Is Small-Town Japan Really Disappearing?

[@TokyoLens]

What are YOUR Thoughts? Let me know in the comments below!! (huge love for that notification squad!) I've included a whole map of all these spots/people in this weeks newsletter (I'll link it below!) HUGE THANKS TO MAGICAL TRIP FOR SUPPORTING! Check out Magical Trip: bit.ly/MagicalTripSite And now for that fancy map!! From the Abandoned school, to Yo-chans new coffee shop, Ayaka's shop, the hidden shrines and waterfalls, Akihiro's bnb, and more - I'll drop it all in a newsletter this week, or for anyone who joins here: bit.ly/ShikokuVisitMap

[@bla9803]

Thank you so much for your insightful video/documentaries. So enriching !

[@KirstenReusch]

@TokyoLens very much an advocate of doing what you love. It's never easy, and it's rarely or sometimes never financially profitable, but the amount of satisfaction, pride, peace, and joy that are gained from a life well lived are their own reward. Shikoku holds an air of expectation. Heartwarming to see that there's a growing and thriving community of like-minded individuals answering that call, energizing the quiet spaces.

[@sconeindygw]

Great work TL this is another masterpiece!!!

[@IdahoFatTireBikeFun]

Any advice on pedaling the 1000 kilometer round-trip Shikoku Circuit bike ride? You have much more accurate information because you have been in Shikoku and we have not. Your boots on the ground experience and advice is greatly appreciated!

[@KirstenReusch]

@@IdahoFatTireBikeFun download/save your maps for offline viewing for navigation. Wi-Fi can become spotty or non existent in certain areas. google maps is also reliable in times provided to reach your destination. Approach bends, curves in roads with caution and pay close attention to the views provided by the convex mirrors. Carry more water and electrolytes than you think you'll need. Have fun!!

[@JoeSchmmo]

This honestly makes me so happy that people are working on bringing back the small towns. There is so much life and opportunities there and people are realizing it. Truly makes me happy

[@TokyoLens]

gotta love the passion~ Doom and Gloom sells but the reality is much more beautiful

[@JoeSchmmo]

@@TokyoLens very well said

[@CyberSway]

​@@TokyoLens Doom and gloom comes and goes, Beauty is eternal ~

[@martinloo]

@@CyberSway kondo wa kondo. ima wa ima.

[@CyberSway]

@@martinloo that reminds me of a quote from someone helping someone who really needed it. "Today you. Tomorrow me."

[@SmilingQuokka]

This makes me so happy to see passionate individuals like these working together to preserve the smaller towns. I'm from a rural area in Australia originally, and it's sad to see the population dwindle, and shops and services shut down. So seeing what these folks are building together brings me great joy.

[@TokyoLens]

Glad I could share~

[@ingloriousdane]

I was just about to write almost the exact same thing as you untill I say this comment, apart from the fact that I'm from Denmark 😄 And the way Norm makes these videos is just 😗👌!

[@terrawolf3802]

​@ingloriousdane it's the same in rural America as well

[@sherryberryjp]

Your video makes me miss Shikoku~ Though I moved to Tokyo, I did many businesses in my hometown with locals and they were one of the best! I am grateful that I can still run my business in Ehime from Tokyo! And Norm, thanks for the cool shots of me working hehe

[@TokyoLens]

well you've gone and done it now! Moved yourself to Tokyo! haha But It's awesome to see what you are doing with your business and how you continue to help your area from afar!! Thanks for helping out!

[@mrpbr10]

My wife is from Ehime! She moved here to the states many years ago, but we've been many times. The rural areas of Japan have always been my favorite. I'm sure you already know this place, but Pain Maison (Yawatahama) is my favorite bakery on the planet.

[@Mohika007]

You know Norm... I think you need to include yourself in the list too. You're also making these places better by sharing them with us. Thank you for that.

[@r.coachman3499]

Oh 100% agree! Through this and other Japan Vlog/Adventure channels, more and more people get to witness the efforts and changes happening. As well as be changed by such passion, hard work and connection. Videos like these keep the fires goin’, so to speak!

