Inside Japan's Abandoned Coin Lockers

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  • čas přidán 11. 12. 2021
  • Japan has a lot of coin storage lockers. And sometimes things get left behind or abandoned. Collecting these forgotten items, is an entire job here in Japan, and today, we are tagging along to see what we can find.
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Komentáře • 1,8K

  • @TokyoLens
    @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +1170

    Hey All!! As we get closer and closer to the end of the year, I wanted to do something a little unique this week
    **Ever Seen A5 WAGYU RAMEN? It's CRAZY! **czcams.com/video/ae-xWXPePCM/video.html**
    Also, they tell me that the AKIHABARA lockers can get WILD... so next time why don't we have them take us around to check them out
    Also doing a whole month of livestreams around Japan over on @TokyoLensExpolore (czcams.com/users/TokyoLensExplore)
    Let's make it a great month!!

    • @thempstead
      @thempstead Před 2 lety +16

      Akihabara could be interesting for this

    • @dianechaniewski293
      @dianechaniewski293 Před 2 lety +3

      Norm this was so interesting!! I love it!! You have to have great personal integrity to do this position, since you're dealing with both possessions and money. Have you ever watched "Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe"? It was an american tv series awhile back...it's not in production any longer, but you would have loved it. He went around showcasing everyday people who did incredibly tough, dirty jobs that are often overlooked. I'd love to see the ones in Akihabara. :)

    • @RealPragueGuides
      @RealPragueGuides Před 2 lety +5

      This was great! You are slowly becoming my favorite JAPAN CZcamsr. I am a big fan of Japanese movies. Watched almost everything there is: Miike, Kitano, Shion Sono, Kurosawa Akira, Kiyoshi Kurosawa and many others. You substitute for what I am missing now in Japanese cinematography. Insight into ordinary life in Japan. Great stuff! Your cinematography and editing is exceptional. Looking forward to Akihabara lockers episode!

    • @valchiridran
      @valchiridran Před 2 lety +5

      I'd love to see the coin lockers in Akihabara

    • @daisyrosario3438
      @daisyrosario3438 Před 2 lety +2

      Like your idea!💯✔

  • @DriverGuy23
    @DriverGuy23 Před 2 lety +3164

    Dude has some serious respect for others property. He doesn’t pick through it, he simply bags it and tags it making sure all the contents are recorded properly. Nice to see someone taking their job seriously and responsibly.

    • @powbobs
      @powbobs Před 2 lety +302

      Japan

    • @__aceofspades
      @__aceofspades Před 2 lety +362

      Japan doesnt have much theft and for the most part people care about others belongings. The other thing is, hes on camera, and the only people with access to those lockers are him and the customer, so if something is reported missing several times guess who gets fired. Also after doing it for 4 years, and having roaches and dirty host club garments, pretty sure he doesnt want to go through the bags anyways.

    • @Sayumi820
      @Sayumi820 Před 2 lety +142

      Nearly everybody in Japan has respect for others' property. It should be basic manners everywhere.

    • @KeanKennedy
      @KeanKennedy Před 2 lety +73

      I think it's more likely a combination of not having time (look at how fast he's doing everything) and having seen it all before.

    • @mrhassu588
      @mrhassu588 Před 2 lety +54

      He's already done it for 5 years, he has gotten over that.

  • @ZalyQQ
    @ZalyQQ Před 2 lety +3075

    I love the little behind the scenes look into ordinary life in the biggest metropolis on the planet. The regular people that keep it running every day under the hood. This kind of fun, little niche job would be incredibly fulfilling to do personally. Make you think about all the delivery people, and garbage men out there quietly keeping everything going smooth. Or like, who refills all the gacha, or vending machines?

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +161

      Would be a ton of fun~

    • @Bluecho4
      @Bluecho4 Před 2 lety +22

      It certainly wouldn't be boring.

    • @steadholderharrington9035
      @steadholderharrington9035 Před 2 lety +43

      Did a vending machine refill route for one summer more years back than I care to count now (machines didn't take bills yet, and contactless was non-existent). Let me tell you, that was one brutal summer. Kudo's to all the men and women who make that their job out there. You deserve accolades for your strenuous works, keeping those "convenience" machines stocked and working.

    • @C.Abbenfield
      @C.Abbenfield Před 2 lety +29

      I worked for 8 month at an Obento shop in Iidabashi as a delivery driver. Still one of the most memorable times of my life. That exact feeling of being a tiny tiny wheel in the huge machinery of the city is humbling and fulfilling at the same time, even if the work can get hard and repetitive quickly. I still do food delivery now, in another country and its not entirely different, but still the japanese culture does its part to create a unique sort of environment, as in western countries such jobs have more of an "underdog/rebel" kind of feel to it, whilst in Japan every form of duty fulfillment is rewarded respect.
      Thanks for the very interesting view behind the scenes!

    • @samuraiboi2735
      @samuraiboi2735 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Bluecho4 its not boring since tokyo is like filled with alot of stuff besides anime(unless your a fan).

