00:00:01 John Daub: Greetings from Asakusa. This is a part of Tokyo, the cultural center where a ton of tourists come to visit. But rather than the center where the Kaminarimon (thunder gate) and Sensoji Temple are, we're sticking to the riverside along the Sumida River to see the cherry blossoms. It's so beautiful right now with a blue sky, though the sun is setting fast, so we have to hurry. I want to show you a couple things along the way. My nose is red because I got bit by a mosquito last night and I've been blowing it a lot, so if I look like Rudolph, I apologize—or thank you for the compliment. There's a lot of people this way. We're filming in 720p so the quality isn't as good as usual, but that doesn't mean we won't have fun.

00:01:03 John Daub: Right off the bat, this is where a lot of the yakatabune (traditional pleasure boats) launch. We've been watching them along the riverside. Let's check the prices. You can see what the experience looks like before we head to the cherry blossoms. There are more than one. This is just one of many, but it's an interesting note for cherry blossom season because yakatabune river tours are a unique part of visiting Tokyo.

00:01:34 John Daub: Seats available for 11. Look at that for lunchtime. They have tables on the boat so you can eat your food—this one has tempura and stuff, plus a brochure. The Amise Yakatabune. That looks really nice. The cruise goes around the river and the islands in Tokyo Bay. Prices vary, but it's worth it as an experience to see the city in a new way. There's another one down there—a couple along here, and they're popular now. Too early or late for US viewers—they're sleeping. This is more for Hawaii, Australia, Singapore, and Europe since it's 5 p.m.

00:02:44 John Daub: The city is crazy busy right now. I started in central Asakusa—there's Kaminarimon with tons of people. It's always crowded at this time, but more so for cherry blossoms. They've decorated Nakamise-dori (shopping street) with them, which is neat—they do fall colors in autumn too. And there's the Skytree.

00:03:15 John Daub: How do you get to the cherry blossoms from Kaminarimon? Follow toward the Skytree until you hit the river, then follow the crowds—which is what we're doing. Here's a map pinpointing where I am. It's about five or six minutes from the center. Walk toward the riverside—you'll see the Manji symbol—and signs for cherry blossoms. It's well-signed. Boom—Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festival) right there. That's a Suijo Bus (water bus) terminal. A Space Boat is leaving for Odaiba—there's the Himiko. It's crowded. During 2021-2022, they ran boats empty since tourists couldn't come, but kept them going. The Tobu Line to Nikko departs from Asakusa station nearby. Everything's in English now—wonderful. Asakusa Line, Ginza Line, Tobu Asakusa Line—Skytree's right here. Very touristy.

00:06:17 John Daub: By the way, the tunnel I walked through closes at 9 p.m. I used to run early mornings—they'd open it at 5:59 for 6 a.m. Otherwise, cross at street level. This is an iconic shot with the golden poo—Asahi Hall, I think, supposed to be a beer head but looks like golden poo. You can see it from planes into Haneda. "Hey, there's Asakusa—the big turd!" There goes another yakatabune—people heading out for dinner. Waving to them. Space Boat—always another coming. Already seeing cherry blossoms—check it out.

00:08:08 John Daub: Festival season in Tokyo—tons of people, hard to upload. Tokyo's great for downloads but upload sucks. But we're seeing cherry blossoms, so let's go up the steps and immerse in the sakura. Yesterday I took you to Chidorigafuchi in Chiyoda Ward [?], Kitano Maru Park, and Ueno Park. Today, another area with hanami (blossom viewing) goers.

00:10:08 John Daub: Let's walk about. I really like this open part of the city—usually almost empty, but cherry blossom festival along Sumida Riverside fills it with Somei Yoshino sakura trees, especially weekends. Today it's Saturday, so festive tonight. Street lights will light it up, bringing out the white colors—they have lights in the trees. Beautiful in the evening with people drinking, dancing, partying—that's spring in Japan. Visitors, this is where you want to be. No open fires in Asakusa—no barbecues. Tokyo has a no-open-fire policy except designated areas.

00:12:16 John Daub: Signal's weaker with more people—it's busy, feels like a festival thanks to the lights. As the sun sets, more coming. Might beat Ueno—more open, longer, on the riverside. Food stands, Tully's Coffee for hot coffee—it gets chilly at night and early mornings. Nice with Tobu Line trains from Nikko to Skytree. Rivade—cafes like Tully's. Good strolling spot—if tired, cross to Skytree for malls, restaurants. More sakura and food stands over there. Unlike Ueno, it's spread out—Sumida Park in Sumida Ward is great.

00:16:03 John Daub: That yakatabune's taking off. You could go to Odaiba mornings and ride to cherry blossoms. Waving to you guys. Let's check this cafe—maybe sakura lattes. Kabuki on walls? Tourist area—ninjas, geisha, Mount Fuji. Tourists love it, but real Japan feel is subtle, quirky neon alleys. Tokyo's changed last five-six years with more samurai stuff for tourists. Neat, I guess. Base of Skytree with yakatabune—pan up for beautiful sight.

00:18:13 John Daub: I filmed outside up there at 634 meters [?] with a helmet that wouldn't help. Special time with cherry blossoms—colors, people soaking spring after cold winter. Weather breaks cold at night, warm days—blue skies today after rain. One more cold spell, then perfect spring mid-April to early June: no humidity, warm, shorts, chilly nights, flowers out. Post-blossom, tourists drop.

00:19:45 John Daub: Hundreds of sakura varieties, not just white Somei Yoshino. Tully's—takeaway usually, hard to seat weekends, but peaceful weekdays. Grab a table, soak river life—balcony chairs for warm days. Sakura matcha latte action—not bad. Viewers mostly Hawaii—mahalo. Backside of Tully's peaceful. Europe/UK waking. Playground—better for families than Ueno. Rent kimono/yukata in Asakusa for memorable riverside sakura photos—chilly, so jacket up. Lots dressed up, though raining tomorrow—this is peak.

00:24:03 John Daub: Postcard shot—residential further up toward Kita-Senju [?], more locals, less tourists near Asakusa/Suijo Bus port. Sun setting—better spot than Nakameguro? That river's narrow, crowded—here, open space, free feel, nature-city vibe with sakura. Unique.

00:27:32 John Daub: Martin Fischer—fifth time in May, best time: sumo, baseball at Tokyo Dome, Gundam cells [?]. I'll be around—Guam mid-May, else Tokyo. Prefer Swallows games at outdoor Jingu Stadium—easier tickets. Yokohama BayStars have best nama biru (draft beer). Peak today—raining tomorrow, last for most trees. Maybe morning stream.

00:29:41 John Daub: Thanks for watching—perfect end with Skytree, sakura, Space Boat. Last car best—like first class. Take care—hope fun. Questions in comments. See you tomorrow before blossoms fall—rain washes them. Peak time. Matane (see ya).