All posts in “動画”

Business and Social Media Videos? Keep it 30 Seconds! 60 Seconds at Most!〜会社紹介動画は30秒か60秒がおすすめ

Need a video for your business or service on your webpage or business page on Facebook or other social media? Remember this one critical rule: Keep it at 30 seconds length; 60 seconds at most!

Need data to understand why? OK. Here you go:

According to research data by Visible Measures, the internet video audience measurement service: 20% of all your viewers will click away from a video in 10 seconds or fewer.”

That means, we must get the message out about what you or your business is about within the first 5 ~ 10 seconds. Think about it; how many times have you seen a video and then clicked away immediately? If people are going to click away, we might not be able to stop them (depends on their reason for clicking away), but we can at least let them know who/what you or your business is about.

The same data from Visible Measures shows that: “… by 30 seconds, you will lose about 1/3 of your viewers! 45% of all viewers will be gone by 1 minute…” Then it drops off a cliff. “You will lose 60% of your viewers by 2 minutes.”

So the most logical and cost-effective answer is to keep all your business videos at 60 seconds and under – with 30 seconds being the prime target. Oh, and by the way, Twitter’s new video platform will not support any videos over 30 seconds... That, right there, should end the discussion of how long an internet video for business should be.

It was Shakespeare who wrote; “Brevity is the Soul of Wit.” That rule fits the stage a few hundred years ago, and it fits today’s internet world too!

The breakdown for users of various devices offers insights for your business on who the users are and their habits:

* It’s the desktop viewers who seem to watch videos for 2 minutes or less.

*Mobile users seem to watch longer (maybe they are burning time while waiting for friends or riding a bus or train?) iPhone users average about 2.4 minutes on videos. Android users average about 3 minutes. iPad users are the ones who watch the longest at 5 minutes.

I do, though, think we have to take this with a grain of salt: mobile users are the ones who are watching dramas and longer videos in the car or on public transportation to kill time in a long ride (you don’t usually see people watching movies or dramas on their PC whilst riding the train or bus.) And, perhaps, iPhone and Android users are waiting for their friends and just trying to kill a few minutes.

Need more evidence that your videos shouldn’t be over 1 minute?

Here’s another thing that is important to keep in mind. The Jun Group (2011) survey shows that videos that are shorter than 15 seconds are shared 37 percent more often than those that last between 30 seconds and 1 minute. If you make your video longer than 1 minute, then the percentage of people sharing your video goes down by half! Only 18% share videos that are longer than 1 minute.

The conclusion? Great and effective video must be exciting, informing and effective from the very start. And they must be short and sweet and to the point; 30 seconds is optimum and 60 seconds is an important line to stop.

But how will you know when your video is or isn’t doing what you need? Video analytics! You can purchase information from YouTube Analytics API, but that costs money. Video analytics are available and offer a detailed look at your users: who is watching and how long they stay watching. It also will tell you exactly when they click away. So, you know exactly which scene turned people off!

But if you don’t want to spend money (and who does?) then you can just use this blog and the information that we provide for you for free! Your cash register can be another good measure!

Finally, there is another good reason that you need a video for your business: It keeps people on your page and that increases business! Once again, Visible Measures tells us:

“A real estate group reported that real estate listings that have a video garnered 403% more inquiries than properties without videos.” The math is simple; the real estate with videos generated more than 4 times more sales leads than the real estate without videos. That’s an awesome number!

Here are two examples of effective videos. These were done by Robot55 for a very cool bar in Shinjuku named Albatross. First the 30 second video: (If link doesn’t work, click here or copy and paste this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwdgP2bFL9I)

And now the Albatross 60 second video: (If link doesn’t work, click here or copy and paste this link into your browser: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5B41Jio1MI)

These videos are very effective. Why? You know what kind of business it is; where it is located; you know the mood and atmosphere of the shop … All that in 5 seconds or less!

At Robot55, we specialize in high-quality, engaging and exciting 30 and 60 second videos; and we do it at an unbeatable price! If you need free advice on making your own business video or just want to discuss making one with us then email the humans who work at Robot55, Mike or Ken: contact@robot55.jp

Let us work together with you to build your dreams! Success is right around the corner!

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More on this subject:

More Data Proving That You Need an Online Video For Your Business  (robot55.jp/blog/more-data-proving-that-you-need-a-video-for-your-business/)

For free tips on making your own video:

6 Easy Tips For Making a Viral Video (http://robot55.jp/blog/6-easy-tips-for-making-a-viral-video/)

Video Tips! Make Your Own Video For Your Business For Free! Pt. 1 (www.robot55.jp/blog/video-tips-make-your-own-video-for-your-business-for-free-pt-1/)

Video Tips! Make Your Own Video For Your Business For Free! Part 2 (www.robot55.jp/blog/video-tips-make-your-own-video-for-your-business-for-free-part-2/)

Make Your Own Video For Your Business For Free! Part 3 – You Need a Map: How to Write a Script! (http://robot55.jp/blog/make-your-own-video-for-your-business-for-free-part-3-you-need-a-map-how-to-write-a-script/)

Video Tips! Make Your Own Video For Your Business For Free! Pt. 4((www.robot55.jp/blog/video-tips-make-your-own-video-for-your-business-for-free-pt-4/)

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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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格安ビデオ制作, 格安, ロボット・ゴー・ゴー,  格安, Top 3 Videos, 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, Top 3 Videos, ビデオ, 東京, 撮影,ビデオ編集, 動画制作, ROBOT55, Top 3 Videos, Top 3 New Artist Videos

 

“DATA LOVE” out today!

Hi I’m Ken, the video man and music composer/producer @ ROBOT55 / ROBOT55のビデオ制作&音楽制作担当のKenでございます!

 

My new dance/house tune “DATA LOVE” is out today! / 小生のゴキゲンなノリノリ・ハウス・チューンのニューシングル”DATA LOVE”が本日より配信されます!

 

A super-pop and ridiculously-catchy club tune. This classic, romantic love song is dedicated to the one we marvel at every day and spend more time than with any beloved soul in the world, the binary data.

ポップでキャッチーなクラブ・チューンに乗せて、21世紀を生きる我々がこの世で愛する誰よりも多くの時を共に過ごしているバイナリ・データへの愛を謳う永遠のラブ・ソング。

Continue Reading…

Top 3 Videos for Oct. 30, 2015! The Monsters, The Jacques, The Fontaines, Mr. Diagonal’s Midlife Crisis!

