1
00:00:07,926 --> 00:00:12,222
A great philosopher
once said, "The world is a book,
2
00:00:13,098 --> 00:00:18,520
and those who don't travel
read only one page."
3
00:00:26,903 --> 00:00:28,363
Well, I've gotta say,
4
00:00:28,363 --> 00:00:32,616
I've read a few pages,
and I'm not crazy about the book.
5
00:00:33,535 --> 00:00:36,621
I don't look forward to traveling
for a number of reasons.
6
00:00:37,205 --> 00:00:38,582
When it's too cold,
7
00:00:38,582 --> 00:00:39,666
I'm not comfortable.
8
00:00:39,666 --> 00:00:41,501
Ice swimming, naked?
9
00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:44,379
- Yes.
- Well, that's a terrific invitation.
10
00:00:46,756 --> 00:00:49,801
When it's too warm, guess what?
I'm not comfortable.
11
00:00:49,801 --> 00:00:51,887
I can't move that fast.
12
00:00:52,470 --> 00:00:55,223
- But I'm 75.
- You need some help?
13
00:00:55,223 --> 00:00:56,433
No, I got it.
14
00:00:57,142 --> 00:01:01,062
And maybe it's time to expand my horizons.
15
00:01:06,818 --> 00:01:08,194
Oh, my God.
16
00:01:09,404 --> 00:01:11,823
First time I've had my hand
up an elephant's ass.
17
00:01:11,823 --> 00:01:13,325
On the plus side,
18
00:01:14,659 --> 00:01:17,954
I'm staying at some unbelievable hotels.
19
00:01:17,954 --> 00:01:21,583
Oh, my. This is spectacular.
20
00:01:26,504 --> 00:01:31,468
The catch is, I've also agreed
to explore what lies outside.
21
00:01:31,468 --> 00:01:33,553
- Watch your step.
- No kidding.
22
00:01:33,553 --> 00:01:35,639
- Beautiful mountain.
- That's a volcano.
23
00:01:35,639 --> 00:01:36,640
That's a volcano?
24
00:01:36,640 --> 00:01:40,435
A world I've spent my whole life avoiding.
25
00:01:40,435 --> 00:01:41,978
Whoa. Sadie.
26
00:01:42,729 --> 00:01:45,315
Oh, my God.
27
00:01:45,315 --> 00:01:48,526
Just surviving would be great.
28
00:01:48,526 --> 00:01:51,655
This is the last time
I have five vodkas with a Finn.
29
00:02:01,748 --> 00:02:06,044
For me, a trip to Tokyo
was never in the cards.
30
00:02:07,170 --> 00:02:09,004
I have concerns.
31
00:02:09,004 --> 00:02:11,967
Cultural chasms I've never traversed.
32
00:02:11,967 --> 00:02:14,886
A diet too exotic to enjoy.
33
00:02:14,886 --> 00:02:17,973
A language tug-of-war I will never win.
34
00:02:18,807 --> 00:02:21,560
And it brings new meaning
to the word bustling.
35
00:02:29,442 --> 00:02:36,157
My son, Daniel, has been here many times,
and he has raved about this country.
36
00:02:38,410 --> 00:02:40,537
He kept saying,
"You've got to go to Japan.
37
00:02:40,537 --> 00:02:42,831
You will love it when you get there."
38
00:02:42,831 --> 00:02:45,458
So, on his orders, we are here.
39
00:02:46,626 --> 00:02:49,504
But I am a very different beast to my son.
40
00:02:49,504 --> 00:02:55,093
He's a carefree cosmopolitan,
whereas I'm cautious and conventional.
41
00:02:55,093 --> 00:02:59,890
It's hard for me
to find my place just about anywhere.
42
00:02:59,890 --> 00:03:04,019
So the world's biggest city
feels especially overwhelming.
43
00:03:04,728 --> 00:03:08,648
I'm gonna need a lift from someone
who can help me navigate it.
44
00:03:15,405 --> 00:03:19,242
Unfortunately, I'm built for comfort
rather than speed,
45
00:03:19,242 --> 00:03:21,828
so let's see how this goes.
46
00:03:25,332 --> 00:03:28,293
- Hey, Eugene. Konnichiwa.
- Konnichiwa.
47
00:03:28,293 --> 00:03:30,045
- Throw your stuff in the trunk.
- You got it.
48
00:03:31,922 --> 00:03:34,883
- Brought your entourage.
- This is my crew.
49
00:03:36,176 --> 00:03:38,553
To show me around the Japanese capital,
50
00:03:38,553 --> 00:03:43,058
I've got a guide who's traveled halfway
around the world to make this city home.
51
00:03:44,935 --> 00:03:46,144
{\an8}Yeah, it's a little bit low.
52
00:03:46,144 --> 00:03:47,938
{\an8}- Sorry about that.
- No cars for old men.
53
00:03:47,938 --> 00:03:50,023
- It's Japan-sized.
- Get it in.
54
00:03:50,857 --> 00:03:52,317
- Eugene.
55
00:03:52,317 --> 00:03:54,027
- Albo.
- Are you ready?
56
00:03:54,027 --> 00:03:55,695
Yeah. I'm as ready as I can be.
57
00:03:56,947 --> 00:03:58,782
I'm gonna be taking you to your hotel.
58
00:03:59,366 --> 00:04:01,534
- Every now and then I might floor it.
- Uh-huh.
59
00:04:01,534 --> 00:04:05,330
And when he said, "Floor it,"
boy, he wasn't kidding.
60
00:04:12,003 --> 00:04:15,006
- How was that?
- Scary. That was scary.
61
00:04:15,006 --> 00:04:20,929
Once a humble fishing village,
Tokyo now has a population of 40 million.
62
00:04:20,929 --> 00:04:25,684
The same as Canada,
in only .02% of the space.
63
00:04:26,268 --> 00:04:30,146
- I'm also actually from Toronto, so...
- You're from Toronto?
64
00:04:30,146 --> 00:04:33,775
When did you leave for Tokyo and why?
65
00:04:33,775 --> 00:04:37,612
I was just enamored with something
that seemed like a different world.
66
00:04:38,905 --> 00:04:40,198
Albo's not alone.
67
00:04:40,699 --> 00:04:44,786
One in ten Tokyoites, now in their 20s,
were born abroad.
68
00:04:45,787 --> 00:04:50,333
So, what is it exactly about this town
that you love so much?
69
00:04:50,333 --> 00:04:54,337
Growing up, I loved anime
and Japanese movies and TV shows.
70
00:04:54,337 --> 00:04:55,672
The best way I can describe it is,
71
00:04:55,672 --> 00:04:58,550
you get this sense of nostalgia
for a place you've never, ever been.
72
00:04:59,259 --> 00:05:01,803
So, to come here
and experience it for myself,
73
00:05:01,803 --> 00:05:04,306
it's literally a video game
brought to life.
74
00:05:04,306 --> 00:05:07,976
I kind of feel like I'm in a video game
right now, to be honest.
75
00:05:08,602 --> 00:05:12,814
The millions of people who've made
this city home must be on to something.
76
00:05:12,814 --> 00:05:16,276
I'm intrigued to find out
what that something is.
77
00:05:18,069 --> 00:05:20,864
This is like the center of
big city life in Tokyo.
78
00:05:20,864 --> 00:05:25,243
Wow. This is major. Look at the people.
79
00:05:26,578 --> 00:05:31,041
This is a very cool way to come into
what looks like a very cool city.
80
00:05:32,792 --> 00:05:36,755
- Looping around over here, and we're here.
- That was something.
