The Hidden Part of Japan You Need To Visit

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List of Places We Visited in the Okitama Region!
📍Kumano Taisha Shrine
📍Shishiyado (Black Lion Artisan & Restaurant)
📍KENDAMA SPIKe
📍Farmhouse Nogami-an (Granny Chie's Restaurant)
📍Wakanoi Sake Brewery
📍Shinraiken Ramen Shop
📍Nogawa Manabikan (Snow Surf Shop)
📍Saito Fuya (Delicious Food made with Gluten!)
Jason Vong @jasonvong
Host, Director, Writer
Vivienne Lee @hellovivienne
Co-Host, Camerawoman
Derek Yamashita @derekyamashita
Tour Guide, Pro Photographer, Interpreter
Jonathan Brinton
Video Editor
www.metfieldfilms.co.uk/ | / jjbrinton
Derek's Gear
Sony a1
BH bhpho.to/3QLvLh7 | Amazon geni.us/TnFigwn
24mm F/1.4 GM
BH bhpho.to/4ccEjpH | Amazon geni.us/J7Ts
50mm F/1.2 GM
BH bhpho.to/43fsTNX | Amazon geni.us/NhsTu
Godox Flashpoint AD200
BH bhpho.to/3vdXJKd | Amazon geni.us/tIgGz3i
Godox Flashpoint Trigger for Sony
BH bhpho.to/3VfwQjB | Amazon geni.us/YHIXGc
Godox SLB60W LED Continuous Lighting
Amazon geni.us/jeI3
Smallrig D55 Softbox
BH bhpho.to/49YUzJG | Amazon geni.us/sygW46J
Neewer 120cm Bowens Softbox
BH bhpho.to/3vb0bkG | Amazon geni.us/e5rZ
KZbin Gear (Links to Amazon)
► Main Cam: geni.us/D05j
► Main Lens: geni.us/CaIwMY
► Mic: geni.us/ScF5
► Mixer: geni.us/ql4OstD
► FULL LIST: geni.us/aQ7rO
Music from Artlist.io | Get 2 EXTRA Month Free 👇
geni.us/04BA5R
The Okitama region is just 2 hours north of Tokyo, a relatively short distance to escape the crowd! With the surge in tourism, come to this part of Japan where you can still experience the famous Japanese hospitality, learn about some of it's lost culture, and get personal with the locals while still seeing shrines, eating authentic cuisines, and catching historical figures! Be sure to contact The Hidden Japan if you have any questions when building a personalized itinerary of your visit!

[@JasonVong]

Travel Gone Vong Season 2 is coming out soon! Episode 1 out March 22nd! 😎Catch up on Season 1 here: geni.us/tgv-s1

[@cameraprepper7938]

So now those "hidden" part of Japan will soon be crowded with photo tourists !

[@johnathanmoody]

I grew up with Shelby Brown and he is absolutely one of the best! He loves what he does and as you can see he’s crushing it!

[@bill0g]

Damn it Jason. I was here fot the photos and laughs but you just have to hit me with Vivian’s story. I’m in the office trying not to cry right now. I lost my father in 2020. He’s the cook in the family. Up until now, for me, no one is able to match his flavours. And the thought of not being able to eat his cooking anymore made watching that last part really hard. Thanks for the beautiful video!

[@JasonVong]

Thanks for sharing that with us! I'm so sorry to hear. We're very blessed to have met Granny Chie and we're very moved by her mission. It's inspiring me to film my mom's cooking so we at least have a record on how some of our favorite dishes are made but i hear you, it's tough to match the flavors.

[@Joemamasofat153]

A wonderful video!! anddd we def need more Vivienne screen time! Stories here, absolute W

[@JasonVong]

She will be in more travel videos soon! 🥹

[@HiddenJapan]

Thank you so much Jason and Vivienne for your incredible work. I really enjoyed showing you guys around Yamagata and I really appreciate that you were such wonderful guests for the local people here. You even made them cry haha. The people here really want to welcome you back 😊

[@Joemamasofat153]

@@JasonVong Less goooooo!

[@okimizuki8702]

You guys make a great team! Great narrative and shots 😊

[@JasonVong]

thank you!!

[@tofu6715]

Such an underrated Creator, loved this video!

[@JasonVong]

thank you!! 🥹

[@auroraflash]

Just look at this beautiful wooden floor. Looks brand new. They really take good care of their stuff.

[@user-eu4ct5gv7n]

山形にいてもこんな魅力的な場所は知りませんでした。面白くてためになる動画をありがとう😊

[@nikkop]

Wasn't expecting onions to be cut towards the end of the video. Obaachans are the bestest!

[@JasonVong]

Hey man, how do you think I felt? I was just trying to eat. Didn't know I was getting served extra onions 😭🧅

[@CrispyYiger]

Incredible work all around 🎉

[@JasonVong]

thank you!

[@stevencall3968]

Excellent Video Jason! Man... That Vivian part... (Damn Im a softie) Hit hard.😢 Outstanding work. 👏🏻

[@JasonVong]

😭 we definitely did not expect to get hit in the feels. We're so blessed to have met Granny Chie and hear her story.

[@luischavezphoto]

This is so beautifully made. I love seeing the evolution of your videos over the years. Amazing job to both you and Vivienne!

