For over 500 years, Japan's third oldest festival is one of its most unique. 9000 mostly naked men celebrate in the cold for religious and traditional reasons and John is there to report as a participant. We will look around the city of Okayama, it's castle, Korakuen, and go to Saidaiji temple to preview the fest. In the evening, John gets ready with a group at a local company. Learn the insides of this amazing festival from from you need to enter, things to buy and the deep religious and spiritual meaning.
Japan's escalators are a microcosm of Japanese society -- uniqueness and creativity, but we also see Japan's politeness, manners and even customer service all on moving steps. In this episode, we travel to Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo and Kawasaki to see some of Japan's amazing escalators!
Vending machines are one of the first things visitors see when they arrive in Japan. Colorful, convenient and almost anything that can be sold in one. In this episode, we look at a wide variety of machines. From fully digital drink machines to the unusual vending machine like canned hot ramen and bread-in-a-can in Akihabara, we tour Japan to check them all out. The why and how of vending machines.
Don't miss this! Why do so many Japanese wear sick masks in the winter? It's a question many non-Japanese ask when they visit. Between November and March, it seems the whole city of Tokyo is wearing a surgical mask. Is it a new fashion rage or a form of self-defense? Get the inside story on why wearing a mask in Japan is not so weird. In this episode, we try on some of the more unique surgical masks and ask a couple of locals about why they wear one. After seeing this program, maybe you'll try a mask next time you're in Japan. When in Rome ...
In this episode, we go to Asakusa Kagetsudo and talk with owner Yuki-san who has been making melonpan for many years. He explains his passion and why it's so popular in Japan. John sits down for breakfast and enjoys a piping hot melonpan with a green melon soda, the shop's recommended combination! Melonpan is best when it's right out of the oven.
Take a visit to Tokyo's Yoyogi Park, Hachiko Crossing in Shibuya, a cafe called ""Harbs"" serving sakura cake and Inokashira Park in Kichijoji. Also check out our next video which goes to Yoyogi Park, Shinjuku Gyoen, Odaiba, the Meguro River and Ueno Park.
Let's head to Yurakucho and the Godzilla statue, Shinjuku Gyoen National Park, the Meguro River at night, Odaiba and Ueno Park for some cherry blossom viewing.
Let's leaves Tokyo for the Japanese countryside. Mt. Fuji's Kawaguchiko (lake) and Yoshinoyama (mountain) in Nara Prefecture. Yoshinoyama is the no.1 spot for viewing the cherry blossoms in all of Japan. We also look at some of the unique foods made from cherry blossoms at Yoshinoyama: ice cream, yokan, sushi and sakura liquor.
The Japanese toilet is not just a toilet. It has evolved into a high-tech machine of pleasure.
Shibuya is Tokyo's glitziest area and Hachiko Scramble / intersection is the world's busiest crossing. No wonder it amazes visitors who come to Tokyo! It's often featured in movies that take place in Tokyo, such as Lost in Translation, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and Resident Evil: Afterlife and Retribution, as well as news broadcasts around the world. Most people spend only a few minutes here, but in this episode, we're going to take you through a 24 hour cycle. We'll go a little deeper into what goes on here.
Around the world, Anime has a large audience and is widely recognized. Fans of anime are dedicated to the art. They're passionate about their love for anime and take that passion to the next level after hours. The Anime Song DJ is a growing and exciting new trend in Japan where anime songs are mixed, often with the anime playing on a screen. In this episode, we'll look at how this is expanding in Japan. We take you to Raizeen in Nakano, an Anime Song DJ bar that lets people give it a try. Later in the evening, we head to Roppongi and get a feel for a fusion of anime song DJing and the Roppongi style. The worlds are colliding bringing together Otaku and the Roppongi club crowds.
Around the world, Anime has a large audience and is widely recognized. Fans of anime are dedicated to the art. They're passionate about their love for anime and take that passion to the next level after hours. The Anime Song DJ is a growing and exciting new trend in Japan where anime songs are mixed, often with the anime playing on a screen. In this episode we go to the exciting new event called AniCrush!!! the newest Anison DJ event that is bringing together the international and Japanese communities.
Harajuku is the center of Japanese Youth Fashion. Cute and colorful, the pop fashion culture is thriving here, and John Daub goes deep into it. He becomes a Harajuku guy! What exactly is Harajuku fashion? Let's cruise down Harajuku's famous Takeshita-Dori for the complete first-hand story.
Gachapon is toy capsules from coin dispensing machines that are found all over Japan. What's unique is that they don't only have high quality anime figures and other surprises, but they're loved by adults as well as kids! Japanese love the mystery of the what's inside that gachapon capsule.
TOKYO GAME SHOW is one of the biggest gaming showcase events in the world. Since it's in Markuhari near Tokyo, ONLY in JAPAN is here to cover all the fun. I was seriously blown away by some of the advances in gaming. Serious gamers, cosplayers, anime and manga are a part of the TGS culture.
