Rural JAPAN - Takeda Castle

After arriving at Takeda Station, an hour or so north of Himeji, I walk up a trail to see the ruins of Takeda Castle (or 竹田城), one of Japan's 100 finest castles. It was a short hike up, and the ruins were quite nice. I was treated to an amazing sunset as well, nearly blinding myself in the process of looking at it.
Afterwards, I head to the hostel and have a quick dinner at a random Japanese restaurant before heading back for an early night of sleep to prepare for the next day's exciting prospect.
I also go through all of the gear I'm carrying just for the people interested.
JAPAN 2019 Full Playlist:
• Japan 2019
MUSIC CREDITS:
Una Noche De Luces by Trevor Kowalski
Opening the Mind's Portal by Robby Huang
Landfall (Instrumental Version) by Stonekeepers
EQUIPMENT USED:
Panasonic GH5 - amzn.to/2CfH9YN
Panasonic 12-35mm f2.8 - amzn.to/1FRE9kc
Panasonic 8-18mm f2.8 - amzn.to/2FxVIer
Rode Videomic Pro+ - amzn.to/2QBMjbX
Some of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

[@angienatoyn]

All this natural beauty sure gives a bit of peace of mind

[@laniemon]

I love it how there is almost no one in the town at the beginning.

[@HaploPrime]

Is extremely creepy at night. Literally, no one around and basically pitch dark other than occasional street light.

[@yukine5466]

Wandering the nature and countryside is always the best.

[@n1k1george]

Japan has way of drawing you in and capturing your soul. I am hoping to return again soon to continue my adventures.

[@gunner678]

Skin is waterproof. That feeling could be described as 'oneness' . At one with yourself and everything around you!

[@NoxisYT]

That double rainbow quote meant everything to me

[@whitetiger5464]

Holiday peaceful, religius, wonderful nature

[@HunterW710]

Robby solo videos just hit different

[@etherdog]

Robby, your videography and editing are beautiful. You could add value if you could describe why you go to the place, what the history or cultural significance is, provide some context, and share some interaction with a local.

[@RobbyHuang]

You know, it sucks because I had lots of great interactions with locals, but I didn't want to film them because I didn't want to hassle them. But I think next time I'm just going to tell them I'm making a video and say I would love to have them in it. And I'm sure some of them would be happy to be in the videos.

[@bijoubridge8970]

I think it's their onigiri, I'm also usually starving all the time, but give me 2 onigiri for the road and I'm pretty much good all day. And this comes from someone who eat rice 3x a day back at home

[@DK-te5fs]

always a good day when there's an upload!

[@robertgeorge5020]

holy crap this content is amazing. why isn't this more popular?

[@amiragypsophilla90]

I really love when u talk to your camera and said everything that u feel, that's make me feel u talk to me like we are on the trip and walking together. I can fell u, it's trully deeply interesting. Even i can't describe clearly, but yeah... I just feel u in every step and breath. Everything that surprise u, that's happen to me too. || I watch so much videos from traveller vloger but ur vlog are different. You put the soul and u take us to your journey and it just SO GREAT!! Thanks to Neptunus and Back, Robby.. 💛 || I'm sure i'll watch all of ur vlog 💛💛💛

[@savezelda]

The music, the artistry, the insightful comments, this is poetry in motion.

[@criscoleman]

These vids are so cool. Thanks for sharing. I'm guessing that 95% of the population of Japan reside in the cities because no one seems to be around in the smaller towns. It does kind of have the vibe of a ghost town.

[@yasukiwi]

Another very nice one Robbie. I took the same limited express train you did from Sannomiya (Kobe) via Himeji to Kinosaki Onsen (a pity you didn't get that far) in September last year. The rural, scenic Bantan Line through all the small towns, and with the line so close to the houses as you show in the video was wonderful. I've been on many of the lines in Japan, and this is one of my favourites. I saw about the Takeda Castle ruins online before I left NZ, but timewise I just couldn't make it work, and I've been to a dozen castles, including Himeji, and some other very nice originals like Hikone near Lake Biwa, and Uwajima, in Shikoku, and is this one doesn't have the donjon, wasn't sure it was worth my time. But I have to say it looks very cool, especially with the mist in the morning. Next time! I also, like you, I love the little temples and shrines etc that one comes across. I actually prefer them, and those kind of walks, to the popular, larger temples etc on the Tourist trails. I recommend for that, and train trips The Oi River Valley, The river walk along the Gempei River, Mishima, and walks around Shuzenji (with a nice little quiet grotto shrine to the brother of Yoritomo Minamoto), all in Shizuoka. I also liked the Nishi Izu coast and small fishing towns of Heda and Toi.

[@refillingthecup6750]

It looks like you picked the perfect time to go! I would be so excited to be there without all of the other people! Excellent!