Hey! Happy Halloween! Time for the Top 3 Videos; the Top 3 Independent Artist’s videos of the week.

First up are the Monsters from Switzerland. The Monsters are fronted by a Rock N Roll Legend from Switzerland named Reverend Beat-Man (You might remember him as the goofy guy in the awesome video: Blow! Um Mau Mau). The good reverend is prolifically genius and has so many projects going on, you gotta wonder how he does it! This is the second time the Monsters have placed a video on the countdown. (Go “Like” the Monsters FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/The-Monsters-official-123189661111110/)

#3) THE MONSTERS – More You Talk, Less I Hear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzCSRXPt40k

Next up is a new band named the Jacques that debuted on the chart just last week. I think The Jacques could be the hottest band from England since Suede and I’m dead serious about that. They do not appear in this video but I think this is one of the most well made lyric videos I have ever seen.

#2) The Jacques – This is England https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhGR2c1a4ZI

At #1 this week is another artist introduced to us by Cindy Kona in Hawaii. Cindy has a hotline phone to many of the top DJs around the world, so if you are an artist and need airplay all around the world, Cindy is your “Go to” person.

Cindy turns us onto the Fontaines. The Fontaines are a duo from Los Angeles and bill themselves as a “New-Wop” band. Cindy just can’t stop raving about this band, so much so that I checked it out and thought, “Hey! This is great!” If you like Amy Winehouse and that sort of music, I think you’ll love the Fontaines. This is quite melodic but with a twist… Definitely watch to the end. This ending is not what I expected.

#1) The Fontaines – Charlotte Fontaine https://youtu.be/VK6jdYs-mmk

Today’s Freebie… Did someone say, “Twisted”? I did?… OK, this is especially for my crazier friends like Ken Nishikawa and Kevin Riley. This is Mr. Diagonal and his Midlife Crisis… It, er, he, uh, well, I found this information: “Mr Diagonal’s Midlife Crisis is a groovy concept album about the male menopause to highlight some of the hidden facets of Mr Diagonal’s tortured soul.” (Go “Like” the Mr. Diagonal and his Midlife Crisis FB page, otherwise weird shit might happen to you too! https://www.facebook.com/events/966962883343026/)

Precisely! Exactly! That’s what I was going to say!

FREEBIE! (WARNING! CLICKING THIS LINK MAY CAUSE PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE – OR MAYBE NOT!!)

Mr Diagonal’s Midlife Crisis – Rockstar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqxGI_qhDUw

He, he, he… Great, eh?

Well that’s it for this week. Hope your brain exploded. See ya next time!

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PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

LAST WEEK: 

Top 3 Videos for October 23, 2015! The Routes, Moon Kids, Theee Bat, The Jacques! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-23-2015-the-routes-moon-kids-theee-bat-the-jacques/

Top 3 Videos for October 15, 2015! Japan’s Theee Bat, The Shit, The Fontaines, Lola Dutronic! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-15-2015-japans-theee- bat-the-shit-the-fontaines-lola-dutronic/

Top 3 Videos for October 9, 2015! The Jackets, Hear Kitty Kitty, Wavves, Japan’s Own Titty Twister! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-9-2015-the-jackets-hear-kitty-kitty-wavves-japans-own-titty-twister/

Top 3 Videos for October 2, 2015! The Monsters, Dirty Coal Train, Subways, Japan’s Own The Mack Show! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-2-2015-the-monsters-dirty-coal-train-subways-japans-own-the-mack-show/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 25, 2015! Death by Unga Bunga, The Interrupters, Dollyrots, Japan’s Own The Routes robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-25-2015-death-by-unga-bunga-the-interrupters-dollyrots-japans-own-the-routes/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 18, 2015! Fidlar, Jungle Giants, Su凸ko D凹koi and Barrence Whitfield robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-18-2015-fidlar-jungle-giants-su凸ko-d凹koi-and-barrence-whitfield/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 11, 2015! Texaco Leatherman, The Atom Age, Blonde Summer, the Routes! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-11-2015-texaco-leatherman-the-atom-age-blonde-summer-the-routes/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 5, 2015! Titty Twister, Potty Mouth, Palaye Royale, Plashments! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-5-2015-titty-twister-potty-mouth-palaye-royale-plashments/

MORE TOP 3 VIDEOS COLUMN SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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ARTISTS! SEND ME YOUR NEW VIDEOS! I WANT TO HELP PROMOTE YOU!

These Top 3 Video posts are sometimes getting tens of thousands of hits per week. Need proof? Do a Google Search for “Top 3 Videos” or “Top New Artists Videos” and you’ll see Robot55 on page one! blowing away MTV, Billboard Magazine, Billboard, Niconico Douga and all the rest.

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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Top 3 Videos for October 23, 2015! The Routes, Moon Kids, Theee Bat, The Jacques!

Welcome! We’re back once again with some hot videos for you!

First up is a band from Kyushu Japan that is currently getting airplay at cool radio shows all around the world. Their name is The Routes. Here’s their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/theroutes?fref=ts). Please go and “Like” it and get the inside scoop on their upcoming Portugal and Spain Tour! Cool!

#3) The Routes – Everybody’s Looking https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUqfzhYpcXs

Next up is hot off the presses and this track came into my mailbox just this morning from Cindy Kona. Thanks Cindy! Cindy has connections all over the world and can get bands airplay in Japan (of course) as well as Los Angeles, London and South America to name a few. Cindy turns us on to a band named, “The Moon Kids.”

Their webpage describes the Moon Kids as “‘fairground pop’, a trashy, thrashy, neon-lit affair that’s bright, bolshy and destined to make your heart beat a little faster.”

#2) The Moon Kids – Strange Thoughts On Sunday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npQnuE7Kf6A

At #1 this week is a band that just debuted on last week’s Top 3… They sent me this link and when I watched it, I laughed so hard. These guys are great! From Tokyo, here is Theee Bat deliciously destroying the Elvis Presley standard, “Jailhouse Rock.” Enjoy!

