All posts in “ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作”

On Becoming a Professional…

In the 1975 classic Rock ‘n’ Roll Horror film, “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (based on the 1973 Broadway Hit musical) a memorable refrain for all in show business to whom that production inspired, was the song and words of Dr. Frankenfurter (and the entire cast): “Don’t dream it. Be it.”

After all these years in production of TV and radio (and now film) I think I completely understand what this (“Be it.”) means: Not only does it mean that you should have dreams and try to be your dream in life, it concurrently means, “If you want to “be it” you have to be professional, you must act professional.” It is simple. That’s what, “Don’t dream it, be it” means: Be professional.

Because to really be what you dream about means that you must become a professional at it; it doesn’t matter if your dream is to become an actor or actress, professional sports player, musician, stunt pilot, photographer, writer, nurse or doctor. “To be it” means to live it and support yourself and your family financially by “being it.”

If you want to, “Be it,” then that means you must be professional. To be professional, you must act professional.

Demand professionalism and perfection from yourself and everybody else; but YOU, yourself, must do so first.

More than twenty years ago, when I was a struggling radio and TV producer (and after making some real bad programs – many got cancelled after a few months) it finally dawned upon me…. One day (by repeated effort or blind luck), I stumbled upon a way to make great programs.

At that time, I studied a lot and I often borrowed from those that inspired me in my youth; and that one day it all fell together and it “clicked.”

I want to use the word, “formula” or “plan” or “chemistry,” I don’t know what word to use exactly, but I found a “way” to make great shows each and every time.

It was like a light clicked on in my head, and all of a sudden, I knew; I understood everything that it required to make great shows. And, because I knew, I was able to replicate it over and over and consistently each and every time. I know my program partner, George Williams, also understood at that time too, because we discussed it. We knew then what it takes to be professional… Not just professional, but good professionals!

I felt no longer that I wanted to make a good show; I wanted to make great shows; shows that people would remember for twenty years long after the shows were gone. In Japanese, we call it, 伝説な番組 (Densetsu na Bangumi) “A legendary program.” I have been lucky enough to have people tell me, in my entire lifetime, that I made, so far, three legendary programs.

I thank God for my luck in being in the right place at the right time.

I knew then how to make one of the best radio shows in the world. I no longer cared about making the “best show at the station.” I rallied the team to know – and to believe – that we were making the best show in all of Asia and a show that is on par, if not better, than anything on the radio in London, New York or Los Angeles. I really do know that was the case.

And I was able to get my entire team to believe that. No! I got my entire team to KNOW that we were making one of the best radio programs in the entire world.

And when you get a team of people to believe, to really know, that they are a part of something that is one of the best in the world, then you have an awesome amount of power.

When you work for that goal, learn all you can from others; read voraciously; have an open mind; borrow from past greats… And most importantly, as my friend Roger Marshall adds,

“It is important to surround ourselves with others who are better and who can challenge and support us.”

Absolutely!

Then perhaps, one day, it will come… That’s the moment the light will go on in your head too. You will “know.” Suddenly it becomes easy…

When this happened to me – I think it was in the mid-late nineties – I believe that was the moment that I finally became professional….

It was also the moment that I decided to work on being more humble. Because being humble and being able to ask people for help when needed, is a sign of good management, maturity and professionalism.

Here are some quotes that I would hope dear reader would look over and ponder… Especially the last one by David Bowie.

“There was a moment when I changed from an amateur to a professional. I assumed the burden of a profession.” ― Agatha Christie

“When passion blends with profession it turns into a masterpiece…” ― Ramana Pemmaraju

“What makes you great is not what you do but, how you do what you do” ― Constance Chuks Friday

“The professional has learned that success, like happiness, comes as a by-product of work. The professional concentrates on the work and allows rewards to come or not come, whatever they like.” ― Steven Pressfield

“If you learn how to master yourself, you stand a good chance of learning how to master your job.” ― Auliq Ice

“There are three qualities that make someone a true professional. These are the ability to work unsupervised, the ability to certify the completion of a job or task and, finally, the ability to behave with integrity at all times.” ― Subroto Bagchi

“Skills or professionalism is another factor of growth” ― Sunday Adelaja

AND FINALLY:

“As you get older, the questions come down to about two or three. How long? And what do I do with the time I’ve got left?” – David Bowie

 

NOTE: Anytime I write anything about being a quality professional, I am constantly reminded of my friend, Roger Marshall of Odgers Bernstein. Roger is the consummate professional in Japan.

