Good bye Tokyo Teradomari Niigata Experience
Good bye Tokyo Teradomari Niigata Experience
Overview
John Daub escapes the hustle of Tokyo for the serene coastal town of Teradomari in Niigata Prefecture. Arriving via the Joetsu Shinkansen to Nagaoka, he immerses himself in local culture, starting with a traditional tea ceremony and exploring a small hillside festival. The video highlights the stark contrast between city life and the fresh air of the Sea of Japan coast, showcasing local specialties like miso rice balls, Niigata gyoza, and charcoal-grilled yakitori.
Beyond food, John discovers the town's connection to the ancient Hokkoku Kaido road and interacts with locals, including a nursery school teacher demonstrating impressive kendama skills. He previews an upcoming stay at a ryokan (Japanese inn), promising a live stream of the traditional breakfast and morning temple services. The episode serves as an invitation to explore lesser-known regions of Japan, emphasizing the rewards of traveling off the beaten path.
Highlights
- 00:02 John introduces Teradomari, Niigata, escaping Tokyo for fresh air and seafood.
- 02:47 Details of the Joetsu Shinkansen trip from Tokyo Station to Nagaoka.
- 03:40 Participating in a traditional tea ceremony with matcha and wagashi.
- 11:08 Trying a local specialty: rice ball with ginger miso from Niigata.
- 14:30 Ordering charcoal-grilled yakitori and Niigata gyoza.
- 18:21 Meeting a local Kendama Guy demonstrating heavy, oversized kendama tricks.
- 28:30 Explaining the digital stamp rally app for exploring local temples.
- 34:57 Viewing the Sea of Japan and discussing the Suwabuki Matsuri (camellia festival).
Timeline / Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction to Teradomari and trip overview.
- 01:43 Map location and historical Hokkoku Kaido road context.
- 02:47 Shinkansen journey details and arrival.
- 03:40 Tea ceremony experience at the festival.
- 07:46 Exploring festival food stalls.
- 18:21 Kendama demonstration and conversation.
- 24:37 Walking through town and discussing local seafood.
- 28:30 Digital stamp rally and historical markers.
- 34:57 Suwabuki Matsuri, temple views, and sunset.
- 39:34 Closing and preview of tomorrow's live stream.
Japan Travel Tips
- Transport: The Joetsu Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagaoka takes a couple of hours; ticket cost around 7,000 yen.
- Food: Look for local Niigata ingredients like koshihikari rice, seafood from the Sea of Japan, and ginger miso.
- Activities: Check for local festivals even in small towns; they often feature free tea ceremonies and street food.
- Exploration: Use digital stamp rally apps (QR codes) found at temples to learn local history while walking.
- Timing: Visit during autumn for clear skies and potential festivals; evenings offer illuminations at temples.
- Etiquette: In tea ceremonies, eat the wagashi (sweet) before drinking the bitter matcha to balance the flavor.
Japanese Language & Culture Notes
- Hokkoku Kaido: An ancient road used by pilgrims for over a thousand years, connecting Aomori to Kyoto via the Sea of Japan coast.
- Suwabuki Matsuri: A camellia festival specific to the region; camellia wood is prized for tea ceremony utensils due to wind hardening.
- Kendama: A traditional Japanese cup-and-ball toy that has seen a resurgence in popularity globally, especially among skaters.
- Ryokan: Traditional Japanese inn; John highlights the importance of the breakfast experience featuring local ingredients.
- Matane: A casual way of saying "see you later" used by John to sign off.
- History: The region connects to the story of an emperor exiled from Kyoto to Sado Island 800 years ago.
Food & Drink Guide
- Matcha & Wagashi: 03:40 Complimentary at the festival; hot, bitter matcha paired with sweet anko (red bean paste) sweet.
- Miso Rice Ball: 11:08 Local specialty using Washima rice and Niigata ginger miso; grilled for texture.
- Niigata Gyoza: 09:39 Homemade with local meat and vegetables, notably without garlic.
- Yakitori: 14:30 Charcoal-grilled; options include tsukune (meatball), momo niku (chicken thighs), and negima (chicken and leek).
- Sashimi Teishoku: 32:01 Set meal enjoyed earlier; fresh Sea of Japan seafood with koshihikari rice.
People
- John Daub: Host; exploring Niigata to escape Tokyo and share rural Japanese culture.
