Tokyo's Map, Explained

See the New LUMA collection from ‪@NOMATIC‬ nomatic.com/daniel
Thank you so much for watching. It was so fun to be in Tokyo and immerse myself in Japanese culture for a bit.
I'm launching Patreon: / danielsteiner
01:24 Intro
02:26 Nihonbashi Bridge
07:12 Ad
08:33 The Street Layout
14:13 Low City, High City
18:17 Becoming Tokyo
Book a tour with our guide Taisho Takata: / garden_tour_guide_taisho
Read more from Tristan Grunow here: journals.sagep... www.tandfonlin...
References: www.library.me... www.nippon.com... blogs.loc.gov/... www.oldtokyo.c...

[@Rufiowascool]

I've lived in Japan for 20 years. This was an astonishingly well put together documentary that was considered and just...so beautifully crafted. I'm used to people bastardising, glamorising, and...well, *youtubing* the shit of of this place. You did none of this, and for that, you gave it so much more. Well done and easy sub.

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Thank you so much! I work hard on these so that really means the world 🙏🏻

[@hcxpl1]

Really curious of what you mean by that since I don't know much about Japan and haven't really watched much about Tokyo

[@Rufiowascool]

@@hcxpl1 it was informative without being sensational. It didn't sink to any cheap "wacky Japan" stunts or tired tropes and stereotypes. It had a very human element to it all and just didn't seem to panda to the more modern KZbin conventions that grumpy old people like me like to be annoyed by. :-) Japan has so much more nuance and human-ness to it than a lot of modern, shallow content so often speaks to. It just felt like this guy put thought into telling a really interesting story that didn't rely on tired Japanese clinches or any other crutches.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

I remember NHK Japan making a three part documentary about Edo-period Edo (Tokyo)...

[@loldoctor]

@@Rufiowascoolas a foreigner living in rural Tohoku, I couldn’t agree more with your comment about Japan having so much more than what you find in most YT videos. I moved here by circumstance, with almost zero knowledge of the country, and now when I see these videos with 15 million views that are so exaggerated, I’m extremely grateful for that prior (and in some ways persistent) ignorance. I find the whole thing very frustrating because I feel so many people are getting a false impression of the country or they’re only getting the hyper-urban experience.

[@kuzirareo]

As a Japanese who used to keep learning the history of how people build the city of Tokyo(Edo), this video is one of (if not) the best introductory documentary on this subject I’ve ever seen! You’ve done an amazing job. The things I love about this history which you don’t talk about in this particular video are the irony of the start of this city. The Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, was banished from the financial and religious center of the country, Kyoto and Osaka, by the then most powerful person, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, to this fishing village, later called Tokyo. Technically this place was given to him as a reward of a war but in reality it’s a banishment. It’s because Hideyoshi thought this place useless (it actually was at first) and could damage Ieyasu’s growing power in both the short and long term. But the history tells us this banishment backfired a lot and even has given a huge economic boost to Japan as a country for the last 400(!) years. This city started as the second center of this country, which has less ties with traditional aristocrats and temples and has become the place for newly powerful people ever since. The history of how this useless fishing village becomes one of the biggest city in the world is fascinating and worth learning for everyone who are interested in cities imo. So much fun there

[@kurofune.uragabay]

Maybe I got this wrong, but my understanding was that, during the siege of Odawara castle Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the Shōgun at that time) offered to Tokugawa Ieyasu (one of his "generals" as well as one of his more powerful daimyo and an ally) a deal to trade his 5 domains in the Chūbu (central) region for the Hōjō's 8 (much more more economically valuable, _not yet conquered_ ) domains in the Kanto region (away from the "action" around the central provinces), and that Ieyasu, surprisingly and very intelligently, accepted...? (look at me, debating Japanese history with a Japanese person... I'm such a ばか... 😂) 🙇‍♂

[@kuzirareo]

@@kurofune.uragabayno, no, thank you for the reply🙇. I think that’s factually right and gives more details I wish I had written in my post. The language barrier made me write the history of the offering in a short but terribly inaccurate way. I couldn’t come up with more accurate words than “banishment” or so. Thank you for clarifying the facts

[@kurofune.uragabay]

@@kuzirareo 🙂 Perfectly understandable... Thank you 🙏 (...and you were right and ironically Hideyoshi was sowing the seed for the complete annihilation of his clan with what that proposal)

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

This portion of history I found so interesting but so overwhelming when trying to pack it all in a video, so thank you for sharing! This thread is everything I want from making these videos 😭 🙏🏻 the respect and sharing of context is the CORE of what I want this channel to be. So thank you both so much.