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PLEASE READ: The Best Producers in Japan I Have Ever Met! robot55.jp/blog/the-best-producers-i-have-ever-met-and-mr-motoyoshi-tai/

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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp

ROBOT55 はビジネス、商業、製品紹介動画の制作のみならず、アートや音楽の映像も創っております。ビジネス動画においてはウェブ動画時代の到来に合わせ、お求めや すい¥70,000という格安価格より承ります。ご予算に応じて皆様にご満足のいく高品質動画を制作致します。勿論インディー・バンド向けPV制作も行っ ております。よ!
コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, ビジネスビデオ制作, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story, Japanese, Rock n Roll, Producer, Japan, Tokyo, Becoming Professional, how to become professional, Robot55

残すところあと24時間(9月29日2015年に終了!)A Japanese Rock N Roll Ghost Story Crowdfunding Final 24 Hours!

LAST 24 HOURS! A Japanese Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghost Story Movie! (Ends Sept. 29, 2015)

いよいよクラウドファンディングも残すところあと24時間!(9月29日2015年に終了!)

皆様のご協力のお陰で早い段階で目標額は達成しましたが、目標額はあくまでもクラウドファンディングで皆様に送るリターン・アイテムの制作費・郵送費をカバーして赤字にならないという文字どおり最低限の数字。映画製作の為にはまだまだ資金は必要です!

This is our crowdfunding last 24 hours. Thanks to all who have supported. To any others, this is our last chance!

今日9月28日(月)は最後の24時間。参加してくれました方、ありがとうございました。。。まだ参加していない人はLAST CHANCE! よろしくおねがいします!Let’s Rock N Roll!

ココです (check the page here): https://www.makuake.com/project/rock

トレイラー(See the Trailer here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q89eCEd6T14

ビデオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー

 

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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp

ROBOT55 はビジネス、商業、製品紹介動画の制作のみならず、アートや音楽の映像も創っております。ビジネス動画においてはウェブ動画時代の到来に合わせ、お求めや すい¥70,000という格安価格より承ります。ご予算に応じて皆様にご満足のいく高品質動画を制作致します。勿論インディー・バンド向けPV制作も行っ ております。よ!
コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, ビジネスビデオ制作, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story, Japanese, Rock n Roll, Neatbeats, 50 Kaitenz, The Privates

The Best Producers in Japan I Have Ever Met!

After more than 30 years working in TV and radio in Japan and actually being in the music business since 1978 (37 years as of 2015) and working with so many producers that I can’t count (nor remember) them all, I’d like to give a nod to the best ones I’ve worked with. There are five producers who I think were the best and they have really influenced me.

Mostly though, today, I want to talk about a producer who I think, for me, is the best producer I have ever met in Japan. His name is Motoyoshi Tai.

Why is he the best producer? Well, all five of these guys I know and who have inspired me make great productions; Mr. Tai has an extra “Sixth Sense” about him. What I mean to say is that he seems to never get mad! He has taught me patience! And for an obsessive guy like me, patience is important!

The other 4 producers who really impressed me over these nearly 40 years are; Mr. Mizuno, Mr. Shinya Ohta, Mr. Atsushi Uchino, Mr. Kimitoshi Takeyama. I wrote a bit about Mr. Mizuno below. Mr. Ohta, Mr. Uchino and Mr. Takeyama have impressed me because the productions they make are top quality and I really respect and trust them; everybody does. And are the most honest producers I have ever met… Trust me, there are LOTS of dishonest producers!

