I flew to Japan to visit "Michaelsoft Binbows" in person

[@Channeldyhb]

You are a statistically normal tourist. You literally go all the way to Japan just to see the one place and then you get there then you literally go to all the businesses directly around it to infuse cash right into that neighborhood, beautiful

[@babylonian]

hahahahah, incredible comment

[@KurtyHorty]

​@@babylonianagree!

[@SouLAnimation]

LMAO@@babylonian

[@Ranger-over]

I can relate to that feeling of Pack. Always on the lookout for openings. Willing to go over anybody's head to become a part of what seems to be an exclusive club. Actually I'm more like the gambler in this analogy. The thrill of the possible payoff is always attractive, but eventually the facade crumbles and I'm left face down in the dirt with nothing to show for it. Awn7mFktpB4

[@KurtyHorty]

Ain't no way I made history by replying to the person who found Michaelsoft Binbows.

[@HyperSniperCo]

"I got medium drunk inside of Michaelsoft Binbows" is a sentence only one man has the honor of uttering. Thank you for your service, Nick.

[@squ34ky]

For now...

[@RT-qd8yl]

I'm sure that place gets other customers tho

[@IdentifiantE.S]

@@RT-qd8ylIts sure !

[@ivy_47]

Based on how many reviews acknowledged Binbows, he's definitely not the only one.

[@mistrrw1952]

That should’ve been the video title.

[@ian.]

I'm waiting for the episode in which you buy that room from the landlord and turn it into a michaelsoft binbows souvenir/nostalgia shop

[@raidenstark315]

Nick should make a crowfunding for buy the local

[@Nitidus]

That would probably be pretty hard for a gaijin

[@raidenstark315]

@@Nitidus nick needs to find a japanese buisness partner for get the office space, a easier way

[@ironhell813]

Equally difficult, I know from experience.

[@raidenstark315]

@@ironhell813 i hope someone gets the office and do a propper michaelsoft binbows museum

[@SpartanDrazen]

This is probably the closest thing to an IRL side quest.

[@Meteorite_Shower]

Nick has the Japan instance permanently loaded.

[@Ranger-over]

Thiscomment was not about this specific quest but about Fallout 76. Awn7mFktpB4

[@bluepatat]

Idk man, I saved some guys dog from getting ran over the other day lol

[@SpartanDrazen]

That's sounds more like a random encounter@@bluepatat

[@bluepatat]

Ikr…side quest energy

[@axo3687]

He was so close to just deciding to break into an abandoned office space because of a meme.

[@vaehtay]

I was so anxious that this man was going to get himself arrested in Japan, or just like, kicked out of the building from going places he wasn’t supposed to be you don’t understand lmfao (in the best way possible this was so fun)

[@TransitAndTeslas]

He really wanted to just set foot in the parking lot. Then my man decided to go even further and attempt breaking and entering.

[@ketchup901]

It's not abandoned if it's being used by a cram school

[@peteypete9357]

​@@zorkman777how do you know he doesn't want to give our handies already?

[@Gameboygenius]

@@ketchup901 That's just the right half of the top floor though. The left half is abandoned.

[@Just_Shade]

Me at the start of the video: what the hell is Michaelsoft Binbows Me at the end of the video: Goodbye Michaelsoft Binbows (literally crying)

[@FireyDeath4]

Ah dang, you probably shoulda watched the first video about it first lol

[@Nikedemos]

The Japanese guy talking to an American guy exclusively about Star Wars is the equivalent of a gaijin talking to a Japanese person exclusively about anime!

[@Luredreier]

"gaijin"?

[@agy234]

@@Luredreierforeigner

[@beardalaxy]

@@Luredreier "foreigner" in japanese, don't listen to the other guy

[@nulnoh219]

That's exactly it. More specifically about Naruto or Dragonball or something.

[@mateokunzer]

Just say weeb you weeb

[@CaJoel]

why is a conversation between someone who barely speaks Japanese and someone who barely speaks English the most wholesome thing ever

[@cosmiclikesminecraft]

I love when two people try to communicate when they only know parts of each other’s languages. It’s always so sweet

[@CaJoel]

@@zorkman777 I guess the cringiness is why I find it kinda cute idk

[@VisionThing]

Why do American children think wholesome means something it doesn’t?

[@matsurivirus1814]

@@VisionThing why do people generalize every ignorant thing to americans?

[@CaJoel]

@@VisionThing m8 I’m a bri’ish adult innit

[@simpli_A]

Imagine this… your a Japanese consumer, just looking to get wasted somewhere… you go to the nearest izekiya (don’t know how to spell it, sorry) and you see some clearly american man in what you just thought was pretty much an all japanese, tourist free town. He’s getting “medium drunk” and is laughing his ass off, giddy as you’ve ever seen anyone ever, talking about the elusive “michaelsoft binbows” in a terribly broken japanese/english mix with the biggest smile on his face. He says the words as if it was a friend he lost years ago and finally reconnected with… you can’t help but smile yourself as you wonder what it possibly means… He’s also chatting with some other dude about star wars in a way that sounds like both of them are trying to convince the other that they are a huge fan even though neither have actually ever seen the movie once

[@GDNachoo]

He will remain known as an urban legend "the michaelsoft binbows drunk american guy" perpetually in that area

[@jemmahughes952]

I have a quest

[@jemmahughes952]

Do you guys remember the original Pokémon TCG game all my data from its disappeared and I have a quest I want to do with it I do have the app

[@tzshchsjsjxijyo]

i wanna know if anybody from that town has seen this video

[@anonanonymous9670]

@@jemmahughes952 What do you mean by a "app"? Do you mean the gameboy color game? If so then no, it's gone forever The save battery on it is dead

[@thefowles1]

he saw it, he touched it, he got drunk inside of it. the madlad's journey has been fulfilled.

