Tokyo's Map, Explained

See the New LUMA collection from @NOMATIC nomatic.com/daniel
Thank you so much for watching. It was so fun to be in Tokyo and immerse myself in Japanese culture for a bit.
I'm launching Patreon: / danielsteiner
01:24 Intro
02:26 Nihonbashi Bridge
07:12 Ad
08:33 The Street Layout
14:13 Low City, High City
18:17 Becoming Tokyo
Book a tour with our guide Taisho Takata: / garden_tour_guide_taisho
Read more from Tristan Grunow here: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1... www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/...
References: www.library.metro.tokyo.lg.jp... www.nippon.com/en/japan-topic... blogs.loc.gov/maps/2022/07/th... www.oldtokyo.com/cartography/

[@Rufiowascool]

I've lived in Japan for 20 years. This was an astonishingly well put together documentary that was considered and just...so beautifully crafted. I'm used to people bastardising, glamorising, and...well, *youtubing* the shit of of this place. You did none of this, and for that, you gave it so much more. Well done and easy sub.

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Thank you so much! I work hard on these so that really means the world 🙏🏻

[@hcxpl1]

Really curious of what you mean by that since I don't know much about Japan and haven't really watched much about Tokyo

[@Rufiowascool]

@@hcxpl1 it was informative without being sensational. It didn't sink to any cheap "wacky Japan" stunts or tired tropes and stereotypes. It had a very human element to it all and just didn't seem to panda to the more modern KZbin conventions that grumpy old people like me like to be annoyed by. :-) Japan has so much more nuance and human-ness to it than a lot of modern, shallow content so often speaks to. It just felt like this guy put thought into telling a really interesting story that didn't rely on tired Japanese clinches or any other crutches.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

I remember NHK Japan making a three part documentary about Edo-period Edo (Tokyo)...

[@loldoctor]

@@Rufiowascoolas a foreigner living in rural Tohoku, I couldn’t agree more with your comment about Japan having so much more than what you find in most YT videos. I moved here by circumstance, with almost zero knowledge of the country, and now when I see these videos with 15 million views that are so exaggerated, I’m extremely grateful for that prior (and in some ways persistent) ignorance. I find the whole thing very frustrating because I feel so many people are getting a false impression of the country or they’re only getting the hyper-urban experience.

[@kuzirareo]

As a Japanese who used to keep learning the history of how people build the city of Tokyo(Edo), this video is one of (if not) the best introductory documentary on this subject I’ve ever seen! You’ve done an amazing job. The things I love about this history which you don’t talk about in this particular video are the irony of the start of this city. The Shogun, Ieyasu Tokugawa, was banished from the financial and religious center of the country, Kyoto and Osaka, by the then most powerful person, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, to this fishing village, later called Tokyo. Technically this place was given to him as a reward of a war but in reality it’s a banishment. It’s because Hideyoshi thought this place useless (it actually was at first) and could damage Ieyasu’s growing power in both the short and long term. But the history tells us this banishment backfired a lot and even has given a huge economic boost to Japan as a country for the last 400(!) years. This city started as the second center of this country, which has less ties with traditional aristocrats and temples and has become the place for newly powerful people ever since. The history of how this useless fishing village becomes one of the biggest city in the world is fascinating and worth learning for everyone who are interested in cities imo. So much fun there

[@kurofune.uragabay]

Maybe I got this wrong, but my understanding was that, during the siege of Odawara castle Toyotomi Hideyoshi (the Shōgun at that time) offered to Tokugawa Ieyasu (one of his more powerful daimyo and an ally) a deal to trade his 5 domains in the Chūbu (central) region for the Hōjō's 8 (much more more economically valuable, _not yet conquered_ ) domains in the Kanto region (away from the "action" around the central provinces), and that Ieyasu, surprisingly and very intelligently, accepted...? (look at me, debating Japanese history with a Japanese person... I'm such a ばか... 😂) 🙇‍♂

[@kuzirareo]

@@kurofune.uragabayno, no, thank you for the reply🙇. I think that’s factually right and gives more details I wish I had written in my post. The language barrier made me write the history of the offering in a short but terribly inaccurate way. I couldn’t come up with more accurate words than “banishment” or so. Thank you for clarifying the facts

[@kurofune.uragabay]

@@kuzirareo 🙂 Perfectly understandable... Thank you 🙏 (...and you were right and ironically Hideyoshi was sowing the seed for the complete annihilation of his clan with what that proposal)

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

This portion of history I found so interesting but so overwhelming when trying to pack it all in a video, so thank you for sharing! This thread is everything I want from making these videos 😭 🙏🏻 the respect and sharing of context is the CORE of what I want this channel to be. So thank you both so much.

