Living in Japan's biggest Samurai Town (Naraijuku)

Living in Japan's biggest Samurai Town (Naraijuku) | Japan Documentary

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Күн бұрын

Living in Japan's biggest Samurai Town
What is it like living in a 200 year old preserved Samurai town?
Naraijuku is the longest Shukuba, or post town in all of Japan.
It is one of the stations on the Nakasendo, an ancient road connecting Kyoto and what is today's Tokyo.
In this short documentary, we will talk to the people living in the old town and find out what it takes to maintain the 1 km long road of preserved wooden houses we find in Narai today.
Find the full interviews on Patreon (Yudansha tier and higher): / japanesejourney
The picture at 7:56 is by Akinori Imai, owner of Matsuya Sabo, who holds the copyright (the gentleman at 5:17). He has posted this and many other great pictures on / matsuyasabo .
Proper security measures were implemented while shooting this video.
Places seen in the video in order of appearance:
Narai: goo.gl/maps/jvsJJoae999fNVHr9
Cafe Izumiya: goo.gl/maps/ddxhdAwuzCKAt5vp6
Echigoya: goo.gl/maps/swiC1ukMqLUhECJQ9
Iseya: goo.gl/maps/iidQoZbpVef5T9Ef6
Matsuya Sabo: goo.gl/maps/vsdX7GesSC2NCCjy5
Cafe Miyama: goo.gl/maps/GgMRbPAAMyPWKZks5
One time donations: www.tipeeestream.com/japanese...
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Content of this Japan Documentary:
0:00 An old samurai town
0:46 Turning a residential house into a cafe
1:20 What do Narai's citizens like about the town?
3:27 How to protect the town from fire
4:07 Cost of preservation
7:26 Full interviews on Patreon
7:39 Challenges living in Naraijuku
9:03 How things changed over time
12:00 More to come?
12:09 The BEST thing about Narai
14:19 Shoutout to the best supporters imaginable!

Пікірлер: 77

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Naraijuku is a spectacular town and there is so much more to explore there! The big question is: Should we go back? Let me know below.

@ToKiniAndy 2 жыл бұрын

I'm so happy we could be a part of this. Great job, for real. Can't wait to go back for a visit!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much Andy! Without your and Yuki's support, this would have never worked out!

@mikaoliveri Жыл бұрын

My friends and I have been watching your excellent videos on Genki to supplement our Japanese course and I was so thrilled to see you in this video at the end!!

@daniel-panek 2 жыл бұрын

I think you could really feel what it must be like to live there. I understand the "time moves more slowly" idea. The production quality is top notch, like always.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Daniel!

@nerimed9617 2 жыл бұрын

I have always seen photos of Naraijuku being shared online, to the point that it's kind of iconic, but I didn't know the town itself had such an amazing story to tell. Thank you for bringing it to light!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for watching Demiren! ☺️

@williambailey9950 Жыл бұрын

I'd definitely like to see more. I'm already excited to potentially go see this town when I go back to visit family.

@musashi28 2 жыл бұрын

Wonderful Video with lovely people and a nice explanation of many things so it was really informative! Please keep doing such great videos and lovely greetings from Germany to Japan!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your kind words Musashi94! Grüße zurück in die Heimat!

@OliveirosDiasJr 2 жыл бұрын

Beautiful people and town! Who knows someday I will be there! Thank you for this video!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment Oliveiros!

@creeperwasfound703 2 жыл бұрын

This town give the feeling of edo period of Japan

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

It's a great place to visit Sabka Daddy. If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend it.

@cooktan5665 Жыл бұрын

It's so nice to learn about the beauty, culture, and history of Samurai Town in Japan. Thanks for sharing it.

@meinsternes4148 3 ай бұрын

Been there last year, stayed for a few days there during winter. It's beautiful

@ptresise 3 ай бұрын

Very interesting video, thankyou

@nicolefernandez92 Жыл бұрын

✨Outstanding/beautiful ✨ Wish to visit wonderful/ancient Japan some years

@dreamysenpai 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! This video is so good! It helped me to learn more about these places Can't wait for more videos like this 😍

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you DreamySempai! Much more to come!