[@theliato3809]

Seems to be a little pattern of sleepy fishing villages becoming great centers of power.

[@nutsbutdum]

I'm addicted to this channel.

[@loduca16]

Same

[@iluvmarvel252]

ME TOO LITERALLY BINGED ALL HIS VIDEOS

[@kmilorestre5223]

100%

[@元農]

It is just amazing that as a non-Japanese speaker, Daniel presents all the historical facts and informations so correctly, that even the spiral developing strategy which is barely known by foreigners is perfectly shown in this well-made video. Nice job to Daniel and those who helped in completing this video!

[@slugger_hinatastan17]

I’m from Ochanomizu and went to go to the schools located in Ichigaya and Iidabashi, so I used to walk down the Sotobori (outer moat). It takes less time if you walk down the Yasukuni-dori (the road between the Nippon Budokan and Yasukuni shrine), but the view from Sotobori especially on the sunny day is so refreshing and awesome so I chose that way. Good memories.

[@rain7746]

I’ve lived in Tokyo for 108 years and I can’t believe how well put together this video is

[@lisztomaniac5710]

Um , 108 years? Amazing!

[@monogramadikt5971]

@@lisztomaniac5710 im currently closing in on my third century there, place still feels new to me yeah

[@sarahmanalapan8443]

​@@monogramadikt5971amazing whats the secret to living so long?

[@therexbellator]

You don't look a day over 107!

[@老清智]

3：55 背後に見える、赤いビルと黒いビルの間が按針通り ANJIN street。 「将軍 shogun」の三浦按針 William Adamsの屋敷跡です。

[@craiggersify]

The way this video uses the structure and history of the city to understand each other - unparalleled. Maybe my favorite you’ve done yet, on a channel that’s been consistently illuminating. 🗾

[@maitsujikawa9748]

2 trivia’s that I love about the city of Tokyo 1. Aside from old stones, you can find old traces of waterways on modern-day roads of Tokyo. One of it is in Akihabara (yes, the anime capital), and there used to be a small port/ wharf there to unload goods from the ships. These small ports used to be scattered around east Tokyo, connected by the many waterways that acted like a modern-day highway. The harbor in Akihabara is said to be the place to unload fresh vegetables made in the outer rural areas of Tokyo, and these goods that were transported via the waterways fed the many mouths living in Tokyo. It also became the backbone of many commercial facilities in Edo, since it was far more easier to sell the goods unloaded at that port at that place. Although they were ranked last in the social status, merchants thrived in Edo period, creating the unique culture/ identity of Edo. 2. How the Meiji Restoration/ Great Kanto Earthquake affected the modern day sushi and tempura. Sushi and tempura used to be a relatively cheap street snack in the Edo period. Sushi (or Nigiri sushi if you want to be specific) used to be bigger in size, more akin to modern-day Onigiri. Tempura used to have a wooden skewer sticked in the ingredients so you can hold it in your hand. Both were made in stalls, and people would basically eat them as fast foods, while standing/ using their hands. When Meiji Restoration brought modern city building to Tokyo, these stalls were evacuated to small shops, and as a result, sushi and tempura were now eaten while sitting. This lead to the dishes becoming smaller in size, and much much more expensive. And the Great Kanto Earthquake made lots of people immigrate out of Tokyo, including the many sushi and tempura chefs. These chefs introduced sushi and tempura to the regions outside of Tokyo, and thanks to this, dishes that were once only known around Tokyo, became the symbol of Japanese cuisine.

[@gigiteh9749]

interesting

[@SafetyLast-_-]

@@maitsujikawa9748 Thank you for sharing this! It’s really interesting.