[@rain7746]

I’ve lived in Tokyo for 108 years and I can’t believe how well put together this video is

[@terencekrista5710]

Um , 108 years? Amazing!

[@nutsbutdum]

I'm addicted to this channel.

[@loduca16]

Same

[@iluvmarvel252]

ME TOO LITERALLY BINGED ALL HIS VIDEOS

[@kmilorestre5223]

100%

[@user-en8gz1lz1q]

It is just amazing that as a non-Japanese speaker, Daniel presents all the historical facts and informations so correctly, that even the spiral developing strategy which is barely known by foreigners is perfectly shown in this well-made video. Nice job to Daniel and those who helped in completing this video!

[@russell_j_]

BABE WAKE UP, NEW DANIEL STEINER MAP VIDEO JUST DROPPED

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Hahaha 😭😭🙏🏻

[@kylekorona]

@@DanielsimsSteinerabout time

[@xchickonuggo146]

@@DanielsimsSteiner Philadelphia would be a good next video

[@Azxnrjsle]

POGGED

[@joshdangelo7186]

its actually such an event for me and theres only like 4 of these before this😂😂😂 so good

[@milancorleone01]

Omg the Japanese tour guide guy is the nicest person i have ever heard…talking about his city with such passion, curiosity, yet with a lot of humility…plus i love his accent!!

[@slugger_hinatastan17]

I’m from Ochanomizu and went to go to the schools located in Ichigaya and Iidabashi, so I used to walk down the Sotobori (outer moat). It takes less time if you walk down the Yasukuni-dori (the road between the Nippon Budokan and Yasukuni shrine), but the view from Sotobori especially on the sunny day is so refreshing and awesome so I chose that way. Good memories.

[@craiggersify]

The way this video uses the structure and history of the city to understand each other - unparalleled. Maybe my favorite you’ve done yet, on a channel that’s been consistently illuminating. 🗾

[@user-gp9sv3wk8z]

3：55 背後に見える、赤いビルと黒いビルの間が按針通り ANJIN street。 「将軍 shogun」の三浦按針 William Adamsの屋敷跡です。

[@overthecounterbeanie]

Japan is an island by the sea filled with volcanoes, and it's BEAUTIFUL.

[@johannahill4466]

in the year negative a billion japan might not have been here

[@TheLaXandro]

S P I R I T U A L

[@DinnerForkTongue]

More like Japan is a series of volcanoes with islands attached.

[@IAmAndrew1]

How about S U N R I S E L A N D?

[@user-ge8yn4ql4i]

Brilliant video :)

[@cittaaukoto_japan9926]

I've lived in Tokyo for more than 30 years and live on the city's east side in reasonable walking distance of Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace. As someone interested in urban history and urban design, I knew a reasonable amount of the information presented here. Even so, I learned more than a few things here. I'm very impressed and immediately subscribed after watching this. I look forward to watching more of these videos!

[@erinjohnson1124]

For me as a New Orleanian whose favorite city is Tokyo, you gotta imagine my excitement seeing my favorite two maps back to back. lol excellent work, keep doing what you’re doing!

[@dai-nippon_digger]

I love Tokyo but I really love the small country towns. You can really appreciate the older architecture there.

[@RIPFemaleDoggy]

This channel needs to blow up so you can give us more content more frequent. These videos are so 🔥

[@mirzaahmed6589]

Quality is more important than quantity.

[@SkulkingSkullKid]

Just returned from Japan and this video-thoughtful, respectful, educational-provided some wonderful context and insight in to the trip and experiences. First video I’ve seen of yours, but I subbed half-way through. Very cool, and high-quality!

[@maitsujikawa9748]

