Shopping for the WEIRDEST Tech in Akihabara JAPAN

[@TokyoLens]

This was a bit of a wild adventure! Get Exclusive NordVPN deal here ➼ nordvpn.com/tokyolens Risk-free with Nord's 30-day money-back guarantee! **What would YOU have bought? Let me know in the comments!!** - **I THEN BOUGHT EVERY RETRO NINTENDO IN JAPAN!!!** kzbin.info/www/bejne/gqO9ZaWcYrWpiKs Sam and Luke each shot their own Japan craziness too (channels are linked in the description!) Go give them some love | oh and if you want to see a FREE Abandoned house in Japan... kzbin.info/www/bejne/qp_IfYGpi5iijrM PS - if you’re not in the mood for a free abandoned home and want more of this day, Luke shot a bunch too!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHesk52sdr9qb6M

[@AmandadeOliveira]

I would've bought everything, so jealous right now.

[@audrabez9309]

I would have bought that cup humidifier, so many memory cards, and a portable DVD player.

[@adipaulo]

I don't know if you did that for a reason but the links for Luke and Sam are crossed over 🙂

[@ltcinsane]

I wonder how bad your friends costs were shipping all that tech back home. XD

[@hezekiahwallace2412]

Where I live at the local Bi-Mart in the Pacific Northwest of the United States you can still buy portable DVD players.

[@Sperbs_9]

I’m not a tech/electronics person but it’s fun to watch other people get excited by things I would completely overlook. Also “Money isn’t real here” is motto I can get behind 😂

[@JackieWelles]

Well they also did videos about those products so everything will pay back 😄

[@bigben1986]

Agree 100%

[@marcross52-95]

Agree. I like tech, but not at enthusiast level, also enjoy seeing people enjoying their perosnal hobbies.

[@rabidrabbitsmokingneonlights]

Unfortunately the real feeling sets in as you return home

[@dynoguru]

The fur suiter made me smile and just how kind all 3 of you were to him. I want to thank you for that. Thank you for all the videos, you really make me feel like I'm there with you.

[@bilditup1]

“It’s like the electronics part of a yard sale, except the whole store is that part” words can’t begin to describe how hype I am

[@kittenamy1]

Loved seeing Tokyo from the eyes of people who aren’t used to it!

[@TokyoLens]

literally my favorite way to enjoy Japan~

[@TheCyberMantis]

@@TokyoLens So true ne. ☺

[@-DeScruff]

16:46 Those low capacity Compact Flash cards are actually *super* useful for the right kinda person. Some devices of certain vintage will flat out not recognize drives above a certain capacity. Compact Flash can be adapted to IDE, an older standard Hard Drives used. So these 1GB CF cards are perfect if you have a device with a dead hard drive, that can only accept drives bellow 2GB, since they are less prone to failure then a 20+ year old used hard drive.

[@WhiteWulfe]

Okay, the random fursuiter as you guys are wandering about is just... Epic. Especially the confusion from one of them being all 'wait, what just happened?!?!" Gotta say, it's awesome seeing people geek out over the old Numark iDJ controllers...

[@AlexanderDinebier]

That random fursuiter is called Keenora. What a surprise to see him in a random, unrelated video. Got to say he's traveling a lot. :)

[@skyfox7969]

@@AlexanderDinebierthanks for that I wanted to follow him ^^

[@perdomot]

I started laughing when the furry recognized Norm. He knows the most interesting folks. LOL

[@RobbC.]

You guys just replicated every trip of mine to Japan. Tech and retrogames... 95% of my cash went on those, the other 5% went on Family Mart chicken 😁 Damn I miss Japan. Thanks Norm

[@Domspun]

My declaration at customs: " I bought tons of games ". lol

[@shineout2im1]

did you resell them in back in the states?

[@terencew3840]

Fami Chicky is a real addiction

[@leahnardo]

Seeing other people delight in things I don't quite understand (even being an computer engineer) is still endearing to watch. May they have much joy in their finds!

[@andrewcarmichael8683]

When I live there, I took on the persona very quickly of seeing odd stuff as normal. That was a big mistake. I realized too late that I should have been experiencing Japan through the eyes of a child like your friends. I don't know when I will be able to return to Japan, because life of a father is happening again, so I am surviving off my memories.

[@TokyoLens]

its a dangerous game to play!

