00:00:01 John Daub: I'm going to be leaving Japan soon for summer vacation. That means I leave the country for a couple of weeks. I've done it before, left for a month or so in the past. There are so many things you miss when you leave Japan. For many of you watching, this is going to be a nostalgic episode where you think about the things you miss in the first 48 or 72 hours. There's things you really connect with when you visit Japan. Now that I'm leaving for a couple of weeks, I'll be back. My family's staying in the U.S. for two months. I'll be back here to do some shoots for a couple of weeks, then go back to the United States.

00:00:40 John Daub: I thought in this episode we'd take a look at some of the things I miss when I leave here. I've been here so darn long, I think about it now when I do. One of the things right away are the vending machines. There's one right over there, all over the place—one behind the cars in the parking garage, a Coca-Cola one. There's one in the alley here, so let's check it out.

00:01:12 John Daub: Vending machines are top of my list. They're such a fun, convenient thing—you can get food or drinks anytime. Let's get something: Bacardi Sweat, a drink of choice for a lot of people; a new peach drink; Calpis Strawberry (only 1% fruit juice). The coffee's always good, but in summertime, Jurokucha (sixteen teas) or mugi cha (barley tea) is the way to go. So, Juroku Mugi Cha, a summer drink. And here are the new notes—they're so beautiful in Japan, though I don't use cash much anymore, usually just an IC card. That sound of the drink coming out is so nice. Thanks to the Super Chats—now I've got coins for the airport tomorrow. Let's have a drink.

00:02:39 John Daub: The other thing I really miss about Japan: the trains and convenience stores. Convenience stores are number two—who doesn't miss going into a 7-Eleven in Japan? It's so different: bakery items, fresh bread, better ingredients, onigiri (rice balls). Oh my gosh, everybody gets these. And of course, tamago sando (egg salad sandwich) might be top of everybody's list—that creamy, eggy, perfect bread. This one's chicken with egg; I prefer that, but basics are good. It's a close one between convenience stores and vending machines. What do you guys think? Vending machines, says the chat. A sip of this tea—gosh. FamilyMart has vending machines in some train stations. Itadakimasu. This mugi cha is the summer drink—so nice and cool. It's 28-29 degrees, low humidity—perfect day outside, even in rainy season.

00:04:03 John Daub: Behind me is an abandoned house. We get vending machines, convenience stores, tamago sando, and Shinkansen (bullet train). That's top of the list. The trains—public transportation in Tokyo and Osaka is fantastic (Kyoto's not that good, let's be honest). The Circle Line in Osaka. Yesterday I wanted to live stream but had to pick up Leo at his grandpa's and bring him home on the bicycle. He has Shinkansen-colored shoes, so before we left, we went to Tokyo Station platform to see the Shinkansen. We saw a Disney-themed train coming in—parked the bike, went inside before it left. The Tohoku Shinkansen is beautiful, faster than the Tokaido to Kyoto/Osaka. So much fun to ride, with bentos (boxed meals). This Disney-wrapped one on Tohoku ends this month—Rapunzel there. Leo wanted to touch her. We had a minute before departure; when the bells ring and gates go up, it leaves. Peter Pan flies—only in Japan.

00:06:11 John Daub: Let's bring in the sound—this Disney rap train is going away this month, maybe on Tokaido too. Cool to see from the bike; I love riding bicycles around Tokyo—they've improved the trails. Cool for kids, 150 yen ($1) to the platform. Down in Tokyo Station basement, Japanese toys—something I miss. Plarail (train sets) is what Leo and I do: affordable tracks under $100, make a city; trains $15-25, 3-4 cars. Durable, easy to set up. Dream: one around the house so my wife delivers dinner by train—ridiculous, but dreams are. Tracks $3-4; they have Yamanote Line, subways, Shinkansen, even Dr. Yellow Tohoku. Leo likes Tom and Jerry wrapped; hundreds including anime. Dr. Yellow you see through—cool if you like trains, like I do. Reasonable price.

