I Spent a Day at Japan's Worst Tourist Trap
Summary
TLDRIn this investigative journey, the host explores Japan's notorious tourist traps to assess the reality behind sensational headlines about 'over tourism.' Visiting iconic locations like Tsukiji Outer Market, Harajuku, and Kyoto's Nishiki Market, the host discovers that while some spots may be overpriced or crowded, the overall experience remains enjoyable with the right approach. The video offers practical tips for travelers, including visiting on weekdays and avoiding overhyped foods, concluding that Japan's tourist spots are still worth exploring despite the hype.
Takeaways
- 🗣️ The video discusses the concept of 'over tourism' in Japan, highlighting the sensationalized media portrayal and contrasting it with the actual experiences on the ground.
- 😱 The script humorously introduces the idea of a 'worst word' in Japanese, which turns out to be 'over tourism', playing on the audience's curiosity and expectations.
- 📰 The video references various sensational headlines about issues in Japan, such as overcrowding and health scares, to illustrate the disconnect between news and reality.
- 🤔 The narrator embarks on an investigation to explore tourist traps in Japan, aiming to assess whether they live up to their negative reputations.
- 🍣 The Tsukiji Outer Market is presented as a bustling food destination with some overpriced items, but also offers reasonable deals if you know where to look.
- 👘 Harajuku is depicted as a polarizing location, with the narrator disliking it for its commercialism but acknowledging that others may find it enjoyable.
- 🍢 The script humorously describes trying various street foods, some of which are overpriced or not as expected, reflecting the hit-or-miss nature of food tourism.
- 🏯 Asakusa is portrayed as a mix of cultural heritage and touristy shops, suggesting that while it can be crowded, it still holds charm for some visitors.
- 🍶 Nishiki Market in Kyoto is recommended as a place to avoid on weekends due to crowds, but it offers a unique experience with a variety of food and drink.
- 🏞️ Gion, Kyoto's geisha district, has implemented measures to protect its cultural integrity, showing a response to over tourism and the importance of respect for local customs.
- 🤑 A key lesson from the video is to be wary of overpriced items, particularly 'Kobe beef', and to seek value for money when exploring tourist destinations.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video script?
-The main topic of the video script is an exploration of the concept of 'over tourism' in Japan, particularly focusing on the experiences at various tourist traps and the reality versus the sensationalized media portrayal.
What is the 'worst word' in the Japanese dictionary mentioned in the script?
-The 'worst word' mentioned in the script is 'over tourism,' which the speaker humorously describes as hideous and disgusting, but then reveals to be a literal term for the excessive number of tourists in an area.
What are some of the sensational headlines mentioned in the script that contribute to the fear of over tourism in Japan?
-Some of the sensational headlines mentioned include 'The Great Mount Fuji blocked by a wall of foreigners,' 'foreigners riding and crashing go-karts in Tokyo,' and 'a flesh-eating bacteria spreading among the masses.'
What is the actual number of cases of the flesh-eating bacteria in Japan in the first half of 2012, according to the script?
-According to the script, there were 977 cases of the flesh-eating bacteria in the first half of 2012 out of 125 million people.
What is the name of the snack box service mentioned in the script?
-The name of the snack box service mentioned in the script is 'sakuro,' which offers a monthly subscription box of Japanese artisan snacks.
What are the five tourist traps visited in the script?
-The five tourist traps visited in the script are Tsukiji Outer Market, Harajuku, Asakusa, Nishi Market in Kyoto, and Gion in Kyoto.
What is the main criticism of Tsukiji Outer Market in the script?
-The main criticism of Tsukiji Outer Market in the script is the high prices of certain food items, particularly the 'inbound dog' rice bowls, which are overpriced compared to regular prices in Tokyo.
What is the general feeling towards Harajuku expressed in the script?
-The general feeling towards Harajuku expressed in the script is one of disdain, with the speaker describing it as standing against everything they believe in, including shopping, fashion, and fun.
What is the surprising revelation about the crowds at Nishi Market in Kyoto?
-The surprising revelation about the crowds at Nishi Market in Kyoto is that it is not as crowded as expected, and the market is actually quite calm, especially on weekdays.
What advice does the script provide for visiting Kyoto?
-The script advises to avoid Kyoto on weekends as it is less crowded on weekdays. It also suggests visiting during the rainy season in June, as it is less crowded, and not to spend too much money on overpriced Kobe beef.
