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

merch series 2 is here! check it out: nickmer.ch
MUSIC USED:
Jim Guthrie - Lone Star (Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery LP)
Wayne Jones - White Hats
Hanu Dixit - Realization
Carpainter - Returning (Seimei Remix) open.spotify.com/track/1kn5qv...
It Was a Time - TrackTribe
Fumie Kumatani feat. Tabitha Fair - Fly in the Freedom (Sonic Adventure 2 OST)
half.cool - Next Steps
Noir Et Blanc Vie - Straight Out Cold
Asuka Ohta - Rainbow Road (Mario Kart Wii OST)
光 (KINGDOM Orchestra Instrumental Version) - Utada Hikaru
Shoji Meguro - Restlessness (Persona 5 OST)
Shoji Meguro - What's Going On? (Persona 5 OST)
Cola Splash - DOSHABURI (Cola Splash Simple House Remix) / doshaburicola-splash-s...
Shoji Meguro - Beneath the Mask (Persona 5 OST)
Richard Jacques - Can You Feel the Sunshine? (Sonic R OST)
TrackTribe - Running Errands
Esther Abrami - No.8 Requiem
Chrome Sparks - Korg PS3100 Pink Noise Melody (unreleased)
Godmode - On the Island
Carpainter - Future Folklore open.spotify.com/track/17v01l...
Edited by Ian O'Brien: @FromIanOBrien
Adachi (Alf's Room) KZbin channel: @alfsroom
here's my Instagram account: / babylonian
also i stream myself playing games on the website twitch: / babylonian
subscribe: kzbin.info...
become a channel member here to access all my cool and fun bonus videos / @babylonian

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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)

[@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"

[@MarquisBS]

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

[@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

[@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)

[@CityLifeinAmerica]

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.

[@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.

[@thecoolmf5297]

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

[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@somnostars]

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

[@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

[@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

[@notdracoi1627]

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 💀

[@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.

[@wakazuchi4life]

I'm native Japanese and heard a lots of reasons to visiting Japan in my life. But this is the silliest reason to visit a Japan I've ever heard in my entire life!!! ...AND I LOVE IT. Thank you for visiting a Japan!

[@gergom.8310]

Thank you for existing❤❤❤

[@QuackCow144]

@@gergom.8310weebs when they see any japanese person

[@Rubbe87]

He had more stupid reasons before.

[@user-iz5pd7tj6q]

Says the one with the naruto pfp @@QuackCow144

[@nitrous69]

@@QuackCow144so true

[@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

[@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

[@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? :-)

[@pipetinho]

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.

[@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

[@Nobddy]

It was staring you in the face and you refused to see it

[@LugowuMatthew]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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…

[@nicoleng-ih9zw]

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

[@Nick12_45]

wise words

[@simpli_A]

AMEN BROTHAH

[@yuittufrom]

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

[@hadesedits1501]

He always comes back don't worry bro

[@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

[@thecoolmf5297]

@@MollyPopperisn't shenmue chinese?

[@user-xo2fs8yh4u]

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.

[@lucasliet]

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

[@Gamerad360]

I love it.

[@kosmique]

he goes as far as japan is, lol

[@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 🍿

[@RyanHorseHelmet]

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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@MajimaEnterprises]

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

[@schadenfreude6274]

I am Japanese. It is normal to see many Gaijin everywhere touching random buildings or people for whatever reasons. How you say in English? Whatever floats their boat? :)

[@ranjanbiswas3233]

Shouldn't you say Gaikoku-jin?

[@user-go4ju2pe4n]

@@ranjanbiswas3233 i don't know if he is a real japanese person or not, but his uploaded videos and playlists make me think he's not a real one

[@redbaron474]

Are you actually in Japan? Or do you live elsewhere now?

[@A.Yonekawa]

Japanese speakers commonly refer to non-Japanese people as gaijin @@ranjanbiswas3233

[@mint_morro_36]

​@@ranjanbiswas3233 nah, its Gaijin

[@theMoofster]

"I thought I'd never stand where Mr. Binbows-- where Michael Binbows once stood. Binbow Gates." -Nick Robinson, 2023

[@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.

[@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.

[@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 😂

[@averyeml]

I went to Japan a couple months ago now and the energy was pretty much this the whole trip. Barely know a lick of anything but by the grace of Google Translate and Maps you somehow get by, the train music just… does something to you, and people are super friendly and have a great sense of humor as long as you’re willing to make an effort to communicate. I already miss it 😂

[@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

[@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

[@as1948]

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.

