00:00:02 John Daub: Welcome to the city of Tokyo. Do you see these tracks up here? That's the end of the Yurikamome line, a driverless train here in Tokyo. It's not the only one in Japan or the first, but it's the first in Tokyo, known for being without a driver. The tracks end right here. If the train kept going, you'd have Speed with Keanu Reeves blasting through, which would be awesome as long as nobody got hurt.

00:00:35 John Daub: We're going to ride this train right now for a special trip. Usually people start at Shimbashi Station to Odaiba, but we're doing it from beautiful Toyosu because it's less crowded, safer for me, and a part of the city you don't get to see much—or at all if you can't travel to Tokyo. Buckle in for the next 15 to 20 minutes because you're about to go on a ride.

00:01:09 John Daub: The Yurikamome line connects with the Yurakucho line, the metro subway. Here's a quick overview of the map at Toyosu Station. U stands for Yurikamome—it starts with a Y, but they use U. The technical name is Tokyo Waterfront New Transit Waterfront Line. Don't know why waterfront twice, but twice is nice, like rice. You can do a quick transit without leaving the station through a special entrance, or take exit 7 like we're doing. Let's get moving.

00:01:59 John Daub: One more thing—loads of things to see on the Yurikamome line, including Toyosu Gururi Park, my favorite spot. I've taken you there to hang out, show Rainbow Bridge, and beautiful boats crossing Tokyo Bay. There's a walkway too. Toyosu Market, the fish market, is the main site here, then Odaiba and eventually Shimbashi in central Tokyo.

00:02:34 John Daub: Erdoron is here! The map you sent is great—you got the package already. There's a little bonus item. Let's go in. By the way, if you're watching, on my Patreon there's one more spot for the Daimyo package—nobody's taken it yet, but it'll probably be gone by the time I get back.

00:03:04 John Daub: While we're on the elevator, I'm starting to use Discord for a call-in show. Join our server to call in about your Japan plans or experiences—it's a new, awesome format. Nightbot, thanks for sharing. That's Lalaport right there, a shopping mall that's been around a few years. I've taken you inside on other livestreams—another reason to come to Toyosu with its beautiful waterfront.

00:03:40 John Daub: Driverless train—there's like nobody here. It's so empty on this side of the city, I love it. You could walk straight to Rainbow Bridge and Odaiba around Toyosu island—about a one-hour walk over another bridge—or take the train. Let me show you the Yurikamome map: 16 stops, but due to the 2020 Olympics (not really taking place), they're constructing an extension to Kachidoki, connecting almost to Ginza and the Oedo line. Shinbashi is the current end, but from Toyosu it'll extend one more. Not sure when it'll finish. There's a day pass, but it never pays for itself—only good for Yurikamome. Lots of Olympic venues on the bayside along this line.

00:05:20 John Daub: Bobjo's in the house—Discord call-in sounds awesome, like Clubhouse but with our 12,000-person community. We're taking the next train, letting this one go to sit in front and enjoy the ride. This isn't a monorail—a lot of people mistake it, including me. It's an automated transit system. Alright, let's watch it depart—goodbye. It's so much like an amusement park ride; they need more festive music. Whoa, it's on the move! We're in the next one—this is awesome.

00:06:29 John Daub: I'm pretty excited—check out the train. This is the view from the back, pretty epic, a great vantage point. But I'm snagging two front chairs. If you've got kids, they'll be commander one day. No driver—pretty awesome. Nick, it's not a monorail; it's got rubber wheels—an automated transit system. Here's the commander seats—so cool. Thumbs up for this—too exciting. We're taking the commander seat; virtually nobody here.

00:07:30 John Daub: As you can see, there's a place for the tires—it's not a monorail. The first in Japan was the Kobe Port Liner in 1981, very progressive, down by the port. This was built in 1995, 14 years later, average speed 60 km/h—37 mph for Americans—not too fast but fast enough. Here comes a train on the other track—turn right! I think Nosh might be driving that one—no, the other way. Cinco, we got a couple minutes. It's a beautiful day; was hoping to go to Tohoku this morning, but son Leo had a hospital checkup—he hasn't been sleeping well. Probably going tomorrow depending on weather; got drone shots to take. No driver, all automated like a drone—we're the only ones in this car.

00:09:23 John Daub: We're starting from Toyosu, doing about half—I call it the back nine. Don't want to take you all the way to Shimbashi now, but sometime I'll do across Rainbow Bridge. Not many have shown from Toyosu reverse; I live nearby. Feel it—we're about to take off.

