Fun Fact... I spent WAY more than I ever should have after I finished shooting LOL did you see anything that you would have grabbed? How about a livestream here over on the Tokyo Lens Explore channel next time? And yes... The Shamisen! teespring.com/shamisen-tokyolens
YOOO I want that homemade sushi train!!! That would be so fun every now and then!! These little shop tours are my FAVOURITE Japan content. So many awesome little niche shops with the most amazing products. Videos of eating food are kind of overdone these days, but these awesome little mom and pop tours are like a true little Slice of Life. It really makes me feel like I'm browsing sometimes.
The food review videos are somewhat mixed. It' nice to know good food spots to got to, but I don't get anyhthing out of a youtuber telling me how crunchy/tasty/sweet something is ^^ And therefore I love these videos a lot more about shops with unique or funny stuff like here!
As someone who works retail and manages inventory, it gives me major anxiety seeing the sheer volume of all these products! Then again, I'm very impressed at the organization chaos! They know what their doing lol! Definitely going on my list to visit when I can make it out there!
Hi Norm, as an Australian living overseas, I was thrilled to see Milo!! It's what Aussie kids are raised on, and I didn't realise it was in Japan too. It's a chocolate flavoured malt drink, certainly NOT a health food, and is pronounced my-low (my as in mine, low as in low down) in English. Most kids will spoon it into a cup with a 1:1 ratio of cold milk and eat it with a spoon, while most parents will serve it to their kids as an alternative to tea; with one spoonful per cup of warmed milk (or milk with hot water). Highly recommend either way, it's delicious 👍
As someone from the (probable) birthplace of Milo, it's uncanny valley to know how wide it's known, for both its good and bad. (edit: wait, it's Australian? Crikey, now that's something new.) And congrats on launching your plushie Norm.
I've only just started watching your videos and I really am enjoying them. I am an Englishman who is absolutely obsessed with Japanese music of all kinds, so the moment I set eyes on that Shamisen plushie I just had to have one. Keep up the good work!
What a cool shop!! I really like that each store location is able to do its own buying for all of the items they want to stock for their individual location. Yay they have the plushie as well!! And Nerds! It looks like such a fun store to explore!
Well, that explains your excitement for this weeks video - merch drop in a physical store. That store looks absolutely massive and amazing, I must go one day. Looks like it’ll take a good day or so so see everything 😅 Milo, yes, we have it in powder and cereal form. Both delicious. But powdered form is best - not that I would call it a powder. It’s hard to describe. I like to eat it out of the tin with a spoon. Hot water/milk is optional 😂 Mini tamagotchis exist here too. They are making a comeback. A livestream through the store would be amazing 😍
I love exploring Village Vanguard stores ... Have been to several and you never know what you can find. It's always interesting to see the cards where the staff have written about the products. Good to see that you are able to have them sell the shamisen plushies there too ... The sort of rare, quirky product that you can turn up in them so hopefully would sell well
Thanks so much, Tim!! Yeah it’s always been one of my favourite shops So understandably I was pretty excited about everything from the video, all the way to the Plushie lol
I could literally spend hours and hours in a store like that, and leave with no money and way more things than I could ever need. lol As for the Tamagotchis, we do still have those here in the US! I work at Walmart as an order puller and I've pulled several of them for, what I assume are, Christmas gifts. In fact, we have a Hello Kitty one that I have asked my husband to get me for Christmas. lol
They’re a thing in New Zealand too but I think mostly teenagers and young adults buy them as a nostalgia thing. They’re usually marketed as a retro thing and not a kids toy. I own two lol.
I’d never heard of Village Vanguard before your video, and I’m shocked honestly. This place seems so unique and like something that more cities should have something similar to. I love the worn floors throughout the store that show off the history of where things/people frequent over the years and how the layout has changed.
I love Shimokitazawa. I stayed there for a little over a week during their curry festival in October (circa 2014). The neighborhood is pretty chill which we thoroughly enjoyed.
I want to say thank you for sharing something a simple as this, I am stuck in the US have had to postpone my second trip to Japan so seeing all this is a great thing to tide me over plus you always present things in a fun and energetic way. Look forward to see what other adventures you have before the end of the year or the start of the new year. Stay safe and have a great holiday.