Trust is something that take a long time to get, but just one action to destroy. Those three guys are so honest, it is their sales and charm point. People will follow them. They all taught me well.

Mr. Tai is an extremely honest guy too but, for me, his advantage is completely different and on a more cerebral level. He is a different sort of producer. He has taught me the most useful thing of all, I’d say. I already know that being honest all the time matters. Mr. Tai was most impressive to me not because of anything in particular of what he does or says, but because of what he doesn’t do or say; Mr. Tai is sort of like a “Zen Buddhist producer.” He never seems to get upset and is always patient and calm and in a good mood; yet even when people screw things up, he gets the job done and done well. He is such a nice guy that it seems it is impossible to get mad at him. The guy NEVER gets upset, it seems.

This is why he has impressed me so much.

Let me explain:

I have been working on a program that is the “Set Program” with the smash hit animation of the summer of 2015 in Japan: Ninja Slayer from Animation. That program is called “The TV Show.”

To explain what the TV show is; Every week on the Ninja Slayer from Animation program, the famous Japanese rock band, the Boom Satellites, performs the opening theme. Also, for every week’s ending theme, a different, cool, underground Japanese band performs the ending song.

The TV Show is sort of a “Making of Ninja Slayer from Animation” program: We interview the gang who actually make Ninja Slayer from Animation and we also interview the artists who perform the ending themes.

The TV Show’s concept was like this: “Imagine if Monty Python hosted a musical artist interview show.” The show was wacky and had several corners inside to add to the “Monty Pythonish mood.” We are proud to say that our show is a smash hit and we had over 10 million viewers in the first 5 months.

In the blue boxes, announcements about The TV Show and "Over 10 million viewers in under 6 months!"

In the blue boxes, announcements about The TV Show and “Over 10 million viewers in under 6 months!”

The TV Show concept was created by me and Ken Nishikawa. Actually, Ken does all the hevy work, I sleep on the sofa during editing. Of course, both Ken and I come up with all the ideas for the show.

During these six months of shooting and producing the show, there’s been so many scheduling mistakes and problems. Mr. Tai is in the middle. He has to coordinate between the Ninja Slayer from Animation folks, a record label, a publishing company and me. And I am really stubborn when it comes to work.

There have been many times when I was upset about scheduling changes and demands from other parties concerning our show that I was pulling my hair out. Sometimes I would get upset and call Mr. Tai. But, no matter what happened, Mr. Tai would always calmly talk to me and clam me down and tell me that he’s discuss it with other people.

I often think he didn’t discuss it with anyone else because it seemed, in many cases, nothing would change.

This sort of thing happened repeatedly; I’d get mad, call up Mr. Tai. He’d calm me down and then we’d repeat the process again in a few weeks.

I have lots of other projects going on now, besides the TV Show, and all sorts of ridiculous things are happening all the time. I get absurd complaints from people that make no sense at all. The worst ones are from people who contradict themselves, but they don’t seem to realize they are doing so.

One day, when I was really frustrated with idiotic nonsensical complaints (totally lacking in business common sense) from people I work with, I wanted to scream. Then it dawned upon me; I thought, “How would Mr. Tai handle this?”

Why, he’d handle it with a smile and kind words and he’s not get bent outta shape. He’d say he’d try to do something about it and would ask other team members or staff what to do.

But, and this is the most important part; Mr. Tai would always calm the other people down who were complaining and that’s the key! Calming upset people down is an art form! Maybe Mr. Tai became this way because he has become legendary in working with many of Japan’s most famous artists and musicians, in movies and music for years! And we all know how difficult famous rock musicians can be! (Here is Mr. Tai’s Wiki page – sorry in Japanese only: https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E7%94%B0%E4%BA%95%E5%9F%BA%E8%89%AF)

Getting mad or getting into an argument, no matter how ridiculous the other side is, won’t help anybody; especially in Japan!

Mr. Tai is a great producer. It’s not because he makes stuff like Steven Spielberg (maybe someday he will) but it’s because he has shown me the way to not go crazy in this business working with Prima Donnas and selfish crazy people.

