I Visited The World's CLEANEST Town

This is the worlds cleanest town and its amazing. Japan is known for being a very clean country, but this place 100% takes the cake!! No garbage, no cigarette butts, fish swimming in the gutters... This is a place you MUST go when you visit Japan!! Welcome to the Japanese village of Shirakawago!
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*Where to Send Stuff* - As of 10.2021
Norm Nakamura - Tokyo Creative Redhorse Corporation Co. Ltd
1-10-5 Yokoami, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
Kokugikan Front Bldg 2F
130-0015
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[@TokyoLens]

ITS BEEN A MONTH since our last vid and I've missed you all so much!! HOW IS EVERYONE?! ---- *Comment Squad and Notification Squad Where you At?* Who is ready for adventure season?? THE Patreon CREW is helping create this years adventure soon!! Come and join us and help pick where I go and how I get there!! Would you go to Shirakawago? Let me know below!! *FULL Hour+ Walk on @TokyoLensExplore !! Check it out!!*

[@MrNajibrazak]

ice cream tastes better in the cold. lol

[@quinnhouk5369]

Awesome

[@quinnhouk5369]

I’ve been good and we’re moving to California

[@soph96374]

Welcome back Norm!!

[@SuperbFairy]

Notification squad here! Great to see you back Norm, hope you're well

[@anthonycrafton8240]

It's nice to see Norm getting recognized for the Shamisen, with the passion and happiness he puts into his projects he earned it.

[@CoversbyPatYam]

Yeaaah the interaction was so adorable!

[@ScottMcMaster-er4xj]

Norm is the definition of Genkisou.

[@IamTonySy]

But bittersweet because he had to give up the shamisen due to injury from the car accident

[@CoversbyPatYam]

@IamTonySy huh? Wdym? Was there a new car accident, or did you mean the old one when he was still racing? Because if it's the old one, that actually sparked the idea to pursue being a shamisen player. So, as far as I know, Norm still plays the shamisen.

[@ScottMcMaster-er4xj]

@@CoversbyPatYam He was hit by a truck while on an electric scooter in Tokyo. He broke his small finger and the doctor cautioned him that playing shamisen might cause another break. I am not sure how that all ended up as it was some time ago now, at least over a year I think. I suspect he is still playing Shamisen though, given his love for it.

[@With_Me_JAPAN]

When I saw the title of this video I had no clue which town you explored but as I was watching it I realized how perfect the title is! Cleanest water, beautiful old houses and spectacular nature😆Shirakawago is such a special place to feel lots of Japan’s beauty😊☺️✨

[@TokyoLens]

with With Me Japan!! I recommend you go check it out sometime!! Got any good videos coming up? I saw your Pokemon Cafe one!! I gotta go there sometime!! Looks fun~

[@rietachikawa7947]

Japan is so clean? Then why is Fukushima's nuclear contaminated water discharged into the sea? Instead of drinking them themselves?

[@SC-jt3uf]

@@rietachikawa7947 Same as industrial wastewater. Do you drink it directly in your country without throwing it into the river?

[@SturmxHawke]

@@rietachikawa7947 Why would they drink nuclear contaminated water? Do you drink your country's unprocessed wastewater?

[@SuperSickNerd]

Ugh I wish America would take care of its environment! I’m so respectful over the environment, but I hate living in United States because of the people!

[@nerd26373]

Japan sure knows how to maintain their cleanliness. Goes to show that discipline is a characteristic we must always instill within ourselves.

[@TokyoLens]

a magical place indeed!

[@rietachikawa7947]

Japan is so clean? Then why is Fukushima's nuclear contaminated water discharged into the sea? Instead of drinking them themselves?

[@SC-jt3uf]

@@rietachikawa7947 Same as industrial wastewater. Do you drink it directly in your country without throwing it into the river?

[@tp8170]

@@rietachikawa7947 Did you buy up the salt polluted by the Chinese nuclear power plant wastewater and the South Korean nuclear power plant wastewater? Did you know that their wastewater is several times more polluted than Japanese wastewater?

[@LHyoutube]

@@rietachikawa7947 - How are those two concepts even remotely related?! 😂

[@usamaepekonis]

The whole town looks super aesthetic, beautiful and the weather seems to be just perfect, I would love to visit sometime

[@TokyoLens]

hope you enjoyed it!!