Japan is indeed has a lot so much to offer, from it’s amazing and beautiful places and sceneries to visit, up to these coolest and interesting different stores that they have in their country, I just love it so much! Well I don’t really mind if I would strolling and wandering around in this store for a couple of hours, I mean there’s a big bunch of stuffs and things to see in this store! Tokyo Lens, you never fail to amaze me in your videos, they are the best, a very worth - watching and entertaining to watch this holiday season! It just feels like that I’m in Japan too, thank you so much, we highly appreciated and enjoyed all of your contents! Keep it up your good work, man!
Would love a shop like this in my city! One-stop shops where you know you can find that perfect gift for anyone in your life are so comforting. Thanks for taking us along for the ride and love how you got distracted so often!🌸
Village Vanguard was my favorite store growing up - I would always run inside the mall to the closest VV. It’s still the first store that comes to mind when I reminisce on my favorite stores in Japan. I miss it so much
This makes me regret not visiting a Village Vanguard the last time I went to Japan! Shimokitazawa was one of my favourite areas to visit with all the thrift stores they have there! My parents and I got a good haul of winter clothes and ended up wearing them throughout our trip! I'll definitely try to see a Village Vanguard next time I visit!
That place seem so fun. It's one of those places that's interesting to walk into cause there's so much to see and could get attention. They have snacks, books, and lots of stuff I'd be interested in! lol there's so many edible bugs. Vtuber Haachama would love it there XD. Here in the Philippines, we pronounce it "Mai-low" and it's delicious as a drink! The shamisen plushie looks so cute!! Congrats on the merch!
I would probably end up spending a whole day exploring village vanguard if I was there. When I was younger, a trip to the main branch of National Bookstore (similar concept here in Quezon City, Philippines though now it is not like what it used to be) was the highlight of our pre-opening-school-year-shopping-spree. Also grew up drinking Milo (pronounced with a long I in our country), with Ovaltine as the counterpart.
Totally bought one of your Shamisen stuffys online a few days ago! Can’t wait to get it. I bought it not only to support your work, but as a gift for my wife. As it reminds her of her dad. Who sadly passes a few years ago.
Great video! I never got to V.V. while in Tokyo but it's totally the type of shop I would love. Love the books, stickers, and snacks, and hello, can we talk about that shamisen plushy! I have bought those Korean almonds in the US; i bought yoghurt covered ones for myself and spicy tteokbokki flavored ones for someone else. I haven't missed shopping in a while, but this did it! Livestream please!
Just saw something related to yuru camp 2:34 to minute 2:39 on the shelf, in orange :D Great video I really like those types of stores actually where every corner u go to there something unic and rare to see in your average store, and the fact that they change cosntatly to make it even more intersting and vivid or rather alive I ould say makes it better! Those kinda shops are a lifesaver for gifting presents to your family and friends! I would like to see a livestream !
Thank you for the tour Norm! I would love to see more of it in a livestream or even better a documentation style video like you did with the closing Sega Gamecenter in Ikebukuro.
Wow, I love love love that store!!! Much more interesting than yet another walk down a Tokyo street, though I love watching those as well. Thank you for sharing this, and yes... gotta love that Shamisen plushie!
Love the video, I really want to check this store out :D Also Milo is actually an Australian drink (pronounced My-low), we have a breakfast cereal version and candy bar version as well
Shamisen plushies! Seeing how much joy exudes from you while showing us your very own shamisen plushies makes me smile so much. That is definitely a major accomplishment and I still hope one day I can proudly display one of these in my home. This store makes me feel like a kid again. There’s so much to find!
That microwave rice cooker (looks like a bento box) is so cool! It seems like a great product for someone living alone--especially if they lack a real kitchen. They can supplement a take-out meal with extra rice from that little cooker.
Wherever you look there will be something that'll took your interest in this shop. There's so much unique and lovable stuff inside, this might become one of my must visit shop soon in the future. How do they based their products according to the place they are in? Does most of the products they chose get the positive outcome for their business? Those plushies are so CUTE! A keychain Shamisen would be nice too. Can't wait for your next vid Norm-san.
About 10 years ago I was in A village Vanguard and looked at a book with 'artistic pictures' of young women. The thing was, the photos had been taken in that store with the models standing in front of the book shelf on which the books were placed. I'd forgotten about that till I saw this video. Now I wonder if I just imagined it.
Oh my god i literally screamed in excitement when i saw the german Esspapier right next to the nerds Oh the nostalgia! its such a odd candy to find in a store overseas since its literally the cheapest most bland candy imaginable
Your videos are so inspiring to me. Gives me inspiration planning my 5 to 6 week vacation next year in May and June. Hopefully Japan has opened up for tourists by then.
