00:02 John Daub: Hello everybody, welcome to Asakusabashi. This is a station not far from Akihabara. It's one of my favorite walks, and I'm going to take you from here to the city of electronics, manga, anime, and all the other fun stuff foreign tourists love in Tokyo. That right there is our route. This makes it very easy to get to Akihabara. This is the JR Sobu Line, and from here it's just a straight walk in that direction.

00:31 John Daub: How you doing everybody? Good morning from Tokyo. We have a beautiful sunny November afternoon, blue skies, very warm in the sunshine. I went out this morning with my wife and Leo to get breakfast at Tokyo Skytree. Now I'm heading back to finish editing an episode, but I thought I'd share a little walk because even I need exercise and sunshine. Before that, let's get moving. It's going to take about 15 minutes, but according to the peso rule, perhaps 45.

01:07 John Daub: Shout out to Josh from Australia. He met us suddenly—we were walking around a corner and there was this guy smiling behind a mask. Josh had been watching the show for a long time and got a You Found Me card by randomly bumping into me. He's been watching for years, he said, and that made me really happy to give him one. So if you find me, come get me—just be nice and I'll give you a card. That's the deal.

01:38 John Daub: This is also a great place to stay. It's accessible by the Asakusa Line and JR Sobu Line, and might be a little cheaper than Akihabara. I think there's more and better food options in Asakusabashi. Oh, there's a hot tub bus! You're supposed to wave to the tourists when you see them—if you wave, they think you're a local even if you're a tourist. Most food options are in the alleys here, which makes it more fun. There are cool drinking establishments and way less tourists than Akihabara, which makes it ideal.

02:26 John Daub: This way, if you just walk straight, will take you to Asakusa. You can get around Tokyo without taking the subway—there's subway everywhere. That's why I like these walks: to show you it's sometimes better to walk and discover amazing things. Subway stations aren't that far away. Check out this Pikachu Pokémon. This is the Itoen tea machine—I haven't seen these in a long time. Wow, that's one of my favorite teas, the Itoen. I prefer it over Coca-Cola ones, and they have hot tea here.

03:16 John Daub: What is this? Chige? Oh my gosh, a hot can of Korean spicy soup. That's really creative. What do you think, Brandania? Should I get it? I'm not getting that spicy soup. You know what? I'm not getting it because I don't want that taste in my mouth for the whole walk. Someone would have to super chat me to make me do it. This one is stronger tea, and I'm making an episode on green tea right now—99% releasing tonight. I noticed Fukamushi Sencha and Asamushi—the steaming changes the taste. So I'll get green tea, unless someone super chats in the next 10 seconds.

04:43 John Daub: Toro toro porco? Is that all you got? Alright, you know what? Okay, I'm not going to do it. Moe? Really? Oh God, okay. I can't believe I'm doing this—I so did not want to do this. Oh gosh, it's hot. What are we doing here, folks? I wanted tea and got spicy soup. This is gross. That's nasty. Alright, let's do this. Itadakimasu.

05:48 John Daub: Oh my God, it smells like food even though I'm not hungry. I tried it—you guys happy? It's salty, really salty, not refreshing but good. Oh, forgot to shake. Alright, just keep moving. Oh, that's even spicier now. This is what it looks like going down the drain—I'm not drinking that. It's not bad if you're hungry, but I want cool and refreshing when walking.

07:08 John Daub: Alright, Torto Porco Donut Reward—that'll get the taste out. I got nothing against the soup; you're just not in the mood. I'll do anything for you guys—if you egg me on, I'll put egg on my face. Oh wow, that's so much more refreshing. The reason I wanted to show you down there is a lot of people come to Japan but don't walk—everyone takes the subway. Walk, people, get exercise and see the beautiful city.