[@cittaaukoto_japan9926]

I've lived in Tokyo for more than 30 years and live on the city's east side in reasonable walking distance of Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. As someone interested in urban history and urban design, I knew a reasonable amount of the information presented here. Even so, I learned more than a few things here. I'm very impressed and immediately subscribed after watching this. I look forward to watching more of these videos!

[@russell_j_]

BABE WAKE UP, NEW DANIEL STEINER MAP VIDEO JUST DROPPED

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Hahaha 😭😭🙏🏻

[@N_g_er]

@@DanielsimsSteinerabout time

[@Azxnrjsle]

POGGED

[@joshdangelo7186]

its actually such an event for me and theres only like 4 of these before this😂😂😂 so good

[@Jaydogcoolzy]

I was literally just about to comment this

[@milancorleone01]

Omg the Japanese tour guide guy is the nicest person i have ever heard…talking about his city with such passion, curiosity, yet with a lot of humility…plus i love his accent!!

[@erinjohnson1124]

For me as a New Orleanian whose favorite city is Tokyo, you gotta imagine my excitement seeing my favorite two maps back to back. lol excellent work, keep doing what you’re doing!

[@helveklikk]

As someone who's studied Japanese, been to Japan multiple times and consumes lots of content about Japan, this is easily one of the best I've seen so far. Very nice documentary style. No making a big stink about the "dark side of Japan" or a large spectacle of "crazy Japan" etc.. Love it! Keep up the great work, definitely subscribed!!

[@ignagalindo]

It's lovely to hear from a talented storyteller who's genuinely curious and devoted to research. More than that, I appreciate seeing a foreigner honoring the identity of a place by offering a platform for locals to tell the history themselves. It's an approach that minimizes appropriation, projections, or extrapolations, and instead gives space to the protagonists who live the day to day of these places. Keep up the good work!

[@gagamba9198]

@22:55 Tokyo's subway 'began being built' _before_ WWII. 東京地下鉄道株式会社 (Tokyo Underground Railway Co), opened in 1927. It's known as the Ginza line. A second subway company, 東京高速鉄道株式会社 (Tokyo Rapid Transit Railway Co), opened its line in 1938. These two were merged into the 帝都高速度交通営団 (Teito Rapid Transit Authority) in 1941.

[@white_mage]

i am addicted to the way japan cities look. i don't know if its architecture or what, they just look like they're from another planet (in a good way) and i love it.

[@sc1338]

Actually Japanese city’s are rather boring looking irl. They amazingly clean though! They have very western architecture now

[@white_mage]

@@sc1338 how dare you >:(

[@litete2512]

i think it may be the narrower roads, it makes neighbourhoods and districts more packed and lively. wide roads are just rivers, just with cars and asphalt instead of water and rocks

[@white_mage]

@@litete2512 not quite the catch but i like that as well

[@jamira120]

驚いたよ、海外の人でここまで正確に江戸城と都市計画を正確にドキュメントした人初めて見たよ

[@overthecounterbeanie]

Japan is an island by the sea filled with volcanoes, and it's BEAUTIFUL.

[@johannahill4466]

in the year negative a billion japan might not have been here

[@TheLaXandro]

S P I R I T U A L

[@DinnerForkTongue]

More like Japan is a series of volcanoes with islands attached.

[@IAmAndrew1]

How about S U N R I S E L A N D?

[@シロダサンダー]

Brilliant video :)

[@PlasticCant]

I’m on a plane home from Tokyo right now. Last night I was walking to a Thai restaurant when I had to stop and kneel to take a rock out of my shoe. When I looked up and thought “Huh… 23:26 I wonder how those stones got here.” Watching this has given me a thorough case of the chills.

[@ibec69]

I go to Tokyo every year for business and I wasn’t aware of any of this. You peaked my curiosity. I know what kind of walks I’m going to do next time and I know what to look for. Thank you.

[@dai-nippon_digger]

I love Tokyo but I really love the small country towns. You can really appreciate the older architecture there.

[@RIPFemaleDoggy]

This channel needs to blow up so you can give us more content more frequent. These videos are so 🔥

[@MirzaAhmed89]

Quality is more important than quantity.

[@obbm]

I think the time is moreso spent on research and production. Not a follower problem

[@Kade_Bauman]

Your Tour Guide was lovely

[@sac809]

the emperor business trip joke was funny, great tour guide!