[@r.coachman3499]

@@sergeikonstantinov3220 Maybe you need to rewatch the video, friend. I wouldn’t say his efforts are “sloppy” or “Useless.”

[@tomatha132]

Such a positive and uplifting video. Love how you've highlighted that rural Japan isn't entirely doomed, so much of the media I see about rural Japan is all doom and gloom. Also appreciate seeing how Yo-Chan is doing, he seems so optimistic like everyone else you interviewed and that's wonderful 😁

[@TokyoLens]

doom and gloom sells! but the truth is far more beautiful

[@tomatha132]

@@TokyoLens The truth is definitely way more beautiful, especially seeing all those people having a good time at the festival and the determination of younger generations to revitalise the countryside.

[@thetypebeast]

What I love about your videos is the positive outlook: when other creators report about a dying Japanese countryside, Norm is ahead of the curve, showing the revival! This video came at the right time. I'm planning a trip, and want to visit the countryside and small towns. Thanks for the great ideas, I might incorporate a few into my trip!

[@tekiwi]

So awesome!! Moving to the country side and being close to nature is the smartest thing anyone could be doing now, not just in Japan, all over the world!!

[@TokyoLens]

If you’ve got access to work and a bunch of extra money! It’s great~

[@hbrown9813]

This makes me so happy! I was in Japan last month, and I was fortunate enough to be able to explore the countryside a bit. It was definitely my favorite part of the trip! It was incredibly beautiful, and the people were so kind and friendly! Big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are incredible, but there’s a magic in the Japanese countryside I’ve never experienced anywhere else.

[@TokyoLens]

that countryside 'Magic' is exactly why it will survive!

[@s70driver2005]

Yea we stayed next to Lake Ashinoko in Shizuoka back in 22. It was great. Driving was a bit intimidating at 1st but I didn't have any major problems. I'm actually planning on getting a kei camper van for next trip and driving down from Hokkaido to Tokyo.

[@With_Me_JAPAN]

Love the local people's passion and love towards their living place! How the dancers in various ages at the festival perform with happiness, the interviewees answers your interview with excitement and confidence are awesome to watch. (and the old ladies are so cute!!) Hope rural areas will keep growing and spread the charm to the world! Thank you for the amazing documentary Norm!😆

[@TokyoLens]

that passion is what has kept bringing me back to the Japanese Inaka~ Thank you very much for all of your kind comments always and I am glad to see your channel continues to grow and do well!

[@LizzieBeezie]

There's something really soothing in a small rural town nightlife. Chilling with your friends/colleagues and enjoying the peace of it all at a local café/bar, is something else in areas like these and i'm glad more and more people are seeing the potential of it all.

[@elflass5544]

It's cool to see the revival of festivals and things, just like the reuse of abandoned things in rural areas (I'm thinking of the elementary school). It will keep people aware of the area, bring new people in, and maybe ease that tide of people leaving. If nothing else, maybe it will bring revenue to the community.

[@TokyoLens]

I love that its festivals, businesses, beaches, schools, everything they just keep revitalizing

[@iamjeffaroni]

I loved the idea of reconnecting people to the traditions from their youth as one way to bring people back to the rural communities. Hopefully in a few years, the communities will be bouncing back and turning things around for so many in Japan’s rural communities.

[@alcor4670]

Note that these rebounding communities are the ones that have actually adapted to the realities of 2020s Japan. They identified what the real local problems are, formulated some effective solutions, and carried them out. A lot of others haven't though. Led by extremely insular community leaders and residents who refuse to adapt and would actually _turn away_ young families who wouldn't (or couldn't) embrace all of the local "old ways". I even saw a clip of a Japanese news panel interviewing the community leader of some dying village, grilling him on why they _insist_ on maltreating new residents who cannot "follow the rules of the community". Rules like "accept that your personal life should be should be everyone else's business" and the like. They even shut down businesses that would've brought in much-needed tax revenue, and stopped providing vital services like garbage collection. I'm just glad that these revitalized communities have found a middle ground, where they can keep some of the old traditions and customs whilst accepting the fact that some (or most) people moving in cannot be mere carbon copies of the original residents.