  • @MartinBogomolni
    @MartinBogomolni Před 2 lety +1331

    Wow! I got a LOT of insight into how the timed locker system works in Japan! Years ago, I left a backpack in one and lost my key when I was at a cafe. Being Amerca-gin I had only just started to learn Japanese, and of course I was not equipped to read the signs. Thank goodness, a passer-by who spoke English and Japanese helped me contact the company and they did indeed meet me at the locker -- I described what was inside, and that I had lost the key.
    The person who met us explained that someone had //picked up and returned the key for me// ( huge cultural difference in Japan!!! ) and since I was able to describe my backpack - I paid the 3000 yen that was due and not a penny more. It was ... surreal ... for a guy who grew up in the San Francisco area. He explained that if the items had been collected by the company, all I would have had to do was describe my backpack and the locker number, along with the late storage fee, and that they do their best to put items back in the hands of people.
    One of my more memorable things about visiting Japan, honestly.
    Thank you for this peek "behind the scenes" -- I hope you get to do more!

    • @Tz3952ii
      @Tz3952ii Před 2 lety +37

      Amazing stroy. But my experience in San Francisco about 20yrs ago was great one too. One day I went to Chinatown for shopping and took a bus home. When I got off the bus and got to my apartment I realized I had only grocery bags but not my little backpack and no key. Then my roommate came out to the door said he got a phone call from the bus company saying they have my bag. I mean someone spot it on the bus right away and saw my ID and looked up phone book and called home phone while I'm walking from the bus stop to the apartment! Some people are always nice no matter where it is. That was my unforgettable heart warning experience in the US. Hope they are still the same 🙏

    • @iIliterati
      @iIliterati Před 2 lety +5

      Yea, San Francisco is an absolute hell hole, though. So, almost anywhere looks great in comparison. I wouldn't wish my worst enemy to live there - their car would be broken in to constantly, so they'd never be able to leave. Has to be one of the worst cities in America.

    • @Miyahideko
      @Miyahideko Před rokem +3

      Its kinda sad that this respectful and reasonable system is considered surreal but in america customers AND companies expect to get burned so bad (sometimes literally!) that this wouldnt be worth anyones time or trust.

    • @HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat
    • @thetshirtblog
      @thetshirtblog Před rokem

      How much was the late storage fee? It's wild that all of this could be solved by making the lockers charge your credit card upfront - would save so much labor for the company and probably increase utilization rate.

  • @hewpreyes
    @hewpreyes Před 2 lety +382

    When he mentioned how he had great respect for the office workers, and then you cut to the nice lady who was pleasantly surprised he said that-- that was a great touch. Nice video!

  • @PaNDaSNiP3R
    @PaNDaSNiP3R Před 2 lety +1688

    That guy is one hell of an employee and knows his job well. When he fixed that machine on site I was like that would have taken weeks if at all in America lol. He has a lot of Pride in his job. Great to see

    • @tamwee1763
      @tamwee1763 Před 2 lety +105

      Right. When he said imma fix it, i thought he gonna brought it back to HQ or somethin & wait for few days.

    • @PerryLevy
      @PerryLevy Před 2 lety +49

      Every citizen in Japan has such pride in their jobs, it's so motivating and also makes you feel Americans don't care!

    • @CrantRigley
      @CrantRigley Před 2 lety +68

      @@PerryLevy after living and working in Japan, I can tell you a lot of citizens do not have pride in their job. A lot of them hate their jobs

    • @PerryLevy
      @PerryLevy Před 2 lety +5

      @@CrantRigley I guess they are good at hiding it :)

    • @CrantRigley
      @CrantRigley Před 2 lety +14

      @@PerryLevy just depends on the person and the job. Some people take pride in their job and others just do what they have to for a paycheck.

  • @thepeanutgallery1699
    @thepeanutgallery1699 Před 2 lety +624

    Coin lockers were so useful to me while I was in Japan. There are a lot of things to see en-route, and you'd just like to step off the train for a couple of hours to see a temple or something but aren't staying in the area. What to do with bags? Coin locker!

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +60

      Boom!!

    • @Lightice1
      @Lightice1 Před 2 lety +47

      I never dared to use them. I doubt that I'd have ever found the same one again. I had hard enough time even finding the same restaurant twice.

    • @hoangduong4981
      @hoangduong4981 Před 2 lety +19

      For me, i wasn't very keen on bringing luggages or carrying a lot of stuffs. So i borrowed a 40l backpack, stuffed all the essentials in, and carried it with me everywhere i go for 2 weeks in Japan. It was a bit heavy to carry at times, but definitely loved the feeling of carrying everything i need with me because i wouldnt need to go back to the locker if i decide to change my itinerary on the spot haha.

    • @thepeanutgallery1699
      @thepeanutgallery1699 Před 2 lety +21

      @@hoangduong4981 This was the trip I learned the value of minimalist packing, lol. ;-) Ever since then I try to bring AT MAX a carry-on, but usually just a backpack. I hiked 300 miles across England/Wales with a 35l backpack. The heaviest stuff is always the camera equipment.

    • @onebladeprop
      @onebladeprop Před 2 lety +47

      @@Lightice1 I would always take a picture of the locker and what set of lockers it was(like C-1 or A-4). And if possible pin it on google maps. Saved me a lot of trouble in a station where they all looked the same.

  • @SuperDancingdevil
    @SuperDancingdevil Před 2 lety +738

    I’m amazed at how clean and not vandalised the lockers are even up those alleyways and none were broken into, I’m sure here they’d be smashed open and covered in Graffiti they would be, It really goes to show how respectful of their surroundings the Japanese people are.

    • @eldiablo8019
      @eldiablo8019 Před 2 lety +30

      I thought the same. Sadly in many big cities in the world those things would be destroyed in no time.

