2022 IS HERE!! And we are going to hit it hard and make it a great year!! Who is up for some winter camping? **MAKE SURE ALL NOTIFICATIONS ARE ON FOR THIS YEAR!!** If you haven't yet, come and join the new Livestream Channel! RU-vid.com/TokyoLensExplore Thank you so much to everyone who makes these adventures possible! You know they are for you! PS -- doing 15% off Yearly Patreon Memberships until the end of January 😉 see you all Real Soon!
I was the one who watched you fell down on the slippery street the other day when you were live-streaming on your second channel! And now which makes this video more fun to see how you were filming😁Hope you enjoyed the tour Lens!😆✨
I'm only in southern BC so the winters are... well, they're SUPPOSED to be mild. But 'winter and construction' did nearly have me doing a spit-take into my tea!
It's really inspirational to hear the story of your early days in Japan, with just a few bucks in your pocket, to see how far you have come. Congrats Norm... keep living the dream :)
I absolutely love Sapporo, only spent like a day and a morning there on my first trip to Japan but I've always really wanted to go back. Awesome vid Norm and thanks as always for the window into Japan when a lot of us can't go
I just entered “Sapporo at night” and this came up. I suddenly tear up inside seeing this because I was there during the 2020 Snow Festival, and the virus wasn’t as prevalent then as it is now. It felt so peaceful walking back to the hotel from Susukino. I was there for like nine days and I still feel it wasn’t enough time for me to explore the place. Now I wish I took the plunge and at least try to live and work there years ago.
I wouldn’t have ever thought about heated sidewalks. You should make a snowman reaching out to his fallen brethren on the heated sidewalk. But it’s really nice to see all this snow as a person who lives in an area that doesn’t really get any. And it was cool hearing about how hard it was originally being in Japan for you.
I like how Sapporo is bigger than it’s fictional Pokémon counterpart Jubilife City in Pokémon Diamond, Pearl, and Platinum as well as the Gen VIII remakes. I like how the Pokémon company made Sinnoh based on Hokkaido.
Sapporo is definitely on my list of places to go! thanks for sharing your footage of adventuring through the city. Having lived in a warmer climate for the last few years, I do miss the cold/snow from time to time. There's a certain feeling of peacefulness just walking through a city at night while snowing, seems like a great way to see everyday life there.
Just wanted to say that it really shows that you enjoy what you are doing. Your videos are very easy-going, in a positive light. They are a showcase of the environment through your view and you have eased into the storyteller role very well. Over the years I have seen a lot of similar type of channels, however yours really reminds me of what I used to enjoy in youtube like 14-15 years ago, as a sort of more down-to-earth, learn more about the world energy. Thanks for the content!
"My goal is to be happy with whatever I do"....YES. You have some of the greatest, most authentic, love-of-life content on the internet. Thank you Norm!! You've inspired me to explore more, learn more and love my life more!
Hi Norm, greetings from Mexico city! I just wanted to let you know how happy you made me with the lives in Sapporo, I must say you brought back some nice memories, my last trip to Japan was in December 2019, and spent 6 weeks traveling from Sapporo to Nagasaki, it was not my first trip to Japan, but it was the best planned and I enjoyed it from the bottom of my heart. Every time I discover you have been at a place I have been as well I get super exited. I love you content and you are my inspiration to get a good camera and to learn how to make the most of a place. Thank you for sharing!
The amount of snow this region can get in a given season is unbelievable! I watch it with envy as I live in Colorado and love to ski… we have feast or famine with snow here…sadly more and more famine. Glad to see Sapporo is enjoying a ton of snow!
Living in Finland makes me wish that snow did not exist but it's always beautiful to see it in video and pictures. The Sapporo snow festival is something I wish to see at some point but I do prefer warmer weathers of spring and summer and the colors of fall seasons so I don't know when I will get to do that. :) ..Also hopefully your camera didn't suffer too much from the snow!
I lived in Japan for 4 years (many years ago) and just moved back last summer. Hokkaido is certainly on my list of places to go this summer, Ive been told its pretty spectacular, and as a chef a "must" for the food. The wine making in Hokkaido has taken a quantum leap in the last several years and they are making some very serious and interesting wines there now and gettin some international praise in the natural wine circles.
The snow looks so nice! I've never seen real snow cause I live somewhere where it doesn't snow. It looks super cold though. Thanks for sharing your story of what was your first year in Japan is like. I've never been out of the country so it's interesting to hear other people's experiences. It's also great to see how things have changed from when you first got there compared to now. Belated Happy New Year!