[@fuzzydragons]

so impressive that volunteers cleaned up the beach as much as they did (thats a HUGE job), shows how much can change if people work together 😀

[@shannondore]

I'm so glad Yo-chan is doing well. His journey has been amazing since you first met him. I live in a big city and would love to live in a rural area, especially if that area was in Japan. It's just so incredibly beautiful there, and everyone you've ever met in your videos has been so super friendly and nice.❤😊

[@ErikSEK]

Thank you Norm for covering this topic! I hope the countryside will thrive. There seems to be a global generational change, that the youth preferes the quiet countryside than the city life and that's most likely will be the case in japan too. People like Ayaka-san is contributes to it as well. Providing a night life to the youth (and to every local) can also be a deciding factor to settle down there.

[@sarahramos2919]

I was sitting here just finishing up watching another amazing video and thinking about life in Japan, and I got a text from someone asking about Japan. 😊 I passed along the video link and information about Tokyo Lens because you are my go to when I need a Japan fix because of the respect that you show to the country and, more importantly, its people. Japan has influenced my life so greatly. It’s not hyperbole to say my heart hurts when Japan hurts and my heart soars when Japan soars. Thank you for sharing these moments and all the hard work that you put into bringing them to us! As always, take care!

[@TokyoLens]

haha thank you so much as always~ I can definitely feel you on what a big influence Japan has been j Hope your week is great!

[@debatron]

Perfect timing. I’m off on a rural tourism revitalisation university field trip tomorrow, and visiting Shikoku for the first time next week. I’m a born and raised city person but there’s so much of value going on outside big towns. We just need to raise the local voices louder.

[@inabearsuit2425]

this was a wonderful video focused not on the easy negative but the greatness that can come from people working together, thanks man

[@Chaosqueenngami]

This is why I'm such a proponent of remote work. Lots of younger people would love to have the opportunity to own a house and have space but have to go where th work is. If more jobs that can be done remotely, were done remotely it would ease congestion in larger cities and give people the opportunity to live where they want to live.

[@ninjaman1751]

Rural areas are just as important to a country and community as urban areas are, so it is good that people are trying their best to protect that

[@dandomine]

This is a great inspirational video! I love this kind of uplifting theme!

[@TokyoLens]

might not sell as much as all the doom and gloom But its good to be able to share the positive stuff!

[@mattsmith3135]

These documentaries are why I hang around this channel.

[@ChristopherHarris6005]

Awesome video as always Norm. You are helping connect all these awesome people and places together with your channels.

[@sqw33k]

9:30 And just like that, you too are now part of the networking taking place. You're part of the change Norm, and I absolutely LOVE to see it!

[@andrewlamb3585]

It is so easy to find content that shows us the country of Japan from the perspective of those who left the countryside in favor of Tokyo and the other population centers. You gave us the opposite perspective on this and I really appreciate it! Your content is always hopeful and exciting! Cheers from the USA!

[@DividedZone]

Let's gooo! 🎉🎉Another documentary!!! I love videos of rural Japan so I can't wait to watch and learn!

[@TokyoLens]

Hope you enjoyed it!

[@MardieMar]

Fantastic! I wrote my bachelor thesis on life in Japanese villages as a form of intangible cultural heritage. It makes me happy to see it's the people doing the hard work where the government has so obviously failed over the past tens of years.

[@bearnecessities9568]

I can't speak about Japan. But in the UK the same thing is happening. I've moved to a rural Island community in the North of Scotland. Almost impossible to get on the housing ladder (air'b'n'b is a huge issue). Logistic and travel difficulties. Limited jobs. Hard for people to move TO the islands to live, work and connect to the local community. Extreme weather as you get short summers and long dark, windy, cold and wet winters. I wish them all the success in the world and hope it can happen here!

[@HarleyAMV]

Same in Sweden. I think rural life is becoming more and more unfeasible as petrol prices make living far from cities alarmingly expensive as is ordering transport for small local shops, and laws, regulations, and taxes makes small scale farming impractical, even for personal use. We're also becoming more and more disconnected as companies are cutting copper wires because the metal is worth more than the clients it connects and no company wants to pay for installing fibre to just a few houses several kilometres apart and 20km from the nearest town, making remote jobs almost impossible as well. Most people out here are pensioners, same with the people moving out here because they no longer need a way to support themselves. They just live off their pensions.