2 trivia’s that I love about the city of Tokyo 1. Aside from old stones, you can find old traces of waterways on modern-day roads of Tokyo. One of it is in Akihabara (yes, the anime capital), and there used to be a small port/ wharf there to unload goods from the ships. These small ports used to be scattered around east Tokyo, connected by the many waterways that acted like a modern-day highway. The harbor in Akihabara is said to be the place to unload fresh vegetables made in the outer rural areas of Tokyo, and these goods that were transported via the waterways fed the many mouths living in Tokyo. It also became the backbone of many commercial facilities in Edo, since it was far more easier to sell the goods unloaded at that port at that place. Although they were ranked last in the social status, merchants thrived in Edo period, creating the unique culture/ identity of Edo. 2. How the Meiji Restoration/ Great Kanto Earthquake affected the modern day sushi and tempura. Sushi and tempura used to be a relatively cheap street snack in the Edo period. Sushi (or Nigiri sushi if you want to be specific) used to be bigger in size, more akin to modern-day Onigiri. Tempura used to have a wooden skewer sticked in the ingredients so you can hold it in your hand. Both were made in stalls, and people would basically eat them as fast foods, while standing/ using their hands. When Meiji Restoration brought modern city building to Tokyo, these stalls were evacuated to small shops, and as a result, sushi and tempura were now eaten while sitting. This lead to the dishes becoming smaller in size, and much much more expensive. And the Great Kanto Earthquake made lots of people immigrate out of Tokyo, including the many sushi and tempura chefs. These chefs introduced sushi and tempura to the regions outside of Tokyo, and thanks to this, dishes that were once only known around Tokyo, became the symbol of Japanese cuisine.

[@EPMTUNES]

Very nice video. The story of a city is expressed in its roads, zoning, and people. Understanding the city's and its culture are one and the same, and your series does the best job of it i've ever seen

[@socratesmiranda]

I love the way you speak about urbanism in your videos How you explain the history of these places and all the context behind what we know today!!

[@white_mage]

i am addicted to the way japan cities look. i don't know if its architecture or what, they just look like they're from another planet (in a good way) and i love it.

[@sc1338]

Actually Japanese city’s are rather boring looking irl. They amazingly clean though! They have very western architecture now

[@white_mage]

@@sc1338 how dare you >:(

[@ibec69]

I go to Tokyo every year for business and I wasn’t aware of any of this. You peaked my curiosity. I know what kind of walks I’m going to do next time and I know what to look for. Thank you.

[@whitanese]

literally my favorite channel currently. keep it up

[@lisssie.]

Never thought that video about a map would make me wanna go to Tokyo. This and all of the other videos are absolutely incredible. Loved every freaking second of it. Tysm!

[@jimbo9881]

man the production of this video is so cool, so much effort put into this.

[@forrestmorrisey]

I was in Tokyo last week and visited Edo Castle. Thank you for enlightening me on the history of such an incredible city.

[@Kade_Bauman]

Your Tour Guide was lovely

[@FatTracksMusic]

So happy to see a new upload!

[@BenBike]

Most fascinating channel/video on a topic I never even thought about! Keep it up, can't wait to keep watching!!!

[@bluescrubby]

20 year resident here, but never lived in and rarely go to tokyo. This was fascinating, and your storytelling with the support of just enough visuals to make it completely comprehensible was fantastic. Congrats on your craft!

[@UttkarshBhagotra]

I adore this video in so many ways - mostly as an editor but also as an audience

[@user-lz5di2eg8d]

WE NEED THE PART 2 !!! Love how you simplified everything !

[@Brendelson]

I’m only 9 mins in but I have to stop and thank you for this channel. Just enough information to be interesting and to learn from but not too much to overwhelm. THIS is the content KZbin has needed and I’m grateful I found it and you.

[@prosandcons-fl2cc]

Love this. This kind of explanation makes it so much easier to see how a city is like a living organism

[@socratesmiranda]

I was so excited for this video, bro! I'm addicted to this channel❤

[@tylerpi]

I am so here for this. Loving the content! Keep up the fantastic work

[@rugvedshelke4030]

Just discovered you, one of the best produced videoson youtube. Will be a long time supporter. ❤ from India.

[@paddypen]

Geography teacher here and past history student - I love the way you blend both in a well constructed video. I have saved this to show some of my students who appreciate Tokyo.

[@kylegordon00]

Great composition on this video, I'm glad I took a chance on it. Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more of your vids!

[@detroitdan8487]

WOW! A most excellent presentation. The script was perfect, no fluff, flow was easy to follow. The explanations and visuals were great. Thank you. And I learned how Edo became Tokyo. And the relationship between Kyoto and Tokyo. And how the samurai class was dissolved. I kept running into references about the samurai being disbanded at the time and now I know why. Thank you, Daniel.

[@zaippiaz]

what phenomenal content! Thank you for all your research on this. I really enjoyed learning about the factors influencing the map and the historical context. As someone from London, currently living in Japan, i appreciate this!

[@TomMaster]

Haven't seen the video yet, but I know this will be an amazing video!!!

[@FatBubble.]

