00:00:01 John Daub: Alright, we're on the top of Iwatake Mountain. This is the Hakuba City Bakery. There's also horseback riding, bunch of stuff up here. But check this out. Those three are about to go mountain bike riding all the way down this hill. Check out the view from the top. This is worth the trip to Hakuba just for this. This is a wonderful day trip from Tokyo. We drove here—it took four hours. But we're also camping in the area. This morning we drove to the ski lift and came up via ski lift to this point.

00:00:33 John Daub: And this is what you get—for all of you waiting on this channel to see places outside of Tokyo. Whoa, those guys are really mountain biking. They're doing jumps and stuff. There's a course that takes you all the way down from the top. The view from here is just stunning.

00:01:06 John Daub: You all know on this channel, I'm trying to take you to places off the beaten path, to the countryside. I've taken you to Saikō (Lake Saiko) and Hokkaidō just the other day. Now we're in Hakuba, a famous ski town, but very enjoyable in summer because it's cooler here—probably 10 degrees cooler than in the Kantō and Tokyo region. It's a pretty exciting cable car ride to get up to the top. They're still operating the cable cars despite it being off ski season.

00:01:37 John Daub: Let me show you exactly where we are on the map for reference. It's about a four-hour drive from Tokyo. You can't really come here by train—I guess there are trains from Nagano City. This is in Nagano Prefecture. We're on the top of Iwatake Green Park. That's where we're standing right now. There's a ski lift where the blue dot is—actually, that's the mountain bakery. I'm about to take you there. We're on top of the world. It feels like it.

00:02:09 John Daub: It's really special up here. The air is much cooler. I got a long-sleeve shirt; Leo's got a parka on. These really wide sweeping views of Hakuba city down there. It's totally different in winter with snow. Look at the river down there. Such a beautiful natural area of Japan—closer to the Sea of Japan side than the Pacific. And there are the Japanese Alps right there. In comparison to Tokyo, you can see it's a four-hour drive. Pretty drive, bunch of service areas to stop for lunch, etc. Wasn't too bad. I kind of like doing it. I'm going to take you to my camp spot tomorrow morning to show you what camping is like here. But it's a beautiful place to come.

00:02:40 John Daub: I wanted to show you what the cable car experience was like coming up. Check this out—this is about a five-minute video that I'll narrate for you.

00:03:11 John Daub: Iwatake Gondola Lift. They're building a new one, operational by winter apparently. But this is the old one. Tickets were 2400 yen for the ski lift and access to Green Park—no entry fee, all included. There's a 100 yen discount coupon if you can find it. We got it—Kanae Daub seems really good at finding these coupons. I think it was at the michi no eki (roadside station) in Hakuba. We saved 200 yen coming up. Leo is under elementary school age, so he's free—which is great. Anybody over six or seven pays half price for kids. There's the pass from the ticket center. We got inside that gondola—which is so cool. For Leo, I think he'd been in the one in Yokohama, but that's not that high. About five minutes or less. We're going to get an amazing view. The window was open, so we got the camera outside for pictures.

00:04:11 John Daub: Check this out—that's just craziness, right? Couple centimeters away. The 360 camera gives such a unique perspective. You can see us inside there. The view from the gondola is spectacular. Fall foliage is already starting to change in some higher peaks—but I'd say mid-October is really nice. We're not quite there yet, but some higher places are just starting to turn. This year, it's about 10 to 12 days later than normal. This is inside the gondola. Again, you can see how crazy the 360 cameras are. It seemed like over a 10-minute ride to the top—they use this in ski season too.

00:04:42 John Daub: Javier Arami writes, "If only I could teleport there." We'd love to have you. It would be nice to have friends with us—that's why I'm here. Nice to have you in the live stream. Jason is here, Beyond Travel—nice to see you guys. Ramsey Silent, Joy, Gracie, Five Toads Lawfare, Saya as well.

00:05:12 John Daub: This is the City Bakery. I got a bakery addiction—trying to stay away from it. Been doing a very good job, but I broke down and got a bunch of baked items. Now I'm hooked again. You get quality bakery items, sit outside at a picnic table in the forest or on the deck on the other side. This is the type of thing a lot of people are looking for—you can't find it in a lot of places in Japan. But Hakuba is special because lots of Aussies come here to ski. There's international influence in the village, town, city. Brings amazing places like this with a different style.