[@TheTennesseeTornado]

I moved to a large city a few years ago for work and have hated it from Day 1. It's nice that you can get whatever you want, but there's no sense of community. I miss the small town I grew up in. Japan is the only country I strive to visit one day, and I've always wanted to see the countryside more than anything. It looks stunning, and the people seem to be extremely nice.

[@大-g4b5]

Rural Japan is a magical place, I'm glad that people are working to rebuild it. I've watched many food channels that showcased stories of how youth would actually return back to their rural hometowns and open a shop or bakery.

[@sonnyson01]

Planning a roadtrip through Shikoku in February, and this was soooo helpful. Its thanks to creators like you that has inspired me to plan this trip. Thanks so much

[@randallcotten5069]

I love this video and what you are doing with this series. I've been to some part of Shikoku that are in this video and, while I didn't meet these actual people, I met many wonderful people who are so kind and inspiring. I just hope that the goodness of these places become known far and wide so there will be more like-minded visitors and this will encourage these folks to keep on doing what they're doing.

[@YuNherd]

norm is a great influence to raise awareness for these rural areas. keep it up man

[@AyimeAnime]

Thank you, Norm. We need more of these positive videos, especially since there are so many about Japan's rural villages dying

[@TokyoLens]

the positivity isn't as sexy as the "EVERYTHING IS DISAPPEARING" angle, but its there~

[@xredgambit]

I would love to visit rural Japan someday. Might make it in my 1st trip there for a day. I think it looks so beautiful and peaceful. I'm happy to hear stories of people wanting to make it thrive again. As much as the business of the big cities make money, the rural areas are needed to help support the big cities.

[@BerenCamlost666]

It is truly eyewatering and heartwarning to to see this courage and optimism among the rural people of Japan when the headlines everywhere are claiming rural Japan is dying. Outstanding work!

[@fluidityyy]

I've always thought it'd be so cool to live in Japan's countryside, even for just a short bit, just to see how different it is from living in a city like Tokyo or Sapporo, or especially different from somewhere like Atlanta. There's a lot of fun memories to be made for sure

[@TokyoLens]

I spent some time in Kagoshima but id love to go just a litttttle more rural sometime!!

[@fluidityyy]

@@TokyoLens I've got a list of places to visit in Japan, but maybe I should make a new list specifically for smaller rural areas. I'd love to see some of the festivals & whatnot especially! Kagoshima also seems pretty fun too though

[@sleepy2906]

I do hope that the more rural areas in Japan do make a resurgence! They are some really beautiful areas.

[@derek_li]

Once again the story telling of this video is amazing, and I hope people notice how Norm was seamlessly jumping into different places in the video without skipping a beat!

[@nihaalnadeem9427]

Watching people being so passionate and bringing passionate people together is truly an underdog type of story.

[@MageThief]

As always Norm, you have such a good talent for telling stories with depth and heart. I love the countryside and small cities more than big cities. I like Tokyo and spend a lot of time there, but I always want to go out to the slower and greener part of Japan.

[@archaeoalex8916]

It's wonderful to see these traditions not only being revived, but given new life to carry them onto the next generation. Ancient traditions and intangible heritage are so easy to lose, so seeing young people engaging so eagerly with these is really refreshing. A wonderfully uplifting film, thanks Norm!

[@Sperbs_9]

I love this! I’ve been a city dweller my entire, but as I get older the more I want to live somewhere smaller. It’s amazing and lovely that people are trying to revitalize these places. ❤

[@TokyoLens]

warms my heart!

[@merusado]

Can't wait to tour these place on my japan journey!

[@KazloGaming]

Goes to show how important a community is. Back to a time when people cared. This video was uplifting.

[@artfromtheheart4391]

This is really lovely and reassuring to see / hear. I had always thought that at some point there would be a younger generation who were not blinded by modernity, a generation whom realise the draw and appeal of established traditions. We're in a unique point of time now where old remnants of the past are not just illustrations that were printed in books or monochrome photographs, examples that felt separate to our colour world we experience day to day. The past is more connected with decent quality colour photos or videos with audio that don't feel so 'lost' anymore and I feel this will inspire people to preserve and propagate those moments in time that brought joy and peace to others. We need to create the global environment we deserve, not the one that is dictated to us by a small few.