[@johngo3715]

There are a lot less tourists in Japan during winter. It ramps up again as Spring starts.

[@ariyanuar]

I just have this thought while I was watching you talk all the way, one thing that I envy from a vlogger is that you can describe any feeling that you feel, any thought that you think.. very fluently (?).. very charming (?).. very much makes me jealous

[@urban0443]

It feels like you just transported to another world except your the only one there. It is very melancholic and very insane. I love it so much. I wanna visit that place someday too. :)

[@blasborg]

This video is so soothing right now. Such beautiful places that you captured wonderfully. I 100% get that feeling of peaceful wonder from absorbing the beauty of Japan, felt it when I went to Mt Takao years back. Thanks so much for sharing these videos!! Hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

[@cinejeff]

How i love the ambience of this place, nobody's outside.

[@FickleWid]

The view from the Takeda high point is unbelievable.

[@RobertHarrison]

Hey hey! New subscriber here. I love your travel videos man, really helped me out when I was sick. Keep it up! The flow is perfect.

[@BMR_Kismet]

Wow, an amazing video! It's Soo' Peaceful, I'm really enjoying your Japanese Videos. I also Love your music, especially in this one. It definitely sets the mood of serenity, Calm & Relaxation. Thanks Robby! 💗💜💗

[@careflix8414]

Thank you Robby for letting me experience Japan during pandemic. It’s ECQ again in the Philippines. Your contents helped me a lot to appreciate the creations God :)

[@Wolfsonchik]

Absolute calm... This is the most attractive side of Japan for me.

[@robins2671]

Thanks for your content. It's really inspiring and motivating after this past year of our global pandemic.

[@alant.541]

Thanks for visiting Takeda Castle. I never knew it existed when I was in Japan. I will definitely put it on my bucket list, eventhough the town looked like it was hit by a zombie apocalypse. 😳

[@danielk3126]

0:05 man, I don't remember Pikachu looking like that. Also something about this video and the way you presented it just is so calming. I think it's as you were saying there's a certain feeling you get when you go on solo hikes like that and you just Wana bottle that feeling up. I think you kind of did bottle it up and put into this video! Also really enjoy that you brought back the old outro sound effect.

[@uptrail7169]

The old castles are awesome! Great Video 👍

[@wanderlustandsparkle4395]

I had that happened this woman sitting across from me on the train shared her food with me because she noticed I wasn't eating anything but just drinking coffee and it was a 5 hour train ride.

[@japanwalkvlogrogutere4981]

please　see also my video thank you

[@jb0258]

What a beautiful area to see in person. The nature side of Japan is amazing (:

[@RecLocJapan]

Beautiful sunset! looks very relaxing

[@Racker411]

Really loving this series, thanks for uploading. Looking forward to the other episodes, greetings from germany :)

[@mroggio]

Very nice. Thanks for a great video!

[@williambeck6364]

Beautiful. Simply Beautiful.

[@JujuJourneys]

You are an excellent photographer. All your videos are some of the most beautiful, well shot, and edited pieces I have see on KZbin. I'm going to Japan for the first time this November and I can't wait!

[@metaforically]

Wonder what this year's trip is gonna be like! ❤

[@italiandiva3532]

So beautiful and peaceful

[@michelle10261]

Its loverly to see the sites in Japan. Thank you for shering your video from Michelle in australia

[@stephenwarrington9719]

Japan looks so crazy man.

[@mitonaarea5856]

Japan´s countriside is underrated and needs more recognison.

[@mitonaarea5856]

I´m sad that you only have 9mil subs. Your channel needs way more recognison too!!!

[@aspen9102]

Man, this videos are great! Hope one day I can visit this country and explore the country side, the feeling that this kind of place have is so unique!

[@justdr7223]

LOVE THE QUIET SHOT

[@moorefocus9803]

"Liked" "Thank you to all of you unnamed people who have carved these trails and built that castle."

[@greenBean129]

Good work dude!

[@beatrixe]

the background at 6:19 is literally jaw-dropping.

[@audieo575]

It should be in Adventure Archives….gorgeous!

[@soonhuatwee1190]

I love the Japan ... the feeling walking in rural area with no one around is just like ... ok! I safe here even I just alone and I just part of the natural !

[@BoltonBolt]

6:17 This is what William Wordsworth said in his poem Daffodils.

[@happiness4vr]

Mesmerized by the amazing landscape. Speechless. 👍❤

[@weeguy52]

"That's it..enough is enough"..I'm moving to rural japan..those views😲

[@sebastianflores4479]

Japan is always fun!

[@cingulum16]

Watching your Japan vlogs makes me want ro visit Japan again!!Awesome,🤭🤭🤭🤔

[@pavelpekun5424]

Love it.

[@mechcam796]

Man you are really inspiring me to go to Japan by myself. Went last year with a friend and was going again this year till the world went to shit. But might do a solo trip and do some hiking next time.