Outlines
🗣️ The Scourge of Overtourism in Japan
The speaker humorously addresses the concept of 'overtourism' in Japan, highlighting sensationalized media headlines that exaggerate the negative effects of tourism. They express skepticism about these stories and decide to investigate the reality of five major tourist spots in Japan, including Tsukiji Outer Market, Harajuku, and others, to see if they live up to their apocalyptic reputations. The tone is light-hearted, with a promise to engage with fellow travelers and share their perspectives.
🍣 Tsukiji Outer Market: Overpriced Delicacies?
The speaker visits Tsukiji Outer Market, known for its street food, and investigates claims of inflated prices due to tourism. They compare the cost of items like 'inbound don' and 'fatty tuna slices' to their usual prices in Tokyo, finding them significantly more expensive. Despite this, they find some reasonably priced food like unagi eel and discuss the overall experience, including the market's atmosphere and the impact of the new Toyosu Market on its customer base.
🛍️ Harajuku: A Fashionable Fiasco?
The speaker and a companion explore Harajuku, a district known for its unique fashion and culture, which the speaker dislikes. They humorously navigate the area, trying local street food and engaging with viewers who have a more positive view of the district. Despite their initial disdain, they find enjoyment in the experience, suggesting that Harajuku may be overhyped but still holds a certain appeal for some visitors.
🌈 Harajuku's Rainbow Cheese Sandwich: A Taste of Color or Culinary Catastrophe?
The speaker tries a colorful rainbow cheese sandwich in Harajuku, a dish that seems more about appearance than taste. They express disappointment with the quality of the food, likening it to an 'edible form of plastic' rather than actual cheese. This experience adds to their critique of Harajuku's overhyped food scene and contributes to their overall impression of the district.
🏮 Asakusa: Temples, Shrines, and the Taste of Tradition
The speaker visits Asakusa, known for the Senso-ji Temple and its bustling Nakamise shopping street. They discuss the crowded atmosphere and the commercialization of the area but also find enjoyment in the traditional Japanese snacks and the quieter side streets. They suggest visiting in the evening for a more peaceful experience and highlight the balance between cultural appreciation and touristic commercialization.
🍢 Nishiki Market: A Foodie's Paradise or Pricey Trap?
The speaker visits Nishiki Market in Kyoto, expecting it to be extremely crowded but finding it surprisingly calm. They caution against overpriced Kobe beef skewers and instead recommend enjoying the market's atmosphere and reasonably priced food like 'dango' and 'saké'. The speaker learns from local shopkeepers that weekdays are quieter, providing a tip for travelers seeking a more relaxed experience.
🎎 Gion: The Geisha District's Struggle with Overtourism
The speaker explores Gion, Kyoto's geisha district, noting the efforts to protect the area's heritage from overtourism, including restrictions on photography and entering private alleyways. They observe that tourists are becoming more respectful of the rules and find the area peaceful, contrary to their expectations. The speaker emphasizes the importance of respecting local culture while traveling.
🏯 Kyoto's Unexpected Tranquility Amidst Tourist Boom
The speaker concludes their investigation in Kyoto, reflecting on their experiences and the reality of overtourism. They find that despite the tourism boom, the areas they visited were more manageable than expected. They offer practical advice for travelers, such as visiting on weekdays and avoiding overpriced food items, and express a renewed appreciation for the balance between tourism and cultural preservation in Japan.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Overtourism
💡Fish Market
💡Harajuku
💡Kyoto
💡Gion
💡Nishiki Market
💡Wagyu Beef
💡Asakusa
💡Cultural Enlightenment
💡Sake
💡Tourist Trap
Highlights
The transcript discusses the phenomenon of 'over tourism' in Japan, exploring its impact on local culture and economy.
The author humorously introduces the concept of 'over tourism' as a 'word' that strikes fear into the hearts of some.
An investigation is launched into whether popular tourist spots in Japan live up to their hype or are overrated.
The Tsukiji Outer Market is visited, revealing high prices for certain food items but also reasonable alternatives.
The transcript humorously describes the high cost of 'inbound dog' rice bowls, a phenomenon attributed to tourism.
Harajuku is portrayed as a place of 'Kawaii culture' with a critical view of its commercialization and tourist appeal.
