So here we are in my studio
this is where I edit all the ONLY in Japan series episodes
How are you doing everybody?
As you all know by now, this is a new channel.
A new logo, a new animated opening, a new show format.
The drama of the last couple of years,
it, it was a lot, it was really hard to, to leave a channel
that you spent so much time to grow and nurture
a channel of over a million subscribers...
But that's all in the rearview mirror, that's in the past.
I'm pretty happy with where I am,
that break was so important for me,
to stay positive and find my happiness.
And that's what drives me to make those stories,
those long nights of editing, those extra long location shoots,
finding the story, tracking it down and bringing it to you,
I had to preserve that and, I think validation of my decision is
in this channel, as you can see.
I'm no different than anybody else,
every day, somebody in the world is pushing the restart button,
it's a part of life.
If you have never done that before in your life, then
maybe you should think about doing it,
unless you're extremely happy with the direction you're in.
I wasn't. And now I am.
It took less than a year to hit 100,000 subscribers,
that is so awesome, and we're still growing.
So I think the formula, the way I make this series is good
and it's only continuing to get better.
One of the things that I do promise you is that in June I will be producing
at least two episodes a month, from hereon out.
So you can count on content to increase on the ONLY in Japan series
right here on this channel.
And as the year goes on I'm going to be working very very hard to continue
to try to get to that goal of making a video once a week,
and then maybe in 2022 even more than that.
And I think with your support, I know I'll be able to get to those goals
that I set for myself.
Once again, in 4K. This one is in HD, one of the last ones
that I'll be doing, maybe there's a couple that are in the can that have already been edited
that might come out in HD size, but for the most part
I'll be filming in 4K because now I have an 8K camera that allows me
to edit 8K video down to 4K, where I can zoom and crop into videos
giving you a more dynamic story, and that's what it's all about.
Again, we're 110,000 strong on this day,
right before the one year anniversary of the new channel.
A lot of stuff has happened in 2021,
including the birth of, Kanae and I had a son,
Rio aka Lio, born
that has brought a lot of joy into our lives
and a lot of positivity,
something to look forward to and it gives me excitement about the future.
Last year we also had that big Kickstarter project
where 800 supporters helped to fund ONLY in Japan fireworks festival at Omagari
at the most prestigious fireworks festival in Japan.
It was super exciting to raise $60,000 for the Japanese fireworks industry,
to put this show on.
We didn't just do one show, we did two.
And that was just totally awesome, and I think we're gonna do it again this year
because a lot of the shows are suspended again.
If the community can come together, we can do some really, really amazing things
and that's what I love about what we have created with this.
Speaking of you, I asked last year if people would
submit to me, their ONLY in Japan title calls.
And I put it all together into, I don't know, kind of like a patchwork type of thing...
Check it out! (♫ Intro music ♫)
Irasshaimase! (Welcome)
All together: ONLY in Japan!!
Peter von Gomm: ONLY in Japan
Again, click that subscribe button and that bell
so you always get the notifications for the new episodes when they go up.
I've been using something called Discord a lot over the last couple of years.
It's not something that's new, but it might be new to you.
It's a server that's free to download where viewers can interact with one another,
like a community, and this is what's been making the ONLY in Japan community alot stronger.
There's also an option for me to do what's called "Fireside Chats",
which is sort of like a radio call-in show,
meaning that you can interact with me, ask me questions and answer them
and anybody can listen in at any time, very similar to what Clubhouse is doing.
We have 11,000 strong on our Discord servers,
so you might wanna consider joining us there,
especially if you're considering travelling to Japan in 2021 and 2022,
you wanna talk with other travellers, find out where the best hotels are,
what places are tattoo-friendly...
If you're going to stay in a certain area, maybe which hotel should you stay in,
which section should you visit of Japan for your first trip?
This is all things that we're discussing daily on the ONLY in Japan Discord server.
I'm also on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter... even LinkedIn,
and Patreon for anybody who wants to support.
I have a postcard club that grows every month and I'm so happy for that support,
which helps to keep the series running.