81
00:05:37,756 --> 00:05:39,174
Wow.
82
00:05:40,133 --> 00:05:42,427
- Maybe we can jack it up a little.
- Just for you.
83
00:05:42,427 --> 00:05:44,304
Thank you so much. That was great.
84
00:05:45,472 --> 00:05:46,765
For the next few days,
85
00:05:46,765 --> 00:05:52,312
I'll be staying behind this ornate lattice
metal facade at the Hoshinoya Hotel.
86
00:05:53,104 --> 00:05:58,485
It's a mix of luxury, high tech
and traditional Japanese simplicity,
87
00:05:58,485 --> 00:06:00,612
not unlike the city itself.
88
00:06:03,365 --> 00:06:05,659
- Hello.
- Hello. Welcome to Hoshinoya Tokyo.
89
00:06:05,659 --> 00:06:09,162
- Well, thank you.
- Please take off your shoes here. Yes.
90
00:06:09,162 --> 00:06:11,873
Good thing I'm not wearing
knee-high lace-ups.
91
00:06:13,250 --> 00:06:16,419
I get that it's tradition,
but not wearing shoes
92
00:06:16,419 --> 00:06:20,423
just makes me a little anxious
about the condition of my socks.
93
00:06:22,384 --> 00:06:24,177
- Good evening.
- Hi.
94
00:06:24,177 --> 00:06:26,429
My name is Yuka,
and I'd love to show you around.
95
00:06:26,429 --> 00:06:28,056
Yes, let's do that.
96
00:06:29,808 --> 00:06:32,686
The hotel is a contemporary ryokan,
97
00:06:32,686 --> 00:06:37,065
a traditional type of Japanese inn
that flourished 400 hundred years ago.
98
00:06:44,197 --> 00:06:50,370
We have the Japanese-style shoji screens,
as well as the tatami floors.
99
00:06:50,370 --> 00:06:56,334
Very nice. And I noticed the bed
looks like it's sitting on the floor.
100
00:06:56,334 --> 00:07:00,338
- You look a little bit horrified.
- No, not saying it could be problematic
101
00:07:00,338 --> 00:07:01,631
for somebody my age.
102
00:07:01,631 --> 00:07:03,592
But might take some contortions,
103
00:07:03,592 --> 00:07:06,177
let's say, to get up and off the bed.
104
00:07:06,761 --> 00:07:09,306
So, over here we have our bathroom.
105
00:07:09,306 --> 00:07:11,933
Japanese people love taking baths.
106
00:07:11,933 --> 00:07:13,935
So, here's our toilet.
107
00:07:17,439 --> 00:07:19,983
Like having a little pal in here,
isn't it?
108
00:07:19,983 --> 00:07:22,319
Well, Yuka, thank you for the tour.
109
00:07:22,319 --> 00:07:24,905
- I hope you enjoy your stay with us.
- I'm sure I will.
110
00:07:25,530 --> 00:07:29,701
But first, I'm gonna take
some time getting used to this bathroom.
111
00:07:30,327 --> 00:07:32,037
Is a bit complicated.
112
00:07:32,037 --> 00:07:35,540
I don't trust a toilet
that's more versatile than I am.
113
00:07:35,540 --> 00:07:39,211
This says pressure. That's kind of scary.
114
00:07:39,211 --> 00:07:42,088
You don't know whether
it's pushing you up or sucking you down.
115
00:07:42,088 --> 00:07:43,798
There's a thing that says position.
116
00:07:43,798 --> 00:07:47,427
I don't know whether you get reprimanded
for being in the wrong position.
117
00:07:47,427 --> 00:07:49,888
Whether, you know, a buzzer goes off.
118
00:07:51,514 --> 00:07:56,061
I think there's the old and the new
when it comes to Tokyo.
119
00:07:56,061 --> 00:08:00,398
There's kind of a Zen-like quality
to the room. It's really nice.
120
00:08:00,398 --> 00:08:03,568
You've got these Japanese shades
on the window,
121
00:08:03,568 --> 00:08:06,780
and yet you've got a robotic toilet,
122
00:08:06,780 --> 00:08:12,118
and that's the combination that I think
I'm gonna be navigating here in Japan.
123
00:08:13,453 --> 00:08:17,707
But for now, I've got to navigate
my way to meet up with Albo again.
124
00:08:18,667 --> 00:08:20,877
It's a bar called Hoshigumi.
125
00:08:20,877 --> 00:08:23,547
He's invited me to Sankaku Chitai,
126
00:08:23,547 --> 00:08:27,592
one of the few areas of Tokyo
that's yet to be redeveloped.
127
00:08:28,093 --> 00:08:31,638
Right now,
it's old and a little ramshackle.
128
00:08:31,638 --> 00:08:32,722
I know the feeling.
129
00:08:33,306 --> 00:08:37,519
There's a whole alley
thing happening. I can't read the signs.
130
00:08:37,519 --> 00:08:39,938
I don't exactly know where we are.
131
00:08:43,650 --> 00:08:45,777
Eugene, you made it.
132
00:08:45,777 --> 00:08:46,945
This is my friend Masa.
133
00:08:46,945 --> 00:08:49,406
- Nice to meet you.
- Hi. Nice to meet you.
134
00:08:49,406 --> 00:08:52,075
He is my Japanese friend. And why don't
we start you off with some drinks?
135
00:08:52,075 --> 00:08:56,246
Yeah, he's drinking Japanese craft beer.
I'm drinking whiskey and tonic water.
136
00:08:56,246 --> 00:08:57,455
You're gonna be dangerous.
137
00:08:59,040 --> 00:09:01,293
- I'll have a Japanese beer.
- Okay.
138
00:09:02,127 --> 00:09:05,922
This is kind of what the bar scene
is like in this section.
139
00:09:05,922 --> 00:09:10,510
Very hip with the younger set,
which I'm now part of.
140
00:09:10,510 --> 00:09:12,888
Yes. Arigatou.
141
00:09:13,680 --> 00:09:15,390
- Nice Japanese.
- Yes.
142
00:09:15,390 --> 00:09:17,976
So, when you drink beer,
we always say kanpai.
143
00:09:17,976 --> 00:09:19,769
- Kanpai means to cheers.
144
00:09:19,769 --> 00:09:21,354
- Kanpai.
- Yeah.
145
00:09:21,354 --> 00:09:22,731
Kanpai. Clink.
146
00:09:22,731 --> 00:09:25,775
- Masa, what do you do?
- I am an office worker.
147
00:09:25,775 --> 00:09:27,193
The word in Japanese is sarariman.
148
00:09:28,028 --> 00:09:30,989
- Okay.
- ...which translated is "salaryman."
149
00:09:32,949 --> 00:09:37,996
I've heard that the hours
that you guys put in are insane.
150
00:09:37,996 --> 00:09:42,250
The Japanese people tend to find
part of their identity
151
00:09:42,250 --> 00:09:43,710
in the place that they work.
152
00:09:43,710 --> 00:09:45,337
- It becomes their tribe.
- Okay.
153
00:09:45,337 --> 00:09:47,797
And then after work,
you have to go drinking with them.
154
00:09:47,797 --> 00:09:51,301
Sometimes you have to go
all the way to next morning.
155
00:09:51,301 --> 00:09:52,510
Stop it!
156
00:09:53,345 --> 00:09:57,182
You have to go out with your boss
and drink all night?
157
00:09:57,182 --> 00:09:58,433
- Yes.
- It's pretty common.
158
00:09:58,433 --> 00:10:02,145
Work-life balance can sometimes be
pretty difficult for a lot of folks here.