[@EPMTUNES]

Very nice video. The story of a city is expressed in its roads, zoning, and people. Understanding the city's and its culture are one and the same, and your series does the best job of it i've ever seen

[@jimbo9881]

man the production of this video is so cool, so much effort put into this.

[@paddypen]

Geography teacher here and past history student - I love the way you blend both in a well constructed video. I have saved this to show some of my students who appreciate Tokyo.

[@detroitdan8487]

WOW! A most excellent presentation. The script was perfect, no fluff, flow was easy to follow. The explanations and visuals were great. Thank you. And I learned how Edo became Tokyo. And the relationship between Kyoto and Tokyo. And how the samurai class was dissolved. I kept running into references about the samurai being disbanded at the time and now I know why. Thank you, Daniel.

[@DaleOzaraga]

WE NEED THE PART 2 !!! Love how you simplified everything !

[@Brendelson]

I’m only 9 mins in but I have to stop and thank you for this channel. Just enough information to be interesting and to learn from but not too much to overwhelm. THIS is the content KZbin has needed and I’m grateful I found it and you.

[@dejan.]

First video from you that I’ve seen and it was a masterpiece. Going to visit Tokyo again soon and have a new perspective of this city now. I’ll be sharing this video with my family so that they can put it all into perspective too. Thank-you Daniel!

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Wow thank you so much! I’m glad it’s helpful 🙏🏻

[@socratesmiranda]

I love the way you speak about urbanism in your videos How you explain the history of these places and all the context behind what we know today!!

[@GregStroupe]

This has changed my entire plan in visiting Tokyo for my first time! Really extraordinary work. I watch a LOT of KZbin on cities, infrastructure, and design. This is the highest quality I have ever seen. Hence my first Patreon subscription.

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Wow! This means a lot. Thank you so much 🙏🏻 I’m so glad you enjoy it

[@nathan__142]

Thank you for breaking down this city in a way that is approachable. I want to visit Tokyo myself but the map is so intense and I don’t know where to begin. This is such a valuable resource to have. Seriously, awesome!

[@astr43us]

If you like the city life, start with Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza. You can get a feel for Tokyo by just exploring. Tokyo is probably the most English friendly city I’ve been to in Japan, all of the trains are very accommodating to English speakers and Google maps is exceptionally good at getting you around.

[@forrestmorrisey]

I was in Tokyo last week and visited Edo Castle. Thank you for enlightening me on the history of such an incredible city.

[@SkulkingSkullKid]

Just returned from Japan and this video-thoughtful, respectful, educational-provided some wonderful context and insight in to the trip and experiences. First video I’ve seen of yours, but I subbed half-way through. Very cool, and high-quality!

[@travmcbride]

The map KING is BACK

[@whitanese]

literally my favorite channel currently. keep it up

[@frankyfraaank]

the worst time to have to go get groceries is when we get a new Daniel Steiner video. Damnit. Now I gotta wait a whole hour to watch this.

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Ahahahaha

[@johnforde7735]

I used to work right next to Nihonbashi bridge in the Coredo Nihonbashi building. It was so interesting to work in such an historical area. Very interesting history, and some facts I didn't know, like Odaiba. (Also, don't worry, your pronunciation was great.)

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Ahh thank you so much! Would be cool to spend a lot of time in that area like that!

[@lisssie.]

Never thought that video about a map would make me wanna go to Tokyo. This and all of the other videos are absolutely incredible. Loved every freaking second of it. Tysm!

[@rifting1224]

This is the best video I watched in 2024 so far. Very well-researched and enjoyable, keep it up!

[@danielnewton2390]

You have a way of finding the most interesting people to interview for these videos!

[@busbus5682]

As an urbanism enthusiast, I found the content super interesting. Just subscribed, great job!

[@UttkarshBhagotra]

I adore this video in so many ways - mostly as an editor but also as an audience

[@Pepperoni_Ice_Cream]

Dude, I am a map fanatic and you have just become one of my favorite KZbinrs. Stumbled on a recommendation earlier today and I’m nearly done with all of your content. I’m going to pursue your paid stuff! Excellent stuff!

