AMAZING DAY IN UTRECHT & A CAPSULE HOTEL?! 🇳🇱 (utrecht travel guide, the netherlands)

In this episode, Michelle and Alex explore the beautiful (and tasty) city of Utrecht, in the Netherlands, and stay the night at a church that was renovated into a capsule hotel! Plus, in this Utrecht travel guide, they take a look at the trains in the Spoorweg Museum and eat lots of amazing food.
Episode 51 · Filmed on April 6, 2023 · Utrecht, the Netherlands
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0:00 Introduction and Coffee (Black Brew)
0:59 Lunch (Sonmat)
4:24 Spoorweg Museum (train museum)
6:46 Cherry blossom trees!
7:57 Miffy (Nijntje)
8:19 Dom Tower (while under renovation)
8:43 Dinner (Kakunosuke)
11:35 Bunk hotel (capsule hotel, full room tour)
13:58 Our impressions of Utrecht
15:15 Wrap up and what's next
#netherlands #expatlife #utrecht
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WHO IS BUNCHARTED?
We're Michelle and Alex, a travel-obsessed American couple living abroad in the Netherlands.
In 2020, we quit our jobs to travel the world, and... yeah, that didn't happen. So in 2022, we decided to make an even BIGGER change, packing up our lives (and our cats 🐈), moving from Austin, Texas, to Rotterdam, in the Netherlands. Subscribe for new videos like this every week!

[@tiniselles]

I hope you have discovered the ‘Museumkaart’, which gives you entrance to nearly all Dutch museums for about EUR 65 a year (I’m in no way affiliated with this organization)

[@MartijnFrazer]

What's cool about Utrecht is how crazy old it is. The domtoren was actually a renovation started in 1254 because the previous one burned down. And that previous one was already a renovation because the one before, built in 1017, burned down. The origins of this site go back all the way to Roman times, when it was a fort called Traiectum, originally built in the year 47. Some of the other buildings in Utrecht are insanely old as well, like the houses of Oudaen at Oudegracht 99 and Drakenburg at Oudegracht 114, which are built in the 1200s I believe.

[@darkknight8139]

Another great vlog :) You chose a good day for the museum, everytime I go it is packed with people. The Spoorwegmuseum is a great place and the train collection is really impressive. The rollercoasters are for everyone, and yes, you can fit if you are an adult. Now it is time for me to recognize all places you filmed, because I live here :)

[@CobisTaba]

Great clog! Couple of suggestions; - in Utrecht Asian style all you can eat Umami is great. - if you like really good but very expensive tepenyaki; try the one in the okra hotel in amsterdam. Do get a second mortgage ;). - get a museum jaar,aart if you have not already! Free entry to most museum in the country. - the botanical gardens in Utrecht are beautiful, also ‘under the dom’ is a great museum and you can climb the dom tower off course.

[@keeskruithof1123]

Lived in UUuuuutrecht for 15 years, loved it.

[@kallisto_ofzo]

7:57 Love those "Nijntje" traffic lights. It's a nice touch 😊

[@Thegamercalledbenjamin]

you were in utrecht...and did'nt eat the famous fries at manneke pis. you were soooo close by XD its very near the rainbow path. hope you will try utrecht again when the weather is better, the city is bigger than you think. and try to take a terras near the gracht/canal. you will stick there because its so cosy and the view of the boats (and drunken students in home made floating things) will make a smile on youre face. hope i will see you both in utrecht in the future.

[@buncharted]

we will definitely be back!!

[@arjenlaan4103]

The Dom tower has been covered in scaffolding for so long now that it might take us some getting used to when they are ever removed. I think there may be school children in Utrecht who have never in their lives seen it without. But, it is all for a good cause. And hey, building it, centuries ago, took several generations, so who am I to complain ;-)

[@buncharted]

good excuse for another utrecht video 😄

[@BrazenNL]

I knew you'd like Utrecht! It's amazing in the summer to sit on a terrace and have a drink. For Japanese food, Hotel Okura in Amsterdam is a solid choice.

