. The countryside is still nice though and I hope it will stay that way.

I totally feel the same way as John about Takeshita dori (and Shinjuku, Shibuya and many areas where most of foreign tourists like to visit ). They’ve became too touristy. They look kinda cheap and don’t have the same vibes as 80s . . FYI; I left Japan in 1990 😅 . There are very few non-Japanese know what it used to be like, so I’m glad and appreciate John mentions about the difference in his videos. Thank you.🙏

One of the best videos explaining about Tokyo area I’ve seen on KZbin. Covered the wide range of Japanese culture and very accurate in short video.😊 Editing is great too so easy to watch.

👋

Truly awesome video, JD and Matt! I love the pacing and rapport between you both. This is a good style addition to your channel along with the ones we grew to love with you solo, with friends, or with the fam. Keep them all coming! Thank you so much! 😊

Was there last year, I think there are still much to offer to the city and would love to go back to my favorite place Akihabara.

Wow there's Matt Alt ... Hope you can invite Peter Barakan too

Good video and very condensed. So much information and wonderful smooth transitions. I always enjoy the rapport between you and Matt. It really comes out on the show. Thanks John.❤❤❤

Both the government and cultural influencers like this channel can help decongest tourism traffic in the usual places like Tokyo City and Osaka by promoting anime and manga pilgrimages to such places as Kamakura (popularized by "Slam Dunk"), Saga Prefecture (popularized by "Zombieland Saga"), and Sendai in Miyagi Prefecture (the inspiration for locations in "Haikyuu").

Great podcast

Those in video subtitles are a good idea and maybe make them a tiny bit bigger or maybe make an option to turn them on when you need them. Maybe for the future make more videos with in video subtitles. Good Idea John!

Nice length of a podcast Seems like you eq'ed it in post? There is a weird artificialness to the sound. You both seem to sit wuite far from the mic. But regardless very good 😊

Oh my gosh! This is incredible. I love the new style and format. It's snappy, expertly edited, informational, and keeps you hooked from the start. Great job, John.

Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

Love the podcast format, and a nice refresher to the old OIJ & Go videos as well - les go!

How i missed those voices... is there snow already?

Yamanote line is always busy for me when I was in Tokyo in mid Dec 2024

I was stationed in Okinawa for a total of five years and have begun exploring other parts of Japan in the past five years. Ironically, I have only spent a few days in Tokyo (Shinjuku mostly) two years ago. I appreciate what a big city has to offer, but I agree with both John and Matt that there's far more to Japan than Tokyo. With that said, eventually I'll do more exploring in and around Tokyo as well.

Dude were staying our first night at the Tokyo Tsukiji hotel right next to Sushizanmai 😂 (Saturday) We will give it a try. BTW we will be bringing a small pack of Buckeyes from Anthony Thomas in case we run into you. Cheers!!

Also i noticed around christmas/new years time the end car of the yamanote line would have pink roses on the led display, does anyone know the reason for this? is it always like that?

Are the train jingles meant to be arrival sounds, departure sounds, or to let people know which station is which?

Nice loooking train stations and the train ride 😎Thank you for sharing this 🙂👍!!!

Tokyo as a Hub for Japan Travel: food, accommodations, day trips in a video podcast with Matt Alt: Tokyo as a Travel Hub for Japan: Food, Accomodations, Day Trips kzbin.info/www/bejne/pHrPfHqvds2kp68

This is a really good resource. Thank you 😊

Thank you for the very informative show! I hope you will do MORE of this! 😊 Arigato!

Thank you John with the insights and also incorporate Matt Alt once again on your channel. Love both of you with knowledge on all things Japan. For me it would be outside of Tokyo and prefectures I want to visit. The love of onsen town, small country side village and to get away from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo & Osaka life. Kyoto would be a lovely place to visit for the shrines and temples of the traditional side of Japan and original capital of Japan before we know today as Tokyo as the main hub for the international. Plus all things pop, anime, model hobby, toys & video game culture at Akihabara etc. So much to see and do when visiting Japan. Oh, Okinawa, best southern subtropical place to visit for all thing beach life, surf and natures too! Mata ne! Oh, as well the Reigandō cave where Miyamoto Musashi final resting, meditation & hermitage in Kumamoto. Have a deep respect on such great swordsman back in warring era of Japan and author of Go Rin No Sho/The Book of Five Rings.

Tokyo Eye vibes 😂 awesome! 👍

This is great John - thanks for sharing!

There is definitely something for everyone in the city at all price points. That's what makes it amazing. I already checked out west of Tokyo, now I want to explore East and North!

We demand a weekly show with you guys.

There is so much to do within easy access from Tokyo. That's why I love this city so much!

I love the sounds of train station in Japan

That was really fun and informative. John and Matt have so much knowledge and experience from their years in Japan. 👍🗾

I really enjoyed this! It made Tokyo a little less intimidating. And gave some good ideas. Thanks 👍🏻

YEAH! Was looking forward to this video podcast, great seeing Matt Alt over on here too!

EXCELLENT VIDEO, Aways Great to see you and Matt team up.

I got a question, What’s the difference between temples versus Shrines in Japan? 🇯🇵

You said it best when u say food brings people together but this episode is like rekindling our love for Japan even more. Its a place for everybody to see and captures your imagination like no other. Shoutout to yourself and Matt Alt for narrating all of these beautifully 👍

I liked the little adventure John hope you find a interesting store or restaurant to do for a live stream