Ultimately, Mr. Tai has taught me patience. He has taught me to not sweat the little things… Because, trust me, for a producer, there are millions of little things going on all the time. Mr. Tai has taught me to stay focused on the big picture.

And, for that, that is why I think Motoyoshi Tai is the best producer I have ever met.

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*There was one more producer who really impressed me who I worked with about 27 years ago in the mid-eighties. His name Mizuno Kiyoshi. He was a “Take no prisoners” kind of guy. He once taught me that a good producer will do anything to get his hands on what he wants.

We sat in a coffee shop and he pointed to an ashtray and said to me: “Mike! If you wanted that ashtray and I told you that I would give it to you if you got down on your hands and knees and begged me. Would you do it?”

As a brash and foolish young man, I said, “No!”

Mizuno san replied, “Then you will never make a good producer. A good producer will do anything to get what he wants. A good producer would get on his hands and knees and beg. Because a few seconds of shame and embarrassment, means nothing when you get what you want in your hands and you have that forever.”

I know many people would find this sort of thinking distasteful. But this was, I think, the way producers used to be.

I have never forgotten that lesson. I have gotten many good jobs for my company talent because I would get on my knees and beg.

I’ve done it dozens of times. And everytime I did, the decision maker on the other side I was pleading with would say, “OK! OK! Get off your knees! We’ll do it.”

You might think I jest, but I don’t. People who know me well, know this is no exaggeration.

Mr. Mizuno was an old fashioned style producer: No nonsense, but I think if you weren’t careful and watched what you were doing, he would run over you like a truck. He taught me to be very careful.

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Hey! We’re making a “Japanese Rock N Roll Ghost Story” Movie. The Crowdfunding campaign ends on Sept. 29, 2015. Please check out the trailer (with full English subtitles!) at the very top of this link: https://www.makuake.com/en/project/rock

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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp

ROBOT55 はビジネス、商業、製品紹介動画の制作のみならず、アートや音楽の映像も創っております。ビジネス動画においてはウェブ動画時代の到来に合わせ、お求めや すい¥70,000という格安価格より承ります。ご予算に応じて皆様にご満足のいく高品質動画を制作致します。勿論インディー・バンド向けPV制作も行っ ております。よ!
コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

————————-

ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, ビジネスビデオ制作, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story, Japanese, Rock n Roll, Motoyoshi Tai, Producer, Japan, Tokyo,ニンジャスレイヤー フロムアニメイシヨン, ニンジャスレイヤー

You Have to Have a Punk Spirit! Notes on Crowdfunding in Japan and A Japanese Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghost Story

I started a Crowdfunding campaign in Japan on June 25, 2015. It is still going on. The campaign ends on Sept. 26, 2015. These are notes on my thoughts on what’s going on with this. I hope, if you are thinking about Crowdfunding, you can read this and, perhaps, learn a few things and it will benefit your efforts.

In my case, we are making a Japanese Rock ‘n’ Roll Ghost Story movie. The trailer is at the bottom of this page or you can view it at the top of the Crowdfunding page here (the trailer has English subtitles): https://www.makuake.com/project/rock

When I started this project, I decided to try to get funding from some big companies. It’s impossible to make a professional quality movie without a lot of money so, over a span of about 2 1/2 months from March 2015 to Late May 2015, I went to several big music companies. The reaction from the presidents of companies I met was very warm and positive. Everyone knows that, since the  Tokyo Olympics are coming to Japan in 2020, there is a golden opportunity to show the world the spirit of real Japanese Rock and Roll and not the J-Pop girls and boy bands that all the major labels try in vain to promote overseas. Three of the major companies offered me a lot of money. But there was a catch; the artists I started this project with – my team – would be replaced by pop artists.

I can’t do that. For one, the Neatbeats, the Privates and the 50 Kaitenz are my favorite Japanese rock bands. For two, they are my friends and my team (and one does not betray their friends and team!), and; third, this is a rock and roll movie. I think that the spirit, the music and the love of rock and roll that these bands encompass, can be extremely popular overseas.

