Yakuza Takes Me To The Hostess Club In Japan (#137)

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No fancy camera work, no fancy editing, just a guy with a camera exploring a country and getting face to face with people, absolutely brilliant

The girl saying “how are you?” to show off her English too was adorable 🤣 you know she was holding that in the whole time the other girl was talking

I found the interaction between former Yakuza & "the fan" VERY interesting. It was almost as if he feared for his life letting go of the Yakuza hand too quickly. The way he also bowed several times in a way I haven't seen other Japanese men or women do to others as well... that bit said a lot. I was actually blown away by the respect & fear level of "the fan". I've never seen that kind of interaction in the United States between two people. That's saying something and yeah, I'm FROM NYC myself.

Very interesting an nostalgic for me. I was in Japan, Osaka, in the sixties and went to places like this. I was in the US Navy but as a musician, I had a blast. Rock and Roll was quite new there and we formed a band and were a hit wherever we went. Always had club to play in. The best part was that the owners of the clubs took us to there homes and fed us amazing food. The cultural experience was wonderful. I found the Japanese to be very friendly. 😊

At first I thought you were a youtuber specialised in Japan because your japanese is quite good. Then I noticed you are actually going around the world and also speak swahili, spanish and other. Wow! As another polyglot and traveller who speaks some languages in common with you, to some varying levels of fluency, I have massive respect for you.

How does this guy just show up and speak Japanese fluently enough to understand and carry entire conversations?????????????? He said he started learning last month? If that's the case, that's insane.

Nice video, I’ve lived in Japan for 27 years. Many of those years was working for the Yakuza. When I say working, I don’t mean in the ( gangster ) sense. They have many legitimate businesses. One time, I took one of them to OZ. He was wearing a very thin shirt so all his tattoos were visible. I had to vouch for him at customs. If you come to Japan for a holiday, don’t be afraid of the Yakuza. They have nothing against you, and will never hurt you if you are not involved in their business. In fact, they will prefer your friendship, as the locals tend to dislike them.

Him missing the finger really sold the whole video. What an insight!!! Great video overall!!! Thank you

Sabbatical: What was your hobby back then? This dude: I was a sex machine 🤣☠

Mans really taking his joy of Final Fantasy 7 to the next level, he’s already been to Sector 7 😭🇯🇵

he seems like a good dude who’s very passionate about telling u the history. can only imagine what life has been like thru his eyes, what he’s lived.

I live in Osaka. They’re tons of guys that are like him who are shells of their former selves. There’s one costumer who comes in at a bar I work in Dotonbori who was a former oyabun until he was sent to jail for 12 years and when he returned he said most of his friends and subordinates were borderline homeless. He explained that due to certain laws and regulations anyone who was and is in the yakuza can’t even get a phone line service or open a bank account. Also that includes finding a home which leads to several other issues that raise their chances of committing a crime out of desperation for survival both physically and socially. I can’t say anything bad about the guy but he is very polite and surprisingly generous. But if you’re around when he’s hammered you’re gonna see several sides of him both outrageously funny and equally intimidating.

The hostess in the red dress did a really good job, I didn’t even know she was a hostess until she changed. She came across as very normal, which is good .

“That man, he’s either gonna show up in a suit or track shirt. I bet money on it”. Dude shows up wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. That’s why I love this channel. Hey Tommy, from one long islander to another, I appreciate the New Yorkness that you bring to your adventures. BTW, I’m planning a trip to S. Korea next year and I would love to see you do some Korea videos to help me prepare.

Thanks so much for your videos on this topic! I am doing research on the Yakuza and this has been extremely helpful!

I had a collegue whose uncle did a academical research on Yakuza. They went to Japan and met with them. They did party with Yakuza. The went to night clubs and sushi bars. When there was a metal detector in a night club they shut it down when they came. And when Yakuza sent a car with dark windows to pick them up at their hotel the staff realized they weren't ordinary tourists.

"Everyone is like an Anime character that you pay to talk to." — Sabbatical 2022

Wonderful, just wonderful. You are a good Man, please keep bringing us such interesting experiences. I have a spinal injury and do not travel anymore. It's good to see people being their selves. Life is an adventure, it's an honor to share in the richness of the life others have known. Am so glad your Friend ("Yakuza") accommodated you in such a great way.

Really good, like how you just dive into the language and try and as a result the conversations just sound very real and genuine. .