    • @hinata6757
      @hinata6757 Před 2 lety +13

      if this was in my country, no matter of hours that lockers will be destroyed 🙈

    • @rhayvenlance
      @rhayvenlance Před 2 lety +47

      Here in the Philippines. the whole locker will be gone in a few days hahaha

    • @JjJ-ek3hi
      @JjJ-ek3hi Před 2 lety

      @Chris the ChomoNice ok Nazi

    • @JjJ-ek3hi
      @JjJ-ek3hi Před 2 lety +26

      Maybe the standard of living and actual liveable wages are a reflection of low crime rates? Could it be?! 😯

  • @Bluecho4
    @Bluecho4 Před 2 lety +178

    At first, I thought, "Do people really need this many public storage lockers?"
    Then I remembered it was urban Japan. If this were America, you'd be expected to stow your items in a car. But barely anyone in a Japanese city drives a car. _Of course_ there would be a need for convenient, anonymous storage.

    • @KeanKennedy
      @KeanKennedy Před 2 lety +17

      And unlike London where a lot of people also don't drive to work, I guess it won't get crowbarred or urinated on. (maybe even shat on as a rare prize)

    • @Itsme_Ruru
      @Itsme_Ruru Před rokem

      That looks a lot but tbh i think that’s still not enough..

  • @PhotoshopShopCS6
    @PhotoshopShopCS6 Před 2 lety +426

    Love the attitude that the guy had, even though he is running around fixing and troubleshooting the lockers, he says that the ones that had it the hardest were the office staff.
    Real humble guy, keep the content coming!

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +38

      Really good dude

    • @MaJuV
      @MaJuV Před 2 lety +34

      True. But he's right that he doesn't have to handle the people whose stuff have been taken. People who think they're being treated unfairly or feel like their stuff has been stolen by others can get REALLY angry.

    • @PhotoshopShopCS6
      @PhotoshopShopCS6 Před 2 lety +8

      @@MaJuV Honestly I would rather deal with angry people than a locker full of Cockroaches

    • @KinnyRiddle
      @KinnyRiddle Před 2 lety +22

      @@PhotoshopShopCS6 Hey, bugs can be stomped on and exterminated. But angry customers, most of the time very unreasonable ones as well, you cannot get rid of immediately, and can hound you if not handled properly. Speaking from my own personal experience in CS.

    • @favforsue
      @favforsue Před 2 lety +10

      I used to be a teacher and now work customer service. Honestly, a job like this is a dream for me right now. Teaching was fun most of the time, but incredible amounts of work. Customer service is less work, but incredibly stressful when you get angry callers. This type of job would be nice. No work to take home and no angry callers.

  • @JaysMackie
    @JaysMackie Před 2 lety +200

    And now Norm can never walk past lockers without checking the amount on them looking for a new record

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +48

      100% exactly this lol

    • @nateg5505
      @nateg5505 Před 2 lety +4

      @@TokyoLens Do you know if the customer needs to pay the final number displayed before the locker was cleared in order to claim their item? Must suck paying $60 because you forgot something

    • @googiegress7459
      @googiegress7459 Před 2 lety

      @@TokyoLens What is your current high score?

  • @samshepherd26
    @samshepherd26 Před 2 lety +69

    I never knew this job existed.
    It's cool how you just focus on the employee and let him tell his story, it's like we get a little peek into his day to day life.

  • @michelepezzano1047
    @michelepezzano1047 Před rokem +16

    This guy work was immaculate, deserves a raise!
    The way he immediately fixed the broken coinhole was remarkable

  • @Kaitlynde
    @Kaitlynde Před 2 lety +350

    I had no idea Japan had so many coin lockers! What an interesting job it must be going around and maintaining/emptying them. I was surprised as the amount of belongings that were collected just all in one day. Thanks so much for taking us along on this one!

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +32

      Sooooo many!!

    • @BuckleBunny
      @BuckleBunny Před 2 lety +8

      They are as common as 7/11 there. I’m always afraid to use them as I would forget where I place my stuff.

    • @nateg5505
      @nateg5505 Před 2 lety +6

      The train stations have the most. It'd take a whole team to go through Tokyo Station daily. Loved the lockers at train stations though. When I traveled there I used the lockers at the train stations the most. I'll need to get back on the train at the end of my sight seeing so why not leave my bulky stuff there.

    • @samuraiboi2735
      @samuraiboi2735 Před 2 lety

      @@BuckleBunny well do you usually put in the corners or at least take a picture of where you put them?

  • @Thomean
    @Thomean Před 2 lety +746

    Very interesting peek into this job. Did not expect him to collect so much stuff in 1 day. Hope you can do more of these videos next year!

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +39

      Cheers eh!! Definitely more to come

  • @ncode03
    @ncode03 Před 2 lety +59

    He's not just the collector, he is also the technician. He holds 2 posts for the company. I can see how it is never boring because there is always a potential for a surprise. You never know what you're going to find

  • @rus6685
    @rus6685 Před 2 lety +22

    The way he repaired that coin door was damn smooth

  • @MmntechCa
    @MmntechCa Před 2 lety +138

    I'm surprised the one in Kabukicho wasn't filled with energy drinks and items to cheat at mahjong.
    I also got to wonder who leaves a brand new iPad in a random alleyway locker for a month. Man, if that were Toronto, or really any other big city outside Japan, that'd be gone in a flash.

