Countryside Adventures: Escaping Tokyo

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

Living in Japan: I Need to Get Out of Tokyo

Abroad in Japan

Jul 19, 2024

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Entertainment

The Worst Breakfast

  1. The narrator describes a seemingly healthy breakfast consisting of cultured butter, a mini croissant, protein yogurt, banana, cherries, and mixed nuts with chocolate. The packaging of the mixed nuts features an empowering message about the Thunder God bringing rain and fertility.
  2. The narrator mentions an annual pilgrimage made every early summer before Japan's weather becomes extremely hot. This pilgrimage has been a tradition for nine years and is essential for the narrator's mental well-being.
  3. Despite being born and raised in the countryside, the narrator now lives in Tokyo, the largest city on Earth. While Tokyo is an amazing city, the narrator feels a weight on their shoulders that is lifted when visiting the countryside.
  4. The narrator returns to the countryside, specifically to a place called Sucker, where they lived for the first three years in Japan. This place is considered the most beautiful in the country and holds significant personal value for the narrator.
  5. The first reason for returning is that this place changed the narrator's life through the people met, challenges faced, and self-discoveries made. Arriving in Japan with no language knowledge, money, or friends, the narrator left this place feeling more confident and appreciative of their journey.
  6. The second reason for returning is to retrieve a beloved tiny K car that was handed over to a person named Natsuki a few months ago. The narrator wants to ensure the car is still operational.
  7. The narrator recalls a past incident where they bought moldy cherries for someone named Charlotte and felt guilty about it. To make amends, the narrator has bought fresh cherries for Charlotte to enjoy later.

Cycling in a Rural Japanese Town

  1. The narrator discusses the benefits of using an ebike for cycling, highlighting its ability to travel 60 km on one charge with minimal effort required in pedaling.
  2. The plan is to use the ebike to get a K car, then trade the K car for a Ferrari, and eventually end up flying out of Osaka in a helicopter.
  3. The narrator appreciates the thrill of cycling without the effort and describes the surroundings, including a red-light district and a historical area where geishas used to gather.
  4. Despite living in the town for three years, the narrator discovers a temple for the first time, emphasizing the rewarding nature of exploring Japanese towns by bike.
  5. The narrator reflects on Japan's over-tourism problem but notes the absence of tourists in the area they are exploring, expressing a desire for more tourists to visit off-the-beaten-path places.
  6. The town of Sakata is described as dilapidated, with a population decline from 125,000 in 1980 to 95,000 today, yet it still appears well-maintained compared to affluent British towns.
  7. The narrator meets a monk named Utaki-san, who shows them the Sakata Daibutsu, a statue hidden in a kindergarten, and shares its history, including its reconstruction by his father 30 years ago.
  8. The narrator is impressed by the English fluency of Japanese monks and suggests that their methods of learning English should be shared with Japanese schools.
  9. A humorous anecdote is shared about a 'chicken food shop' that the narrator used to wonder about, revealing that it sells chicken for humans after learning to read the kanji.

The Pizza Man

  1. The narrator encounters a local shopkeeper selling a unique type of pizza called Ari Pizza, which is patented and designed to be eaten on the go.
  2. Ari Pizza is described as delicious, filled with bacon, cheese, tomato, and excitement, and the locals are very proud of it.
  3. The narrator emphasizes the friendliness of the local people and humorously warns against stealing the patented pizza idea.
  4. The journey continues with a brief stop for an equipment check, where the narrator discusses the importance of traveling light and showcases the contents of his camera bag.
  5. The camera bag includes a Sony A7 S3 vlogging camera, a drone for aerial footage, and the Insta360 GO 3S, a tiny 4K waterproof action camera.
  6. The narrator praises the Insta360 GO 3S for its compact size, ease of mounting, and immersive recording capabilities, highlighting its magnetic pendant and hat clip options.
  7. The camera's quick capture record button allows for authentic, hands-free recording, and its detachable action pod with a flip-out screen offers remote monitoring.
  8. The narrator shares a personal anecdote about losing the camera but quickly finding it using the built-in Apple Find My feature.
  9. The narrator concludes by expressing delight in the innovative design of the Insta360 GO 3S and provides a link for viewers to purchase the camera.

Natsuki BROKE My Car

  1. The conversation begins with a casual greeting between two individuals who haven't seen each other in a while. They exchange pleasantries and discuss their well-being.
  2. One person asks for the car keys, revealing that the other has been driving the car once a week to prevent the battery from dying. They describe the car as being in good condition.
  3. They proceed to inspect the car, with one person jokingly offering to trade the car for a bicycle or a toy car. They comment on the small size of the car, comparing it to a Disneyland attraction.
  4. The inspection continues with a focus on the engine. One person expresses concern as the car starts slowly, indicating potential issues with the battery. Despite the slow start, the car eventually starts up.
  5. Inside the car, they find a trendy magazine and a book, which one person humorously refers to as their 'Bible.' They emphasize the importance of the book.
  6. The conversation ends with a brake check, which is deemed satisfactory. However, there is lingering concern about the car's overall condition and reliability. They joke about having the magazine and cigarettes in case of a breakdown.

