*Notification Squad and Trifecta squad love!! (If you're new... I usually chat in the comments for the first hour!)* From the search, to the mountain hike, to the journey, the hermit, the bear, and the broken finger… this may be our wildest adventure of this year (so far)! **Want to Explore an abandoned village in Japan? TRY THIS ONE North of Tokyo: **th-cam.com/video/BDPT6q_4OHY/w-d-xo.html** ** Thank you so much to the Patreon Squad who made this possible (6 months of setup and work!!) - Could not have done it without you And to each of you who joined and always comment and chat down below, thank you and I can't wait for our next adventure! If you want to help make videos like this possible, come connect and hang out with me on Patreon! I'd love to get to know you!
I'm totally on the notification squad, but today was the day of the pride parade in my neighborhood. So this is how you broke your finger! What an adventure. May my binge begin!
You know what? When you uploaded this video you gave one of the best gifts this grandpa could get. It’s evident his immense love for the village and its history and how much it meant to him. By recording it and posting, you made it “immortal” and ensured that this village and this sweet grandpa will never be forgotten, even more, admired from millions of people all over the world.
haha cheers mate~ Honestly didn't even know if I'd be able to pull this one off, so I kept it reeeeeal quiet the whole time haha. Long lost treasure under the sea eh.... Challenge Accepted lol
It's actually adorable to see old people speak about their past so happily. It's clear these people want to share their story and even if they are a bit shy, they want to be know and I find it wonderful.
i love how you can tell hes been waiting years to talk about how much he loved and adored the place that hes lived his entire life. hes so passionate and it is written all over his mannerisms and his words. could almost make a homie cry..
99% of TH-cam is wasted space and empty visual calories... THIS video resides safely in the leftover 1%. Well done capturing something truly special. Loved this video.
I completely agree, empty visual calories is a great way to put it. I've been watching Indigo Traveler as well, very informative of people and places we don't often get to see the side of.
My grandpa did it until he was 95, would walk to the market and back in India (1 kilometer). Unfortunately, passed away a couple of years ago at 98. So definitely doable as long as you make it routine.
I cried when Izumi-san said this was probably his last year seeing his village. In a way, it's incredible and incredibly sad to think this video might be the last he gets to see of his own home in the future for the rest of his life. As always, incredible mini documentary! I always appreciate the super unique stories you get to tell.
@@MrJcTTK Like Izumi san said bears and other animals camp there. Feels lonely as human but full of wildlife animals are living in this village in a perf harmony. Kuro looked quite healthy even though there were a few months when Izumi san wasn't around so I just hope he will be a great member of this hidden world.
Man that's a heartbreaking story and even more heartbreaking that your new friend is on the decline. I hope he gets another summer and I hope you two get many more years to converse 🙏
I can understand you reaction, but I found this such an uplifting video. This gentleman knows such grace, and his values are not of material things, but of a very special life, and he knows how special it is. I feel honoured to have been able to share his story.
@@skyeduncan8580 He looked very used to the wild, he wasn't underweight and his coat looked very healthy. The guy seemed to just be giving him some snacks here and there so I think he will survive just fine on his own.
Look how lovely Izumi-san is, feeding the dog that used to belong to someone. He cares about everything, and realizes we all interconnect. Thank you for showing such a beautiful place, inhabited by a beautiful soul. Though he's in the sunset of his life, I do hope Izumi-san gets to spend many more healthy and happy seasons at his village.
Very thought provoking and sweet words to this gentleman. I can tell through reading this one paragraph that you are a very kind and intelligent person. Thank you.
In July my wife and I got lost in the mountains of ASO, Kyushu. She is from Kumamoto. We drove roads that were barely accessible by car. If our rental car company saw this they would have canceled our insurance I'm sure. We saw alot of what you are showing and it brought back so many memories I got chills. Your videos are incredible. I'm really happy there's people like you showing Japan as it actually is. Thank you!
"Documentaries" like this is what TH-cam SHOULD be about. So thankful for you taking the time to make this, and blessed being able to watch the journey, but most importantly hear the story and see what is left of the town, but be able to relive it later on thanks to technology. So well done, thank you again.
88 years old! you could have fooled me! he's so full of life! this man is an absolute treasure. he even has a little friend who comes by and checks in on him. omfg i wish i could trek out there and visit.
@@teemuaho4807 good point. I was just wondering why he would need one in such a setting, with such a life. Maybe he still has to time-coordinate his activities with others, which is understandable. In Gulliver’s Travels the Lilliputians interpret Gulliver’s pocket watch as his god, because as they say he never does anything without consulting it first. Like many people, I sometimes look at my watch to see if it’s time to eat. My watch, not my stomach!
You gotta remember he isn't a hermit by choice but by circumstances. He just wanted to stay in his home village and that use to be with other people he's just the last man standing.
Many parents and grandparents tell the truth about walking miles to school. I chose to walk to and from school at times especially if I missed the bus time.
My parents never lied about that. My grandparents told stories about that though, and I'm pretty sure they're not lying since both grew up from remote areas.
This was deeply, deeply intimate and human. I appreciate the commitment of communicating with this man over the course of months. While it might seem unusual to the average person, it was touching that he wanted to know you before you came. This wasn’t just an interview, he wanted to make sure the person he was inviting into his home was his friend. You walked together, ate together, and shared a special place that most of the world would never have the opportunity to see otherwise. Not only that, you shared his story. How beautiful to have his memoir and favorite place immortalized and shared with thousands and thousands (And I hope millions eventually) of people across the globe. You’re an artist. 😊 My husband and I watch you, Chris, Sharla and Ryotaro’s content and it is great to see how different each of you present Japan and the story of the people there. Everyone’s work captures a different mood and style. Your work is my favorite though because it’s the most moving.
We don’t take for granted that we get to see a polished end product, while you spent hours and hours filming and editing…and we can’t imagine the physical and mental exhaustion that kicks in during your travels. Thank you for all that you do. Wishing you all the best from The U.S.
He did not talk to Izumi-san for six months, he talked to the person who guided him there before, the guide wanted to know he was a good person before bringing him. It is very moving though indeed.
88 years young?? He's so with it, his memory is great, and he's so agile for 88! He is so impressive and it obviously has to do with his active lifestyle.
@@andyc6542 This old guy has a better brain then you. Gi was stating that he has a great memory and is agile because of his lifestyle. Not that he is old because of his lifestyle.
@@samja74 ‘this guy has a better brain than you’. You offensive prick. The original comment read ‘88 years young?’ before going on to praise the guy, and the first line of the reply is replied to states : ‘that’s because he lives alone’. I’m sorry, but you need to learn how to interpret peoples comments before being an arrogant 🔔🔚.
@@samja74 While he's certainly a healthy old man and seems to have enjoyed benefits of this kinda lifestyle... Most older people simply wouldnt be able to live a place like that, we just happen to meet the one guy who was fortunate enough to make it. All his neighbours have moved away one by one and it wouldnt suprise me if a lot of them mvoed away due to their health not being able deal with that kinda livestyle anymore.
This hurts my heart. I feel sad for his loneliness, yet a feeling of happiness for him being able to live the rest of his life in such a place that makes him feel whole. I'm so beyond grateful that you were able to take this trip and visit him. I am grateful that you were able to capture this moment to keep in our memories. Thank you Norm.