[@RicardoMartins89]

Nice 👍

[@user-shinha]

There's a few feelings I cherish in the world. That's true!

[@vankilsing]

damn that ultra minimalist packing lol

[@DrewCantSkate]

yessss

[@MichioMakes]

Watching your vids are bottling it up and releasing it when all the trivial shit is going down.

[@ujjwalsikka98]

Amazing, Love from India

[@darlingcat]

I was curious what was in you bag. thank you

[@4Angel4cross4eyes]

In regard to the Godzilla, hello kitty, and Pikachū statue things, where is that?

[@frankaquino6861]

430pm sunsets in Japan in winter are so depressing. Almost as grating as the 430am summer sunrises.

[@MrRolandMichel]

So, there is no actual Castle anymore, just the foundational walls and grounds, right?! Not sure how it can be one of the Top 100 castles without an actual structure, but them I'm a bit picky that way... 😄

[@MrPemrose]

This is my favorite, it is like an episode from the last of us. Where is everyone ? I am from Portland so the solo around Mt Hood is in second place.

[@sou5528]

Relatable 1:22

[@arvinhernandez852]

I love your choice of background music. Are they available in Spotify or KZbin?

[@movingnaturefilms]

These should be on the AA channel.

[@MsDeleeuw]

i think i,am a very spoiled guy when i go travel i take a hotel most of time not the most cheap hotels ahahahahah so with Japan i will be the same i think But i loved what you show and i know now fore sure i will ben there once in my live

[@renardfeuer3469]

Ive seen some of your videos in japan, are you the last tourist on earth? Very lonely places, it is somehow an eerie atmosphere... Anyway, good videos, I enjoy watching them.

[@TheBxo]

May I ask why you brought along the Panasonic and not the Sony A7? Thanks!

[@shez4861]

Where'd you get that 10gb SIM?

[@SyrianSoaper]

16:59 Screeching kodama? 😂

[@rechiemaghari7728]

best vlog.. new subscriber here

[@LedoylinatorCh69]

The signal being so good makes it all the more creepy that tons of people lose signal completely in Aokigahara 😳

[@BushidoDevilDog]

Hi Leo...I was a radio repairman in the Marines and have camped in Aokigahara several times. Loss of signal in Aokigahara is merely an issue of distance/line of sight to the nearest cell tower/repeater, just as it is anywhere else, not because of alleged-but-so-far-unproven "paranormal" causes. I found a spot that is almost dead☠..I mean..**right😅 in the middle of Aokigahara where I was able to upload pics when I camped there. The videos are on my channel.

[@sharonsuzuki2376]

I love Japan Sharon Suzuki

[@AJKPenguin]

Takeda kind of looks like Otago Province, New Zealand. Robby, did you pay the 500 Yen at the top of the trail? : )

[@bhill3369]

At the end on the gear list part. What's the REI jacket? I saw you in a previous video or this one in REI vs the outdoor vital jacket you have.

[@RobbyHuang]

The REI jacket is a full blown winter jacket. It's also much, much higher quality. Outdoor Vitals jacket, the more I've used it, the more I think you should only get it if it's nice and cheap. It's just not sturdy enough to justify a higher price.

[@bhill3369]

@@RobbyHuang ok thanks for the clarification. I just stumbled across these Japan videos. I really enjoyed them. Being an avid backpacker myself I've watched a lot of the adventure archive videos you put out but I saw these and I didn't know if I would like them or not as it was based on traveling but they were interesting as I like Star wars, video games, Asian food, as well lol. But I'm going to Japan in a year or two to travel do you think I could reach out to you with some questions as it seems we have a lot of common interests.

[@bhill3369]

@@RobbyHuang plus I may have a few suggestions on great hikes for you to think about lol

[@Edventures1]

Robby, I just recently came across your videos/channel and honestly, as a man who knows about video editing and filmmaking, I have to admit that you are an awesome content creator. Your editing is great, your storytelling and narration are very good. Keep up the good work. Furthermore, if you wouldn't mind taking a look at my videos and sharing your thoughts on how to improve them, I would be very much pleased. Thanks bud ;)

[@NomadShoiku]

The samurai were involved in trivial nonsense too. They fought over things to reclaim egos etc... stuff they considered important at that time in their minds. There isn't much of a castle to see. They don't say the view is so beautiful, let's enjoy it and not kill each other.

[@spiritingaway]

it is creepy that there is like no one lol

[@1pasupaty]

Trivial nonsense for me better than a experience trip

[@pastafazoule]

i love your vids but i notice u very rarely comment on your chatters,you should take the time to comment back once in awhile

[@ok92computer]

you're practically sharing a bed with a stranger with that hostel.

[@monkmodemalik8225]

Explain further?

[@monkmodemalik8225]

Do more British accents

[@hamstersamster0]

Inaka poi