I can't say enough how well done this is! This was such a fascinating video thanks to the work that you put into it. Beautiful visuals, great flow and very engaging!

[@VillageFlowerno1]

This video popped up in my recommendation and I'm so glad it did. This was a great video. I now have many more videos to binge watch.

[@adrianglamorgan2571]

Well done, enormous amount of work has gone into this, appreciated!

[@MrEast808]

this vid is awesome. just came back from tokyo, stayed in akihabara, walked to ueno park, walked to the castle grounds, and saw the original odaiba. everything in the vid made sense of what i experienced.

[@rifting1224]

This is the best video I watched in 2024 so far. Very well-researched and enjoyable, keep it up!

[@liamsaxov3065]

Man i love these videos! Hope you become more popular soon, you deserve it 100%

[@nathan__142]

Thank you for breaking down this city in a way that is approachable. I want to visit Tokyo myself but the map is so intense and I don’t know where to begin. This is such a valuable resource to have. Seriously, awesome!

[@astr43us]

If you like the city life, start with Shibuya, Shinjuku and Ginza. You can get a feel for Tokyo by just exploring. Tokyo is probably the most English friendly city I’ve been to in Japan, all of the trains are very accommodating to English speakers and Google maps is exceptionally good at getting you around.

[@carrygaming7890]

Amazingly well put together video! Congrats!

[@RandomLifeOfDarren]

Another brilliant video! 👏🏻 Tokyo is such a fascinating city, I wish this video was out before my trip in 2019

[@darrellandersen]

This was incredibly well researched and put together. Thank you.

[@Mister_moy]

Absolutely phenomenal video as always. Engaging, entertaining and educational! Cheers mate

[@sac809]

the emperor business trip joke was funny, great tour guide!

[@svrupani]

Thank you so much for this Daniel. It was so refreshing to see my city in your eyes and you grasped Tokyo beautifully.

[@skloter]

I've lived in Tokyo for the last 5 years but I've learnt more on these 24 minutes than in 5 years! Amazing work man. Thank you!

[@lanster77schannel]

Phenomenal video as always, Daniel.

[@kevinp7056]

Tremendous research and presentation Daniel. I visited this area some years ago, and would like to see it again with the fresh viewpoints from your work. Well done!

[@phelanmuller5223]

I love your content and presenting style. Keep creating cool stuff!

[@bastage5932]

That tour guide guy is a fantastic informal educator. Anyone working in a public-facing education setting could learn a lot from watching how well he does his thing.

[@saladman8745]

i love how well produced it all is, will hold up well against time

[@johngonzalez8305]

I’m also gonna say that his sponsorships are incredibly shot and edited. Not like the other KZbinrs that make a prerecorded, scripted ad that takes away from the video. Didn’t even have to skip this one because it was truly well edited into the right part of the video.

[@danielnewton2390]

You have a way of finding the most interesting people to interview for these videos!

[@marleeokeefe1533]

always looking forward to your next videos

[@busekzlay933]

As an urbanism enthusiast, I found the content super interesting. Just subscribed, great job!

[@jchootie]

This was an extremely well put together insight into a fascinating topic. Kudos and looking forward to more!

[@JacobZimmerman0]

The outro song from 22:23 to 23:33 is 2099 by Wave Saver for those curious. He also cut it out right as it gets good 😅

[@allanau]

Awesome video, 2nd time I went to Tokyo we stayed at Nihonbashi area.. something that really clings to me about that area because I love how the bridges and the roadways meets up.

[@lucasbastos10]

What an incredibly well-produced video. Kudos!

[@rodrigofuchs161]

Hey, Daniel! Congrats for your awesome content! It's so incredible to learn history by looking at a map!

[@avecsellers]

Omg new map video. I live for these

[@kieron26]

Daniel is making me want to go back to cities I’ve already visited. Believe me, I’ve seen a lot of Tokyo’s map explainers, but none have been as well-done as Daniel’s.. 😫😫😫😫✨✨✨✨

[@ROSHTRACK]

Incredibly interesting video! Very informative and well put. A pleasure to watch.

[@just_in_key]

Always love your videos on bright trip 😭🙏🏻

[@DIANEJAPAN]

What an excellent video! As a freelance tour guide, I always share this information in my introductory lecture about Tokyo. For me, someone who lives in rural Japan, understanding Tokyo's history and development helped to demystify its seemingly chaotic organization. You have explained it clearly and beautifully. Kudos! Also, your Japanese guide was fantastic. btw, it's Meiji Restoration. Typo.