[@mrheineken88]

I've been here in 2019. It's so beautiful and the people in that little town are so nice.

[@cinaralin]

What a beautiful place, really lifts your mood. Also really enjoying the chemistry between Norm and Jorden (who is basically my polar opposite). Good vibes central. Not many youtubers have the privilege of older lady fans🙃 Lawson > Family Mart > 7-Eleven > Ministop

[@andgainingspeed]

What a fantastic guest to have on the channel! And yes, the drone shots were very nice.👍

[@zorakandbrac]

town looks like everything i imagine when i picture japan in my mind

[@stelioshz]

That's one of the places in Japan, that I want to visit the most. The traditional old houses, the gutters with the fishes, all that atmosphere.. It's just amazing. Thank you Norm! Hope you have a great time!

[@kuro4294]

All I want in life is to be able to explore Japan from top to bottom. Thank you for exploring these places that I am not able to I love these videos.

[@rikvdmark]

Shirakawago is indeed awesome! Kyushu is still on my list. My favourite place is Japan would definitely be Shikoku. When I lived in Japan for almost a year back in 2009 is visited Shikoku at the every end to go to Alex Kerr’s house Chiiori in Iya Valley. It felt like I finally arrived in Japan when I was on the train going through Shikoku. Definitely a big recommendation!

[@lisatsai3257]

The most interesting part for me is that I learned more about Shirakawago. Before this video, I know only of its slanted straw houses and their domestic silk industry during winter. Now, I know about their fish, cleanliness, and summer scenery.

[@amilievanacker5350]

OMG now I’m getting jealous. The town looks so beautiful and peaceful! I would love to be a fulltime traveler… certainly in Japan. So cool btw the Japanese lady recognised you and was genuinely excited 😍. Thank you for the video. Always happy to see those lovely places. One day I’ll join you in your adventure 🤞🏻😅🤩.

[@patrickmcguigan5939]

I'm desperate to get back to Japan and the more I see Shirakawago the more I want to visit it!

[@sanashi27]

That town is really beautiful! I wish I could walk on it's streets in person. I always remember that place cause it's what the town in Higurashi no Naku Koro ni is based on and it's amazing how the show is horror but the real life version of the town really does look peaceful.

[@JC-jz6rx]

This brought back so many memories. I just got back from a 3 month vacation in Japan where i focused on off the beaten path locations. One of them was Hida Furakawa, Just after Takayama. seeing that drone footage really brought back the late night walks by the rivers and over the bridges That i would occasionally take. i ended up going back to Takayama as i enjoyed it so much. Later on as it was starting to thaw in the spring (as i had gone in the winter time) and underneath the frost saw the greenest first blades of grass i had ever seen in my life. looked almost fake. What clean forests up there, clean water. Our host actually seemed suprised when i asked them where i could buy some bottled water nearby, as he said the ones living there never bought any. they would drink straight from the tap as the purity was top tier.Thanks for the vid

[@silis_pap8473]

Woah, you got recognised! That's amazing! 👏 This place is beautiful. Definitely on my list for my next trip!

[@Embarrassed_Mess_]

OMG what a beautiful town! You’re right, it’s amazingly clean. Thank you for another fun video. ☺️

[@halomerc5423]

Just Norm being a tour guide teacher. Nothing but wholesomeness here

[@thempstead]

It is a very, very pretty area and it's amazing how clean those drainage channels seem to be. Hopefully if more tourists find their way to that area it continues to be the same

[@sweetarchangel6748]

Oooh, as soon as I saw the houses, I was like "This looks really familiar" and then you mentioned the stream from a few yrs ago and it clicked. This is such a pretty town. Not just in cleanliness, but asthetically too. The houses are gorgeous ♥ As a fellow Aussie - I will eat icecream in winter (pretty sure most of us do) and I don't mind a cup of coffee in the morning. Though I did spend most of the video trying to work out what state Jordan is from. He doesn't sound like he's from NSW or Vic.

[@LordLiquidBaconII]

It's always great to have a friendly guest on the channel and the lady that recognized you from a shamisen performance was so sweet!