I really do believe that. I believe in these bands.

Finally, the last reason, I am an old punk rocker at heart and I have come to the conclusion that, in my life, I will never achieve major, mainstream success. This was a sad realization for me, but it is true. When my old and dear friend, Taro Furukawa said this to me, it was like an arrow through my heart, but I also knew that, deep down in my heart, he is right and it is true.

So, I decided to not accept money from big companies and do this movie as an indie movie. Is it impossible? Sometimes I think so, but I must continue and push forward no matter what. But, during this time, Nobuhara san from the Privates said something to me that was really wonderful. He said, “We don’t need lots of money. We just need a punk spirit!” That was like a light going off in my head!

So I decided to go get a Crowdfunding partner. I went to Cyber Agent and met the president of Crowdfunding for that company. I presented the idea for the movie to him and he and his staff loved it. So we started the campaign on June 25, 2015. I wanted to do a 4 or 6 week campaign; it was at the advice of the Crowdfunding company to make the campaign three months (which is way too long!)

Also, as a producer, it is my duty to make the best movie we can possibly make; I went out and got other professional people to help me. Everyone is doing this project as a volunteer and I am most grateful to everyone. Yet, it is my duty to make this the biggest happening and most successful movie that I can possibly make.

That also means I have a duty to try to get as much money as possible and to pay all my people and team.

About the money and the volunteers; thanks so much. I am trying to make this a hit movie (as much as possible) and to make it into a profitable movie. That means, that even if you volunteered to help us, if we make money, then I must make every effort to at least pay you for your time or, at least, train fare!

So, please understand why I am so “pushy” on Facebook, email and Twitter. I don’t want to push so hard, but it is my duty to all the bands and volunteers and everyone who is helping us. A successful movie, like any project, is made by preparation. This effort (and Facebook, Twitter, etc.) is a part of that effort. Like I said, I don’t want to bother everyone constantly, but it is my duty and everyone deserves my best effort.

I’m sorry if you think, “Mike is so persistent!” But I also hope you understand why and know that I don’t want to be so… It is a part of the job and my duty, to our bands, friends and volunteer, as a movie producer.

Anyway, about Crowdfunding, here are things I learned:

  1. You can’t really depend on the Crowdfunding companies to do any promotion for you. You have to do it yourself.
  2. The Crowdfunding companies all take about a 20% margin. Make sure that the company you choose includes credit card charges in that 20% margin.
  3. Our project is an “International Project.” I recruited a famous producer to help me. He has won at Cannes Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. He has also been nominated for an Academy Award. I brought him in to give us reputation overseas. Big Problem: The Crowdfunding company does not accept LOTS of foreign credit cards. Our campaign lost over ¥500,000 because of this problem. I think it will take a long time for Japanese Crowdfunding companies to arrange foreign credit cards.
  4. The staff at the company I choose seem to be overworked. I can write them an email and sometimes do not get an answer from them for two or three days. That is not acceptable. This is the internet age; I expect an answer with a day. If it is an internet company (which the Crowdfunding company is) then I expect an answer within 2 hours.
  5. Crowdfunding in Japan, as of today, is still a relatively new thing. Lots of people don’t understand it.
  6. There is a Catch 22 in the Crowdfunding. I calculated that I needed ¥5 million yen to make this movie. I expect to get at least 1/2 that money (after paying the Crowdfunding company)… Where will I get the other money? I have to go back and talk to some big companies again…
  7. When our campaign started, I spent at least 6 ~ 8 hours a day, everyday, seven days a week for over three weeks sending out direct Facebook messages, Twitter and direct emails to all my friends and connections (No BCC!). I think that’s why we hit our initial money target within the first 15 days. If you do Crowdfunding, then you had better be prepared to do this same effort. Everyone will get sick of hearing from you, but you have a duty to the other people who are helping you.