- Kanae Daub: John's wife; mentioned as staying behind to work, family roots in Joetsu region.
- Leo: John's son; mentioned as visiting grandpa.
- Staff: Festival vendor; prepares yakitori and gyoza, explains local ingredients.
- Kendama Guy: Local nursery school (hoikuen) teacher; demonstrates oversized 4kg kendama skills.
Key Takeaways
- Rural Japan offers peaceful escapes with high-quality local food and friendly interactions.
- Digital tools like stamp rally apps can enhance historical exploration in small towns.
- Traditional toys like kendama continue to evolve and gain international popularity.
- The Sea of Japan coast provides some of the best seafood and rice in the country.
- Traveling off the main tourist path (Tokyo-Kyoto-Nara) reveals unique local stories and hospitality.
Notable Quotes
- 00:58 "It feels amazing after weeks in Tokyo. Fresh air in your face."
- 03:40 "No sugar—eat the wagashi (Japanese sweet) instead for sweetness."
- 12:03 "That miso is so good—pleasant, fermented bean with sweetness."
- 22:26 "Old game, popular overseas via skaters, came back to Japan cooler. Love the cycle."
- 34:57 "Get off Tokyo-Kyoto-Nara path—discover real Japan, no tourists, friendly stories."
Related Topics
- Niigata Prefecture Travel Guide
- Japanese Street Food Tours
- Traditional Japanese Toys (Kendama)
- Ryokan Stays and Onsen
- Shinkansen Travel Tips
Search Tags
#only-in-japan-go #niigata #teradomari #shinkansen #festival #street-food #yakitori #kendama #ryokan #sea-of-japan #rural-japan #escape-tokyo #travel-vlog #japanese-food #matcha
Full Transcript
00:02 John Daub: Hello everybody, greetings from Teradomari. In this episode I'm taking you around this small town in Niigata Prefecture. I just came here from Tokyo—a couple hours on the Shinkansen and a short drive from Nagaoka. In the next couple of days, I'll take you around. There's a festival going on up in the hills, loads of temples, and tonight they're illuminating one. We're staying in a ryokan (Japanese inn) with a really delicious breakfast. Tomorrow morning I'm going to live stream it—they use all local ingredients. A lot of it, if you've never been to Japan, you're like, what? This is breakfast? Even for me, I sometimes need to understand what all the food is.
00:58 John Daub: Then we'll look at the morning service with temple Buddhist chanting—I'll attend, record it, and take you to the local fish market. This is the Sea of Japan, some of the best seafood in the country. Look at this! It feels amazing after weeks in Tokyo. Fresh air in your face. In the morning, fishing boats come in—looking forward to waking at sunrise. The sunset's going to be amazing. I'll film it all and live stream tomorrow what I discover here in Teradomari.
01:43 John Daub: Where exactly is this? Check out this map. I'm in Niigata on the Sea of Japan coast. This is an ancient road from Aomori all the way to Obama City in Fukui, then over Lake Biwa into Kyoto. Pilgrims have taken it for a thousand years—you can see the original path up the hill. I've been to Sanjo, Nagaoka, Sado Island, Murakami, and now Teradomari. Learned quite a bit about Niigata. Over there is Tokyo—no green whatsoever.
02:47 John Daub: The Joetsu Shinkansen trip was beautiful. Check out the video from this morning at Tokyo Station—mine was the 928 Toki 313 to Niigata, got off at Nagaoka. Ticket about 7,000 yen. Grabbed a Beck's Coffee, got on, seat 3A. Now walking towards the festival—some street food, want to support the locals. Typical countryside view. This main road goes down to Kanazawa. Escaped Tokyo.
03:40 John Daub: Festival's very local—supposed to rain, but beautiful blue skies. Raining here this morning, sunny in Tokyo. Rain keeping people away—not many here, feel bad for them. Not hungry, but getting food anyway—could be the best yakitori ever. Already did a tea ceremony—complimentary matcha. Lady sat me down, practiced every action perfectly, even water temperature. Hot matcha—not sweet, pleasant bitterness, rich, fresh smell. No sugar—eat the wagashi (Japanese sweet) instead for sweetness. Has anko (red bean paste). Supposed to cut it neatly, not like a dango (dumpling), but I did anyway—no one staring, having fun.