At the end of July, the Tokyo Olympics are gonna start
and on the ONLY in Japan * GO series, this is my mobile live streaming series,
I'm gonna be focussing on the venues, on the city of Tokyo, and the vibe that's happening
around this city at the time of the Olympics.
I know that foreign tourism, foreign visitors, are not allowed to come to Japan at this time,
so because I'm here, I'm gonna use that channel to bring you with me, and share with you
some of those stories. I don't even know if I can
meet any of the Olympians, it seems like they're going to be isolated in the Olympic Village.
But I'm still gonna be able to give you the vibe
and there's going to be events or something taking place here, or else...
you know... it's going to be kinda depressing around here,
which if it is, I will bring that to you too, because that in itself is a story.
So I hope you do consider subscribing to the ONLY in Japan * GO channel,
where I'm going to be bringing you these mobile livestreams, live from Tokyo during the Olympics.
It's going to be pretty exciting.
And updates about travel, the travel situation to Japan. I've been doing that since the start
of the pandemic in January of 2020, I started when I first heard the murmurs
of maybe travelling stopping - I was one of the first people to talk about how that's going
to impact travel to Japan. Going forward, I'm gonna stay on top of it,
I have my ear to the ground to a lot of the tourist offices and the airlines on where they're
gonna be starting flights back to Japan, so do consider that subscription to the
ONLY in Japan * GO series as well, it's pretty cool,
and I take you all over the country when we're not in a state of emergency like now.
This part of the episode I'm pretty excited about.
Now I want to introduce you to some of the viewers that have made
this series pretty awesome, because again, if nobody watches the content that you create
what is the purpose of creating the content at all?
I gave them a chance to, I don't know, say a few words, and this is what we put together:
Aloha John, it's Luke, Sheryl and Austin from Honolulu, Hawaii.
We've been watching your channel since 2017.
Luke: My favourite place is... Kyoto! Sheryl: Mine's Tokyo!
Austin: Mine's Odaiba.
All together: Good luck with your new channel! Aloha!
Hi John, Norm and Araceli here from Los Angeles, California.
Araceli: From square watermelons Norm: To vending machines
Araceli: Giant fireworks Norm: To microsushi
Araceli: Capsule hotels Norm: To manhole covers
Araceli: And monkey parks!
Norm: Your videos about Japan have been truly informative and entertaining.
Norm: Thanks for all the great content. Araceli: And good luck with the new channel!
Vivienne: Hey John, I'm Vivienne. Jeremy: And I'm Jeremy.
Vivienne: And we're from New Jersey. We stumbled upon your channel while
planning our first trip to Japan in 2017, and we've been fans ever since.
We've been to Japan twice so far, and our favourite stop was Hakodate.
Good luck with your new channel, and we can't wait to see what you have planned.
Hey John, this is Suede from Earl's Inlet, South Carolina.
I just wanted to say every time I watch your videos,
I feel like I'm travelling in Japan with you.
You also inspired me to learn a new language and get out of my comfort zone,
and take my two kids and wife out of the country to Japan.
Thank you for all the hard work you put into your videos, good luck with the new channel,
and good luck moving forward.
Hey John, this is Tom checking in from Patreon.
I just want to say a big good luck and ganbatte kudasai (Do your best) for the new channel.
I've been following for a few years and ONLY in Japan has helped me a lot
on both my visits, particularly Ueno and Ueno Park.
Hi John, Shane Patrick from Canada.
I just wanted to say: Thank you for all your amazing content and inspiring me to go to Japan.
Also: Hi Kanae!
And good luck with your new channel!
Hey John, it's Derek. I'm from California, and I first started watching your channel
in 2016 when I was planning my trip to Japan. Thank you for all your help and advice,
as you gave me a lot of good ideas for my trip, and overall it was something I really enjoyed,
and I hope to be back to Japan soon! And good luck on your new channel!
Konichiwa John, I'm Bryan, I'm an American who's been living
in the UK now for seven years.
I've been watching your content for a very long time now.
I tried to catch you during one of your livestreams, however I was there in the middle
of August, the weather was extremely hot, so I tried to stay inside as much as I could.