#1) Theee Bat – Kangoku Rock (Jailhouse Rock) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XibRiRcc2d4

And last but not least is today’s Freebie. They have just released their debut album in Japan called, “Die Pop Muzik.” The band is from Bristol, England and they are called, The Jacques. The describe their music as “Britpop / grunge rock.” Here’s their webpage:  www.thejacques.co.uk

FREEBIE! The Jacques – Pretty DJ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVhJVPL6Ipo

Well, that’s it for today! New Bands! Send me links to your videos!

Everyone! Have a great Rock and Roll weekend! See ya next week!

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PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

LAST WEEK: Top 3 Videos for October 15, 2015! Japan’s Theee Bat, The Shit, The Fontaines, Lola Dutronic! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-15-2015-japans-theee- bat-the-shit-the-fontaines-lola-dutronic/

Top 3 Videos for October 9, 2015! The Jackets, Hear Kitty Kitty, Wavves, Japan’s Own Titty Twister! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-9-2015-the-jackets-hear-kitty-kitty-wavves-japans-own-titty-twister/

Top 3 Videos for October 2, 2015! The Monsters, Dirty Coal Train, Subways, Japan’s Own The Mack Show! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-2-2015-the-monsters-dirty-coal-train-subways-japans-own-the-mack-show/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 25, 2015! Death by Unga Bunga, The Interrupters, Dollyrots, Japan’s Own The Routes robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-25-2015-death-by-unga-bunga-the-interrupters-dollyrots-japans-own-the-routes/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 18, 2015! Fidlar, Jungle Giants, Su凸ko D凹koi and Barrence Whitfield robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-18-2015-fidlar-jungle-giants-su凸ko-d凹koi-and-barrence-whitfield/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 11, 2015! Texaco Leatherman, The Atom Age, Blonde Summer, the Routes! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-11-2015-texaco-leatherman-the-atom-age-blonde-summer-the-routes/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 5, 2015! Titty Twister, Potty Mouth, Palaye Royale, Plashments! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-5-2015-titty-twister-potty-mouth-palaye-royale-plashments/

MORE TOP 3 VIDEOS COLUMN SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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ARTISTS! SEND ME YOUR NEW VIDEOS! I WANT TO HELP PROMOTE YOU!

These Top 3 Video posts are sometimes getting tens of thousands of hits per week. Need proof? Do a Google Search for “Top 3 Videos” or “Top New Artists Videos” and you’ll see Robot55 on page one! blowing away MTV, Billboard Magazine, Billboard, Niconico Douga and all the rest.

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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The Early Bird Catches the Worm – And Gets the Free Apple (Computer Stuff!)

Top photo: At Apple Store Shibuya. At just after 9:40 am, there were at least 12 people in line.

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“The early bird catches the worm.” – William Camden

The early bird catches the worm and also gets free stuff at the Apple Store.” – Mike Rogers

I think being on time is important, therefore I am almost always early. In my main business; broadcasting – especially live broadcasting – if you are one second late, you could be out of a job.

So I am very rarely late. I think I’ve been late to a business meeting twice in the last 20 years and both times were out of my control.

I always make it a point to leave early and take my time to get where I am going. I never like to rush. I like to enjoy myself and take my time – while always being on time; so that means being prepared and leaving early.

Being in a last minute rush is how mistakes happen; it is also the cause of doing stupid things and that’s how accidents and injuries happen; like running at the train station to catch your train and falling down or running into people and knocking them down.

So, I always like to be early.

That goes for work meetings and, of course, for going out to eat too! On that note, if I go out to eat, I like to show up well before the lunchtime rush and/or well before the same rush at dinner. For dinner time, my family always likes to show up before 5 pm and be the first people at the restaurant. At opening time, the restaurants are empty, service is much better, the food is better, and the atmosphere more leisurely.

I can never understand why people show up at restaurants right at peak rush time and write their names down on the waiting list and sit and wait for a table for an hour or two….

Why don’t they just arrive earlier and get in and out before the rush?

“Time is money.” – Benjamin Franklin

“Time is money. Wasted time means wasted money means trouble.” – Shirley Temple

Yesterday, I had to go to the Apple Store in Shibuya. My son’s MacBook Pro was acting funny. It seemed the battery had died. I would usually make an appointment for the Apple Store, but I found out about this battery problem late at night the night before and decided I would take my son’s PC to the Apple Store first thing in the morning.

Apple Store opens at 10 am. I’ve seen the lines before opening and I’ve also been at the Apple Repair desk before too. I knew that if I didn’t want to waste a long time waiting at the Apple Store, I’d better get there early. I decided to try to be one of the first people in line. I arrived at about 9:20 am. I was first in line.

I figured that I would arrive at Apple Store at about 9:20, be first in line, get the PC fixed and be out of the store by 10:15. I know from asking the staff that the crowds show up to line up after 9:30 am. I wanted to beat the crowds.

If one shows up at the Apple Store after 9:45 or so, there will already be a line of 25 ~ 50 people. You figure it out; there seem to be 3 Apple staff at the repair counter, if each one can only handle one customer every 15 or 20 minutes and you are 30th in line, then how long will you wait? A couple of hours? Three? I’m not sure, but it seems to me that leaving home 30 minutes earlier to save an hour or three is just plain common sense.

I have seen the Apple Store when it was packed with folks needing help…

Like I said, I was first in line at 9:20. People started showing up at 9:30. By 5 minutes to 10, the line was pretty long.

I looked down the line and saw there were about 30 people in line. I figured that the folks at the end of the line were going to be at the Apple Store for a long time, maybe until lunchtime…. All they had to do was get here 25 minutes earlier and they`d have saved themselves, perhaps, at least 2 hours!

Lessons learned:

1) If you know you need repairs make an appointment. You can do it online.

2 ) If you don’t have an appointment, get to the Apple Store before 9:30.

“But what does this have to do with getting free stuff, Mike?” I can hear you say… Well, read on.

Just before the store doors opened up, an Apple Staff told me that the Apple store wi-fi was down and, because of that, they couldn’t access their internet service (in order to do diagnostics or place orders for repairs) the guy was very apologetic.

He asked me what was wrong and I told him, “My son’s computer’s battery just died so I’m sure that all I need is a new battery.”