00:05:43 John Daub: It's really cool. Because Japan's population has been aging—not a lot of young people. You don't get trendy places. You get older stuff at attractions. But this is so well done. Renovations are going on all around Japan to modernize bubble-era stuff from the 1980s—definitely overdue. At this tourist attraction, you really feel like you're in Switzerland—probably more in winter.

00:06:13 John Daub: Here's inside the bakery. Not too big—I thought it'd be bigger. Didn't know what to expect, but whatever they had looked really good. You got a biscuit; I got the number one option—they love to rank things, top three items. This cinnamon roll biscuit type thing with powdered sugar on top. Leo got a cookie. We sat outside on the deck. I should not be eating that. Oh my goodness—what did I do? Raisins, chocolate, all sorts of stuff. With the 360 camera, you can go a little crazy. The view from up here, sitting on the deck—if you snag a table, even better. Really nice to be out there. On a day like this with some clouds, I think the clouds make it more impressive—but a little blue sky, you need that color. Such a relaxing feeling. Supposed to rain at four—I'm praying it doesn't. But the trees would like some rain. You can still see the river down there—untouched nature. Probably a lot of bears. Leo trying to break through the glass—he was throwing grass over the side. I'm like, no, don't do that. Couldn't get him to stand still for a picture. You know, it's hard having a three-year-old anytime.

00:07:45 John Daub: Now there's attractions up here. After the gondola, there's another gondola down there. Also adventure sports—Hakuba is one of the adventure capitals of the Nagano area. Lots of people come for skiing and other things. Investment in trikes going down here. Couple people getting ready. I would do it if not for my wife, who's not that adventurous. Getting her to go camping was a feat. These look fun—not freefall. Better have guts to go down this path. If you can't ski, you can ride. Should we hang out to see if they go? Leo's gone to the horsey area. This tent is about the same size as ours. They have mountain bikes you can take out—put on helmets, go down real fast. There's a restaurant, but I recommend the bakery—the view's way better. Here's the new ski gondola they're building. How you doing, Robin? Nice to see you. When you guys come in winter, this will be done—looks like everything's in place. They're hurrying for high season. Not spring or summer—but fall is beautiful too.

00:09:18 John Daub: This is the path to the other side. A lot of you might be tempted to do the Sound of Music scene—I encourage it. Why not? I might have done that. How could you pass up something ridiculous? You guys can play the music in your heads.

00:10:32 John Daub: I'm not gonna win any awards—people are looking at me. I'm kinda camera shy—not really. No excuse. Why don't I even show it? Sometimes you have to draw a line. But the food here all over is incredible. They're famous for grapes in Nagano, plums, ichijiku (figs)—all so good. Reflected in the cuisine, juices, good stuff—by good stuff, I mean ice cream. This takes you to the big swing—there's a smaller swing that way. But you have to be 110 cm, and Leo failed, so no big swing. Let's go see where Leo is. The air is so good up here—except I'm smelling myself. I don't smell that bad—actually pretty good. But enough to mess with the fresh air. It's chocolate from the cookie and muffin—or the horses. That's not me—who here thought it was? Not me. I figured it wasn't.

00:12:29 John Daub: 8h is here—hey John, fast question: taking my family to Japan for my fifth trip. Don't need Golden Route spots—good but looking for quiet areas. This would be one. Thinking Kobe, trips to Lake Biwa, Awaji, over to Tokushima. Those are all excellent destinations. Depends what time of year. You didn't say exactly when, but good time to come here and see what's going on. When planning a trip to Japan, remember it has four seasons—each different. You could do the Golden Route four times and have four different experiences because of weather, scenery: cherry blossoms, autumn foliage, summer longer days and activities, winter skiing and seasonal foods. Amazing.

00:13:18 John Daub: Whoa, they do have bears around here. The camping spot said—we're going to the Japanese traditional area. Great place. He said, "Oh no, we haven't seen a bear in a while." In Japanese. I said, "Wow, what does that mean—like a week?" Wouldn't specify. Oh, coming in December—I recommend an onsen, staying at a ryokan (Japanese traditional inn). That's what Westerners miss. You get Japanese culture, cuisine—feel like you're in Japan most at a ryokan. Not one night—spend two, splurge, get half board: breakfast and dinner. Kaiseki ryōri (kaiseki cuisine) 90% of the time. Special diet? Call ahead, chef prepares special meals. Amazing. Not used to hot springs, getting naked in public? Put that aside. When in Japan, do as the Japanese. You'll thank me. First year in Japan, I was shy about public baths—big mistake. Once I started, can't stop. Don't care about public nudity now—as you can tell from naked man festivals and whatnot.