The author and a companion explore Harajuku, humorously engaging with its fashion and street food.
Asakusa is visited, revealing a mix of traditional culture and commercialized tourist experiences.
The transcript discusses the unexpected quietness of Kyoto, contrary to expectations of overcrowding.
Nishi Market in Kyoto is explored, with a focus on food pricing and the overall atmosphere of the market.
A warning is given about the high cost and misleading advertising of Kobe beef in Kyoto.
Gion, Kyoto's geisha district, is visited, noting the measures taken to protect its cultural integrity from tourists.
The transcript reflects on the overall experience of visiting Japan's most touristy spots, finding them surprisingly manageable.
Practical advice is given for visiting Kyoto, suggesting off-peak times and caution against overpriced food.
The author concludes that despite the concerns of over tourism, Japan's tourist spots remain enjoyable and navigable.
A final humorous note is struck about the author's own reputation for using strong language and the challenges of discussing sensitive topics.
Transcripts
there's a word going around right now a
word so hideous and disgusting it
strikes fear into the hearts of grown
man if the so much as hear it as a a
whisper on the wind I shall not speak of
this word all right I'll tell you I'll
tell you it's just I've got a bad enough
reputation for my use of bad language as
it is what's your language too much
ssing too much ssing indeed okay I'm
going to tell you the word the worst
word in the Japanese dictionary and the
word is the word is
over
tourism literally over tourism in
English sounds much cooler in Japanese
doesn't
it you've seen the headlines you know
the story The Great Mount Fuji blocked
by a wall foreigners riding and crashing
go-karts in Tokyo a real life Goblin on
the Loa plaguing the local gisha a flesh
eating bacteria spreading among the
masses what what's that all about then I
haven't heard that one a rare flesh
eating bacteria that can kill people in
48 hours is spreading in Japan
terrifying mortality rate death in 2
days oh maybe it's time to go on holiday
again but wait a minute 977 cases in the
first half of 20124 out of 125 million
people that's not too bad oh and
apparently comes from the UK as well and
we all know nothing that comes from the
UK could ever be bad nonsense just wash
your hands a bit is it but look if we to
believe Believe The Sensational news
headlines and there are many so very
many Japan has become a real life
hellscape it's like something between
Mad Max Mordor [ __ ] Mario Kart if
I've learned anything from headlines
over the years it's that exaggeration is
the name of the game there's often a
disconnect between the headlines and the
situation on the ground look I get that
Japan has a record number of overseas
tourists this year but for every
obnoxious gisha tormenting Goblin the
other 99% of Travelers aren't this
disgustingly obnoxious and I'm at risk
of becoming part of the problem by
talking about it here over and over on
YouTube so that ends today I'm going out
there I'm going to take one for the team
I'm going to run the gaunlet we're going
to explore Japan's biggest baddest
tourist traps and see if they're really
as apocalyptic as they're made out to be
and we're not going to just one tourist
trap we're going to five skije Fish
Market Harajuku Asaka Nishi Market in
Kyoto and guon and as we journey through
each location we'll chat with fellow
travelers to see what they make of it
all as well before coming back here to
reach our conclusions it's time for our
first ever abroad investigation gosh I
can't wait to slam a book shot at the
end of the video and say Case
[Music]
[Applause]
Closed Ski's outer Market is what
remains of the world's former biggest
fish market after most most of it
relocated 4 km across the bay to Toyota
in 2018 however the outer Market is
still going strong as one of the largest
street food markets in all of Tokyo but
after reading a recent article declaring
tourists should avoid the market at its
high prices amidst the phenomenon of
inbound Dawn a reference to overpriced
Dy rice bows aimed at inbound tourists
it seems what better place to kick off
our first
investigation so I haven't been to ski
outer Market in about 5 years since I
came here with riotoro and I enjoy it I
like it don't get me wrong it is a
tourist trap you know it's very touristy
and the food prices I've heard recently
are exorbitant so it's time to go
full-blown detective and see just how
bad these prices are and it's not long
before we have ourselves a lead as our
first suspect shows up the aformentioned
inbound dog what the
7,700 Yen I could scarcely believe it
that's why I need this bloody magnifying
glass cuz it's such a ridiculous price
for some frame of reference the bowl of
uni typically costs around 3 to 4,000
yen in most restaurants in Tokyo
likewise another nearby shop selling
cuts of fatty tuna is charging 5,000 yen