07:46 John Daub: Make sure to subscribe—tomorrow Japanese breakfast live stream if permitted, then fish market. Niigata famous for rice too. Festival ending soon, not many people. He's making yakitori—smells so good.
08:37 Staff: Konnichiwa.
08:37 John Daub: Do you have yakitori?
08:39 Staff: Yes, I'm baking it.
08:44 John Daub: Curry? Curry rice? I thought curry yakitori. I want yakitori. Gyoza? Homemade Niigata gyoza with local ingredients—meat, vegetables, no garlic?
09:10 Staff: Niigata oniku (meat), oyasai (vegetables).
09:39 John Daub: That's great—gyoza made in Niigata.
09:50 Staff: [Japanese, inaudible].
11:08 John Daub: Homemade ham sandwich looks delicious. I'll introduce Teradomari on YouTube. Is this Teradomari rice? Rice from Washima next door—famous? Make a salt rice ball, local dish with ginger miso from Niigata.
11:44 Staff: Please enjoy.
12:03 John Daub: This has local miso. Streaming live now. Famous rice ball from the area—what makes it special is the miso. Sweet miso smell. Grilled a little so it won't fall apart—mochi-mochi (chewy) texture, slightly crunchy. That miso is so good—pleasant, fermented bean with sweetness.
14:30 John Daub: Now making gyoza. Tare (dipping sauce)? Teradomari-made shoyu (soy sauce) from nearby. Tsukune (meatball)—chicken thighs (momo niku), negima (chicken and leek).
16:23 John Daub: Made to order on charcoal—smells so good. Only in Japan yakitori grill. Teradomari recipe. Tonight eat this up on the hill. If in Niigata, come to Teradomari—staying at ryokan. This is a sauna, then steps with candles at 4:30. I'll film, show tomorrow. US viewers going to sleep soon—3 PM here, want to show this beautiful town. Happy to escape Tokyo. Kanae had to work, Leo see grandpa—on the job but fun. Kanae's family from Joetsu region nearby, special. From temple top, see across Sea of Japan to Sado Island—butterfly-shaped.
18:21 John Daub: Konnichiwa. What's this? Kendama (cup-and-ball toy)? Normal size is five times smaller—heavy, 4kg. Fun workout. Became popular overseas recently. Balancing hardest.
19:46 Kendama Guy: Balance most difficult.
20:37 John Daub: Never seen upside down—amazing! Came to Teradomari to learn kendama. Kindergarten teacher—thinks what kids enjoy.
20:49 Kendama Guy: Hoikuen (nursery school) teacher. Son 2.5 years old? [Performs tricks]. Kendama to music, but copyright—show without.
22:26 John Daub: Keep practicing, get better—mad skills. Old game, popular overseas via skaters, came back to Japan cooler. Love the cycle.
24:37 John Daub: Crab and seafood really good here. Wanted yakitori but big order came in—timing off. Looks good though. Walking to show more town—quiet. That cloud like end of world—superb with blue sky.
26:14 John Daub: Illumination next. Tea ceremony spot—matcha with sweets, ate like dango. Beauty of Japan outside Tokyo—not in your face. Best place? Personal—friend's home, family roots. Travel on your own, find secret spots—don't tell anybody.
28:30 John Daub: Hope entertaining—introducing region. Questions in comments. Historic road—800 years ago, emperor came from Kyoto, exiled to Sado, sad story. Every town has special story. Quiet, peaceful. Digital stamp rally—QR codes via app, collect stamps walking around temples, learn history. Genius incentive.
32:01 John Daub: Manhole covers—squid, crab. Niigata crab amazing. Discovering with you—historical markers. Been to Tsubame-Sanjo, Yahiko, first time Teradomari—nice peacefulness. Urban gardening. Dinner epic—lunch was sashimi teishoku (set meal): fresh Sea of Japan seafood, Niigata koshihikari rice, miso soup. Eating too well.
34:57 John Daub: Suwabuki Matsuri (camellia festival)—flower blooms now. Wood paneling—windy Sea of Japan side hardens bamboo, prized especially Sado. Aquarium famous here. Out of shape on steps—Sea of Japan view, beautiful sunset coming. Get off Tokyo-Kyoto-Nara path—discover real Japan, no tourists, friendly stories. Can speak Japanese, but people try English more now. Adventure rewards effort.
39:34 John Daub: See you tomorrow breakfast or fish market. Enjoyed impromptu stream in Niigata—matane (see you).