[@Rubrick25]

I really love how honest your friends are. I'm also passionate about technology and it was funny watching them freaking out over really small products. Really funny. Also how were you able to carry everything you bought? That has to be at least 100 products.

[@TokyoLens]

it was.... crazy lol

[@With_Me_JAPAN]

This is one of the best shopping videos in Akihabara! Seeing Sam and Luke super excited to everything they see there is so much fun😂✨And very random tech stuff there is hilarious😆

[@Anjel1e]

Your videos are usually pretty chill, so it was a delight to see the chaotic energy hanging out with your friends brought. 😁

[@portiabartel]

"Can't win most of the stuff" in claw machines? I spent most of my time in Japan in different arcades, they definitely make ufo games winable in the actual arcades, I brought home SOOO much stuff.

[@sanashi27]

As an anime fan who watches lots of anime vloggers, I've seen many videos of people just being super happy being surrounded by something they love and just being excited over it as I like the same things. This video is the first time I've seen something like this but for tech lovers. I'm not really familiar with lots of tech stuff but I enjoyed watching them just be excited in seeing whatever stuff caught their eyes. Makes me happy, too!

[@s70driver2005]

Dude Akihabara was a quadruple treat for me!!! I saw amazing anime stuff, awesome cars and motorcycles and of course amazing food and drinks. My wife and I loved that part the most out of all the places we visited in Japan.

[@aussierheinhardt4390]

Im not a nerd geek or tech savvy. But this kind of place in Japan that will makes me crazy all over the place. I can get my mind lost like a small kiddos over there! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@MikeAetherial]

Yeah "Junk" doesn't mean "broken" in Japan. I bought a Junk Famicom for 700 yen and the owner even warned me it was untested and it worked first try.

[@Nerdtendo6366]

Hard Off is still the best name for a store ever. I wish we had them in the states so much

[@legodingseling]

Akihabara still seems to impress me even after hundreds of videos.

[@TokyoLens]

I never tire of it~

[@MaxW-er1hm]

Any other good reccs from other 'tube channels for me?

[@makoygaara]

I think that mind condition iPad1 is a collectors item already.

[@sleepy2906]

Honestly I kinda love how Akiba is kinda quirky! The place has a personality of its own, and I can see why Norman chose to make another video there! Definitely gotta go there whenever I go!

[@iamkelz6047]

Japan is prolly every nerd man-boys heaven… and I love it

[@voidepi]

They found so many hidden gems! Some of those shops in Japan blow my mind; the kind of stuff that you can find in great condition, secondhand! Wish we had that kind of stuff more available in the states. Love that you left the cute furry encounter in here lol~

[@pedro66596]

i am not a crazy lover of electronic retro stuff but i find it fascinating how much stuff you can find in those stores its like a museum of electronic stuff just love the vibe and the energy of this video.

[@lukemiani]

I can’t wait to go back to the Hard Off

[@TokyoLens]

LETS GOOOO!~! lol when you getting back?

[@lukemiani]

@@TokyoLens Gimme 24 hours

[@captainbaconsky]

I love the sensibility of driving a small car in large city. Like, it makes sense. I remember all the F150 trucks I saw when I lived in NYC and that threw my brain for a loop. also, all those cool pieces of retro tech! gotta love it.

[@TokyoLens]

all about that retro tech!

[@captainbaconsky]

​@@TokyoLens not gonna lie, I would have gotten the digital abacus. just for the kicks

[@ElderNewt]

Never would I expect to see a furry asking for a photo with you. That's awesome and unexpected. I love it

[@JanineLoomis]

Nothing like seeing through someone else's eyes to renew your appreciation for your surroundings

[@TokyoLens]

100% this!

[@SmilingQuokka]

This looks like a fun day out! This is the kind of thing I can see my husband doing when we visit Tokyo. He works in IT and these shops would be a dream for him too 😂 Edited to add: The iPod would have been my purchase of choice. I miss my old iPod. Sometimes you just want a simple, lightweight something to listen to music or a podcast for when you go walking for example. My phone can be a massive distraction 😅

[@Hooked13G]

The seamless transition to the ad read... love it

[@TokyoLens]

glad you enjoyed that lol

[@captainbaconsky]

​@@TokyoLens Norm, your ads are the best. I enjoy the fact that you continue walking around and showing things. like, I already have a VPN but I'll watch the ad just for the cool shit you show us in the background

[@GL-GildedLining]

Fabulous. I kinda thought I'd be too jaded to be amused by Akiba tours by now, but this hit the sweet spot of both innocent and super geeky. Just as you said, Norm, they went and bought things that you never woulda considered -- and they bought them with _zeal_ and _zero regrets._ I'll be checking Sam and Luke's videos tomorrow. (I laughed myself to tears from that final bit of B-roll, by the way.)