It might be Izumi's last year in the village and if it was, you traveled through dangerous terrain, shared a meal and let him know that his village will be remembered. Good memory's for one's last time in a place imo.
It's such a shame that the village will eventually be forgotten in time, knowing how unrealistic it is to preserve something so remotely hidden. But atleast now we get to preserve even a small fraction of it in video form. An amazing job well done! I just wish more of the village was shown.
I will moved there when zombie apocalypse happened. I'm sure the village is preserve 😽❣️ Another comment, I went to Japan when he said that the water is fresh, I questioned myself. I thought the water on the road canal in Japan is good enough to drink when 😁. So, I much more fresh is the water there. I love this video so much ❣️💕🎶
I wonder if people even would come across the remains of the village in the future, and in which setting. And would they even be able to tell what it was?
You're so lucky. I wouldn't even want to see the village without Izumi-san in it. Without him, it's just some old houses, trees, bears and a dangerous hike. With him, it's at least somebody's home. Thank you for sharing this video with the world.
I loved watching this film. What a gorgeous place - the mountains, the water looks so clean. And what courage it must take to live there. I'm glad the dog is being fed. Hope your finger recovered - thanks so much for showing us something rare!
As a horticulturist by profession,over 40 years -now retired)AND a huge fan of the Japan and the flora,fauna and culture....I must tell you.....I'm like 5 years old again! Clapping my hands an jumping & wriggling iny seat with joy watching this! Exquisite! New sub! I am in love with wild Japan! I would live happily there! With my cat,my water colors,wood carving and crochet! I would leave for there in a put second,have a garden and live SO happily! I am a solitary sort by nature as it is!
The problem with little black bears is that bigger black bears, especially Momma, are normally not that far away. I found that out in Yosemite one night :) What a lovely, lucky guy. Great video Norm. Awesome to see the resilience of the Japanese people.
luckily this one wasnt a baby! probably still in its first year wandering alone, which is likely why it also wanted to keep distance from me hahaha still a nervous dude out on his solo!
You have document a history of the village that probably nobody knows about and this is such a precious gift to the grandpa and for us the viewer. Love your video!❤
this showed up on my feed, watched the whole thing it utter captivation. it really is a shame to see someone like Izumi-san lose something that is so ingrained into his whole being. i really am happy you where able to capture some of his story to share with all of us. keep up the good work!
It's always amazing to see how many really strong, sturdy, and fit elderly people are out there and the wisdom they have to share. This was an awesome video.
You can really tell how much he loves that place when he talks about the village I can see him reliving his memories of the past it’s bittersweet but this was an amazing story and and the nature was extremely beautiful
There's a bittersweet feeling when Izumi-san was showing around Kadonyu village and telling us how it was like back in the day. Living in a remote place must be very hard, but he seems happy and content. Japan has this problem of big cities getting overpopulated and small villages getting abandoned, it's sad. Thank you Norm for sharing this story, I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to your next adventures!
I would love to be able to live that remote in my homecountry. Here in Germany there is not a single place unpopulated and that sucks hard. Japan has a forest cover of approximately 60% whereas Germany only has a forest cover of 32% and none of the forests in Germany are big and don't look like the forest we saw in this video. In Germany the forests are very small collectives of trees crisscrossed by countless paths with the next city(not even village but city) never far away. There is not a single forest in Germany where I could be sure not to be heard when I screaming. That probably portrays quite good how densely and evenly populated Germany is. I would prefer it if it would be like in Japan with some megacities and some cities and the rest of the country being basically empty.
@@johannes3153 What I like about these villages is that they are often self- sustained! They grow their own food, raise their own cattle, and they have water source. They probably don't have konbini but food is always fresh. I love the idea of cooking the fish that you just caught yourself this morning and the vegetables that you just picked from your own backyard.
Every place eventually has that problem. People would rather live in populated cities filled with opportunity and socialization than live in a remote village.
Bravo Norm, you just keep bringing us the most unique and wonderful moments of Japan and the fact that you are recording this so it doesn't vanish completely into obscurity is amazing. Thank you from a fellow Canadian!
Thanks to TH-cam and the fine people who offer their travels, I have seen some very beautiful places in Japan. Always wanted to visit there but at 76, I'll probably not make it in person. In the meantime I still get to see fabulous scenes of the Japanese countryside and visit for a little while with its inhabitants. What a joy that is!
I'm 49 and I know I'll never be able to world travel (low wage, less than $200 in savings. Typical sad life like many have) so vids like these and the internet as a whole allow me to "travel" also. Though a far cry from being there in person, it's 100% better than mere imagination.
This was great. Sad to be the last in his village but being able to tell his story was amazing. So good I had my wife and son watch as well. The pure dedication you have in making these is just simply great.
Marcus, thank you so much for that You'be been with the channel almost longer than anyone! So the fact that you enjoyed it that much means the world to me I appreciate you~
What a kind and gentle older soul. That village is so green and absolutely beautiful. It’s amazing how beautiful a place can be when you don’t build Walmarts on them.
I swear man by the end I was like “I’m ready to drop everything and live with this man until the end of his life just so he can be in that village until he dies.”
"I'm getting old and my body can't keep up".....damn, that is just so sad and heartbreaking....hoping and praying he gets to live a full century in the place he was born and raised in, and that Kadonyu village won't end up being forgotten or lost to time
While it's true that this is not a location people will ever be able to visit, we were able to see it through your eyes which is the next best thing. You have such an incredible care and respect for what you do and the people you meet. Without a doubt, you are my favorite content creator who focuses specifically on Japan and its culture.
This place is absolutely incredible. The potential it has for hiking excursions in the forest is for people who want to do that is very high. The village could become like a rest stop for hikers, with a shop and a ryokan in it. What a shame that its left like this to die.
thats exacly what i am thinking.......beautiful scenery and clean Air and Water....i think there are a few people wo would love to live in such a quite and beautyful Location thats for sure....i would Live there too when i could but thats not possible. :/
That is what I am thinking. Like it will be an off-the-grid style of living or some sort of vacation spot where people can book a cabin. It has a lot of potential for the village to be revived, not that there will be permanent residents, but for hikers, people just want a quiet place to stay for days. Maybe a little help from an organization to help build the village put up cabins for people to rent, and a little shop may be to add for convenience for hikers.
@@halo12021984 when the vile masses discover something beautiful and preserved like that they exploit it until there is nothing left. it would become a paved over "hiking trail" with gift shops, water fountains, and restrooms every 20 feet. it is better it remains hidden from the destructive gaze of the plebians
What an incredible mini documentary, thank you so much to you and all involved for sharing such an incredible place! Waking up to that view.. incredible. To show such gratitude for the nature, the memories, his friends moved on even though the village is dying is a truly beautiful thing. What a guy!
Damn the journey there looks absolutely terrifying, you truly go above and beyond to show these interesting experiences. Every little slip along that trail made my heart sink even though I know you obviously got through it without serious injury. Really looking forward to see more of your adventures (though hopefully not too close to a potentially lethal fall down a mountain)
It always saddens me to think about the number of historical places we are losing without even knowing so this video brought me a bit of happiness because in a way the village will never disappear as well as Izumi-san. Thank you for doing this. You truly love and respect this country. It's beautiful to see.
