31 Things I Love About Japan (And 5 That Drive Me Crazy!)
Yellow Productions
8,128 views
Planning a trip to Japan? From the world-class transit network to the incredible food, there is so much to love—but navigating the hyper-dense cities and rigid operational rules can sometimes be a challenge! ✅ Get 10% off eSIM at Simlocal with code "YELLOW" here: https://yelloww.co/simlocaljapan
In this video, we are breaking down 31 things we absolutely love about traveling in Japan, alongside 5 realities that drive me just a little crazy. We'll explore the second-level accuracy of the Shinkansen, the subterranean culinary ecosystems of depachika, the deep comfort of Japanese hospitality, and why you should never expect to find a public trash can.
😀 Yellow Productions Merchandise:
https://shop.yellow-productions.com/
😀 WHEN'S THE NEXT LIVE STREAM? Sign-up for e-mail notifications of future scheduled live streams here: https://update.yellow-productions.com
🚀 My travel video gear:
Main Camera: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo - https://amzn.to/3H5MjL3
Microphone: DJI Mic 3 - https://amzn.to/3JUvcQT
2nd Camera: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - https://amzn.to/4gpyms3
Simple Microphone: RØDE Wireless Micro - https://amzn.to/4oxyLLx
Day Bag: Pacsafe LS250 Anti-theft Shoulder Bag - http://amzn.to/2h0YCNt
🔔 BUSINESS INQUIRIES: chris@yellow-productions.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Japan 31 Loves & 5 Crazies Countdowns
🚄 Part I: 31 Things I Love About Japan
0:30 - 1. Public Transit: Punctuality, Frequency, and Spotless Cleanliness
2:03 - 2. Urban Loop Lines (Yamanote Line & Osaka Loop Line)
4:10 - 3. Bullet Trains (The Shinkansen Network)
6:45 - 4. Station Lockers & Digital IC Card Integration
9:50 - 5. Luggage Delivery Services & Tokyo Disney Forwarding
13:17 - 6. Honesty & Low Rates of Petty Theft
15:45 - 7. Helpful & Trustworthy Tourist Information Centers
16:45 - 8. Plentiful, Free, and Clean Public Toilets
18:09 - 9. Meticulous Hotel Housekeeping Standards
19:08 - Channel Sponsor: Sim Local eSIM (Code: YELLOW)
20:56 - 10. High-Tech Washlet Toilet Systems
23:55 - Interlude: What Is Chris Drinking Today? (Jasmine High Mountain Oolong Tea)
25:35 - 11. Deep Soaking Bathtubs in Business Hotels
27:17 - 12. Generous Hotel Amenities, Toiletries, and Sleepwear
29:13 - 13. Traditional Ryokan Inn Immersion Experiences
31:46 - 14. Onsen (Hot Springs) Bathing Culture & Etiquette
36:32 - 15. Exceptional Public Safety Day and Night
37:19 - 16. Transparent Pricing & A Strict No Tipping Culture
37:47 - 17. Legendary Japanese Customer Service (Omotenashi)
39:27 - 18. 100-Yen Value Retailers (Daiso & Discount Shops)
39:56 - 19. Gachapon Capsule Toy Culture
41:11 - 20. Immersive Digital Art Museums (teamLab Planets & Borderless)
43:14 - 21. Historic Shrines and Temples Juxtaposed with Modernity
44:00 - 22. Mega Discount Labyrinths (Don Quijote & Electronic Mega-Stores)
45:38 - 23. Thematic Character Cafes (Doraemon & Pokémon)
46:44 - 24. Ekiben Box Lunch Culture (Train Station Bento Boxes)
49:26 - 25. Konbini (Convenience Stores as Food Destinations)
51:07 - 26. Traditional Japanese Style Seating (Tatami Floors)
52:06 - 27. Ubiquitous Vending Machines Everywhere
52:47 - 28. Meticulously Cultivated Luxury Fruit
54:36 - 29. World-Class Fresh Sushi and Sashimi Accessibility
56:08 - 30. High-End Beef (A5 Wagyu, Kobe Beef, and Gyutan)
57:08 - 31. Consistent Quality & Affordability of Gyoza
😡 Part II: 5 Things That Drive Me Crazy!
58:06 - Part II Overview
58:15 - Crazy #1: Intense Crowding & Rush Hour Trains
59:50 - Crazy #2: Complete Lack of Public Trash Cans
1:01:17 - Crazy #3: Microscopic Business Hotel Rooms
1:03:32 - Crazy #4: Inflexible Check-In and Breakfast Reservation Times
1:05:17 - Crazy #5: Bizarre Western Culinary Food Adaptations
💬 Community Interaction & Wrap-Up
1:07:59 - Q&A Session
11 Comments
An amazing destination with possibly the most friendly and welcoming people we’ve ever met!!
Looking forward to another visit in the not too distant future!!
I biked from Hita train station to the Oyama Dam (yes, I love AoT), from the Sapporo to the „Hill of the Buddha“ and from Shimoda to Cape Tsumeki and Shirahama Shrine (and back).
Except for Google Maps suggesting a route that just wasn’t there, it all went well, especially the interaction with motorized traffic was always relaxed.
And except for TeamLab, which I just didn’t visit yet, I can agree with every single like on your list.
Also: going to Sendai soon, so I’m looking forward to my first Gyūtan.