159
00:10:03,230 --> 00:10:04,773
The yakisoba is here.
160
00:10:04,773 --> 00:10:06,191
Dig in, fellas.
161
00:10:06,191 --> 00:10:08,777
Whenever you have your noodles,
you do like this.
162
00:10:11,821 --> 00:10:13,240
- You slurp it.
- Slurp your food?
163
00:10:13,240 --> 00:10:15,617
That's how you get the flavor
to ride up the noodles.
164
00:10:15,617 --> 00:10:19,829
The other reason is to let the chef know
that you're really enjoying your meal.
165
00:10:19,829 --> 00:10:22,916
Instead of saying,
"Excuse me, this is really good,"
166
00:10:22,916 --> 00:10:26,127
- you let him know by the sound--
- Of you eating.
167
00:10:27,629 --> 00:10:28,838
The slurping.
168
00:10:30,423 --> 00:10:33,051
That's something I have
to get used to a little bit.
169
00:10:35,262 --> 00:10:36,304
He really likes it.
170
00:10:39,307 --> 00:10:40,517
You're doing good.
171
00:10:40,517 --> 00:10:43,019
I tried doing it. It's not that easy.
172
00:10:43,019 --> 00:10:46,606
I feel like if I suck it in,
I'm gonna choke to death.
173
00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:53,446
It's a bad way to go, slurping noodles.
174
00:10:53,446 --> 00:10:55,532
That's not something
you want in your epitaph.
175
00:10:58,243 --> 00:10:59,369
You're doing good.
176
00:10:59,995 --> 00:11:02,122
I actually love this little place.
177
00:11:02,122 --> 00:11:05,667
I've been here for 12 years.
I still basically feel like you do today.
178
00:11:05,667 --> 00:11:11,256
There's so many fascinating small nuances
about what life in Japan is like.
179
00:11:11,256 --> 00:11:13,675
Every day, peeling away the layers
of the onion.
180
00:11:13,675 --> 00:11:14,968
I'm all for that.
181
00:11:14,968 --> 00:11:16,803
- Kanpai.
- Kanpai.
182
00:11:16,803 --> 00:11:18,221
Welcome to Japan, Eugene.
183
00:11:20,015 --> 00:11:24,185
A hundred and fifty-four years ago,
Kyoto was the capital of Japan
184
00:11:24,185 --> 00:11:28,523
until the emperor decided
to relocate to the city of Edo,
185
00:11:28,523 --> 00:11:32,319
renaming it Tokyo,
meaning "eastern capital."
186
00:11:33,570 --> 00:11:36,031
Good enough for the emperor,
good enough for me.
187
00:11:42,078 --> 00:11:45,624
I had a very comfortable sleep
in my futon.
188
00:11:46,124 --> 00:11:49,920
It did take me about ten minutes
to get up off the bed,
189
00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:56,426
but, you know, I guess I need
the exercise, so that's good.
190
00:11:57,552 --> 00:12:00,722
I'm excited to explore the city.
191
00:12:01,306 --> 00:12:04,809
I'd love to be able to go back
and just say to my son Daniel,
192
00:12:04,809 --> 00:12:09,064
"Okay. Everything you talked to me
about Tokyo, I absolutely agree.
193
00:12:09,064 --> 00:12:13,068
It's an insane city.
Everything you loved, I loved."
194
00:12:16,488 --> 00:12:18,406
Because it's constantly changing,
195
00:12:18,406 --> 00:12:21,618
Tokyo has been described
as a city with no memory,
196
00:12:21,618 --> 00:12:25,997
and that's a quote from someone
whose name I now forget.
197
00:12:25,997 --> 00:12:29,000
Wow. That's an amazing interior.
198
00:12:29,000 --> 00:12:32,379
This is old Japan to me.
199
00:12:33,088 --> 00:12:36,007
With the world's largest
commuter population,
200
00:12:36,007 --> 00:12:40,345
unsurprisingly,
Tokyo also boasts the busiest station.
201
00:12:41,596 --> 00:12:44,224
So, in a country
that gave us the bullet train
202
00:12:44,224 --> 00:12:47,102
and the first mass-produced electric car,
203
00:12:47,102 --> 00:12:51,982
the transportation the hotel
has provided me is a bit unexpected.
204
00:12:51,982 --> 00:12:54,568
- Hello.
- Hello.
205
00:12:54,568 --> 00:12:58,238
- How are you? Eugene.
- Yeah. Eugene, so nice to meet you.
206
00:12:58,238 --> 00:12:59,823
- This is Kay.
- Kay.
207
00:12:59,823 --> 00:13:02,075
- And your car is ready.
- Look at this.
208
00:13:02,075 --> 00:13:07,706
I'm actually surprised that rickshaws
are still a viable mode of transportation
209
00:13:07,706 --> 00:13:09,583
in a modern city like Tokyo.
210
00:13:09,583 --> 00:13:13,545
Yeah. Now this is used
just for the sightseeing attractions.
211
00:13:13,545 --> 00:13:16,923
- Is it a fun job for you?
- Yes, it's really fun.
212
00:13:16,923 --> 00:13:20,635
- 'Cause I was feeling a little guilty.
- You shouldn't feel that.
213
00:13:20,635 --> 00:13:22,804
- I was born to run.
- I love that.
214
00:13:24,764 --> 00:13:27,100
"I was born to run."
And I was born to sit.
215
00:13:27,100 --> 00:13:30,145
- Yeah. Let's-- Yes, of course.
- Let's give it a go, shall we?
216
00:13:30,145 --> 00:13:31,354
Please-- Yeah, watch your step.
217
00:13:32,314 --> 00:13:34,399
Hopefully, he'll be a pretty fast guy,
218
00:13:34,399 --> 00:13:37,527
because it's a hot day and,
you know, I could use the breeze.
219
00:13:37,527 --> 00:13:39,905
I'm gonna fasten the seat belt
just for safety.
220
00:13:39,905 --> 00:13:41,781
How fast do you go?
221
00:13:41,781 --> 00:13:43,742
Please lean back and relax.
222
00:13:44,242 --> 00:13:46,077
One, two, three.
223
00:13:47,621 --> 00:13:51,416
So, now let's get started.
224
00:13:51,416 --> 00:13:54,669
- So far, so good.
- Thank you so much, Mr. Levy.
225
00:13:54,669 --> 00:13:57,631
So, you've been doing this
for how long, Kay?
226
00:13:57,631 --> 00:13:59,925
This is the 19th years for me.
227
00:13:59,925 --> 00:14:02,469
What's the longest run that you've had?
228
00:14:02,469 --> 00:14:05,055
- Maybe eight hours.
- Eight hours?
229
00:14:05,055 --> 00:14:06,765
Where did you go? Kyoto.
230
00:14:07,849 --> 00:14:08,850
No.
231
00:14:08,850 --> 00:14:11,061
What is it you love about this town?
232
00:14:11,061 --> 00:14:13,605
Yeah. There are
so many different things to do.
233
00:14:13,605 --> 00:14:14,856
Yeah. Here in Tokyo.
234
00:14:14,856 --> 00:14:19,569
Some weird and crazy cultures.
Everything coexisting together.
235
00:14:19,569 --> 00:14:21,821
Does it ever get dangerous
for you out here?
236
00:14:22,405 --> 00:14:27,118
Yeah, because we run with,
like, very big cars like this.
237
00:14:27,118 --> 00:14:28,495
Yeah.
238
00:14:28,495 --> 00:14:32,290
Well, it's very important that you
stay safe while you're working out here,
239
00:14:32,290 --> 00:14:34,918
'cause I'll never find
my way back to the hotel.