    • @user-ei3lu6yr5z
      @user-ei3lu6yr5z Před 2 lety +4

      Oi Majima-no-niisan

    • @SherrifOfNottingham
      @SherrifOfNottingham Před 2 lety +1

      How did I know what your avatar and name was just from the content of your comment.

    • @davidk4082
      @davidk4082 Před 2 lety

      Most likely just got drunk and forgot.

    • @bb5242
      @bb5242 Před 2 lety

      @@davidk4082 Got drunk for an entire week? Ok...

    • @davidk4082
      @davidk4082 Před 2 lety +3

      @@bb5242 uh yea. Ppl get drunk and forget where they stored their belongings. Is that so hard to believe?

  • @shaneintegra
    @shaneintegra Před 2 lety +142

    Always loved how the Japanese business model is to always go above and beyond the normal requirements of a job. Explains why a lot of stuff that comes from there are always made extremely well

  • @kirbytorresph
    @kirbytorresph Před 2 lety +82

    I would really like to see a part 2 of this where we see what happens to the collected stuff

    • @viliabone1952
      @viliabone1952 Před rokem +2

      me too. Id love to see whats left behind!

    • @gergovagyok4191
      @gergovagyok4191 Před 10 měsíci +2

      Either it is treated as garbage and ends up in some landfill, or it is donated to charity, I hope the second.

  • @HAIRHOLIC_1
    @HAIRHOLIC_1 Před 2 lety +134

    I used to work in a clockroom In a London posh cocktail bar. The things people left behind was astonishing. We had 10 to 20 coats left per NIGHT, most of them where designer coats too, bags, purses, phones you name it. We kept them all for 30 days as well and the craziest part was that most of them where never claimed. I once found a real fur coat, probably costed a lot of money and still nobody came for it. An original Burberry rain coat too. After the month passed we would share them between us (the staff), I had coats for everyone in my family, my baby cousins, my uncle, my mum sister everyone, I had so many of them all brand new designer coats. Still can’t believe it. Drunk people are the worst, some of customers left in the middle of the winter with freezing Temperatures without their coats and still didn’t remember where they left it. I have found so many phones and laptops too it was just crazy.

    • @mdx5tz645
      @mdx5tz645 Před rokem +5

      Why would u leave that job anyways 😄

    • @HAIRHOLIC_1
      @HAIRHOLIC_1 Před rokem +25

      @@mdx5tz645 I was only 17 and the pay was rubbish, worked all night

    • @1406Alexx
      @1406Alexx Před rokem +7

      @@mdx5tz645i think there are more than a thousand reasons to not work there lol

    • @Lemonade_Stand_
      @Lemonade_Stand_ Před rokem +3

      I would have sold them on ebay or somewhere.

    • @-DeScruff
      @-DeScruff Před rokem +6

      I worked at a computer repair shop and it was insane the amount of people who would drop off their computers and...just never pick them up.
      Our policy was: Call when the computer is repaired and ready to be picked up. Call again in a week, and repeat once a week for 4 weeks have passed since the first call. After that call a month later. - If nobody has contacted us for 90 days, the computer becomes ours.
      That usually meant it still would be sitting around in the shop ready to be used for spare parts, though my boss always hesitated to do that since there were a handful of times someone did come in, looking for a computer they dropped off more then a year ago.

  • @iicydiamonds
    @iicydiamonds Před 2 lety +216

    I was really surprised by how many lockers had things, and significant things! Questions I wonder about: How much stuff does get claimed, and how much ends up abandoned permanently? And what do they do with the things never claimed? (Like would those nice suitcases be sold or just trashed?)

    • @kawaiipotatoes7888
      @kawaiipotatoes7888 Před 2 lety +4

      I think they will just destroy them just like those smuggled items because it would be a problem if they sell it but ended up it's smuggled.

    • @fendy0123
      @fendy0123 Před 2 lety +30

      Reselling them makes more sense, business-wise. Those collection workers' wages, replacing new locks, warehouse operational, has to come from overdue fees or reselling those items

    • @XSemperIdem5
      @XSemperIdem5 Před 2 lety +33

      @らてちゃん the can't go into detail part almost assured me they get to keep some stuff. 😅 A bit of a "I cannot confirm nor deny" type of answer.

    • @SirShazar
      @SirShazar Před 2 lety +13

      Since this is a locker company, not a used goods shop, they probably sell the goods in bulk to another company. Same thing that happens with unclaimed baggage at airports and abandoned storage units at self-storage facilities.

    • @HamguyBacon
      @HamguyBacon Před 2 lety +4

      @らてちゃん its a business so they probably refurbish it and sell it.

  • @SkosiKuma
    @SkosiKuma Před 2 lety +54

    I can’t be the only one thinking of the coin lockers in the Yakuza games and the crazy stuff you’d find in those

  • @tacla
    @tacla Před 2 lety +67

    After playing Yakuza Like a Dragon these lockers were so pivotal to the plot that i truly appreciate you covering the workers who maintain them, as well as the appreciating workers themselves for the hard work they do. Its amazing to see all the work that goes into maintaining them, and its such an cool aspect of living so unique to japan! Makes me wanna play like a dragon again lol

    • @engineergaming5128
      @engineergaming5128 Před 2 lety +6

      Donat forget that coin lockers are also available through the past games

    • @GrandTheftDiamonds
      @GrandTheftDiamonds Před 2 lety +6

      I scrolled down because I knew someone would mention this!

    • @darkslayer709
      @darkslayer709 Před 2 lety

      This was my thought as well, though I hope they don't get used for that specific purpose very often.