for four pieces granted it's the most
expensive car of tuna but even in a
mid-range sushi restaurant you'd expect
to pay about half the price for the
exact same thing and with table servers
thrown in seen some really really
expensive bowls of unit like 6,000 Yen
there was one that was 22,000 Yen down
the street a minute ago I spoke to the
woman that ran the shop as she said they
were organic so maybe May that's the
reason why but I think when you come to
a Street Market You're Expecting
Bargains right and here in ski why you
can expect all the food in the world you
can try pretty much any Japanese dish
going the number of Bargains are few and
far between so bear that in mind so far
today everything I've seen has been on
the pricey side for a Street Market
anyway I'll admit I hope to eat some
breakfast here at skije today but I'll
be damn if I'm paying for an overpriced
Fishbowl fortunately though I soon lay
my greedy Eyes Upon an unagi eel stand
with the scent of the salty sticky sweet
eel sauce wafting through the market and
it's actually at a reasonable price
surely it's too good to be true is this
really the good stuff tagi is one of the
most expensive fishes in Japan it's
about 1,000 yen but it's a lot of bang
for your
buck not too bad not too bad it's
interesting in canaza Fish Market it was
500 yen for one stick of unagi um but I
don't think there was as much as this so
yes it's a little bit pricey here but
you do get a lot of bang for buck and it
is quite
good oh so good I'd like to point out
the reason everything is red is not
because there's been a blood bath
because of these low low prices because
there's a massive red sheet above us I
think most foreign tourists coming here
might Overlook eel cuz it's not very
nice sounding dish but actually best
Valley fish I've had in the market all
day or seen and it tastes amazing you
know I'm really starting to enjoy this
investigation especially as I soon run
into Griffin an awesome American viewer
who's enjoyed a seafood Bowl but quickly
realized there's a far more
tantalizingly priced alternative
awaiting fellow Travelers so I got that
family Mark chicken because of you yes
don't come to SK you just get some
family chicken I mean you don't need
anything more than the family more
chicken let's be real like he's a wise
man Griffin thank you so much keep up
the good work thank you I don't eat too
much chicken go off a
bed promises so would I actually
recommend skije surprisingly yes the
atmosphere is still a ton of fun I love
getting lost down the markets many retro
streets and Alleyways hell it wasn't
even as crowded as I remember perhaps as
the new modern toyosu Market has stolen
away potential customers and tourists
just make sure you do your homework and
have a rough idea what you should be
paying so you don't walk away from skii
with a hole in your wallet when it comes
to Seafood balls and Sushi and so with
the touristy ski proving not to be quite
as bad as I'd initially feared it's time
to switch the game difficulty straight
to hard mode that's right it's time for
[Music]
all right so you might be wondering why
do I hate Harajuku so much and the truth
is it stands against everything that I
believe in shopping fashion most
importantly fun I despise it all still
no scientific investigation of Japan's
over tourism would be complete without
plunging head first into the Technicolor
[ __ ] show nightmare that is tees stre
said to be the birthplace of Japan's
Kawaii culture the style that places
emphasis on cuteness that since gained
traction around the world creating
offsho sh such as kiml Kawaii referring
to something so gross it's actually cute
and speaking of kiml kawaii I found the
perfect person to help me Tre these
cursed streets as I'm sure as hell not
doing it by
myself Tesa Street shopping capital of
Tokyo not just my least favorite place
in Japan but perhaps in the known
universe when you get to come to your
least favorite place you get to have a
side character we've
got hey thanks a lot takori help me Pete
this is one of the most horrific places
for two men nearing 40 years old we
don't belong here we don't know what
we're doing here there's no good food
here and by God I'm sober I got candy
floss I'm in let's go okay and so as two
men with an average age of 40 Trek down
the streets of their own midlife crisis
we engage in all that Harajuku has to
offer like fashion welcome to my
underground lair
it is appealing if you were maybe in
middle school or high school it has a
lot of like counterculture and clothing
stores none of which would fit us but
not every face on teesa street is as
sour as these two disgruntled YouTubers
as we run into some viewers who have a
more positive outlook on Tokyo's fashion
Capital this is like kind of consider a
bit this this is the Venice Beach it is
it is but are you guys enjoying it still
would you recommend it totally you
definitely recommend it to yeah totally
super fun cool shops cool fashion yeah
and you get to run into Peete as well