The face roller thing, its in Australia too. There's even western companies bringing them out now. And for Milo, its common here too. We pronounce it "My low"
Hello Norm!! I just wanted to say that I am really happy and appreciative to have stumbled across your channel. I am Japanese American, born and raised in South Florida, and unfortunately have not had the opportunity to visit Japan yet. I am really happy to have your videos to get a deeper look into the country and help me keep learning about it before I am able to visit in person. Keep up the great work!
I went to that store when I was in Tokyo in 2019, it was fun. They had a lot of other locations but they were smaller and less interesting. It reminded of a combination of Urban Outfitters/Hot Topic/Spencers Gifts and a hippie new age shop.
This is so cool! I'm planning a trip in a couple years and this is definitely on my list for shopping excursions!! I want that shamisen plushie that's so cute!!🐰🌙💗🌸
OMG, my favorite shop in Tokyo!!! Everytime I go to VV, I ended up buying a lot of stuff! When I went to Tokyo 3yrs ago, almost everyday I must visit and shop at VV! 🤣 Can't wait to go back and shop more!
I love going to village vanguard when I’m struggling to get a gift. Most times you’ll stumble upon some wacky wonderful thing that’s just perfect. Last year I got my dad some Tabasco flavored chocolate and he thought it was hilarious 😂
this channel should blow up pretty soon, Im leave any videos unwatched, you take me to places i only dream of visiting, and im begining to take my japanese bucket list trip more seriously now. thank you and god speed. keep it up.
I may have gone a little crazy in Village Vanguard when we visited Japan. 😁 But I did recently see a pair of Tamagotchi in western Canada in the toy aisle, so I guess it is still a thing here! So excited for you that you got your special project in store! That's amazing! Congratulations!!!
I saw a brief shot of a Tamagotchi Story in Tokoy iirc in another youtubers chanel. So they sem to have either never died or a kind of revival going on :)
YAS VILLAGE VANGUARD VIDEO! Woke up a little late to be notif squad but I love it when you go visit shops and show all the neat interesting things you can find ^.^
@@TokyoLens good to hear I made it!! Also I would be so down for a village vanguard live stream!! And Congrats on the shamisen plushie Norm, they’re absolutely adorable!!
This shop is amazing, I will have to check one out when they let us back into Japan. When I lived in the UK there was a great taco truck that had fried crickets which were really good except they always put too much pepper on them.
Norm, Tamagotchis are still a thing in the West. Target has them. Japan just got the best new model called Smart. The West got one with a camera called Pix. An R2-D2 crossover Tamagotchi also recently came out.
That is definitely my type of store. Filled with different unique finds everywhere. I would Not try the bugs. I love the plushie but as a broke college student I will just admire it from afar. :)
Oh man I'm so late to the party this time but great video again Norm this looks like an awesome place would love to go when everything opens up again:)
Your excitement about all these little odd things was sooo sweet and pleasant to watch! X3 And I'm very happy for you that you got your own beautiful shamisen plushie ♥ What I also noticed and which gave me a little chuckle (when you pointed out the candy, Nerds was it?) was the Esspapier (literally "Edible paper"). It's from where I live, Germany - and I'm pretty sure they sell the exact same brand in the local supermarkets here. Didn't expect to see that in Japan. XD
Amazing store! Reminds me of some antique shops and large hobby/knick knack stores I've been too, but none quite as crazy cool as this! Thanks for the video!
It has been a long time since I have been to a village vanguard store. A couple of them that I have been to also sold adult themed products, not sure if they still do. The store in the youme town in saga, if it is still there, had a realistic 10k yen bill stuck to the floor near the cash register.
This walk through Village Vanguard reminds me of my first time walking through donki. it's so chaotic yet everything is wildly interesting and unique. I'll definitely have to make a stop in next time I see one!
Ohhh yeah! I want that noodle waterslide! 🤣🤣 thank you again for adding a new item to my list if places I must go when I finally manage to get out there! I had to push my 2022 trip to March 2023 because of the restrictions still in place. I Hope this next year helps clear things up and get international tourists back in Japan 💜 Also congrats on your plushie!!! I want one! Much love from Arizona ❤️❤️
Also random I am very curious to know are all of their floors & ceilings designed to look older or worn? They remind me of an old indoor flea market look. Or something like an old warehouse which is now turned into a store.
Ahh I saw the tiny shamisen plushies in the beginning~ Super cute! Ahhh BTS Coffees!!! (at 9:54). They do still have Tamagotchis, they even came out with some new versions recently.