[@royk7072]

Thanks!

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Wow thank you!! 🙏🏻

[@theseekerofserenity]

This is the first video of yours I've come across and I cannot fathom how much fun and knowledge I'm going to get out of this channel. I visited Tokyo a few years ago and watching this makes me want to return. So incredibly well put together, researched and presented. The easiest decision to subscribe in a very long time. Well done dude.

[@iAmEhead]

Really great video. Amazing thing about Odaiba... it's still providing defense for Tokyo due to Gundam's presence!

[@bluescrubby]

20 year resident here, but never lived in and rarely go to tokyo. This was fascinating, and your storytelling with the support of just enough visuals to make it completely comprehensible was fantastic. Congrats on your craft!

[@TomMaster]

Haven't seen the video yet, but I know this will be an amazing video!!!

[@mariak.1752]

I enjoyed watching this video. Thank you so much! I'm Japanese and I'm very happy to see a foreigner made such a detailed video about Japan.

[@kalaglarski]

Absolutely amazingly put together to tell a fascinating and captivating story of Tokyo! Thank you!

[@SafetyLast-_-]

Incredible work! Thanks for putting effort in showing detailed maps and aligning it with comments from locals.

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Thanks so much!!

[@FBMoy]

Absolutely phenomenal video as always. Engaging, entertaining and educational! Cheers mate

[@mrbillfeng]

Wow. What a great video. I've lived here for 10 years but have never thought about looking into these things. This video has given me some new found appreciation for this city and this country.

[@idee7896]

Superbly researched and presented video done in a way to keep viewers interested

[@adrianglamorgan2571]

Well done, enormous amount of work has gone into this, appreciated!

[@shelleym4283]

Just finishing up a quick 2 day visit to Tokyo, including Edo Castle/ Imperial Palace grounds. Loved learning the history there, supplemented by your excellent video.

[@carrygaming7890]

Amazingly well put together video! Congrats!

[@silvin007]

omg the first asian city to be covered, I know my city is close haha, hopefully the next 3 or 4 videos. This video is beyond awesome, keep up the great work man

[@catherine6365]

as someone who studied urban studies (urban planning's more interdisciplinary cousin) , the way you articulated palimpsest was exactly how it was taught to me! never thought i would get this quality of analysis outside the classroom, well done

[@arerayace]

Love the video!!! but also, I saw a typo on one of the graphics .

[@rodrigofuchs161]

Hey, Daniel! Congrats for your awesome content! It's so incredible to learn history by looking at a map!

[@FatBubble.]

I can't say enough how well done this is! This was such a fascinating video thanks to the work that you put into it. Beautiful visuals, great flow and very engaging!

[@nathanbellamy3308]

That was fantastic. You are what content creators on youtube should be. That really was a great, detailed, educational watch. Subscribed.

[@Officeninja428]

This is such an incredible video! I love content that focuses how the things we know and love came to be. Thanks for the awesome work 🎉

[@TomoBystedt]

Great video Daniel! As someone who has lived on and off in Tokyo for the last 35 years, this was fascinating new information delivered in a very engaging and accessible way. Keep up the great work!

[@FatTracksMusic]

So happy to see a new upload!

[@kurofune.uragabay]

@4:13: That's a Kawase Hasui woodblock print (Road to Nikko). I for one hope they leave the Nihonbashi overpass as it is, it would be a ridiculously expensive and wasteful project to dig around such a congested area, plus I kind of like it like that, in its little cocoon... Thank you Daniel. I'm going to have to touch that small remain of the outer moat at some stage 😉🙏

[@kurofune.uragabay]

20:13 "Meiji Restoaration" would be a great name for a restaurant, I think... 😆

[@zaippiaz]

what phenomenal content! Thank you for all your research on this. I really enjoyed learning about the factors influencing the map and the historical context. As someone from London, currently living in Japan, i appreciate this!

[@mecvm9857]

Great video. Planning a trip to Tokyo in coming spring, this is exactly what I want before my trip. A really profound research on city's history. Look forward to new videos.

