00:00:05 John Daub: Hello everybody and welcome to Harumi! Harumi is a town in Chuo Ward, one of Tokyo's 23 wards. It's a new town. You can see Harumi Dori (Harumi Street), which has been around for a very long time, and over here on the corner is a brand new building that says Google on the side. We're going to discover what this is. How you doing everybody? I'm John, this is Kanae. She decided to join us for today's street view episode of Harumi, a new town in Tokyo.

00:00:34 John Daub: This town was established as a landfill island from debris of the Great Kanto Earthquake, and for a long time there was almost nothing here except factories. In the 1990s, construction started with high-rise apartments like those behind us, and where we're going is the Olympic Village for the 2020 Olympics, which is complete. This area is undergoing a renaissance with lots of people moving in to live. I wanted to show you what it looks like in 2020. This is a live video—you'll see it as playback, so I'll add a table of contents to skip around since it might get long. I'll give some history as we walk, starting with this brand new wooden building called the CTL Project. It's unique, and not many in Tokyo know about it. Part of Harumi ties into the Olympics theme of wood—and food trucks.

00:02:05 John Daub: This is Chuo Ward. You can see on the map it's very boxy and new—here's Harumi Island and neighboring Tsukishima Island. One inconvenient thing is this is the only subway station around; in Tokyo you usually want to be within 10 minutes of a station, but Harumi doesn't have that luxury. The island stretches to a beautiful point on Tokyo Bay, but it's a 20-minute walk from Kachidoki Station towards the Olympic Village. We're on the corner of Harumi Dori and Kachidoki right now. Just past the police station was where, after the canceled 1940 Olympics and World War II, Japan held trade shows like the Tokyo Automobile Show. But by the 1970s and '80s it deteriorated, so they moved to places like Makuhari. There's a monument we'll see. Buckle in—this will be a good hour, including possible avocados.

00:04:13 Kanae Daub: This is the avocado roast beef from New York that I've been eyeing. Oh, you said New York? Oh, you're right! New York representing... Mr. Halal from New York.

00:04:28 John Daub: Chicken over rice. Bizarre, but me likey. Support our local businesses. I didn't expect street food out here—this is crazy. We might have to try it. Hey, Raymond Centeno's here—we need to feed Kanae. Kanae's lunch has been sponsored. Gamecock Jenny, hello from South Carolina. Thanks, Jenny. Let's go inside this structure—I'll take you in nice and slow. Wow, it smells so fresh in here. Look at that. Go jump on it, Kanae—that's what kids would do. You're moving those cherry blossoms—stop it. Do it more. That's so cool. You could dance here. You gonna dance? Not even Toby can get her to dance. But Toby, you can get me to dance.

00:06:03 John Daub: This is a really beautiful building. Not a lot of people around, so I'll take the mask off for now. Apparently Mitsubishi and Google built this together. It's pretty amazing. The theme of Harumi Island is wood—this is Japanese wood. You can sit on these benches, smell the wood—it smells so good, fresh. Some unique designs. I like how the digital images move with your feet. This is a really unique building we found—it's so new, not really open yet. By the time you see this and visit Tokyo, walk through, especially if staying nearby. Harumi is a 30-minute walk from Ginza. During the 2016 Olympic bid, they considered putting the stadium on the tip of this island—beautiful plans with lights visible from boats on Tokyo Bay. But no public transport was the holdup; they thought of a train from Ginza, where there used to be streetcars until the '70s and '80s.

00:08:48 John Daub: Wow, beautiful. This looks like a kangaroo—Gokuma design. I smell so much fresh wood. I think it's a tourist information center—Japan tourism. Very modern. The 2020 Olympic Stadium uses wood from all 47 prefectures. Google seems to showcase its Japan presence too—look at that map in Google colors. We can't fault Google; this is YouTube. Let's walk—almost nobody around, no need for masks, and it's hot. There's a cafe—let's peek inside. County Park Cafe—looks nice, seems open. A lot of wood. Wood sofa, Kanae—can we get that for our apartment? I didn't know about this area—sort of our neighborhood. We're going to top secret points in Tokyo. That's what you subscribed for, right?

00:11:25 John Daub: Did you want something to eat before the walk, Kanae? Or we can come back. All right, let's move down Harumi Dori towards the Olympic Village. I'll talk about Kabola—big shoutout from Denmark. When I think of Harumi, I think seaside and open skies—no traditional high-rises, but now they're popping up everywhere. Back on the street, mask on. Olympic Village is 10 minutes away, near the new police headquarters. Googlelicious—meeting rooms? Can I open it? No, don't touch the window. Let's head to the Village—surprisingly done. We scouted; buildings complete, people moving into apartments last year.