14:19 Amogus merch I would love to have one of those cute Shamisen plushie. And good to see Milo being there as I still drink it almost everyday since way back
Just discovered your channel and am fascinated by everything about Japan. Please do a live feed doing anything and I will watch. Keep up the good work. 👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟
Congratulations on the shamisen plushie - its adorable! I've never been to this hop but it seems similar to a don quijote but with more random gadgets and toys rather than drugstore stuff? This is a claustrophic's worst nightmare but I absolutely could get lost going around and around and finding something new I didn't see the first run through. All of these products are so unique and fun and I could just spend hours looking at all the cool stuff (and buying a ton of stuff oop)
I love Village Vanguard! And that one is massive, it’s going on my map. I would be sorely tempted by some of the really useless kitchen stuff, like the somen slides or takoyaki grills… love that place. ❤️
This dude has grown a lot! I remember him having 150k subs and now he's almost at 400k! Proud of you bro, keep grinding! I'll be waiting till you hit 1mil subs!
Very unique video! Thanks for sharing that phenomenal store! Yes. I'm certainly down with a live stream. Keep up the excellent content!! (Chuck) Charlotte, NC 🇺🇲
nice, I always call those "freak shop" but I only know that one village vanguard on odaiba and I think there is one in sunshine city ? Thanks for this video, I miss Japan and also those shops a lot.
Omg that love and passion for the Shamisen plushies! This store looks amazing, never been to one. Need to find it next time I'm in Japan. Norm: you have a shamisen plushie! Woop woop
Fun Fact... I spent WAY more than I ever should have after I finished shooting LOL
did you see anything that you would have grabbed? How about a livestream here over on the Tokyo Lens Explore channel next time?
And yes... The Shamisen! teespring.com/shamisen-tokyolens
livestream would be cool. there's a TON of fun stuff in there...goodness...
I would definitely like to see a livestream here! 👍
Do the livestream!💯%
Milo is from Australia, but I be had it when I was younger when visiting family in Trinidad and Tobago 🇹🇹. We just made chocolate milk with it.
Me and my brother would like to see the live stream ^^
If I ever visit Japan again I'm so going to this place and bring my best friend! We'd go nuts looking at so many cute stuff 😱
Ketemu kimi 😮
YOOO I want that homemade sushi train!!! That would be so fun every now and then!! These little shop tours are my FAVOURITE Japan content. So many awesome little niche shops with the most amazing products. Videos of eating food are kind of overdone these days, but these awesome little mom and pop tours are like a true little Slice of Life. It really makes me feel like I'm browsing sometimes.
The food review videos are somewhat mixed. It' nice to know good food spots to got to, but I don't get anyhthing out of a youtuber telling me how crunchy/tasty/sweet something is ^^ And therefore I love these videos a lot more about shops with unique or funny stuff like here!
WOWO THATS SO COOL!!!!!!111!! CAN I BE YOUR FRIEND ? WE WILL EXPERIENCE SLICE OF LIFE TOGETHER!!!😁
As someone who works retail and manages inventory, it gives me major anxiety seeing the sheer volume of all these products! Then again, I'm very impressed at the organization chaos! They know what their doing lol! Definitely going on my list to visit when I can make it out there!
I wonder what their inventory looks like. We do ours twice a year and we dread it every time.
I don’t work in retail but the variety of items made me think about how hard restocking would be. Especially in that maze like building.
i would probably quit on inventory day due to the meltdown I'd surely have trying to keep track of everything
I was thinking the same thing, just 🙀
Hi Norm, as an Australian living overseas, I was thrilled to see Milo!! It's what Aussie kids are raised on, and I didn't realise it was in Japan too. It's a chocolate flavoured malt drink, certainly NOT a health food, and is pronounced my-low (my as in mine, low as in low down) in English. Most kids will spoon it into a cup with a 1:1 ratio of cold milk and eat it with a spoon, while most parents will serve it to their kids as an alternative to tea; with one spoonful per cup of warmed milk (or milk with hot water). Highly recommend either way, it's delicious 👍
The same in Colombia
Its a Nestle product though
Ovaltine in the USA.
Milo was founded in Australia by Thomas Mayne, unveiled to the public in 1934.
As someone from the (probable) birthplace of Milo, it's uncanny valley to know how wide it's known, for both its good and bad. (edit: wait, it's Australian? Crikey, now that's something new.)
And congrats on launching your plushie Norm.