In this episode, we'll go to MANBOO! Manga Kissa, a manga cafe that's more than just manga and coffee.
John travels to India to find a piece of Japan on the other side of the world. In this episode, we'll focus on Japanese food in India.
John travels to India to find a piece of Japan on the other side of the world. In this episode, we'll focus on the anime and manga world that's growing in India. Yes, that means the otaku world!
Hiroshima is one of Japan's top destinations, and when you're hungry, you have to try okonomiyaki. Hiroshima has it's own original style, and it's not so simple to make. John travels to Okonomimura, a building full of Okonomiyaki shops, for lunch. There are many different toppings you can put on okonomiyaki. In many ways, it's like a pizza! In other ways, it's like a sandwich.
Japan is the last place you'd think to find gigantic portions of food, but you'll be surprised to hear that many restaurants offer food challenges! Sometimes what you've given just isn't enough, right? Best of all, if you eat it all within a certain amount of time, it's usually free!
This time John Daub and Joseph Tame go on location to Honda's headquarters and Welcome Plaza in Tokyo to play with ASIMO. Yes, we have a dance off, race, penalty kick shootout and more!
Robots in Japan have entered the next stage! From science fiction to THEY'RE HERE right now standing next to you! Soon, everyday life will have some kind of robot in it. Let's take a look at what's here right now and what's coming in 2015 and beyond.
Osaka is known as Japan's kitchen and for good reason! It's loaded with some of the best and cheapest restaurants and street stands anywhere. Enter Dotonbori, the old entertainment district of Osaka that's also ground zero for cheap and easy to find street food. John Daub and Kevin Riley, a long-term resident of Osaka take their stomachs down the Dotonbori strip. We also introduce a very Osakan word: ""Kuidaore"" meaning eat until you drop!
So, getting naked with a bunch of strangers isn't your thing, eh? Maybe after watching this, it will be! Not only are Japanese baths and hot springs therapeutic, they're heavenly on the body and a part of Japan that shouldn't be missed.
"A real life capsule to sleep in. Cool! This is one of the most ""Only in Japan"" experiences possible — staying in a capsule hotel in a Japanese city. It’s cheap and convenient but why do people actually stay here? Is it ... you know ... big enough? In this episode, John Daub and Masahito Kawahata head to the Shinjuku Kuyakusho-mae Capsule Hotel in Kabukicho to find out.
"The world's largest fish market is one of Tokyo's biggest attractions.
"Let's travel to a valley in the Japanese alps in Nagano to get some organically grown wasabi from the farm! Just how is wasabi grown?
"Anime and manga fans are increasing world wide! Tokyo is at the center of it all so in this episode, John Daub and Patrick W. Galbraith, author of the Otaku Encyclopedia and Moe Manifesto head to Nakano Broadway and Mandarake, a famous manga shop.
"If you're looking for Japanese culture, Asakusa in Tokyo is the top spot. On this day, John visits the Yoshiwara for the Oiran Dochu, a parade re-enacted annually to preserve the old traditions of the neighborhood. The event is attracting more visitors and it's time to explain exactly what you're seeing!
"Cat Cafes have been booming here in Tokyo. What's all the fuss about? John and Jennifer Juilen visit Temari no Ouchi Cat Cafe in Kichijoji, Tokyo. It's one of the top cat cafes in the city. Temari no Ouchi has 20 cats, each one is like a rock star with a following of fans. There's Kinoko, an exotic short hair who's adorable sour face is unforgettable! In fact, the cafe has several breeds of cats to play with. Besides the cats, there inside looks like an amusement park and the food is very, shall I say Cat Cafe-ish?
"Let's board a night train with sleeper cars from Tokyo to the Sea of Japan! This video guide will walk you through the JR Sunrise Izumo Express from Tokyo Station to Izumo. Passengers on Japan's night trains have declined so there are few night trains left in Japan. This is the only daily one from Tokyo.
"It's been nicknamed the ROLLER COASTER BRIDGE because of it's super steep slope and appearance of being a bridge to the sky. That's the Eshima Ohashi Bridge straddling Shimane and Tottori prefecture in Japan.
"Tokyo's summer is hot with temperatures often over 35C / 94F and humidity so high it's like being in a sauna. One was to stay cool it so eat ice cream. Japanese has it's own original flavors and ingredients. Nevermind Ben&Jerry's, Baskin Robbins 31 flavors, and Cold Stone! John Daub heads to Ebisu where he enjoys Japanese ice cream at JAPANESE ICE OUCA.
In the episode, John Daub travels to Hyogo prefecture north of Kobe to a rice paddy owned by sake maker Dassai.
In this episode, John heads to Ichinoseki in Iwate Prefecture to ride the Pokemon With You “Pikachu†Train!
