Tim ThoughtsChiikawa is Japan's latest, cutest obsession! From anime to toys to brand collabs to train takeovers to Tokyo Skytree - Chiikawa has become an integral part of the modern landscape of Japanese pop culture!
Oddly enough, Chiikawa's influence has not spread much outside of Asia, but this video may do something to change all of that.
If you've been to Japan lately, you've probably seen this cute little critter all around Japan. With endless amounts of sponsorships and branded tie-ins, it feels like you can't even go to the local conbini without running into some kind of chiikawa branded goods.
In this episode of Tim Explains Japan, I take a deeper dive into this mysterious master of kawaii. We go into the history and ideas behind chiikawa. Why is chiikawa so popular and where did all of this hype come from?
Meet Japans Cutest Obsession - Chiikawa ちいかわTim Thoughts2024-02-01 | Chiikawa is Japan's latest, cutest obsession! From anime to toys to brand collabs to train takeovers to Tokyo Skytree - Chiikawa has become an integral part of the modern landscape of Japanese pop culture!
Oddly enough, Chiikawa's influence has not spread much outside of Asia, but this video may do something to change all of that.
If you've been to Japan lately, you've probably seen this cute little critter all around Japan. With endless amounts of sponsorships and branded tie-ins, it feels like you can't even go to the local conbini without running into some kind of chiikawa branded goods.
In this episode of Tim Explains Japan, I take a deeper dive into this mysterious master of kawaii. We go into the history and ideas behind chiikawa. Why is chiikawa so popular and where did all of this hype come from?
cute, japan, chiikawa, ちいかわ, anime, manga, kawaii, japaneseculture, japantravel, japanese, japanlife, japaneseanime, popular, japantravelA Day in Rome: History, Food, and WanderingTim Thoughts2025-09-27 | Hello all, welcome back to Tim in Europe!
We continue our journey through Rome, as always with some tasty eats, plenty of sights, and lots of exploring. The main focus of this day trip was to check out the historical Roman Forum. We snagged some shots of the Colosseum nearby before heading into the Forum itself. I explain some Rome lore while also showing off some of the amazing shots I was able to grab of these ancient ruins.
After the Forum, we head out and grab a few slices of that classic, authentic Roman style pizza. La Prezzemolina was absolutely delicious - we got a slice of sausage, mushroom, and surprisingly - carbonara pizza - yep, the classic Italian pasta turned into pizza. Each slice was absolutely magnificent, and I kinda wish we got more, lol.
After a short break, we headed out to dinner at Trattoria Al Tettarello. Here we ordered some amazing food - bruschetta, gricia pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, and some tiramisu for dessert. Although located in a touristy area, the food was absolutely delicious and easily recommended.
Hope you all enjoyed this episode of Tim in Europe, catch ya in the next one!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:25 Intro 01:22 Breakfast at La Licata 01:59 Chillin at the piazza 02:35 Outside the Colosseum & Forum 03:46 The Roman Forum 09:05 Pizza at Prezzemolina 10:22 Dinner at Trattoria Al Tettarello 12:49 Favorite Shots & Parting Thoughts
#rome #travelvlog #Italy #RomanForum #travelguide #travel #vlog #visitrome #dayinmylife #RomanHistory #Colosseum #Italianfood #pasta #wanderlust #foodvlog #thingstodoinromeMatsushima: Chill, Rainy Vibes in Japans Coastal JewelTim Thoughts2025-09-03 | Hello all! On this episode of Tim in Japan - we take a short day trip from Sendai to the wonderfully picturesque seaside town of Matsushima, known for its plethora of beautiful islands, situated right on the coastline.
--------------------------------------------- For more updates on all things Tim, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/timtographer
Matsushima is a small town located about 40 minutes away via train from Sendai. It has a quaint, yet lovely atmosphere will some unique shops and restaurants, and of course the magnificent view of the islands themselves.
As usual with Tim in Japan, this is an experiential, curated travel vlog that intends to capture the spirit of the day, and highlight the beauty of the Matsushima islands.
Tohoku is a wonderful, underrated region in Japan, especially in the autumn season, which is when we visited (November 2023).
In this vlog we found an incredible little American style diner by the name of Harry's Junction, slinging all the classic American comfort foods, despite being in the heart of Japan's coastline.
From there we made our way to Matsushima bay itself to get a peek at those gorgeous islands. The gray, rainy, foggy atmosphere only added to the romance and beauty of the scene.
We explore Matsushima Kaigan station's gift shop a bit, before catching some amazing shots in the darkened, rainy train station. After that we arrive back in Sendai and I make a little night expedition out to pick up some local Chinese food at Bimirou (now permanently closed, unfortunately).
I hope you all enjoy this relaxed, chill slice of life exploring Japan's Matsushima Islands.
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:28 Intro 01:12 Konbini Breakfast 02:07 Train Ride to Matsushima 02:46 Matsushima Station 03:31 Harry's Junction American Style Diner 04:52 Stroll & Train to Matsushima Bay 05:24 Matsushima Kaigan Station 05:56 Matsushima Bay 07:59 Shopping at the station 08:37 Night Station Aesthetics 09:57 Back at Sendai Station 10:47 Night Expedition 11:29 Chinese Food 12:52 Favorite Shots & Parting Thoughts
--------------------------------------------- List of places visited:
Matsushima Station (this takes you into town) Konashiya Matsushima, Miyagi District, Miyagi 981-0213, Japan maps.app.goo.gl/X4ESMebLXPvzLbdx5
Matsushimakaigan Station (go here directly to see Matsushima Bay) Namiuchihama Matsushima, Miyagi District, Miyagi 981-0213, Japan maps.app.goo.gl/LBSwZ2r7xD8BSfLi7 ---------------------------------------------
#Matsushima #Sendai #JapanTravel #TravelVlog #TimThoughtsan attempt at realTim Thoughts2025-08-19 | a video discussing various things, perhaps most importantly (and elusively) - how can we be more "real"?
hmm...
not sure myself, but this is my attempt at it. thanks everyone!
want a space to chill? try the discord! discord.gg/9ngJcnXh2xVatican City: Unending Maze of MasterpiecesTim Thoughts2025-07-19 | Hello all, welcome back to Tim in Europe!
--------------------------------------------- For more updates on all things Tim, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/timtographer
This is a very special episode where we visit one of the most spectacular, jaw dropping, incredibly amazing places I've personally ever been: Vatican City.
We start things off by grabbing a quick lunch at Jollibee (one of only 2 locations in all of Italy), which happens to be located just outside of Vatican City (coincidence? ;)
After that, we make the short walk over to St. Peter's Basilica. Let me tell you, this is an unbelievably gorgeous structure. St. Peter's Square (Piazza di San Pietro) is airy, open, and beautifully architected. Moving into the basilica itself, we are immediately met with Michelangelo's Pieta (I believe this was a replica temporarily as the church was under construction).
Taking photos and videos inside of the holy center of the Catholic nation was an experience unlike any other. It was absolutely stunning, jaw dropping, spectacular. Larger than life statues, domes, murals, paintings - all laced with gold and bronze - truly a sight to behold. St. Peter's Basilica had a profound impact on me, forever changing the way I view art and the Italian Renaissance as a whole.
We then do a little browsing around the gift shop and grab a snack at an Italian McDonalds before heading over to the Vatican Museum.
The Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani) is another truly unbelievable place. While you do need to purchase tickets to get in, it is more than worth the entry fee. I think this may be the single greatest collection of art in all of modern day existence. Art upon art upon art, layered infinitely in a spiraling maze that winds its way to the magnificent Sistine Chapel.
Oh my, the Sistine Chapel - the crown jewel of the Vatican Museum. I've never in my wildest dreams imagined such a beautiful and remarkable piece of art. After viewing this in person, there is no question in my mind that Michelangelo is the greatest artist who has ever existed. The magnitude, scale, and quality of it all is enough to bring you to tears (even if you're not Catholic, I'm not).
What an incredible day full of unbelievable sights and the most memorable, spectacular displays of art I have ever seen. Even after touring many more famous museums throughout Italy and Paris, Vatican City remains atop the list.
Timestamps: 00:00 Highlight Reel 00:30 Intro 01:06 Heading to Vatican City 01:47 Lunch at Jollibee 03:54 Arriving at St. Peter's Basilica 07:07 Entering the Basilica 10:53 Vatican Post Office & Gift Shop 11:59 Italian McDonalds 12:49 Heading to Vatican Museum 13:12 Entering Vatican Museum 14:45 Touring Museum 22:22 Sistine Chapel 24:39 Recapping the Day 31:07 Closing Thoughts ------------------- Sistine Chapel Videos:
#VATICAN UNSEEN: DISCOVERING THE SISTINE CHAPEL youtube.com/watch?v=XqupL1ddTsU ------------------- #VaticanCity #StPetersBasilica #VaticanMuseum #TimInEurope #TravelVlog #VaticanPhotography #TravelPhotography #ExperientialTravel #RomeTravel #ItalyTravel #ArtHistory #MuseumVlog #TravelFilmmaking #TimThoughts #EuropeanTravelDiscovering Sendai: Japans Hidden Eats & AdventuresTim Thoughts2025-06-30 | Hello all! On this episode of Tim in Japan - we finally reach the fascinating, underrated, adventurous city of Sendai!
