Hakone was a cool getaway spot! We did have JR Passes, but we purchased the passes before they increased in price by 60%+. So depending on your itinerary, it may or may not be worth it for you to get a JR Pass. We'd recommend Googling "JR Pass calculator" and using any of those calculators to figure out if it makes sense for you to purchase individual tickets or to go for the JR Pass.
@@SofieAndStephen that's so awesome you were able to get the JR Pass before the price increase. That's why I asked how you did it. I think for us we're jut going to go with individual tickets. It would still be cheaper.
@@glenm5679 Yeah we got really lucky that we were able to get the pass just before the price increase. Otherwise, as you're doing, I think getting the individual tickets is more cost effective.
Yes! We highly recommend taking a trip out to Hakone! It's such a nice little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the main cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. Thanks for watching!
Great job with the video! I appreciate how much effort you guys put into showcasing the ryokan and all of its amenities! I just had some quick questions for y'all. How did you guys go about booking this ryokan (i.e. through a website or did you guys call the ryokan?). And, how far in advance did you guys book it? I was trying to book it for this upcoming January, but it seems like I can't book it that far in advance. Thanks!
Hello! Thanks for watching! We booked this ryokan through Booking.com. But you can also book through Expedia.com as well. We booked this ryokan about 2-3 months in advance but I'd recommend booking even further in advance or as soon as you possibly can. These ryokans in Hakone get booked fast! We are going back to this ryokan in November and booked through Booking.com a couple weeks ago.
Yep, you don't need to take any cable cars to get to the lake. Once you're in Hakone, the lake should be a quick car/bus ride. It was only about 10-15 minutes from our ryokan.
Unfortunately, the in-room private onsen bathtub is just a bathtub. It doesn't have any of the minerals from an actual spring or anything. However, we still found the outdoor bath to be a nice add-on and quite relaxing.
Great video! Big fan of you beautiful people. Keep it up.
Wow, thanks for the words of encouragement and thanks so much for watching!
13:50 It's sukiyaki, you're supposed to whip up the egg first before dipping the cooked meat into it.
Hakone looks so gorgeous and peaceful 😍😍 and the place you stayed looks so nice! Hopefully I can go back to Japan this city and visit one day!
Yes, Hakone really is beautiful! 🤩
We stayed at the Madoka No Mori. The Ryokan is amazing. It is a 5-star service.
Awesome. We'll have to look into this ryokan in the future.
Private onsen and the foooood!!! 😍♨️🇯🇵
Everything was so good!
Very helpful video. Great Job!
Thanks for the feedback and thanks for watching!
Looks amazing! Thinking of doing this in October. Question... did you guys get the JR Pass or did you just buy individual tickets?
Hakone was a cool getaway spot! We did have JR Passes, but we purchased the passes before they increased in price by 60%+. So depending on your itinerary, it may or may not be worth it for you to get a JR Pass. We'd recommend Googling "JR Pass calculator" and using any of those calculators to figure out if it makes sense for you to purchase individual tickets or to go for the JR Pass.
@@SofieAndStephen that's so awesome you were able to get the JR Pass before the price increase. That's why I asked how you did it. I think for us we're jut going to go with individual tickets. It would still be cheaper.
@@glenm5679 Yeah we got really lucky that we were able to get the pass just before the price increase. Otherwise, as you're doing, I think getting the individual tickets is more cost effective.
I would love to go one day!❤
Yes! We highly recommend taking a trip out to Hakone! It's such a nice little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the main cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, or Osaka. Thanks for watching!
Hi how do you reserve a room at mizunoto? The website is kind of confusing
I would recommend reserving a room on Booking.com or Expedia.com. We've booked Mizunoto twice through Booking.com in the past.
Great job with the video! I appreciate how much effort you guys put into showcasing the ryokan and all of its amenities! I just had some quick questions for y'all. How did you guys go about booking this ryokan (i.e. through a website or did you guys call the ryokan?). And, how far in advance did you guys book it? I was trying to book it for this upcoming January, but it seems like I can't book it that far in advance. Thanks!
Hello! Thanks for watching! We booked this ryokan through Booking.com. But you can also book through Expedia.com as well. We booked this ryokan about 2-3 months in advance but I'd recommend booking even further in advance or as soon as you possibly can. These ryokans in Hakone get booked fast! We are going back to this ryokan in November and booked through Booking.com a couple weeks ago.
Which volcano is located in the area/ part of the free pass?
The volcanic valley is called Owakudani that you'll be able to visit with the Hakone Free Pass.
What is the name of the Ryokan?
The name of the ryokan is Mizunoto. We highly recommend it!
Since you didnt get a chance to ride the cable cars, is there a way to get to the pirate ship on the lake?
Yep, you don't need to take any cable cars to get to the lake. Once you're in Hakone, the lake should be a quick car/bus ride. It was only about 10-15 minutes from our ryokan.
Cool what is the name of the ryoakan it looks like the one we are going too 🎉
The name of the ryokan is Mizunoto. If this is the one you're going to, you won't be disappointed!
Cha'o Stephen - you are Vietnamese. Me too and fluent speaking as well. Where is this onsen location that you and Sofie went to?
Hello, yes I am actually half vietnamese, half chinese. The onsen we were at was located at the ryokan we stayed at, which is called Mizunoto.
@@SofieAndStephen Thanks Stephen. My wife is half too and she can dabble both Vietnamese/Cantonese.
btw I sent you an email w/questions. Thank you Stephen
@@bryandang8589 That's funny because my Chinese background is also Cantonese. My family is from Guangdong province.
Thinking about booking in June! Is the in room private onsen bathtub also filled with volcanic water and minerals?
Unfortunately, the in-room private onsen bathtub is just a bathtub. It doesn't have any of the minerals from an actual spring or anything. However, we still found the outdoor bath to be a nice add-on and quite relaxing.
❤❤❤
Thanks for watching!
He look like the younger version “Strictly dumpling”, even the way he talk😅
Lol Strictly Dumpling is my idol! I love Mikey Chen! I'll take your comment as a major compliment! Thanks!
that was the first thing i was thinking as well haha, i see i was not alone
let's see how many people think the same as us LOL@@LTsjeffie
Whuch Ryokan is this?
It’s called Mizunoto