I can relate to him in a lot of ways. I was born and raised in the same town I live in now, however I was forced to sell my childhood home when my father passed away. The feeling of losing the place you spent decades of your life in was like being torn apart and it leaves you with an emptiness inside that cannot be filled. When I close my eyes I can still see the hallways, rooms and yards of the house and I would give anything to get it back. I'm glad that he has managed to stay in his home and in his village late into his life and I hope he stays in good health and can continue to enjoy it in the future. Thank you for this video Norm. It was very well done and I'm glad I got to share this man's slice of life. I hope your fingey is okay too. Make sure you get it checked out if you have reduced mobility or the swelling doesn't go down.
What an amazing experience. I loved getting to visit Kadonyu through your lens. Izumi-san and Ebi-san seem incredibly kind and I'm sure the time you spent with them was special. Thank you for taking us along on the trip!
getting through ups and downs lately, finding ths video and this experience in this kind of mood made me really felt "bittersweet" about your journey, that man's life, choices he/we made, and so go on..It must ve been an hell of an experience, glad you could share it with us! Glad i found out this channel if this is the average of the content you bring ;)
Really sad to see the village abandoned. It seems like a fun journey, knowing that the destination is such a beautiful place. Thanks for making this video, and letting us know that such places exist!
8:10 i love how hes living his life, how he cares for others to the point he lives in the village alone rather than with a girl he love but shes not happy....
Leaving a comment for the algorithm, this video deserves way more views. That man is amazing and you put a lot of working into getting his story to us, bravo.
What a beautiful soul this old timing man is. It is sad that he is the last of his village and probably won't be around for too much longer. However, thanks to today's technology he and what remains of his little village is documented and can be preserved for a very long time. Very nice video!
- The views on the hike and in the village are just stunning. - Izumi-san's house is just beautiful. - What an interesting fellow Izumi-san is. He seems so nice and has such an interesting perspective. I hope I'm in even half that good a condition if I make it 88. - Its a shame that this will all soon be abandoned. - I would totally watch an extended cut of the hike, drone, walking around video. I doubt hours of it would do well on youtube but it would definitely satisfy my very specific fondness of matching satellite to surface perspectives. - What a interesting and unique thing you have preserved here. - I imagine editing this down to 20 min was quite a challenge. These have been my thoughts, rendered as comment, for the purposes of engagement.
Simply amazing story that would have never been captured otherwise, lost to time, and the world would be sadder for it. Thank you for putting in the effort to record this.
I often dream about living in an out-of-the-way place tucked deep in mountains, I'm very comfortable with my own company for long periods, and so I thoroughly enjoyed this:)) Thank you for sharing.
Yesssss dreaming about living in a deep mountains is like you can get to enjoy the scenery while you walk down the path and respect everything about earth gave to us. Nature wouldn't be here if earth didn't change for the past for 4.543 billion years. Lots of chaotic stuffs going on in the universe back then, don't forget that earth was just a snowball for a while (Ice age era)
@@KP-by4eu I guess it depends on who's talking. The man still living there had a chance to not come back, yet he did, because he loves living like that. It is hard as he said himself, but also probably very rewarding and peaceful
@@KP-by4eu You can find a middle ground. You don't have to be completely remote. Just a car to be able to get water, other necessities etc. Renewable energy solar panels etc.
This video made me tear up. I've never been brave enough to explore places I've never been to before but really wanted to visit. My heart breaks for the old man, but I'm also comforted by the fact that he gets to see and live again in the village where he grew up, even if it's for the last time. The area is beautiful and so peaceful, I can see why he loves it so much. Thanks for this remarkable tribute. It's incredibly touching and sweet.
I guess when I think of Japan I think "Island nation" but that's a huge island and even though the cities make it appear like there isn't much space left, you can find places like this. Fantastic video!
That seems like such a beautiful place to live in, despite the troubles that it may bring. It pains me to see, that maybe in a few years, it might get abandoned forever. Thank you so much for sharing the story of this amazing little village. Though I might never get to see it in person, thanks to this video I will at least get a feeling of what it is like to live there. Besides that, hopefully, your finger healed up quickly and didn't cause you too much discomfort.
I love it how izumi-san is living his old memories and telling us his stories and how full of life he is! May he stay blessed. Thank you norm for showing us this wonderful journey.
It might be remote, but - DAMN - it is BEAUTIFUL! Those high mountains covered by thick forests and mountain ridges and valleys turned into waterways are breath-taking. Awesome footage - big thanks! PS. Maybe it's a stereotype, but given how relatively small Japan is in relation to their population I wouldn't believe there may even EXIST places on their Islands that are so remote and just ... left to Nature!
You are the witness of this hardest-to-visit village and you beautifully preserved a record about the last villager and his life there, which is so precious. As a Japanese, I truly appreciate your effort here.
Places like this are the reason I moved here to Japan. There is so much love and history in these hidden and small areas. I hope to see more places like this in person
So, I work at a production studio in Burbank, the TV and Film production capital of the world. Got a pretty good sense of costs, especially when it comes to short form media content like this. You, by yourself, produce content that would probably cost 10s of thousands of dollars (per episode), and a crew of 6 or more people if we were pitching this to a company. The quality you manage to achieve by yourself (as well as the pacing, editing, storytelling), seriously top tier. And I mean - top tier. You single-handedly skew how I think about costs for content like this now. Stellar job.
I cannot love this video any more than I already have. I adore seeing a village like this and learning its story from the sole remaining resident, but it also breaks my heart to see his love of a village he may never be able to return to. Your journey there was wild in every sense of the word, and, bears aside, there’s something to be said for the simple, solitary life this man leads for the parts of the year he can stay in the villa
What a nice old man. And even though it will be the last time he sees his old house again, I really like the fact that he is focusing more on the memories rather than him not seeing his old home anymore. He's got a good heart, it sounds like. And a great attitude.
Knowing that the village was once filled with laughter and love kinda makes me sad. But knowing that this video would conserve the memory and emotions got me smiling again 🙂
That place is so beautiful. I would've loved to hear more stories from this man's past and what it was like to grow up there. He seems like such a kind man who understands the value of hard work.
I was always fascinated by Japanese villages and it's village life. How peaceful and serene it is to be out there in the fields surrounded by greenery, trees, mountains and whatnot. To live among a close knit of people like a big family is trully marvelous. I can totally understand why he is so passionate about his village, really a great video as always.
I am blown away by how beautiful everything is there, especially his home. What a wonderful place to live an incredible, and interesting life. Tha k you for sharing this.
Half of my family is from the NC Mountains and I've been lucky to work with and learn from folks in the field of "Appalachian Studies." One of the really cool things that has happened in that field is branching out to do serious comparative research with mountain communities globally. I never want to run the risk of suggesting sameness, but what's really cool is that I have spent time tramping around the mountains my mom grew up in and I know places and people not at all dissimilar to Izumi-san. It's so cool to get to see places so far removed from my own experience and still feel that shock of recognition down in the bones. Thanks for this!
I'm so glad he got to share his story one last time and show the outside world how his life was and why he loves it so much. At least his village won't be forgotten in the sands of time just yet. Honestly, I hope I'm half as satisfied with my life when I get to that age. Thank you for bringing us these videos, I'm visiting Japan for the second time in march but being disabled means there's a lot I cannot experience and I'm just glad I can live through your videos, so thank you again ☺️
I keep coming back to this video. Izumi-San reminds me of my grandfather for some reason. My grandfather was Indonesian, not Japanese, but the mannerisms, his way of talking, it just makes me think of him.