--------------------------------------------- For more updates on all things Tim, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/timtographer
Sendai is the largest city in the Tohoku region of Japan, and will become our base of operations going forward as we continue to explore all of Tohoku. Since we just arrived via shinkansen from kanazawa, we stop here for a bit to explore the city and discover all it has to offer!
As usual with Tim in Japan, this is an experiential, curated travel vlog that highlights all of the experiences and fun we had in Sendai. It truly is an underrated, under appreciated gem. Sendai has all of the conveniences - including shopping, food, and fun - as Tokyo, but with significantly less crowds and tourists.
It is only a short ride away from Tokyo, and I truly believe more people should come and visit when they get the chance!
Tohoku is a beautiful region in Japan, especially in the autumn season, which is when we visited.
In this vlog we do plenty of eating, sightseeing, and adventuring!
We start things off by checking in to our hotel, the Grand Bach Sendai. From there, we grab a quick dinner at family restaurant Saizeriya, before heading to the arcade next door for some fun. We finish the night off with some konbini (convenience store) desserts.
The next day, we head out to do some sightseeing and eating - starting the day off at Menya Togashi for some incredible shrimp based tsukemen (dipping style ramen). After that we head to sakuragaoka park to check out the fall leaves, before heading to zuihoden - the mausoleum of Date Masamune, Feudal lord and Sendai's founder.
We finish off our trip with some shopping at Parco - Chiikawa Land, Pokemon Center, and Gundam store - then we grab a quick bite at Japan's KFC for the first time.
I hope you all enjoy this fun, exciting adventure through the marvelous city of Sendai!
--------------------------------------------- Tim Explains Japan videos: Why You'll Love Japan's Family Restaurants youtu.be/qXkyBFcG1GE
KFC & Christmas in Japan youtu.be/td7GD7wn2MM ---------------------------------------------
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:57 Intro 01:48 Sendai Day 1 02:38 Grand Bach Hotel 03:46 Room Tour 05:38 Walking Around 06:27 Saizeriya 08:21 3rd Planet Arcade 12:07 Konbini Dessert p.1 13:34 Sendai Day 2 14:08 Tsukemen Menya Togashi 15:28 Exploring & Park Chilling 16:41 Sakuragaoka Shrine 17:40 Walking along the river 18:39 Zuihoden 22:42 Eating at Sendai Station 23:29 Shopping around Sendai 23:52 Chiikawa Land 25:06 Pokemon Center 25:33 The Gundam Base 26:23 Interesting Gachapon 27:43 KFC Japan 29:01 Konbini snack taste test 30:09 Favorite shots & Final Thoughts
--------------------------------------------- List of places visited:
Zuihoden (Grave of Date Masamune) 23-2 Otamayashita, Aoba Ward, Sendai, Miyagi 980-0814, Japan maps.app.goo.gl/hMk8dE2U9z3dKiZH8 ---------------------------------------------
it's been a minute, thought it would be a good time for us all to catch up, get back on the same page. I know it's a bit of a long one, but I guess I just had a lot to say this time around, heh.
Come stop by the discord and say hi! discord.gg/9ngJcnXh2x ---------------------------------------------
00:00 Intro 02:45 Doshin Retrospective 08:58 Catching up 15:20 Running the 5k 17:41 Thoughts on Running 22:30 Shoutout LA Article 25:29 Accomplishments 33:51 What is the Patreon? 35:16 Forgotten Ghibli Remastered 38:20 Free Content on Patreon 41:53 Merch shop and Premium Rewards for Backers 46:46 Closing ThoughtsGamecube God SimulatorTim Thoughts2025-06-01 | Have you ever dreamed of life as a god? What would it be like to rule over an island kingdom of your own design?
Come stop by the discord and say hi! discord.gg/9ngJcnXh2x ---------------------------------------------
Welcome to the very first episode of the new Tim Thoughts series - The Retro Bus! A series where we discover hidden gems of the gaming world, lost to time.
In this episode we dive headfirst into the fringes of conceptual gaming, uncovering the lost spectacle that is, Doshin the Giant. We begin by unraveling the history and philosophy of the man behind the game, Katuzoshi Iida. A strikingly philosophical artist who pushed the bounds of 90s era gaming, uncompromising in his ideals and unique visions – seeking to blur the line between entertainment and art.
Together, we explore what this game is all about, how it came to be, and how it relates to our inner and outer worlds. We try to uncover the meaning and philosophies presented by Iida. What were the thoughts and concepts he was exploring through this yellow titan?
From there we explore the game itself, beginning with its simple mechanics – eventually leading to ponderous questions about its nuances and ideologies. How does a seemingly simple game about tending to primitive islanders lead to [supposedly] substantive questions about our reality, the relationships we cherish, and the very nature of our existence itself?
Interested?
Well, whether you are or not, feel free to join me on the Retro Bus – as we embark on a new adventure to Barudo Island, a small piece of land full of islanders and giant alike – steeped in heady, contemplative intrigue (or perhaps nonsensical... babel?).
As always, thank you so much for your patience and support. I deeply appreciate your time and energy.
Here are some other videos about my favorite video game experiences:
--------------------------------------------- Archipel interview with Kazutoshi Iida: youtube.com/watch?v=V_60n8Xzx2U ---------------------------------------------
00:00 Intro 00:56 Welcome to the Retro Bus 01:36 I. The Creator 05:18 II. A Burgeoning Deity 10:31 III. God Complex 15:15 IV. Struggle For Meaning 22:56 V. Only Human 29:33 Outro & Patreon
#VideoEssay #GameCube #Gaming #DoshinTheGiant #VideoGames #RetroGaming #GamingCommunity #GameAnalysis #Philosophy #DeepDive #HiddenGems #GamingHistory #GameCube #Nintendo #IndieGame #UnusualGames #CultClassics #Nostalgia #ThoughtProvoking #RetroConsole #GamingInsights #YouTubeGaming #CreatorContentUnwinding in Luxury: A Traditional Ryokan Escape in Kanazawa (Takitei)Tim Thoughts2025-04-09 | On this episode of Tim in Japan, we continue our journey through Kanazawa - stopping for the night in a luxurious hot spring in, or ryokan, by the name of Takitei.
Takitei is a beautiful property with excellent amenities, delicious food, and some spectacular rooms. We booked one of their higher end rooms with a balcony overlooking a nearby river, as well as a private outdoor onsen bath.
In this video we begin by doing a little bit of exploring at Kanazawa station, trying some Japanese McDonalds (including shaka shaka fries), doing some omiyage shopping, and then taking the bus to the ryokan where we indulge ourselves in luxury for the evening.
Our dinner was a lovely kaiseki course featuring a local cuisine, beef, and sashimi. We relax in the sakura lounge and read some books and go and check out the property's special waterfall and public baths. We round out the trip by sleeping on lighter than cloud futon and relaxing in the room's massage chair.
Like out of a dream, relaxing at a traditional Japanese ryokan provides a level of comfort and satisfaction that's hard to match.
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:24 Intro 01:05 Checking out 01:43 Shopping at Kanazawa Station 01:55 McDonalds Japan 02:27 Omiyage Shopping 03:34 Checking in at the Ryokan 04:30 Lobby 05:11 Room Tour 07:49 Snack Taste Test 08:36 Exploring the Property 10:23 Public Baths 11:52 Gift Shop 12:42 Kaiseki Dinner 15:18 Relaxing After Dinner 16:52 The Next Morning 18:04 Japanese Breakfast 19:08 Back to Kanazawa Station 21:07 Catching the Train 22:54 Final Thoughts
Kanazawa,Ryokan,Japan Travel,Luxury Travel,Japanese Ryokan,Travel Vlog,Takitei,Japanese culture,Onsen,Private Onsen,Japanese Food,Travel Japan,Luxury Accommodation,Kanazawa Travel,Tim In JapanExploring Rome: Basilicas, Bites & BeautyTim Thoughts2025-03-19 | Welcome to the first episode of Tim in Europe! This vlog marks the beginning of our two week trip through Europe, starting with some brief travel from LAX to Rome's Fiumicino Airport.
After getting settled in, we go on to explore Rome and all it has to offer, stopping in at some famous churches, doing some sightseeing, and of course eating a variety of delicious local Roman favorites.
In this episode, we try gelato from three different places: Flor, Fatamorgana, and Gelateria Artigianale Il Capriccio di Carla Roma Monti. I liked the third the best, but you really can't go wrong with any.
We also got some incredible pasta - amatriciana and carbonara from a local Roman place known as Ristorante La Nuova Piazzetta. The pasta in Italy truly is on another level.
We visited some truly stunning basilicas full of enduring artwork. I would highly recommend checking out some of Rome's beautiful churches while you're there!