[@zenzone3919]

I imagine this is how showing Tokyo to friends is gonna be like on one of the days. I hope I'll be half as excited as Luke when I ever visit Japan.

[@TharynTaylor]

😸I am SO HAPPY to see Luke and Sam in Tokyo with you. All my favorite KZbinr's in one video!!!

[@ardwanghany6992]

Guys I am so jealous of you rn You guys are like literally living in men's heaven 😍

[@KingPinguofDingu]

Imagine meeting a furry out in the wild ... in full fursuit ... in the streets of Japan of all places, and they're English speakers? What in the????

[@lennardodavinci6350]

Your reaction to the furry absolutely SENT me.

[@andgainingspeed]

Terrific video! My favorite part was the claw machine delivering the only disappointment your guests experienced on their shopping spree. 👍

[@murisakiasuna4423]

Shopping videos are so much fun! It’s like playing D&D with shopping episodes mixed in with deep and fun content.

[@MicheleJean]

This was a lot of fun to watch. Having them along for the adventure allowed us some electronics that are maybe just taken for granted.

[@shannondore]

Seeing Koichi for a second was sweet. I hope he's well and happy.😊

[@sophiaisabelle027]

It's great to see you doing well. We hope you continue to look after yourself while traveling.

[@TokyoLens]

thanks~

[@Dajhaniel]

Thank you for letting me relive my hardoff-hunting I did in Tokyo and Sendai in 2018. Just browsing the junk sections is so much fun.

[@SuperbFairy]

Notification squad for Norm where we at?

[@TokyoLens]

best squad ever

[@Endy_Ou]

Has entered chat

[@thecolortwelve3784]

I really miss Tokyo. I didn't spend enough time wandering in the stores of Akihabara. Loved the randomly running into the surprised fan.

[@VlonoY]

I think it's always great so see, what random electronics you're able to find in Akihabara.

[@TokyoLens]

and there is soooo much to be found!

[@Bladeki]

OMG when you got recognized at 12:00 that was such a wholesome moment! 😊

[@k_redacted5353]

The shrine in the tech shop is now my aesthetic, thank you for gifting it to me🤩 EDIT: I was not expecting 12:01 , but it brought me alot of joy

[@melissawaite6018]

Norm you’re an icon. Taking a pic with a fur cosplayer (?) fan, you’re amazing

[@nitsan]

Fun video. I really like stuff but I'm also a minimalist and I don't like clutter or wasting money. But I still enjoy looking and walking around shops. And once in a while get something that's really useful to me. 🙂 I really like my (Japanese) Casio watch.

[@besinji2000]

Japan seems so unique. I absolutely love culture.

[@nicolea6489]

Being recognized by the Furry must've been hilarious 😂😂 "wait no way"

[@TokyoLens]

made my month lol

[@RabbitTeaPot]

My earliest memory of ever seeing or hearing anything from Japan (I live in the uk) was in the very early 90s where we had a kids show about tech (I cannot remember what it was called ) every episode they’d have this bit where they popped over to Japan for the “Chindōgu (珍道具)!” Section. I loved it! Used to crack me up every time lol and I was fascinated by Japans tech scene ever since.

[@Embarrassed_Mess_]

It’s always fun to see what people think is so weird and crazy that you just walk past every day and think nothing of. I see this a lot living in Florida. 🤣 Thank you for another fun video! 😊

[@UzumakiHarutoJP]

same 😭

[@selw0nk]

Florida is worse 😂😂

[@Embarrassed_Mess_]

@@selw0nk lol, I wouldn’t be surprised 😅

[@UzumakiHarutoJP]

@@selw0nk I don't know if you were in central Florida but like remember the international flea market 😭 people were always selling weird stuff there, although some of it was more expensive than necessary and some was cheap quality

[@bork0992]

I love having someone point out the normal and mundane in my life is actually out of the ordinary and bizarre to those that don't live where I do.