Seeing Izumi san just give me a little boost in life, like someone whose so grateful and happy and cherished the little things in life. Sometimes I feel like modern living takes a lot of that away from us
I discovered your channel this month and have already marathoned a ton of your vids. But this one's definitely my favourite so far!! Touching and bittersweet...you really captured his spirit. 🌸
I've always felt very nomadic even from a young age. I had a desire to grow old and live off the land in the mountains of Japan since I was 12 years old. Seeing this now as a 27 year old from the US still gives me hope that this will be me one day. Enjoying my time with amazing people just enjoying nature and everything it has to offer 💜
I'm a white Canadian but I, too wish for this! Japan, particularly old Japan is such a fascinating place or should I say, was. Anyways, maybe one of us will! Keep us posted! Oh, I'm 56 and have wanted to live in the Japanese mountains or at least had the dream since I was in my teens, too.
Unexpectedly off work today and am playing catch-up. Thank you for the pauses where the weight of life and all of the Hermit's experiences washed over him. So often, there is a desire to fill the pauses with something, sound or word. We do not appreciate the pauses as much as we should. This was an amazing reminder. Take care!
It’s amazing how little wear is on his house. One person living alone tends to walk in and use the same areas continuously. I put in new carpet 3 years ago and you can see where I walk going up the stairs. His place is absolutely pristine. He probably takes immense pride in it and spends most of his time outdoors.
Crazy to think about, but without this video the memory of this village would be almost forever lost to all but a handful. Especially once Izumi-San passes. All the lives spent here that have come and gone, just goes to show the mortality of people. Makes you wonder how many other places and other things have been lost in time. This was a beautiful video, thank you for sharing your experience.
As a city dweller, this video was awesome. Lovely to see efforts being made to preserve the history of the town. The bear sighting was unexpected, even considering all the warnings. Very used to you and your fellow TH-camrs in Japan being cautious of bears but to see one in a video was certainly different. Thank you as always for sharing such a wonderful story Norm, hope the finger got better!
I am glad the village will not be completely lost to the sands of time. We need people like him to ensure the younger generation will lose the beauty of their history.
First timer here! I love this so, so much. It tugs on my mind, reminding me of how temporary everything in this life is, however beautiful, and how much I wish it could continue. This is going to be something I watch over and over and over. Thank you so much for taking the trip and recording it, so that it can continue to be preserved in memory of all of us watching. Thank you also to Izumi-san and of course, Ebi-san, for their time, hospitality and friendly guidance. Also, I've subscribed and hope to watch more great content such as this!
What's up Norm thanks for another upload 😆. I've watched videos on hermits on Japan and how they struggle to integrate with society hopefully this informs be more about the topic 😁
This video was so wholesome! It’s rare to find videos like this. I just hope he brings Kuro the doggo with him when he leaves for the winter… otherwise he will be abandoned by basically everyone. 🙁
I really admire this wonderful Japanese man for hosting you. I take a lot of interest in any video that covers Japanese culture. but seeing a remote village such as this. is really outstanding. Thanks.
*Notification Squad and Trifecta squad love!! (If you're new... I usually chat in the comments for the first hour!)*
From the search, to the mountain hike, to the journey, the hermit, the bear, and the broken finger… this may be our wildest adventure of this year (so far)!
**Want to Explore an abandoned village in Japan? TRY THIS ONE North of Tokyo: **th-cam.com/video/BDPT6q_4OHY/w-d-xo.html** **
Thank you so much to the Patreon Squad who made this possible (6 months of setup and work!!) - Could not have done it without you
And to each of you who joined and always comment and chat down below, thank you and I can't wait for our next adventure!
If you want to help make videos like this possible, come connect and hang out with me on Patreon! I'd love to get to know you!
お疲れ様です。
Thanks for the video.
This is an amazing one. The journey and the story are amazing.
Would it be possible for you to release some of the raw clips of you walking around the village? I'd love to get a better view of the scenery!
izumi-san's story made me tear up. tnx for telling it & documenting that wonderful hidden village, my guy. 👍♥️🇵🇭
I'm totally on the notification squad, but today was the day of the pride parade in my neighborhood. So this is how you broke your finger! What an adventure. May my binge begin!
Documenting far away places before they finally disappear, is a worthwhile endeavour too.
Thank you for making this video and sharing it with us. :)
You know what? When you uploaded this video you gave one of the best gifts this grandpa could get. It’s evident his immense love for the village and its history and how much it meant to him. By recording it and posting, you made it “immortal” and ensured that this village and this sweet grandpa will never be forgotten, even more, admired from millions of people all over the world.
yes dude
You absolute mad lad 😂
This was the most Tokyo Lens video ever. Next up I want to see you discover some sort of long lost treasure under the sea.
Lost treasure adventure team up. Norm can fly the plan and Chirs can skydive down to X marks the spot.
A very affable comment
haha cheers mate~ Honestly didn't even know if I'd be able to pull this one off, so I kept it reeeeeal quiet the whole time haha.
Long lost treasure under the sea eh.... Challenge Accepted lol
who else read this in Chris voice😂
Journey Across Hidden Japan should be the next collab 😅
It's actually adorable to see old people speak about their past so happily. It's clear these people want to share their story and even if they are a bit shy, they want to be know and I find it wonderful.
i love how you can tell hes been waiting years to talk about how much he loved and adored the place that hes lived his entire life. hes so passionate and it is written all over his mannerisms and his words. could almost make a homie cry..
Almost?? It made me cry!
@@svshimmershimmer4872 ;n;
Imagine how long he went without talking to an actual human, of course he’d be wanting to talk for hours
@@Buffypoodle beautiful. I love him. He’s so cute the way he loves it so much
@@Buffypoodle in the video it show the dam employees going to visit the old man
99% of TH-cam is wasted space and empty visual calories... THIS video resides safely in the leftover 1%. Well done capturing something truly special. Loved this video.
I completely agree, empty visual calories is a great way to put it. I've been watching Indigo Traveler as well, very informative of people and places we don't often get to see the side of.
@@bailey-k6b he didn't say that in a negative way. He said the leftover 1% is what is youtube video gold, like this video , the other 99% is crap
@@bailey-k6b they are worded perfectly.
@@bailey-k6b No. He shouldn’t choose his words more carefully. You should read his words more carefully. It’s very clearly a compliment.
@@bailey-k6b lmao fair play good troll!
He looks so happy, visiting his home village, deep in the mountains. I'd be happy if I could still walk by myself, at the age of 88.
My grandpa did it until he was 95, would walk to the market and back in India (1 kilometer). Unfortunately, passed away a couple of years ago at 98. So definitely doable as long as you make it routine.
Me too😊
Staying close to nature enhances your life expectancy! ☺🤗
I cried when Izumi-san said this was probably his last year seeing his village. In a way, it's incredible and incredibly sad to think this video might be the last he gets to see of his own home in the future for the rest of his life. As always, incredible mini documentary! I always appreciate the super unique stories you get to tell.
wonder what will happen to the dog
@@MrJcTTK 😭😭😭
@@MrJcTTK Like Izumi san said bears and other animals camp there. Feels lonely as human but full of wildlife animals are living in this village in a perf harmony. Kuro looked quite healthy even though there were a few months when Izumi san wasn't around so I just hope he will be a great member of this hidden world.