It is so heartwarming to see how excited and proud he is, especially when he was mentioning about the shamisen plushie 😊
I feel like I would need a whole day to look through that shop and want everything lmao
Great video Norm! And love the shamisen plushie!!
And almost everyone is different
So you end up spending multiple days haha
Thank you!!
@@TokyoLens very true lol!
I've only just started watching your videos and I really am enjoying them. I am an Englishman who is absolutely obsessed with Japanese music of all kinds, so the moment I set eyes on that Shamisen plushie I just had to have one. Keep up the good work!
What a cool shop!! I really like that each store location is able to do its own buying for all of the items they want to stock for their individual location. Yay they have the plushie as well!! And Nerds! It looks like such a fun store to explore!
Such an amazing place!!
Well, that explains your excitement for this weeks video - merch drop in a physical store.
That store looks absolutely massive and amazing, I must go one day. Looks like it’ll take a good day or so so see everything 😅
Milo, yes, we have it in powder and cereal form. Both delicious. But powdered form is best - not that I would call it a powder. It’s hard to describe. I like to eat it out of the tin with a spoon. Hot water/milk is optional 😂
Mini tamagotchis exist here too. They are making a comeback.
A livestream through the store would be amazing 😍
Nowwwwww you get it right??? So exciting haha
Thanks so much eh!!
Totally understandable and I don’t blame you for being this hyped.
I love exploring Village Vanguard stores ... Have been to several and you never know what you can find. It's always interesting to see the cards where the staff have written about the products.
Good to see that you are able to have them sell the shamisen plushies there too ... The sort of rare, quirky product that you can turn up in them so hopefully would sell well
Thanks so much, Tim!!
Yeah it’s always been one of my favourite shops
So understandably I was pretty excited about everything from the video, all the way to the Plushie lol
It's almost like going to a flea market, with so much variety. Would definitely drop some cash in there.
Aww man I miss Japan so much I can't wait to get back!!
Hope it can be sooner than later~
Well said. I miss Japan very much too.
We never even got to go!!! We've pushed the trip back 4 times. From March 2020 to Sep of 2022...
I could literally spend hours and hours in a store like that, and leave with no money and way more things than I could ever need. lol As for the Tamagotchis, we do still have those here in the US! I work at Walmart as an order puller and I've pulled several of them for, what I assume are, Christmas gifts. In fact, we have a Hello Kitty one that I have asked my husband to get me for Christmas. lol
They’re a thing in New Zealand too but I think mostly teenagers and young adults buy them as a nostalgia thing. They’re usually marketed as a retro thing and not a kids toy. I own two lol.
I’d never heard of Village Vanguard before your video, and I’m shocked honestly. This place seems so unique and like something that more cities should have something similar to. I love the worn floors throughout the store that show off the history of where things/people frequent over the years and how the layout has changed.
I love Shimokitazawa. I stayed there for a little over a week during their curry festival in October (circa 2014). The neighborhood is pretty chill which we thoroughly enjoyed.
I want to say thank you for sharing something a simple as this, I am stuck in the US have had to postpone my second trip to Japan so seeing all this is a great thing to tide me over plus you always present things in a fun and energetic way. Look forward to see what other adventures you have before the end of the year or the start of the new year. Stay safe and have a great holiday.
I've always loved how products are packaged in Japan.
Japan is indeed has a lot so much to offer, from it’s amazing and beautiful places and sceneries to visit, up to these coolest and interesting different stores that they have in their country, I just love it so much! Well I don’t really mind if I would strolling and wandering around in this store for a couple of hours, I mean there’s a big bunch of stuffs and things to see in this store! Tokyo Lens, you never fail to amaze me in your videos, they are the best, a very worth - watching and entertaining to watch this holiday season! It just feels like that I’m in Japan too, thank you so much, we highly appreciated and enjoyed all of your contents! Keep it up your good work, man!
Would love a shop like this in my city! One-stop shops where you know you can find that perfect gift for anyone in your life are so comforting. Thanks for taking us along for the ride and love how you got distracted so often!🌸
Village Vanguard was my favorite store growing up - I would always run inside the mall to the closest VV. It’s still the first store that comes to mind when I reminisce on my favorite stores in Japan. I miss it so much
Awesome video brother. Thanks to you, I've been listening to bunch of shamisen covers. I love the unique sound it makes. Keep up the great work!
This makes me regret not visiting a Village Vanguard the last time I went to Japan! Shimokitazawa was one of my favourite areas to visit with all the thrift stores they have there! My parents and I got a good haul of winter clothes and ended up wearing them throughout our trip!