00:10:14 John Daub: Yesterday we saw the monorail connection—that's a real monorail. There's also a suspended monorail in Kamakura-Yokohama and Chiba City. Beautiful day—you can see Rainbow Bridge. Check out that building roof—it's all grass. Reminds me of Australia's Parliament in Canberra; hung out on the roof in 1999. Brilliant idea—now worldwide buildings do it. Thank you for riding toward my house. Honey, good luck with tomorrow's weather—thanks for taking us on my favorite train ride. We're moving—so awesome. Don't know why I'm so excited; I've ridden it many times, guess I've been inside too long.

00:11:47 John Daub: Next station U15—somebody revved the power, but I'm not driving. Big shoutout to new moderator JKO Adventures. This station—Shijo-mae, U-14. Hotel Jal City Tokyo, Kiyosu, Tengachaya—this is your destination? Coming into Shijo-mae; Shijo is Toyosu fish market. Two stops on Yurikamome to the new fish market. So warm today—beautiful weather last couple days. Getting closer to Rainbow Bridge—boom.

00:14:08 John Daub: If you like these automated train rides and want the second half, click like now—I'll do it. As Tokyo Mall's doing another state of emergency? We're finding out soon. Totally not driving. This is where the curve is—good shots from the market building. Couple places it curves. This is the BMX event venue—bicycle moto, sun riding? Awesome. Now the island where Odaiba is—this is Toyosu's backside, good for running. Used to come when my knees were better. There's the venue—looks in good shape, was weeds six months ago. BMX and skateboarding events here—whoa, slalom.

00:16:00 John Daub: Over here another slalom—Koto Ward city gym? Another event hall, then Odaiba international stop. Ariake tennis courts for tournaments, awesome bicycle venue. Check Rainbow Bridge and bicycle—that's awesome. Said awesome a hundred times—I'm stoked. Radical.

00:17:12 John Daub: Shoutout to Tobias—your postcard went to Germany; welcome to postcard club. Shoutout to Kai going mainland for surgery—good luck, speedy recovery, back to Hawaii fast. Oh my gosh, what is that? Look like a roller coaster? Gotta be kidding—are we going straight or over it? Nosh, control this or make it go right. Nosh has a train set with gears, controlled by internet—do it, I want over that hill. No, do it—probably just deflects me.

00:18:37 John Daub: Next station Tokyo Big Sight—I want that one. Tokyo International Exhibition Center on right—Big Sight, pretty cool. Ferris wheel in distance. Big Sight is a pretty big site.

00:19:25 John Daub: We're going one more stop. If we get 600 likes, I'll take you one more—up to you watching. Fun community project—if 600 by next stop, one more; else I depart. Ernest A. from Mexico here for trains. Alright, 15 seconds—short of threshold.

00:21:28 John Daub: It's Aomi—time to get off. 500 likes? Wait till 500—you have 5 seconds. Seriously, 500. We didn't—oh, we did! Knew we would, so stayed—door's open. Set goal too high; think we'll hit 600. Should I? 600 likes and one more station?

00:22:18 John Daub: Riding Yurikamome—average 37 mph, 60 km/h. That looks like Olympics venue. Started 1995, 14 years after Kobe Port Liner, first automated transit suspended above ground. Pretty cool, no driver—sign of future. Cost lots; investors called it white elephant, waste of money. But turned Odaiba entertainment district, not residential—drew passengers, successful. Olympics supposed big windfall, but not happening. Getting off at Telecom to avoid crowds.

00:23:48 John Daub: That was fun! Really like Yurikamome, especially with families, kids—or kid like me. Cool to enjoy the ride. Watch our train go—no driver. Someone took my seat—guess he's driver now. Bye. This part connects to beach—Tokyo has a bit, not many swim. Straight through park—great view, wish long lens. Carlos Mitchell, thanks. Bringing Kanai lunch—she's sleeping with baby; this is my break. Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge—Diver City with big Gundam. Pan right—see it? Gundam from distance—awesome. Fuji TV building—epic. Walk here nice, or train curves over. Avoiding people, back to Toyosu bike.

00:25:46 John Daub: Great thing starting at Toyosu—guaranteed front seat. Some lady up front. Getting snack. Mascots—Tokyo ones; know names? Back in passenger seat—550 likes, going reverse. How I say I love you—extended livestream. Different reverse; notice new things, like 300 just joining. Hands raised? Like roller coaster.

00:27:24 John Daub: Torotoropoco—money for small toy for Leo shopping Odaiba. Yeah, getting at Lalaport for Kanai and Leo. Venus Fort—see Gundam? Different this way, see more. Favorite Tokyo museum Miraikan there. Nice Ferris wheel—last rode with Joe Hatab, biggest YouTuber in Arab world. His channel best travel—watched Africa spots I'd never go, giants of Sudan. Crazy; rented Japanese family, helped episode—he took family on Ferris wheel, me in background.

