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“Only” 8 Hours of Work Felt Like a Miracle in Tokyo — $2.46 Izakaya Binge

TSUNAGU | Hidden Japan

157,743 views

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📖 CHAPTERS
00:00 23-Year-Old Tokyo Salaryman Miracle — Off at 5PM, Heading to Asakusa
00:20 “Only” 8 Hours of Work… That Word Scares Me
01:06 Torikizoku Izakaya — Cheap Yakitori Dinner in Tokyo
01:39 “I’m starving. I need beer.”
02:14 Ordering — Beer, Edamame, Negi, Yakitori
03:15 “Let the feast begin… even if I’m alone.”
04:50 First Bite: Yakitori + Beer — The Taste of a Salaryman Reward
08:07 The 1L Mega Beer Arrives
08:31 More Orders: Chicken Nanban + Takikomi Gohan
09:22 Japan Tip: How to Be Liked — The Yakitori Skewer Move
09:58 Secret Trick: How to Bring Beer Foam Back (Izakaya Hack)
10:37 “This is the best thing here!” Chicken Nanban Reaction
11:37 “Best thing here… Part 2” Takikomi Gohan + Crispy Rice Heaven
13:46 What I Forgot in Tokyo
15:04 The Bill — Thank You for Supporting This Salaryman
15:48 Real Talk While Walking Asakusa — I Need Your Advice
16:45 My Monthly Expenses — ¥170,000 Take-Home Pay Breakdown
17:42 The Reality of a 23-Year-Old Salaryman in Tokyo
18:09 My Future Dream
18:29 Drop Your Advice in the Comments — It Might Help Someone Else Too
19:14 Thank You, TOMODACHI

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🎬 About This Video
Today, something rare happened: I got off work at 5PM.

In Tokyo, that feels like winning the lottery.

So I went to Asakusa and spent my “miracle” night at Torikizoku—390 yen plates, yakitori, and a stupidly big 1L beer. I came alone (like always)… but honestly, I wasn’t the only one. The guy next to me was also by himself—probably around 60. We didn’t talk, but somehow it made the place feel warmer. Like, different generations surviving the same city in their own way.

This video is just a small reward for making it through 2025—and a reminder that even “normal” things can feel like miracles here.

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🚩 Tags
#salarymaninjapan #burnout #lonely #offieceworker #tired #workinginjapan #salaryman #overworked #asakusa #yakitori

20 Comments

@Tsunagu_Hidden_Japan Creator 8 months ago Pinned

I know 2026 will still bring tough days:_Drink1::_Chicken1:—

but let’s get through them together. I’m on your side, always.

Lately I’ve realized something: choosing to care for others is one of the simplest things to say, and one of the hardest things to truly live—and that’s exactly why it matters so much. I didn’t see that before.

Thank you for being here today, everyone.😊😊

@HunterEste 8 months ago

The work culture in Japan sounds like literal hell on earth.

@psychodonkey121 8 months ago

I really hope that two of these lost salaryperson youtubers bump into each other while making a video and end up doing a collab while also making a new friend

@bunnyyboo 8 months ago

When you said I am cheering for you from Japan, I am cheering for you from Ireland. Thank you for these videos ♥

@7lennyy 8 months ago

My advice: stay true to yourself. Even though your situation might be stressful right now, don’t think it will stay that way forever. Life isn’t always about stability, and before you reach complete freedom, try to enjoy the simple things. I’m sure that if you work for a few more years and keep posting videos like these online, you’ll have enough money to travel the world and find a new place to settle. Your dedication and consistency are qualities that companies abroad are looking for, so don’t worry too much. You only have one life, so enjoy it as much as you can!

@CheekyCherry 8 months ago (edited)

Much love from Melbourne, Australia 💜
Your videos are exquisitely shot and your voice is so soothing. I'm really enjoying these little snippets and insights of Japanese life. I am visiting Japan in a couple of months, so I'm also noting your suggestions on the delicious foods to try!

Edit - since you asked us to think about your situation, I wanted to add my thoughts. Honestly, I think you are doing everything right - even though it feels like you're merely surviving, not building any forward momentum. Those late nights editing and creating engaging videos are an investment in the life you want. The footage you're collecting of these moments in time, while they seem insignificant now, you will appreciate in the years to come and look at them with fondness (and you will enjoy showing your children one day if you choose to start a family).

As someone who is now in her 40's, I am comfortable and earning enough to travel and buy the things I was convinced I needed to be happy. But I am nostalgic for the days where I was broke, but felt like I had an endless supply of blank pages on which to write my destiny. That's a feeling no amount of money will buy back. Silly little conversations, spontaneous shenanigans, encounters that went awry, those are the things that make me smile now.
I wasted a lot of time worrying about money, and my next promotion, when really, I had everything I needed to be happy in the moment.

Keep going as you are. You have real talent for documenting and commentary - your videos are a powerful reminder to be present and be grateful for small moments of pleasure and happiness. Keep building your channel - that will open opportunities for you in the future.