    • @darkslayer709
      @darkslayer709 Před 2 lety +1

      This was my thought as well, though I hope they don't get used for that specific purpose very often.

    • @CasualDraws
      @CasualDraws Před rokem +2

      @@engineergaming5128 no the coins lockers are unironically part if the main story plot

  • @valchiridran
    @valchiridran Před 2 lety +79

    There's tons of videos featuring vending machines, gacha, transportation so it's nice to see a video about what is often an overlooked feature in Japan - coin lockers. I really enjoyed this vid and hope we see more of this.

  • @blurryrecords
    @blurryrecords Před 2 lety +34

    As someone who likes to be out and about, this seems like a pretty cool job. I also love the mystery of “hmmm I wonder what’s in this locker!”

  • @internetpizza
    @internetpizza Před 2 lety +3

    dude just fixes the coin mech right there on the ground like an absolute boss

  • @michellespring
    @michellespring Před 2 lety +80

    I use coin lockers all the time and it never once crossed my mind about who takes out left items or the maintenance of them. I've never left my things in a coin locker too long, but I'll be sure to be careful, haha. This was a super interesting video!!

    • @Piperonis
      @Piperonis Před 2 lety

      can you explain to me how this works? and why he emptys them?

    • @eggfrittata
      @eggfrittata Před rokem +5

      @@Piperonis correct me if i'm wrong but, based on the vid, i think he empties them when someone stops managing it (you have to keep paying in coins so the number doesnt keep going up). earlier in the vid he says there's different prices, but some lockers would say they will get emptied if the amount that needs to be paid is over 1000 yen (means whoever used it left it alone for too long)

    • @HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat
      @HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat Před rokem

      @@Piperonis Why you asking this in the comment section

  • @KirstenReusch
    @KirstenReusch Před 2 lety +79

    Super interesting. The office staff definitely have the hardest job. 😱 on the cockroaches. I know we have left luggage centers here in the US and after awhile they sell/auction of unclaimed items. I've always taken super detailed notes if I leave things in a locker when traveling cause I've always been afraid I won't remember how to get back to my stuff 😆 have a great week 💜✌🐦

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +12

      lol I have 100% forgotten stuff in a locker haha

    • @XSemperIdem5
      @XSemperIdem5 Před 2 lety +2

      Take a picture too. Then you can show them the picture of the stuff and even of the stuff as it looks in the locker before you close it. That should cut the reclaim of items process shorter.

    • @XSemperIdem5
      @XSemperIdem5 Před 2 lety +3

      @@TokyoLens I wonder if some stuff is left by people when they're drunk and the next morning they just have no clue where their stuff is but their drunk selves were responsible enough to secure the stuff. Only for them to never see it again. 😅

  • @gruntybear
    @gruntybear Před 2 lety +49

    Norm what a unique idea for a video! Thank you for taking the time to organize, film, edit, and share this. Fascinating! And also in a way a great PSA for travellers!

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +7

      Glad you enjoyed it Amy! hope youre well!!

  • @robertthompson90
    @robertthompson90 Před 2 lety +12

    All I can think of watching this video is how I absolutely adore the vibe and look of the areas. Buildings of different styles crammed together in an urban environment like that, it actually feels really homely to me. Hard to describe, but it's just awesome having an in-depth look at things like this.

  • @jiyama
    @jiyama Před 2 lety +3

    this is what kiryu does when hes tryna clear out every coin locker in every town hes in and keep them for himself

  • @Shanyandao
    @Shanyandao Před 2 lety +38

    Thank you so much for this! I never thought about how they empty those lockers and how they deal with the things inside. Super interesting! The speed and accuracy with which that man tied those bags and attached the locks was kinda impressive- it’s routine for him, but i was still amazed :‘D

  • @robinbarbieto1121
    @robinbarbieto1121 Před 2 lety +62

    That employee is a machine. I bet he can do his job with his eyes closed, he makes it look so easy and effortless. I hope his company is paying him well 👍

    • @terenceyuen4424
      @terenceyuen4424 Před 2 lety +10

      It's Japan. Every takes their job seriously no matter the occupation or pay. Best customer service in the world even with no tipping.

    • @foxcrow
      @foxcrow Před rokem +1

      @@terenceyuen4424 Exactly! People take pride in their work. I remember seeing postal delivery drivers jogging from their vehicles with packages to deliver. I once asked why they run all the time and he said it was because there are a lot of deliveries and they want customers to know that they are doing their best to get everything delivered on time.

  • @keichannnn
    @keichannnn Před 2 lety +5

    That was an awesome job! It's like playing RPG, going to different places, opening drawers and chests, looting stuffs, etc.

  • @cherrybrouillard4612
    @cherrybrouillard4612 Před 2 lety +7

    Japanese people are really diligent and hardworking.. Whenever I have a lay over in Tokyo Airport, I've never seen anyone in their cellphones while working.. They are very responsible, disciplined and respectful.. I wish Chicago Airport staff are the same and that I can visit Japan again..♥️♥️♥️ Just amazed how they are being mold young into being a useful citizen of their nation..😱

  • @MoonlitSlime
    @MoonlitSlime Před 2 lety +10

    The kind of items he was pulling out makes the stuff you find in the Yakuza series coin lockers more believable!

  • @eilrach299
    @eilrach299 Před 2 lety +50

    Thanks Norm for this very interesting insight to a very unique job. Sometimes I am taken aback at these kind of behind the scenes jobs. So many and when you think about it, they are so necessary for everyday life to go so smoothly. Look forward to more of your great films!