[@BLMailu]

That was really enjoyable to watch and also so informative and I learned a lot I didn't know about even though I visited Tokyo a few times already. Great work and will scroll through your videos now and see what will catch my attention next.

[@TheDanielKahl]

Fabulous summary of the evolution of Edo/Tokyo.

[@greenrosebluebird]

What a great research! I am Japanese and learned a lot from this video. So impressed. Looking forward to watching more of your passionate studies!

[@kermalist]

This video is so well done! Fascinating history.

[@vagabondsoldier4353]

Fantastic video! Looking forward to the next one!

[@graw211]

I'm currently expending 2 months here in Tokio, I'ven lost about a week, trying to explain myself why the city it's what it is. Your video it's a lot informative. Thank you a lot U explain everything good, I'm gonna explore more.

[@thamara13]

LOVE your channel! Thanks for these awesome and informative videos.

[@SwimmersItch]

Incredible video. Your work gets better and better with each episode. And perfect timing, as I’m immersed in the show Shogun

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Thank you!! And I keep hearing amazing things about that I need to watch it!

[@idee7896]

Superbly researched and presented video done in a way to keep viewers interested

[@ibizaflu]

Just watched this. Well done... Really good job. Thank you for doing this, I'll be watching this again. Totemo yoi!

[@pb_and_jj]

that express way hurts my soul i wanna cry

[@JubairAhnaf]

Great video! I really appreciate the effort you put into making this documentary.

[@jimmeade2976]

Excellent video. I learned things about Tokyo and Japan that I never knew before. Thank you!

[@aahxzen]

Nice work and overall production. Informative and entertaining. My brother is moving to Tokyo in the fall and I am pretty excited to visit!

[@silvin007]

omg the first asian city to be covered, I know my city is close haha, hopefully the next 3 or 4 videos. This video is beyond awesome, keep up the great work man

[@tonitonesempre]

I love Tokyo.Thank you so much your video. It was incredibly interesting.

[@dejan.]

First video from you that I’ve seen and it was a masterpiece. Going to visit Tokyo again soon and have a new perspective of this city now. I’ll be sharing this video with my family so that they can put it all into perspective too. Thank-you Daniel!

[@DanielsimsSteiner]

Wow thank you so much! I’m glad it’s helpful 🙏🏻

[@Antonio5559398]

dude what the hell is this channel?? hidden gem, and EASY sub. i love maps, cartography, and history.

[@erikandersenphoto631]

Great video. Thank you. I learned a lot about a place I only briefly visited. I didn’t find Tokyo quiet though, I remember seemingly rush hour traffic beginning at 4:30 AM. And almost the entire city being packed with people.

[@arthurrey3415]

This video was amazing, wish it lasted more!

[@Jeeessa21]

Very interesting, extremely well made to the finest details, really appreciate the work!

[@user-oc5mw3fe3x]

Well done - This is the first time I saw an English‐speaking video turn viewers’ eyes to those aspects of the region. As a Japanese person who grew up mainly in other parts of the country and moved to the region in recent years, Tōkyō is interesting because among modern buildings, various parts of it still hint at stories of what it was like 400 years ago, not just obvious attractions like shrines, but things such as how waterways are laid out and how towns are named, etc.

[@gravel.travel]

Incredible dude. Love it.

[@imark7777777]

20:55 ha that is one long business trip haha.

[@aibao_eipariru_april]

This is the best japan documentary video I’ve seen pretty much ever. 👏

[@MrOtistetrax]

First time I’ve ever heard anyone describe Tokyo as “quiet”. A quick trip to Shinjuku would erase that idea, lol. Great video as always, Daniel.

[@rayvanwayenburg998]

Between the busy areas are many quiet streets and local communities. It’s really fascinating.

[@eruno_]

they should seen/hear what's happening near pachinko parlours 😭

[@vistalover9607]

Tokyo IS quiet. You’re wrong. I was wrong. Going to Shinjuku/Shibuya/Shingawa around any train station is like going to the equivalent of a mall in the US instead of going to someone’s house. They are meeting spots, connected and often close or at least full of activity. Away from train stations and the major core and you are in an unbelievably quiet neighborhood. Almost everywhere is like that.

[@astr43us]

Even in Shinjuku there are quiet parts. Go to Kabukicho at 6am on a weekday, it will be a deceptively tranquil experience

[@elysiumcore]

Shinjuku is just a commercial / fun district - Go to residential area in Shinjuku, harajuku, Shibuya etc you will instantly find peace & quiet - Tokyo is truly unique