"Tokyo Game Show is the ultimate event spotlighting the next year's upcoming video games and is held annually at Makuhari, Chiba, a 20 minute train ride from Tokyo Station. In this episode, I return to TGS after a year off to check out what's changed.
"The Nebuta Matsuri is considered by many as Japan's top festival and I traveled 600 km north to the northern most city of Honshu to participate in the fun! What makes Nebuta so amazing? ★ It could be the illuminated Nebuta floats that are pulled down on the city streets, turning and bowing to the crowd. They're often in the form of mythological Japanese gods or dieties, larger than life in size. ★ Perhaps it's the taiko drums and flute players that make this festival no 1. The beat with those mystical flutes stays in your mind and body days after the festival has ended. ★ It could be the haneto dancers dressed in special yukata dancing and screaming Rasera! Rasera! The answer is that they all when put together make this festival a must-see when you visit Japan in the summer.
In this episode of ONLY in JAPAN, John Daub travels to Saitama with Bob Werley from Pirates of Tokyo Bay and Alan Welch, producer of MY LIFE JAPAN to earn a diploma in CRANE GAME TECHNIQUES 101 from the Official Japan Crane Game Association.
In the episode, John Daub and Kevin Riley go on an eating rampage though Kyoto's Nishiki Ichiba Market near Gion. The market dates back to the year 1310 and is steeped in history and Japanese delicacies. Join us on our food tour through Japan's cultural center.
"Japanese sake. Let's go on an adventure across Japan to learn about the country's official drink. How do you make this stuff? How should it taste? Is polish size important? Is it like wine or like beer? How do you drink it? John Daub got a chance to tour Dassai Brewery with the company's CEO, the world's hottest sake brand to get those answers.
"Japanese Mascots have gone wild all over Japan! There are literally thousands of them representing local towns and areas, cities, government agencies, banks, products – even prisons! Japanese mascots are called “yuru chara†in Japan and there are certain guidelines to become one: 1) The character must convey a love for the local area or hometown 2) Character movements or behavior should be unique, unstable or awkward 3) They should also be YURUI meaning unsophisticated, laid-bak – and absolutely lovable!
Japan is home to a lot of martial arts, many of which John can not physically do. However, there's one he can ... SPOCHAN! It uses air swords and doesn't require a big financial investment. Basically, that means not only will you survive a blow from a sword, you can dish them out without being arrested.
Japanese Vending Machines combine technology with convenience. Now, let's take that to the next level ... THE VENDING MACHINE RESTAURANT
In this episode, John travels from Tokyo to Sapporo and spends a couple of days exploring the attractions at Odori Park and Susukino, Sapporo's entertainment district. We feature Sapporo TVs Attack on Titan snow sculpture and light show as well as tour the Dragon Ball , Macau's Ruins of St. Paul and The Hokkaido Shinkansen snow sculptures.
Forget the selfie! It's time to discover the Japanese Purikura Photo Sticker Booths. It's hard to compete with the almighty smart phone these days, but the purikura “print club†booths have evolved into a US$50M a year industry and a place were one can be beamed into the professional model fantasy world ... if only for 10 minutes. Girls love them. Guys? Not so much, but hey ... purikura are ONLY in JAPAN and it's certainly something everyone should try when visiting.
Every now and then something very bizarre from Japan pops up in the news. This time, it happens to be bright pink and carried around the streets of a town near Tokyo. The Kanamara Matsuri / Festival is definitely unusual but there is much more to this story including a strong historical backbone and religious significance.
VOLCANIC SAND BATH? YES!! Welcome to Ibusuki, Kagoshima! In this episode, John travels to Kagoshima prefecture on the bottom of Kyushu to visit this unique style of onsen. It's call suna mushi onsen in Japan. This style of Volcanic Sand Bath is only in Ibusuki, Kagoshima.
RAMEN!! When you come to Japan, you know this is a meal not to be missed and Sapporo is home to some of Japan's best ramen restaurants. One place in particular has a long history of serving hungry customers. SAPPORO RAMAE ALLEY or Ganso Sapporo Ramen Yokocho in Japanese is located in Sapporo's Susukino entertainment district and provides bowls from 11:00 to past midnight. Miso Ramen is the specialty ... the toppings? It can get quite creative!
I was in the basement supermarket in Shibuya and -- THERE IT WAS! THE WHITE STRAWBERRY! I could smell it a few meters away. Was it real? (Yes, it was.) One white strawberry cost 1080 Yen (US$10.00) so I decided to learn more about the Japanese white strawberry and unbox it for you in this video ... and that is what this episode is all about.
Greetings from Ueno Park in Tokyo! It's John and I wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who has supported the show since it started. This month, I will create a special show to look back on the first 50 episodes and answer your questions.