00:14:56 John Daub: It helps to keep in shape—those cookies aren't good. But a little bit goes a long way. Going in December—last trip Sapporo, private onsen is good. Coming to mountains is great. Tohoku—Nyūtō Onsen (Nyuto Onsen) is nice, white water in Akita. Highly recommended—way off beaten path. Shikoku nice too, Dōgo Onsen—under renovations now, but no way to go wrong.

00:15:36 John Daub: I see Leo found the horses. Thought that smell was me—but it's the horses.

00:15:49 Leo: Do you like Hakuba? Yes. Why? Oh, it's fresh air. Why? Why? Because there are so many mountains here. Why? Why? Because in Nagano it's not Tokyo. Why?

00:16:05 John Daub: This is how we talk to Leo—everything is why. She's good—see, she didn't question it, just used to answering why. Leo, Leo—can he ride the horses? Why is he angry? Because he can't ride—he's too short. Well, he can play with rocks. Oh, he's making a tower. If you come visit, see Leo's tower—I have rocks. We have two horsies here—he can't ride the ponies, not big enough. Yeah, these are horses. Some good-looking horses. I'm not gonna say it, but down there on the mainland they eat basashi (raw horse meat). Just saying—not gonna happen. But if you're not 110 cm in Japan for kids, not a lot you can do. Part of the fun.

00:17:33 John Daub: Our friend Ramsey Silent is here—how you doing, Ram? Thanks so much. Michael Sasano—we used your Super Chat for lunch at the cafe. Thank you. Let's walk over—give you one look at this beautiful view. I think I can go on this. Oh my goodness. Wow—coffee for lunch and bakery items. I'm not hungry. Now noon, had muffins. Who wouldn't want to live here? Someone who lives here and wants city stuff. I'm kinda tired of the city. Cricket? Sounds so. Highly recommend Hakuba in winter—and if too hot in Tokyo, September. Nice weather—long sleeves. Nice at night, good camping—cooler. Perfect temperature, comfortable. I'll show our camp spot tomorrow. Really happy.

00:18:50 John Daub: This is the old ski—horses where the old ski lift was. Connected here—now out of business. Looks 1950s design. Great. Any questions, leave in comments below. I love hearing from you—check first couple hours after. Know who comments first every time. Appreciate that. Wanted to get this out before I came, but video coming Friday or Saturday—probably Friday. Pretty amazing to see entire square watermelon harvest in Japan. Got invited—I know the creator's son, whose father invented square watermelon. Yamashita-san. Great getting to know him last seven-eight years. Gave me shout-out on national TV interview: "This time we have YouTuber John Daub back—he was here eight years ago." Oh my god—awesome. Didn't have to.

00:20:30 John Daub: Still available on YouTube. I've done square watermelons before, but wanted to see now. Different than eight years ago—declining population, issues. New look at younger farmers, more in-depth. Gonna love it—including time-lapse of square watermelons. Lest I share too much. Check it out in a couple days. But first—this trip was on the books long time. Had to roll out here—or as Leo says, Paw Patrol on a roll.

00:21:17 John Daub: What do you say, Leo? Paw Patrol on a roll—Chase is on the case. Hey, show me your Paw Patrol on a roll. Paw Patrol T-shirt—there you go. He didn't carry—he's not in Bluey. Doesn't know why, but likes Paw Patrol—probably friends do. Can't be helped.

00:21:53 John Daub: There you go—good look at Hakuba. Prices right there. 100 yen discount at michi no eki or tourist shops. Discounts add up—save 20 bucks for couple days. Charge 700 yen for pets, kids under six free—good. Disabled adult half price. Nothing for seniors—senior citizens way richer than young people in Japan. So true—don't think they should give senior discounts. Seniors worked hard, lived through 80s bubble—if saved, filthy rich now with weak yen. Over 65 more than under 30—not good business plan. Funny they don't offer it.

00:23:06 John Daub: If I keep showing this, I'll embarrass myself doing Sound of Music looks—not good look. Okay if I do it publicly, but don't recommend following. Doesn't work—painful. Actually in pain watching. Not good. Thanks for watching. See you tomorrow stream—bring you to camp spot, see what it's like camping with us. Same as everybody else.

00:23:50 John Daub: The name? I didn't hear—say it again. What? Can't hear—say it again. What? Why? Get a taste of your own medicine. Alright, not today.