00:08:31 John Daub: I'm just leaving for a couple weeks—not forever. Title's not clickbait; I do miss stuff even short-term. Tomica (toy cars) are cool too, connected to Plarail store. I miss Japanese cars, the traffic—K-cars (keijidosha, small vehicles), little trucks; more manageable. You can make your own Tomica—900 yen ($5-6) handmade in Tokyo Station basement. They have monorail, Tokyo Monorail to Haneda. Public transportation—I miss it; too convenient. Prada and Tomica store—bookmark it. Lots of gifts in basement on Yaesu side. I miss the traffic; in US, no order. Here, left-side walking, common understanding—the longer you live, it works. Abroad feels chaotic—appreciate Japan, reverse culture shock. Convenience stores aren't the same.

00:10:35 John Daub: Trains are top. List: hospitality, no tipping—hard in US (15-20%, even at register). I was a waiter making $4.30/hour in Ohio—tips based on performance. Hardest for Japanese abroad: how much to tip? I love walking without public safety worry—crime up worldwide, except here. Even midnight in seedy places, you're OK. Cleanliness despite no trash cans—no graffiti, bad smells like pee in NYC/London. Everything works, on time. Customer service: counting money two-handed, respect in little things. Cultural—Japan's about respect in subtle ways: personal belongings, moving bikes nicely (leave note if needed). I miss that.

00:13:36 John Daub: One you might not think of: summer foods like kakigori (shaved ice). Seasonal stuff Japan celebrates in food, festivals—I'll miss some fireworks (back in July). Another level than US barbecues. Walking signs: boop boop. Tweeting music, horizontal traffic lights—little things. Public quiet—no horns. Center of Tokyo, residential neighborhood near my ward in Chuo. Respect for rules, social harmony—it works. Tourism throws a wrench, but locals tolerate. Social awareness: separate trash, pick up others'—makes society. In US, chaos—not thinking of strangers.

00:15:53 John Daub: Japanese cuisine—what food do you miss most? Tamago sando from 7-Eleven—consensus top, even easy-open tab. Katsudon, gyudon, ramen. High-quality food any price—in conbini (convenience store), really good. 500 yen ($3.50) good lunch. No-tip culture—tipping's out of hand in US, not about service. I was a server: "Hi, I'm John"—understand, but it's earned, a gift. In Japan, low prices, no tip worry—great service anyway. Miso soup every meal wears me out sometimes—give me pizza without. Green tea from vending machines, no sugar overload—simplistic.

00:18:50 John Daub: Miss onsen (hot springs), bath culture—bath at night, shower morning if hot. No shoes in house—even in US homes, I remove them. Uncomfortable otherwise. American TV: shoes on couch/bed? Microbiology ruins you. Public toilets usable—cleaner than hotels. Japanese leave cleaner, wipe with alcohol. Many wipe seats after. Minimalist design, wabi-sabi (imperfect beauty). Bikes, walkability, small shops—not unique. Convenience everywhere—even countryside. Four-five conbini, three supermarkets in five minutes—crazy. Small fridge OK—buy fresh daily, no gallons.

00:23:32 John Daub: Amazon Japan: ordered lumbar cushion for wife's back—Prime, 7pm order, midnight delivery to Takkyubin (parcel) box. Got at 7am—five hours! Everything compact, fast delivery—send suitcase Kyoto to Tokyo, next day. What do you miss? I rap all day. Miss US too: Reese's, hoagie from Wawa, Slurpee, 48oz coffee, oversized stuff, friendliness. Tokyo buzz, attractions, cheap food. Wawa awesome, Buc-ee's dream—mega store.

00:27:33 John Daub: Small alleys, walkways. Japanese history basis of daily life—my channel's into that. Buc-ee's roast beef—gotta go. Excited for US, but miss Japan more than two weeks. You ache after visiting: onsen, conbini, orange juice vending. Leave top ten in comments—maybe main channel episode. Freedom: open beer in park from conbini/vending. Don't abuse or it'll go.

00:30:38 John Daub: Airports cool—Haneda/Narita. Live stream Haneda tomorrow 9-10am. Video on Japanese strawberries dropping. Staying in Chuo Ward. Q&A from US—back June 23-25. Postcards from Shizuoka this week—assistant Emi handling (first time). Postcard club before 10th gets Mt. Fuji top postcard, special postmark, QR secret video. Gotta pack, finish main episode. Save Tamago Sando for Kanae (wife). See you at Haneda—questions on airport/travel.