The best of luck with the new channel, and I wish you amazing success!
Ganbatte! (Do your best)
Hey John, it's Collin from Ottawa, Ontario, also known as Casebury Dad,
Congratulations on starting the new channel, Jon Daub ONLY in Japan.
Looking forward to all your adventures and the honesty and truthfulness you bring to it,
it inspires me to get to Japan too. Cheers mate!
Hey John, Peso here.
Once again, I'd like to congratulate you on your new channel.
Your videos have always been an inspiration as to travel advice, insights, particularly with Japan.
The ramen alley was not disappointing at all, I loved that bown of corn butter miso ramen
that you promoted, as well as the capsule hotel, that was my first time.
It was very interesting, and definitely very much memorable.
Anyways, thanks so much again for your videos and streams
which helped inspire my trips to Japan.
I think it inspired a lot of us in the community as well,
and I wish you success, and the best of luck on your new channel.
Hey John, it's Thomas from Memphis, Tennessee.
I cannot wait to see what you have planned with this new channel.
If it's anything like your other videos, it's gonna be amazing.
Hey John, Sunny here from Los Angeles.
Tasty chronicles! Yes, that's me. (Laughs)
And I look forward to watching Jon Daub's ONLY in Japan channel.
But thanks again for all the great videos of Japan, throughout Japan, and inside Japan.
Hey John, my name's Josh and I live in Calgary, Canada.
I love watching your videos and in 2017 they gave me that push to finally
visit Japan for the first time.
I think my favourite part of the trip was seeing Hakone
just because it's such a beautiful area, and I even got a good shot of Fuji-san.
I'm looking forward to the new channel and I'm wishing all the best to you and Kanae.
Hello, my name is Laurie Kimmick, I live in (inaudible placename) Ecuador.
I hope to visit Japan again this year so I can discover the wonderful town of Higashisonogi.
I've been a huge fan of yours since 2018, good luck with your new channel, John!
Hey John, this is Ryan from (inaudible).
I've been to Japan at least twenty times. I love going to Saitama.
I've been watching your show since 2017, and it opened my eyes to different possibilities
to do as you travel to Japan.
Best of luck with your new channel, and keep up the good work.
Hey John, it's Tony.
I just wanna wish you the best of luck on your new channel.
I really enjoy when you take us to those hidden gem locations,
you know, the ones like Hanabusa Inari Shrine in Akihabara.
Thank you for taking us all over Japan, and showing us the unique and fun
things to do all over Japan, in a fun and exciting way.
Take care John, best of luck.
Hi John, this is Chris coming in from foggy and windy San Francisco.
I want to wish your new channel lots of luck.
I've been watching your channel since 2016 and I've been to Japan three times,
of which Kobe and Miyajima were my favourite places.
I hope you're doing well in Japan and cheers to you. Bye!
Hi John, this is Grace from Hong Kong, hello.
I just started watching your channel earlier this year,
and I have been to Japan a dozen times.
My favourite place is Hakodate. All the best to your new channel.
Hey John, I'm Alex from Brunswick in Germany,
and I've been watching ONLY in Japan for about three years now.
Unfortunately I haven't been to Japan yet, but I'm already planning my first trip
and have a long list of places to visit, things to do there, and food to eat.
Your videos were a big help in making this list, so thank you for that.
Keep up the great work and good luck with the new channel.
Yen here. My husband and I really love visiting Japan,
and a large reason as to why we end up loving Japan so much more,
is really through all your videos, main channel and also through the GO live.
One of, some of the videos that really have inspired us, is actually,
alot of the interesting things that we do not notice in Japan, for example you had an episode on
manhole covers, and also like the livestream also had manhole covers that you point out.
And from then on, my husband and I have been going to all the different cities, whether it's Nara,
whether it's Sapporo, and we've noticed the manhole covers and then we just take a picture of it,
because we just got so inspired by your videos.
Good luck with your new channel, and we cannot wait to see it.
Hi John and Kanae. This is Jerry, from Honolulu, Hawaii.