If I have any advice, it would be to allow yourself room for self-care and rest. Recharging is important. What your boss says to you now won't matter at all in 5 years time. And if you can, invest a little more time in human connections. Start small - it takes time and patience while you establish trust in a friendship or relationship, but it will enrich your life. Having 1 or 2 people with whom you can talk to over a post-work beer or a common interest/hobby will help you to see things from an outside perspective and give you relief from your own thoughts when they feel overwhelming.

Keep up the great work, wishing you a happy and fulfilling 2026!

@roccoreagan3409 8 months ago

8hrs is a extra day off in the Salarymans World!

@shellithundaa 8 months ago

Best advice I can give a young man like you.. and something a lot of people need … stop caring what anyone else thinks or how anyone feels about you your life or your decisions. They do not finance you or do anything for you and regardless of what you decide is best for you.. someone is going to have something negative to say.. BUT that is THEIR business.. none of yours. Do what makes YOU happy!! I guarantee you could make triple what you make now if you could find a remote job in another country.: the salary there is absolutely ridiculous

@Naton 8 months ago (edited)

6:00 Kaiji bear moment 🤣
16:29 MYR missing a 0

@TimewatcherBri 8 months ago

watching your video really makes someone think about cherishing the small things in life and even appreciating the simplistic that comes from the food we often take for granted

@Cleantech1145 8 months ago

18:00 im a 22 year old and recently i moved from argentina to spain, my dad and i sold the family car to afford the trip, we had like enough for a month of food and rent, the plan was to get us both a job in that period, that didnt happen so for the next month after that we were homeless and eating what people left in a mac donalds, we lost roughly 10 kg of bodyweight in that month but we made it through, i got a job for like a week and had enough for food, then another job and another till we both ended up with stable jobs, that took like 3 or 4 months of being at the bottom of the barrel, but now we are living our best lives yet earning 2000 euros each, my father is 58 yo, so my advice is to just do what you got to do, go through hell if you need to but dont let yourself get lost in a life that is going nowhere, go to australia my man, sacrifice the life that you have to get the life that you want, that's what i did and things just keep looking better and better, i wish fortune upon you my friend, let's grab ourselves a beer sometime :yougotthis:

@bhavinb.artstation 2 months ago (edited)

Hey buddy, the end of the video resonates with pretty much 90% of the audiences. The life that we once knew after seeing our parents and grandparents are not there anymore. In regards to that I hope you keep moving forward even if there is no light. I have seen guys at age 23-24 getting married and guys at age 38 still single. I have met the nicest and the worst, but you don't have to compare it with society. You just need to breathe and pray for grace and take one step at a time, unnecessary anxiety leads you nowhere.
I am too suffering from overwhelming depression but a few things that kept me going are my hobbies like working out or going for a walk or listening to music or movies. (I have been alone for the past 6yrs now imagine that, since my work was mostly remote I barely got the chance to hangout and to visit different places.) I pray for your good health friend and I hope your wishes come true.(P.s.I haven't reached 30 but still.)

@jamierussell3017 8 months ago

My friend. I think this job is not worth losing your youth, your health, and your romance. We will be here to watch and support you. I truly believe there is a better path for you out there.

@jinxluvqt 8 months ago

i would consider you my friend you seem pretty chill

@agnivade7258 1 month ago

Trust me when I say this. You are one of the lucky ones! People struggling to survive all over the world! And don't sell yourself short. You are as good or may even be better than the person next to you. Sending love from Canada.

@NoahShalom8 8 months ago

First, please know that what you’re feeling is completely valid. Feeling lost, tired, or unsure after giving so much of yourself to work doesn’t mean you’re weak. It actually means you’re aware.

My small advice would be this, don’t measure your life only by how hard you’re working right now. Work is important, but it shouldn’t be the only thing that defines your existence. Try to slowly discover what gives you meaning outside your job, even if it’s something very small. A hobby, learning something new, creating something, or simply having one thing you look forward to every day.

Also, if possible, try to build at least one or two deep human connections. True friendship or love doesn’t have to be many people. Even one genuine person can make life feel lighter. Where I come from, long-lasting friendships are considered a real form of wealth.

Most importantly, don’t rush life or compare yourself with others. You’re doing your best with the circumstances you have. Growth doesn’t always look dramatic; sometimes it’s just surviving another day with honesty and kindness.

You’re stronger than you think, and this phase won’t define your entire life. Keep moving forward, one step at a time. Many of us are quietly rooting for you.

And I’ll end with a line that I, and many of us in India 🇮🇳—especially those who watch Indian cinema and love Shah Rukh Khan—truly believe in:
“If you truly desire something with all your heart, the entire universe begins to conspire to help you achieve it.”

Take care and keep going, brother 🌱

@trentonwheler7592 7 months ago (edited)

Best wishes from Toronto, Canada.

@maxim.68 8 months ago

Look man you have a youtube channel with almost 100k subscribers. Use that to your advantage. I don't know how it works in Japan but obviously you don't like your job. When you feel is the right time, quit. Again, you got an insanely good resume with your youtube channel, maybe find a job for example in Marketing, that you really enjoy. Or if you feel ready to, go all in on youtube. When done right, youtube pays really good. Especially with sponsors. You got a great future man your storytelling, your art, the way you design your videos, I'm very impressed man!