240
00:14:37,170 --> 00:14:41,341
For now, I sit back,
let Tokyo native, Kay, do the legwork
241
00:14:41,341 --> 00:14:47,305
and take me to one of the city's oldest
and most popular tourist areas, Asakusa.
242
00:14:50,225 --> 00:14:54,396
- Time flies. Yeah.
- Time does fly. Incredible.
243
00:14:54,896 --> 00:14:55,981
- Arigatou.
- No, this is, like,
244
00:14:55,981 --> 00:14:57,857
the perfect way to get around.
245
00:14:57,857 --> 00:14:59,609
- Arigatou.
- Thank you.
246
00:14:59,609 --> 00:15:04,114
He's one of the most animated characters
that I think I've ever come across.
247
00:15:04,864 --> 00:15:06,157
Insanely great.
248
00:15:06,866 --> 00:15:10,704
As introductions to a city go,
that was pretty unique.
249
00:15:10,704 --> 00:15:14,332
But I can't rely on others
to literally carry me around,
250
00:15:14,332 --> 00:15:16,626
so it's time to venture out on foot.
251
00:15:18,211 --> 00:15:23,717
I do notice how quiet
it is on the streets.
252
00:15:23,717 --> 00:15:26,469
You don't hear anybody yelling,
253
00:15:27,220 --> 00:15:29,848
you don't hear car horns.
254
00:15:29,848 --> 00:15:32,851
It's just unusual for a city this size.
255
00:15:32,851 --> 00:15:35,979
And to uncover the delights of Asakusa,
256
00:15:35,979 --> 00:15:38,523
I've arranged to meet up with a guide.
257
00:15:38,523 --> 00:15:43,403
But I doubt I'll meet anyone again
as delightfully colorful as Kay.
258
00:15:43,403 --> 00:15:46,072
- Hi.
- Konnichiwa.
259
00:15:46,072 --> 00:15:47,866
I may have spoken too soon.
260
00:15:47,866 --> 00:15:49,326
My name is Cyber Bunny.
261
00:15:49,326 --> 00:15:53,246
- And do I say "Cyber," or...
- Call me Cyber Bunny.
262
00:15:53,246 --> 00:15:54,873
- Cyber Bunny.
- Yes.
263
00:15:55,624 --> 00:15:59,127
Cyber Bunny has a reputation
as unique as her name.
264
00:15:59,127 --> 00:16:06,218
She's a cultural vlogger so influential,
she's on the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 list.
265
00:16:07,761 --> 00:16:10,096
I make a lot of videos and content
266
00:16:10,096 --> 00:16:13,308
about bridging the gap
between the East and the West,
267
00:16:13,308 --> 00:16:18,313
kind of educating the audience about
these unwritten rules of Japanese culture.
268
00:16:19,147 --> 00:16:21,191
- Have you ever had mochi?
- Mochi?
269
00:16:21,191 --> 00:16:25,487
Mochi is a traditional
Japanese sweet. There you go.
270
00:16:28,031 --> 00:16:29,908
- That's a big bite.
- Now you tell me.
271
00:16:30,575 --> 00:16:33,203
Okay. It's an unwritten rule
272
00:16:33,203 --> 00:16:35,830
that you're not supposed to walk and eat
at the same time, so--
273
00:16:35,830 --> 00:16:40,001
That's an amazing unwritten rule. In fact,
they should now make it a written rule.
274
00:16:40,001 --> 00:16:41,419
- Shall we?
- Yes.
275
00:16:42,546 --> 00:16:44,214
Four hundred years ago,
276
00:16:44,214 --> 00:16:47,676
this part of town was
the bustling entertainment district.
277
00:16:47,676 --> 00:16:53,223
So, it's very fitting for you to be here.
It's like the LA, the Hollywood of Japan.
278
00:16:53,223 --> 00:16:56,935
People now often visit dressed in kimonos
279
00:16:56,935 --> 00:16:59,729
as a way of connecting
with Japanese tradition.
280
00:16:59,729 --> 00:17:02,482
Frankly, I'm feeling underdressed.
281
00:17:03,066 --> 00:17:05,235
We're about to go to Senso-ji temple,
282
00:17:05,986 --> 00:17:09,030
and it is the oldest temple in Tokyo.
283
00:17:09,030 --> 00:17:13,868
We come here to pray,
pay respects to the god and our ancestors.
284
00:17:15,370 --> 00:17:17,706
We also draw our fortunes.
285
00:17:17,706 --> 00:17:20,417
I'm not into fortune-telling myself.
286
00:17:20,417 --> 00:17:23,085
Why would you wanna know
what's gonna happen?
287
00:17:23,085 --> 00:17:27,132
I don't want to wake up every morning
thinking about my own demise.
288
00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:35,015
- So, your number is 78.
- Seventy-eight. This one?
289
00:17:35,015 --> 00:17:38,476
Number 78. The highest, excellent fortune.
290
00:17:38,476 --> 00:17:39,978
You got the best one.
291
00:17:40,562 --> 00:17:42,731
Okay. Now, this wasn't planned.
292
00:17:42,731 --> 00:17:44,149
Not rigged.
293
00:17:44,149 --> 00:17:45,859
Got the highest, most excellent.
294
00:17:45,859 --> 00:17:46,985
- Actually...
- What?
295
00:17:46,985 --> 00:17:49,946
...there's an unwritten rule
that if you get the best fortune,
296
00:17:49,946 --> 00:17:51,323
it's actually really bad.
297
00:17:51,323 --> 00:17:53,199
And why would you say that?
298
00:17:53,199 --> 00:17:55,911
Why would you say it's really bad
when I was so happy
299
00:17:55,911 --> 00:17:59,080
that I got the highest,
most excellent fortune?
300
00:17:59,080 --> 00:18:01,041
Because life is about ups and downs.
301
00:18:01,041 --> 00:18:03,710
Sometimes you just want to be normal,
302
00:18:03,710 --> 00:18:06,296
- no highs up then lows.
- Yeah.
303
00:18:06,296 --> 00:18:08,256
So, you can keep this or you can leave it.
304
00:18:08,256 --> 00:18:09,883
- I'm gonna keep it...
- Sure.
305
00:18:09,883 --> 00:18:12,385
...and I'll keep reading it
because it was so excellent.
306
00:18:12,385 --> 00:18:14,137
You are quite the lucky man, Eugene.
307
00:18:14,137 --> 00:18:15,764
I would say so.
308
00:18:15,764 --> 00:18:20,060
Obviously, this prediction
of incredibly bad good luck
309
00:18:20,060 --> 00:18:21,770
has got me worried.
310
00:18:22,896 --> 00:18:27,525
You won't be surprised to hear
that my mind tends to catastrophize.
311
00:18:27,525 --> 00:18:32,572
So, in a city prone to natural disasters,
guess where my thoughts are heading.
312
00:18:33,073 --> 00:18:38,203
I was in an earthquake, I remember,
in Los Angeles about 15, 20 years ago.
313
00:18:38,203 --> 00:18:41,873
It was a very mellow kind
of rocking situation
314
00:18:41,873 --> 00:18:47,170
where you wake up, you feel everything,
you know, doing this.
315
00:18:48,255 --> 00:18:54,761
I think they have more violent earthquakes
here, and I know they have more of them.
316
00:18:55,887 --> 00:18:59,933
I say "more of them,"
but that's an understatement.
317
00:18:59,933 --> 00:19:03,645
I'm actually in the most
seismically active zone on Earth.
318
00:19:05,438 --> 00:19:06,773
Why am I here?