[@marilynman]

You forgot the slap in the ass.

[@ShinkuAura]

The way you wrote it made me laugh.

[@Crytkee]

fr

[@locke103]

poetic

[@IndicatedGoodLife]

Imagine running a random computer shop with a funny name in bumfuck nowhere japan and then stumbling over this video, years after it closed down, lmao

[@dreamsun69]

Finally someone uses the phrase bumfuck nowhere correctly. Americans say it silly

[@devynthelonelyfox]

@@dreamsun69lol and?

[@dreamsun69]

american? lol@@devynthelonelyfox

[@parkerfiskar3589]

@@dreamsun69 how do you notice it being used? The way he used it is exactly how I’d use it.

[@dreamsun69]

I've heard many! Including and I quote "Bumble-Fuck Nowhere" who is bumble and why he tryna fuck??@@parkerfiskar3589 FYI I'm not tryna shit on anyone I like observing the differences in a seemingly similar cultures. I'm Australian

[@mazda9624]

Imagine how terrifying it would have been for an employee of that learning center if they happened to stumble upon Nick (a random foreigner that they've never seen before) rummaging in that dark hallway behind all of their stuff...

[@ferretappreciator]

FR!!! I skipped past that part because it was just so awkward even though no one actually came. Like who sees a blocked off hallway and thinks "hmmm, clearly I'm wanted behind here"

[@BackfeetBoi]

Ngl that part was uncomfortable to watch

[@marcelburdon9795]

@@ferretappreciator yikes, real softie over here

[@LotteBlueJays]

I was expecting him to get caught and scolded. It wouldn't have been a huge deal.

[@ferretappreciator]

@@marcelburdon9795 big yikes, this person experienced a reaction

[@stevenjones8575]

The fact that you managed to get to the door, peek through the window, and yet still not be able to get in is honestly perfect. Michaelsoft Binbows was almost captured that day, but still escaped, only enhancing her allure.

[@ArnieMcStranglehold]

I am utterly enthralled with this story. I hope this brings popularity to it, and prosperity to that community.

[@MoreEvilThanYahweh]

This is like when I detoured from California to visit Louis Rossmann's old store in New York, only to arrive while he was out.

[@HappyBeezerStudios]

That means we can get some sort of Michaelsoft trilogy

[@StAngerNo1]

I love how you elevated a random partially abandoned building in the middle of nowhere in japan into a place of longing and made an emotional pilgrimage video about it, where you documented the evoluting relationship with this place.

[@dannylo5875]

A shrine…lol

[@acmenipponair]

@@dannylo5875The Shrine of the Kamis of OS-Tan, where you might meet the ghosts of Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows ME and Windows 2000 :D

[@Ddraig87]

At 37:14 you can actually see the "S" from the "SHOP" part of the logo which must have adorned the door. That might be the last remaining piece of any original Binbows signage. Though who knows what's in the room itself.

[@RatKingLiam]

Oh shoot ur right! Are we sure this isnt the "S" in soft or the "S" in Binbows?

[@sorae42]

@@RatKingLiamThe letter next to it has a vertical line so it’s surely not an O. Could be “SHOP” as mentioned by op.

[@lysrynn]

I watched the original video for the first time last week and I am absolutely flabergasted by the fact that I lived in that neighborhood for 2 years as an English teacher and had no idea the legendary store location was right there the whole time.

[@AB-py6jl]

You were standing on holy ground and didn't even know it

[@LugowuMatthew]

Woah you are so lucky. Maybe you night want to visit Michaelsoft Binbows everyday, that's everyone dreams ha

[@chux4w]

Part three has to be either Nick crowdfunding to buy the building or at the very least a collab with LockPickingLawyer for a return visit.

[@babylonian]

dream collab tbh

[@jomarcentermjm]

Impossible lockpick are highly regulated in japan. To a point you need a permit

[@AB-py6jl]

@@jomarcentermjm No lock is impossible for LockPickingLawyer

[@Deses]

That lock looks might pickable, maybe you just need to bump it!

[@worldcomicsreview354]

​@@jomarcentermjmImplying Lockpicking Lawer needs a lockpick, he'll borrow a pencil from the school and open it 3 times

[@CCLemon99]

Wait a minute... 37:24 On the Michaelsoft Binbows door, I think you skated past the lone reference to its glorious past. It looks like the logo had been on the door and was painted over. You can see the remnants of the "S" and part of the "H" from "SHOP". We must crowdfund the purchase of the door and hire an art restorationist to preserve the history.

[@PauIieWalnuts]

Keen eye. This looks plausible

[@BrigCommander]

I think you're right

[@SPTunnelMotor]

Oh my god, you're right! That's definitely the 'SH' from the store logo, top orange box!!!!!!

[@n_core]

This store has probably been abandoned for a long time since Michaelsoft Binbows closed. I'm hoping the current owner watch this video and then reach out to Nick to allow this to happen, or just let Nick enter the building. Some might say track who's the owner, but no. We shouldn't do that, that's a doxxing behavior.

[@badpasters]

@@n_coretrack the landlord of the building or the owner of michaelsoft binbows? because the latter is probably impossible

[@Mick_92]

That image looking out of the iconic Michaelsoft Binbows windows, like an inverse of the view of the original pic, is an extremely powerful image. Maybe even more so than if you had just walked in.