I'll definitely try to see a Village Vanguard next time I visit!
That place seem so fun. It's one of those places that's interesting to walk into cause there's so much to see and could get attention. They have snacks, books, and lots of stuff I'd be interested in!
lol there's so many edible bugs. Vtuber Haachama would love it there XD.
Here in the Philippines, we pronounce it "Mai-low" and it's delicious as a drink!
The shamisen plushie looks so cute!! Congrats on the merch!
Hehe thanks so much eh!!!
Haachama would definitely be excited about the tarantulas
Definitely going to add this to a "Must go" list for when I visit Japan! Thanks for showing it!
I would probably end up spending a whole day exploring village vanguard if I was there. When I was younger, a trip to the main branch of National Bookstore (similar concept here in Quezon City, Philippines though now it is not like what it used to be) was the highlight of our pre-opening-school-year-shopping-spree.
Also grew up drinking Milo (pronounced with a long I in our country), with Ovaltine as the counterpart.
Totally bought one of your Shamisen stuffys online a few days ago! Can’t wait to get it. I bought it not only to support your work, but as a gift for my wife. As it reminds her of her dad. Who sadly passes a few years ago.
Great video! I never got to V.V. while in Tokyo but it's totally the type of shop I would love. Love the books, stickers, and snacks, and hello, can we talk about that shamisen plushy! I have bought those Korean almonds in the US; i bought yoghurt covered ones for myself and spicy tteokbokki flavored ones for someone else. I haven't missed shopping in a while, but this did it! Livestream please!
Just saw something related to yuru camp 2:34 to minute 2:39 on the shelf, in orange :D Great video I really like those types of stores actually where every corner u go to there something unic and rare to see in your average store, and the fact that they change cosntatly to make it even more intersting and vivid or rather alive I ould say makes it better!
Those kinda shops are a lifesaver for gifting presents to your family and friends!
I would like to see a livestream !
A live stream would be cool. Love shops like that. You can spend hours in there looking at all the unique stuff.
Thank you for the tour Norm! I would love to see more of it in a livestream or even better a documentation style video like you did with the closing Sega Gamecenter in Ikebukuro.
I love how informative your videos are. Plus, your enthusiasm is so palpable it's contagious! Keep 'em coming!
I just got back from my first trip to Japan and I actually stumbled upon this place when wandering around Shimo Kitazawa. It’s such a fun quirky shop!
Stumbled across Village/Vanguard when in Japan, absolutely adore these stores.
Wow, I love love love that store!!! Much more interesting than yet another walk down a Tokyo street, though I love watching those as well. Thank you for sharing this, and yes... gotta love that Shamisen plushie!
Would love a lovestream of this shop!!! So much to see and so many little goodies, I wish we had one of these overseas. Like a magical bookshop.
What an amazing store!
Everything everyone loves about Japanese merch! It's a vibe!
Hello from Scotland 🏴🇨🇦 loving your channel, it's keeping me sane. You're enthusiasm and passion for Japan is a beautiful thing to see. 👑
Love the video, I really want to check this store out :D
Also Milo is actually an Australian drink (pronounced My-low), we have a breakfast cereal version and candy bar version as well
Had to rewind when you entered the store to confirm I spotted the shamisen plushie. Would not have realized if I had not seen the insta story
Hi Tokyo Lens. Love your regular Sunday videos of this kind of interesting places. Looking forward already to your next Sunday video.
Shamisen plushies! Seeing how much joy exudes from you while showing us your very own shamisen plushies makes me smile so much. That is definitely a major accomplishment and I still hope one day I can proudly display one of these in my home. This store makes me feel like a kid again. There’s so much to find!
That microwave rice cooker (looks like a bento box) is so cool! It seems like a great product for someone living alone--especially if they lack a real kitchen. They can supplement a take-out meal with extra rice from that little cooker.
Wherever you look there will be something that'll took your interest in this shop. There's so much unique and lovable stuff inside, this might become one of my must visit shop soon in the future. How do they based their products according to the place they are in? Does most of the products they chose get the positive outcome for their business? Those plushies are so CUTE! A keychain Shamisen would be nice too. Can't wait for your next vid Norm-san.
About 10 years ago I was in A village Vanguard and looked at a book with 'artistic pictures' of young women. The thing was, the photos had been taken in that store with the models standing in front of the book shelf on which the books were placed. I'd forgotten about that till I saw this video. Now I wonder if I just imagined it.