@FloETZM 2 жыл бұрын

Great Video man !! High Quality !! Absolutely informative and tonnnnnns of work !! Thank for that one 💜💜👌👽

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words Flo! Appreciate it!

@bmorioka6 2 жыл бұрын

This video on Naraijyuku was introduced to me by Mr.Imai, the owner of Matsuaya Sabo Coffee shop. I stayed many days in Naraijyuku as a tour guide for foreign country guests. This video on Naraijyuku is the best I have ever seen both in Japanese and English. It tells about the history of Naraijyuku but also about it people supporting Naraijyuku. I am very glad to see this video and am now ready to share this video with all my foreign guests and friends overseas. I will keep an eye on this Japan journey channel. You have done a good job. Bob Morioka, Karuizawa, Japan.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this kind comment Morioka-san! It made me really happy to read that. Please give my regards to Imai-san should you meet him next. Kind regards, Johannes (from Nagano city)

@danialmcfarland3888 Жыл бұрын

I hope to visit this little town someday

@NinjaMonkeyguy 2 жыл бұрын

Really interesting docustyle video, once again top quality too! Its really made me want to visit this place so mission accomplished!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Nathan! Hope you'll be able to visit soon!

@kirstinetermansen2213 2 жыл бұрын

The garden,. Indoor gardens, light, and bonsai

@MaDmanex100 2 жыл бұрын

This looks like a interesting town! I might pay a visit for my 2 week adventure.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

I'm sure you would enjoy it Glass empty!

@crabbearyscottage9899 2 жыл бұрын

I have a special place in my heart for old things, and seeing an old still living town is a dream come true and I want to live there!

@sonnycrockett2079 2 жыл бұрын

New subscriber here! Love this video with all the warmth, charm and history of that area; just beautiful. I also got a big kick out of the collectibles in that woman’s tea house. Godzilla and Gigantor (T-28) are two of my favorites! Thank you., great vid!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot and welcome to the channel!

@ldyromgoth 2 жыл бұрын

Would enjoy seeing more on this unique place.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment Patricia!

@Living1980s 2 жыл бұрын

I just found you! Actually I saw that bathroom video, now this. You've changed like a star. In that video you were so nervous and now like a Pro!!! Great work friend!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks a lot Eshan! It has been quite the journey indeed!

@etherdog 2 жыл бұрын

Wow! I've lived in big cities before and now live a bit outside of a university town and have great neighbors (most of them), and the quality of life is so much easier, so I can relate to the sentiments at the end about how the people make a place. I was also impressed that they managed to get rid of the overhead wires. Great story, Johannes! Vielen dank! Oh, Norm Nakmura from Tokyo Lens did a story here last year but you went into much more detail and personalization.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah totally, neighbours are super important when it comes to quality of living. I remember Norm's video, I think he went early in the morning on a rainy day. That makes me think it would be great to go there when it's snowing.

@-LightSmit 2 жыл бұрын

How amazing! Well done. 抹茶 looked amazing 🍵.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Wynand! It was!

@nilpos 2 жыл бұрын

100% you have to go back! this was a great video

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment Nils. Not unlikely.

@travgpeters1 2 жыл бұрын

awesome video . watching from Northern Ontario Canada . been to japan 3 times since 2017 . was supposed to go back for trip #4 last year but covid-19 ruined that . hopefully i can go back soon

@MultiOranuch 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing and very interesting. When I was a child in Bangkok so I watched TV and series of Samurai Film every week. Always fascinated of Samurai life, really. I have not been in Japan but have intention to visit Japn in near future .. After Covid time, hope so... And EDO - and Samurai Town will be visited for sure :-) Best wishes and Thanks a lot. From STOCKHOLM - SWEDEN

@yatishtries 2 жыл бұрын

great video. Also it would be more interesting if you could somehow convey more of the guests' personalities. it seems like a vague thing but when I see channels of someone like abroad in japan they are able to display the raw personalities of their guests, I'm sure that will come from more experience. good luck!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the feedback yatish Tries, appreciate it.

@mirrorm00n 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing docu, man. New sub here. I aspire to be like you someday, making docu here in Japan. Right now, i'm trying my best to settle and learn the language. Make more videos!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the kind words man and all the best here in Japan!