He went away to discuss this with the other staff and when he returned, he directed me upstairs. I explained the same thing to the guy who was assisting me. He took the computer into the back and, 15 minutes later, he returned and said,

“Well, our Wi-Fi is still down so I cannot do any checking, but I have replaced the battery in the computer at no charge to you since you had been waiting and we’re first in line. So you have a new battery, but I cannot guarantee that this fixes the problem.”

I think my jaw hit the table. I asked the guy if this was one of those hidden camera TV shows.

Get that! Because I was first in line, and waited, Apple decided to do their best and replace my battery free of charge! Wow! Unbelievably great customer service!

I have to repeat: I told them that the Macbook’s battery was shot… Since I was 1st in line and had been waiting…. They replaced it for FREE!! Can you believe that?

For many years, since the days of “Dos V” and Windows 3.1 – I was a die-hard Windows user (even built my own)… But since my family switched to Apple products over ten years ago, we haven’t looked back and never regretted switching to Apple even once. Apple never ceases to amaze me.

Apple is simply an amazing company!

Apple products are superior in my experience; but even more than that is the quality of the service and the people – along with the company culture – that makes for such a fine organization. The way they treat their customers is the way everyone wants to be treated and it makes for lifelong loyal users. Brilliant!

If a company’s most valuable resource is its people, then Apple is miles ahead of the competition. And that comparison goes to Google, Amazon and the rest which I have worked with.

Apple beats them all hands down.

Apple is cool… And from the way it looks from here, it will stay that way for a long time.

So, I have two morals of the story here:

  1. Being early is its own reward… And the best way to get betters service and quality.
  2. I do not believe that there is another company in the world that can match the quality of products and service that Apple offers.

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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! We have 3 decades of experience in Japan and have perfect bi-lingual staff. 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! Watching Your Waistline at the Matsuri (Japanese Festival!)

Welcome once again to another edition of the Gaijin Gourmet – It’s our first “Travel Edition”!

It’s coming to the end of the year and that means lots of parties, drinking and eating too much, get-togethers, drinking, Thanksgiving, eating and drinking too much, Christmas, more drinking, falling down, acting like an idiot, New Year’s parties, and eating and drinking too much (and just all-around being an embarrassment to myself and everyone else when I’m drunk and making an ass of myself).

And, if you live in Japan, of course this time of the year also means, year-end “Matsuri” (Japanese Festival).

 

The Gaijin Gourmet acting important!

The Gaijin Gourmet at the matsuri trying to act like he is important and doing something useful!

Of course with all these parties and dinners we have to attend, we must also watch what we eat and be careful of our stomachs and bulging waistlines. In particular, once ‘we fine diners’ (that’s you and me, dear reader!) get past 50-years-old, we have a checklist of things we can and cannot eat – or, if we do partake, we do so in moderation. We enjoy in moderation because we don’t want to have to take all sorts of medicines and nasty chemicals from that pesky doctor who keeps warning us about inconveniences like “myocardial infarction,” “intracerebral hemorrhages,” “pulmonary embolism,” “hyperuricemia” blah, blah blah!

Oh, doctor! Those are big words! I’m so scared!

Sorry, doc, I’m busy! I don’t have time for your Ivy-League graduate big words! I only worry about foods that may cause real problems like: heart attacks, stokes, blockages of the arteries, Gout and sudden death.

I worry about real problems… Like the hangover I have right now; it’s not a pretty sight!… Especially when it is me looking in the mirror at myself and – damn! I don’t remember coming home last night!

 

shrine

The local villagers all gather round at this time of year to greet and pay respects and thank the gods for a good harvest for the year. It is a ritual that goes back a thousand years. At the shrine, people toss in coins and pray to the gods for family health, happiness, prosperity, world peace and a winning lottery ticket.

So, with that in mind, let’s try to cut out all sweets, carbohydrates, alcohol and other foods high in cholesterol and very bad for our health and enjoy the festivities and food at the Japanese matsuri!

It's till early. The Gaijin Gourmet doesn't like huge crowds so we always get there early!

Early hours. The festival grounds are not crowded yet. The Gaijin Gourmet always avoids crowds.

Today we’re going to the matsuri near my house in Setagaya! Yeah!

They hold the matsuri near my house every year around mid-October. Usually, I eat tons of food and drink too much but this year we’re on that “Health-Kick” that quack doctor ordered. Let’s see what kind of delicious food we can eat at the festival and still stick to my “Doctor’s orders” diet!

okonomiyakiOh, my god! First thing I see is one of my favorites! Okonomiyaki! Okonomiyaki is kind of like a Japanese pancake… But it’s not like a western style pancake; it isn’t sweet. It is filled with vegetables and a little bacon or pork in an egg and flour batter! Delicious!… Oh, wait a minute! I can’t eat any carbohydrates and the bacon is filled with cholesterol. I guess we’ll just have to skip the Okonomiyaki this year! But, fear not! There’s still plenty more!

Onward and upward my palates!

yaki-sobaThis is Yakisoba. This is the staple of any Japanese festival or event: It is noodles fried on a flat skittle with mixed in vegetables and pork… I love it! I’ll have one, please….Oops!… No. I can’t have one. The noodles are made from flour, there’s pork in it and it is fried in oil! Probably Cholesterol City (not to mention it has carbohydrates!)…

The wife orders one anyway. She says it tastes pretty good. But, hey! Why is it that sometimes the Yakisoba at the matsuri doesn’t have any pork in it? Cheapskates!

takoyaki

Next up, by far my favorite food of them all! Takoyaki! They are delicious! Foreigners call Takoyaki, “Octopus Balls.” Octopus Balls? You know like “Men’s balls!” Yuck! Sounds awful! But Takoyaki tastes great! I want some!

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made of a wheat flour-based batter and cooked in a special takoyaki pan. It is typically filled with minced or diced octopus (tako), tempura scraps (tenkasu), pickled ginger, and green onion and then sprinkled with green dried sea weed (aonori) and shavings of dried bonito (katsuobushi).

Oh, but, come to think of it, I can’t eat octopus either because the doctor says it is really high in cholesterol so it is really bad for me – squid too…

So, no Takoyaki this year!

On to the next stand… I’m sure there is something that isn’t high in cholesterol and full of carbohydrates!

Japanese weiners!?

weiners

Pork or made of fish? I don’t know, but I’m guessing that these are extremely high in cholesterol and just looking at them makes me feel like I’m having a heart attack!