Oh my god i literally screamed in excitement when i saw the german Esspapier right next to the nerds
Oh the nostalgia!
its such a odd candy to find in a store overseas since its literally the cheapest most bland candy imaginable
Your videos are so inspiring to me. Gives me inspiration planning my 5 to 6 week vacation next year in May and June. Hopefully Japan has opened up for tourists by then.
The face roller thing, its in Australia too. There's even western companies bringing them out now. And for Milo, its common here too. We pronounce it "My low"
Hello Norm!!
I just wanted to say that I am really happy and appreciative to have stumbled across your channel. I am Japanese American, born and raised in South Florida, and unfortunately have not had the opportunity to visit Japan yet. I am really happy to have your videos to get a deeper look into the country and help me keep learning about it before I am able to visit in person. Keep up the great work!
I went to that store when I was in Tokyo in 2019, it was fun. They had a lot of other locations but they were smaller and less interesting. It reminded of a combination of Urban Outfitters/Hot Topic/Spencers Gifts and a hippie new age shop.
This is so cool! I'm planning a trip in a couple years and this is definitely on my list for shopping excursions!! I want that shamisen plushie that's so cute!!🐰🌙💗🌸
I wish we had stores like this in America! I love Japanese culture and wish I could visit someday though I would spend so much money!😄
OMG, my favorite shop in Tokyo!!! Everytime I go to VV, I ended up buying a lot of stuff! When I went to Tokyo 3yrs ago, almost everyday I must visit and shop at VV! 🤣 Can't wait to go back and shop more!
Oooh I spy something exciting a few seconds in 💜 (I’m going to watch the rest now)
😏 😉
I love going to village vanguard when I’m struggling to get a gift. Most times you’ll stumble upon some wacky wonderful thing that’s just perfect. Last year I got my dad some Tabasco flavored chocolate and he thought it was hilarious 😂
this channel should blow up pretty soon, Im leave any videos unwatched, you take me to places i only dream of visiting, and im begining to take my japanese bucket list trip more seriously now. thank you and god speed. keep it up.
I may have gone a little crazy in Village Vanguard when we visited Japan. 😁 But I did recently see a pair of Tamagotchi in western Canada in the toy aisle, so I guess it is still a thing here!
So excited for you that you got your special project in store! That's amazing! Congratulations!!!
Hahaha I’ve always done the same!
Glad to know they have them in Canada too
And thank youuuu!!!
Tamagotchi are also here in the US still too!
I saw a brief shot of a Tamagotchi Story in Tokoy iirc in another youtubers chanel. So they sem to have either never died or a kind of revival going on :)
YAS VILLAGE VANGUARD VIDEO! Woke up a little late to be notif squad but I love it when you go visit shops and show all the neat interesting things you can find ^.^
Still in the squad!
Especially if you’re early enough for us to chat 😊
@@TokyoLens good to hear I made it!! Also I would be so down for a village vanguard live stream!! And Congrats on the shamisen plushie Norm, they’re absolutely adorable!!
This shop is amazing, I will have to check one out when they let us back into Japan. When I lived in the UK there was a great taco truck that had fried crickets which were really good except they always put too much pepper on them.
The shamisen plushies were the most awesome thing I've seen all week.
great job on designing them. Excellent video as always
Norm, Tamagotchis are still a thing in the West. Target has them. Japan just got the best new model called Smart. The West got one with a camera called Pix. An R2-D2 crossover Tamagotchi also recently came out.
That is definitely my type of store. Filled with different unique finds everywhere. I would Not try the bugs. I love the plushie but as a broke college student I will just admire it from afar. :)
Oh man I'm so late to the party this time but great video again Norm this looks like an awesome place would love to go when everything opens up again:)
I have so many B side label stickers from my trip to japan! I love them. congrats on your plushie collab!!!
Your excitement about all these little odd things was sooo sweet and pleasant to watch! X3 And I'm very happy for you that you got your own beautiful shamisen plushie ♥
What I also noticed and which gave me a little chuckle (when you pointed out the candy, Nerds was it?) was the Esspapier (literally "Edible paper"). It's from where I live, Germany - and I'm pretty sure they sell the exact same brand in the local supermarkets here. Didn't expect to see that in Japan. XD
Amazing store! Reminds me of some antique shops and large hobby/knick knack stores I've been too, but none quite as crazy cool as this! Thanks for the video!
i loved this video, thanks for showing us around! ♥♥
It has been a long time since I have been to a village vanguard store. A couple of them that I have been to also sold adult themed products, not sure if they still do. The store in the youme town in saga, if it is still there, had a realistic 10k yen bill stuck to the floor near the cash register.