08:33 John Daub: What I love about this area: look at the little shops, chains, architecture—timeless, I guess, with lots of local businesses. What is this, a meat sauce pasta place? Interesting. Tons of restaurants in these alleys, so I don't know why anyone would stay in Akihabara over Asakusabashi—it's way better. It is a concrete jungle, but jungles are fun—you discover new things. Super cool. Oh man, that soup is burning. Wow, my eyes. Niku—look at this yakiniku place. I love this black-and-white trendy look, but prices relatively cheap.

09:51 John Daub: This is shabu-shabu—what? A little shabu-shabu shop starts at 6 p.m., 2,000 yen with nomihodai (all-you-can-drink)—that's 15 bucks. Crazy. This is a place to get plastered—more fun with local vibe. People are locals here more or less, unlike touristy Akihabara. Lots of youth hostels and hotels. Great thing about this walk: hard to get lost—just follow the Sobu Line main artery. I like these walks to see how the city changes—it's been a couple years since I did this. Soup—that was fun. I didn't want to, but it was.

11:03 John Daub: Look at this little one-car parking lot—this is Tokyo. They put signage, credit card info, all for one tiny spot between buildings. That's a lot of work. Rate is 300 yen for 15 minutes—1200 yen an hour. What? That's not good. Since I'm exercising, I'll sweat it out even though it's comfortable. Here's another exit to Asakusabashi Station—JR only. West entrance (Nishiguchi) if going to Akihabara.

12:37 John Daub: Look at all the options—two ramen places next to each other. I like the pork on that, that steak—whoa, really nice. WRX Turbo and Shane, how you doing? Package should have arrived by now via EMS. We're right under the tracks—if signal bad, let me know. Underneath, there's One Coin Happiness—for 100 yen, get happy. Weird drinks—what? Chupa Chups drink? That's 100 yen—a dollar. Never seen that.

13:49 John Daub: Crossing to the quieter side for vibe. That looked like Blow Pops company—they make lollipops here too. In high school, people gave them to make you happy. Charms makes Blow Pops—no charms here, though Sony Plaza used to have them. Red light—follow crosswalks, no crosswalk this side. Not wearing mask, so social distancing. Gotcha gacha—sometimes you find something interesting. I'm into gotcha now for Leo since Norm found a doorbell—he just returned from Tokyo.

15:32 John Daub: Not a lot of cars, but construction. Signal should get better closer to Akihabara. Lots of buildings torn down for hotels—this area undergoing amazing tourism renovation. Next station up is Kuramae—backpackers center with youth hostels, guest houses. Accessible by Asakusa and Oedo Line—Oedo circles the city. Convenient, but many closed from pandemic—wonder if they'll come back. Sad to see businesses shut.

17:04 John Daub: Good to see Josh—happy people visit and find me. I was taken aback when he appeared. Is that a dinosaur? It is—Leo's stuffed animal collection growing. Norm got him a Godzilla—pacing out gifts. This nonprofit: Second Harvest food bank—good charity. I've donated over years. After Great Tohoku Earthquake 2011, it was full of trucks—we ran food up there. I went with buddy Mike Connolly.

18:34 John Daub: They're good people. Mike funded food runs himself—nonprofit lacked cash for gas. We funded ourselves. Got sponsor Aussie beef—grape-fed steaks, massive 500g. Ran them to Ishinomaki post-tsunami, set up BBQ in July—grilled all day. People took what they needed, even four or five to save. Nobody abused it—good opportunity for steak. We might've eaten a couple too—just saying it was good.

20:49 John Daub: Good charity—Second Harvest, check it out. I can smell Akihabara—or food from this kitchen. Glass windows with random electronic parts—so Akihabara. Strange parts. When you have a child, you scope playgrounds—this is one, also natural disaster area.

22:03 John Daub: Nice park—gotta bring Leo. Sandbox, steep slide—Japan king of slides, most dangerous and awesome. I'm not riding with people around—makes me look weird unless Leo's here. That's the Sobu Line (Densha de Nippon). Following from Asakusabashi to Akihabara—almost there. Thanks for likes, encouraging donut cholesterol. Tons of restaurants, vending machines, cafes, nooks—cool because no subway. Could walk one stop or ride—10-25 minutes. In my defense, spicy chige soup from benefactors—thank you.