00:13:19 John Daub: Harumi Flag corporation is selling properties—in the Village, 600 units for sale got 1,500 applicants—high demand. They start at 52 million yen, about $500,000; top ones over $7 million. Still lots of construction. That unique apartment—looks like a '70s hotel from trade show days. Really hot in Tokyo—uncomfortable with masks, but we brave it around people. This area was famous for passenger ferries to Antarctica—ships from here, see them in Funabashi, Chiba, across from Sapporo brewery. Coolest dental office ever—groovy, '70s style, dental museum? Straight ahead is the Chuo Ward incinerator plant. On the left, start of Olympic Village apartments—wide streets, bicycle path. Tsukishima Police Station—smart to have strong presence across from Village.

00:17:40 John Daub: Chicago Africans—super chat to start Only in Japan with Kanae cooking aprons. Jennifer Dravelius, hello from Chicago—go Bucks, O-H. Sabino Cruz: where's the gun show? Jaden Westhead: great to see you both—lovely day. Beautiful blue skies, not far from rainy season. Bradshaw Studios, David Kumara—feed Kanae. Gil Asakawa, Stan Bonus MD. Stop here—this bridge goes to Toyosu Fish Market; in distance, new mall or hotel across from it. Massive bridge, few people. Built to ease Ginza bottleneck—hydrogen fuel cell bus. Frees congestion to Toyosu, replacing Tsukiji. Multiple bridges now, including Cross Dock Harumi with wooden building. Great bike ride from Ginza—15-20 minutes.

00:20:30 John Daub: Beautiful new buildings—if you're an athlete for 2020/2021 Olympics, you'll stay here. Fast Wi-Fi, probably beyond. All glass, wood inside too. This site was the old trade show from '50s-'70s—memorial marker. Deteriorated, moved away. Walking to main Village—feels deserted, no masks needed. No population yet. Memorial marker? Pull-up bar—how many can you do? Incinerator there. Used to have Chuo Ward fireworks festival—20-minute walk from Kachidoki, in front of that tower. Blue sheets down to watch. Olympians get amazing Tokyo Bay views, Rainbow Bridge. Can't go further—construction barriers. New roads from old trucking paths. Olympic Village—love the colors.

00:23:42 Kanae Daub: Will you do a video on Taiko Chaya Sashimi Buffet near Asakusa Bashi Station? I love buffets—I know that shop. The owner stands in front of Asakusa Bashi Station, greets people, cheers them on—punches guts? No, encourages salarymen every morning.

00:24:30 John Daub: He cheers on businessmen with boring lives—needs encouragement. Photo Plaza Harumi—new bus stop to Tokyo Station. Brand new. Trash building? No—probably Starbucks or cafe. They made this runnable. Can't go further—used to be able. Why wave at them? Get as close as we can—no traffic. Eerie like I Am Legend—deserted with a bike inside. Looking into Olympic Village—eerie scene. Rainbow Bridge in distance. Try to get access inside. Dance there? Best way to break it in.

00:28:34 John Daub: These apartments will be beautiful, buzzing with life—park or parking lot? Self-driving cars maybe. Each building named. Public moves in 2023—Harumi Flag office at island end (link in description). Buses to Tokyo Station. Hope we can go in—legally. News of strange people in Olympic venues like pool. One theme is wood—but that's bamboo. Echoing here. Bamboo makes you feel in nature—cool Japanese look. Can't afford rents—$500k entry. Law-abiding citizens. View of Toyosu. This is where we watched fireworks. Wrap around end of island. Closest to Olympian apartments—historic video for 2120. Bamboo randomly placed like nature.

00:34:05 John Daub: Walk around—no bridges, you're scared? Rainbow Bridge, Fuji TV in Odaiba. New area. In a year, swimmers and gymnasts here. End of island—pedestrians like that runner. Evolution: 2017 construction start—nothing here then. Layout: buildings 18, 14, 16B, etc. Multi-mobility station—bus? Ferry terminal—international ferries now dock here, moved from Odaiba. Takeshi port to Ogasawara. BBQ on other side, events Tokyo residents miss. Toyosu rooftop garden, auction, hotel/mall construction.