My Son always makes a beeline for the Village Vanguard in Diver City in Odaiba. We love that shop.
This walk through Village Vanguard reminds me of my first time walking through donki. it's so chaotic yet everything is wildly interesting and unique. I'll definitely have to make a stop in next time I see one!
I love Shimo. So many cool shops. Haven't been to this shop but will make it a destination very soon.
Ohhh yeah! I want that noodle waterslide! 🤣🤣 thank you again for adding a new item to my list if places I must go when I finally manage to get out there! I had to push my 2022 trip to March 2023 because of the restrictions still in place. I Hope this next year helps clear things up and get international tourists back in Japan 💜
Also congrats on your plushie!!! I want one!
Much love from Arizona ❤️❤️
Reminds me of Books-a-million stores here in the states. Love the selection!
Also random I am very curious to know are all of their floors & ceilings designed to look older or worn? They remind me of an old indoor flea market look. Or something like an old warehouse which is now turned into a store.
Ahh I saw the tiny shamisen plushies in the beginning~ Super cute! Ahhh BTS Coffees!!! (at 9:54). They do still have Tamagotchis, they even came out with some new versions recently.
14:19 Amogus merch
I would love to have one of those cute Shamisen plushie. And good to see Milo being there as I still drink it almost everyday since way back
Why do I feel proud of a guy I've never met, selling a plushie of an instrument I've never heard of, in a shop I've never been to?
I lived in Shimokita in 2015, this shop, and so many more that are so awesome! hopefully i can visit some friends (and family) again next year
His interests and hobbies always pleasantly surprise me. fun shop!
Just discovered your channel and am fascinated by everything about Japan. Please do a live feed doing anything and I will watch. Keep up the good work. 👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟
Cool place kinda reminds me of a donki shop!!!!
Congrats Norm on your product in store too!!!! 🤙🏻👍🏻
Congratulations on the shamisen plushie - its adorable! I've never been to this hop but it seems similar to a don quijote but with more random gadgets and toys rather than drugstore stuff? This is a claustrophic's worst nightmare but I absolutely could get lost going around and around and finding something new I didn't see the first run through. All of these products are so unique and fun and I could just spend hours looking at all the cool stuff (and buying a ton of stuff oop)
I love Village Vanguard! And that one is massive, it’s going on my map. I would be sorely tempted by some of the really useless kitchen stuff, like the somen slides or takoyaki grills… love that place. ❤️
... at the beginning I thought straight away: this is THE perfect place for your Shamisen plushie!!!
And then... there it is!!!
Wow to you!!! ✩✩✩
It’s a cool shop, I live a few minutes away from that shop and would always take friends there when they come to visit
Gonna go to japan in a year or two I’m so excited to shop at this store!!!
Neat place, thanks for showing, would love to see more...
My sister had a mini cotton candy maker just like that as a kid, and it worked! :D Saw the plushy the second you walked in, so cool and exciting!!!
This dude has grown a lot! I remember him having 150k subs and now he's almost at 400k! Proud of you bro, keep grinding! I'll be waiting till you hit 1mil subs!
Very unique video! Thanks for sharing that phenomenal store!
Yes. I'm certainly down with a live stream. Keep up the excellent content!!
(Chuck) Charlotte, NC 🇺🇲
Milo (pronounced the same as Milo thatch from Atlantis) is an Australian staple. It's nice hot or cold.
I've always dream of going to Japan!!
Hope you can 😊 the
nice, I always call those "freak shop" but I only know that one village vanguard on odaiba and I think there is one in sunshine city ?
Thanks for this video, I miss Japan and also those shops a lot.
When I saw the video title I thought this was going to be about Don Quijote store.
lol
omg!!! great video, I have the Nessie scoop, and I never use it because it's quite fragile and it bends a lot, mine is a magenta Nessie
Thanks for making me suuuuuper jealous! lol. I know where I'm going when I can finally get to Tokyo!
I don't know how you look so composed in the videos, I'd go crazy and throw everything in a cart lol
yo that giant warped pocket watch at 2:50 on your left was awesome!
👍🏼
I love shops like this, just eclectic collections of anything and everything.
Omg that love and passion for the Shamisen plushies! This store looks amazing, never been to one. Need to find it next time I'm in Japan.
Norm: you have a shamisen plushie! Woop woop