But they do look so good, don’t they? At least these don’t have any carbohydrates in them! Come on! One bite couldn’t hurt….

“No! Absolutely not!” I imagine my doctor yelling into my ear!

Yakitori-standAh? My totally all-time favorite food: Yakitori. Yakitori is Japanese style barbecued chicken on sticks.

If there is only one type of Japanese food in heaven, it has to be Yakitori! I’ll bet even God eats Yakitori! I could eat it everyday forever! This is the ultimate Japanese tasty food that goes along great with any drinks and on any occasion.

As I am about to yell, “Give me ten sticks, please!” I see my wife glaring at me. I can read her mind! She is thinking, “I know if you start eating Yakitori, you’ll start drinking beer too; and then if you start drinking beer, you won’t be able to control yourself and you’ll start drinking more and eat everything in sight!”

Wow! She’s right! We’ve been married for over twenty years! How did she know that?!

This year, I’ll pass on the Yakitori, but, ummmm…. That sure smells good!

Hey, what’s the deal here? There’s absolutely nothing I can eat at the festival that doesn’t have carbohydrates or very high cholesterol! No fair!

Wait! What? There is at least two things at the matsuri to eat that don’t have any carbohydrates or cholesterol? What are they?

Kakigori: Shaved ice with sugar flavored syrup... The kids love it, especially on hot summer days. It has lots of calories but not nearly as bad as ice cream...

Kakigori: Shaved ice with sugar flavored syrup… The kids love it, especially on hot summer days. It has lots of calories but not nearly as fattening nearly as ice cream…

Kakigori?! No way! I have to eat something healthy for dinner before I can start eating sweets…

I need a healthy snack!

Chocolate covered bananas

Chocolate covered bananas?

Oh, yeah… Right! “Please give me a chocolate covered banana without the chocolate!”

Is there nothing at the matsuri that a health-conscious guy like the Gaijin Gourmet can eat and still have fun while on our Weight-Watchers Diet?

There is?

Raw cucumber on a stick! Healthy and delicious... Not too much fun, though!

Raw cucumber on a stick! Healthy and delicious… Not too much fun, though!

A raw cucumber on a stick! Mmmmm… Just like mom used to make… I can eat these. In fact I do, everyday at home! This cucumber cost ¥200 each (about $1.70 USD each)… Kind of expensive for a cucumber… Very salty too!

So, finally, at the entire matsuri, I had a bottle of water and a cucumber.

So, in summation, if you are going to a matsuri and you want to have fun, then toss the diet plan for that one night… Otherwise, about the only thing you’ll be able to eat and drink are raw vegetables (if they have those) and green tea or water.

… Just like if you were staying at home!

And just like I always say to my wife at home when we are arguing because she wants to go out to dinner and I want to stay home, I say, “What’s the point of going out if we are just going to come back home anyway?”

She has nothing to say when confronted with brilliant logic like that!

Well, that’s it! I hope you enjoyed our culinary journey to sample the aromas, drinks, and fine dining at the local matsuri. I hope to see you here next time when I go to another festival where the food is great.

That is, if I don’t have to do some “Doctor’s Stop” diet and I can eat anything or drink anything I like. Including a lot of booze!

…Otherwise I am staying home!

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Looking for a delicious healthy meal in Tokyo, the world’s most expensive and crowded city for under $5 (USD)? Here’s a bunch of them linked below!

Gaijin Gourmet – Delicious, Healthy Meal in Tokyo for Under $3 (USD) – Yoshi Soba! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-delicious-healthy-meal-in-tokyo-for-under-3-usd-yoshi-soba/

Gaijin Gourmet – Delicious, Healthy Meal in Tokyo for Under $3 (USD) – Komoro Soba! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-delicious-healthy-meal-in-tokyo-for-under-3-usd-komoro-soba/

Gaijin Gourmet – Fuji Soba Tokyo’s Top 3 Soba Chain Restaurants robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-fuji-soba-tokyos-top-3-soba-chain-restaurants/

Gaijin Gourmet: 「モンスターMOGULLA!東京の地下からこんにちは」 robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-「モンスターmogulla!東京の地下からこんにちは/

マイク・ロジャース!「ザ・外人グルメ」!のぐるなび ippin(イッピン)の新しい記事がアップされました!robot55.jp/blog/マイク・ロジャース「ザ・外人グルメ」!のぐる/

Gaijin Gourmet! The Best, Most Delicious Soba Restaurant in Shibuya and Shinjuku robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-the-best-most-delicious-soba-restaurant-in-shibuya-and-shinjuku/

Gaijin Gourmet – Hamazushi! Tokyo’s Best Robot Sushi! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-hamazushi-tokyos-best-robot-sushi/

Gaijin Gourmet – Sukiya! Japan’s Best Gyudon (Beef Bowl) robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-sukiya-japans-best-gyudon-beef-bowl/

Gaijin Gourmet Advice for Foreign Gentlemen Living in Japan!
http://robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-advice-for-foreign-gentlemen-living-in-japan/

Gaijin Gourmet – Best Soba Chain in Tokyo?Yude Taro and ¥220 Draft Beer?! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-best-soba-chain-in-tokyo?yude-taro-and-¥220-draft-beer/

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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ザ・外人グルメ,

 

The ThinkiHead Daily Features the Top 3 Video Countdown.

Check it out! The daily online news magazine, ThinkiHead Daily, has featured our weekly Top 3 Video Countdown! Cool! As you might know, the Top 3 Video Countdown brings you the wildest and coolest and most twisted new sounds from the worldwide underground! Check it out The Top 3 Video Countdown here: http://robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-15-2015-japans-theee-bat-the-shit-the-fontaines-lola-dutronic/

Check it out here: (http://paper.li/mllemire?edition_id=46781710-7388-11e5-8656-0cc47a0d164b)

ThinkiHead Daily is a daily information, Videos, Technology, Business, Leisure, Arts& Entertainment, Science , Sports and more information page that is the brain-child of over-achiever, market researcher, tech-junkie, budding genius and entrepreneur Michelle Lemire!

Thanks Michelle!

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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! We have 3 decades of experience in Japan and have perfect bi-lingual staff. 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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Top 3 Videos for October 15, 2015! Japan’s Theee Bat, The Shit, The Fontaines, Lola Dutronic!