I grew up in Central Texas under a family that was raised New York City, and for most of my life I never really saw snow. The recent years have at least brought a few scarce flurries, but my mom would always say "this isn't real snow." In February last year, we got slammed by two huge winter storms, and my mom finally told me that it was real snow. As someone who grew to love cold weather and the idea of magical, snowy, overcast adventure days, it was certainly one of the most memorable experiences for me.
I suppose it depends on the climate you’re used to, but at least for me the biggest contributor to the cold is the wind. Like above zero Fahrenheit isn’t really that cold if there’s no wind and the sun is out. 30 degrees would be considered a warm day
@@Graestra Wind is definitely the culprit, it cuts right through you and knocks the breath of of you. I remember the first time I realized it in Elementary School, I seriously couldn't breathe deep breaths while I was outside.
Hokkaido is so beautiful! It's the one place I really wanted to get to while living in Japan that I didn't make it to. Unfortunately as a teacher, I can't go there for the Snow Festival, but I hear it's a great place to visit in the summer too!
Thank you for braving the cold and ice to show us around. It looks so magical and peaceful with snow (apart from the drunken shouting!) 💜 I’m going to watch your Sapparo snow festival video now ⛄️
I'm not really a winter person, but winter in Japan seems worth it. It's really amazing hearing about your first trip and seeing how far you've come! Thank you for sharing that with us!
Idk but something about this video just makes me feel like I’m actually walking through the streets of Sapparo. You make it look so familiar and nostalgic.
With every video of yours, I learn something new. Never even heard of a place having heated sidewalks until today. That would make things so much simpler. No more ice buildup or muddy boots lol. Not going to lie, my favorite part was when you tilted the camera up towards the light and the snow was swirling around a bit. Reminded me of a real life snow globe for a moment.
Avid skier from Canada. Sapporo is my fav city in Asia .Not just for what if offer but the fact that you're so close to so many world class ski options in that city.
Best ad timing I ever had. You slipped and before you recovered, the add starts playing. Keeping me in suspense. Did he fall, did he not is he alright. And then the little giggle. Almost to say got you there. 10/10 would Have ad again.
Big fluffy snowflakes and nighttime strolls are my favorite. Thank you for these wonderful videos, Norm. I recently discovered your channel and have been enjoying them all.
wow hearing you sleeping in an abandoned building before while trying to be frugal as much as possible seem like an adventure to me,, i am glad you are doing better than before and with a greater japanese vocabulary than before as well
Your excitement for snow is contagious. Born, raised, and still living in a country that has never seen snow, I look forward to the day I experience my first real snow (went through small hail storms several times and went to 2 snow villages in theme parks here but no real snow.) Mom says the cold is torture but since I don't really feel cold temperatures as much as other people do, I believe I will enjoy it very much.
Great video, Captain. Lots of interesting info. It is always evident that you love exploring- it’s directly related to the quality of your productions.
Hah! Thank you for posting this video because I was literally thinking about what to do in Sapporo and here my one of my favorite RU-vidrs popped one as soon as I got up this morning ❤️
I used to live in Michigan and seeing the snow falling at night makes me miss home. I know it has nothing to do with the video but I used to love driving at night while it is snowing. I would drive fast and pretend I was an astronaut flying through space at light speed.
Winter and construction 😆 Hokkaido seems to only get that lovely big, fluffy flakes type of snow 🥰. Thanks for the soothing scrunchy ASMR walks in late night/early morning. #thetrifecta
It was nice to hear you talk about your early struggles with money and adjusting to Japan. It makes my fear about just simply visiting with money not being an issue seem ridiculous. I appreciate the honesty you bring to your channel.
The quality in his videos is consistently good. Might need to get something to stabilise the camera, but his interesting personality makes up for the extra wobbling. He reminds me of someone you'd see on the telly, presenting a nature program.....
heated sidewalks??? how?? I love the way you crawl around a city to find weird ways to get to streets, or the things you have to say about what's around you. A fun romp around Sapporo.
I already wrote this on your morning lifestream in Sapporo, but...Thaaaaank you so much for sharing such beautiful winter moments. I really miss snow a lot, I still haven't seen a single snowflake this winter. Also: the little snowman you found was sooo adorable! (But nowhere near as cute as Captain Derps'a'lot xD).
Sapporo looks like such a fun city I'd definitely visit Japan in the winter for this alone and see how it compares to BC winters. Love the coziness of wintertime to I'm sure it would be fun to experience that.
Super happy to have found this channel. Probably gonna be studying abroad in Japan soon and honestly can't wait. Your videos really pushed me to make that leap so thank you so much man. Gotta treat you to a drink one day.
Ha! you had to show off that 180SX didn't you! Even though it looks a bit rough around the edges, it's nice to see people still driving them around. The NC behind it was pretty sweet too! Great vid as always Norm!