Hope you enjoy the vlog, thanks for watching!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:25 Intro 01:07 Day One - LAX to FCO 02:56 Landed in Rome 03:32 Check In 05:42 Day 2 07:32 Italian Coffee Culture 08:12 Incredible Pasta 12:53 Day 3 13:12 Italian Pastries Regoli Pasticceria 14:05 Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major 16:33 Roma Termini Station 17:43 Legendary Sandwich All'Antico Vinaio 19:16 Piazza della Repubblica 20:09 The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs 22:27 Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria 24:44 Closing Thoughts & Favorite Shots
----------------- Locations in this episode:
Flor Gelato Italiano Via Camillo Benso Di Cavour, 337, Roma, IT 00184
Bar La Licata Via dei Serpenti 165, Angolo Via Leonina 1/A, Roma, IT 00184
Ristorante La Nuova Piazzetta Vicolo del Buon Consiglio 23/A, Roma, IT 00184
Fatamorgana Gelato Piazza Degli Zingari 5, 00184 Rome, Italy
Regoli Pasticceria Via Dello Statuto 60 Roma, IT 00185
Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore, 00100 Roma RM, Italy
Roma Termini Station Via Giovanni Giolitti, 40, 00185 Rome, RM, Italy
All'Antico Vinaio Roma Termini, Piazza dei Cinquecento, Primo Piano, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Piazza della Repubblica Piazza della Repubblica, 12, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Gelateria Artigianale Il Capriccio di Carla Roma Monti Via Agostino Depretis, 61, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs P.za della Repubblica, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria Via Venti Settembre, 17, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Hasekura Ristorante Giapponese (Japanese Restaurant) Via dei Serpenti, 27, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Rome, Italy, RomeVlog, ItalianFood, Gelato, Basilica, RomanArchitecture, ItalianArt, TravelVlog, ExploreRome, VisitRome, FoodVlog, TimThoughts, TravelItaly, CultureTripa conversation with a friendTim Thoughts2025-02-20 | hey all, just thought I'd drop a casual update sort of video -talking about life and things lately - you know, the kind of stuff you'd talk with a friend about.
hope you're all doing well! you have my eternal gratitude. ദ്ദി(˵ •̀ ᴗ - ˵ ) ✧
^^ if you've never heard this speech before, I'd highly recommend giving it a listen.
For more updates on all things Tim, check out my Instagram: instagram.com/timtographerKanazawa: 48 Hours in Japans Hidden GemTim Thoughts2025-01-29 | Welcome to Kanazawa, Japan! In this vlog, we begin our exploration of Japan's countryside with the small, yet beautiful gem of a town known as Kanazawa.
Ishikawa Prefecture is lovely and full of incredible scenery and chill vibes.It is essentially a light version of Kyoto. Old, classic Japanese architecture and charm, with plenty of modern amenities and upgrades. We do a bit of shopping, sightseeing, and indulge in some delicious eats - all the hallmarks of Tim in Japan.
We start things off at Omori station in Tokyo, and hop aboard the Tokaido shinkansen en route to Kanazawa station. Once there we eat some tonkatsu and do some shopping at Kanazawa Forus mall, right across from the station.
We then check in at Dormy Inn Onyado Nono Kanazawa, which is an absolutely incredibly value stay. Plenty of freebies from coffee, to ice cream, to yakult, to hot springs - and the breakfast buffet is unbelievably good quality.
We do some sightseeing at Kenrokuen Garden, as well as the downtown old district of Higashi Chaya.
From there we grab some classic Kanazawa style Curry at GoGo Curry and wind down with some local snacks to try out.
The vlog is rounded out with a tour of the Onyado Nono's spectacular breakfast buffet.
This episode officially marks the beginning of Tim in Japan, season 2! Which means we've finally reached the footage from our second trip in Fall 2023. Earlier on this trip I procured the DJI Osmo Pocket 3, which opened up a whole new avenue of filming opportunities. In this vlog, I'm still getting used to things, but trust me - I learn along the way!
Locations in this video:
Kanazawa Forus Shopping Mall 3-1 Horikawashinmachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0849, Japan
(Tonkatsu) Tomikinton Kanazawa Fo-Rasu Ten Forus Mall 6F
Kenrokuen Garden 1 Kenrokumachi, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0936, Japan
Higashi Chaya District 1 Chome Higashiyama, Kanazawa, Ishikawa 920-0831, Japan
GoGo Curry Kanazawa Station
Timestamps:
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:23 Intro 00:56 Breakfast 01:15 Tokaido Shinkansen 02:32 Kanazawa Station 03:36 Tomikinton Tonkatsu 04:21 Forus Mall Shopping 05:36 Kanazawa Station Shopping 06:19 Onyado Nono Check In 06:57 Room Tour 08:18 Onsen Time 09:16 Free Desserts 09:44 Late Night Snack Mission 10:52 Free Noodles 12:55 Day Two 13:35 Mori Mori Sushi 15:06 Kanazawa Station B-Roll 16:16 Kenrokuen Garden 20:49 Higashi Chaya 22:49 Dinner at GoGo Curry 23:26 Dessert and Snacks 25:00 Hotel Breakfast Buffet 27:20 Final Thoughts and Fav Shots
In this episode of Tim Explains Japan, we dive into the holiday lore of how Christmas came to be celebrated in Japan.
Where did Christmas cake come from? Why is Christmas known as a dating holiday for young couples? How did Kentucky Fried Chicken become a traditional staple of family Christmas dinners?
We take a look at all these questions and more, going all the way back to the early days of Christianity and Christmas in Japan.
This in depth look at Japan's holiday season has many first hand pictures and images from Christmas time celebrations going all the way back to the 19th century. We talk about the history of the holiday season, how they came to eat and celebrate with certain staples, and finally arrive at the somewhat mythical and mysterious history surrounding KFC as Japan's premiere Christmas feature.
00:00 Intro 01:24 I. Delectable Origins 06:20 II. The Colonel 08:50 III. Kentucky For Christmas 15:53 Closing Thoughts
-------------------------
japan,christmas,holidays,holiday season,christmas in japan,kfc japan,kfc christmas,kfc for christmas,kfc,colonel sanders,christmas cake,japan christmas cake,japanese christmas,history of japanese christmas,history of christmas in japan,why does japan eat kfc for christmas,tokyo,tokyo christmas,japanese holiday,cake,romance,christmas date,christmas dating,dating,japanese christmas date,tim explains japan,tim in japan, kentucky fried chicken
#japan, #christmas, #holidays, #holidayseason, #christmas in japan, #kfc japan, #kfcchristmas, #kfcchristmas, #kfc, #colonelsanders, #christmascake, #japanchristmas, #japanesechristmas, #historyofjapanesechristmas, #christmasinjapan, #whydoes japaneatkfcforchristmas, #tokyo, #tokyo christmas, #japaneseholiday, #cake, #romance, #christmasdate, #christmasdating, #dating, #japanesechristmasdate, #timexplainsjapan, #timinjapan, #kentuckyfriedchickenTwo Weeks in Europe | First trip to Rome, Florence, Paris (+ channel update)Tim Thoughts2024-11-26 | Hello all and welcome back to the channel! In this episode of the Thought Cast (The Official Unofficial Tim Thoughts Podcast), I dive into my recent trip to Europe!
We spent 2 weeks traversing Rome, Florence, and Paris on our first ever trip to the continent of Europe. We did seemingly an endless amount of things as well as dined on some absolutely fantastic European cuisine. Gelato, pizza, carbonara, burgers, sushi, duck confit, french onion soup, etc etc!
We also visited plenty of famous sights and museums. We saw the Roman Forum, the Colosseum, St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museum, The Louvre, Versailles, and a plethora of other little stops and shops along the way.
So much to do, so much to see - so join me on this little recap of one of the most memorable and exciting journeys of my life!
00:00 Intro 01:21 Europe Trip Start 03:08 Flight Craziness 05:19 Arrived in Rome 08:00 Coffee Culture 13:14 Pastaaaa 15:13 All'Antico Sandwich 15:55 Gelato 17:48 Italy Sights 19:57 Vatican City 23:22 Vatican Museum 27:59 Florence 29:54 Paris 34:06 Some Paris Highlights 35:57 Best Crepes 37:35 Best Pastries Ble Sucre 37:58 Amazing Blend Burger 38:39 Macaron Throwdown 39:09 Le Grande Epicerie 39:44 Asian Cuisine in Paris 40:39 Paris Sights 40:43 Versailles 41:21 The Louvre 42:27 Impressionism & Picasso 44:27 Final Thoughts on the Trip 46:43 Top 5 Bites 47:41 Channel Update
travel, europe, italy, france, rome, florence, travelvlog, paris, pizza, carbonara, pasta, europetravel, talking, chatting, relaxing, chill, colosseum, eiffeltower, foodvlog, photography, videoKaruizawa: Japans Stunning Countryside Resort TownTim Thoughts2024-10-23 | Hi all, welcome back to Tim in Japan!