[@Mick_92]

37:30 for reference.

[@reanimationxp]

i agree, i literally said "whoa" with the exact same thought

[@ContactDeadAhead]

​@@Mick_92 you are a hero for actually including the timestamp for context

[@drakeisacake]

the ambulance or police thing car with the siren and lights just made it way cool

[@lucasliet]

I love how far he goes for silly things, and what a wonderful storytelling he delivers

[@Gamerad360]

I love it.

[@rolandhazuki8787]

Its like watching a short movie 👍

[@Ranger-over]

Yes, I love that hearn also goes for silly things and tells interesting stories! His album covers are always so creative and colorful, and I can't wait to hear his new album! Awn7mFktpB4

[@IdentifiantE.S]

@@rolandhazuki8787Yes 🍿

[@notdracoi]

the little detail of adding 'deja vu' as you walked past the inital D poster just made this video all the better. Great work as always!

[@ohanneskamerkoseyan3157]

Also the location is ~25 km away from Mt. Haruna (Akina)

[@TheyLuvJokester]

xd@@ohanneskamerkoseyan3157

[@Wallis_2001]

I had to replay that moment because it was so quiet that I couldn’t tell if I was just hearing it in my head 💀

[@tiopetinho]

I loved the fact that since he couldn't properly visit the actual Michaelsoft Binbows, he then proceeded to spend his time spending money and visiting everything in near proximity to it.

[@万年床-k9g]

I’m living in Tokyo, and used to see tourists from overseas. One of them came here to just go to Binbows, that is romantic.

[@periwinkle43]

Dude has the confidence I wish I had. Just trespasses into a cram school to ask if they can unlock one of their locked doors for him lmao

[@periwinkle43]

One of their locked doors that he could only know was locked by moving their stuff and breaking further in lmao

[@MarceloZ2]

He technically wasn’t trespassing because he could be a customer. He maybe legit trespassed when he got outside the area the cramming school laid out to students, visitors and potential customers, but getting inside the cramming school itself wasn’t trespassing. He would be trespassing if he entered there when it was closed, but when it was closed he just stood at the doorstep and went away.

[@Mogswamp]

BUT WHO RAN MICHAELSOFT BINBOWS?? WHAT WAS THEIR NAME

[@wizzlet6821]

Michael

[@bavarianbanshee]

Michael Binbow, obviously.

[@courceta]

binbo gates

[@krozareq]

Now he must go deeper. Find a local that has seen his vids. Go to the local government clerk's office (whatever the JP equivalent is) and find records on the lease of offices in the building. Now he must find Michael himself!

[@dameneko]

Broke-ass マイケル, obviously. He spent all his money on crane games and lives in the manga cafe. His waifu is a knockoff Hatsune Miku body pillow he calls ステシ.

[@Tyracor]

What a stupid idea to go all the way to Japan to have a look at a building in person for a meme. I love it.

[@buddywriggles]

Buckingham Palace has entered the chat

[@sunnysmiles6014]

You need the MrBeast mindset to get the clicks

[@Nugcon]

It's a pilgrimage

[@clanka.]

@@sunnysmiles6014true…

[@coyoteartist]

1. That train was so rad looking 2. By the fact people mentioned you in reviews before you ever got there, made you part of that place's history. 3. It's pretty cool how in your stay, you basically lived in the little world around that building. If you were gonna hang around because of this one place, you gave back.

[@rupertmiller9690]

Researches the sauce. Finds home of the sauce. Visits home of the sauce. Gets sauced while at the sauce. Sleeps next to the sauce. Gets up in the sauce. Denied full sauce access... for now. Great bit of work, mate. You have defined a pilgrimage others will follow.

[@collinbeal]

Lost in the sauce

[@mfaizsyahmi]

Next goal: Buy the sauce, restore the sauce billboard, live in sauce, become the sauce.

[@Anigaming-dz5gh]

Sauce.

[@Ellis_Melatonin]

you spoiled the video, how dare you

[@-Teague-]

​@@mfaizsyahmisauce

[@nicoleng-ih9zw]

The real Michaelsoft Binbows were the friends we made along the way.

[@Nick12_45]

wise words

[@simpli_A]

AMEN BROTHAH

[@resentedkhumbo7479]

i've never heard of michael binboww, but i have been to this parking lot in my dreams. i have many nightmares in this place. rain, and violence of dogs good bye

[@himejoshihell]

that’s about the saddest thing i’ve heard all day. my condolences 😔

[@Mrbigblack2K]

Damn that's crazy

[@YurieSnowie]

Ayyyyy it's the community post guy lmao

[@resentedkhumbo7479]

@@YurieSnowie i never watch the show community, it is not the kind of show i am interested in. god bless you

[@meanmr.mustard3596]

why is michael soft

[@Christofly]

Only you, Nick, could make a 45 minute video about visiting an abandoned office building this entertaining

[@ToyInsanity]

Someone else will turn this into a 15 second short

[@Candyy248]

Well, had to skip A LOT of parts of the video 😴

[@youssefbencheikh8637]

Do you even watch vloggers? There's probably a million of videos about visiting "haunted" "spooky" offices.

[@Christofly]

@@youssefbencheikh8637 but this wasn’t spooky or haunted. It was just a random office building. That’s the joke.