[@JasonVong]

thanks Luis!! 🥰

[@earthboundsou1]

I am loving this vlog/infotainment

[@JasonVong]

thank you thank you!

[@ulisebalbuena]

This is the best video that u guys madee, amazinggggggg

[@JasonVong]

thank you so much! I'm so happy to hear that!

[@wilburyuen]

Great job Derek. You the man.

[@JasonVong]

he really is!!

[@melissahuynhh]

beautifully made, tysm for showcasing hidden gems!

[@JasonVong]

Thanks Mel!! Hope all is well! Japan soon?

[@melissahuynhh]

@@JasonVong Manifesting!! Then South Korea next?? 👀

[@MarryGale]

All of you made a great team! Thank you so much for introducing Yamagata to the world!!

[@JasonVong]

Thank you!! And thank you for watching~!

[@Daniel_Ilyich]

I just love the positivity on your channel. I need this kind of energy in my lfie.

[@JasonVong]

wow thank you Daniel!! 🥹

[@LagoonOut]

Awesome vlog, I'll consider some of these places on my next trip!

[@JasonVong]

thanks for watching! And you must!

[@hybdfrenzy]

Dude, great video!

[@JasonVong]

thank you sir!

[@stefanexplores]

Love it when we get to see some of your awesome personality. Japan is also spectacular of course.

[@JasonVong]

wow thank you! definitely watch our travel series next week! 🥹

[@Weedeogram]

great touching ending! ❤

[@JasonVong]

thank you!

[@user-dy4qn4eu8u]

The area is called the Arcadia of the East. The famous British traveler Isabella Bird used it as a base to study Japan.

[@HiDaveandChloe]

This video is so good! Does the local tourism board know about this?! They should!

[@JasonVong]

They definitely do! Yamagata Arcadia Tourism Bureau work very closely with the town, it's amazing because they are all friends and they lift each other up!

[@jtanaka1]

Props to the new mc… her voice is sooo much bettah!👍🏽 Nah nah😂 Jason can keep his job but adding Vivian to the narrative was golden!🤙🏽Great stories and backgrounds of all your visits! Mahaloz!🌈🌸

[@JasonVong]

she can take my job! 🤣

[@SyaoranCruz]

Dood. This video was glorious. So damn inspiring. Thank you!

[@JasonVong]

we are very happy to hear! thank you!! 🥹

[@sylvestersim423]

good interesting video

[@JasonVong]

thank you!

[@TimGalloVids]

refreshing!

[@JasonVong]

Thanks Tim!!!! 🥹

[@Iamtongue]

this is so good! Can you visit vietnam and do a series there next?!

[@JasonVong]

I do need to go back! Been over 20 years since I went to Vietnam!

[@Iamtongue]

@@JasonVong it would be awesome to see! I’m down for it

[@JimmysIzuTours]

Awesome video, you guys! So true what Vivienne says about it being OK to visit the 'A' list places where everybody else goes, but hooking up with a local like Derek Yamashita in an authentic region with friendly people is a game changer. I mean, travel can be really transformative when you stop checking things off of a bucket list and open your mind and heart. This is especially true in Japan where people really enjoy authentic communication and are eager to show hospitality to visitors who appreciate what they do. Jason, I love your over the top exuberance, 🤠and I know there's a super sincere and appreciative guy behind it all. That really shows in this video. And Vivienne is such a real and sweet person. She's gonna connect you guys with lots of awesome experiences. ❤Hope to see you in Izu one of these days. The locals (and the capybara) are waiting . . . and so am I!

[@JasonVong]

Please show us Izu! We'd love to do a feature there! Thanks Jim!

[@DuongPham-xh8fh]

Can you make more short cinematic videos and photos

[@auroraflash]

I am going to Japan on Monday

[@Freedom015]

You should cover “Itomori”(place from-Your Name)🤓🤓🤓✨✨✨✨

[@JasonVong]

gonna need to get some licensing rights for Radwimps!

[@Freedom015]

@@JasonVong you should try 🌝🌝🌝

[@GemmaHentsch]

I was wondering what the special permission you needed for doing the drone video of the train?

[@auroraflash]

Yeah, I love going by car - without a driver's license and without knowledge how to drive on the other side of the road. xD

[@davidrobertnewman]

+1 for more Vivienne please. She’s a wonderful presenter. Also, this is minor but in the gear list Derek is toting an AD600 or maybe AD400, not an AD200.

[@JasonVong]

She will return! Hmm I will double check. I know the big light he used is a SL60W which KINDA looks like an AD600. The flat rectangle one should be the AD200! I will rewind and see

[@davidrobertnewman]

@@JasonVong Thanks! Maybe I was fooled by the Godox trigger into thinking it was a strobe.

[@lamt82]

How is this video not trending still? With so many rubbish repeated ones on Japan. This a gem, I’m definitely joining Jason and Viv to off the beaten path locations. Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are actually overrated and overpriced.

[@HiDaveandChloe]

Vivienne why are you so cute?!

[@VivienneLee]

🥹🥹

[@auroraflash]

They are cooking in that house made from wood that is sacred? ^^

[@okimizuki8702]

I think that’s a different place. They don’t cook in Japanese shrines.