In this Japan travel vlog we take a day trip from Tokyo via shinkansen to the beautiful countryside resort town of Karuizawa. Karuizawa is a remarkable small town, full of picturesque nature scenes as well as spectacular architecture.
The entire place exudes this small town warmth, yet with a touch of modern, upscale amenities. It is a wonderful place to visit and only about an hour away from Tokyo via shinkansen (bullet train)
We begin our journey as usual on the shinkansen, heading to Karuizawa. Once we arrive we take a look at some local specialty omiyage before heading into town for an early lunch at Kumobatei (which is unfortunately now permanently closed).
After lunch, I share some shots of the absolutely magnificent Kumobaike Pond. This looks like a scene right out of your favorite *aesthetically pleasing* anime.
We then head into town to check out Kyu-Karuizawa, which is the main shopping district. We grab some snacks and some fancy chopsticks before heading back home to Tokyo.
00:00 Intro 00:23 Travel Montage 01:00 Karuizawa Station 01:46 Afternoon Stroll 02:43 Lunch at Kumobatei 04:35 Kumobaike Pond 06:48 Town Walk 08:12 Taiwanese Fried Chicken 08:40 Window Shopping 10:00 Back to Tokyo 11:59 Favorite Shots and Closing Thoughts
japan, tokyo, japantravel, karuizawa, shopping, windowshopping, tokyo, train, traintravel, tokyovlog, japantrip, japanese, japanesefood, japaneseculture, japanvlog, friedchicken, streetfood , food, foodvlog, foodvlogs, foodblogger, foodiesa day trip to nikko - ancient temples and shrines, countryside vibes & eats | japan travel vlogTim Thoughts2024-09-24 | Hi all, welcome back to Tim in Japan!
In this Japan travel vlog we take a day trip from Tokyo via shinkansen to the sleepy countryside town of Nikko. Home to the UNESCO world heritage site of Toshogu Shrine, Nikko is a truly majestic place to visit.
I take you on a tour of these legendary structures, admiring the architecture and providing some fun travel tips along the way. Yomeimon gate is a must see - the most intricately detailed and ornate structure in all of Japan.
After checking out all the shrines and temples, we head into town to grab some local food. Nikko is famous for yuba (tofu skin), with a bunch of other local specialty shops.
We found some great egg tarts at Nikko Tart-ya, one of the best croquettes I've ever had, and some fresh grilled fish on a stick, like straight out of an anime.
To top it all off we grab some yuba soba at a local restaurant named Azuma. I also tried the deep fried yuba, which was great!
Heading back to Tokyo, we stop in at a Japanese McDonalds for a late night bite to eat. The bacon potato pie and jaga butter shaka shaka fries were particularly good, as well as the peach frappe.
00:00 Intro 00:23 Travel Montage 03:30 Shrines and Temples of Nikko 10:48 Street Food Crawling 12:43 Yuba Dinner 14:00 McDonalds Seasonal Items 14:34 Favorite Pics & Final Thoughts
japan, tokyo, japantravel, nikko, temple, shrine, tokyo, tokyovlog, japantrip, japanese, japanesefood, japaneseculture, japanvlog, friedchicken, eggtart, fish, streetfood , ramen, noodles, soba, food, foodvlog, foodvlogs, foodblogger, foodiesreflecting on life amidst my 33rd trip around the sunTim Thoughts2024-09-06 | hey all! just another video catching up with the tim friends about the timverse. talking about life and pain and the universe - plus whatever else has been happening lately.
00:00 Intro 02:15 Yuru Retro 06:21 The Inevitable Pain 14:49 The Copyright Strikes Back 19:06 Patreon Question Mark 29:00 Tim in Europe! 34:50 Bonus TimeCrawling Asakusa For Tokyos Best Street Food | Japan VlogTim Thoughts2024-07-10 | Hello all, on this episode of Tim in Japan we head to the Tokyo neighborhood known as Asakusa.
This is a famous street food area home to all sorts of Japanese favorites like soba, tempura, menchi katsu, curry bread (kare pan), Taiwanese fried chicken, karaage, ramen, and more!
In this Tokyo food tour, we try out a whole bunch of amazing Japanese food, and you definitely won't want to miss it.
We also head to Asakusa's famous Kappabashi Kitchen Ware Town in search of a kitchen knife to bring home!
As usual for Tim in Japan, this is a chill vlog full of beautiful photography, good eats, and helpful tips. So join me on this journey through Asakusa!
japan, tokyo, japantravel, japanese, asakusa, japanesefood, japaneseculture, japanvlog, friedchicken, streetfood, ramen, noodles, soba, tempura, pudding, milkpudding, curry, bread, food, foodvlog, foodvlogs, foodblogger, foodies24 Hours in OsakaTim Thoughts2024-06-19 | Hello all, on this episode of Tim in Japan we head to the amazing, old school Japanese city of Osaka. We had 24 hours to crawl the city looking for the best food and breathtaking sights. We grab some okonomiyaki, yakisoba, kushikatsu, and egg tarts to name a few things. We also drop by Osaka castle and Dotonobori to check out the night life!
As usual for Tim in Japan, this is a chill vlog full of beautiful photography, good eats, and helpful tips. So join me on this journey through Osaka!
japan, osaka, japantravel, japanese, japanesefood, japaneseculture, japanvlog, okonomiyaki, yakisoba, eggtarts, osakacastle, kushikatsu, food, foodvlog, foodvlogs, foodblogger, foodiesPerfect Days retrospective + casually chatting about life and stuffTim Thoughts2024-06-05 | Hey everyone! So this is a casual chatting/talking kind of video. You could consider it as a podcast of sorts where I talk about my most recent videos, the work that went into them, and just about life in general lately.
This video is a sort of channel update/retrospective/life update. I start things off by talking about Perfect Days - the video essay that I made, as well as some further thoughts on the film itself.
From there we go into discussing and talking about some fun facts and interesting stories I learned about its production.
We then move on to reviewing the recent videos I've published before just generally chatting about life in general and the stuff I've been up to.
I finish things off with a positive and uplifting story to hopefully help brighten your mood a bit.
Hope you enjoy this inaugural episode of the Thought Cast!
00:00 Intro 01:22 Perfect Days Video Retrospective 09:07 Fun & Interesting Facts About the Movie 12:41 Reviewing Recent Videos 17:47 Ghibli Copyright Issues 22:26 Life Updates 28:07 Uplifting StoryPerfect Days: The Power of No MindTim Thoughts2024-05-19 | Hi, I'm Tim - in this video essay, we analyze the film Perfect Days - in the hopes of better understanding the life philosophy of its main character, Hirayama. This film by Wim Wenders is an exercise in active meditation and I believe it has much to teach us in the ways of simple living.
We discuss the overarching themes and concepts that make up the life of this simple toilet washer in Tokyo - namely that of Mushin, the Zen Buddhist concept of "no mind". Mushin is characterized as a state of openness, a mind free from thought and attachment. This video essay examines and explains how Hirayama lives in a perpetual state of Mushin, and further explains how we may apply these teachings to our own lives.
My main goal with this video is to both help and encourage all of us to find ways to live life in more fulfilling ways.
Perfect Days is an incredible film and I would highly recommend you give it a look if you haven't yet seen it: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfect_Days
00:00 Into 00:52 I. Hirayama 03:38 II. Mushin 06:53 III. Kagami 10:53 IV. Komorebi
perfect days,video essay,film,movie,movie analysis,perfect days explained,perfect days ending,vim venders,koji yasuko,japanese,japan,japanese movie,japanese film,oscars,oscars 2023,oscar nominated,japan,japanese cultureExploring Kyotos Beautiful Streets and Temples | Japan Travel VlogTim Thoughts2024-04-24 | Hello all, and welcome back to Tim in Japan! This is part 2 of the Kyoto vlog. In this episode we begin things by roaming the quiet streets of an early morning Higashiyama. Little did I know I would stumble upon multiple wedding photo shoots. Turns out Higashiyama is a beautiful backdrop for photos.
After a bit of exploring and photography around Higashiyama, I reach the top of the hill - arriving at Kiyomizudera temple. From there, we take a meditative stroll through the area and admire the architecture and beauty of the natural surroundings.
After grabbing those shots, we head back down the hill for brunch at the Kyoto Bistro located inside the Park Hyatt Kyoto. (Btw, if you want to see what lunch is like there, or a hotel tour - check out part 1 of the vlog).
Delicious coffee, eggs benedict, and french toast fueled us up for the next leg of our journey - returning back to Kiyomizudera, but this time checking out the temple itself.
The temple is perched on top of a massive wooden stage and is surrounded by nature all around. It's only 500 yen per ticket and well worth the cost of admission.
We finish off the vlog by heading to Kyoto station and eating some ramen before catching the Shinkansen. We make a brief stop at Tokyo station to explore some fun character shops before heading to our final hotel in the Asakusa area. And the final meal - Coco Ichibanya, one of my favorite curries around.
