I lived in Niigata for 3 years. I used to go into the Bandai area you drive by in this video on my days off to hang out with my friends. This is so nostalgic! Thank you. Enjoy the island.
I can read and write okay on a computer 😂 but my handwriting is not great except for my address. Can write that very well. I’m conversational, not fluent. I learned to listen and speak, not grammar hahaha! So I don’t care about what people think and the criticism that scares some foreigners from speaking. It’s a fun language.
Wow … was there in Feb 2023 and the construction was tough … can’t believe it is still not complete … definite progress though … I enjoyed the bus system especially the get on and off ticket
The cartoons, anime? at that station are just adorable!! Looks like a beautiful day! Jumping back into the video..had to comment on the cute cartoons. :-)
Those are toki birds, or the "Japanese crested ibis" in English. They're native to Sado Island and have become a mascot for the whole prefecture. Niigata city is the prefectural capital so they're all over the place. The Toki Shinkansen, the Toki Messe convention center, and a BUNCH of other things are named after them.
It is, I thought the same. Seems cheaper in US dollars 😂 but the slower ferry coming back is half the price. Also, my window seat was like ¥1000 more than the aisle. “Dynamic” pricing. It’s also PEAK season, obon holiday
Hey John, another interesting one. Thanks. Side note, you said Niigata is in South Tohoku, but actually, it is part of the Chubu Region. I know, you'd think it would be part of Tohoku, but it's not.
You’re right, I sort of said it in “” it’s on the “fringe” of Tohoku. I spent time in Murakami and Yonezawa is just across the “border” in Yamagata so it feels like Tohoku in North Niigata.
i def wanna go to niigata next year for the nagaoka fireworks festival. I have finally seen the top tohoku summer matsuri last week, so next year for sure im going to nagaoka!
I believe in Tokyo it starts at ¥420 for the first 1km or so. They lowered the price a few years ago to encourage more people to take it for shorter trips, esp the elderly. But they may have increased the price due to inflation and gas hikes etc. weak yen. ¥1240 is not bad for the ride. The bus would be something like ¥200 though.
Ahh, natsukashii. My jikka Japanese home town. Lived there in the 90s. Was in a band , on TV and had a radio programme there. My hubby proposed to me on Bandai Bridge before we went to a SMAP concert in 2002. I'm a superfan. 😂 Was there in April 24 for an old band mates memorial. The station was a bit difficult to manage because of the works as the bus ticket office is in a strange place. I travelled from Niigata to Sendai by bus. Great views. It's the first place I visit to see my friends before I see my in-laws. Hope you had a great time in Sado.
@@onlyinjapanGOStill a SMAP SUPERFAN and follow them now in their various careers from the UK. I still have my fanclub stuff and their cds/CD singles from the beginning. I drive around the UK blasting them out and singing. Must be the only one in the UK doing that. 😅😅😅
It is but there’s much more traffic and a lot of trains which are more convenient unless you just want to avoid people 😆 and if someone else is paying hahah
I remember during Covid times they live streamed the Earth Celebration on YT. Do you know if they gonna do that again this year? If not we'll relay on you to take us there 🙂
I lived in Niigata for 3 years. I used to go into the Bandai area you drive by in this video on my days off to hang out with my friends. This is so nostalgic! Thank you. Enjoy the island.
Good morning, John. Hong Kong 🇭🇰 is pouring with heavy rains 💦💦💦☔️☔️☔️🌧️🌧️🌧️and thunderstorms ⛈️⛈️⛈️⛈️
this video makes me want to visit niigata and sado island haha. looking forward to the rest of the videos
When the taxi driver was speaking youtube subtitles tought it was "music" the man has a beautiful voice it seems =P
😂
John, other than hearing you speak Japanese to taxi driver, how much Japanese can you read and write? Can you read and understand KANJI, too ?
I can read and write okay on a computer 😂 but my handwriting is not great except for my address. Can write that very well. I’m conversational, not fluent. I learned to listen and speak, not grammar hahaha! So I don’t care about what people think and the criticism that scares some foreigners from speaking. It’s a fun language.
Leo is a young version of you John. So adorable Leo. Have a good day John
Thank you for sharing part one of your trip on part two have a great time
Hi John I watched your video but I couldn’t watch it live I was busy working but I enjoyed watching it
Thanks! I made it to Sado Island at 2pm! Just over an hour to get here.