[@MonkeyHero]

I think... im really going to try to join this. Its all lining up. If i could meet Yo-Chan and a few others i think i can help get something off the ground. Ive been thinking on this for the last 7 months and the direction these rural entrepreneurs are going seems to be the same direction im tying to go creatively. I need to get myself over there, asap.

[@just-in-japan]

Thanks so much for featuring Kanonji! I visit there quite often and it's one of my favorite places in Japan. Really love to see how the community is coming together!

[@iliketoeatchocolate623]

This was a really fun and hopeful watch! Thank you for this!

[@TokyoLens]

Thanks so much~

[@John7No]

a very important word for those rural areas I noticed, they are "connected". This is very important so although you are away from the city you still are able to get there when needed

[@zrugel]

rural Japan is so gorgeous, I hope it does thrive. I mean not just the rural parts but you know.

[@Stormcrow89]

This is amazing! It’s wonderful to see a blend of the new reviving the traditions and such to help these rural areas. There’s so much to learn and discover in smaller towns or villages that most people just tend to forget or not want to look for it, at least here I know that is an issue that has been occurring. I can’t wait to see how this new life grows!

[@Hazzard_Genji]

It's so cool you've referenced friends from other videos you've made, and their own Ideas and Actions that they're taking. Lovely seeing you so well integrated and having genuine connections with all those people. Thank you for providing us with such insightful videos, I've never learned as much about Japan as with your videos. Godspeed TokyoLens!

[@memeranglaut]

Great to see this. Wishing the best to them in revitalising the countryside.

[@braxalus]

9:42 What a magical shot! That rolling fog in the background makes your speech all the more captivating.

[@LetsgowithHyro]

You do an amazing job on these subjects! Thanks again.

[@MrOvimik]

The world needs more videos like these, your an inspiration!

[@Couleur-Jade]

What an amazing video! Full of hope and strong beautiful people to blow life again into this incredibly beautiful countryside. I hope many will join the movement.

[@Jug_or_not]

great video as always. This is honestly one of the last KZbin channels where I look forward to every upload

[@TokyoLens]

I appreciate that~ Thank you

[@cudyllbach6468]

These are the areas that tourists should see, true Japan. I'm hoping I an travel to Japan next year. And see some of the amazing places you have shown us.

[@TheLordDeliverence]

You manage to find some really incredible people to interview and portray their stories with respect, letting them tell it. Great content.

[@masamiju]

I live in a rural area in Japan and it makes me so happy to see the love that the local youth have for their community. Last month, some local high schoolers worked together with the community centers to throw a (small) summer festival for the town's kids for the first time. On top of that, the local tourism association has been eagerly revitalizing the town and promoting it. It's nice to see it's that way throughout the country!

[@jeremyspg]

Je crois que c'est mon premier commentaire sur KZbin, mieux vaut tard que jamais ! Même si personne ne lira celui-ci... Je voulais juste te dire que tes vidéos, ta passion et ton amour pour le Japon rayonnent vraiment ! N'abandonne jamais ce que tu fais ;). Ces vidéos sont une mine d'or de culture et donnent le tournis... Ma TV ne tourne plus que pour apprécier tes vidéos depuis quelques temps ! Combien sont ceux parmi nous à qui tu donnes envie de plaquer sa vie et en recommencer une nouvelle au pays du soleil levant ! THANKS FROM FRANCE ! I think this is my first comment on KZbin, better late than never! Even if no one will read this one... I just wanted to tell you that your videos, your passion and your love for Japan really shine! Don't ever give up on what you're doing ;). These videos are a gold mine of culture and make your head spin... My TV has been running just to enjoy your videos for some time now! How many of us do you make want to give up our lives and start a new one in the land of the rising sun! THANKS FROM FRANCE !

[@alonzosurrette3717]

I spent several years on Shikoku in Wakimachi as a JET. It saddens me to hear about what is happening to rural areas. I hope to one day return with my family to show them my past life. Hopefully, because of your channel and people like you my family will get to also sample the rural Japanese life. Also, thank you for showing Aho Ren and other Awa Odori groups. I miss them.