00:00 Intro 01:02 Welcome to the Vlog 01:44 Quiet AM Higashiyama 03:12 Kiyomizudera 04:03 A Meditative Stroll 05:26 Heading Back Down 05:57 Brunch at Kyoto Bistro 07:20 Arriving inside Kiyomizudera 08:00 Omikuji 10:15 Kyoto Station 11:26 Tokyo Station 12:31 Asakusa and Room Tour 13:38 Photo Highlights -------------------
japan, vlog, travel, tokyo, kiyomizudera, kiyomizu, kyoto, osaka, ghibli, travel, highlights, travelvlog, traveling, travelphotography, japanese, japanesefood, japanesefood, japantravel, japantrip, universalstudios, onsen, yakiniku, bbq, park hyatt, park hyatt kyoto, parkhyatt, parkhyattkyotochill kyoto shopping and sightseeing | park hyatt, higashiyama, yakiniku | japan vlogTim Thoughts2024-04-13 | Welcome back to Tim in Japan! In this decidedly chill episode we head straight into the heart of old Kyoto - Higashiyama. I vlog the streets, take in the sights, go shopping (including the Ghibli store!), and eat some delicious food along the way. It was an amazing experience to take in all of the ambience of traditional Kyoto - like being transported back in time.
After perusing the shops and streets, we check in to our hotel for the evening - The Park Hyatt Kyoto. An immaculately beautiful property that blends together traditional Japanese architecture and aesthetics with all of the modern furnishings and upgrades. Everything harmonizes together in a truly unforgettable experience at the Park Hyatt Kyoto.
We then head out to dinner - amazingly high quality yakiniku barbecue at Yakiniku Kinoe. It was my first chance to try Matsusaka beef and it did not disappoint in the slightest!
And we wind down the evening by taking a quick walk through downtown Kyoto and grabbing some dessert at the seven eleven convenience store. (Can't forget conbini dessert!)
We arrive back at the Park Hyatt well after the sun has set and are greeted by some majestic, romantic views of Higashiyama at night. We head back up to the rooftop garden area to enjoy our desserts.
Winding things down, I order some free amenities from the hotel and we enjoy a special treat provided by the staff for our anniversary.
The episode finishes with some of my absolute favorite photographs from this leg of the Kyoto vlog. Stay tuned for part 2!
Here are the places we visited: Park Hyatt Kyoto Japan, 〒360 Kodaiji Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Masuyacho, JP 605-0826 京都市東山区高台寺桝屋町360
japan, vlog, travel, tokyo, kyoto, osaka, ghibli, travel, highlights, travelvlog, traveling, travelphotography, japanese, japanesefood, japanesefood, japantravel, japantrip, universalstudios, onsen, yakiniku, bbq, park hyatt, park hyatt kyoto, parkhyatt, parkhyattkyotoWhy Youll Love Japans Family RestaurantsTim Thoughts2024-03-29 | Hi, I'm Tim and welcome back to Tim Explains Japan! In this episode, I give you a guided tour of one of my favorite spots to eat - the Japanese Family Restaurant.
These humble and simple restaurants feature a wide variety of different dishes at very affordable prices. They can be found just about anywhere in Japan and have an extensive selection of not only fresh hot foods, but wonderful desserts and an unlimited drink bar!
In this video, I explain why Japanese Family Restaurants are particularly amazing and why I love them so much. I hoped to capture the essence of the comfort and relaxed atmosphere ever present in these little slices of home.
So join me on this adventure where we dive into the bountiful, wonderful menu of Japan's Family Restaurants.
A couple of my favorites are Royal Host and Saizeriya, how about you? There are so many different types of family restaurants out there, be sure to give them a try if you haven't before!
00:00 Intro 01:47 What is a Family Restaurant? 02:48 What is Yoshoku? 03:34 Specialty Themed Restaurants 04:20 What Dishes You Can Expect 05:14 Unlimited Drink Bar 05:42 Can't Forget Dessert! 06:30 My Personal Favorite 08:55 Final Thoughts & Outro
japanesefood, japan, japaneseculture, japantravel, japanese, japanvlog, japanlife, tokyo, osaka, kyoto, familyrestaurant, food, foodie, eating, japantripMore Thoughts About On Your Mark (+ channel update)Tim Thoughts2024-03-12 | Hello, Tim Friends and welcome back to the channel! This is a followup video to the previous episode of Forgotten Ghibli about the 90s J-Pop music video directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It was a fascinating tale of a lesser known Studio Ghibli work with many intricate layers of meaning and allegory. In case you missed that video, check it out here:
In this video, I do a little bit deeper of a dive and talk about some of the finer details that didn't make it into the final cut of the most recent episode of Forgotten Ghibli.
Specifically, I talk about how Hayao Miyazaki referenced Friedrich Nietzsche within the storyboards for the animation, and more specifically - Nietzsche's concept of "Eteenal Return" (or "Eternal Recurrence"). When we begin to dissect the meaning of this philosophical concept, some understanding of Miyazaki's work begins to emerge in a different way.
Beyond that, I go into talking about the analytics of this video, and some of my recent other videos. Which then goes on to talk about Tim Thoughts as a whole - what you can expect coming up and what the channel means to me.
After that I bring up some neat stuff I've been into lately, like the Korean webtoon "Solo Leveling", rewatching The Office and Parks and Recreation, and the recent film American Fiction.
00:00 Intro 00:48 On Your Mark Retrospective 02:41 Nietzsche's Eternal Return 08:18 Thoughts about YouTube 09:28 Analytics Mumbo Jumbo 11:07 Behind the Scenes 13:20 Discussing Recent Videos 14:38 Videos Coming Up 16:20 Stuff I've Been Into Lately 20:01 The Artist's Way 21:23 Outro ---------------- #anime #ghibli #miyazaki #studioghibli #hayaomiyazaki #videoessay #analysis #breakdown #forgottenGhibli #animeedit #animeart #ghiblimusic #ghiblimovies #japan #japanculture #japanese #japaneseculture #totoro #mononoke #nausicaa
anime, ghibli, miyazaki, studioghibli, hayaomiyazaki, videoessay, analysis, breakdown, forgottenGhibli, animeedit, animeart, ghiblimusic, ghiblimovies, japan, japanculture, japanese, japaneseculture, totoro, mononoke, nausicaaSuper Nintendo World Japan is AMAZING!! #shorts #marioTim Thoughts2024-02-16 | Living out my Mario dreams at Super Nintendo World Japan. I found this
#mario #supermario #nintendo #supernintendo #supernintendoworld #universalstudios #universalstudiosjapan #coin #japantravel #japan #japaneseculture #japanvlog #usj #supermarioworld #supermariobros #mariobros #superstar #star #starpower #mariostarBecoming MARIO at Super Nintendo World Japan!! #shortsTim Thoughts2024-02-13 | Living out my Mario dreams at Super Nintendo World Japan. They have these incredibly detailed and realistic coin blocks placed all over the park. Jumping up and hitting these is like fulfilling the childhood dream I never knew could be!
#mario #supermario #nintendo #supernintendo #supernintendoworld #universalstudios #universalstudiosjapan #coin #japantravel #japan #japaneseculture #japanvlog #usjSuper Nintendo World is Peak JapanTim Thoughts2024-02-10 | Welcome to the Super Nintendo World video! In this episode of Tim in Japan, we visit Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, and more specifically - Super Nintendo World.
This place is so amazing. I've been a Mario fan for my entire life, and to be able to go to Super Nintendo World Japan was a dream come true. Everything from the design to the merch to the challenges to the food - it was all amazing and incredible and totally unforgettable.
In this video I show you my entire day in Super Nintendo World. I first got a special edition golden Mario power band, then got a Super Star popcorn bucket (which lights up!)
From there we visited Kinopio's (Toad's) Cafe and had a blast trying out a variety of Mario themed foods, including the famous Princess Peach's Cake! It looks like they just ripped it right out of Super Mario 64.
It was such an amazing day full of fun, food, snacks, and Mario themed challenges. What a day, what a trip, what an adventure!
mario, supermario, universalstudiosjapan, supernintendo, supernintendoworld, mario, yoshi, bowser, koops, peach, japantravel, japanesefood, travel, japanese, superstar, coin, luigi, toadThe Future of Tim Thoughts...Tim Thoughts2024-01-23 | Hello Tim Friends! This is an important video for the channel, please watch it!
I thought of many different ways I could try to film this, or say the things I felt I wanted to say - but at the end of it all, I felt I just needed to be honest. And this video is the result of that process.
Tim Thoughts has reached this fork in the road. We are steadily growing at a rate never experienced before, but we need to grow faster if this is going to become a long term channel that can endure through time.
And that's why I've made this video asking for your help.
I thought many times over about making this video, how I was going to make it, what I was going to say, and then - once I finished making it - whether or not I should even release it.
Hopefully my message gets through, and it makes sense and isn't too corny or cheesy.
Thank you all for your time and support, Tim Thoughts would cease to exist without you.
Come stop by the discord and say hi! discord.gg/9ngJcnXh2x3 [More] Weeks in Japan in 10 minutesTim Thoughts2024-01-13 | Hi, I'm Tim. This is my three week trip to Japan in November 2023.