When it comes to your dislike:
- crowds: yes, it will be very crowded, but considering the crowd, it is still better than you would expect (or experience it in any other country)
- Trash cans: yes, but I always have a small bag pack with me, so carrying it isn’t too bad and as you mentioned: you can get rid of the bottles at the vending machines. And if you buy one and get rip off the old one, you never have more than one bottle on your bag
- Hotel rooms: yes, but I can live with that, especially seeing how cheap it is (weak Yen, another thing to look
- Check-in times: yes. But I just plan accordingly… either arriving in the evening (after spending the day in another city before traveling on) or just dropping off the suitcase and then exploring the city
Dislike being underground for trains transfer and using the monopoly currency just departing bills like it was used tissues and hotel rooms to tiny
Paper products like tissues or toilet paper - too thin and flimsy for my liking
31 Things I Love About Japan (And 5 That Drive Me Crazy!)
Yellow Productions
8,128 views
Planning a trip to Japan? From the world-class transit network to the incredible food, there is so much to love—but navigating the hyper-dense cities and rigid operational rules can sometimes be a challenge! ✅ Get 10% off eSIM at Simlocal with code "YELLOW" here: https://yelloww.co/simlocaljapan
In this video, we are breaking down 31 things we absolutely love about traveling in Japan, alongside 5 realities that drive me just a little crazy. We'll explore the second-level accuracy of the Shinkansen, the subterranean culinary ecosystems of depachika, the deep comfort of Japanese hospitality, and why you should never expect to find a public trash can.
😀 Yellow Productions Merchandise:
https://shop.yellow-productions.com/
😀 WHEN'S THE NEXT LIVE STREAM? Sign-up for e-mail notifications of future scheduled live streams here: https://update.yellow-productions.com
🚀 My travel video gear:
Main Camera: DJI Osmo Pocket 3 Creator Combo - https://amzn.to/3H5MjL3
Microphone: DJI Mic 3 - https://amzn.to/3JUvcQT
2nd Camera: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra - https://amzn.to/4gpyms3
Simple Microphone: RØDE Wireless Micro - https://amzn.to/4oxyLLx
Day Bag: Pacsafe LS250 Anti-theft Shoulder Bag - http://amzn.to/2h0YCNt
🔔 BUSINESS INQUIRIES: chris@yellow-productions.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
00:00 Japan 31 Loves & 5 Crazies Countdowns
🚄 Part I: 31 Things I Love About Japan
0:30 - 1. Public Transit: Punctuality, Frequency, and Spotless Cleanliness
2:03 - 2. Urban Loop Lines (Yamanote Line & Osaka Loop Line)
4:10 - 3. Bullet Trains (The Shinkansen Network)
6:45 - 4. Station Lockers & Digital IC Card Integration
9:50 - 5. Luggage Delivery Services & Tokyo Disney Forwarding
13:17 - 6. Honesty & Low Rates of Petty Theft
15:45 - 7. Helpful & Trustworthy Tourist Information Centers
16:45 - 8. Plentiful, Free, and Clean Public Toilets
18:09 - 9. Meticulous Hotel Housekeeping Standards
19:08 - Channel Sponsor: Sim Local eSIM (Code: YELLOW)
20:56 - 10. High-Tech Washlet Toilet Systems
23:55 - Interlude: What Is Chris Drinking Today? (Jasmine High Mountain Oolong Tea)
25:35 - 11. Deep Soaking Bathtubs in Business Hotels
27:17 - 12. Generous Hotel Amenities, Toiletries, and Sleepwear
29:13 - 13. Traditional Ryokan Inn Immersion Experiences
31:46 - 14. Onsen (Hot Springs) Bathing Culture & Etiquette
36:32 - 15. Exceptional Public Safety Day and Night
37:19 - 16. Transparent Pricing & A Strict No Tipping Culture
37:47 - 17. Legendary Japanese Customer Service (Omotenashi)
39:27 - 18. 100-Yen Value Retailers (Daiso & Discount Shops)
39:56 - 19. Gachapon Capsule Toy Culture
41:11 - 20. Immersive Digital Art Museums (teamLab Planets & Borderless)
43:14 - 21. Historic Shrines and Temples Juxtaposed with Modernity
44:00 - 22. Mega Discount Labyrinths (Don Quijote & Electronic Mega-Stores)
45:38 - 23. Thematic Character Cafes (Doraemon & Pokémon)
46:44 - 24. Ekiben Box Lunch Culture (Train Station Bento Boxes)
49:26 - 25. Konbini (Convenience Stores as Food Destinations)
51:07 - 26. Traditional Japanese Style Seating (Tatami Floors)
52:06 - 27. Ubiquitous Vending Machines Everywhere
52:47 - 28. Meticulously Cultivated Luxury Fruit
54:36 - 29. World-Class Fresh Sushi and Sashimi Accessibility
56:08 - 30. High-End Beef (A5 Wagyu, Kobe Beef, and Gyutan)
57:08 - 31. Consistent Quality & Affordability of Gyoza
😡 Part II: 5 Things That Drive Me Crazy!
58:06 - Part II Overview
58:15 - Crazy #1: Intense Crowding & Rush Hour Trains
59:50 - Crazy #2: Complete Lack of Public Trash Cans
1:01:17 - Crazy #3: Microscopic Business Hotel Rooms
1:03:32 - Crazy #4: Inflexible Check-In and Breakfast Reservation Times
1:05:17 - Crazy #5: Bizarre Western Culinary Food Adaptations
💬 Community Interaction & Wrap-Up
1:07:59 - Q&A Session