That would be incredibly hard
Life is change. He'll get over it. :)
Honestly really glad he still gets visitors.
I can imagine being able to talk and share a meal with others would be a very special occasion.
Man that's a heartbreaking story and even more heartbreaking that your new friend is on the decline. I hope he gets another summer and I hope you two get many more years to converse 🙏
I can understand you reaction, but I found this such an uplifting video. This gentleman knows such grace, and his values are not of material things, but of a very special life, and he knows how special it is. I feel honoured to have been able to share his story.
I feel like Kuro the dog will become some kind of mythical forest spirit, he looks so majestic.
The dog and the guy
Long live Kuro-san 😢
I name all the crows I see Kuro
I want to travel there and feed the dog if it is not already gone. sadly it will have no more help.
@@skyeduncan8580 He looked very used to the wild, he wasn't underweight and his coat looked very healthy. The guy seemed to just be giving him some snacks here and there so I think he will survive just fine on his own.
Look how lovely Izumi-san is, feeding the dog that used to belong to someone. He cares about everything, and realizes we all interconnect. Thank you for showing such a beautiful place, inhabited by a beautiful soul. Though he's in the sunset of his life, I do hope Izumi-san gets to spend many more healthy and happy seasons at his village.
Just a week after this video air he was robbed and had his head crushed in by a lead pipe.
Very thought provoking and sweet words to this gentleman. I can tell through reading this one paragraph that you are a very kind and intelligent person. Thank you.
Great comment. 👍
Couldn't say it any better. 😊
He just seems likea very gentle person all round.
In July my wife and I got lost in the mountains of ASO, Kyushu. She is from Kumamoto. We drove roads that were barely accessible by car. If our rental car company saw this they would have canceled our insurance I'm sure. We saw alot of what you are showing and it brought back so many memories I got chills. Your videos are incredible. I'm really happy there's people like you showing Japan as it actually is. Thank you!
Thanks so much for this incredibly kind comment~
"Documentaries" like this is what TH-cam SHOULD be about. So thankful for you taking the time to make this, and blessed being able to watch the journey, but most importantly hear the story and see what is left of the town, but be able to relive it later on thanks to technology. So well done, thank you again.
youtube is full of them. There are so many you cant watch them all in a lifetime, pretty cool!
I made two healthy poops today!!
I agree!! these are so calming to watch
88 years old! you could have fooled me! he's so full of life! this man is an absolute treasure. he even has a little friend who comes by and checks in on him. omfg i wish i could trek out there and visit.
True
Snazzy dresser too.
No 88 years young, not old
Grandpa lying he is not 88! 😆 60 at best lolol
its normal for japanese，my grand father in law is 93 and he playes football with his pals every week 😆
I’m pleasantly surprised by how “unhermit-like” the hermit is. He’s very friendly and sociable. I hope things work out for him
I Wonder why he wears a wristwatch in such a setting!
@@kieranjohnston7550 wristwatches are pretty old technology at this point
@@teemuaho4807 good point. I was just wondering why he would need one in such a setting, with such a life. Maybe he still has to time-coordinate his activities with others, which is understandable. In Gulliver’s Travels the Lilliputians interpret Gulliver’s pocket watch as his god, because as they say he never does anything without consulting it first. Like many people, I sometimes look at my watch to see if it’s time to eat. My watch, not my stomach!
@@kieranjohnston7550 to know how much sunlight is left. The area is dangerous because of wildlife
You gotta remember he isn't a hermit by choice but by circumstances. He just wanted to stay in his home village and that use to be with other people he's just the last man standing.
He is the only older person who didn't lie about walking miles to school unlike our Parents.
Many parents and grandparents tell the truth about walking miles to school. I chose to walk to and from school at times especially if I missed the bus time.
well, for his salt and knives... His school was 30 seconds away :D
My parents never lied about that. My grandparents told stories about that though, and I'm pretty sure they're not lying since both grew up from remote areas.
Hahahaa....you nailed it!
Well my parents were born in the 1920's so they really did walk the four miles one way to school when their father needed the horse to plow the field
This was deeply, deeply intimate and human.
I appreciate the commitment of communicating with this man over the course of months. While it might seem unusual to the average person, it was touching that he wanted to know you before you came. This wasn’t just an interview, he wanted to make sure the person he was inviting into his home was his friend. You walked together, ate together, and shared a special place that most of the world would never have the opportunity to see otherwise. Not only that, you shared his story. How beautiful to have his memoir and favorite place immortalized and shared with thousands and thousands (And I hope millions eventually) of people across the globe.
You’re an artist. 😊
My husband and I watch you, Chris, Sharla and Ryotaro’s content and it is great to see how different each of you present Japan and the story of the people there. Everyone’s work captures a different mood and style.
Your work is my favorite though because it’s the most moving.
We don’t take for granted that we get to see a polished end product, while you spent hours and hours filming and editing…and we can’t imagine the physical and mental exhaustion that kicks in during your travels. Thank you for all that you do. Wishing you all the best from The U.S.
Beautiful comment
He did not talk to Izumi-san for six months, he talked to the person who guided him there before, the guide wanted to know he was a good person before bringing him. It is very moving though indeed.
88 years young?? He's so with it, his memory is great, and he's so agile for 88! He is so impressive and it obviously has to do with his active lifestyle.
@@gi7685 he’s old because he doesn’t have to live with people? What a load of nonsense.
@@andyc6542 This old guy has a better brain then you. Gi was stating that he has a great memory and is agile because of his lifestyle. Not that he is old because of his lifestyle.
@@samja74 ‘this guy has a better brain than you’.
You offensive prick.
The original comment read ‘88 years young?’ before going on to praise the guy, and the first line of the reply is replied to states : ‘that’s because he lives alone’.
I’m sorry, but you need to learn how to interpret peoples comments before being an arrogant 🔔🔚.
@@samja74 While he's certainly a healthy old man and seems to have enjoyed benefits of this kinda lifestyle... Most older people simply wouldnt be able to live a place like that, we just happen to meet the one guy who was fortunate enough to make it. All his neighbours have moved away one by one and it wouldnt suprise me if a lot of them mvoed away due to their health not being able deal with that kinda livestyle anymore.
Welcome to Japan, where the life expectancy is high and old people with great health conditions are everywhere, even in these lonely village.
This hurts my heart. I feel sad for his loneliness, yet a feeling of happiness for him being able to live the rest of his life in such a place that makes him feel whole. I'm so beyond grateful that you were able to take this trip and visit him. I am grateful that you were able to capture this moment to keep in our memories. Thank you Norm.
well said....
He was so happy when he had a visitor it was so wholesome T_T
Evil stems from the minds of humans, there is nothing wrong with nature and the universe.
Alone but not lonely
You make some of the absolute best content on this platform. This was such a joy to watch, despite the bittersweet ending 😄
fancy meeting you here.
Wow, you are here too!
Hi dgr! Didn't expect to see you here xD
wow didn't expect to see you here, Dave but not surprised that you have great taste in TH-cam channels
Wait, you watch Tokyo Lens too, DGR? Nice.