[@hihillari]

The secret cameras 👀 The cash-only part is really handy to know! It’s so sweet seeing the excitement of your friends experiencing Tokyo. I know that has to feel great! ❤️

[@KuroRyuu86]

Japan is still uses cash first over Plastic. Always carry cash when your in Japan.

[@minorglitch01]

Just casually bumping into a Tokyo Lens fan in a fur suit. You know, normal Japan things.

[@exidy-yt]

portable solar charging panel for like $10 is wild.

[@thiagoborges2920]

I have a friend who will be living in Japan soon, and I have to tell you how I really want to do a "garbage" run with him around Akihabara and Book-Offs. Searching for games, instruments and other paraphernalia. Amazing video, Norm!

[@ryshellso526]

Weeeboo!!!

[@apophisstr6719]

I always had a blast treasure hunting in Akiba, even if sometimes I couldn't find a certain target, the experience was still a blast because there were just so much to see!

[@redhairluffy]

the reactions of your friends remind me of my niece and nephew whenever we go to a toy store 😂 love their enthusiasm!

[@JWesT133]

I love tech and all the wierd stuff you can find, so watching your friends reactions are great. Its always interesting to see the different prices/products you can find in Japan, compared to UK/US.

[@XtendoOne]

Oh man that was so much fun. Akiba is such a wild place where you can find the weirdest things. And going with people who get really axcited because they don't get to go regularly makes for such great content! XD Have fun with the boys!

[@kascension]

"Money isn't real here."😂😂 SO accurate! You don't realize how much money you spend until your whole paycheck is gone!

[@eetadakimasu]

I love this, thank you for creating a relaxing, fun, wholesome channel

[@lmcrae]

what a dream to be a techie geek just spending on great quality tech for honest prices, amazing video guys

[@amribel]

this video was so fun to watch, i love how excited they were! their love for tech is on another level that it makes me wanna do the same even though im not that techy at all 😆💗

[@ballboats2719]

I just think it’s funny how a tech guru had no idea about a Famicom, as a nerd I will admit it hurt me inside…

[@emgriego1]

This was hilarious. The absolute definition of kids in a candy store. I immediately watched the tech demo after watching this. Great stuff! I definitely would have bought the glasses and the little robot dude.

[@thisislilraskal]

Looks like heaven to me. My happy place.

[@DanielandYuka]

OMG I love Luke Miani and "Samothy"! Big fan of their podcasts Dark Mode and Genius Bar Podcast! So happy to see you hang out with them from their recent trip to Tokyo!😻🍎 What a fun video Norm!

[@Violetlais]

Somehow there's something so cute about grown men nerding out/ turning into giant kids again because of a tiny claw machine lol

[@TokyoLens]

😁😁

[@thiago4santos]

Everyone was in the happiest mood ever buying all the randomiest stuff they could find.

[@LeAlienn]

There’s smth immensely engaging about watching a couple of Americans discover a whole other side of tech. I could feel the culture shock thru the screen!! Also, love their energy and hope to see them again on your channel (I’ll definitely be checking out theirs’ in the meantime)

[@IvyrKazegami]

I was not expecting to see a fursuiter out in Japan, but damn that was a nice surprise!

[@1964corvan]

alert the Space Templar!!!

[@loodwich]

The vacuum tubes have an incredible advantage over the transistors that replace them; they don't have problems with the frequency of the signal, so to reproduce the music, they perform better than the transistors. That is why the sound amplifiers of the best electronics brand use them for high-end products.

[@Shanyandao]

I never look at the tech stuff when I‘m in Akihabara, but maybe I should pay more attention to it. It’s fun to see all the weird gadgets that exist! That was a fun video!

[@TokyoLens]

its what its all about!

[@giveapplefritters]

I knew what like... none of those were but I loved watching them just pile stuff up lol. Also sam getting sucked into the tiny crane game was a mood. I was rooting for him despite knowing the odds

[@fantasyfinale6976]

I could spend literal days in Akihabara and I'm not even that tech-savvy. But I do get invited to go to antique stores and flea markets with my parents, and I'm always searching for old tech like a needle in the haystack that I rarely find. Wish we had stores like this in the US, I've been hunting for a 1990's graphics tablet (I'm a digital artist and thought it'd be cool to have one as just a fun collectible thing, it'd be cool to have it next to my modern tablet and compare them) and just cannot find one like at all, not even on eBay. I really really wanna visit Japan someday, Akihabara is certainly on the list of places I NEED to go if I do. I'm just not sure if or when it'll ever happen.