In early August, I saw a message on Twitter from girl that said, “On Facebook and Twitter, everything is ‘Mike.'” She wasn’t mad, but I took that as a message that people were getting sick of hearing about it. So I toned it down and basically did zero promotion during that month. Now that we are in our last few weeks, I have to start promoting again.

Even if it kills me, we’re going to make this movie and it is going to be one the great memories of our lives for 2015 ~2016.

Please forgive me for being so persistent. It is the bed I made, so now I must lay down it it. Thanks so much for your time and most kind consideration.

In life I think you have to have punk spirit and you have to be persistent as hell!

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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp

ROBOT55 はビジネス、商業、製品紹介動画の制作のみならず、アートや音楽の映像も創っております。ビジネス動画においてはウェブ動画時代の到来に合わせ、お求めや すい¥70,000という格安価格より承ります。ご予算に応じて皆様にご満足のいく高品質動画を制作致します。勿論インディー・バンド向けPV制作も行っ ております。よ!
コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

————————-

ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, ビジネスビデオ制作, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story, Japanese, Rock n Roll, Neatbeats, 50 Kaitenz, The Privates

Gaijin Gourmet – Best Soba Chain in Tokyo?Yude Taro and ¥220 Draft Beer?!

Time once again for Gaijin Gourmet. Today’s episode is the definitive episode for people on a budget in Tokyo who want to eat healthy and safe food and love noodles – and draft beer for super cheap (read on!)

Today’s post is about what I think is the best soba restaurant chain in Tokyo. It is a Soba restaurant chain that is all over Tokyo and, in my expert opinion, blows away the competition when it comes to price, quality, taste and cleanliness; Yude Taro (ゆで太郎). Yude Taro has, hands down, the best inexpensive and delicious noodles.

There are other chains that have a similar menu as Yude Taro and might be ¥10 ~ ¥30 cheaper ($0.10 ~ $0.30 USD) per dish, but they can’t touch the taste and food quality. Here I am specifically talking about the big soba chains in Tokyo: Fuji Soba and Yoshi Soba, etc., .. Folks, Yude Taro beats them all hands down.

Yude Taro Near Yoyogi JR Station

Yude Taro Near Yoyogi JR Station

Here is the Yude Taro near Yoyogi station that I go to often. But, you can just look for this blue logo:

ゆで太郎ロゴ Yude Taro logo

ゆで太郎ロゴ
Yude Taro logo

What does “Yude Taro” mean? Well, Taro is the most common boy’s name in Japan. “Yude” means “boiled.” So, “Yude Taro” means something like “Boiled John” or David or Mike….

Here’s their menu that I screen captured from their webpage:

Yude Taro menu

As you can see, most bowls of soba items on the menu are under ¥500 (about $4 USD). If you want a little more, the highest priced set on the entire menu is a fried pork cutlet on rice along with a bowl of soba (top left hand corner photo) at ¥650 (about $5.42 USD). Really, I’ve eaten 1000 times at these stand up soba shops over these last three decades. Yude Taro is the best.

Meal Tickets - With photos!

Meal Tickets – With photos!

And you can’t read the menu? It doesn’t really matter as you can see the pictures on the meal ticket machine at every shop.

Yude Taro displays the menu

Yude Taro displays the menu

There’s tens of thousands of these stand-up soba shops in Tokyo. They all have a glass case in front showing the main menu; but just look for the one with the blue logo. Usually, these places are in front of the big train stations and you can find a few competing chains right by each other.

Inside of Yude Taro

Inside of Yude Taro

The Yude Taro I go to has a very large eating area and even seating enough for about 14 people. Don’t even bother going there between 12 noon to 1:00 pm or so. This particular Yude Taro can seat 14, but during the lunch time rush, I’ve been in there when there were more than 25 people eating and another 20 people standing in line. It’s OK, though, because most of the time, you can be in and out of a Yude Taro in 10 minutes so it’s a great deal for the person on the go and on a budget.