[@miggymercs]

Very happy seeing Yo-Chan back on the video! As someone who's been tuned in since the Old Abandoned School days it warms my heart seeing Norm keeping in touch with those he met along the way. Cheers to you sir!

[@KirkKiyosadaTome]

What a beautiful message. Also, glad to see Sherry's face again!

[@KSilverlode]

Thanks for this, it's great to see a positive take on the situation. I hope these young people see their businesses and dreams thrive in the future, to build new countryside communities.

[@dianechaniewski293]

Wow, this makes me so happy!! I can't wait to visit Japan and stop here first!!! It's like a whole community of independent artists coming together to make a beautiful place even more spectacular. Thanks for being such a passionate voice for those doing good and spreading good. You are a gem of a human Norm. I'm so proud of you and all of the hard work you do to make this channel one of the best places on the internet.

[@AmandadeOliveira]

I'm happy with all these young people doing so much and trying to keep such beautiful places alive. I hope the day when I meet those places comes soon.

[@savannah1394]

Thank you so much for this video. I love seeing passionate people doing what their passionate about 🥰 I’m so happy to see this side of rural Japan

[@sawakochan3]

Thank you so much for dedicating your time like this to connect and help! (I believe in past lives, and whenever i see things about rural Japan, It feels like "My home").. I truly believe the same dedication that has brought Japan back up time and time again from desaters, Will be the same to raise the countryside back to it's former glory, and beyond!! ✨💖✨

[@marcgriffiths24]

Love this, I've always been enamoured with rural japan so it's great to see people committed to trying to breathe new life into these places by setting up businesses etc

[@AJD1969]

Thank you for bringing a bigger perspective of the world. Sharing Japan with me. I learn things from your channel that I wouldn't have otherwise. I love your insights and views and camera work LOL Thank you and keep going strong. Many blessings!

[@sarahensel3473]

You're videos rock! Always appreciate your evident passion for Japan. I see the same comeback happening in America. We lived in a very large city and decided to move to a very rural part of America several years ago. Amazing community atmosphere and local businesses are thriving. We have absolutely no chain shops, restaurants or fast food in our town. It's just a great experience and it's rewarding knowing that when you shop your investing in you're community members.

[@kevincurrie2052]

Thanks Norm, I am liking your cast of characters that you have met in your travels. I enjoy the recognition and going I remember them. Much fun.

[@TokyoLens]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@deathdore]

I was so happy to see Kagawa immediately in this video! My boyfriend and I did the Shikoku pilgrimage last year, and temples 68 and 69 are in Kannonji. Since then I’ve made it my mission to preach the gospel of Shikoku and try to get people to rural Japan in general. Not only is there such deep, old culture (I got to ring a 1300 year old bell, come on. Where else could you even get close to something that old), but in the countryside, things run a bit slower, people will want to talk to you, appreciate your time and effort, and the chances for connection and immersion are so much higher. Truthfully I’m jealous of these videos, but please keep helping to revitalize Japan’s countryside! It’s beautiful, cheaper than the big cities, and if you’re willing to travel just a few hours out of the way, will make an unforgettable experience. I’m dying to go back to Shikoku whenever I can.

[@spun_01]

My family and I staying at a little hostel in the shotengai at Awa-Ikeda in December, only a few metres to the left of where you shot the B-roll at 12:20 in this video. We're doing a very "off the beaten path" trip this time, and this video series of remote places is covering a lot of places we're going to visit. Thanks again for your amazing content Norm. 🙌

[@TokyoLens]

You should visit Ayana’s place!! Opens after 8pm Tell her I sent you!!

[@spun_01]

@@TokyoLens Absolutely. Already got it pencilled into the itinerary! Her deserts look pretty amazing in the Google reviews. I'll tell her you said hi.

[@GIChiyo]

Stories like this make me so happy, I'm glad these some places are being saved

[@franco3584]

Excellent Video Norm , Shikoku is Japan's Hidden Gem it needs more love., such an Awesome place. So Cool to see Yo -Chan again .