319
00:19:06,773 --> 00:19:09,859
Could something happen right now?
I don't know.
320
00:19:09,859 --> 00:19:14,614
Tokyo's huge population lives
where three tectonic plates meet,
321
00:19:14,614 --> 00:19:16,074
which means earthquakes.
322
00:19:16,950 --> 00:19:21,288
It's also severely vulnerable to floods
and typhoons.
323
00:19:21,830 --> 00:19:24,916
I hope Eugene's gonna be okay.
These could be pretty intense.
324
00:19:25,500 --> 00:19:29,588
What's it like to be
a true Tokyoite? I'm about to find out.
325
00:19:30,088 --> 00:19:36,094
I've reluctantly decided to take Albo
and Masa up on an unusual invitation.
326
00:19:36,094 --> 00:19:38,930
I don't know whether I trust those two,
to be honest.
327
00:19:41,516 --> 00:19:43,226
- Hey, gentlemen.
- Hey.
328
00:19:43,226 --> 00:19:44,227
Konnichiwa.
329
00:19:44,227 --> 00:19:49,482
{\an8}This is the "Honjo Life Safety
Learning Center."
330
00:19:49,482 --> 00:19:52,819
School kids come here to learn about
natural disasters.
331
00:19:52,819 --> 00:19:55,405
Good enough for school kids,
good enough for me.
332
00:19:55,405 --> 00:19:57,824
Eugene, this is Tamora-san.
333
00:20:00,368 --> 00:20:02,746
So, here you're gonna experience
the strong winds
334
00:20:02,746 --> 00:20:05,123
that you would actually experience
in a real typhoon.
335
00:20:07,042 --> 00:20:08,043
Okay.
336
00:20:09,669 --> 00:20:12,505
Tamora- san
has obviously got wind of the fact
337
00:20:12,505 --> 00:20:15,258
that I'm already earthquake savvy,
338
00:20:15,258 --> 00:20:18,345
so he's escalating my training
to stage two
339
00:20:18,345 --> 00:20:22,474
of the disaster survival manual: typhoons.
340
00:20:23,183 --> 00:20:25,977
And then also very, very strong rain.
341
00:20:25,977 --> 00:20:29,105
Okay. It's not quite what I expected.
342
00:20:29,105 --> 00:20:33,360
Personally, I never leave home
without checking the forecast,
343
00:20:33,360 --> 00:20:37,948
but apparently here, you need
to be prepared for all eventualities.
344
00:20:37,948 --> 00:20:39,866
And that comes with boots.
345
00:20:40,617 --> 00:20:43,245
Luckily,
they're giving me all the safety gear
346
00:20:43,245 --> 00:20:46,331
I wouldn't have in an actual typhoon.
347
00:20:46,331 --> 00:20:47,540
- Masa.
- Yeah?
348
00:20:47,540 --> 00:20:48,625
You've done this before?
349
00:20:48,625 --> 00:20:50,794
I've experienced it
when I was a little kid.
350
00:20:50,794 --> 00:20:52,087
All right. Well, he survived.
351
00:20:52,671 --> 00:20:54,005
Here we go.
352
00:20:54,506 --> 00:20:55,966
All right.
353
00:20:55,966 --> 00:20:57,092
Okay.
354
00:20:57,092 --> 00:21:00,178
I've never seen a man
who enjoys a disaster more.
355
00:21:00,929 --> 00:21:02,097
All right. Let's go.
356
00:21:02,097 --> 00:21:05,517
Turns out I was right
not to trust Albo and Masa.
357
00:21:05,517 --> 00:21:10,438
But I'm not gonna give Tamora- san
the satisfaction of getting washed away.
358
00:21:10,438 --> 00:21:11,815
- Okay?
- Okay.
359
00:21:12,857 --> 00:21:14,734
Why is he so happy about this?
360
00:21:16,278 --> 00:21:17,946
- Ready?
- Look down.
361
00:21:18,446 --> 00:21:20,490
And hold on to your dear life.
362
00:21:20,490 --> 00:21:23,326
You guys are gonna experience
30-meters-per-second wind
363
00:21:23,326 --> 00:21:26,621
and 50-milliliters-per-hour rain.
364
00:21:26,621 --> 00:21:29,583
Three, two, one, go!
365
00:21:34,462 --> 00:21:37,048
Eugene: They're not kidding around here.
366
00:21:39,384 --> 00:21:41,803
Eugene: Masa, how you doing back there?
367
00:21:41,803 --> 00:21:43,930
Masa: I can't hear you, Eugene.
368
00:21:47,183 --> 00:21:51,271
I have done my own stunts.
It's common knowledge.
369
00:21:51,271 --> 00:21:56,026
Cruise, Levy, known for doing
their own stunt work.
370
00:21:56,026 --> 00:21:58,278
That's what a typhoon feels like?
371
00:21:58,987 --> 00:22:02,532
I could easily have brought in a stuntman,
put him in this.
372
00:22:02,532 --> 00:22:04,701
Nobody would have known.
Put the glasses on.
373
00:22:05,493 --> 00:22:06,494
Yes.
374
00:22:06,494 --> 00:22:08,246
- Couldn't be happier.
- Yeah.
375
00:22:08,246 --> 00:22:11,166
But I did it myself,
and that's why I work.
376
00:22:11,166 --> 00:22:14,961
It was much more intense
than what I was expecting.
377
00:22:14,961 --> 00:22:16,838
If you have nothing to hold on to,
378
00:22:16,838 --> 00:22:18,924
sayonara, right?
379
00:22:20,133 --> 00:22:22,761
And unfortunately,
you're not always going to have
380
00:22:22,761 --> 00:22:26,139
a smiling Tamora- san
to tell you what to do.
381
00:22:26,681 --> 00:22:27,891
Okay.
382
00:22:28,475 --> 00:22:32,938
Tokyo is a massive city
with an enormously large population,
383
00:22:32,938 --> 00:22:36,024
and they do have natural disasters.
384
00:22:36,024 --> 00:22:38,193
There's a lot of stuff coming at them,
385
00:22:38,193 --> 00:22:41,238
and yet, there's a calmness
that runs through the population.
386
00:22:41,238 --> 00:22:47,285
With all this coming in,
they get through it, you know, like that.
387
00:22:48,078 --> 00:22:50,497
I mean, it's just-- it's quite amazing.
388
00:22:51,665 --> 00:22:56,419
After taking on a typhoon, I'm meeting
back up with Cyber Bunny for dinner.
389
00:22:57,045 --> 00:23:02,968
We're aiming to relax, enjoy fine food
and not think about natural disasters.
390
00:23:02,968 --> 00:23:04,761
It's getting kinda busy.
391
00:23:05,595 --> 00:23:08,431
Tokyo really is a tale of two cities,
392
00:23:08,431 --> 00:23:12,644
a fascinating fusion of the traditional
and the high tech.
393
00:23:14,229 --> 00:23:19,859
After delving into its past, I'm now eager
to explore its modernistic present.
394
00:23:20,777 --> 00:23:25,156
It's like 12 storeys of video signage.
395
00:23:26,658 --> 00:23:28,702
You ever seen anything like that before?
396
00:23:28,702 --> 00:23:34,332
Well, this is one of the most
exhilarating walks to dinner
397
00:23:34,332 --> 00:23:37,043
that I think I've had in my life.
398
00:23:37,752 --> 00:23:41,256
The Japanese capital
is a food lover's paradise,
399
00:23:41,256 --> 00:23:45,427
boasting more Michelin-starred restaurants
than any other city.