Clean Kitchen at Yude Taro

Clean Kitchen at Yude Taro

The noodles are best at all the chains here at Yude Taro because they make the noodles on the premises and then boil. Most of the other chains open a plastic pack with noodles and heat them up. As you know, there’s no way a packaged refrigerated item can beat the taste of a freshly cooked one.

Yude taro soba and egg

This is medium sized soba with a softly boiled egg. ¥470 (about $3.91)… And, as you know, this is Japan so there is no tipping.

Yude Taro soba tenpura

I eat the medium soba, ¥420 (about $3.50) with the fried veggies ¥100 (about $0.83) and grated radish ¥100 (about $0.83). I get a full stomach and the total damages are about 15 minutes at lunch and about $5.16 (USD). What a GREAT deal!

BUT WAIT! WHAT’S THIS???? DRAFT BEER FOR ¥220!???? That’s right! Yude Taro is running a summer 2015 campaign and is offering draft Sapporo Black Label draft beer for  ¥220 (about $1.83 USD) a glass? That’s cheaper per drink than buying a can of beer at the convenience store! AMAZING.

Most cheaper drinking establishments charge twice that price for a draft beer!

¥220 Yen beer campaign over summer!? Wow!

¥220 Yen beer campaign over summer!? Wow!

Yude Taro wins the soba wars. Just look for the blue logo I have shown at the top of this article. Yude Taro is so good that I can honestly say that, if I really had to, I could eat there three meals a days. It’s that good.

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Looking for more great deals on cheap eats in Japan?:

Gaijin Gourmet: The Best Premium Salad Bar in Tokyo? – Sizzler in Setagaya robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-the-best-premium-salad-bar-in-tokyo-sizzler-in-setagaya/

Gaijin Gourmet! Great Cheap and Delicious Soba in Gaienmae on Ginza Line! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-great-cheap-and-delicious-soba-in-gaienmae-on-ginza-line/

The Gaijin Gourmet: The Best Salad Bar Deal in Tokyo at Big Boy – My Favorite Rock N Roll Diner!! robot55.jp/blog/the-gaijin-gourmet-the-best-salad-bar-deal-in-tokyo-at-big-boy-my-favorite-rock-n-roll-diner/

Tokyo’s Best Cheap Sushi is in Okachimachi!? 東京の一番安くて美味しい寿司屋?御徒町にあるの? http://robot55.jp/blog/tokyos-best-cheap-sushi-in-okachimachi/

The Gaijin Gourmet: Soba Wars At Hanzomon Station in Tokyo robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-soba-wars-at-hanzomon-station-in-tokyo/

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At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp

ROBOT55 はビジネス、商業、製品紹介動画の制作のみならず、アートや音楽の映像も創っております。ビジネス動画においてはウェブ動画時代の到来に合わせ、お求めや すい¥70,000という格安価格より承ります。ご予算に応じて皆様にご満足のいく高品質動画を制作致します。勿論インディー・バンド向けPV制作も行っ ております。よ!

コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

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Gaijin Gourmet, ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, ビジネスビデオ制作, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, Delicious places to eat in Tokyo, Cheap places to eat in Tokyo, Healthy, cheap, inexpensive food, tokyo dining

Gaijin Gourmet! Great Cheap and Delicious Soba in Gaienmae on Ginza Line!

Welcome Tokyo travelers to another installment of “Gaijin Gourmet” or “Great places to eat in Tokyo for Super-Cheapskates (like me)” written and researched by me, Mike Rogers, cheap-bastard connoisseur extraordinaire and one of Japan’s top Gaijin experts on good tachi-gui (stand up and eat) soba shops.I’ve been doing these specials shows for your folks who will be traveling to Tokyo for the Tokyo Olympics and don’t want to spend $500 (USD) for a Tuna Sandwich every time you need to eat! (OK. $500 is a bit of an exaggerration… Writer’s privilege and all…)
Today, I’d like to introduce you to a shop named Shinetsu near Gaienmae Station.

This place is excellent soba for the price!