[@TokyoLens]

Thank you very much!

[@camdendebruin6667]

It's so great to see some hope for the countryside's future. Even where I lived in Akita may have a young mayor who's a Tokyo returnee, soon. I loved how peaceful it was, but the constant reminder around you of what these places once were always made me feel a bit lonely.

[@kcpisonet]

Fascinating Insight to the rural Japan life! Thanks Norm San

[@TokyoLens]

Thanks so much for watching~ Hope your day is great! 😊

[@yossisureta2578]

Wow this was a full of hope documentary🥹✨I was so moved by all of the amazing people who are trying to revitalize the areas!! I must visit the Shikoku!! Also.. ‘Ground Golf Gang’ LOL Thanks for another empowering beautiful video, Norm🎉

[@TokyoLens]

so glad that you enjoyed it this much!! Thank you~

[@martinloo]

TSHIRT!

[@Checkmack82]

As an Aussie fan of Japan that has been 6 times this has been your best video so far keep this up. We love the crazy of the cities but it’s the culture which draws us there. Big beers are also the best.

[@bighappyhotgood]

A beautiful, positive video- thank you Norm!

[@last.shikigami-lq1ol]

Wow, this was truly inspirational. Props to the creative people who are reinventing rural Japan. Ganbatte!

[@bitfreakazoid]

LOL I love all the little descriptions for each person.

[@pamelagordon869]

Looking fantastic as always norm and keep making videos ❤❤❤❤

[@TokyoLens]

Thank you so much 😁

[@spiele_maus]

I love how your videos always tell the stories of the locals :)

[@bitfreakazoid]

This was a wonderful video. It's nice to see that people working on ways to revitalize these areas.

[@madmommy]

When we moved to eastern Nebraska five years ago we were pleasantly surprised to see that all the small towns in the area are finding ways to thrive, with boutique shops and interesting cafes, plus keeping many traditions alive (a local ice cream shop has been around for 70 years and is ALWAYS busy in the summer). It’s a mix of blending new ideas with old buildings.

[@StaringIntoSpaceMan]

Very uplifiting! I needed this today. This gives me hope for rural Japan.

[@seanhenderson7864]

great video!! It is good to see another side of this situation. As noted, the news is full of "doom and gloom" this video - although focused in 1 specific area - does provide another view of change and renewal. Thanks for bringing these people and their views to all of us. It really helps to bring about a more complete picture of what is going on in Japan's countryside. Looking forward to the next vid!! 👍

[@thursday315]

That shot you got on the roof really made me nervous! These are the type of towns I'm looking for when looking for a house over there recently. I loved the covered malls too! They've saved me from the rain so many times! Wish they could stay! I would love to go over there and start a business and try to poach labor from the cities.

[@AaronHiltonSPD]

Fantastic production quality, love your videos. I'm passionately interested in the cultural preservation and rejuvenation of rural Japan. My most wonderful wakeup moment was a rural cycling trip through the countryside, greeted by a local farmer, given cold canned coffee, and after a lovely chat, being randomly gifted what looked like giant green onion straight from the field! Then another amazing experience on the Shinkansen, another in a hostel in Hiroshima, and another, and another. Yeah, that made an impact on me, I'm now living in Japan and love it here. The most incredibly beautiful living is in rural japan.

[@kathrynlebda780]

This video makes me so happy. It takes real passion and dedication to start a business and double that amount to start a business in what would be considered a "in a economically desperate" state. So inspiring!

[@ashleymartone9464]

This was such a great well done video

[@adeptuslupulus6729]

part of the human experience is just to scream against the storm, to show that there is still light and that we can overcome. I really hope that people in the rural areas remain strong, true and that the new generation can bring new life to these corners of their nation. I've been visiting the big cities during my last trips to Japan, maybe is the time to go the rural way. Thank you again for the stories you share :) cheers from Chile

[@patrickevans4396]

Your videos are phenomenal

[@kungfool69]

What an absolutely incredible video!! I really enjoyed the deep dive into this corner of Japan and the issues surrounding it. I want my next trip to Japan to hopefully feature more rural area too, and it's all thanks to you Norm, and your content