Our second trip to Japan ever, and in the same year! We just couldn't get enough the first time, so we had to go back as soon as we could. In this trip we decided to visit an area we had never been before - the amazing, beautiful Tohoku region. Going in early November was the perfect time to catch the autumn leaves and beautiful changing foliage, or momiji (as it's called in Japanese).
We began our journey once again in Tokyo, trying out some local chains like Komeda Coffee and Royal Host - along with the famous Udon Shin. An amazing start to the trip with lots of shopping, amazing food, and fun times.
After Tokyo we headed via shinkansen to Kanazawa in Ishikawa. My heart hurts for everyone affected by the 2024 earthquake. Kanazawa is such a beautiful place, full of friendly people and amazing culture - like the Kenroku-en Garden, as well as the traditional Higashi Chaya district.
After Kanazawa, we again boarded the Shinkansen on our way to Sendai. Sendai quickly became one of our favorite cities in Japan. The amazing convenience, food, and shopping scenes of Tokyo, with half the crowds!
We used Sendai as a base of operations to take the shinkansen all over the Tohoku region. We went to the nearby Matsushima to take in the famous island seascape, Geibikei for the gorgeous sweeping vista of fall leaves via traditional boat, and over to Kakunodate in Akita to see the famous samurai village.
After that we took the train once again to Aomori, where we had our very first stay in a Hoshino property - Hoshinoya Aomori. This amazing property is structured to pay respect and attention to the bountiful apple harvest Aomori is famous for. The basement floor is decked out, themed like a bona-fide Japanese traditional street market, complete with snacks, games, and yukata.
We then took the train back to Tokyo and enjoyed the rest of our time there.
What an incredible, unforgettable, and absolutely stunningly gorgeous journey. I will never forget either of these experiences.
And with that, I conclude the Tim Thoughts 2023 rewind. Thanks for tuning in! :)
japan, vlog, sendai, kanazawa, matsushima, matsushima bay, sendai, akita, aomori, hoshino, hoshinoya, travel, tokyo, kyoto, osaka, ghibli, travel, highlights, travelvlog, traveling, travelphotography, japanese, japanesefood, japanesefood, japantravel, japantrip, onsen3 Weeks in Japan in 9 MinutesTim Thoughts2024-01-05 | Hi, I'm Tim. This is my three week trip to Japan in April 2023.
This was my very first trip to Japan ever, and I was beyond excited. Everything went even better than I could have imagined.
First stop was Tokyo. Team Lab Planets, Tokyo Disney Sea, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ginza. Best pizza of my life and michelin star ramen!
Next, we took a shinkansen down to the Izu peninsula to visit Ochiairo Ryokan. Gorgeous countryside, beautiful views, stunning onsens, and unforgettable food.
After that, we headed back on the shinkansen to Kansai. Osaka is home to the stunning Universal Studios Japan (with Super Nintendo World - which was a dream come true). We stopped off for some incredible okonomiyaki and yakisoba, before heading out to Kyoto.
Park Hyatt in Kyoto was our very brief home. A stunning, panaramic garden view room, right in the heart of old Kyoto. Traditional temples, shopping, and beautiful views. Kyoto was unforgettably gorgeous.
We finished our trip back in Tokyo. Of course more shopping and eating, as well as plenty of exploring. Kichijoji and the Ghibli Museum, Asakusa and street food. So much to do, so much to see.
Here's a (very) brief chronological itinerary of most of the places in this video: Team lab planets Tonkatsu Hajime Nihonbashi Shibuya Loft Savoy Tomato and Cheese Pizza Tokyo Disney Sea Chukasoba Ginza Hachigo ($10 Michelin star ramen) Ginza Six Building – Tsutaya books Coco Ichibanya (Curry) Tonkatsu Yamada Urayasu Ochiaro Ryokan in Izu Horai 551 in Osaka (nikuman and shu-mai) Universal Studios Japan (Super Nintendo World + Harry Potter World) Okonomiyaki Chitose Osaka Osaka Castle Kushikatsu-ya Yamachan Dotonbori Lord Stow's Bakery (Egg Tarts) Park Hyatt Kyoto Yakiniku Dining Kinoe Kyoto (best beef) Old Kyoto Street Kiyomizumichi Kiyomizudera Temple Day trip to Nikko (old, ornate temples) Tokyo Skytree Kura Sushi Skytree Ghibli Museum in Kichijoji Shopping in Ginza Tokyo Station Porter Omotesando &t café Omotesando B side Label Omotesando Owariya Asakusa (soba and giant shrimp tempura) Asakusa street food Tsubaya World knife shopping Nintendo World Shibuya Parco Day trip to Karuizawa Kumobatei Restaurant Karuizawa
japan, vlog, travel, tokyo, kyoto, osaka, ghibli, travel, highlights, travelvlog, traveling, travelphotography, japanese, japanesefood, japanesefood, japantravel, japantrip, universalstudios, onsenScavengers Reign is Peak Sci-FiTim Thoughts2023-12-16 | A "no spoilers" video essay detailing the splendor of Scavengers Reign - one of my most favorite works of sci-fi to be released lately. I think the show is phenomenal and accomplishes some amazing things from the storytelling to the writing, to the animation, and cinematography.
The world of Scavengers Reign is unabashedly bizarre, strange, and hostile. An alien world with as much to discover as there is out to get you. This is a video where I dissect, break down, and discuss some of my favorite points of the show.
I hope that you enjoy the video and this trip through my thoughts to the foreign, alien planet (and the survivors' struggles) in Scavengers Reign.
Come stop by the discord and discuss Scavengers Reign (or anything else on your mind) discord.gg/9ngJcnXh2x
00:51 I. Information Hiding 01:57 II. Alien Intrigue 03:01 III. Refined Simplicity 04:12 IV: Decidedly Human 06:55 OutroBuilding Gachapon and ChattingTim Thoughts2023-12-10 | Hey all! Last time I had a lot of fun at the end doing the little Japan haul and unboxing all the gachapon.
Thought I'd follow up on that with this stream where I build some of the more complicated gachapon that I got!Chatting, Recap, Haul - Japan Tohoku Fall 2023 Trip! Come hang out and chat!Tim Thoughts2023-12-02 | Hey Tim Friends! I've recently returned from another 3 weeks in Japan. This time the trip was focused around visiting the region north of Tokyo - Tohoku! Of course we began our trip in Tokyo, but from there we visited Sendai, Matsushima, Akita, and Aomori.
The trip was full of so many fun and amazing adventures. Of course there will be many episodes to come highlighting the trip, but in this live everything is fresh and I'll just be talking about the trip and sharing highlights of all the fun!
So come by, hang out, chill, chat, etc. :)Were going back to JAPAN! (+ haul from season 1)Tim Thoughts2023-10-15 | Hello everyone! Welcome to the live stream - the official announcement is that I'll be returning to Japan at the end of October for Tim in Japan Season 2! So in this live I discuss the plans of the next trip, as well as do a mini haul of some of the stuff I bought from the first trip.
Be sure to follow along on Instagram because I'll be posting a whole bunch of stories! instagram.com/timtographer
Also check out the discord if you'd like to talk more Japan (or whatever else :) discord.gg/9ngJcnXh2xTokyo eating, thrifting, shopping & shinkansenTim Thoughts2023-10-03 | Hello Tim Friends, and welcome back to Tim in Japan! In this episode, we tour the Tokyo suburb of Urayasu, and then we go on to ride our very first shinkansen (bullet train) - ending our travel day in Osaka.
It was our last day in Tokyo before venturing out into the countryside for our first ryokan experience, so we took it a bit easier. We explored the local neighborhood and got some amazing local tonkatsu from a mom and pop restaurant, then checked out a local thrift shop for some vintage threads. And we finished the night off at Japanese Starbucks, and did some more window shopping at Muji and Seiyu.
The next day we checked out of our hotel in Urayasu and shipped our luggage before grabbing our JR pass. We then boarded our very first Shinkansen with ekiben in hand. After a quick food review and travel montage, we ended up in Osaka for the first time! We got some local takoyaki and eventually ended up at the famous local spot, 551 Horai for some dumplings and nikuman.
A super fun and chill Japan travel adventure. Hope you all enjoyed it!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:18 Welcome to the Vlog 00:34 Local Urayasu Eats 01:17 Can Do 100 Yen Shop 01:51 Tonkatsu Yamada 03:01 Urayasu at Night 03:36 Thrifting 04:24 Local Mall 05:31 Checking Out 06:00 Luggage Shipping Info 06:39 Picking up JR Pass 07:07 Shinkansen Journey 07:50 Ekiben 11:24 Arriving in Osaka 11:54 Room Tour 13:21 Osaka Takoyaki 13:52 Osaka Nightlife 14:58 551 Horai 16:31 Favorite Shots
tokyo,tokyo vlog,osaka,japan,travel,travel vlog,japan travel,osaka travel,food,food and travel,japan food,tonkatsu,urayasu,551,551 horai,dumplings,nikuman,thrifting,shopping,shopping vlog,starbucks,japan starbucks,japanese starbucks,chill,chill vlogWhat a Traditional Japanese Ryokan is Like | Ochiaro | Tims GuideTim Thoughts2023-09-20 | Welcome back! In this very special episode of Tim's Guide to Japan, I take you on a tour of one of Japan's greatest cultural treasures - the ultimate in luxury and relaxation - the ryokan. A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, known for its immaculate landscaping, traditional architecture, delicious local cuisine, and of course onsen (Japanese hot springs).