[@youssefbencheikh8637]

@@Christofly yeah, you said "abandoned" offices, the examples I gave are obviously abandoned

[@gfixler]

The only obvious next step is to rent the space, and reopen Michaelsoft Binbows. The world needs it now more than ever.

[@auliamate]

I’d fund that Kickstarter

[@gergom.8310]

Honestly would

[@eggegg8181]

That would be legendary. Someone needs to make this happen

[@acmenipponair]

To be honest, some things should stay in the past, as there they become even more emersive than a bad revive. Just ask anybody whose franchise was rebooted the last decade :D

[@gfixler]

@@acmenipponairSometimes I doubt your commitment to Michaelsoft Binbows.

[@Wallis_2001]

My friend and I are making plans to go to Japan together, and we've already added the Michaelsoft Binbows building to our list of destinations. It's because of your video from 2 years ago that we even know where to find it. So hey, thanks Nick! Your weird obscure obsession kinda rubbed off on us lmao

[@Eira_99]

Going to smaller Japanese towns or towns that don't really have a foreigner tourist scene are so fun, I always make sure to do it a little bit whenever I'm in Japan.

[@Crushery]

Maebashi is the capital city of Gunma Prefecture, *not* a small town.

[@WindowsDrawer]

@@Crushery Yes, but definitely smaller than Tokyo and other big cities, it only has 300k residents.

[@KinnyRiddle]

@@Crushery Guy's point still stands. The place hardly has foreigners, let alone tourists.

[@VisionThing]

@@WindowsDrawer It’s connected to Tokyo, there’s buildings all the way from city center to there. So yeah, within its borders there’s just 300k inhabitants but connected to it tens of millions.

[@jama211]

Not really. It might look like it on a map, but you're being unfair to say it's connected. @@VisionThing

[@FlantisFroggu]

Going into the binbows building felt like the premise for a horror story, you just realize that you are suddenly not actually alone and you really shouldn't be there.

[@dannylo5875]

Your alone with a million old PCs and suddenly you here then playing Gandalf

[@Moiisty]

someone should make a horror game with it

[@Galacsia]

Maybe after going in and out you appear back at the late 90s.

[@ianmi4i727]

LOL!!!

[@Shadow_Enz]

Time to turn Michaelsoft Binbows into a creepypasta video game

[@gladeseason3462]

the music playing when you were looking into the michaelsoft binbows room… watching the lights outside and the cars passing by… someone, some people, spent so much time here, maybe zoning out at the end of the day looking out of those same windows… oh i got emotional

[@KudaKeileon]

I have a sneaking suspicion we're going to eventually get a part 3 where the owner of Michaelsoft Binbows reaches out to Nick.

[@yupitsme7574]

omg I’m wishing and manifesting that! I really hope somehow someday it will happen

[@LifeofBrad1]

Imagine if he'd randomly bumped into him in that izakaya.

[@rztrzt]

すみませんもう彼に連絡しました

[@omikron6218]

part four will be him marrying the owner's daughter and the quest is complete

[@elsenorvananas]

​@@omikron6218the owner's daughter was actually the maid inside Michaelsoft Binbows's restaurant owo

[@ZenithMusicNet]

This has become too epic to let go now. Try contacting the landlord and find who rented the place in 2001 and call him for an interview. Maybe mr. Binbows wants to meet up and show you the store.

[@ArielJerseyJr]

I really love the cozy feeling of Rural parts of Japan. Kinda reminds me of playing Persona 4.

[@rayyTherizzler]

Persona 3 still better

[@MollyPopper]

Always makes me think of Shenmue

[@p-i-es-u-c-c]

i wonder where persona 4 takes place lmao

[@badpasters]

@@MollyPopperisn't shenmue chinese?

[@RealDreadmania]

I was so immersed in this video I didn't even realize I spent 42 minutes watching someone travel across the world for a meme. Great work. This is what I subbed for.

[@cultureinvasion]

Absolutely my same sentiment.

[@HazriHaili]

I watched it twice. Most restorative video ever.

[@frafraplanner9277]

I came here for the trains and stayed for the exploration

[@benjaminshtark5977]

jeez, i was watching the whole thing, thinking why i am watchin this? its stupid!!! but i kept watching.. dont know why.. i think i was hoping in the end he would find out real story and fate of microsoft binbows..

[@sushiacid]

Same

[@Cyranek]

I'm always astounded by how commited this man is to travelling to Japan and finding the thing

[@PhoenixWrightAceAttorney]

"Without any other options and desperate for answers..." The man always finds the thing.

[@eLpELoNdeJaPoN]

Dude ! I found your channel by accident while looking for something for my child related to Pokemon. The story of how you guys bring back that Blastoise is awesome, no shame in telling that my eyes got wet. Now looking at this video ... El Mundo es un pañuelo ( the world is a handkerchief) again! I remember living in Maebashi for almost 10 years and not far from that place! Now I'm living in the province far from the main cities but really your video brings back all those great memories from Gunma . Really thanks 👍

[@babylonian]

hahahah that’s wild! cool to hear from someone who actually lived there

[@mouradhousni244]

do you remember anything about michealsoft binbows? :-)

[@xxdelta77xx446]

I can't believe I just watched someone travel thousands of miles to go to an empty office building, for 43 minutes.

[@AB-py6jl]

I can't believe I tuned in to the live premiere of someone traveling thousands of miles to go to an empty office building for 43 minutes.

[@Candyy248]

I actually skipped certain parts becuase they were from the last video he mentioned v:

[@darrylt8502]

To you, it's an empty office space. To him, it's a landmark lol.