400
00:23:46,094 --> 00:23:48,847
And here at the Sagaya restaurant,
401
00:23:48,847 --> 00:23:54,185
I've been promised the perfect combination
of technology, food and art.
402
00:23:54,185 --> 00:23:57,981
Konnichiwa. Good to see you again.
403
00:23:57,981 --> 00:24:02,152
- Cyber Bunny, my goodness.
- What do you think?
404
00:24:02,152 --> 00:24:05,363
I've never seen anything quite like it.
405
00:24:06,364 --> 00:24:08,199
So, we're being joined for dinner by...
406
00:24:08,199 --> 00:24:09,701
- Erica.
- Erica.
407
00:24:09,701 --> 00:24:10,619
And Chris.
408
00:24:10,619 --> 00:24:13,413
This is a restaurant where people show up,
409
00:24:13,413 --> 00:24:16,499
- and you just dine with whoever...
- With strangers.
410
00:24:16,499 --> 00:24:17,667
- Strangers.
- ...is here.
411
00:24:17,667 --> 00:24:20,503
And it's awfully nice meeting you both.
412
00:24:20,503 --> 00:24:21,630
It'll be fun.
413
00:24:21,630 --> 00:24:24,591
Communal dining is increasingly popular
414
00:24:24,591 --> 00:24:26,259
in Tokyo's restaurant scene.
415
00:24:26,259 --> 00:24:29,054
Hi, Eugene. Nice to meet you.
416
00:24:29,054 --> 00:24:31,848
I can't imagine
how they came up with this.
417
00:24:31,848 --> 00:24:35,560
Fortunately, Saka, a member of the team
behind the experience,
418
00:24:35,560 --> 00:24:36,895
is here to explain more.
419
00:24:36,895 --> 00:24:39,105
...Moon Flower, which is a special room
420
00:24:39,105 --> 00:24:44,277
where you can have a multisensory dining
experience inside one of our artworks.
421
00:24:44,277 --> 00:24:47,113
Wow, that's a concept. What's behind it?
422
00:24:47,113 --> 00:24:49,324
So, once the dishes come out,
423
00:24:49,324 --> 00:24:52,577
you'll see that the world
that is contained inside the dish
424
00:24:52,577 --> 00:24:55,622
kind of expands outwards
and unfolds onto the table
425
00:24:55,622 --> 00:24:57,624
and into the larger space.
426
00:24:57,624 --> 00:24:58,959
I'm excited.
427
00:24:58,959 --> 00:25:03,463
Over 92% of this city has no green space.
428
00:25:03,463 --> 00:25:06,466
The solution could not be more Tokyo:
429
00:25:07,300 --> 00:25:10,512
Fill an indoor space
with a simulation of nature.
430
00:25:10,512 --> 00:25:11,888
Look, a little bird.
431
00:25:11,888 --> 00:25:14,266
- That's your dinner.
- If you can catch it, yes.
432
00:25:14,266 --> 00:25:15,809
Are you a foodie?
433
00:25:16,393 --> 00:25:17,769
I love food.
434
00:25:17,769 --> 00:25:22,816
I don't have exotic tastes.
For example, I'm not a sushi eater.
435
00:25:22,816 --> 00:25:23,984
You've never had sushi?
436
00:25:23,984 --> 00:25:24,943
No.
437
00:25:24,943 --> 00:25:26,528
- Is it the raw fish?
- Yeah.
438
00:25:26,528 --> 00:25:30,448
Not for me. Cook it.
Put it over a fire. Grill it good.
439
00:25:30,448 --> 00:25:35,370
I stand alone.
Billions of people eat it, love it.
440
00:25:35,370 --> 00:25:39,207
It's me. I'm the odd man out here.
441
00:25:39,207 --> 00:25:42,085
Maybe it's time that I just jump the fence
and start--
442
00:25:43,587 --> 00:25:45,088
Well, something's coming down here.
443
00:25:47,716 --> 00:25:50,927
- This is a sashimi composition.
- Uh-huh.
444
00:25:50,927 --> 00:25:53,138
And it's made with the sea urchin.
445
00:25:54,264 --> 00:25:57,267
On the right, it's a Japanese conger eel.
446
00:25:57,893 --> 00:26:00,312
If you look at the space around you now,
447
00:26:00,312 --> 00:26:02,856
- there's water flowing across the table.
- Water.
448
00:26:02,856 --> 00:26:07,027
And where your dishes are placed,
the water parts.
449
00:26:07,027 --> 00:26:09,863
To be honest,
I'm finding it difficult to concentrate
450
00:26:09,863 --> 00:26:14,910
on the stunning visuals because
I'm too worried about offending my hosts.
451
00:26:14,910 --> 00:26:16,077
Well, don't wait for me.
452
00:26:16,870 --> 00:26:18,455
Believe me, don't wait for me.
453
00:26:18,455 --> 00:26:22,125
Today's the day
you're gonna try something new.
454
00:26:22,125 --> 00:26:24,628
If the rest of the world can enjoy sushi,
455
00:26:24,628 --> 00:26:27,505
come on, Levy, you can too.
456
00:26:27,505 --> 00:26:30,133
I tasted it, and it was okay.
457
00:26:31,259 --> 00:26:32,093
It's not bad.
458
00:26:32,093 --> 00:26:33,386
It's not bad?
459
00:26:33,386 --> 00:26:35,555
Now moving on to something else.
Here we go.
460
00:26:37,724 --> 00:26:40,101
That is good. Give it a little dip.
461
00:26:41,102 --> 00:26:43,480
This is good. This I'm eating.
Look at this.
462
00:26:44,689 --> 00:26:46,483
For trying new things.
463
00:26:46,483 --> 00:26:48,401
I love being pushed.
464
00:26:49,819 --> 00:26:51,571
It's good for me.
465
00:26:52,447 --> 00:26:54,074
And if I don't get pushed,
466
00:26:54,074 --> 00:26:57,077
things like this
simply ain't gonna happen for me.
467
00:26:59,204 --> 00:27:02,290
And look at the flowers changing. Wow.
468
00:27:02,290 --> 00:27:04,251
There's fish in this river.
469
00:27:04,793 --> 00:27:06,795
But there's new flowers blooming.
470
00:27:06,795 --> 00:27:08,213
Wow.
471
00:27:10,090 --> 00:27:12,217
This is really something.
472
00:27:12,842 --> 00:27:17,514
It creates a connection
between other people in the space
473
00:27:17,514 --> 00:27:21,268
that you might have otherwise
not have the chance to talk to.
474
00:27:21,268 --> 00:27:23,812
'Cause we seem like old friends now
and we just met, right?
475
00:27:24,479 --> 00:27:25,480
Yeah.
476
00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:28,692
Well, this is really incredible.
477
00:27:35,073 --> 00:27:37,742
From immersive dining to ancient temples,
478
00:27:37,742 --> 00:27:40,745
it feels almost as though
this complex city
479
00:27:40,745 --> 00:27:43,540
is gradually revealing itself to me,
480
00:27:43,540 --> 00:27:45,083
layer by layer.
481
00:27:47,252 --> 00:27:52,507
I thought everything would feel
more foreign to me when I got here,
482
00:27:52,507 --> 00:27:58,889
but I'm finding that I'm more comfortable
in this city than I thought I would be.
483
00:28:07,647 --> 00:28:11,651
I've surprised myself
with my culinary adventurousness.
484
00:28:11,651 --> 00:28:15,447
I've even had my first
successful encounter with raw fish.
485
00:28:16,823 --> 00:28:21,286
But this morning, I've had a tip-off that
the Japanese also excel at something
486
00:28:21,286 --> 00:28:25,290
a little more in keeping
with my pedestrian palate.