00:29:31 John Daub: Hey Alexander in Sweden. Bob Joe—Leo graduated newborn to infant diapers; diaper fund well used. Weird other side—no Big Sight view, but good Toyosu fish market. Haven't been Big Sight long time—Tokyo Marathon ends there, good memories, conventions. Pandemic killed it. Love Big Sight, want roof—Google Earth it. For new folks: Yurikamome 16 stops, driverless from Shimbashi to Toyosu, extending Kachidoki near Ginza, Oedo line. Walk Ginza to Yurikamome 20 minutes—Tsukiji right there. Part of 2020-2021 Olympics rollout, despite athletes confined.

00:31:18 John Daub: Beautiful day in Tokyo. Trevor Beck, Joy—thought you had work. Amazing India community—can't wait back with family, bring Rio. Home stretch—back nine of Yurikamome, returning Toyosu. You're getting iPhone? Beautiful tracks view—not monorail, driverless automated transit with rubber wheels like cars. Lot mistake for monorail.

00:32:55 John Daub: BMX venue for Tokyo 2020—looking good, weeds six months ago. Great train view—in months, BMX tricks. Awesome—want tickets, or ride Yurikamome hundred times. Massive jump—they ride bikes off that? Skateboarding venue with Rainbow Bridge background. Next Toyosu Fish Market—from here Tokyo Skytree. Bridge over waterway—warped road tough for bike unless electric assist, easy gear.

00:35:16 John Daub: Rounding corner—Toyosu Fish Market, Olympic Village where athletes quarantine. At Shijo-mae, two stops from Toyosu, but getting off Shin-Toyosu—bike closer. Gas Museum—Leo has bad gas, why doctor today. Wanted livestream earlier—he's okay, normal five-week issues. Funny gas museum. Used to be gas refinery—contaminants delayed opening, controversy, but Governor Koike gained credibility. Toyosu skyscrapers—fake community we livestreamed.

00:37:16 John Daub: Sum up: started Toyosu, rode to Telecom—walk to Odaiba, beach. Continuing Yurikamome over Rainbow Bridge, loop-de-loop to Shimbashi—takes while. This back nine. Now John wrong way on escalator—taking stairs to riverside extension to bike. You guys cool. Joy to work—how long push it? Good exterior Yurikamome views. Train operated automatically—no staff. Save one yen pass mode. Interactive map cool. Ticket prices—rode long way, pay basic 190 yen, almost $4 to Shimbashi over Rainbow. Day pass worth if riding lots, but nobody does.

00:39:37 John Daub: One more thing besides river, bike. Fish market, Gas Museum—Tepco responsible. Spaceboat not frequent this way, but from Tsukuda point turns right off Sumida branch to Toyosu under bridge to Odaiba. Area open wide. Sent Tami car to Daimyo supporters—there it is.

00:42:19 John Daub: What'd you think of Yurikamome? Special train—glad built; takes guts to budget. Peaked 200,000 daily riders year 2000 when Odaiba hot. Now less with pandemic, no tourism—but worth ride, especially rainy days when not much else. Futsal park—small soccer, five players, fast; always hurt playing. Wild Magic barbecue—sell meat package deal, pricey events. Young crowd, super-spreader—keep going. Hang hammock with Leo, cook steaks, Asahi with Mr. Das. Beautiful—reason come Toyosu, not Shibuya-Shinjuku. Weird tents, hammocks, chill riverside, watch Spaceboat. Take bike breaks here, avoid Harajuku.

00:44:49 John Daub: Biggle Joe from Kentucky—great livestream, refreshing on me. Getting stuff for Kanai—waking soon. Beautiful today. Final destination—drawbridge, bike there. Yurikamome impresses from distance. Weed whackers—used to landscape for college money. Hands numb after. Other guy burned plastic fast whacking curbs—boss "Skin Jim" mad at wasting. Couldn't ride big mower Scag—good job outdoors, fresh grass smell. Japan no front yards to mow.

00:48:14 John Daub: Sums up Yurikamome. Lalaport—Kanai and I biked for mini dates, riverside walk. End Tsukuda—Kanai danced, cherry blossoms. Fake community—model homes, million-dollar fakers. Nice house though—office with view, edit videos. Thanks watching—not to bike, see it. Check Yurikamome in Tokyo. Subscribe new channel—80% not, think they are. New sushi episode—saiku sushi. Hate goodbye—final. One YouTuber never cut, tested real fans—cool. Seriously going—demand Spaceboat. Instead, cormorants diving like seagulls—enjoy. Thanks—fun time. See next livestream.