Road Trip Across Japan

  1. The narrator expresses excitement about driving their trusty K car and highlights the beauty of Japan's countryside, especially the rice fields from May to September. Despite the heat, the scenery is breathtaking.
  2. The narrator shares their personal connection to the Japanese countryside, particularly the Sha night plain, which is about 30 kilometers long. They describe the challenges of living there in winter due to heavy snow and difficult mountain passes.
  3. The narrator reflects on their three years living in the countryside, which sparked their sense of adventure and desire to explore all 47 prefectures of Japan. They humorously mention that if they weren't a YouTuber, they would enjoy being a postman in Yamagata, driving around and enjoying the scenery.
  4. An unexpected encounter occurs when a cyclist named Malik, who is traveling from Kagoshima to Hokkaido, spots the narrator's car. Malik, from Germany, is on a working holiday visa and plans to work in Hokkaido. The narrator expresses admiration for Malik's journey and wishes him luck.
  5. The narrator receives a call from Charlotte, who is waiting at a station. There is some confusion about their locations, but they eventually meet up. Charlotte is impressed by the spaciousness of the K car and the narrator jokes about its smell and the cherries they received as a gift.
  6. The narrator plans to take Charlotte on a tour of Yamagata, starting with their favorite temple, Haguro. They express excitement about sharing the beauty and culture of the region with her.

Intense Mountain Hike

  1. The narrator describes a beautiful forest in Japan, characterized by gushing streams, waterfalls, red lacquer bridges, temples, and shrines. The forest is described as ethereal and a favorite escape from Tokyo.
  2. The group plans to hike up 2,446 stairs to reach a temple with a thatch roof. The narrator mentions that they have never reached the top before and are unsure if they want to attempt it today. Halfway up, there is a cafe selling matcha green tea, which they plan to visit.
  3. The forest is described as stunning, with towering cedar trees and a magical atmosphere. The season is perfect, not too hot, with lots of greenery and flowers. The hike is noted to become very steep and challenging.
  4. The group successfully climbs 1,000 stairs and enjoys a rewarding view. They have lunch, which includes matcha green tea, freshly made mochi with red bean paste, and mushroom soup. The narrator's companion has a cracker biscuit with a sweet taste to complement the matcha.
  5. The narrator advises that visiting this part of Japan and climbing the stairs is a top activity. They mention that Yamagata is one of the holiest sites in Japan, though the climb is very challenging. They also note the danger of mochi, a food that causes choking incidents annually, especially during New Year's.
  6. The descent is anticipated to be easier, allowing them to enjoy the view. They plan to head to the coastline to witness a beautiful sunset in West Japan. The narrator humorously suggests a race to the bottom.

Sunset at the Beach

  1. The narrator describes the beauty of a sunset on the west coast of Japan, specifically on Hakan Island, which has a shrine on top.
  2. Despite the narrator's love for the area, they acknowledge that living there might become boring quickly.
  3. The narrator explains that Tokyo is essential for their career and social life, as all their friends and activities are based there.
  4. Even when living in a better-connected city like Sendai, the narrator frequently traveled to Tokyo, highlighting its importance.
  5. The narrator mentions that friends like Natsuki have also lived in Tokyo before moving back to the countryside, emphasizing the city's role in career development.
  6. There is a humorous anecdote about the impracticality of Natsuki running an Airbnb, comparing it to the chaotic management style of Basil Fawlty from the TV show 'Fawlty Towers.'
  7. The narrator concludes by mentioning plans to head back downtown to meet Natsuki.

British Vs. American English

  1. The text begins with a casual dinner scene where the characters are enjoying a platter of sausages and discussing their English studies.
  2. The conversation shifts to the differences between American and British English, with examples such as the pronunciation of 'water.'
  3. The characters humorously mimic both American and British accents, highlighting the distinct ways each pronounces 'water.'
  4. After their meal, the characters decide to visit their favorite downtown bar, run by a friend and former bandmate named Tenan.
  5. The bar, named Union Jack Collector, is a nostalgic place for one of the characters who used to visit frequently when they lived in the area.
  6. The text concludes with a reflection on the day's experiences, expressing gratitude for the enjoyable encounters and beautiful scenery in Saka.
  7. A mention of the sponsor, Insta360, and a call to action to check the description box for more details is included at the end.

Natsuki’s Acoustic Jam Session

  1. Natsuki and another person are having a conversation, but the dialogue is fragmented and unclear.
  2. There are multiple instances of music playing in the background, indicating an acoustic jam session.
  3. The conversation includes expressions of surprise and enjoyment, suggesting a casual and fun atmosphere.