487
00:28:25,832 --> 00:28:28,043
Well, my son, Daniel,
488
00:28:28,043 --> 00:28:32,964
told me that the best egg salad sandwich
he ever had
489
00:28:32,964 --> 00:28:34,883
was right here in Tokyo,
490
00:28:34,883 --> 00:28:37,260
so I'm on the hunt.
491
00:28:37,886 --> 00:28:42,390
Apparently, they're easy to find,
but not today.
492
00:28:42,390 --> 00:28:45,602
{\an8}I know they've tackled cars
and electronics over the years,
493
00:28:45,602 --> 00:28:48,813
{\an8}but now they've taken on the big one:
494
00:28:48,813 --> 00:28:50,857
the egg salad sandwich.
495
00:28:50,857 --> 00:28:52,108
Looks promising.
496
00:28:54,361 --> 00:28:56,613
{\an8}- There's nothing but egg salad?
- Yeah.
497
00:28:58,281 --> 00:29:00,158
No more calls. We have a winner.
498
00:29:01,993 --> 00:29:03,286
Arigatou.
499
00:29:03,912 --> 00:29:06,289
Thank you. Gonna make my son very happy.
500
00:29:07,374 --> 00:29:11,294
Egg salad is something
I've been eating my whole life.
501
00:29:12,003 --> 00:29:14,339
You don't know what a moment
this is for me.
502
00:29:14,965 --> 00:29:18,343
It's like a brunch routine
my mom had every Sunday.
503
00:29:18,343 --> 00:29:20,303
It's a thing of beauty.
504
00:29:21,846 --> 00:29:24,391
Look at the size of this sandwich.
505
00:29:24,391 --> 00:29:27,269
So, egg salad
was something I've been making
506
00:29:27,269 --> 00:29:30,814
the same way my mom made it,
507
00:29:30,814 --> 00:29:34,192
and it's just the one thing
I never get tired of eating.
508
00:29:36,278 --> 00:29:37,904
Wow, this is good.
509
00:29:37,904 --> 00:29:39,656
Delicious as it was,
510
00:29:39,656 --> 00:29:44,578
even I can't let an egg salad sandwich
be my last taste of Tokyo.
511
00:29:45,579 --> 00:29:50,375
This is like restaurant row.
There seem to be a lot of eateries.
512
00:29:50,375 --> 00:29:52,711
So, I'm back on the hunt...
513
00:29:52,711 --> 00:29:53,670
Wow.
514
00:29:53,670 --> 00:29:55,922
...to find something more traditional.
515
00:29:55,922 --> 00:30:01,094
This is the first reference to sumo
that I've seen since I've been here.
516
00:30:01,094 --> 00:30:02,637
I would hate to leave Japan
517
00:30:02,637 --> 00:30:06,808
and not having seen what would
be considered their national sport.
518
00:30:08,059 --> 00:30:12,022
Sumo dates back all the way to 23 BC
519
00:30:12,022 --> 00:30:15,275
and is a quintessentially
Japanese art form.
520
00:30:21,406 --> 00:30:25,201
So, you know who I need
to give me some expert sumo info?
521
00:30:25,201 --> 00:30:26,369
Eugene.
522
00:30:26,369 --> 00:30:27,412
An Irishman.
523
00:30:27,412 --> 00:30:30,457
- Hi.
- Hi. Welcome to the sumo dohyo.
524
00:30:30,457 --> 00:30:32,584
Obviously, you're not Japanese?
525
00:30:32,584 --> 00:30:36,046
No, but I came to Japan 20 years ago,
fell in love with the country,
526
00:30:36,046 --> 00:30:38,089
and then I was back to living here.
527
00:30:38,089 --> 00:30:39,174
Okay.
528
00:30:39,174 --> 00:30:44,262
And I've been here and involved in this
sport for two decades in all capacities.
529
00:30:44,930 --> 00:30:47,599
Interestingly, John's another person
530
00:30:47,599 --> 00:30:51,478
so enamored with this city,
that he's decided to make it home.
531
00:30:51,478 --> 00:30:54,564
I know very little about this sport.
532
00:30:55,065 --> 00:30:56,900
Why did it start?
533
00:30:56,900 --> 00:31:00,862
Originally, they brought the strongest
champions from each part of the country,
534
00:31:00,862 --> 00:31:02,864
and they performed
in front of the emperor.
535
00:31:02,864 --> 00:31:05,325
In that first sumo bout, the loser died.
536
00:31:05,909 --> 00:31:08,828
So, it was literally
a life or death beginning.
537
00:31:10,622 --> 00:31:12,082
Do you wanna see some guys get beat up?
538
00:31:12,082 --> 00:31:13,875
I will, from a distance. Sure.
539
00:31:13,875 --> 00:31:15,168
Onegaishimasu.
540
00:31:16,378 --> 00:31:18,463
Those are big guys. Big guys.
541
00:31:19,047 --> 00:31:22,300
Eugene. How a bout starts is like this:
542
00:31:22,300 --> 00:31:25,262
Two wrestlers squat down.
They clap their hands.
543
00:31:26,471 --> 00:31:29,432
And when the two of them
are ready at the same time, they go.
544
00:31:31,601 --> 00:31:35,564
So, you can feel the impact,
the power, the strength of these guys.
545
00:31:35,564 --> 00:31:38,066
I like to avoid violence at all costs.
546
00:31:38,066 --> 00:31:40,151
I don't really like to get
that close to it.
547
00:31:40,151 --> 00:31:42,070
If you can push your opponent
out of the ring
548
00:31:42,070 --> 00:31:44,656
or if they touch any part of the surface
of the ring
549
00:31:44,656 --> 00:31:47,784
with anything
except the soles of their feet, they lose.
550
00:31:47,784 --> 00:31:48,702
Wow.
551
00:31:48,702 --> 00:31:50,078
In sumo, there's a referee.
552
00:31:50,078 --> 00:31:52,122
His job, basically,
is to keep the action going
553
00:31:52,122 --> 00:31:54,165
and to keep everything flowing smoothly.
554
00:31:54,165 --> 00:31:55,709
You think you're ready to give it a go?
555
00:31:55,709 --> 00:31:57,502
Me, give it a go? Sure. Yeah.
556
00:31:57,502 --> 00:31:59,838
So, there are three words
that you need to know.
557
00:31:59,838 --> 00:32:01,882
The first one is matta nashi.
558
00:32:01,882 --> 00:32:04,676
Matta nashi.
559
00:32:06,136 --> 00:32:08,889
A matta nashi means
there's no more time. Let's get it going.
560
00:32:08,889 --> 00:32:11,766
Hakkeyoi!
Don't stop. Keep going. Hakkeyoi!
561
00:32:11,766 --> 00:32:16,021
So, it's used when they are not really
fighting, and the action slows down.
562
00:32:16,021 --> 00:32:17,314
Yoi, Hakkeyoi!
563
00:32:17,814 --> 00:32:19,983
And then, the one that you hear
most often is nokotta.
564
00:32:19,983 --> 00:32:21,526
Nokotta, nokotta. Nokotta, nokotta.
565
00:32:21,526 --> 00:32:23,820
Which basically means you're still in.
It's not over.
566
00:32:23,820 --> 00:32:25,614
- N--
- Nokotta, nokotta.
567
00:32:29,826 --> 00:32:31,161
- Matta nashi.
- Matta nashi.
568
00:32:31,161 --> 00:32:32,662
- That's the first one.
- "Hattenoi."
569
00:32:32,662 --> 00:32:34,748
- Hakkeyoi.