It’s Top 3 time. Time for this week’s cream of the crop of new Indies artists and new Indies artist’s videos.

First up a tip o’ the hat to Mike Hannah from the Tokyo-based rock band, “The Goood Things” who turns us onto today’s first band. (Wanna see a fun party in Tokyo? Check out the Goood Things release party here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myX4Z_5um-4)

Today’s opening is a Tokyo band that, well, what can I say? This is really Tokyo Underground stuff! Loud, noisy, and I LOVE IT! Two crazy guys and a crazy female vocalist. Oh, and they have a cool webpage. Check the jacket art to their releases!  Theee Bat Webbbbb (theeebat.fool.jp/batshop2014.html)

#3) Theee Bat – Feel Good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTBRrsQKHY4

This week’s #2 is a group that is no stranger to our countdown (but they are definitely a bunch of strange people). They are lead by Bobby “Panti-Christ” Butler and they hail from Switzerland (???) and they are the shit! In fact, that’s what they are called, The Shit!

#2) The Shit – Too Old To Die Young https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tR0WGEecGPs

At #1 is a new artist introduced by our favorite scout for new music and happening things all over the world, Cindy Konain Hawaii. Cindy tells me that, “I found this band! They are so fabulous! The Fontaines! I’m sending you the best song AND there’s a wicked awesome video! They’re from Los Angeles!” OK, Cindy, here’s another #1 that you introduced to us. Thanks a million!

#1) The Fontaines – Paul Newman https://youtu.be/ODV7yn_tIgA

Finally today, I just love this artist! I have been playing their latest, “Go Fuck Yourself” on the radio a lot recently and a few days ago, they sent me this new video! Thanks Lola Dutronic! Check the Lola Dutronic FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/LOLA-DUTRONIC-80232595392/

Freebie: Lola Dutronic – I Believe https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=18&v=xCTikeiJLbs

Well, that’s it for today! Bands! Send me links to your videos!

Everyone! Have a great Rock and Roll weekend! See ya next week!

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PAST ISSUES OF THE TOP 3 VIDEOS:

LAST WEEK: Top 3 Videos for October 9, 2015! The Jackets, Hear Kitty Kitty, Wavves, Japan’s Own Titty Twister! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-9-2015-the-jackets-hear-kitty-kitty-wavves-japans-own-titty-twister/

Top 3 Videos for October 2, 2015! The Monsters, Dirty Coal Train, Subways, Japan’s Own The Mack Show! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-october-2-2015-the-monsters-dirty-coal-train-subways-japans-own-the-mack-show/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 25, 2015! Death by Unga Bunga, The Interrupters, Dollyrots, Japan’s Own The Routes robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-25-2015-death-by-unga-bunga-the-interrupters-dollyrots-japans-own-the-routes/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 18, 2015! Fidlar, Jungle Giants, Su凸ko D凹koi and Barrence Whitfield robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-18-2015-fidlar-jungle-giants-su凸ko-d凹koi-and-barrence-whitfield/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 11, 2015! Texaco Leatherman, The Atom Age, Blonde Summer, the Routes! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-11-2015-texaco-leatherman-the-atom-age-blonde-summer-the-routes/

Top 3 Videos for Sept. 5, 2015! Titty Twister, Potty Mouth, Palaye Royale, Plashments! robot55.jp/blog/top-3-videos-for-sept-5-2015-titty-twister-potty-mouth-palaye-royale-plashments/

The Top 3 Videos for August 28, 2015! Glam Skanks, Messer Chups, Lillies and Remains, Tommy Henriksen robot55.jp/blog/the-top-3-videos-for-august-28-2015-glam-skanks-messer-chups-lillies-and-remains-tommy-henriksen/

The Top 3 Videos for August 21, 2015! Hanni El Khatib, Louise Distras, Veruca Salt, Japan’s Own The Plashments robot55.jp/blog/the-top-3-videos-for-august-21-2015-hanni-el-khatib-louise-distras-veruca-salt-japans-own-the-plashments/

The Top 3 Videos for August 14, 2015! Messer Chups, Sir Psyko, Love Zombies and The Privates! robot55.jp/blog/the-top-3-videos-for-august-14-2015-messer-chups-sir-psyko-love-zombies-and-the-privates/

The Top 3 Videos for August 8, 2015! Surfer Blood, The Let’s Go’s, Bonsai Kitten and The Jigsaw Seen robot55.jp/blog/the-top-3-videos-for-august-8-2015-surfer-blood-the-lets-gos-bonsai-kitten-and-the-jigsaw-seen/

The Top 3 Videos for July 31, 2015! The Havenots, Westkust, Kid Wave and the Mutants! robot55.jp/blog/the-top-3-videos-for-july-31-2015-the-havenots-westkust-kid-wave-and-the-mutants/

MORE TOP 3 VIDEOS COLUMN SEARCH: http://robot55.jp/?s=Top+3+videos

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ARTISTS! SEND ME YOUR NEW VIDEOS! I WANT TO HELP PROMOTE YOU!

These Top 3 Video posts are sometimes getting tens of thousands of hits per week. Need proof? Do a Google Search for “Top 3 Videos” or “Top New Artists Videos” and you’ll see Robot55 on page one! blowing away MTV, Billboard Magazine, Billboard, Niconico Douga and all the rest.

If you like this countdown every week, please come “Like” our Robot55 Facebook page (or friend us on Twitter or subscribe to our Youtube page). Thanks!

If you like this, please “Like” the Robot55 Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/robot55video

On Twitter, we are: @robot55video

Robot55 Youtube?: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCRBSdzh-E4_bRM_akdRAAQ

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The Gaijin Gourmet! Ladies! Big News! Get a Handsome Boyfriend or Husband Easy!

 Ladies! Read this article to learn how you, too, can get a boyfriend or husband that looks almost exactly like a famous Hollywood Superstar Actor!

Welcome, ladies, once again to another episode of the Gaijin Gourmet ®.

Recently, here at the Ippin offices, we have been getting lots of complaints from readers that the Gaijin Gourmet ® columns do not talk enough about delicious food and drinks but is always just looking for a easy and cheap laugh out of the reader.