[@duckandbear]

I couldn't wait to go in an onsen when I visited Japan! My 1st one was public but somehow didn't feel awkward, just relaxing as everyone kept to themselves and was quiet. Also love how humble you are Norm ❤

[@StaringIntoSpaceMan]

Always love watching videos of Shirakawago and lamenting I wasn't able to visit it on my first trip to Japan 🥲 Soon, I shall go!

[@Gabe..]

Every shot of this village really does look like a painting like Jordan said. Lovely video as always Norm!

[@RitosM]

Absolutely beautiful town. Looks like something you'd see in an anime. Also those drone shots were CLEAN.

[@elflass5544]

What a lovely adventure, and such beautiful crisp footage! Loved to see the gutter carp. Thanks for climbing all the stairs so I don't have to 💜

[@patrickevans4396]

Man, you do such a good job of capturing how amazing and fun living in Japan can be. I lived there for 8 years, we go back and live there for one month every year, and it's just so engrained in my heart and will be for the rest of my life.

[@joshuamstark]

Another absolutely beautiful idyllic location, Norm. So amazing. I also want to see the magical fish tube! 😂

[@TokyoLens]

thats the goal someday! find the tube lol

[@beyond-the-night]

I remember your first visit to Shirakawago!! The area is absolutely stunning, and I've been looking forward to when you would visit again~~ That's seriously amazing that Jorden has been nomadic for eight years!!! His footage of Mt. Fuji is beautiful! I lovee that there's a no smoking rule, and people actually follow it. The wisteria and maple are lovely~ The drone shots are fantastic!! The river and mountains are beautiful~ Such a stunning area! Thank you for sharing ^-^. (I had a similar but different comment I typed out while watching the video so I didn't forget what I wanted to say and then closed the tab before actually sending the comment 😢)

[@TheChadillacBenz]

Absolutely STUNNING location. Also, for anyone that may be wondering, this is the place that was the inspiration and basis for the fictional town of Hinamizawa in the Manga/Anime franchise Higurashi: When They Cry!

[@FoxCrownz]

I love all of your videos. Japan is a country I have always wanted to visit since I was a teen, but due to my fear of flying I'm unable to go. Your videos are very inspiring and help me a lot. 🙂

[@yuinkai1004]

Nice to meet you! "A ""beautiful place to look at"" is usually ""I have nothing to do, free time""…" From the local people of Japan\(//////)\

[@SugarFang]

Yay thanks for doing a Shirakawago video! I've wanted to go ever since I learned it was the inspiration for Hinamizawa. I'm really enamored with these scenic countryside towns in Gifu, but I wonder how difficult they will be to explore if I don't know much Japanese.

[@FlyffyVampire]

I've actually been playing/reading Higurashi lately and had Shirakawago opened in maps for a couple of days now. Crazy coincidence that I managed to recognize it before I read/heard where they were at! :D I definitely have been thinking about visiting too when I'll eventually end up in Japan. Some spots I recognized from the VN BGs are the sloped road they walk during the first minute, I think that's the one that often appears. Also the river and bridge at 9:05, where the cotton drifting even takes place. The shrine at the 10 minute mark is an obvious one too. I was hoping to see the Irie clinic and Rika and Satoko's little house, but I wasn't able to spot them. Maybe they're in there from an angle I wouldn't recognize, who knows

[@tenguriki]

Youll be fine with no Japanese! Shirakawa is a tourist destination, so they have a lot of English. I just went a few weeks ago and some fo the shopkeepers even spoke really great English. The museum and the main house you can enter even have English guide pamphlets. People in the countryside are also super nice, especially to foreigners!

[@silverian]

Great looking village with wooden houses! It was nice moment when you were recognized for the Shamisen. It was again nice how video ended with eating food moment (like those pizzas after sailing..).

[@DukeofGrease]

Man, Norm, you find the coolest people to feature in your videos. You have a great eye for interesting and charismatic individuals and I always feel excited to see new faces in your videos!

[@RobbC.]