yeah well you know I don't want to take
them too much of the space but they are
here to see me it's pretty good I hang
out now I'm kidding but and so we
Soldier on what better way to understand
whether Harajuku is overhyped or not
than by trying some of the horrific
local street foods that plague Instagram
and Tik
Tok it's bigger than my head so wait
what's the uh practical way of eating
this cuz when I was a kid was just on a
little stick and you had a little bit
I'll be [ __ ] if I know PE you're the
expert an American tradition it
is you've seen the movie Alien with the
face hugger it's the
same like
that my it's like a character I have no
we though there you go there you go
peak's new friend he's made on his
journey it tastes quite good actually
it's sugar that's all this is Don't
Judge
Me content in the knowledge that today
was surely worth it we head on to search
for the final atrocity I mean dish one
might say a treasure the end of the
rainbow a maab rainbow cheese [ __ ] show
sandwich more food coloring than food so
I've got a bit of a reputation for
eating anything with cheese in it but
even this next dish stretches the
boundaries of my imagination and my
depravity look at this rainbow cheese
sandwich it's going to be good have you
had it before no but but the grilled
cheese sandwich is my favorite food in I
like history even in rainbow form even
in rainbow form uh let's I feel like
there's no way we could possibly mess
this up this might be a clinical
disaster
but look at
that this is
horrible the question is how do they
color the cheese cuz it is chees it's
mozzarella cheese right this is not
cheese okay this is an
edible form of plastic that has been
colored to suit a cheeselike substance
this is not this is not food look that's
not cheese you can't do that looks like
a fruit
rollup kind of like it
now still a cheese sandwich oh dear
certainly a lunch befitting of Harajuku
well thank you Pete for being my
bodyguard SL side character friend for
this ordeal do you enjoy your afternoon
in Haruki yep just five short minutes
down the street and we gained 14 lbs it
was great you know I actually enjoyed
this quite a bit uh my memory of huku
initially was dread when you told me
come meet me for the day I was like I
don't really like this place but given
the context I actually had a good time
today thanks for bringing me along was
it the company or was it the rainbow
cheese I think it was the company this
time not the rainbow cheese lovely so I
hate to ad Miss it that we had fun I did
I thanks best friends cuz it's har go I
hate to admit it but we had a good time
today from I'll see you again soon yeah
see you
guys well guys we've had some very
interesting Japanese dishes so far today
but what happens if you can't come to
Japan and try the tasty goodness all for
yourself there's a way you can enjoy
Japanese treats and the comfort of your
own home thanks to today's sponsor
sakuro sakuro is a monthly Japanese
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traditional authentic Japanese treats
including teas and even unique table
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heart as it's themed around the
festivals of tohoku the stunning region
in north Japan and home to some of the
liveliest celebrations in the country
throughout the summer season the Box
begins with this beautiful book CL
exploring the stories of each and every
snack feature within the box as well as
the all important allergy information
and the Box ends as always in my mouth
starting with pear gummies from Yamagata
whenever I used to go between Sendai and
Yamagata to visit Nai I pick these up
along the way Yamagata is famous for its
fresh fruit and by putting it in gummy
sweets they've worked out the perfect
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that's so good my God next up we have
Walnut mchi karumi mchi and this is an
awesome blend of mchi rice cake and soy
sauce and it's in an edible wrapping
paper I love it it's got that chewi and
also the crunchiness of the walnuts as
you take each and every bite bloody G
disturbingly satisfying and what better
way to wash all that down with Eon
matcha G MAA tea from Kyoto featuring
roasted rice and green tea I feel like
I've been transported to the tea fields
of Kyoto wonderful stuff and this month
we've got this charming Neco tenui cat
hand towel which is just the ticket to
mop my brow after eating all these
delicious snacks too delicious some
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our next stop is perhaps Tokyo's biggest
tourist magnet asakasa the historically
and culturally important District
surrounding the grand senoji Temple top
of most Travelers itineries the more
traditional back streets are blighted
with tacky gift shops at every turn but
perhaps that's half the charm if
anywhere in Tokyo is the focus of over
tourism it's certainly here but despite
that is it still worth a visit it looks
like another job for abroad
investigations
[Music]
so here we are at camaron literally