I really like watching you go for hikes, the best way to go for a hike is to get distracted by everything and go down the overgrown path 😄 I couldn't think of hiking in a different way! And thank you for showing all of us the nature of Japan, it's truly a dream🤗
I went to Hokkaido for the first time when I was an exchange student. I participated in a week-long, organized group trip. We stayed in Sapporo for the Snow Festival for just one day and spent the rest of the trip in Hakodate. I loved the experience, but I wish we stayed longer in Sapporo. Next time, when I hopefully return to Japan, I want to see more of Sapporo and the Snow Festival.
Thanks for sharing the magic. In 1985 I sailed into a blizzarding Sapporo on a small rusty tramp freighter straight from the tropics. Ice thick on our decks and snow piled high on the ground, we had cotton work gloves and no jackets. It was like Mars. Totally alien and totally beautiful. I still remember walking in off the snow tunnel sidewalk into my first ever 7-11, where the Bangles' Walk Like an Egyptian was playing on the PA. I was enchanted and mesmerized.
This reminded me of my trip there for the snow festival. First time I did a snow angel and it was so fun. I thought I would get all wet from laying on the snow but learned that snow is actually "dry" when fresh and super cold. And the snow banks were almost as tall as me... (I'm five feet) Snow is pretty yes, but totally a pain to travel in
I. Cannot. Get enough of that SNOW CRUNCH. Just by hearing that underfoot snow crunch, I can FEEL the cold air and taste that icy chill. I love that sound. Reminds me of beautiful, fresh snowfallen mornings, the calm quiet gray and white pristine atmosphere, snowball fights, snow angels, igloo building. 😌👐 I've been fearing snowy winters in Japan (bad knees) but this makes me want to get out there and experience it. Something about your energy Norm just makes my fear and sorrow fly away and I get so happy and excited to experience life again. (Forgive the novel 😅)
This is what I look forward to most when I go back to Japan one day. Is being able to walk at night by myself and not have to worry. Japan is so safe but yeah you do have to worry about the drunks just being a little wild.
Every time I see it, I always get the feeling that Sapporo is a comfortable place, and it somehow reminds me of home. Even moreso with all the snow haha. Beautiful!
I love the nighttime exploring adventures. Also I love hearing bits about your life. The precious snowman is too cute! Thank you for braving the cold & black ice!
Heated sidewalks is also something I wish that we had here in New Hampshire. Hell, it'd be nice to have *sidewalks* in half of my town! XD I absolutely love that documentary about your desk. It's still one of my favorites that you've done. I'd totally forgotten that it was your first documentary! I've shown it to so many people 😅 I'm fascinated by the Ainu people. Then again, I just love learning about unique cultures and peoples. ☺️ Oh wow! You found another snowman! The one you found during the livestream was hilarious. I've seen a lot of recent videos about really nice Japanese hotels pop up on youtube recently - not quite sure why the algorithm is showing me those, but it's certainly something interesting to see. Glad to see you're back! I'm not sure I'd be able to do winter camping myself, but despite growing up with the cold I've never been good at dealing with it! 😅
Glad to see you back on the grind early and a great way to kick it off. That is one of the cities still on my bucket list for Japan as I stayed toward Osaka and I the lower half on my last trip so seeing the drastic difference just makes me hope this world wide mess gets over soon. Stay safe and can't wait to see what else you come up with this year.
I'm really thankfull for videos like this. I haven't been able to go to Sapporo and visiting my girlfriend for 2 years, so seeing you walking around is very nostalgic and brings back a lot of good memories to me. Thanks a lot Norm! 😀
Norm, I love your videos. You give such a positive vibe in every video you make and seem genuinely excited by what you see and do around Japan. It's great and very refreshing, not to mention how awesome your documentary videos are. Keep up the good work!! Looking forward to the next video.
stories of how you struggled in first years and stuff is really great considering where you are now and what you do with confidence and enjoyment (dont get me wrong its not good that you suffered but as how confident you are right now it fells like everyone can dot it! and i like that)
I love that you get excited for snow. I live in Texas, we normally don't get big snowfalls, so I get excited when it snows anytime! ❄️❄️❄️ Love the video! Keep up the awesome work! And love the music in this one too!
Being in Vancouver. With a little research. The climate there is very similar. Maybe a little colder by few degrees but very similar. I like it. One of my to go to place to visit first for japan just because of the climate.
Snoooooooow! I grew up in a region of Ontario known as the snowbelt, now I'm in Texas and get approx two snowflakes per year. I miss snow, it makes everything so pretty! 😊