Wow … was there in Feb 2023 and the construction was tough … can’t believe it is still not complete … definite progress though … I enjoyed the bus system especially the get on and off ticket
Welcome to Niigata my friend! 🎉
The cartoons, anime? at that station are just adorable!! Looks like a beautiful day! Jumping back into the video..had to comment on the cute cartoons. :-)
Those are toki birds, or the "Japanese crested ibis" in English. They're native to Sado Island and have become a mascot for the whole prefecture. Niigata city is the prefectural capital so they're all over the place. The Toki Shinkansen, the Toki Messe convention center, and a BUNCH of other things are named after them.
Thanks John!
Japanese 🇯🇵 Yen 10,000 yen is about HKD $530.00.
I actually enjoyed that silent taxi ride, haha. It feels like I'm in the car
It was quick! Nice to see Niigata city center 🚕
❤ Japan cabs! Clean, efficient, and courteous. No messing around. Almost made it to Sado Island. Some day. Cheers.
Leo is growing fast ! So adorable : )
$300+ Hong Kong Dollars is pretty expensive for a one way trip on a jetfoil after I searched online for the equivalent of Japanese Yen.
It is, I thought the same. Seems cheaper in US dollars 😂 but the slower ferry coming back is half the price. Also, my window seat was like ¥1000 more than the aisle. “Dynamic” pricing. It’s also PEAK season, obon holiday
Hey John, another interesting one. Thanks. Side note, you said Niigata is in South Tohoku, but actually, it is part of the Chubu Region. I know, you'd think it would be part of Tohoku, but it's not.
You’re right, I sort of said it in “” it’s on the “fringe” of Tohoku. I spent time in Murakami and Yonezawa is just across the “border” in Yamagata so it feels like Tohoku in North Niigata.
i def wanna go to niigata next year for the nagaoka fireworks festival. I have finally seen the top tohoku summer matsuri last week, so next year for sure im going to nagaoka!
That’s a good one! 🎇 Katakai too, in September.
Another question : what is the startling rate for taxi rides in Japan 🇯🇵? How much do taxi drivers charge by each kilometre ?
I believe in Tokyo it starts at ¥420 for the first 1km or so. They lowered the price a few years ago to encourage more people to take it for shorter trips, esp the elderly. But they may have increased the price due to inflation and gas hikes etc. weak yen. ¥1240 is not bad for the ride. The bus would be something like ¥200 though.
Thanks for sharing it. ✌️
Ahh, natsukashii. My jikka Japanese home town. Lived there in the 90s. Was in a band , on TV and had a radio programme there.
My hubby proposed to me on Bandai Bridge before we went to a SMAP concert in 2002. I'm a superfan. 😂
Was there in April 24 for an old band mates memorial.
The station was a bit difficult to manage because of the works as the bus ticket office is in a strange place. I travelled from Niigata to Sendai by bus. Great views.
It's the first place I visit to see my friends before I see my in-laws.
Hope you had a great time in Sado.
Aw, I love that story about Bandai Bridge! 2002, that was the SMAP era!!! Natsukashii!!
@@onlyinjapanGOStill a SMAP SUPERFAN and follow them now in their various careers from the UK. I still have my fanclub stuff and their cds/CD singles from the beginning. I drive around the UK blasting them out and singing.
Must be the only one in the UK doing that. 😅😅😅
Niigata เป็นจังหวัดที่มีประชากรเพิ่มขึ้น
This Taxi travel is good. But I guess Travelling from Yokohama to Tokyo using Taxi is also fast.....
Well, Be safe for Travelling John.
It is but there’s much more traffic and a lot of trains which are more convenient unless you just want to avoid people 😆 and if someone else is paying hahah
I remember during Covid times they live streamed the Earth Celebration on YT. Do you know if they gonna do that again this year? If not we'll relay on you to take us there 🙂
How do you pay for a taxi? Do they take cash or cards?
Going to see KODO.
Taxi Informant, he probably gets his information from other riders.
Yum yum give me some sounds like Leo would say.
The taxi driver was awesome. It pays to know how to help his passengers 👍
He was very nice, a reason I love getting away from Tokyo ^_^
Always skipped niigata every time i visit niigata, dunno why. (Must be because that idol girl decided to marry other guy 😂😂😂)
Why did u call me John Kimura? Thats my younger brother!
Spider senses gone haywire 😆