In a candid revelation during the April 10, 2025 broadcast of the popular Japanese television program 'Downtown DX', Ryuji Imaichi, a member of the renowned group Sandaime J Soul Brothers, shared his comical yet challenging experiences from his early days living in Tokyo. The episode, themed 'Hajimete no Tokyo Hitori Gurashi' (My First Time Living Alone in Tokyo), featured several celebrities reflecting on their initial struggles and triumphs in the bustling city.
Alongside guests such as Kazuki Iio, Rina Ishihara, Nayuta Inoue, Tom Brown, Mia Fujita, Tetsuya Morita, and Yumi Yokoyama, Imaichi recounted the realities of moving to Tokyo, from the apartments they occupied to the inexpensive meals they relied on. The discussions were led by the show's MC, Chidori, who guided the celebrities through their nostalgic tales of first apartments and the inevitable blunders that come with living alone.
Imaichi's story took a humorous turn as he described his aspiration for an all-electric lifestyle, which he thought would be both stylish and modern. "I wanted to live stylishly because it was my first time living alone. Back then, all-electric was not that common, but it seemed cool. I was determined to have it!" he passionately shared. However, he soon discovered that his dream came with unexpected challenges.
He specifically pointed out the issues with his electric water heater, which he found to be surprisingly small and inefficient. "When I opened the shelf in my apartment, there was this electric water heater. It was supposed to heat water, but it took half a day to do so!" Imaichi explained. He humorously recounted the frustration of waking up and forgetting to turn on the heater. "If I forgot to push the button in the morning, I’d come home to find only cold water! I would be screaming while taking a cold shower!"
Adding to his woes, Imaichi described the steep stairs leading to his loft. Initially, he attempted to climb them by lifting his legs awkwardly, but eventually resorted to crawling on all fours. "The stairs were so steep that I ended up climbing on all fours!" he laughed, reflecting on the absurdity of the situation.
Another quirky detail of his apartment was the skylight, which, while providing natural light, posed its own set of problems. "The window was uniquely shaped, and I couldn't put curtains on it. So, every morning, the sunlight would burst in, and I ended up sleeping with sunglasses on!" he recalled, eliciting laughter from the audience.
The episode not only highlighted Imaichi's personal anecdotes but also served to connect with viewers who might have faced similar challenges when starting their own lives in Tokyo. The stories shared by all the guests painted a vivid picture of the trials and tribulations of young adults navigating life in a new city.
As the episode progressed, other guests also chimed in with their own humorous and relatable stories. Kazuki Iio shared his experiences of living in a cramped apartment, while Rina Ishihara reminisced about the cheap eats she relied on during her early days. Each story resonated with the audience, reminding them of the universal struggles of adapting to a new environment.
In a city as vast and dynamic as Tokyo, the transition to independent living can be daunting, yet it is often filled with laughter and learning. The celebrities' reflections served as a reminder that while the journey may be challenging, the memories created along the way are invaluable.
As the show wrapped up, viewers were left with a sense of nostalgia and camaraderie, knowing that they are not alone in their experiences. The light-hearted banter and shared laughter among the guests underscored the importance of community and support as one navigates the complexities of adult life.
Overall, Ryuji Imaichi's candid moments on 'Downtown DX' provided not only entertainment but also a relatable glimpse into the ups and downs of starting anew in Tokyo. His humorous take on the challenges of living alone, coupled with the shared experiences of his fellow guests, created an engaging narrative that resonated with many viewers.