Hard to believe that they have a cleanest town when just about everywhere I went seemed to be hundreds of times cleaner than any other Country I have been to. Looking forward to seeing how they can already improve on perfection :)

[@TokyoLens]

truly impressive~

[@leahnardo]

Delighted you’re back! I like you having a friend along for your exploration trips. Loved the forest path and the wisteria tree! Am I weird for kind of loving the cloudy/rainy vibe of the previous visit more?

[@EthanHyland]

8:20 This is one of the reasons me and my family like to take country road drives. You're surrounded by trees, and it's peaceful.

[@NKunihisa]

I lived in Nanao, which is right over the mountain from Shirakawago. We had a blizzard warning so I went to the store for food, and came out with mostly ice cream 😆😆😆

[@TokyoLens]

This is 100% a story that needed to be told Thank you!

[@stephenfreeman8617]

Great video Norm, we visited that village last September. And was also amazed by the Trout and the shadow created by the sun. Perfect. Lots of history and culture from the past.🙌

[@chelseacarpenter2302]

Absolutely beautiful! I wanted to go here when I was in Japan but didn't make it, so it's definitely on the list when I go back!!!! Hope you had all the adventures! Much love from Arizona 💜💜

[@slavos1411]

I plan to move to Japan and discover these places on my own. Your videos keep me excited, I love them.❤

[@kellimshaver]

Oh wow, a few years ago, Kyde & Eric did a video in Shirakawago in the winter and it remains one of my favorites or theirs, it's so cool to see it in the summer! What a beautiful place.

[@CallyKariShokka]

Ah, that whole area is BEAUTIFUL. Just lovely to see, thanks for sharing this :D

[@canxel11]

I just love all the shots that you take Norm! I don't know how you do it but all feels magical

[@keyum5038]

keep coming back to binge watch your new vids after 3-4 months ,i just get this warm feeling of nostalgia from your vids :)

[@sjoaker1]

Speaking of the lady that recognized you from TV, how is the shamisen playing going? Is it still no-no with the risk factor after the crash? Would be amazing to see more shamisen content, it was always a lot of fun to watch!

[@cabby22]

So beautiful. I love the roofs and how they look with the mountains. Must be super interesting to be a full time nomad! Was just thinking yesterday it would be great to see a new video from you! Thank you for sharing.

[@JoeSchmmo]

Great Video as Always Norm! Jordan seems likes a amazing fella to film with and just chill to talk about life! I just added another place to the list for when I get to Japan!

[@HaruShindo]

Out of all of the videos I've seen of creators doing things like you, in multiple areas... Japan just always amazes me with how beautiful as it is. I can't wait, hopefully I can stay for more than a week on my first visit.

[@alphamike87]

Congratulations on the tv appearance Norm

[@nish221100]

Norm, I was just about to say that "that drone shot (over the bridge) was the epic!" only to have you say it. :-) Thanks for all the gorgeous shots.

[@z0tw]

Shirakawago is a great little village. An anime called Higurashi No Naku Koro Ni is based in this village but instead of being called Shirakawago it is named a fictional name of Hinamizawa. I recognized it immediately on the opening seconds of this video. Thanks for sharing.

[@nikolauscharlton2996]

Thanks once again for the great content Norm! Appreciate everything you do!

[@bork0992]

Some great shots, as always! Seemed to have very manageable sized crowds in the area. Such a beautiful town.

[@jmhaddon]

Love your tours of Japan. Thank you for your hard work

[@lT7StevenWingslT7]

Love your content - always a joy to watch :)

[@bobby-vn2nh]

It’s been a while I’m so glad you blessed us with another Japan video

[@malcolmframe7183]

Awesome video as always Norm San

[@Gilraen15]

Absolutely beautiful village! Thank you for the video tour of it! :)

[@DanielandYuka]

Shirakawago is perhaps even more beautiful in winter! Can definitely vouch that Kyushu is a very underrated destination in Japan! The forests here are so different in summer and it was very cool to see an underwater cam view of the fish! GoPro? Beautiful video and music selection Norm! ❤️ Famima > 7/11 😂

[@PandaNugget143]

Hi Norm!! This is a beautiful area!! Have a great day. 😊

[@foxywaxy4279]

love your content

[@hiro0verdrive]

What an amazing location, I am in love! Welcome back Norm!

[@mittysmalls]

I cant get over how different it looks compared to when I was there in February such a beautiful part of the world!