[@NoNameHereVR123]

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

[@SkippKatt]

these amounts of Michealsoft Binbows could kill a man.

[@pass_]

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

[@theceoofsayingno7825]

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

[@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.

[@dontstealmycontentplease]

@@PhoenixWrightAceAttorneyHello Wright.

[@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!

[@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.

[@ZenithMusicNet]

This has become too epic to let go now. Try to find out who rented the place in 2001 and call him for an interview. Maybe he wants to meet up and show you the store. Luckily the place is still vacant, you could put the sign back on and turn it into a historical museum. Have some old CRT's in front of the window, and that place will become immortal! 😎

[@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

[@gb9727]

When Nick needs answers, he has no choice but to go to Japan

[@cardenassolisrodrigo2601]

Ok now give Nick a time machine so he can go back to the early 2000's and look at the Michaelsoft Bimbows in all it's former glory.

[@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

[@ShoutH22O]

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

[@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!

[@kingdomgeasslover]

Idk why but in 38:45 legit thought Nick was going to apply for a teaching position in that English cram school just to get closer to that binbows room, lmao.

[@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.

[@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!

[@Laffinty8908]

I absolutely loved this video! I literally had a smile the whole time. The izakaya people seemed super awesome! This was a really fun adventure with you!!

[@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!!

[@Dr.Quarex]

Thank you for finally explaining in your introduction why the Something Awful Forums suddenly had weeaboos coming out of the woodwork to make custom anime avatars for every subforum in the mid-2000s

[@juango500]

now THAT's something awful(tm)

[@pleaseuseOdysee]

RIP Lowtax

[@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)

[@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.

[@mochiatun]

Hahaha, I was amused when he passed in front of an initial D sign at 15:26 and deja vu began to sound

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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 😂

[@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

[@geekume5539]

1:22 scott the woz when the airport security guard tells him he cant bring his 12 wii u's

[@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"

[@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-kj4tu]

​@@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

[@kellyj1464]

Slapping the side of the building is genuinely hilarious. Aside from the whole story, you really have a great sense of humor and know how to put a good video together. Well done! I actually knew nothing about this image until randomly seeing your earlier video.

[@lifestream_real]

I bought two of your autographed Binbows-tan pics: one for one of my partners, and one for me. Thank you so much for all of your awesome work in preservation, and in sleuthing. Your Blastoise video had me in tears at the end, and I have never seen a video from you that is not masterfully produced and pieced together. Keep up the amazing work; I can't wait for the next one!

[@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!

[@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.

[@SerratedMilliner]

This video was just PHENOMENAL man! I love these sorta deep dives into oddly specific and obscure points of interest!

[@Albaca27]

The faint eurobeat when passing the Initial D poster at 15:26 :)

[@risaswonderland1751]

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)

[@djheadshooter8382]

What do you mean part two

[@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

[@NockCS]

This video is just, perfect. I've been rewatching it over and over again. As a someone who is interested in Japan it's just so cool to see this!

[@AussieJen]

You know what? I have totally been on this journey with you. I am a 54 YO Australian female, with exactly zero interest in gaming, or anything else that would be remotely related to Michaelsoft Binbows. But I became totally invested in your journey, amongst the complete absurdity that is life. I love you. I want to be you. Go forth and explore the Earth, in the best possible tradition of exploration. I look forward to your next journey, with an eagerness that surprises me. ❤️💕

[@FriendKevin]

And of course the Aussie has a spider as a pfp lol

[@AussieJen]

@@FriendKevin lol. I took that picture in my bathroom. I usually have at least one resident huntsman in my home at any given time. They’re good guys. They won’t hurt you, and they eat the flies. 😁

[@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

[@NephiylusBaphson]

The attempt to scan the phone was unnecessarily hilarious

[@brakmaster]

Imagine if you bought this building and made it Michaelsoft Binbows for real! This is the first video I have watched from you and I immediately subscribed. This was amazing!

[@jeremyquiros5483]

That small hint of Deja Vu as you passed the Initial D banner was 11/10 editing

[@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.

[@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 :).

[@ramens]

really love how well edited this video was, especially 15:27 when gas gas gas played as you passed the Initial D ad.

[@PhantomDZ01]

Those are actually lyrics from Deja Vu

[@wildmoose6934]

That izakaya clip gave me social anxiety and I wasn’t even there 💀 bro just went kampai with a stranger, I would literally melt to the floor even just thinking about maybe doing that

[@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

[@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