thundergate and it leads to nakam Street
which leads in turn to senoji Temple the
largest temple in Tokyo love it here
really cool area but make no mistake it
probably is the busiest point in Tokyo
and now we must begin navigating
thousands of people historically the
area around nakam Miss shopping street
used to be one of Tokyo's largest
entertainment hubs with Kabuki theaters
and other uh less Savory forms of
entertainment on hand nowadays as you
swim through the Sea of people
clambering to take a selfie next to the
iconic gate it's practically impossible
to move let alone enjoy any degree of
cultural Enlightenment Japan a land of
cultural historic historic culture what
better place to sell cartoon costume
mustaches who comes to S SOI Temple and
thinks yes what I want today is a
mustache to stick onto my face what
weird shot when we came down here made a
video a few years ago we came to the
conclusion it's nicer in the evening you
can enjoy the senoi temple all to
yourself and avoid the crowds and the
shops but pure photography I prefer
night time still the Allure of Seno's
atmospheric streets seems to outweigh
the crowds at least for the viewers I
meet wandering down nakam Miss stream
have you guys enjoyed it so far would
you recommend it actually coming here
yeah I would yeah the Stalls they are
touristy but they there quite nice
little tree kids you don't mind the
crowds and things the crowds for for an
hour or two for an hour or two yeah it's
quite authentic it's quite cool you
people think it's like a tourist trap
but like I think it's a fun experience
fun experience yeah have you bought
anything today have you spent anything
money on anything I bought this amazake
amazake non-alcoholic sake that's a good
where'd you get that I'm might have to
get something for
myself still while the crowds of nakam
Street a tantamount to an intensive
cattle farming experience head off down
one of the quietest side streets that
surround aaka and the district quickly
redeems itself especially when there's
delicious treats to be had Japanese
potato croat in a ring now I've seen
everything it's also the perfect way to
propose to your other half my favorite
thing about coming to Asaka isn't the
temples The Shrine of the culture it's
seeing the increasingly bizarre food
they come up with like every week
There's Something New prob actually a
little bit dry but it's actually not bad
if you'd asked me a couple of weeks ago
would I recommend aaka in the senoji
temple I would have been like yeah sure
go it's a cool place and yet now after
doing every single stop on the amote
line right a few weeks ago and exploring
places where you can have all of this
where you can have like temples and
shrines all to yourself I don't know if
I would recommend it anymore I don't
know so yeah I sucks give it a visit but
know that there are places where you can
kind of relax a bit more and enjoy the
temples and shrines and have them all to
yourself not that far from here but of
course no at those places you can't have
a potato in the shape of a ring and
that's what counts
just as I'm about to set off for Kyoto
some awesome viewers spot me at the side
of the road unfortunately in this case
stuffing my face with a potato ring and
it's to them that I'll leave the closing
thoughts on Asaka as a tourist
destination do you think it's it's worth
coming here I think so this is our first
time our first time I think so it's kind
of tough for for people on the
wheelchair this is life this is what we
have but I think it exceeds my
expectations first grade here I feel bad
standing here like stuffing my face with
this like potato ring enjoy your time
inan course have a good one well so far
despite all the apocalyptic headlines I
somehow remain relatively unscathed from
my travels albe it's some nasty
indigestion from the rainbow cheese
sandwich my God never again but no
investigation of Japan's worst tourist
traps and over tourism in general would
be complete without visiting the scene
of the crime itself C and so I hop on
the shinan S and head 2 and 1/2 hours
West to see just how bad the streets
have gone as I ride the shinhan S I'm
overcome with fear will I be swept away
in a river of tourists will I survive
the crowds unscathed well yes because
there's nobody here where the bloody
hell is everyone this is right in front
of Koto station here we are Kyoto we're
at higashi honganji Temple look at that
nobody here what over tourism and in
fact this site as well as being here
since the 17th century has got the fifth
biggest Bell in all of Japan the first
biggest B of course is incendi and he's
called rioto
Sakurai okay Koto might not be the ghost
town I've made it out to be we've simply
just stumbled across one of the many
spectacular temples that doesn't really
make the guide books so instead then
let's see how we fare at the most
crowded spot
[Music]
downtown dating back over 400 years and
affectionately referred to as Cotto's
kitchen our first stop in CTO is Nishi