Shinetsu, interestingly, is located right next door to one of the finest (and most expensive) Italian restaurants in Tokyo: Sabatini. I thought that was funny because a fine Italian dinner with some Italian guys singing the same old 8 songs over and over right into your ear at your table as well as wine for two next door at Sabatini can easily run ¥50,000 yen! ($600 USD)

Whereas Sabatini is great for expensive Italian, so is Shinetsu for delicious cheap-assed soba! But, I reckon if you were going on an important date with that special someone or planning to do something stupid, like say, propose marriage, then Sabatini is probably a better bet. Just a guess….

Or, if you have a sense of humor, you could tell her that you are taking her “Someplace special. How about something realy special like Sabatini?” When she smiles and says, “Oh, Brad!” You know you’ve got her! (Get it? It is like Sabatini; they are both near Gaienmae station exit #3)
Bwa! Ha! Ha! If she doesn’t walk out on you when you walk into the stand up soba, then you’ve found a real keeper!

This  meal with cold soba, inari sushi 
and tempura topping for ¥540 and it tastes pretty delicious!

Two people can eat excellent soba and toppings freshly made on the premises for ¥1,200 (the water is free and all-you-can-drink!)

Extremely clean kitchen!
And, as usual, a spotless kitchen is a must for me and you can see into the kitchen from the counter at Shinetsu. The tempura and all toppings are made on premises and the soba is good quality for a extremely reasonable price.
 
Don’t bother going there right at lunch time between 12:00 noon and 1 pm on a weekday, because there will be a line and there’s no place to sit… Er, I mean, there’s never any place to sit anyway – so it’s not good for a first date – but fantastic for a quick lunch for the businessman or traveler on the run!

The place is about a 30 second walk from Gaienmae Station Exit 3.

Here’s the address: 
Shinetsu Soba
Kita Aoyama 2-13-4 Tot Aoyama 1F.
東京都港区北青山2丁目13-4 ToT青山1F
Tot Aoyama Bldg. 1F
Kita Aoyama 2-13-4, Minato Ku, Tokyo
Here’s a map: http://yj.pn/bBNRd_


To get to Shinetsu Soba, take the Ginza line to Gaienmae. Exit 3. Thirty seconds walk. 

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Looking for more great deals on cheap eats in Japan?

The Gaijin Gourmet: The Best Salad Bar Deal in Tokyo at Big Boy – My Favorite Rock N Roll Diner! robot55.jp/blog/the-gaijin-gourmet-the-best-salad-bar-deal-in-tokyo-at-big-boy-my-favorite-rock-n-roll-diner/

Tokyo’s Best Cheap Sushi is in Okachimachi!? 東京の一番安くて美味しい寿司屋?御徒町にあるの? http://robot55.jp/blog/tokyos-best-cheap-sushi-in-okachimachi/

The Gaijin Gourmet: Soba Wars At Hanzomon Station in Tokyo robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-soba-wars-at-hanzomon-station-in-tokyo/

———————-

At Robot55 we make video productions for businesses and services and products, but we also pride ourselves on making videos for art and music. Our starting price is ¥70,000 and we are sure we can work out something that fits your budget. Oh, and we love making band videos too! Contact us! contact@robot55.jp

ROBOT55 はビジネス、商業、製品紹介動画の制作のみならず、アートや音楽の映像も創っております。ビジネス動画においてはウェブ動画時代の到来に合わせ、お求めや すい¥70,000という格安価格より承ります。ご予算に応じて皆様にご満足のいく高品質動画を制作致します。勿論インディー・バンド向けPV制作も行っ ております。よ!

コチラよりお気軽にお問い合わせ下さいませ♬

————————-

Gaijin Gourmet, ビ デオ編集格安、ビデオ撮影格安、動画制作東京、格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, ビジネスビデオ制作, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー, 撮影, 格安, ビデオ制作, 動画, 紹介動画, ビデオ, 東京, 撮影,ビデオ編集, 動画制作, ROBOT55, Gaijin Gourmet,