  • @gabrielhowardMKE
    @gabrielhowardMKE Před 2 lety +16

    This man doesn't simply clear out over-due coin lockers, he is also a technician.
    I didn't expect the part where he repaired the coin mechanism.
    Very very impressive.

  • @megantran19
    @megantran19 Před rokem +4

    It's always so intriguing to see how Japan is so respectful of other people's items, but also their own items. This can be seen from the well taken care of vintage items like videogame sets at akihabara but also the cultural phenomenon of leaving a phone or wallet for "dibs" on a seat or even running after you if you accidentally left an item. He takes such good care of the lockers as well as picking up the trash surrounding the lockers. Not gonna lie, I would be so curious about what would be in some of those bags >.> I'm really curious what they do with the unclaimed items after the 30+ day wait hehe

  • @xx-mx1cn
    @xx-mx1cn Před 2 lety +9

    I’ve been to Japan once. I thought the coin lockers are found in train stations only. Never imagined they are scattered everywhere. Btw, we used the coin lockers in Osaka that time because we were carrying all our stuff from Tokyo, and we need to visit/travel to Kyoto that day. Then, later that night when we came back, retrieve our stuffs and looked for our booked place to stay. It was an adventure!

  • @kankun123
    @kankun123 Před 2 lety +9

    Another interesting video Tokyo Lens. I like how you fish out these sort of interesting and easily-overlooked aspects of life in Japan. Your shots of the locations were cool, too.

  • @AmandaAlexandra47
    @AmandaAlexandra47 Před 2 lety +1

    “I screamed a little” lol, we all would have I think!
    This was a great episode!!!!

  • @waltersumofan
    @waltersumofan Před rokem +1

    so many stories possible, this could be the plot to a tv show, it's really just has lots of aspects to it.

  • @Paradox_Wolf
    @Paradox_Wolf Před 2 lety +8

    Hey Norm! This is one of my favorite videos from you recently! The pacing, editing, sound balance were all really great in this and I really appreciate the work done!

  • @jachinoy1565
    @jachinoy1565 Před 2 lety +5

    I've been to japan and didn't even realise that there's coin locker.
    This guy is doing a great job and he likes what he's doing

  • @chrissieclips3209
    @chrissieclips3209 Před 2 lety +2

    What a great idea for a video! Love how you keep finding ways to show Tokyo and Japan that no-one ever thought about before! Keep it up!

  • @sandrajane1435
    @sandrajane1435 Před rokem +4

    Honestly, lots of people seem to put stuff in lockers as a means of disposal because garbage sorting and pick up, especially of large items can be especially tricky.

  • @KennyYokoyama
    @KennyYokoyama Před 2 lety +7

    Always wondered about who maintains those coin lockers! Great video as always!!

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +1

      Glad I could answer it for ya!’

  • @miszjli
    @miszjli Před rokem +7

    Still curious to what happens after the 30 days. So glad to see that he loves his job and respects the things left behind.

  • @aarongittoes
    @aarongittoes Před rokem +3

    It’s amazing how respectful they are!

  • @howardburrage3874
    @howardburrage3874 Před rokem +1

    The way he could strip and repair the coin mechanism on only a passing comment. That would be a nightmare process in the west. He cleans every locker and is genuinely happy doing his job. Bet you can't find a vending machine guy with this work ethic.

  • @jellypopcorn
    @jellypopcorn Před 2 lety +3

    _Great video, I wouldnt mind having this job actually! different locations, and while I wouldnt be snoopy, I always get a sense of wonder of who left their items behind_

  • @henry961
    @henry961 Před 2 lety +17

    this is even better than a tv show ♥

  • @RansomReed
    @RansomReed Před rokem +1

    This is super cool, definitely one of my favorite videos now. All the hidden gems and mystery of why items are abandoned, who owned them, etc is extremely interesting. Then of course getting to meet the people who work for the locker companies and handle all the items is a cool peek into a part of the city you normally wouldn't see.

  • @RandyLahey_OG
    @RandyLahey_OG Před 2 lety +2

    The part that impresses me most about his craft is they way he puts the key into the lock. Surgical precision, deliberate motion, and (nearly)flawless execution. It doesn't take long to realize he is a professional at what he does and takes pride in his work.

  • @christianbjerknes
    @christianbjerknes Před 2 lety +4

    This was a very interesting topic and a great documentary. Love the odd topics you're able to cover. Great work!

  • @ronin7183
    @ronin7183 Před 2 lety +3

    He handles those lockers like a craftsman. Great to see.

  • @BelloBudo007
    @BelloBudo007 Před 2 lety +1

    Thank you for this highly interesting tour about a subject I knew zero about, even I have been to Tokyo many times. Also that gentleman taking you on his round was so smooth & efficient in his movement, as are many Japanese once they become expert at their jobs. I like that he looked after the lockers so well by cleaning & maintaining things. Not taking advantage of things when the locker was faulty was decent too. Thanks again.

  • @StaysSlay
    @StaysSlay Před 2 lety +1

    This showed up in my recommended vids, pretty cool!
    These often go unnoticed, and I really appreciated this little peek into an ordinary, often underappreciated job. Thank you!