Market which resides down a single
narrow bustling Street five blocks long
and jam-packed with over a 100 shops and
restaurants serving everything from
fresh fish and meat to confectionary and
sake unlike skii which is spread across
our whole neighborhood Nishi feels far
more intense given it's just the one
strength still how do the prices here
compare to the Preposterous inbound Dom
found on our first outing once again let
the eating I mean investigating begin
nishim Mar I've always wanted to come
here but painfully aware that it is
probably the busiest Market in Japan
I've always avoided it question is is it
worth it is it worth a visit we're about
to find out once I've battled my way to
this crowd we're truly spoiled for
choice in theki Market but perhaps
unsurprisingly the first thing that
catches my eye or rather my nose are The
Buttery wagu skewers sizzling away on a
nearby Grill Kobe beef skewers 2500 Yen
skewer it's not cheap but if it's real
actual cor big then it is worth it and
that's a good price smells pretty
reassuring [ __ ] me I've only been in NY
Market 5 minutes and I've already
splashed out 5,000 yen on two skewers of
so-called Kobe beef this had better be
good it's good but it's not A5 KOB
tastes good but it's a bit cheery would
I get it again no no I would it's
cheerer than rly chewing
up the beef wasn't like what you
imagined cor you to be like wagu in
general it was quite cheery almost like
British beef you know back when we were
in takma last year I had an A5 wagu on a
stick for 600 Yen it was incredible like
a dream this place was 2,500 y for a
lesser cut of beef it set out front cor
right Kobe wagy be and there's a nice
cut of an A5 looking kig in plastic form
out front so I thought it's going to be
that it wasn't whatever it was it was
pretty chery and uh well seasoned but be
careful I find W gear is one of the most
misleading advertised kind of dishes
you'll find in Japan and that was
certainly not worth
2,500 Yen absolute ripoff be
careful oh dear given I've blown most of
my pocket money on a skar of Waggy beef
I promptly decide to drown my sorrows at
a store selling obscenely cheap
socket I love these overflow cups cuz
when you spill it inevitably it just
goes into the cup beneath which you can
also drink
from my God 100 yen for this and it's
actually it's not one cup sucker this is
the real deal very good that makes up
for the Wag that really does I have to
say nushki Market is nowhere near as
busy as I thought it would be but yeah
maybe it's cuz it's summer I don't know
but it's it's actually not that busy
here I hope I don't regret drinking all
this Sak on a mostly empty stomach
especially we're going to gon next the
respectable Geisha District it's not
going to end well is it there's going to
be some new news stories coming out in a
few hours
time for of refreshing Saki and billion
dollar beef it's nearly time to head to
our next tourist Hots spot but something
feels a Miss I genuinely expected Nishi
to be unbearably crowded and it's been
anything but and so I seek out a couple
of shopkeepers to try and discover why
things are so oddly
quiet
for that's really interesting I spoking
to two shopkeepers now and they both
said weekdays thisi Market really isn't
that busy they always sounded
disappointed so if you want to come here
avoid the weekends because this place
what I thought would be like the busiest
Market in Japan is actually kind of calm
so drink the sake avoid the wagu and eat
the D fuku strawberry Moi rice cake M
and now it's time to go to gon so we can
spot neia just kidding we're not going
to harass them like everyone else
[Music]
does so here we are in guon the
entertainment capital of Kyoto and if
over tourism was a misdemeanor this
would be the absolute scene of the crime
earlier on this year they did close down
a few of the roads to tourists to
protect that historic quarter that
historic neighborhood where the gisha
still live work operate what I will say
today though is the only crime I've seen
so far has been the daylight robbery
that was the wugu beef costing 2,500 Yen
on a stick I was robbed I was robbed in
Kyoto that should be the title of this
video anyway rant aside let's go and
have a look at guon and see what the
situation is in the area and the street
where people can't film anymore which is
going to make filming this certainly
rather
[Music]
interesting this is new there's a sign
here sort of warning people what not to
do for example please stand M gisha it's
a true profession have respect don't
walk around where they work
impersonating M for photo of
impersonation I haven't seen that before
I've seen M being chased down the street
but never like impersonated uh don't sit
on the bridge and don't sit on the fence
just like we saw several people doing on
the bridge moments ago clearly the sign
is not as effective as people would
like at the heart of Kyoto's over
tourism wo lies Hannah mikori Street a
kilometer Long Street instantly
recognizing