My wife Pia sends her regards, she's not able to be on this video
as she's at work right now.
We've been to Japan five times.
Our favourite spot in Japan is Osaka.
We just love the food and the food scene over there.
But anyway, stay safe, and take care.
Aloha!
Hey John, it's Raymond from California.
I've been watching your videos for the last few years, but only recently joined the community.
I've been to Japan many times before,
but I still learn something new by watching your videos. Thanks a lot for sharing with us,
and good luck with the new channel.
Hi John, this is Jason from Delta, British Columbia.
The reason I enjoy your work is because you bring us not just content
but stories, about Japan, it's people, and it's culture.
I wanna wish you all the best, for your new channel.
Hi John, this is Eugene Shimobukoro from Mililani, Hawaii.
I travelled to Japan with my wife Cora, and my grandson Kayden.
We have sailed to Odaiba on the spaceboat,
we have posed with Godzilla in Hibiya,
and we even visited the peeing baby monk in Hamamatsuchō Station.
We really appreciate all that you and Kanae share on ONLY in Japan.
Hi John, this is Bryan Walker from Seattle, wishing you all the best luck on your new channel.
My wife and I first discovered you a few years ago on your Osaka flamethrower chef video,
and we're really excited to see what you have in store for us next.
Hey John, ohayo gozaimashita (good morning) from "sunny" Liverpool, England.
I've been following ONLY in Japan * GO for quite a few years now,
and also the ONLY in Japan channel.
And I'd say the videos are really helpful for people who have had not only
not been to Japan before, but also those that have been quite a few times
and wanted to discover something new.
Good luck with the channel, all the best. Ganbatte kudasai! (Do your best)
Hello John, it's Toby, your nemesis.
And as your nemesis, I cannot wish you good luck.
However, my favourite moment is when you acknowledged me,
by giving me a human name.
(♫ Dramatic music ♫) John: He's eating my... the salmon.
(Crows cawing) Look at him! Stupid crow...
Toby, I'm gonna call him Toby, that thief.
Toby: Thank you for that. Also John: I want you to be aware,
my accomplice, is always watching you.
(♫ Dramatic music ♫)
See you around... (Evil laughter)
John: That's pretty cool when people take the time out to send you a video like that.
I really appreciate it guys.
To me as a YouTube creator, this is a lot more than just producing videos
to upload to the platform.
To me, a YouTube creator is about growing a community and to build something.
I can see going forward we're gonna have a lot more channel milestones,
this is just the first of many coming, everybody.
And as somebody who has already been to the top of a mountain,
and now starting over at the bottom of it,
I can tell you that it is a very hard climb, but it is very possible to get there.
As long as you keep making consistent content, keep the quality really high,
interact with your community and help it grow,
there's no limits to what anybody can do.
Starting a new channel in 2021 is absolutely possible.
I just wanna say thank you to all of you, for helping me achieve my dreams.
And thank you so much for connecting with me over the years, I really appreciate it.
You've expanded my world, made it so much bigger.
And yet it doesn't feel that much bigger,
because we're so well connected now on social media,
through YouTube, and other platforms.
Look, I know we're gonna be hitting more milestones, but 100,000 is a very significant
milestone to hit.
So let's enjoy this. I know we're in the right direction.
Look for more videos on the ONLY in Japan channel right here,
I'll see you on ONLY in Japan * GO twenty times a month,
I'll see you on Discord, Instagram, all the other media platforms.
And when travel starts up, maybe at the end of 2021 or 2022,
here in Japan for a "You found me" card.
Because I really enjoyed getting to know you through the live streaming as well as the
meetups that we've done around the world, whether it was in Europe or Germany,
Prague, or in India, Malaysia, Singapore,
New York, Ottawa, in Montreal.
That means a lot to me, and getting to know you is very important for this series going forward.
Thank you once again for opening up your worlds to me, and I'm going to keep
opening up Japan to you.
So: Stay safe, take care of the people around you,
much love from Kanae, little Rio and myself, from here in Tokyo,
to you and your families all around the world.
Mata ne! (See you later!)