[@nintendrew87]

And it was glorious.

[@Muha.b2]

And I enjoyed every second of it.

[@Dyundu]

On the surface, this is the story of a dude who really wanted to see a building, so he went to it and saw the building. But there is something uniquely human about finding joy in something as mundane as this that I find somewhat moving. Even as the world crumbles around me, around us as a species, I can honestly sit back and say, “At least that guy found the Michaelsoft Binbows building,” and celebrate in sincerity the human triumph inherent in that statement. Congratulations, sir. I celebrate your humanity in this moment.

[@howlingwolfandchelsea]

I agree 200% with you!

[@HazriHaili]

3000 percent agree with you. This video restored something broken in me. I am ready to face the work week ahead!

[@smashallpots1428]

after you showed the review mentioning you directly i couldnt stop thinking of them being like the white man came just as the prophecy foretold

[@trillstarman]

I almost died when you said "If you ever want to LARP as a Japanese man going through a divorce whose wife kicked him out, try out the manga cafe for the night" 😂

[@colinr0380]

Visions of Gigguk tripped through my head at that moment.

[@simpli_A]

It sounds like his “medium drunk” that he got earlier might have been a bit more than he first suspected

[@tommycontra3771]

I got spoiled

[@dinomastermart]

I love how far Nick will go for his viewers, and his own curiosity. It's so silly, yet so inspiring. We love you Nick!!! Thank you.

[@alcor4670]

Not gonna lie, it's kinda sad that Michaelsoft Binbows is not around anymore.

[@dinomastermart]

@@alcor4670 Yeaaa. But hey, the building stands tall. Could be worse.

[@Ranger-over]

Thank you, I really appreciate your kind words. It's just like you to be reminded that my approach to filmmaking is silly, yetInspiring Awn7mFktpB4

[@hangry3102]

@@alcor4670 Lets just appreciate that the building, it's official tombstone, is still majestically in use.

[@Edward135i]

I feel like time in Japan just stopped in the 00s the whole country looks like a 80s - 90s vision in the future.

[@DavidPereiraLima123]

That's a good thing, I hate modern flat design.

[@shamelfuller]

mans went to Japan with NO translator, NO help, and almost NO sense of direction. Very realistic documentary imo. is when you go in unprofessionally and casually like an every day human being visiting a country. this deserves props. also all your video game music shows how much of a gamer nerd you are like the rest of us. lol. Love your content!

[@ekon01cz]

Wdym. He had his phone the whole time. He used google translator, google maps and reviews. lulz

[@pwabd2784]

I promise, with a cellphone getting around Japan with zero Japanese is easy.

[@1970DAH]

He's been there many times before.

[@ckowkay]

I mean thats how it is when you go to japan. As long as you have google translate and google maps, you'll be fine.

[@forkless]

Having been to Japan pre-Google translate I can assure you that you can get around just fine.

[@HeyItsKora]

This is what I love about Nick Robinson. Find an obscure, strange, internet mystery/phenomenon, and absolutely OBSESSIVELY investigate it to find out as MUCH as possible about it, in a multi-year-long saga, and tie it all together with a beautiful, emotional conclusion. This was another top-tier classic from our beloved Nick

[@TheOnyomiMaster]

Sounds like CGPGrey

[@kevinxiao8400]

i second this@@TheOnyomiMaster

[@StolenBapples]

37:30 i cannot describe the panic i felt for an ambulance since the police cars there also have red lights

[@clashroyaleking1195]

I got scared too

[@StolenBapples]

@@clashroyaleking1195 I thought he was going to get caught woo

[@renerpho]

This reminds me of the people who spend years searching for old Windows XP wallpapers. These are real places that would be of no significance, if it weren't for some random photos taken 20 or 30 years ago. Actually finding these places, and then standing there, must be a really strange feeling.

[@RWL2012]

the Bliss place is barely recognisable now.

[@noodlelynoodle.]

@@RWL2012 it definitely looks different with all the grape Vines on it but I can definitely still recognize it's the same spot at least from the pictures I'm seeing of it

[@renerpho]

@@RWL2012 Yes. "Autumn" is beautiful though.

[@pass_]

2 years after the video and only now he's out of options and desperate for some sort of resolution

[@twinfantasytowers]

Seeing it virtually wasn’t enough

[@Skoolitz]

yes

[@rolandhazuki8787]

That's a good progress 👍

[@h3h3fun18]

2 years ago? I think Japanese still restricted travel. Dunno though.

[@OhNyoCringe78]

Michael is very soft

[@Rosalina87]

God i love this video so much! Not only do i love the whole story behind Michaelsoft Binbows and your channel in general, but Koaigimachi reminds me so much of where my mothers side of my family lives (semi rural Osaka). Very interesting, comforting and entertaining. You truly outdone yourself Nick!

[@hana.gemini]

as a Japanese person with father in real estate, slightly tempted to find the building owner and get a tour as prospective renter lol

[@Luredreier]

Please do!!! And if you can, film it?

[@BaileyMagikz]

Or could just leave it alone and not clout chase....

[@LouisSubearth]

You'd be doing the entire internet a huge solid if you do that.

[@BaileyMagikz]

NO People need to just leave it alone and not try turning the area into a tourist area cause your hungry for clout it's an elderly neighbour it's not central toyko so also extremely disrespectful to the elderly living in the area enjoying peace and quiet

[@BaileyMagikz]

again its not a tourist area its a elderly neighbourhood so that just be disrespectful to them also they are only gonna do it cause they saw this video and want the clout of going I own the location guys!! (thats pure clout chasing)

[@Username-vb9if]

I love how nick takes the smallest things and makes them something huge

[@samlaramie9456]

Love how he turns the shortest stories into the longest most drawn out ones.