as much for its characterful o tea
houses as the many threatening signs
that Linger on every corner warning
tourists to refrain from photography
less they be F several thousand yen as
we mentioned at the start of the episode
after several well publicized incidents
of tourist disturbing private property
and harassing gisha a ban has been put
in place on many of the private
Alleyways prohibiting non-residents from
entering it's time to wander down the
street which is perfectly fine and see
what we can find and in order to respect
the rules obviously we won't be filming
so you're going to have to take my word
as gospel trust me on this one so that
was encouraging just took a stroll down
Hannah mcoi Street spotted one Michael
and only saw a handful of folks get
their phones out and sneak a photo in
actually people were a lot more
respectful than uh previous times that
I've had a stroll down that street so
yeah definitely seems to be a change so
that's a good thing very encouraging
stuff only saw one Michael get run over
in a
goast reassured by my Hannah mccoi
Street stroll once again surprised at
how oddly peaceful my trip to Kyoto has
been so far we head to the final boss
battle up the mountain side towards the
K mudera Temple and the city's ultimate
photo spot along the way so we're in
higashiyama now and this is the busiest
place in Kyoto with Rick Shaws all the
Rick shaes there we go is certainly busy
but the approach up to the uh yasa Boda
can't be beat what a beautiful
view oh oh God not beef again not again
it's 1,000 yen here
2,000 Yen for Mia Zaki [ __ ] 4,000 Yen
4,000 Yen for kobby B is it really Corby
beef do I want to get ripped off
again no no I don't people come from all
over the world to get a photo of Kyo
Starbucks made entirely from wood it's
quite the S I will say the first time I
saw it I mixed feelings I was like is
this the place you want to put a
Starbucks they've made it blend in
rather well and the crowds love it and
that's all that matters
[Music]
well we've nearly reached the end of our
journey and as we rush up the mountain
to the soon to be closing Kera Temple I
run into Kazu a viewer who's on holiday
in Japan and who seems to be surprised
by the lack of overcrowding on Kyoto
streets this afternoon how's it been
like generally generally um today I
don't know I felt like a little bit
quieter yeah yeah I found that it's
weird I saw like because a lots of
people said like a lots of t
about no it's ready comfortable maybe
it's Monday yeah exctly Monday yeah and
also rain season and Rain yeah well guys
we made it up to the K mider Temple and
what a reward stunning view that's
really interesting I just spoke to Kazu
a Japanese guy living in the UK and he's
back here on holiday and he proposed the
reason Kyoto was so quiet in June is cuz
it's rainy season people don't come here
for that which is something I'd never
actually thought of so what I've learned
today is a come to Kyoto on a Monday B
come to Kyoto in June well is quite HP
and C don't buy the overpriced Wy beef
never do
that okay so here's what we've learned
Japan might not be Mad Max meets Mordor
after all honestly I expected to be
stuck in a literal immovable crowd
several times today and it only happened
once still I'd say we came away with
five useful tips for travelers coming to
Japan number one avoid Kyoto at weekends
it's actually not too bad on the weekday
as we saw and heard from the shopkeepers
wanting more customers number two
Harajuku is still off a really quite
awful I honestly never want to go there
and eat edible rainbow filth ever again
but if I do go back going for bid I'll
be sure to take pee you could really
tell he was having a great time at
number three Asaka isn't quite as good
as I remember it's a nice District but
during the day it's absurdly overcrowded
if you actually want to feel moved maybe
visit one of Tokyo's 4,000 temples and
shrines that aren't like a football
stadium or go in the evening after 8:00
p.m. when the shops are shut you can
enjoy the sen soji temple in a more
relaxed atmosphere number four skije
Market still rules when it comes to
street food and actually the only really
overpriced thing we found were the
ludicrously priced Seafood bowls and
number five don't blow all your pocket
money on the Waggy beef at Nishi Market
but do go to the market itself it
actually turned out to be my favorite of
the five locations we visited on this
trip honestly I wish I could have spent
all day standing around drinking
reasonably price socket but I have to
say I came back from this overall
investigation reassured that amidst
Japan's kind of Tourism boom all five of
the worst tourists traps in the country
are still remarkably bearable well
nearly all anyway and so as we conclude
our first episode of a broad
investigation there's only one thing
left to say and that
is Case Closed [ __ ] yeah that was
awesome watch your language too much swe
ring oh oh yeah sorry
[Music]
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