@dennisgiguere5166 Жыл бұрын

Make more video's of the Samurai town.

@peachgumdrop8067 2 жыл бұрын

Hello! I saw your video on how to get an IT job in Japan and it was really awesome! I was hoping to get a bachelors in psychology in university, minoring in computer science. Also, I’m planning on graduating a year early (3 rather than 4 years), and doing as many projects and such as possible to boost my resume. Do you think that although I have many hindrances (new grad, unrelated major), I could still potentially get an IT job in Japan? Do you have any tips to help boost my chances? Thank you!

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for your comment, Explained. When looking at it from a company's perspective, what can you offer they want? If you have no experience, your chances are not high, but it's not impossible. If your Japanese is good, you could try going the traditional route of post-university job search. If not, depending on where you are from, you might be able to get a working holiday visa, then come here and do some internships to get your foot into the door.

@patricksmith3135 2 жыл бұрын

I have a question: What is the recipe for preparing a cup of Macha tea? How much Macha powder to how much boiling water? My tin of Macha has only japanese writing on the side and when I made it, it was terrible. Danke.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Hello Patrick, I hope everything is going well and you and your family is healthy! I'm not actually sure about the ratio. I asked Imai-san why his Matcha was so delicious and he said it depends on the matcha itself and the way it's mixed with the chasen (Bamboo tea whisker). I've never made matcha myself, so I can't give advice beyond that.

@kirstinetermansen2213 2 жыл бұрын

So beutyfull place ♥️👉♥️♥️

@kirstinetermansen2213 2 жыл бұрын

The fish inside, I also protect, house

@Neceros 2 жыл бұрын

Is it better for a tourist to stay in the cities, or venture into the countryside?

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

I think that depends on your interests. If you are coming for the first time, getting a taste of both may be best.

@ahel5797 2 жыл бұрын

This town name Naraijuku?

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for asking Himawari. Yes, it is.

@ahel5797 2 жыл бұрын

@@JapaneseJourney Thanks!

@robertb.seddon1687 2 жыл бұрын

😎🤙🕉

@abhiraajinterior5105 2 жыл бұрын

@ProfDrUZI 2 жыл бұрын

Hochinteressant!

@FrankyFrank72 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah but where is the proof that you say makes this place a Samurai town?

@gerryn2 2 жыл бұрын

Sorry but you make a point to show the life of people living there, but you only interview business owners that are interested in promoting their business........ Where are the actual people living there, and how are their lives?

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your comment Gerry. That's of course a fair point. All the people I've interviewed for this video own their stores and live in Narai. While I did ask them about their businesses as well in the interviews, these parts didn't come up in the video. What kind of structure would you have preferred to see? Following a person living their life for a day or similar?

@gerryn2 2 жыл бұрын

@@JapaneseJourney I don't know, I'm just commenting on what I saw. But I think if you, or anyone else, are covering the life of people in a place, include some of the people too, not just the "upper class" let's say. Of course not every business owner is doing well or is upper class but it makes the thing more nuanced, right? That's all I meant.

@ToKiniAndy 2 жыл бұрын

@@gerryn2 The vast majority of people living in Narai Juku now are business owners, as it's only industry is tourism.

@eliteking6985 2 жыл бұрын

Click bait? I didn’t see or hear anything Samurai related. The town seems amazing but I strongly dislike click bait videos like this.

@johnh3267 2 жыл бұрын

The first featured business, Cafe Izumiya, has an Instagram account, @shukuba_cafe_izumiya. There are lots of mouth-watering photos of the treats they offer, plus some photos in and around Narai. The town seems to be totally devoted to tourism these days. The Naraijuku website lists 9 places to stay, 22 places to eat, and 27 places to buy souvenirs, so there are still many places to check out. I wonder if many of the businesses close during the very snowy winters. The 6km walk along the old Nakasendo trail through forest and over the Torii pass to Yabuhara is really worth doing.

@JapaneseJourney 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing John!

@ToKiniAndy 2 жыл бұрын

Interestingly, in a way it always has been. It's the "longest" inn-town in Japan, which means it was probably the most popular town for travelers to stay in hundreds of years ago.