[@NoaWarrior]

That's what life should be.

[@ANDRESLOPEZ_24]

​@@reapthewhirlwind6915so it's small?

[@Ranger-over]

Actually Nick has a lot to do with it - from research and prototyping toREAM mechanics and calibration. But it's not a joint effort - it's either great or it isn't. Awn7mFktpB4

[@cameron_j40]

​@@reapthewhirlwind6915no nga

[@eastender74]

You are very brave! Braver than most especially me. I don’t think I could have walked up those stairs let alone go past that curtain. The Japanese culture is very strict on boundaries and you could have been brought to the attention of the authorities but thankfully that didn’t happen. Your trip will live forever in your memories and of the viewers and also for however long KZbin keeps it up. ❤

[@acmenipponair]

Well, to be honest, yes, the japanese culture is strict on boundaries, but a. is he a tourist and these boundaries are often overseen as a politeness when you are not from Japan and b. he didn't destroyed anything, he left it as it was there before. Yes, filming inside a building isn't allowed without the owner allowing it - but there the rule is, that when they said no complaint, that means you are ok. c. the police in such a rural area wouldn't come for a tourist who filmed a meme place. He didn't invaded a private home, but he went up the stairs to a cram school and didn't caused any trouble. So there would have been no reason for the police to come.

[@HiddenAnimeHOTD]

@@acmenipponair Plus the Izakaya owners likely informed the cram school owner(Willing they don't own it) that he might come along, take some pictures/video and leave. So I doubt there'd be any arguments or issues.

[@KirkKiyosadaTome]

As a Japanese-American who is also from L.A., I'd like to state that I found both the original discovery vid and this follow up to be utterly fascinating and enjoyable. Thank you for documenting this epic journey!

[@quincyboyce845]

Having been a member of the NA-based OS-tan forum for the past 15 years, that segue into OS-tans was like being hit by a truck. Thank you for keeping their memory alive

[@RyanHorseHelmet]

This man got medium drunk in Michaelsoft Binbows... "Heroes get remembered, but legends never die."

[@risaswonderland]

My friend is currently in Japan and I've literally remembered the Michaelsoft Bimbows video and NOW we are getting part 2. I can't wait.

[@neontd]

you have a mission: tell your friend to go to the michaelsoft binbows building

[@lagartino5093]

You know what you have to do.

[@TayoEXE]

​​​@@neontdWhere is it? I live in Fukuoka, but I'm going to visit family over in Kanagawa and Tokyo in a couple months. Maybe I can go see it. Lol Oh, just saw it's in Gunma?? Okay, can't go that far~

[@snooks5607]

in tokyo as well, thought I'd be seeing a lot of tourists but not really, even the most touristy spots had 2/3 japanese people (or I guess some could be chinese but they do tend to stand out in mannerisms)

[@OfficialLordJynxy]

What do you mean part two

[@dingdongbells3314]

8:11 Fun fact that the Japanese countryside is ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS, and there's all kinds of videos dedicated to train rides through the country side. If anybody wants to chill for an hour, just put on one of those Nagaragawa Railway videos and you'll fall asleep in minutes

[@ObscureOrchestra]

I had literally no idea about "Michaelsoft Binbows" or that it was some of meme, but I'm about 35:22 minutes in and I've been so invested every step of the way. About to go up into the cram school with you now and find out if you get to access the OG office. This has been riveting.

[@ciclon5682]

one day nick is going to go through customs in japan and they are just going to hand him a japanese passport and be like "you earned it"

[@dronespace]

😂

[@7ylerD]

They’re going to arrest him for breaking into all these places, lol.

[@acmenipponair]

@@7ylerD No they won't, because like in the USA trespassing can only be filed by the owner of the place. Which means the cram school would have to file him to the police, which they will not do. Also: You are legally allowed in Japan as well as Germany and many other places to enter a place when the door is open. Which means the only "crime" he did was going into that restricted area, but as he hasn't broken anything or stolen etc, he committed no crime, as pushing away a desk and a sign isn't a crime. There was also not written "entrance not allowed", which means that at least getting into the floor itself wasn't forbidden. So by all standards he is in the case of this video without a felony.

[@ADarnSmore]

@@acmenipponair just a joke dude

[@mdmn-ARCA]

The great thing about the OS-tan concept was the Japanese marketing embraced the idea and took it on officially. There was even one by Kenichi Yoshida of _Overman King Gainer/Eureka Seven/Gundam G no Reconguista/The Orbital Children/that crazy scene in Princess Mononoke when Ashitaka shoots both of a guy's arms off with one arrow_ fame.

[@babylonian]

hahaha yep! i have a vivid memory from one of my first trips to japan of walking past a pc shop in Akiba, seeing a sign advertising Windows 10 with an official OS-tan on it, and doing an actual double take

[@FabricioZuccherato]

I wish I could like this video more than once. It was an amazing video, from start to finish. It's really wholesome to see how deeply connected to this place you became because of a meme. The best part was to check the reviews and see that people went to this place ahead and because of you! Also, it serves as an inspiration to me, who wants to be like you: Create the content you like, to connect to your audience and be able to do travel to that places for a living. Cheers!