It might be Izumi's last year in the village and if it was, you traveled through dangerous terrain, shared a meal and let him know that his village will be remembered.
Good memory's for one's last time in a place imo.
It's such a shame that the village will eventually be forgotten in time, knowing how unrealistic it is to preserve something so remotely hidden. But atleast now we get to preserve even a small fraction of it in video form. An amazing job well done! I just wish more of the village was shown.
what you expected might be a ghost village, since it's no longer inhabited
I will moved there when zombie apocalypse happened. I'm sure the village is preserve 😽❣️
Another comment, I went to Japan when he said that the water is fresh, I questioned myself. I thought the water on the road canal in Japan is good enough to drink when 😁. So, I much more fresh is the water there.
I love this video so much ❣️💕🎶
@@raymondbarberan9338 there is no such thing as zombies, there are only undead who are possessed by evil spirits, because supernatural beings are real
I saved it in my playlist atleast
I wonder if people even would come across the remains of the village in the future, and in which setting. And would they even be able to tell what it was?
You're so lucky. I wouldn't even want to see the village without Izumi-san in it. Without him, it's just some old houses, trees, bears and a dangerous hike. With him, it's at least somebody's home. Thank you for sharing this video with the world.
@Lazirahs Nirhaz yes? Why
@Lazirahs Nirhaz bears in japan.
@Lazirahs Nirhaz bears in japan.
@Lazirahs Nirhaz bears in japan.
@Lazirahs Nirhaz YES BEARS IN JAPAN!
I loved watching this film. What a gorgeous place - the mountains, the water looks so clean. And what courage it must take to live there. I'm glad the dog is being fed. Hope your finger recovered - thanks so much for showing us something rare!
Glad you enjoyed it
As a horticulturist by profession,over 40 years -now retired)AND a huge fan of the Japan and the flora,fauna and culture....I must tell you.....I'm like 5 years old again! Clapping my hands an jumping & wriggling iny seat with joy watching this! Exquisite! New sub! I am in love with wild Japan! I would live happily there! With my cat,my water colors,wood carving and crochet! I would leave for there in a put second,have a garden and live SO happily! I am a solitary sort by nature as it is!
I feel exactly the same. Would love to exchange everything for life in this village
The problem with little black bears is that bigger black bears, especially Momma, are normally not that far away. I found that out in Yosemite one night :)
What a lovely, lucky guy. Great video Norm. Awesome to see the resilience of the Japanese people.
luckily this one wasnt a baby!
probably still in its first year wandering alone, which is likely why it also wanted to keep distance from me hahaha
still a nervous dude out on his solo!
You have document a history of the village that probably nobody knows about and this is such a precious gift to the grandpa and for us the viewer. Love your video!❤
This man straight up lives the "back in my day!" to the fullest. What an absolute unit.
this showed up on my feed, watched the whole thing it utter captivation. it really is a shame to see someone like Izumi-san lose something that is so ingrained into his whole being. i really am happy you where able to capture some of his story to share with all of us. keep up the good work!
_ Same here. I think this is 1 of those few vids which I'll remember for years and probably will watch again in the future.
It's always amazing to see how many really strong, sturdy, and fit elderly people are out there and the wisdom they have to share. This was an awesome video.
You can really tell how much he loves that place when he talks about the village I can see him reliving his memories of the past it’s bittersweet but this was an amazing story and and the nature was extremely beautiful
There's a bittersweet feeling when Izumi-san was showing around Kadonyu village and telling us how it was like back in the day. Living in a remote place must be very hard, but he seems happy and content. Japan has this problem of big cities getting overpopulated and small villages getting abandoned, it's sad.
Thank you Norm for sharing this story, I enjoyed it very much. Looking forward to your next adventures!
I would love to be able to live that remote in my homecountry. Here in Germany there is not a single place unpopulated and that sucks hard. Japan has a forest cover of approximately 60% whereas Germany only has a forest cover of 32% and none of the forests in Germany are big and don't look like the forest we saw in this video. In Germany the forests are very small collectives of trees crisscrossed by countless paths with the next city(not even village but city) never far away.
There is not a single forest in Germany where I could be sure not to be heard when I screaming. That probably portrays quite good how densely and evenly populated Germany is. I would prefer it if it would be like in Japan with some megacities and some cities and the rest of the country being basically empty.
@@johannes3153 What I like about these villages is that they are often self- sustained! They grow their own food, raise their own cattle, and they have water source. They probably don't have konbini but food is always fresh. I love the idea of cooking the fish that you just caught yourself this morning and the vegetables that you just picked from your own backyard.
@@johannes3153 Woodland accounts for 13% in the UK 😭 it's too crowded here and I can understand all your points.
Every place eventually has that problem. People would rather live in populated cities filled with opportunity and socialization than live in a remote village.
Bravo Norm, you just keep bringing us the most unique and wonderful moments of Japan and the fact that you are recording this so it doesn't vanish completely into obscurity is amazing. Thank you from a fellow Canadian!
Bill, always too kind~
I honestly cant thank you enough and just want to say that I always appreciate having you here~
Thanks to TH-cam and the fine people who offer their travels, I have seen some very beautiful places in Japan. Always wanted to visit there but at 76, I'll probably not make it in person. In the meantime I still get to see fabulous scenes of the Japanese countryside and visit for a little while with its inhabitants. What a joy that is!
I'm 49 and I know I'll never be able to world travel (low wage, less than $200 in savings. Typical sad life like many have) so vids like these and the internet as a whole allow me to "travel" also. Though a far cry from being there in person, it's 100% better than mere imagination.
This was great. Sad to be the last in his village but being able to tell his story was amazing. So good I had my wife and son watch as well. The pure dedication you have in making these is just simply great.
Marcus, thank you so much for that
You'be been with the channel almost longer than anyone! So the fact that you enjoyed it that much means the world to me
I appreciate you~
What a kind and gentle older soul. That village is so green and absolutely beautiful. It’s amazing how beautiful a place can be when you don’t build Walmarts on them.
HaHa - totally !!
I swear man by the end I was like “I’m ready to drop everything and live with this man until the end of his life just so he can be in that village until he dies.”
Living in southern Japan is expensive. This might be some land that I could actually afford. Plus I have a seaplane.
@@johnnyjoejapan I already wanna live in a woodland area in Japan. Seems like a good reason if I had the funds to pull it off.
Someone need to start a kickstarter for this man to live there for the rest of his life
lets all band together and make a little tribe and the old man will be our chief!
I would love to live there as well. Would definitely support a kick starter.
"I'm getting old and my body can't keep up".....damn, that is just so sad and heartbreaking....hoping and praying he gets to live a full century in the place he was born and raised in, and that Kadonyu village won't end up being forgotten or lost to time
What a house he built. I don't blame him for wanting to stay in such beautiful surroundings. Thank you for this journey!
While it's true that this is not a location people will ever be able to visit, we were able to see it through your eyes which is the next best thing. You have such an incredible care and respect for what you do and the people you meet. Without a doubt, you are my favorite content creator who focuses specifically on Japan and its culture.
Yes, thank you.