Who needs a bartender when you can replace him with a vending machine! Japan is loaded with amazing vending machines -- and in this episode, John travels with a JR Tokyo Wide Rail Pass from Tokyo to Echigo Yuzawa to sample a lot of Niigata's best sakes from the SAKE TASTING VENDING MACHINE!!
Tokyo is loaded with museums, hundreds of them from art to science. If normal museums are a bore to you or you want to try something new, let me tell you about this place! The TOKYO MUSEUM OF SEWAGE! Here, you'll spend the day learning about Tokyo's sewer system, how it works and even get a chance to go inside the main sewer pipe suspending on a platform over the free flowing raw crap. Perfect for families -- or maybe for the second or third date with someone special :) either way, Kodaira city is a really relaxing place to hang out, a few really cool cafes and restaurants near the station.
There are some places in this world we have to visit before we die. Places that are so unbelievably beautiful that we need to see it with our own eyes to believe it. This Japanese National Park in Hitachi is one of those places. Between April 15 to May 10, it becomes a place where the ground meets the sky – the Nemophilia flowers, also known as Baby Blue Eyes, bloom making a fantastic landscape that can't be compared to anything else on earth.
John Daub heads to Shibamata in the Northeast part of the city for some amazing Japanese cuisine on a stick! Angela joins in for the fun. This part of Tokyo retains its Showa period charm, laid-back and easy to get around.
Zentsuji in Kagawa Prefecture is the home to Japan's SQUARE WATERMELONS and I travel to Shikoku Island to the very spot where they've been producing them for decades. In this Man vs. Nature battle, mankind seems to have won -- but at the expensive costs to produce square watermelons, a luxury fruit, does anyone actually want one?
Yes, Japan has a desert compete with camels, sane dunes and ... a world class art museum with sand sculptures! This time, John heads to this barren wasteland devoid of vending machines for a taste of the Sahara – in Japan. 100,000 years ago, this area turned into a desert because sand flew in from the sea accumulating over many millennia. The result is a 16 km by 2 km wide desert that was growing until about 50 years ago when the city residents decided enough was enough.
(Almost) Everything you want to know about John and ONLY In JAPAN. This episode was made for you. John takes you to several places around the city: Shibuya, Tokyo Station, Marunouchi, Harajuku, Omotesando, Yoyogi Park, Odaiba in VR 360 video!
The world is full of amazing street parties, music festivals and carnivals! In Japan, there's this the AWA ODORI. It's held annually in Tokushima and it's historically -- a big drunken dance party in the streets! That's right, Samurai were even banned from joining in 1671 because they were continually disgracing themselves. (It was for their own protection.) Tokushima is known for its love of dance and drinking, the jolliest place in Japan!
Don't be frightened! In Japan, bath houses are everywhere, but none are as mystical as Dogo Onsen. Sure, it's a place where you get naked with a bunch of strangers to clean yourself and relax in therapeutic waters, but what makes this public onsen special is that it's also open to everyone including those with tattoos, a rarity in Japan. You can't stay the night here, but you can take in the magical environment that places you in what seems like a totally different world.
UDON!! A hot bowl of noddles in Tokyo always hits the spot on a cold day. Instead of ramen, let's go for UDON, which is both healthier (don't eat too much tempura!) and more fun to eat. In this episode, John travels from Tokyo to Kagawa Prefecture and the Sakuki region for handmade bowls of udon noodles and soup. Let's explore the kitchen, watch them cook and serve like pros -- and of course EAT, EAT and EAT!
One of Tokyo's most famous food alleys is at Shinjuku's West gate where loads of yakitori and motsunabe restaurants date back to the late 1940s. It's a street food paradise where you can see and smell the grilling and frying -- hungry, you will be! In this episode, John and Shingo visit OMOIDE YOKOCHO (æ€ã„出横ä¸) or ""Memory Lane"". Have a look around the alley and shops in 360 VR!
Japan is a country with some of the best food in the world, certainly not exclusive to Tokyo or Osaka! I hope you're hungry because I'm traveling 550 km north to Iwate Prefecture in the Japanese countryside to stuff my mouth with as much good food as I can!
In this episode, John travels to Seki city in Gifu prefecture to check out the CUTLERY FESTIVAL known as the HAMONO MATSURI in Japan. Now only will you find over 43 knife makers selling their best at discounted prices, you'll see the most unique knives anywhere as well as Chanbara performances (Samurai Sword Fight Acting). The most unique part of the Hamono Festuval is an authentic demonstration of traditional sword forging using Tamahagane Steel.
Christmas shopping can be stressful ... but not today! I've found a Japanese Vending Machine that is perfect, making it easy for you to shop and save time -- and save money! There are over 650 of these King's Treasure Box vending machines around Tokyo ー and what's inside may surprise you! I spoke with the creator and CEO of these special vending machines who gave me an inside look at the machine -- and all that treasure!