[@SuchNick]

I really gotta respect how committed you are to these seemingly inconsequential internet mysteries, also I was on the edge of my seat watching you try to enter the Michaelsoft Binbows portion of the building! A wonderful conclusion to the story of Michaelsoft Binbows

[@jaydenrush3919]

I’ve been learning Japanese on Duolingo recently, so when I saw きつぷ on the button at 9:43 I was proud of myself for immediately thinking “oh he’s getting a ticket”

[@demetriusmorgenroth2835]

Close! The correct spelling is きっぷ, not きつぷ! The difference that needs to be considered is that the つ character is written in a smaller font (compare and contrast: っつ). This is called a 促音 ('sokuon'), and is pretty much an empty mora (or "syllable") in the middle of the word.

[@backloggamereviews]

@@demetriusmorgenroth2835I didn’t know there was a word for it. I’ve been calling it a 小さいつfor years lol

[@demetriusmorgenroth2835]

@@backloggamereviews Most people do! There are specific terms for most special sound patterns but pretty much only the people who really get into studying the language know it. I'd assume that most Japanese natives also do not know the formal term. Of particular note are also the 撥音 ('hatsuon', the ん sound), the 鼻濁音 ('bidakuon', when words from the が sound pattern are pronounced with a soft ん in front of them for "prettification" purposes - an example being when announcers pronounce 右 as kind of a みんぎ instead of みぎ) and the 拗音 ('youon', composite sounds, such as しょ, きょ or みゅ).

[@tsukuyomi43]

I had the same feeling when that woman asked him if he knows japanese, using the word nihongo

[@jorgecerda]

This was simply awesome, thank you. My hearth stop for a bit when you moved that little table at @36:40

[@SilentMystification]

I had a similar experience in Japan, going really far out of the way to find a place you have only seen on google maps. It was pretty surreal getting close to it and recognizing the surroundings without ever being there in person before. I tried to recreate the experience of doing a 360 degree spin so I could get the true google maps experience in real life! The place was an arcade in the middle of nowhere called Game Center Betty. It's an arcade with cats :).

[@stellart5664]

Lowkey want “medium drunk at Microsoft binbows” on a shirt

[@solared]

I want a black shirt with that wavy rainbow wordart with the words "I got medium drunk at michaelsoft binbows" on it

[@uselessDM]

"I got medium drunk ab Michaelsoft Binbows and all I got was this stupid shirt"

[@yuittufrom]

I am Japanese and enjoyed this video very much! Please come visit Japan again!😊

[@hadesedits1501]

He always comes back don't worry bro

[@Oshawatt]

It’s not easy watching Nick with social anxiety but I push on

[@Xeroxiv]

at least he is doing it even it is not easy for him. i appreciate that because i know how hard this is

[@Wifi_Cable]

The level of second hand uncomfortableness of the final attempts to get inside, were off the charts..

[@dentedcarrot7464]

i literally was so scared he was gonna get caught upstairs i had to skip forward 🥲 its too hard to watch

[@justjulia1720]

@@Wifi_Cable Imo, he should've asked for permission before trying to go inside, not after.

[@geertgietman]

@@justjulia1720 might have never gotten to see the inside of michaelsoft binbows

[@SucceedingDespiteIdiocy]

2 years from now, Nick releases another video: "I traveled to Japan to buy the former "Michaelsoft Binbows" store", where he buys the old office from the cram school and puts up a new Michaelsoft Binbows sign outside...

[@lackedpuppet9022]

The school is probably leasing space in the building. I'll bet he could get the building's owner to let him see the space, and if he got a huge sponsor or something maybe he could lease the space for a month or two and return the sign to it's rightful place.

[@Eta_Hoyimi]

Any time a man says he's "Medium drunk" it translates to "Full sent and know I won't be holding it together for longer than this part of the recording takes" kek. Glad you had fun mate.

[@NephiylusBaphson]

The attempt to scan the phone was unnecessarily hilarious

[@jasonviande5053]

When you are drunk and wandering the streets of Japan at night, you know you've done your trip right

[@CocoTayo]

As someone who now lives in Japan, this video reminded me why I moved here in the first place. Living somewhere that influenced your childhood in such a significant way just gives a feeling of joy that is inexplicable. Fantastic work mate. Also love the persona 5 songs throughout!

[@frwystr]

as someone named michael thank you for visiting our store

[@ChandGulaabi]

michael hard

[@drpibisback7680]

​@@ChandGulaabiMichael Soft went into the computer business, while his less formal older brother Mike Hard has a successful line of alcoholic beverages.

[@babylonian]

@@drpibisback7680why do the brothers have different last names

[@boreal3255]

@@babylonian ⠀

[@N95j]

@@babylonianmaybe the last name is micheal

[@cherryyae]

I'm glad that even tho Michaelsoft Binbows doesn't exist anymore there's still stuff left inside the place where it once was. We can still see shelves and desks that were probably used those 22 years ago. It's sad but also comforting in a weird way

[@ObsessiveGeek]

It’s unusual to see a space not being used, I’m curious if there’s a reason why.

[@AngelDelight69]

@@ObsessiveGeek It was probably just rented out at one point. Who's not to say someone else hasn't rented that part after Michaelsoft Binbows? The person who once owned it likely either went bankrupt because of the times or just moved on

[@vDuzz]

​@@ObsessiveGeekThere's actually lots of places in Japan like that surprisingly

[@ObsessiveGeek]

@@AngelDelight69 Because the area is covered over and it’s pretty clear it’s not been used in awhile. Both scenarios seem like great reasons it would be sold on, space in Japan is rarely wasted.