Due to the vast number of written complaints from you, dear reader, we have decided that we are going to make sure that the Gaijin Gourmet ® columns are always useful to you Beautiful Japanese Ladies ® by starting absolutely FREE English lessons just for you!

In this absolutely FREE English lesson course, you’ll learn useful phrases such as:

  • “Good evening. Thank you for inviting me to the Queen of England’s Royal party.”
  • “Yes. That is my Bentley car parked out front. Are you the new driver?”
  • “Oh, no… You must have me mistaken for someone else. I’m not a famous actress… yet!”
  • I have ‘Beer Goggles!’”

What? You have never heard the term, ‘Beer Goggles’? Really?

Oh, my dear ladies! You need to know this term! It is very important and a widely used term all over English speaking countries. Everyone in the west uses the term ‘Beer Goggles!’

Dictionary:

Beer (noun) \ˈbir\ : an alcoholic drink made from malt and flavored with hops.

Goggles (noun) plural gog·gles \ˈgä-gəlz\ : special eyeglasses that are worn to protect your eyes.

We say, ‘Beer Goggles’ but it doesn’t only happen with beer drinking, any alcohol will do; beer, bourbon, sho-chu, sake, wine, Happo-shu… You name it; if you drink enough of ANY liquor, you will get ‘Beer Goggles.’

What is ‘Beer Goggles’?

‘Beer Goggles’ means that as you drink and drink and drink some more, the world and other people become more beautiful and handsome… They really do! Really!

‘Beer Goggles’ is usually a term associated with men drinking too much. But, in this modern day and age, we cannot have sex discrimination! No! No! No! I say, “’Beer Goggles’ for women too!” Power to the people!

Science has proven that ‘Beer Goggles’ is a true phenomenon. Here, please look at this chart:

beer-goggles-use(Chart showing effect of “Beer Goggles.” Top left to bottom right: What an old, balding guy looks like after 1 glass of wine. Then what he looks like after three glasses of wine. One bottle of wine? OK, maybe he is slightly acceptable to take home to mother (as long as he gets paid a lot!) Bottom right? Wow! See what the exact same balding old man looks like after only three bottles of wine!)

With this chart you can see that it is true; the more you drink, the better everything in the world looks! See? Just look at how handsome several bottles of wine make that old balding man look! Wow!

Now all you wonderful ladies can see how you, too, can get a boyfriend or a husband that looks almost exactly like handsome Hollywood superstar, Brad Pitt!

Hooray!

But there is one drawback to this ‘Beer Goggle’ (Handsome young boyfriend) plan: you’ll have to be drinking at least 3 bottles of wine a day, everyday! But it’s worth it if your boyfriend or husband looks like Brad Pitt, isn’t it?

But it can get expensive, though… Unless you know the best, most delicious drinks for the cheapest price! What I mean to say is that you can drink three bottles of wine a day, everyday as long as your wine has excellent cost performance; delicious and inexpensive.

And that’s the area where the Gaijin Gourmet ® is the top leading イケメン外人® expert for cost performance in all of Asia! No! Japan! No! Tokyo! Minami Kita-Senju! (a small Tokyo neighborhood!)

Yes!

And that’s why today I am recommending Cono Sur wine from Chile. Cono Sur is 100% completely organic wine using organic grapes and it has been given certified organic certification from the agency with the most stringent standards in the world, “Germany BCS Eco.”

The Gaijin Gourmet recommends Cono Sur Wine

Cono Sur winery is a single vineyard in Chile that has more than 100 years of experience making wine. Cono Sur Vineyards & Winery was founded in 1993, and produces premium, expressive and innovative wines – at a very affordable price. The name Cono Sur refers to the company’s geographic position, representing wines made in South America’s Southern Cone, on whose western edge lies the nation of Chile and its superb wine valleys. The logo for Cono Sur is a hand-drawn bicycle, so it’s easy to recognize.

The Cono Sur winery is original and the fertile land it sits upon was a riverbed long ago. The climate is mild and so the wines are very robust and full of fruit, which makes Cono Sur wines all have quite elegant taste.

Actually, I was first introduced to Cono Sur wines by my multi-millionaire friend who told me, “You don’t have to spend a lot of money to get some great wines… Especially from Chile!” He told me about Cono Sur wines.

And you ladies can find it and will be quite pleased at the incredibly reasonable price and great taste… It’s the next best thing to actually drinking wine and romancing with the real Fukuyama Masaharu!

You ladies can thank me later.

 

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Looking for a delicious healthy meal in Tokyo, the world’s most expensive and crowded city for under $5 (USD)? Here’s a bunch of them linked below!

Gaijin Gourmet – Delicious, Healthy Meal in Tokyo for Under $3 (USD) – Yoshi Soba! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-delicious-healthy-meal-in-tokyo-for-under-3-usd-yoshi-soba/

Gaijin Gourmet – Delicious, Healthy Meal in Tokyo for Under $3 (USD) – Komoro Soba! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-delicious-healthy-meal-in-tokyo-for-under-3-usd-komoro-soba/

Gaijin Gourmet – Fuji Soba Tokyo’s Top 3 Soba Chain Restaurants robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-fuji-soba-tokyos-top-3-soba-chain-restaurants/

Gaijin Gourmet: 「モンスターMOGULLA!東京の地下からこんにちは」 robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-「モンスターmogulla!東京の地下からこんにちは/

マイク・ロジャース!「ザ・外人グルメ」!のぐるなび ippin(イッピン)の新しい記事がアップされました!robot55.jp/blog/マイク・ロジャース「ザ・外人グルメ」!のぐる/

Gaijin Gourmet! The Best, Most Delicious Soba Restaurant in Shibuya and Shinjuku robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-the-best-most-delicious-soba-restaurant-in-shibuya-and-shinjuku/

Gaijin Gourmet – Hamazushi! Tokyo’s Best Robot Sushi! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-hamazushi-tokyos-best-robot-sushi/

Gaijin Gourmet – Sukiya! Japan’s Best Gyudon (Beef Bowl) robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-sukiya-japans-best-gyudon-beef-bowl/

Gaijin Gourmet Advice for Foreign Gentlemen Living in Japan!
http://robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-advice-for-foreign-gentlemen-living-in-japan/

Gaijin Gourmet – Best Soba Chain in Tokyo?Yude Taro and ¥220 Draft Beer?! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-best-soba-chain-in-tokyo?yude-taro-and-¥220-draft-beer/

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♬

————————-

ザ・外人グルメ,

 

 

Gaijin Gourmet – Delicious, Healthy Meal in Tokyo for Under $3 (USD) – Yoshi Soba!

