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Norm Nakamura

Norm Nakamura is the Canadian filmmaker behind Tokyo Lens, exploring Japan through hidden villages, tiny apartments, local stories and his life as a Tsugaru shamisen player.

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Latest

Norm’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus his backstory and Starbook, where fans write.

Known for

Overview

Also known as: Tokyo Lens
From: Canada
Based in: Japan
First came to Japan: 2007, on a working holiday visa
Creative roots: Apprentice to the Yoshida Brothers, playing Tsugaru shamisen
Milestone: One million YouTube subscribers, celebrated in June 2024

Mini bio

How it started.

Norm first came to Japan from Canada in 2007. His first lesson with the Yoshida Brothers followed in December 2011, after months of trying to secure an introduction.

Finding his camera voice.

In his own account, Norm began documenting his apprenticeship and the life around it in summer 2017. He left his full-time job in summer 2018 to focus on video, photography and music.

A wider view of Japan.

Tokyo Lens grew from shamisen stories into films about hidden villages, craftspeople and tiny apartments. Norm also continues to play shamisen and work with the duo Ki&Ki.

Reaching more fans.

Japanese television featured his shamisen journey on You wa Nani Shini Nihon e? in 2018. By June 2024, Tokyo Lens was celebrating one million subscribers with a journey lasting one million seconds through Japan.

Creditschronological, newest first

2024I Searched (and Found) Japan’s BEST Hidden GemsTokyo Lens creator
2018SHAMI FES 2018Main video producer
2018You wa Nani Shini Nihon e?Featured shamisen apprentice
2013Waratte Iitomo!Shamisen performer

Awards

Special Recognition Award2016 · National Tsugaru Shamisen competition in Hirosaki, Aomori, in his category, as reported by JAPAN Forward.

Quotes

I just thought it was amazing and touchingNorm Nakamura, JAPAN Forward interview

In the December 2018 interview, Norm recalled hearing a shamisen CD given to him by a friend.

Trivia

He drove nine hours to Washington state to hear the Yoshida Brothers perform live.
He has a Japanese boating license.
His channel began with the wish to share Tsugaru shamisen with the world.