[@Japanesestudydreams]

Loved the 'they won nothing' 😂 made me laugh.

[@kameronpan2939]

Oh wow this is really hyping ne up for my trip to Japan! Only 2 more weeks!! I can't wait to just wander around each day and find something completely new every time

[@VerhoevenSimon]

I really love these videos, just the sheer excitement. Being able to easily place myself in their shoes does also help quite a bit.

[@Stormcrow89]

Sorry I’m late! Been a lot going on. I love watching their excitement at their finds, especially the Gameboy games and DJ stuff. Definitely awesome!

[@OpiTizzle]

Seeing the virtual boy brought on some nostalgia

[@Keenora]

Oh my gawd! You've put me into the video! 🥹 Thanks a lot! You're an amazingly nice and kind person 😊

[@takoyaki_kasi]

I love your fur suit!

[@TheScratchDesk]

You have such a cute suit!! Ahhhh it’s so tempting to bring mine over, I fly to Tokyo in 5 days >

[@cm9754]

At first it didn't make sense when I saw your profile picture but then I saw you in the video and it all made sense

[@JadeyJ4d3y]

that was definitely a surprise to see you lol

[@eileenjurek6898]

Awesome costume! ❤

[@griffrafff]

This was probably one of my favourite videos. One of things I plan on doing is exactly what yall did in this video. Love all the crazy stuff, also won't have trouble getting gifts for family while there 😂

[@TokyoLens]

honestly such a great time!! make sure you swing by the studio for coffee after you gos hopping to so I can see everything you got! haha that Patreon office-hours calendar should be up soon!!

[@griffrafff]

@@TokyoLens you bet! 🫡

[@nohmekop]

I noticed some of the things that they were very surprised about have moved online (vacuum tubes). Since sadly small shops in the US are dying out save for profitable niches :(

[@x3Shinkir0]

Sure was interesting to see some of the unique finds in Akihabara, am definitely looking forward to visiting Akihabara and exploring every nook and cranny to see what I can find even more. And Hi Norm.

[@TokyoLens]

hi!

[@Rusvul]

For this episode of "who's that character?", at 15:22 we have a top notch example of an itasha, this one featuring the character Twin Turbo from the Uma Musume franchise.

[@LemifromJapan]

I often go to Akihabara, but it was so much fun to see your friends get so excited!😆Japan has so many weird stuff😅

[@TokyoLens]

(^-^) they had a great time!

[@grayfox11010]

Love to see you can still find cool tech gadgets in Akihabara. Electric city lives on! Also love that jacket!

[@nikolauscharlton2996]

Going to Japan in 2 weeks and I am legit stoked! Thank you for your making all this great content!

[@cooky123]

How went your travel?

[@AlinaTheGoblin]

A tech nerd's heaven. My brother still plays games off of his Super Nintendo and I'm still playing my Gameboy Advanced cartridge of Pokemon Ruby. We'd both have a field day in these places! I'd probably try to find Pokemon Yellow because I lost mine when I was young. Noting all of these spots for the future Japan trip ;)

[@ChiChisStreams]

This video was awesome! Loved the excitement from everyone! Also, I need to go to those stores! On the gaming side there was a virtual boy Nintendo pod AND a dev SNES kit!

[@manaphyex]

Three of my favorite content creators appearing together at the same time, it's like an all-star, is this a dream, if I meet on the road, I will probably faint.

[@NecroFlex]

Fun fact about the NES, in Europe, it had 2 releases, one was the classic NES, the other one was the "Family Computer" (which IIRC was mostly in the Yugoslav/Balkan regions), similar to what you see here. Similar story for the SNES

[@jameswilliams3038]

I would love to just run through Akihabara with an unlimited budget. I could be there for days lol

[@benni_w_]

I love the random Keenora encounter! I saw that in Keenora's video a few months prior and now I'm randomly stumbling over the other perspective :)

[@Cet3010]

i think i could watch this all day

[@TokyoLens]

guess I need to make the vid longer next time! haha

[@Cet3010]

@@TokyoLens Yes! These stores are so interesting, we don't have this here at all. Its awesome

[@lanstar94]

What a fun video! I love the sense of treasure hunting you all share. You never know what you'll find when it comes to second hand and obscure goods.