As promised, here is another segment of the Gaijin Gourmet where you can find a delicious healthy meal in the world’s most expensive and crowded city for under $3 (USD)… Under $5 USD even if you are a big eater!

Today, I’d like to introduce Yoshi Soba. Yoshi Soba was founded in 1972 and has 14 shops in Tokyo. You can see their webpage here: http://www.yoshisoba.jp/

I have been a customer at Yoshi Soba for more than 3 decades. Really. Today, I went to the shop near Kita Sando Station today to try out the victuals and was very pleased, actually, as I didn’t expect much.

Why didn’t I expect much? Well, I had only ever been to the Yoshi Soba at Akasaka. It is just OK. The one near Kita Sando (Yoyogi shop) was very good. (Be careful! There are two Yoshi Soba shops at Yoyogi; one is right in front of the station. Today’s featured shop is nearby Kita Sando station and Meiji Dori).

“What’s the deal, here?” I thought. I asked the shop worker and he told me that at all Yoshi Soba shops, they use the same soup broth, but the noodles are different; some shops use pre-boiled noodles, some use fresh frozen noodles. The shop at Kita Sando uses fresh frozen noodles. The difference in taste & quality between the pre-boiled and the fresh frozen is huge.

I cannot really recommend the pre-boiled noodles shops. I can recommend the fresh frozen noodle shops.

So, what I am trying to say is that, in my experience, Yoshi Soba can be a real “Hit” or “Miss” proposition; I don’t like the pre-boiled noodles at all; the fresh frozen noodles are excellent. But I consider myself a real soba connoisseur (polite laughter here, please), so I’m picky.

Seriously.

But it’s not all bad news; one GREAT thing about Yoshi Soba is that the extra-large portions of noodles are no charge! That’s right! Whereas most shops will charge you anywhere between ¥30 (about $0.25 cents USD) to ¥100 (about $0.80 cents USD) for the extra large serving, Yoshi Soba will give it to you at no extra charge and all you have to do is say, “Omori! Please!” (Yes, “please” in English will be understood.)

Got that? “Oh-mori!” (please or “kudasai”! It’s that simple!)

So that, my friends, is Yoshi Soba’s best sales point; large sizes at no extra cost!

yoshi soba wax foodThe wax food display is available at all Yoshi Soba shops. Find what you want and buy at the ticket machines. Many Yoshi Soba shops are right by the stations so some of them have a very short menu list.

yosshi soba menuThe Yoshi Soba near Kita Sando station is large and so it has a large menu. If you want to see the standard menu for all Yoshi Soba shops, it is here on their webpage: Yoshi Soba Menu – http://www.yoshisoba.jp/menu/

yoshi sob ticket machineThe ubiquitous Soba/Japanese fast food shop has a ticket machine…. (Japanese fast food. like standing sob shops, are quite healthy!) As usual, if you see something at the outside display you fancy, but can’t find it on the ticket machine, just ask the shop attendant… If it is not rush hour, this is Japan so service is excellent everywhere; the staff will gladly help you. Just ask!

yoshi soba kitchenThis Yoshi Soba, near Kita Sando station, has been there for at least 17 or 18 years now. Nevertheless, a Gaijin Gourmet top requirement is a clean kitchen. Yep. They have that. Top score for cleanliness!

yoshi soba diningThis particular shop has plenty of room. We sat at the seats near the front window (not pictured) so we could watch the girls all go by! Oh, by the way, this shop is 3 minutes walk from Yoyogi Park on the Yoyogi station side. Walk to Meiji Dori… (There is another Yoshi Soba right in front of Yoyogi station… But it is so small, I suspect they might be serving the pre-boiled noodles… Not sure about that!)

sobaThe usual for me: a large sized plate of cold soba noodles. Damages? This costs ¥300 (about $2.50 USD)… ALWAYS ask for the free large portions. Just say, “Omori!” Oh, and the fried veggies and other toppings looked really good too.

Yoshi Soba? At a shop that serves the fresh frozen noodles? 4 Stars…  At a shop that sells the pre-boiled noodles? 2.5 Stars. So, you can see, it is really “Hit” or “Miss.” Find a shop that serves the fresh frozen noodles!

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Looking for a delicious healthy meal in Tokyo, the world’s most expensive and crowded city for under $5 (USD)? Here’s a bunch of them linked below!

Gaijin Gourmet – Delicious, Healthy Meal in Tokyo for Under $3 (USD) – Komoro Soba! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-delicious-healthy-meal-in-tokyo-for-under-3-usd-komoro-soba/

Gaijin Gourmet – Fuji Soba Tokyo’s Top 3 Soba Chain Restaurants robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-fuji-soba-tokyos-top-3-soba-chain-restaurants/

Gaijin Gourmet: 「モンスターMOGULLA!東京の地下からこんにちは」 robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-「モンスターmogulla!東京の地下からこんにちは/

マイク・ロジャース!「ザ・外人グルメ」!のぐるなび ippin(イッピン)の新しい記事がアップされました!robot55.jp/blog/マイク・ロジャース「ザ・外人グルメ」!のぐる/

Gaijin Gourmet! The Best, Most Delicious Soba Restaurant in Shibuya and Shinjuku robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-the-best-most-delicious-soba-restaurant-in-shibuya-and-shinjuku/

Gaijin Gourmet – Hamazushi! Tokyo’s Best Robot Sushi! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-hamazushi-tokyos-best-robot-sushi/

Gaijin Gourmet – Sukiya! Japan’s Best Gyudon (Beef Bowl) robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-sukiya-japans-best-gyudon-beef-bowl/

Gaijin Gourmet Advice for Foreign Gentlemen Living in Japan!
http://robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-advice-for-foreign-gentlemen-living-in-japan/

Gaijin Gourmet – Best Soba Chain in Tokyo?Yude Taro and ¥220 Draft Beer?! robot55.jp/blog/gaijin-gourmet-best-soba-chain-in-tokyo?yude-taro-and-¥220-draft-beer/

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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ザ・外人グルメ,