[@ZakkieVR]

So glad to see a video from you again!

[@IvyrKazegami]

Been having a horrendous month, this came just right on time💕

[@lunanescence]

great video as always, thanks Norm.

[@jonatanc7491]

That village looks rly cool!

[@Shinobi33]

This is the finale of my dream in living in Japan. To years from now I can speak decent Japanese and I have a good job. Living in an idealic little Japanese village like this. Oh Lord please

[@alphamike87]

Great video Norm

[@patrycjawrobel5444]

Oh I missed your videos so much! Good to have you back, I hope you had a good break. The town is amazing and definitely on my bucket list, the latest stream from there was magical. ❤

[@code-fox]

This video made me so happy. Thankyou.

[@Chonky_boi265]

Great video Norm. Welcome back! How was Raleigh?

[@senseishim]

Mr Lens! Lovely video once again, keep up the great work! :)

[@pydepyper]

The drone shots were killer! 😍 This was such a fun, chill video. I definitely want to visit the fish!

[@sheilaellvira5198]

A new video to brighten up the day! Glad you're back to posting video's! 😁

[@codeinecobain7010]

Finally another vid, hope you are doing well Norm! Keep enjoying summer to the fullest.

[@waterflame321]

This makes me miss Shimogo. Thanks for the vid!

[@krysin]

So beautiful Norm, ive added this onto my list for my next visit, i really want to get out to the country areas to explore more :)

[@clownearound5751]

Thank you for sharing this video with us Norm, I caught some of the early morning live walk and it looked beautiful. I love the balance of the water ways and wood and nature all together, nice sounds and sights. It was great to see you getting recognition for playing the shamisen too. Jordan’s drone footage really added another layer to this, keep up the excellent work. Best wishes

[@speliotis]

you guys make such good travel companions..

[@umbrellacorp.]

Awesome video, I love Japan. ❤ Alphaville - Big in Japan. 😎🤘 2:12 But who owns those fish?. 🐟 Wonderful walkthrough.👍💯 All the love from Germany. 🇩🇪

[@okiwangko]

The lady recognising Norm from TV is just so wholesome

[@billfulton-lahti7278]

so beautiful, and what perfect weather!

[@lukasusilovic299]

YEEEEEEESSSSSSS! Just what I needed thanks so much!!!!!!!!!🫶

[@Anjel1e]

Has it really been a month?! Time flies when you're busy! 😅 I always enjoy your videos, but these are definitely places I want to visit. Particularly the private onsen; I wanted to try an onsen when I visited Japan before but wasn't aware that was an option for my self-conscious self.😅 Thanks for taking us on your adventures!

[@wayanhandika2962]

I've been waiting for you to upload this kind of video again norm, thanks man

[@maniacbra]

Great timing. This is a clean end to my weekend. Nice one Norm.

[@Ruperth316]

the soundtracks of your videos are always on point 👏

[@elisabethcarns9337]

It's nice to see adults that appreciate the art of Pokemon cards. I still collect them too, just not as actively as when I was a kid. I think its so cool how your friend keeps Ho-oh and Lugia in his phone case for good luck and protection.

[@sarahramos2919]

I am always struck by just how much the forests remind of growing up in the Pacific Northwest. This was a lovely adventure, and I am missing those egg salad sandwiches! Take care!

[@machanhernan]

I think I remember that live-stream. It's great to be able to see the same town at such different times of day, be able to see how the vibe changes.

[@Megadoomer125]

That Onsen looked amazing!

[@osiriss3349]

Every single shot in this is absolutely gorgeous and captures the beauty of the area perfectly 🖤 new to the channel but so happy to be here. Thank you so much for sharing!!!!❤

[@fluidityyy]

Another spot to put down on my "Must Visit" list. It looks so nice!

[@bethdoublekickchick8007]

I was just thinking yesterday that I haven't seen you in a while, and here you are! 🎉 Travelling with a fellow Aussie too 🤘🇦🇺🤘 Gorgeous video 😊

[@valentinkohler2017]

This place is so magical ❤I love Shirakawa Go

[@PrinceXAvery]

Gosh Japan is just soooo beautiful!!!!❤❤