00:03 John Daub: Hello everybody, welcome to the University of Tokyo. I'm here in front of the Earthquake Research Institute, where I came to study and learn about some of the biggest earthquakes in Japan's history. We're going to take a look at the Tokyo University campus by getting lost a little bit. This is a really cool experience for me to come here and talk with seismologists and professionals at the Earthquake Research Institute, or ERI as they call it.

00:51 John Daub: I came here specifically to interview a seismologist and then got a chance to talk with an engineer. There are three groups: seismologists who measure earthquake intensity, volcanologists who study volcanoes, and engineers for structural integrity of buildings. That's a team that works together, and it's fascinating—only at a place like Todai (Tokyo University). It started as a private institution in Meiji 41 (1908) before becoming public and funded by the university. Sorry for the late start—let's get lost in Tokyo.

02:05 John Daub: I found a way to get around by getting lost when I first came four hours ago. You can follow this nature trail where the Department of Agriculture owns the field. On the left is a baseball field—there was Shohei Ohtani waving at us over there. I can't believe this is the University of Tokyo; this trail is all part of the campus. If Leo is interested in earthquakes, he's definitely coming here—they have 80 students studying. They're practicing lacrosse here; if you look on the other side, you can see the baseball players. I'm glad that guy's good at what he does, or else I'd have had a lacrosse ball in the mouth.

03:41 John Daub: There's a secret bridge that goes across from one campus to the other. I have a map to help comprehend the scope of the University of Tokyo. We started at the Earthquake Research Institute, building number two, on the Yayoi campus. We're going over to the main campus, connected by Todai-mae Station on the Namboku Line. I'm going to show you one of the most beautiful trees I've ever seen. It's almost like another world inside the walls of Todai, or Tokyo Daigaku.

05:00 John Daub: I've been here a few times before, but it's been a long time. Campuses even in Japan remind me of those back in the US—I went to Ohio State and traveled to Purdue, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Penn State. They all look alike, with bricks, trees, and nature—same vibe. You can hear the cicadas; Japanese summer is here. It was a scorcher today, about 36 degrees Celsius—like the 90s Fahrenheit with high humidity. These brick buildings stand the test of heat and time. The architecture is different—almost Gothic, European-ish. That brown looks strong, maybe modeled after UK or US universities.

07:21 John Daub: It does feel like 40 degrees—it's a sauna. Doesn't the architecture look like medieval England? This is not boring compared to many US campuses. Look at the colors of the stones and the little hat on top—very unusual. They've added accessibility ramps everywhere except this crossover bridge to the engineering department. I went to the campus cafeteria at Todai—it's public, anybody can eat there. Between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., priority is for students, faculty, and staff, but they don't really check. Food is really cheap—I had chicken for $2.50, highly subsidized and good. Upstairs there's a cafe for nice coffee.

09:44 John Daub: This footbridge takes you to the other side of campus. No filming inside the cafeteria for good reason—nobody wants a YouTuber shoving a camera in their face, but with a permit you can. We're now on the main campus, at the engineering building. We started at the blue dot, crossed the road, and now we're here—this is a guide in case I get lost. I want to show you a tree that dropped my jaw—I'm a tree hugger. The architecture is striking; these supports came after the 2011 Tohoku earthquake to reinforce buildings. It makes it look more engineer-ish, cooler.

12:28 John Daub: Some buildings are so impressive—you feel inspired to study in them. I noticed tons of visitors speaking different languages, particularly Chinese. I tried talking to students, but they couldn't speak Japanese or English. Brown brick is imposing. Purdue had too much red brick—it overwhelmed me. Ohio State inspired me with architecture from different generations around the oval green space. Plus, Ohio State beat Purdue in football—that made a big deal as a kid deciding the best school.

14:10 John Daub: Here's the map—we came from the Earthquake Research Institute across the Yayoi section and footbridge through engineering. The people there are so friendly; I made good friends and will be back for earthquake questions. This is the tree I want to show you, but first let's loop around to the pond in the Hongo section. I've been to the university hospital—if you're there, something's wrong, but it's one of the best. Todai is the Harvard of Japan. You have to stop and admire the architecture. Japanese universities don't have dorms on campus—students live at home or off-campus. But college experience taught me personal responsibility, being 800 km from home, balancing academics—it set me up for life.

16:29 John Daub: Do you want to know where the cafeteria is? Click like, and I'll take you there. This walkway from the main entrance is impressive, especially in autumn. Aoyama Gakuin is stunning too. This is so impressive.