We visited Ochiairo in Izu, Japan. Ochiairo is a Japanese cultural property, and each room has its own private bath sourced with onsen water. In addition, there are two public onsen baths with saunas, as well as a completely private, open air bath that can be reserved for a 50 minute interval.
On top of all of that, included was dinner as a kaiseki ryouri couse, and a traditional Japanese breakfast. Also, plenty of snacks and drinks were provided as a complimentary service!
The property is stunning, sitting right on the Kano river. It also has a plethora of gorgeous Japanese gardens, and plenty of surprises. In this video, we explore the entire property and all it has to offer.
So come join me on this tour of one of Japan's best ryokan available!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:46 Shuzenji Station 03:01 Arrival at Ochiaro 04:32 Akane Room Tour 06:42 Onsen (Bath) Tour 11:04 Game Room 11:32 River and Suspension Bridge 13:27 Relaxing in the Lounge 14:47 Gift Shop 15:26 Historical Tour 17:12 Kaiseki Dinner 19:21 Private Bath Reservation 20:59 Late Night Snacks 21:56 Night Bath 22:19 Morning Bath 23:28 Coffee Break 24:11 Breakfast 25:55 Garden Tour 27:03 Checkout & Final Thoughts 28:10 Favorite Pictures
japan,tokyo,izu,hakone,ryokan,onsen,hot springs,japanese ryokan,japanese hot springs,japanese inn,traditional japanese,traditional japanese inn,kano river,ochiaroUnboxing a Japanese Master Craftsman Knife from Tokyo #shortsTim Thoughts2023-09-01 | An ASMR unboxing of my Japanese knife from Tokyo. This knife was made by a master named Tamura-sensei and is sold at the store Tsubaya in Kappabashi, Asakusa, Tokyo.
#japan #japanese #japaneseknife #unboxing #asmr #knife #knifemaking #japaneseculture #japanesefood #tokyo #unboxingvideo #japantravel #japanvlogThe Inspiring Origin of The Iron GiantTim Thoughts2023-08-25 | The Iron Giant is truly an underrated masterpiece of 90s cinema. While still a family friendly animated film, it was built upon a philosophical message that transcends the boundaries of its surface level categories. Brad Bird conceptualized and directed the film after losing his sister a few years prior. The resulting work is a truly moving film that continues to resonate with millions the world over.
In this video essay, I examine the story of the film, as well as take a dive into how it was made. We analyze the plot, themes, and messaging of the movie - and try to understand what we can best learn from it.
Hi, I'm Tim. Growing up, The Iron Giant was one of my favorite films. I recently stumbled upon it again and was completely inspired to create this video. Unraveling the story of the film and how it was made, I realized I had come across a true hidden gem of a cult classic. I felt I needed to spread the word of not only how amazing of a film it is, but also its sentimental, heartfelt philosophy.
00:00 Intro 01:39 I. Tabula Rasa 03:16 II. Iron Origins 06:27 III. Souls Don't Die 10:00 IV. Who You Are
#videoessay #animation #irongiant #animationvideo #movies #film #90sLets chatTim Thoughts2023-08-10 | Hey everyone, thanks for tuning in to this Timversation! It's honestly been a long time coming and I've thought a lot about this for a while.
In this video we explore the ever illusive question: What is Tim Thoughts?
Plus we have a little discussion about the future.
I really do appreciate all the support you've given me over time and I thank you for everything. You are the best!
Kyra: instagram.com/questingorc$10 Michelin Star Ramen & Ginza ShoppingTim Thoughts2023-07-13 | Hello Tim Friends, and welcome back to Tim in Japan! In this episode, we take a tour through Tokyo's upscale neighborhood of Ginza.
Our first stop is ChukaSoba Ginza HachiGou for Michelin star ramen. Is this the best ramen in Japan? This place was absolutely phenomenal - the best ramen I've ever had. There is a very long line and lots of rules to follow, so be sure to pay attention closely or else you may lose your spot!
After lunch we headed down the street to the fancy Ginza Six Building to check out this amazing store named Tsutaya Books. Am amazingly curated shop that is as much an art exhibit as it is a book store. There's even a mini starbucks reserve inside!
We then checked out the flagship Uniqlo store for Tokyo. 12 floors and a vast array of goodies to check out, including custom designed merch!
And lastly we stopped by Ancora in Ginza so my wife could design her own fountain pen. In this shop you can pick and choose all the parts and colors you wish - then the employee assembles your very own custom fountain pen for you right on the spot.
For dinner we finally hit up a quintessential Japanese chain - Coco Ichibanya, for some of the best curry ever!
I end the vlog with a fun little story and a preview of the next episode - a luxurious Japanese Onsen (hot spring) ryokan. So stay tuned for the next exciting episode!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:17 Welcome to the Vlog 00:33 Michelin Star Ramen 02:33 Ginza Six 02:42 Tsutaya Books 04:38 Starbucks Cola 05:04 Ginza Six Garden (Rooftop) 06:40 Uniqlo Flagship Store 08:00 Golden Hour 08:44 Custom Fountain Pen (ancora) 10:10 Coco Ichibanya 10:51 Dessert 11:30 Story Time 13:35 Favorite Pics 14:14 Next Episode...
tokyo,tokyo vlog,japan,japan vlog,michelin star,ramen,japan ramen,tokyo ramen,best ramen in tokyo,best ramen in japan,ginza,ginza six,tsutaya,tsutaya books,uniqlo,uniqlo ginza,ancora,fountain pen,custom fountain pen,coco,coco ichibanya,coco curryA Tour of Tokyo Disney Sea (Part 2)Tim Thoughts2023-06-28 | Hello all, welcome back to Tim in Japan!
In today's episode of Tim's Guide to Japan - we continue our magical tour of the wonderful Tokyo Disney Sea!
Disney Sea is a special Disney theme park that only exists in the Tokyo Bay. It is home to tons of unique sights, sounds, rides, and tasty treats. In part 2 of the Disney Sea vlog, we begin our journey in Mermaid Lagoon to check out the sights from The Little Mermaid. We take a look at Triton's Kingdom before grabbing some curry popcorn and mickey hand tongs over in the Arabian Coast. We grab a quick mango lassi before riding Jasmine's Flying Carpet ride.
After that, we do a little souvenir shopping in the Lost River Delta before continuing on through Port Discovery. Our last stop was the American Waterfront where we explored Aunt Peg's Village Store to grab some super cute Duffy & Friends merch!
We do some final exploring in the rest of America and head back to the Mediterranean Harbor at the park entrance. A beautiful recreation of Venice is all lit up at night, resulting in a breathtakingly gorgeous, romantic atmosphere.
So come join me for this special Disney Sea themed episode of Tim in Japan!
tokyo, japan, tokyo disney, disneyland, disney sea, tokyo disneyland, tokyo disney sea, food, travel, travel vlog, japan vlog, disney japan, food vlog, disney food, disney eats, tokyo vlogExploring The Magical World of Tokyo Disney SeaTim Thoughts2023-06-17 | Hello all, welcome back to Tim in Japan!
In today's episode of Tim's Guide to Japan we head to the marvelous, mystical, magical land known as Tokyo Disney Sea!
Disney Sea is a special Disney theme park that only exists in the Tokyo Bay. It is home to tons of unique sights, sounds, rides, and tasty treats. In part 1 of the Disney Sea vlog, we head to the park, and check out the various lands of Mediterranean Harbor, Lost River Delta, and Mysterious Island.
We eat tons of delicious snacks and foods all along the way (Mike Wazowski Melon Pan, Seashell Ice Cream Monaka, Long Gyoza Bun, Chili Shrimp & more!) - so come join me for this special Disney Sea themed episode of Tim in Japan!
00:00 Intro 01:00 Welcome to Disney Sea 01:19 Mediterranean Harbor 01:34 Mamma Biscotti's (Breakfast) 02:51 Sea Salt Monaka Ice Cream 03:13 Merch Shopping 04:12 Transit Steamer Line 05:16 Lost River Delta 06:06 Port Discovery 06:26 Mysterious Island 07:16 Long Gyoza Bun 07:45 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea 09:52 Lunch at Vulcania 10:54 Outro 12:15 Next Time...
tokyo, japan, tokyo disney, disneyland, disney sea, tokyo disneyland, tokyo disney sea, food, travel, travel vlog, japan vlog, disney japan, food vlog, disney food, disney eats, tokyo vlogExploring & Shopping Tokyo + Best Pizza EverTim Thoughts2023-06-09 | Hello Tim Friends, and welcome back to Tim in Japan! In this episode, we take a more thorough tour of the Tokyo city center.