Louise, Australia 🦘
This place is absolutely incredible. The potential it has for hiking excursions in the forest is for people who want to do that is very high. The village could become like a rest stop for hikers, with a shop and a ryokan in it. What a shame that its left like this to die.
thats exacly what i am thinking.......beautiful scenery and clean Air and Water....i think there are a few people wo would love to live in such a quite and beautyful Location thats for sure....i would Live there too when i could but thats not possible. :/
On the other hand, when Izumi-san passes, let the forest reclaim the area to the benefit of bear, deer, tanuki and other wild animals.
@@deanzaZZR Agree. Also, as beautiful and as remote as the journey and the village itself is, those narrow 'paths' would be eroded in no time.
That is what I am thinking. Like it will be an off-the-grid style of living or some sort of vacation spot where people can book a cabin. It has a lot of potential for the village to be revived, not that there will be permanent residents, but for hikers, people just want a quiet place to stay for days. Maybe a little help from an organization to help build the village put up cabins for people to rent, and a little shop may be to add for convenience for hikers.
@@halo12021984 when the vile masses discover something beautiful and preserved like that they exploit it until there is nothing left.
it would become a paved over "hiking trail" with gift shops, water fountains, and restrooms every 20 feet. it is better it remains hidden from the destructive gaze of the plebians
What an incredible mini documentary, thank you so much to you and all involved for sharing such an incredible place! Waking up to that view.. incredible. To show such gratitude for the nature, the memories, his friends moved on even though the village is dying is a truly beautiful thing. What a guy!
Oh and I hope your finger was ok!!
Such a beautiful insight into that man's life and the history of the village! Thank you so much for doing this.
William, thank you so much~
I really appreciate that
There are so many elders in Japan who are a true inspiration, like this gentleman. Great story.
I love everything about this. The quality, the story, the trip, the old man is so charming. Thank you SO much~
Damn the journey there looks absolutely terrifying, you truly go above and beyond to show these interesting experiences. Every little slip along that trail made my heart sink even though I know you obviously got through it without serious injury.
Really looking forward to see more of your adventures (though hopefully not too close to a potentially lethal fall down a mountain)
Luckily only broke one bone and came across one bear on this one lol
It always saddens me to think about the number of historical places we are losing without even knowing so this video brought me a bit of happiness because in a way the village will never disappear as well as Izumi-san. Thank you for doing this. You truly love and respect this country. It's beautiful to see.
I can relate to him in a lot of ways. I was born and raised in the same town I live in now, however I was forced to sell my childhood home when my father passed away. The feeling of losing the place you spent decades of your life in was like being torn apart and it leaves you with an emptiness inside that cannot be filled. When I close my eyes I can still see the hallways, rooms and yards of the house and I would give anything to get it back. I'm glad that he has managed to stay in his home and in his village late into his life and I hope he stays in good health and can continue to enjoy it in the future.
Thank you for this video Norm. It was very well done and I'm glad I got to share this man's slice of life. I hope your fingey is okay too. Make sure you get it checked out if you have reduced mobility or the swelling doesn't go down.
What an amazing experience. I loved getting to visit Kadonyu through your lens. Izumi-san and Ebi-san seem incredibly kind and I'm sure the time you spent with them was special. Thank you for taking us along on the trip!
Was very valuable time
Glad you could enjoy it with us!!
getting through ups and downs lately, finding ths video and this experience in this kind of mood made me really felt "bittersweet" about your journey, that man's life, choices he/we made, and so go on..It must ve been an hell of an experience, glad you could share it with us! Glad i found out this channel if this is the average of the content you bring ;)
th-cam.com/video/BDPT6q_4OHY/w-d-xo.html
Hope your feeling better🙏🏾
Really sad to see the village abandoned. It seems like a fun journey, knowing that the destination is such a beautiful place. Thanks for making this video, and letting us know that such places exist!
8:10 i love how hes living his life, how he cares for others to the point he lives in the village alone rather than with a girl he love but shes not happy....
Thank you and your guide for the arduous walk to the village, the graciousness of the last resident, thank you.
Leaving a comment for the algorithm, this video deserves way more views. That man is amazing and you put a lot of working into getting his story to us, bravo.
What a beautiful soul this old timing man is. It is sad that he is the last of his village and probably won't be around for too much longer. However, thanks to today's technology he and what remains of his little village is documented and can be preserved for a very long time. Very nice video!
It's sad that villages like his go abandoned, that's some of the most gorgeous scenery I've seen. I'm sure he's had a lifetime of memories there
- The views on the hike and in the village are just stunning.
- Izumi-san's house is just beautiful.
- What an interesting fellow Izumi-san is. He seems so nice and has such an interesting perspective. I hope I'm in even half that good a condition if I make it 88.
- Its a shame that this will all soon be abandoned.
- I would totally watch an extended cut of the hike, drone, walking around video. I doubt hours of it would do well on youtube but it would definitely satisfy my very specific fondness of matching satellite to surface perspectives.
- What a interesting and unique thing you have preserved here.
- I imagine editing this down to 20 min was quite a challenge.
These have been my thoughts, rendered as comment, for the purposes of engagement.
I would also love to get my hands on an extended cut, it would be lovely to hear more about Izumi-san's stories
Simply amazing story that would have never been captured otherwise, lost to time, and the world would be sadder for it. Thank you for putting in the effort to record this.
Thank you so much for these kind words~
This is why I watch your stuff man. Just no BS raw documentaries of the little intricacies of rural japan and the people who live there.
I often dream about living in an out-of-the-way place tucked deep in mountains, I'm very comfortable with my own company for long periods, and so I thoroughly enjoyed this:)) Thank you for sharing.
Yesssss dreaming about living in a deep mountains is like you can get to enjoy the scenery while you walk down the path and respect everything about earth gave to us. Nature wouldn't be here if earth didn't change for the past for 4.543 billion years. Lots of chaotic stuffs going on in the universe back then, don't forget that earth was just a snowball for a while (Ice age era)
@@KP-by4eu I guess it depends on who's talking. The man still living there had a chance to not come back, yet he did, because he loves living like that. It is hard as he said himself, but also probably very rewarding and peaceful
@@KP-by4eu You can find a middle ground. You don't have to be completely remote. Just a car to be able to get water, other necessities etc. Renewable energy solar panels etc.
This video made me tear up. I've never been brave enough to explore places I've never been to before but really wanted to visit. My heart breaks for the old man, but I'm also comforted by the fact that he gets to see and live again in the village where he grew up, even if it's for the last time. The area is beautiful and so peaceful, I can see why he loves it so much. Thanks for this remarkable tribute. It's incredibly touching and sweet.
I guess when I think of Japan I think "Island nation" but that's a huge island and even though the cities make it appear like there isn't much space left, you can find places like this. Fantastic video!
That seems like such a beautiful place to live in, despite the troubles that it may bring. It pains me to see, that maybe in a few years, it might get abandoned forever. Thank you so much for sharing the story of this amazing little village. Though I might never get to see it in person, thanks to this video I will at least get a feeling of what it is like to live there. Besides that, hopefully, your finger healed up quickly and didn't cause you too much discomfort.
I love it how izumi-san is living his old memories and telling us his stories and how full of life he is! May he stay blessed. Thank you norm for showing us this wonderful journey.
It might be remote, but - DAMN - it is BEAUTIFUL! Those high mountains covered by thick forests and mountain ridges and valleys turned into waterways are breath-taking. Awesome footage - big thanks!