17:33 John Daub: I'm glad I could share this—I was late because the interviews with the seismologist and engineer went way over; had to change SD cards and batteries twice. I'll edit it down, but it was fascinating—we talked off-agenda about where they live and local restaurants. Media aren't typically friendly, but these people studying earthquakes and engineering are. Look at this old Meiji-era building—modeled after Europe or the US, since experts came from abroad. Japan has more earthquakes than anywhere; there was a magnitude 8 in Gifu around 1891—they invited Westerners to start the department.

19:35 John Daub: This is the Chuo Dining Hall—we're heading to the basement entrance, the Chuo Dining Center with a co-op shop like a convenience store and ATMs. Menu from July 3rd to 28th has regional stuff: chicken nanban from Kyushu, octopus udon for 473 yen ($3.50), miso katsu don for about $4.25—so cheap. Between 11:30 and 1:30, priority to students, etc., but no checks. No filming inside, but respect the rules.

21:20 John Daub: Let's go see that tree. Everything is cement—it feels like a university. This is a beautiful tree—I could read a book under it. When you walk this path, it leaves an impression. We come from Yayoi to Hongo campus. It's hard to say how old, but probably Meiji era, 150 years ago—matriarchs or patriarchs of the campus. After these two trees, it opens up like a Ghibli movie, Totoro on top yelling at kids to study. We walk through a curtain of trees shaped like a puzzle piece fitting this one perfectly—super impressive.

26:29 John Daub: This tree must have been planted at Todai's founding. The canopy is wide. Oh no—Starbucks? What the heck? America representing at Todai with financial capital to buy a spot. They have tables underneath— at Ohio State, people would make out there. But not at Tokyo University—summer vacation now, fewer students, which let me interview more easily.

28:43 John Daub: We're heading to the fountain through the trees. Map shows we walked from Yayoi's Earthquake Research Institute over the footbridge to Hongo. It's a beautiful campus, another world separated from the city. In real life, here's the European-looking fountain—feels southern European, like Spain or Barcelona. If you drink from it, your IQ increases until sickness hits. This does not look like Tokyo—very Japanese with pagoda-like design. The water pouring from the bowl makes a peaceful racket. Cafeteria has halal options—effort to be accessible for diets too.

33:11 John Daub: Because of the late start—30 minutes late, apologies—we began on the wrong side. Now to the pond; I hear mosquitoes. This path has spider webs—tastes like spider poop, since spiders eat insects and spit it out. If all spiders teamed up, they'd make a John-shaped man, indestructible. This is cozy—no souls, but carp. Great study spot. Compared to Meiji or Keio, this feels significant. Nezu Shrine is walking distance—famous for plum blossoms. Walk Todai, have lunch—on your itinerary, but mind priority hours; I got in before the rush.

37:52 John Daub: These rocks placed 150 years ago—if Ohio State, Michigan students would steal them. Affectionately as a Big Ten student. Ohio beat Michigan in the Toledo War. Let's go out the main gate. Pond is beautiful; lost buildings like abandoned shacks. That door wasn't made for somebody—I'm 180 cm, door's 140. Population of Ohio larger than Michigan—rivalry makes life interesting.

40:07 John Daub: Out the main gate—looks like a keyhole, smart. Love this campus; Aoyama Gakuin in fall is stunning, but Todai must light up like fireworks—Hogwarts-like. Main entrance to University of Tokyo. Map: we did pond, fountain, tree, Hongo—back to Earthquake Institute. Three groups there: seismologists, volcanologists, engineers—volcanologists get TV attention unfairly. Stunning campus—if you enter Todai, contact me; it's an investment in fortune. You have to be smart—Harvard of Japan, Meiji origins. I'm melting in summer heat.

45:00 John Daub: Final stop—walk from Ueno. Old bookstore and coffee shop across street; area around Todai interesting—restaurants, cafes, nightlife? Do Todai students party? They like pizza—Super Pizza across street. Brainiacs are book smart, not street smart—we flinch less. Campus open 7 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.—don't get locked in like Curious George. Todai-mae on Namboku Line. Footbridge we crossed 40 minutes ago. Carrying 20 kg gear—melting. Baseball team—next Shohei Ohtani. This gate to Yayoi imposing like a castle.

50:19 John Daub: Back entrance to Earthquake Research Institute. Awesome job being a volcanist—business card with lava? Hope this was useful—enjoyed my banter. Apologies for late start, but good interviews for main channel episode. Next: exploring Tokyo, then Okayama, Nara, Nagano—leaving Tokyo. RV part two coming, rethemed since road trips less popular. Thanks for super chats—see you tomorrow. Matane.