  • @donnakawana
    @donnakawana Před 2 lety +5

    If you didn't show me I would never had known!! Japan is such a interesting place!! Thanks for sharing your life with us an showing us Japan through your eyes!!! ✌🏻💗😊❣️

  • @kuroneko3773
    @kuroneko3773 Před 2 lety +7

    Seems like a really cool job, and wow 6000 yen inside a locker, It amazes me the amount of stuff just from 2 areas that were abandoned there

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +1

      I know right?
      So much stuff!!

  • @nhkyokai86
    @nhkyokai86 Před 2 lety

    I like your timing and how every footage you show seems to be coherent and fluid with one another. Refreshing and very distinctive to your channel :)

  • @tommythrowback
    @tommythrowback Před rokem

    This is my new favorite channel!! I’ve been to Japan over a dozen times and this content still fascinates me!

  • @MaJuV
    @MaJuV Před 2 lety +13

    Very interesting video. Didn't knew this was a job, but then again, it makes sense that this is a job 😅
    So many lockers all across Japan, especially in the big cities. Can imagine some stuff gets forgotten about.
    But jeezes, so many lockers you have to open during this one day. It's baffling really. 😮 Especially in that one stack in Kabukicho.

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +2

      an it seems Akihabara is even crazier!

    • @MaJuV
      @MaJuV Před 2 lety

      @@TokyoLens Okay, Norm. You have my curiosity. 👀 Kinda want to see that.

  • @HawaiiJapan808
    @HawaiiJapan808 Před 2 lety +9

    good stuff Norm, more episodes like this! in other cities they would be broken into immediately. When I was in Sapporo they had refrigerated lockers! for food items, I had to take a picture of those.

  • @singinpirate
    @singinpirate Před 2 lety +2

    This was super cool to watch! I was really impressed by the whole video!

  • @BrookBeck
    @BrookBeck Před rokem

    This is one of my favorite videos because it’s something that I never thought about before and I just love any type of “day in the life” videos since we all have different jobs and experiences and it’s so fascinating to me.

  • @Fektthis
    @Fektthis Před 2 lety +7

    not something I had ever really thought about but a really interesting job. I'm sure it's not what he went to university for but it seems like a good job to me. honest work and you get to be outside most of the time by yourself. although I suspect it's a lot less fun on days with poor weather.

  • @appalachianwanderer4634
    @appalachianwanderer4634 Před 2 lety +3

    Okay, I'm impressed with him repairing the coin mechanism on the spot 👍🏼

  • @JeanSimonLanglois
    @JeanSimonLanglois Před 2 lety

    Man, i love this kind of finds! Thanks to your guests for sharing!

  • @ngoandrew8
    @ngoandrew8 Před rokem +1

    This is really an eye opening job. Many thanks for filming it!

  • @789pp41
    @789pp41 Před 2 lety +19

    That was amazing having him fix the coin dispenser for that one locker on the spot at 8:00 mins. If that was literally anywhere else you'd need to call a repair guy, he might show up in a few days/weeks, if he shows up he'll look at it say he's missing a piece and has to order it and it'll take weeks to show up, after it shows up it'll be forgotten about never to be fixed.

  • @KatBlaque
    @KatBlaque Před 2 lety +78

    Wow this video was really fascinating.

  • @rmalmeida1976
    @rmalmeida1976 Před rokem

    Never would have thought I would be interested in a video about coin lockers but then I just couldn't stop watching until the end.

  • @teiong2786
    @teiong2786 Před 2 lety

    Absolutely loved watching this from start to finish

  • @tayet6875
    @tayet6875 Před 2 lety +12

    This was very interesting! It must have been very frustrating to have gotten through uni but not getting a job you studied for. But I am glad he enjoys his job now!!
    It was so sweet of him to complement the office team:)

  • @fitbmx7744
    @fitbmx7744 Před 2 lety +4

    This was surprisingly interesting. The dude should get a DJI Action on a chest mount and start is own channel of just this, it would go over for sure!

  • @Lovesongofprufrock
    @Lovesongofprufrock Před 2 lety

    Fascinating video. Thanks for uploading this. Loved it.

  • @april_marie
    @april_marie Před 2 lety +1

    This was so interesting to watch! Would love to see more abandoned coin locker videos in the future!

  • @becks5867
    @becks5867 Před 2 lety +12

    Wow! So much stuff gets left behind, that’s crazy! (I kind of want to know what is in all the bags and cases cos I’m nosey haha) Also I’m loving the music choices throughout 🎶 💜
    Them disposing of things after 30 days worries me slightly, some of those items could be evidence for missing cases and other crimes

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +2

      and apparently this isnt even a crazy area!

    • @XSemperIdem5
      @XSemperIdem5 Před 2 lety +1

      I was thinking that too. What if someone goes missing or is in an accident and in the ICU and that's why their stuff is still in there. And me thinking as an American, what if there's stolen items in there so the true owner would never know to claim them but did file a police report.

    • @henryD9363
      @henryD9363 Před 2 lety

      I don't think you're unusual at all. I was wondering the whole time I watched the video. Kind of frustrating that I didn't find out what was in some of those bags and purses. Still want to know 😆

  • @bikeanddogtrips
    @bikeanddogtrips Před 2 lety +5

    i remember leaving a load of camera equipment resting on top of a locker at a train station in tokyo. i had only just arrived and was trying to find something in my luggage before travelling on. it was an hour in to my train ride when i realised that i had left about £3k worth of electronics out. Almost 3 weeks later on my journey home and i passed through the same station. My goods were still there, completely untouched. This was 1998

  • @ilmarinen79
    @ilmarinen79 Před rokem

    Really cool. I love to see this kind of stuff. Their service attitude is admirable, as one might expect.