24:59 John Daub: One Coin Happiness again—peach, all 100 yen steal. Half-liter Coke 110 yen—near expiration? Pistachio milk 80 yen—can't be good if that cheap. When he says drink, means tiny sip poured to sewer—rats might want share. If not alone, would've shared. This hotel looks like normal apartment—interesting stay.

26:03 John Daub: Pistachio in everything—trends explode, like last spring. At end of cycle now. Japan trendy tastes—coconut big before. Chicken ginger soup good—hot cans back October/November. Drank here with Patrick Galbraith pre-pandemic at Ibru craft beer—we got sloshed, six drinks. He said restroom, never came back—went home. Funny—tapped home button.

28:46 John Daub: Getting to end—Akihabara right there. Hotel Newtown. Little fish restaurant with Tsukiji—this side of Akihabara realm. Beef kitchen looks like cafe—crazy, Starbucks with beef. Apo Hotel Akihabara Ekimae—beef kitchen inside, smells like beef. Kushikatsu Dengaku—drinks, yakitori. Pachinko place. Mask on—Christmas full swing, creepy but awesome. Lights at Skytree—need Santa spirit.

30:20 John Daub: Akihabara popping—manga, anime. Yodobashi Akiba—one of biggest electronics stores, though passed maybe. Feels 22°C. Homeless here collect cans, working. Don't judge—might be rich. New: Kodakuen noodle stand across from station. This to Okachimachi, Ameyoko Market—favorite area.

32:15 John Daub: Maid cafe gone—now Key's Coffee, old kissaten like UCC. Cafe business hardcore. Episode releasing tonight—Friday, confirmed. Named tea factory machines—no English translations. Top Gun out—people buy Blu-rays, 4K looks amazing. Leo'd love that monkey toy—moves, cute. Can't get real pet—he'd smash it.

35:09 John Daub: Super chat from Michael Sasano—malfunctioned, but Brandania picked up. Takoyaki, cream brulee donut—Peter gets one. Yaki imo? Normal one looks good. Christmas cakes out—reserve ahead. Got imo shoe? Kimochi—demo, yucky? Jack. Thanks.

38:14 John Daub: Run away—don't look left. Cream brulee apple donuts—should've got that. So not good for me. We've arrived at the goal—Akihabara. Minute to find me for You Found Me card—getting out. What we have here is failure to communicate—like Cool Hand Luke. Purple on shu cream—gonna be good. Gotta run 10km tonight.

40:10 John Daub: It's okay, but donut way better—not too sweet. Rise—favorite rental car, mini SUV. Not worth calories—rather donut. Need exercise—midnight snack run suspended. No regrets—kinda do. Picked wrong dessert.

42:07 John Daub: Ryan C, love these walks—veggies for dinner. Name that shinkansen—not Tohoku or Tokaido. Hokuriku to Kanazawa—Mike De Silva wins. Rode first class one station—nice but short. Cool Honda bike. Off home—sending Canada packages. Gotcha—Denny's shrink-wraps theirs. Jason, want keyboard holder? Yoshinoya bowl small. Weird stuff—sunlit means unpopular.

45:13 John Daub: There you have it—Akihabara. Miyagi Myers, glad Kickstarter reward arrived—sending Peter's Te Nogui, Echo Bags. Fingers crossed pre-Christmas—need midnight snack run, subscribe. Brazilian churrasco gone—shame, so good. Food trucks have it—Miracle Kitchen yesterday, Brazilian BBQ. Tonkatsu curry new—previous out. Took Leo—extra meat for cute Leo. Support food trucks—darn good. Leo calls chicken truck.

47:51 John Daub: Thanks for watching—fun hour from Asakusabashi. Back to edit tonight's video—thumbnail on Discord for samurai supporters. Beautiful Bob good feedback. Two months, but bazillion episodes coming—filmed, next shoot soon. See you—peace out. Enjoy your chige soup.