On the first day we head to Ikebukuro. There we stop by a Don Quijote, eat some amazing sashimi and tempura for lunch, and have some crane game and gachapon fun. We grabbed these amazing mini apple pies for dessert and got some department store food to go. We also tried Japanese McDonald's for the first time!
The next day we head back to Shibuya. A bustling cityscape with people everywhere. Finally picked up my Nippon Made Onitsuka Tigers, then we stopped for a coffee break at the nearby Muji Cafe. After our little break, we headed to the famous, amazing stationery landmark known as Loft Shibuya. Loft has an incredible amount of things to explore and purchase, including tons of amazing B-Side Label stickers.
Then we went to the Starbucks in Shibuya crossing to eat out mentaiko and tamago onigiri, and after we headed over to Roppongi to meet up with some friends for the most amazing pizza I've ever eaten. An Italian trained Japanese chef with a bonafide brick oven - absolute perfection.
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:17 Welcome to the Vlog 01:10 Ikebukuro 01:32 Don Quijote (Don-Ki) 02:12 Sashimi and Tempura - Haneda Ichiba 03:05 Crane game fun 03:45 Capcom Gacha Arcade 05:44 First Time at McDonald's Japan 07:06 Day 2 07:32 Shibuya 08:12 Onitsuka Tiger (Redux) 09:08 Coffee Break at Muji Cafe 10:40 Loft Shibuya 13:00 Shibuya Golden Hour 13:44 Savoy Pizza (BEST PIZZA EVER) 15:50 Shibuya at Night 16:00 Custom Suica Card 16:09 How to use train station lockers 16:40 Lush Shibuya 17:10 Favorite Pics 17:37 Next Episode...Team Lab Tokyo - A Mind Blowing Japanese Interactive ExhibitTim Thoughts2023-05-28 | Hello Tim Friends, and welcome back! On today's Tim vlog, we're back in Tokyo - and this time, exploring the famous teamLab Planets interactive art exhibit. This place was seriously amazing and mind blowing. We had an incredible time, and I had a lot of fun putting together this video to share with all of you.
To start things off, we head to the Lawson conbini next door for some breakfast. Then we take our very first Japanese bus ride to Team Lab Planets. Getting there a little early, we decided to scope out a nearby river front park. Attached to the park was a grocery store with a little place called n|a cafe inside. We grabbed a latte and an anko filled croissant - delicious way to start the day.
Then we head back to teamLab where we go through the entire exhibit. I stitched together a meditative look at the entire place, so hopefully you all enjoy!
Afterwards, we took the bus just down the street into the Nihonbashi / Ginza area for some light shopping and dinner. We ate dinner at Hajime Tonkatsu, which was beyond incredible - best tonkatsu of my life. We finished off the night with a strawberry parfait at Ishikaya Nihonbashi. Straight out of an anime, and super tasty!
And for today's Tim's Travel Tips, I go over my experience at teamLab as well as some helpful Japan tips in general for all your travel planning needs!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:26 Intro 01:27 Welcome to the Vlog 02:33 Arrival at Team Lab 03:11 Visiting a local park 04:44 n|a cafe 06:00 Team Lab Main Exhibits 06:33 Flower Garden 07:25 Waterfall Room 07:39 Black Hole 07:52 Infinity Lights 09:03 Koi Infinity Pond 10:08 Ball Room 10:57 Universe of Flowers 12:25 Gift Shop 12:48 Nihonbashi 13:07 Tonkatsu Hajime 14:21 Nihonbashi Shrine 15:00 Anime Parfait (Ishiya) 15:36 Winding Down 16:03 Tim's Travel Tips 16:22 Lots of Tourists 16:55 Things to Note about TeamLab 17:56 Take Your Time 18:46 Worth it? 19:33 General Bus Tips 20:36 Explore Nihonbashi 21:06 Don't Forget the Grocery Store 22:35 Next Episode PreviewFirst Time in JAPAN!! + Helpful Tokyo Travel TipsTim Thoughts2023-05-18 | Hello Tim Friends and welcome! This is the very first episode of Tim in Japan!
In this episode, we take a flight from LAX to Haneda International Airport in Tokyo. After settling in, we take a room tour of our hotel in Urayasu. From there we head to Shibuya to check out some interesting shops before winding down for the evening.
After the vlog, I give plenty of my best Tim's Travel Tips - helpful for anyone planning on visiting Japan. These are a compilation of what I think are some important, and some overlooked tips that would be helpful to keep in mind for your next trip!
Stay tuned, because this is just the first episode of Tim in Japan - we have so much more to explore and show you, hope you all enjoy!
00:00 Highlight Reel 00:17 Intro 02:55 Welcome to the Vlog 04:50 Touchdown in Tokyo 06:24 Room Tour 08:00 Ode to the Japanese Bathroom 10:16 Tokyo Day 1 11:32 Shibuya 11:47 Adidas Store 12:14 Onitsuka Tiger 12:53 Disney Store 13:20 MUJI Shibuya 14:22 Winding down the evening 15:00 Tim's Travel Tips 15:21 Train Tips 17:01 Google Map Tips 17:44 Pocket WiFi Tips 18:57 Where to Stay 20:44 Manage Your Energy & Take Breaks 22:28 Shipping Luggage 23:05 Quick Easy Foods 26:05 Next Episode Preview 26:16 Favorite PicsHanging out, talking 21 day Japan trip! Highlights, stories, & more!Tim Thoughts2023-05-05 | Hey all! I've just recently returned from my 3 week Japan trip and it was absolutely incredible. I feel like my expectations were sky high, and yet it still smashed through all of them.
It's hard to believe that just about everything went well, and even harder to believe that it's finally over. Honestly felt like a dream...
Come join me on this livestream where I'll go over my trip in some light detail - tell some stories, and show some highlights. Think of it as a catch up, as well as a preview of what's to come! :)Everything, Everywhere is MeaninglessTim Thoughts2023-04-03 | Everything, Everywhere All At Once is a film full of meaning, and yet is completely meaningless. What does that even mean?
Hi, I'm Tim.
In this video essay, I challenged myself to explain my experience with this film - to write something that would hopefully allow people to see the beauty of it, from my perspective. I found it profound, moving, and honestly, quite rare in the modern cinematic landscape - inspiring me to create this video as an homage of sorts.
I've heard people who didn't enjoy the movie for various reasons, and in some ways I made this video essay to offer a different perspective that may help them appreciate it more.
I also simply felt inspired, and subsequently compelled to make this.
I hope it finds you well.
This took about a month of solid work between all of the writing, recording, and editing - so if you found it meaningful in some way, I invite you to subscribe, share it with someone who would enjoy it, and come join us in the discord to have a chat about it! :)
00:00 I. The Weight of Everything 02:45 II. The Weirdness of Everything 04:50 III. The Futility of Everything 08:15 IV. The Waymond of Everything 15:23 V. The Meaninglessness of EverythingUnderstanding Shadow of the ColossusTim Thoughts2023-03-06 | Shadow of the Colossus is an epic game - truly, in every sense of the word. From the directorial genius of Fumito Ueda, came his second masterpiece. Released way back in 2005, it would be 18 years until I finally got my hands on it, giving it a try for the very first time.
What I found was an astonishing and noteworthy game that offers much food for thought. This eventually worked its way into the deep recesses my mind, transforming my experience altogether.
Shadow of the Colossus is not a perfect game, not by any stretch. It has plenty of blemishes from age, and may not resonate with a younger audience as readily as it did in a past era. But, that doesn't mean it has nothing to offer. In fact, I found the truth to be just the opposite.
In this modern world of gaming, we are forced to collect so many things, do so many quests, achieve something - but Shadow of the Colossus dares us to forget all of those things. Stop ticking imaginary boxes, running around trying to accomplish things, and instead - just be. Let go.
It turned out this game had more to teach me than dozens of others I've encountered in the years since its initial release - eventually cementing itself as one of my most memorable gaming experiences.
This video is a recounting of my experience.
00:00 Intro 01:27 The Lore 02:55 The Visionary 01:53 Gallery Nucleus 04:09 The Beauty 06:32 The Beast 08:25 Letting Go
#gaming #shadowofthecolossus #videoessayWatch this when youre feeling lostTim Thoughts2023-02-09 | Life is difficult and it's often hard to even understand how we feel or what to do next. When things are overwhelming and you feel lost and misunderstood, I hope that this video will help give you some perspective and find some peace.
Already broken.
A concept beautifully encapsulated in a passage from The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki.
In this video, I begin by narrating an excerpt from Ozeki's novel. Afterwards, I go into a deeper explanation of my understanding of the story, and how I have found it applicable to life in general.
May this video and the concepts I've shared find you well.
Thank you for watching.
If you'd like to chat or have something on your mind, please do leave a comment or swing by the discord. Wishing you the best.