  • @tabajoe3636
    @tabajoe3636 Před rokem +1

    This is one video I enjoy, because it's like a surprise all day every day.

  • @hatemustache4218
    @hatemustache4218 Před 2 lety +3

    Mad respect for packing the stuff nicely…some of those might even be from someone’s who’s already dead…

  • @thempstead
    @thempstead Před 2 lety +23

    I'll admit that I always considered the coin lockers away from stations to be a bit sketchy really. Who know who else has access to them ...
    Also not really sure how some of the things get left, e.g. the expensive electronics ... Although I suppose in the case of work backpacks it could be going for drinks after work and forgetting which lockers you stored things in. I also suppose that they have to put up with people dumping their junk in them and paying the minimum for the locker so that they don't have to pay a higher price to get rid of stuff properly.
    I do think it's interesting and it would be nice to know more of the strange things that they find.

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +1

      crazy that people leave behind such expensive things~

    • @yrien982
      @yrien982 Před 2 lety

      its japan not america

    • @darkslayer709
      @darkslayer709 Před 2 lety

      I wonder how many of these are things tourists put in there and then either forgot about or lost the location of the locker since they all look the same and had no clue how to find it again / contact the company due to not speaking or reading Japanese. I'm hoping to go to Japan once things finally settle down properly, but if I use one of these it'll definitely be ones near a station or something otherwise it'll be my stuff being picked up by one of these companies.
      The iPad / Macbook really surprised me though. Unless it was stolen and ditched in there.

  • @kkimster471
    @kkimster471 Před 2 lety

    Fascinating slice of life.
    Every empty locker has a story behind it, so many questions.
    And the business keeps it all moving along.

  • @RandyRhombus
    @RandyRhombus Před rokem

    I like that these videos that show off jobs no one thinks about or takes for granted. Bringing to light the litte things that keep the world moving.

  • @tososhin
    @tososhin Před 2 lety +3

    This is really neat! Would love a series following people on their interesting jobs =)

  • @isaiahdanz3308
    @isaiahdanz3308 Před 2 lety +3

    In the harmony called society, may we find our methods of understanding ourselves by understanding others. This kind of Job indeed offers such a opportunity. Great photography, it captures the curiosity and nostalgia well. Intriguingly, this documentary shows that we can feel others nostalgia when we view through their perspective enough.

  • @BeingJapan
    @BeingJapan Před 2 lety +1

    Very interesting post. I have used coin lockers from time to time, usually to store stuff I have bought and just didn't want to carry around till I caught a train. I love this feature of Japan. Thanks for this insight!

  • @SS369
    @SS369 Před 2 lety

    I love this video. The city. The country. Everything about it. Japan is a dream location for living. Thank you for covering the daily life of those living there!

  • @callummacleod2177
    @callummacleod2177 Před 2 lety +8

    Very interesting! What a crazy variety of things that get left behind. Makes you wonder the story behind each one

    • @TokyoLens
      @TokyoLens  Před 2 lety +3

      I would absolutely love to know the story behind each lol

    • @nuridaw9586
      @nuridaw9586 Před 2 lety +4

      I can imagine this becoming a drama. Japan is very good in coming up with 'slice of life' drama genre. The title could be something like: Locker's Life

    • @henryD9363
      @henryD9363 Před 2 lety

      @@nuridaw9586 like a theme for a US TV series. But they would screw it up

  • @soulreaver1983
    @soulreaver1983 Před 2 lety +3

    Outstanding video as always thanks and happy Christmas to all and everyone in this awesome lobby 😀!⛄

  • @wintersongmusic
    @wintersongmusic Před 2 lety

    I love videos like this that follow ordinary yet extraordinarily interesting people. I look forward to more content!

  • @personalcontrasts73
    @personalcontrasts73 Před rokem

    soo interesting to get a peek into his work. I really like all the job-related interviews you do

  • @thomasnicolas2353
    @thomasnicolas2353 Před 2 lety +4

    I would have never thought that there'd be as much forgotten lockers 😧

  • @katylibarnes9393
    @katylibarnes9393 Před 2 lety +30

    On paper, his job may sound simple, boring even, but seeing him work and listening to his stories proved otherwise. Question, what happens to the unclaimed items cleared out from the lockers?

    • @FaerieHijacker
      @FaerieHijacker Před 2 lety +19

      The guy said the items are in store for 30 days, and maybe after the grace period, they would sell/auction the items to recoup loses. Business is business so deal with it, items left that long in a locker is safe to assume that it is abandoned anyway.

    • @Fanta....
      @Fanta.... Před 2 lety +2

      Kept, sold, or thrown away is my guess. Id love to rifle through all that stuff. I have no doubt there have probably been wads of cash left in some of these lockers too!.

    • @henryD9363
      @henryD9363 Před 2 lety +1

      @@Fanta.... after 30 days it legally becomes the property of the business. So they certainly would look to see if there was anything of value that they could sell. Otherwise dispose of like trash

  • @retsubrooklyn
    @retsubrooklyn Před 2 lety

    Great job editing! Loving the music choice to fit the tempo and mood of the work.

  • @allenseeallendo5844
    @allenseeallendo5844 Před rokem +1

    They pull the lock cylinder and use that to tag the item. Ingenious, such a simple solution for a tough problem.