PS. Maybe it's a stereotype, but given how relatively small Japan is in relation to their population I wouldn't believe there may even EXIST places on their Islands that are so remote and just ... left to Nature!
You are the witness of this hardest-to-visit village and you beautifully preserved a record about the last villager and his life there, which is so precious. As a Japanese, I truly appreciate your effort here.
Places like this are the reason I moved here to Japan. There is so much love and history in these hidden and small areas. I hope to see more places like this in person
So, I work at a production studio in Burbank, the TV and Film production capital of the world. Got a pretty good sense of costs, especially when it comes to short form media content like this.
You, by yourself, produce content that would probably cost 10s of thousands of dollars (per episode), and a crew of 6 or more people if we were pitching this to a company. The quality you manage to achieve by yourself (as well as the pacing, editing, storytelling), seriously top tier. And I mean - top tier. You single-handedly skew how I think about costs for content like this now. Stellar job.
I cannot love this video any more than I already have. I adore seeing a village like this and learning its story from the sole remaining resident, but it also breaks my heart to see his love of a village he may never be able to return to. Your journey there was wild in every sense of the word, and, bears aside, there’s something to be said for the simple, solitary life this man leads for the parts of the year he can stay in the villa
What a nice old man. And even though it will be the last time he sees his old house again, I really like the fact that he is focusing more on the memories rather than him not seeing his old home anymore. He's got a good heart, it sounds like. And a great attitude.
Knowing that the village was once filled with laughter and love kinda makes me sad. But knowing that this video would conserve the memory and emotions got me smiling again 🙂
♥️
That place is so beautiful. I would've loved to hear more stories from this man's past and what it was like to grow up there. He seems like such a kind man who understands the value of hard work.
I was always fascinated by Japanese villages and it's village life. How peaceful and serene it is to be out there in the fields surrounded by greenery, trees, mountains and whatnot. To live among a close knit of people like a big family is trully marvelous. I can totally understand why he is so passionate about his village, really a great video as always.
I am blown away by how beautiful everything is there, especially his home. What a wonderful place to live an incredible, and interesting life. Tha k you for sharing this.
Half of my family is from the NC Mountains and I've been lucky to work with and learn from folks in the field of "Appalachian Studies." One of the really cool things that has happened in that field is branching out to do serious comparative research with mountain communities globally. I never want to run the risk of suggesting sameness, but what's really cool is that I have spent time tramping around the mountains my mom grew up in and I know places and people not at all dissimilar to Izumi-san. It's so cool to get to see places so far removed from my own experience and still feel that shock of recognition down in the bones. Thanks for this!
I am absolutely honored to be able to join you all in your journey and visit to such an exquisite anachronistic place! THANK YOU 🙏
The village is so clearly Izumi-san's pride and joy. I hope he finds that his 89th year also permits him to return next spring
I'm so glad he got to share his story one last time and show the outside world how his life was and why he loves it so much. At least his village won't be forgotten in the sands of time just yet. Honestly, I hope I'm half as satisfied with my life when I get to that age. Thank you for bringing us these videos, I'm visiting Japan for the second time in march but being disabled means there's a lot I cannot experience and I'm just glad I can live through your videos, so thank you again ☺️
I keep coming back to this video. Izumi-San reminds me of my grandfather for some reason. My grandfather was Indonesian, not Japanese, but the mannerisms, his way of talking, it just makes me think of him.
Seeing Izumi san just give me a little boost in life, like someone whose so grateful and happy and cherished the little things in life. Sometimes I feel like modern living takes a lot of that away from us
I discovered your channel this month and have already marathoned a ton of your vids. But this one's definitely my favourite so far!! Touching and bittersweet...you really captured his spirit. 🌸
I've always felt very nomadic even from a young age. I had a desire to grow old and live off the land in the mountains of Japan since I was 12 years old. Seeing this now as a 27 year old from the US still gives me hope that this will be me one day. Enjoying my time with amazing people just enjoying nature and everything it has to offer 💜
Same! I would live there in a heartbeat!
I'm a white Canadian but I, too wish for this! Japan, particularly old Japan is such a fascinating place or should I say, was. Anyways, maybe one of us will! Keep us posted! Oh, I'm 56 and have wanted to live in the Japanese mountains or at least had the dream since I was in my teens, too.
Unexpectedly off work today and am playing catch-up.
Thank you for the pauses where the weight of life and all of the Hermit's experiences washed over him. So often, there is a desire to fill the pauses with something, sound or word. We do not appreciate the pauses as much as we should. This was an amazing reminder.
Take care!
It’s amazing how little wear is on his house. One person living alone tends to walk in and use the same areas continuously. I put in new carpet 3 years ago and you can see where I walk going up the stairs. His place is absolutely pristine. He probably takes immense pride in it and spends most of his time outdoors.
One the most wholesome videos I've seen in awhile
Another amazing video bud! I love videos like this, because the history will now be on the internet forever and for everyone to see!!
I’m so happy I could capture this and share it
So moving, such a privilege to learn of this man and his village. Those girls were crazy, I'd have said yes in a heart beat!!!
Unbelievable... 88 years old and in amazing shape mentally, physically and spiritually.
Crazy to think about, but without this video the memory of this village would be almost forever lost to all but a handful. Especially once Izumi-San passes. All the lives spent here that have come and gone, just goes to show the mortality of people. Makes you wonder how many other places and other things have been lost in time. This was a beautiful video, thank you for sharing your experience.
As a city dweller, this video was awesome. Lovely to see efforts being made to preserve the history of the town. The bear sighting was unexpected, even considering all the warnings. Very used to you and your fellow TH-camrs in Japan being cautious of bears but to see one in a video was certainly different. Thank you as always for sharing such a wonderful story Norm, hope the finger got better!
Thanks so much!!
Luckily he was just a little bear!!
I am glad the village will not be completely lost to the sands of time. We need people like him to ensure the younger generation will lose the beauty of their history.
First timer here! I love this so, so much. It tugs on my mind, reminding me of how temporary everything in this life is, however beautiful, and how much I wish it could continue. This is going to be something I watch over and over and over. Thank you so much for taking the trip and recording it, so that it can continue to be preserved in memory of all of us watching. Thank you also to Izumi-san and of course, Ebi-san, for their time, hospitality and friendly guidance. Also, I've subscribed and hope to watch more great content such as this!
I gotta say Norm, you really are a cut above when it comes to making these mini-documentaries. Like seriously, they are so good.
What a sweet old man. Sad that his village was disappearing. Love your videos too!
That man is a legend. What a great personality overall. "88 years young!"
those long years of walking to school on a trail! He's still very nimble and present to his mind 🤩
What's up Norm thanks for another upload 😆. I've watched videos on hermits on Japan and how they struggle to integrate with society hopefully this informs be more about the topic 😁
this one will be... a little different
This video was so wholesome! It’s rare to find videos like this. I just hope he brings Kuro the doggo with him when he leaves for the winter… otherwise he will be abandoned by basically everyone. 🙁
I really admire this wonderful Japanese man for hosting you. I take a lot of interest in any video that covers Japanese culture. but seeing a remote village such as this. is really outstanding. Thanks.
Some of the best content on TH-cam, thank you for sharing such unique and beautiful stories!
All too kind-;
I appreciate you!