- Hakkeyoi.
570
00:32:41,087 --> 00:32:41,922
I can't remember.
571
00:32:41,922 --> 00:32:43,840
And then the last one is?
572
00:32:44,382 --> 00:32:45,675
- No--
- No--
573
00:32:45,675 --> 00:32:47,052
- Noko--
- Noko--
574
00:32:47,052 --> 00:32:48,511
- Nokotta.
- Nokotta.
575
00:32:48,511 --> 00:32:49,429
Perfect.
576
00:32:49,429 --> 00:32:53,058
I'll get a refresher before we get back in
because you know the guys are gonna be--
577
00:32:53,058 --> 00:32:55,393
They'll actually turn around
and smack me, I think.
578
00:32:55,393 --> 00:32:58,355
All right. Okay.
Boy, this is actually kind of fun.
579
00:32:59,606 --> 00:33:03,068
And with that,
I'm ready to step into the ring.
580
00:33:07,864 --> 00:33:09,032
Matta nashi.
581
00:33:12,786 --> 00:33:15,455
- You want to exude an air of confidence.
- Yeah.
582
00:33:15,455 --> 00:33:17,290
You are the person
who is running the show.
583
00:33:17,290 --> 00:33:18,875
I'll let them know who's what.
584
00:33:19,459 --> 00:33:21,878
And the stage directions don't end there.
585
00:33:22,462 --> 00:33:24,631
John has gone all Scorsese on me.
586
00:33:24,631 --> 00:33:27,342
What you're holding in your hands
is a gunbai.
587
00:33:27,342 --> 00:33:28,760
So, this is a war fan.
588
00:33:28,760 --> 00:33:32,973
You need to point the fan
to the direction of the winner
589
00:33:32,973 --> 00:33:34,099
and say shobu ari.
590
00:33:34,099 --> 00:33:35,141
Shobu ari.
591
00:33:35,141 --> 00:33:37,811
- More, more, more. Like angrier.
- Shobu ari.
592
00:33:37,811 --> 00:33:41,022
- A little less angry than that.
- Shobu ari.
593
00:33:41,022 --> 00:33:43,525
- That's it.
- You can step out now.
594
00:33:43,525 --> 00:33:44,484
I like that.
595
00:33:45,277 --> 00:33:46,152
Matta nashi.
596
00:33:48,655 --> 00:33:49,990
Hakkeyoi.
597
00:33:52,033 --> 00:33:55,120
Nokotta, nokotta. Nokotta, nokotta.
598
00:33:55,120 --> 00:33:57,163
Even though it's a foreign language,
599
00:33:57,163 --> 00:34:01,001
I lived and breathed
the words that I was saying.
600
00:34:01,001 --> 00:34:04,004
Nokotta, nokotta. Nokotta.
601
00:34:04,004 --> 00:34:09,718
And the two sumo guys certainly knew
the import of what I was saying.
602
00:34:10,468 --> 00:34:11,678
Nokotta, nokotta.
603
00:34:12,429 --> 00:34:13,471
Nokotta, nokotta.
604
00:34:15,682 --> 00:34:17,267
Shobu ari.
605
00:34:17,267 --> 00:34:19,269
- That was excellent.
- That was pretty good?
606
00:34:19,269 --> 00:34:21,354
- You got it. You were perfect.
- Scary enough?
607
00:34:21,354 --> 00:34:27,485
I felt like I had respect and the fear
of the wrestlers who were in the ring.
608
00:34:27,485 --> 00:34:30,780
There are very few referees that take
the attention away from the wrestlers,
609
00:34:30,780 --> 00:34:33,407
but if anyone could do it,
I have faith in you.
610
00:34:33,407 --> 00:34:34,992
Well, thank you, John.
611
00:34:34,992 --> 00:34:37,370
And coming from you,
that actually means a lot.
612
00:34:37,370 --> 00:34:38,454
Hakkeyoi.
613
00:34:39,706 --> 00:34:41,207
You know, I think I can see
614
00:34:41,207 --> 00:34:44,669
why John and others
have fallen in love with Tokyo.
615
00:34:44,669 --> 00:34:47,255
Nokotta, nokotta. Nokotta.
616
00:34:48,673 --> 00:34:52,677
Sumo is a visual spectacle
which appears simple at first,
617
00:34:52,677 --> 00:34:57,349
but immerse yourself in it,
and there's so much more to discover.
618
00:34:58,308 --> 00:35:01,937
And in that respect,
it's a parallel for the city.
619
00:35:02,479 --> 00:35:04,564
Wow, this is insanity.
620
00:35:04,564 --> 00:35:09,319
On my final walk back to the hotel,
after facing down two wrestlers,
621
00:35:09,319 --> 00:35:12,822
Tokyo has one last challenge for me:
622
00:35:12,822 --> 00:35:16,159
Crossing from one side of the street
to the other.
623
00:35:16,159 --> 00:35:18,578
Look at this. This is something, isn't it?
624
00:35:18,578 --> 00:35:24,334
I've never seen masses like this.
It really is Times Square, but times ten.
625
00:35:25,085 --> 00:35:28,505
At Shibuya Crossing,
the world's busiest intersection,
626
00:35:28,505 --> 00:35:33,301
rush hour starts when the sun comes up
and lasts all day.
627
00:35:33,301 --> 00:35:37,097
Let's see what happens
before I actually venture out.
628
00:35:37,097 --> 00:35:41,268
3,000 pedestrians step out
at every green light.
629
00:35:43,728 --> 00:35:46,856
Now that I've been here a few days,
I'm confident
630
00:35:46,856 --> 00:35:51,611
if the other 2,999 can make it, so can I.
631
00:35:51,611 --> 00:35:53,822
I'm gonna follow the crowd. Come on.
632
00:35:57,367 --> 00:36:00,620
Do you see anybody
bumping into anybody? No.
633
00:36:01,121 --> 00:36:03,456
It's kind of miraculously organized.
634
00:36:03,456 --> 00:36:06,793
It's like crossing the street
with the city of Toronto.
635
00:36:09,045 --> 00:36:11,548
I did have three concerns when I got here:
636
00:36:11,548 --> 00:36:14,301
the culture, the language and the food.
637
00:36:14,926 --> 00:36:17,470
Culture: really terrific.
638
00:36:17,470 --> 00:36:19,514
Language: I didn't have a problem.
639
00:36:21,141 --> 00:36:26,062
Food: still have to get used to
a little bit, but I'll work on that.
640
00:36:26,605 --> 00:36:31,776
I crossed at Shibuya.
This is really insanely beautiful.
641
00:36:33,653 --> 00:36:36,656
It's really hard to put into words
642
00:36:36,656 --> 00:36:42,871
exactly what it is about this city
that kind of embraces you.
643
00:36:43,830 --> 00:36:48,251
It's a complicated nation.
There's old and there's new.
644
00:36:49,586 --> 00:36:52,339
I don't gravitate to either end
of that spectrum.
645
00:36:52,923 --> 00:36:58,011
And yet, I found a pathway
in between those two things
646
00:36:58,011 --> 00:37:00,764
that I found quite comfortable.
647
00:37:02,974 --> 00:37:06,186
My son, Daniel, said,
"You know, when you go to Tokyo,
648
00:37:06,186 --> 00:37:10,941
you're gonna want
to go back again and again."
649
00:37:10,941 --> 00:37:16,780
I think, in order to unpeel
all the layers that are Tokyo,
650
00:37:16,780 --> 00:37:20,033
it will take another trip or two.
651
00:37:20,033 --> 00:37:23,495
So, the kid was right.