00:39:08 John Daub: Welcome—if joining late, Harumi Island: landfill finished 1929, factories '30s, residential '90s. Population growing. Behind us Olympic Village—we'll welcome Olympians, show medals. Gold medals from recycled electronics. International Ferry Terminal—Rainbow Bridge view. Postcard perfect. Toyosu Lalaport shopping mall—first 7-Eleven Japan nearby. Secret spot: stairs to watch Tokyo Bay. Vending machine—might stop for drink. Go till they say stop—journalistic. Reclaimed land 1929-1937, Kachidoki Station 2000. Triple Toby emoji summons crow—don't. Say my name three times? No. Stairway for bento—nice date spot.

00:45:05 John Daub: Massive view. Tokyo Tower. Yurikamome (train line)—not monorail. Rainbow Bridge—end of square island. Ferry terminal third floor—few boats due to pandemic, no Space Boat. Night view stunning—check Instagram. Toyosu Fish Market. Hit like, subscribe. Dance legally here. Sunday—usually crowded. Space Boat docks at Lalaport. Wind up—Olympic Village. Harumi Triton first shopping mall—near Kachidoki. Laid-back, few travelers. Skateboard prank? Radical, gnarly. Scene from Goonies—pirate ship we can't play on. Michael Phelps, play on it? No water. Pirate learns rules. Marine blue motif building—real trees planted.

00:53:54 John Daub: Village from here—try media access next time. 200k subs—amazing community. Subscribe for notifications. Bamboo building. Tokyo Harumi Passenger Terminal—observatory closed for coronavirus. Almost one hour—back to bike, more history. Live streams long for notifications. Memberships for fun chats—comment thoughts. More members, more emojis—goal 50, animated. Don't climb wall—safety first. Parkour ripped my shorts. Passenger ferry—more boats for Olympics. Toei buses on 700 yen day pass with subway.

01:00:09 John Daub: Olympic Village—Michael Phelps Avenue. Cheer both USA and Japan—friends from many countries. Pricey apartments—half million start. Park between buildings, bridge connection. Dining hall? Olympic signs. How bicycle got inside? Rent-a-cop. Mess hall? Harumi Foot Town bus. All green soon—convenience stores inside. No entertainment—quiet. Fuel cell bus on hydrogen. Dog Honey loves streams. Respect animals—imitated Pomeranian bark. Motorcyclists practice here—open roads. Food truck lunch—not Triton food court.

01:09:02 Kanae Daub: For my food review.

01:09:08 John Daub: Sunscreen—humid sweat. Incinerator park—monument to trade fair? Dog park. No alcohol for pull-ups. Shotgun drink—bugs up here, nothing. Makeout point? Cameras. Monument: Harumi event hall 1969-1996, six million visitors—book shape. Buses to Toyosu, Harumi. Apartments half million—Bayside Tower Harumi, Sumitomo, Harumi Flag. 3LDK enough—buy basho (place) in Nagano. New bridge to Toyosu—2018 truck convoy shots. Takkyubin (courier) hand trolleys. Bikes—don't lock, tire lock. 9,500 steps. Harumi High School—Kanae alumna, like university, no chimes.

01:19:21 Kanae Daub: Can't choose classes.

01:19:26 John Daub: Groovy dentist—zebra, Space Invaders, rock climbing, lip sofa. Japanese dentists pervs? Creepy. Ohio State's O-H-I-O—shu. Food trucks every Sunday—Mr. Halal New York chicken over rice, avocado roast beef. Park bikes—eat inside Google. Crazy key. Normal size—150 yen? Share. Wasabi or mayo? Homemade mayo popular. $8—looks good.

01:27:51 Kanae Daub: Wasabi better—just a little.

01:28:00 John Daub: Every Sunday, New York style metal cases. Eat in Google—thank you Google. Wet towels, wash hands—safety first. Insider glimpse. Unbox: basmati rice, halal chicken—famous in New York. Homemade mayo, avocado, roast beef, egg, pickles on rice. Itadakimasu (phrase said before eating). Where watching from? Oishii (delicious)—dried onions. Try mine? Spicy, Central Asian taste. Thumbs up for walks—we'll return pre-Olympics. Inconvenient but historic—landfill 1929-1937, residential '90s, Triton mall, 1940 Expo/Olympics canceled by WWII. Table of contents, like, comment, bye. Enjoy digital cherry blossoms. Thank you Google.