[@ObsessiveGeek]

@@vDuzz to be fair at least the majority of the building is still being used daily.

[@shamWOWexpert]

My heart was pounding when you moved the table to go behind the curtain. I love sneaking around and going around empty places, and knowing someone may be around the corner to catch you is so nerve-wracking. You really followed through and saw this mystery through for all of us. Amazing video!!

[@KoheiMomose]

Hello from Japan. Looking forward to part 3 where you find the building owner via cram school staff or izakaya staff and finally reaching out the person who ran the used PC shop until early 2000s. :)

[@ckshinrai]

This was absolutely my thought. The folks at the izakaya clearly got on well with him, why not ask them to put him in touch with the owner of the building? The worst they could say is no! (I'm sure the real answer is that he couldn't stay any longer anyway and what are the odds that could happen overnight)

[@ArkayeCh]

That shot with your handphone pressed against the glass. A siren singing through the night on the street as you did so... like art.

[@worldcomicsreview354]

The police coming because a strage guy just walked into a school and started moving their stuff around

[@SaintMorselGrand]

Sleeping in a manga café in a random town in Japan must've been so surreal for the locals like they must've thought something else for the tourists but you perpetuated their stereotype 😂

[@xthriteenx]

The fact that so many people have driven or walked past this building and never knew the importance

[@Patrick-vv3ig]

What importance? It's just a random old picture which contributed nothing.

[@xthriteenx]

@@Patrick-vv3ig yet you proceeded to click on a video about it

[@WHOARETHEPATRIOTS475]

@@xthriteenx *He doesn't know about the cult of Michaelsoft Binbows*

[@mavadelo]

@@Patrick-vv3ig That "Random old picture" is Internet history. That "random old picture" got more people excited than anything you ever did. (or me, or Yangire, or even Nick.... or your mum)

[@roxxi3089]

@@Patrick-vv3ig just like you 🤭

[@Osakart]

29:30 "I made my pilgrimage but it's a white cube." We could make a religion out of this.

[@LouisSubearth]

No. But if you pass by, maybe visit the Izakaya.

[@preoklenthe]

I'll be honest when Nick said "But then I have one last Idea" I was half expecting to hear next was "Hello this is the lockpicking lawyer..."

[@tumbleezy]

the absolute joy from the "i think we're getting close" to immediately finding it is just *chefs kiss*

[@spookyfrogs1874]

holy fuck that binbows food genuinely looked amazing. i must make the pilgrimage.

[@L0op]

take me with you pls

[@spookyfrogs1874]

@@L0op alright let's go :3

[@SolemnLamenting]

i wanna come too man@@spookyfrogs1874

[@Lam]

Loved this! Thought it would end and you kept pushing for more! I'm oddly inspired, I've been through those moments and the times I didn't keep going, I regretted it.

[@WeavementSesestea]

I feel like that arcade is gonna fill with foreigners again because of you, Nick

[@MMuraseofSandvich]

32:40 Salisbury steak is the closest Western dish to ハンバーグ. Meatloaf is sort of close, but the Japanese dish is made in a skillet since most homes don't have ovens.

[@jomarcentermjm]

cooking on a skillets seem better than over tbh

[@Saya-ng1sl]

Why is hamburger in katakana?

[@noodlelynoodle.]

@@jomarcentermjm but if you don't have an oven you can't do baking unless you do something really small in a toaster oven

[@10xTheFoxy]

@@Saya-ng1sl words of foreign origin are usually written in katakana

[@Colonel__Mustard]

I'm so happy I watched this. Your videos are so inspiring an intertaining. It's 1h so it took me like 3-4times to find time to watch it, but it was so worth it.

[@Shimazaki00]

for japan, a silly joke, for the rest of the world a piece of history on internet memes.

[@ChristianJiang]

Living in Europe, I just realised how "American-looking" suburban Japan can get... I had no idea!

[@CortezEspartaco2]

Stroads like the one in the video are sadly very common in Japanese suburbs, just like American ones. Importantly though, the area isn't completely car-dependent, despite the large amount of space dedicated to cars. He managed to get there using only trains and walking. That's where it differs from American suburbs, which are car-oriented AND car-dependent.

[@arjix8738]

I mean, we got places like these in Europe too, although usually they are like that because only farmers (and their families) live in those areas.

[@Eargesplitten-Loudenboomer]

@@CortezEspartaco2 We have suburbs like that too rtard, we also have 26 times more land. Go live in a place you can walk instead of bitching about living in BFE

[@DavidPereiraLima123]

I guess you could call suburban places down here in the south of Latin America "American-looking" too... Europeans are weird.

[@NoNameHereVR123]

Imagine telling your friends you got drunk in a Michaelsoft binbows 💀

[@emdotrod]

Finally, the "Nick Robinson found something unique on the internet and decided to fly to Japan to search it" trope is back

[@YourWaywardDestiny]

At this point, Nick goes to Japan so often, I'm surprised the staff at several airports aren't on personal terms with him.

[@PsychoticSalamander]

I usually can't watch long yt videos because tiktok has ruined my attention span however I found that the 42 minutes and 50 seconds of this video went by so fast. And you know what they say: "Time flies when you're having fun" and that couldn't be closer to the truth. This was one of the most enjoyable videos I've ever watched and I am now going to binge the rest of your videos 😂

[@akalawada]

Looking through that window with the ambulance passing on the street, with that music in the background, was incredibly surreal. Excellent video as always.