[@JacobZimmerman0]

The outro song from 22:23 to 23:33 is 2099 by Wave Saver for those curious. He also cut it out right as it gets good 😅

[@MrEast808]

this vid is awesome. just came back from tokyo, stayed in akihabara, walked to ueno park, walked to the castle grounds, and saw the original odaiba. everything in the vid made sense of what i experienced.

[@skloter]

I've lived in Tokyo for the last 5 years but I've learnt more on these 24 minutes than in 5 years! Amazing work man. Thank you!

[@DIANEJAPAN]

What an excellent video! As a freelance tour guide, I always share this information in my introductory lecture about Tokyo. For me, someone who lives in rural Japan, understanding Tokyo's history and development helped to demystify its seemingly chaotic organization. You have explained it clearly and beautifully. Kudos! Also, your Japanese guide was fantastic. btw, it's Meiji Restoration. Typo.

[@TheWorldISeeYT]

Man the level of effort in these videos is amazing, from the captioning, animation, map panels, and just general structure of the video is so captivating. also i noticed from the insta and the channel recs, are you just friends with CHUPPL or also a producer on their videos?

[@tonitonesempre]

I love Tokyo.Thank you so much your video. It was incredibly interesting.

[@Antonio5559398]

dude what the hell is this channel?? hidden gem, and EASY sub. i love maps, cartography, and history.

[@gedrictudio]

Bro, Japanese hangover is real. Once you visit the first time, you just can't wait to get back. Visited for Taylor Swift on February (Tokyo), and I just went back a week ago (Osaka). And I'm already planning for the next one on January.

[@1mikerider]

Just found this channel, after watching the London maps video. Such a great channel, informative and interesting. Went to Tokyo last year so good to learn more about the city.

[@RandomLifeOfDarren]

Another brilliant video! 👏🏻 Tokyo is such a fascinating city, I wish this video was out before my trip in 2019

[@liamsaxov3065]

Man i love these videos! Hope you become more popular soon, you deserve it 100%

[@Ben-jx1ys]

There’s a spelling error of restoration at around the 20:15 point when you show the timeline and mention the Meiji Restoration. I’m nitpicking but only because this video is awesome. Kudos.

[@darrellandersen]

This was incredibly well researched and put together. Thank you.

[@BenBike]

Most fascinating channel/video on a topic I never even thought about! Keep it up, can't wait to keep watching!!!

[@svrupani]

Thank you so much for this Daniel. It was so refreshing to see my city in your eyes and you grasped Tokyo beautifully.

[@lanster77schannel]

Phenomenal video as always, Daniel.

[@SoofiGaming]

What a cool video, thank you! The insight was well put together and explained by locals (thanks for including a native speaker too!). After having visited Tokyo this made me feel I want to go back even more than before 😊 And the quiet is real, it's amazing how safe and calm this giant of a city can be!

[@blxvkpxndx]

I really look forward to your videos. Top-tier high-quality thank you

[@greenrosebluebird]

What a great research! I am Japanese and learned a lot from this video. So impressed. Looking forward to watching more of your passionate studies!

[@tokyokillie5793]

I've lived just north of Ueno for six years and had no idea it was once on the edge of the sea, but makes sense from the vantage point you feature in the video. Great work.

[@zrumpz]

Wow I don't know what I was expecting when I clicked on this video, but it was much better than expected. I've spent lots of time in Tokyo, but I didn't really know about a lot of this, it was very interesting thanks for putting it together.

[@MakkaDownunder]

Woooow. I'm visiting Tokyo in two months and am even more excited to see it's history in person. Thank you for the inspiration :)

[@TheJohnblyth]

The one area of Tokyo that I spent any time in-just a couple of days last year-turned out to be the area you just covered. Excellent.

[@frypanini]

2:09 Small correction: Tokyo is on the Eastern Coast (not Western).

[@socratesmiranda]

I was so excited for this video, bro! I'm addicted to this channel❤

[@RyanTeo]

Great video (background research, narrative, videography, editing, effort)! It is a great way to tell the story of the development of cities through a mixture of geography, history, society and economics. Btw, just a small suggestion, at 20:14 mins, Meiji "restoration" is spelt wrongly in the graphic.

[@AllPileup]

14:24 Just noticed that the line dividing two parts of Tokyo roughly runs along Tokaido Main Line