[@buncharted]

we did really love utrecht - beautiful city, great food!

[@pmvdmeulen]

Okura? Still? I thought quality has gone down while prices remain extreme.

[@BrazenNL]

@@pmvdmeulen I was at Yamazato a while ago and they still had their Michelin star. Who am I to dispute that?

[@jarnobot]

@@buncharted If you liked Utrecht, you're probably going to like Groningen as well. It's a smaller city with similar vibes. :)

[@claraoswald_121]

that lunch looks so amazing !!! great video, love the trains ❤

[@naina1088]

Amazing video❤

[@blinkachu5275]

Utrecht definitely is one of my favorite places to go. Had to go there often for personal reasons and always loved just walking through the city center

[@buncharted]

the city was absolutely beautiful. plus, amazing food. we'll definitely be back on a day with less wind and rain :)

[@barrettellis184]

Glad you got to see the cherry blossoms! City's been gorgeous the past couple weeks- makes the rain a little easier to get through at least.

[@MommyDiane]

I'm hooked!!! Having 3 weeks to explore Netherlands at my own pace, these vlogs plus Rick Steves are perfect.

[@TheRealTMar]

Getting your meal fresh at Sonmat is the best. When ordering online is a bit of hit or miss though. It probably depends on how long it sat out and how much time the biker takes. But I love we can get some authentic Korean food here! :) And Spoorwegmuseum is awesome!

[@harrybruijs2614]

I amazed of the amounts of food you two eat, while staying that slim.

[@mastjappa]

Since you live here now you might considerng revisiting Utrecht. There is so much more to this city which you did not see. Anyway it it is nice to city the Netherlands throught foreign eyes and get better perspective.

[@alexzonneveld34]

Van speelklok tot pirament is also close by spoorweg museum, you can see too if you have time

[@Klont123]

Great place 👍 tourists love it.

[@ejderha13]

Thank you for your wonderful videos showing your exploration of the Netherlands! In 's-Hertogenbosch is an amazing little Japanese restaurant called "Shiro" (しろ) especially when you want to eat more authentic Japanese dishes that are not sushi or ramen. It's not cheap but we ate there for several special occassions and it's totally worth it. And in Den Haag we enjoy visiting SET, that has a very diverse and delicious Japanese menu.

[@buncharted]

thank you for the recommendations!!

[@turbotibo]

Try SORA Sapporo Ramen in Amsterdam and Yokohama Ramen Saito in Schiedam. Defo recommended.

[@romalovesmac]

you guys should visit the blossompark in amsterdam in march/april its so so pretty filled with cherryblossom trees they only bloom for like 2 to 3 weeks

[@Dennisboetes]

I commute 2 to 3 times a week from Leeuwarden to Utrecht for work. And Whenever I have some spare time I try to stroll around in the city. Its a really great place to be

[@Harrypjotter7]

We used to life near the museum, my son always wanted to go there. So we did a lot.

[@Mdgd63]

Maybe for the next time: Rietveld-Schröder huis and DomUnder (with remains of the first parts of Utrecht). The Romans started this city in +/- 70 AD at what is now called the Dom Square.

[@tops4848]

There´s Tokyo Taiyaki Story in The Hague near my work. It´s always busy and very tasy!

[@Wielie0305]

One week too early. Next week spring is coming! But hey, Utrecht is great in all weather 😃

[@dutchglobetrotter4513]

I just live like 250m from the treinmuseum. If you'd like I could give you a tour of the city when you visit next time.

[@daanvandoesum3679]

Even though its not in the Netherlands i would recommend the Little Tokyo district in Dusseldorf for japanese food, its right next to the trainstation and its packed with very good japanese restaurants.

[@MichaelPattiruhu]

I once ate at restaurant Yamazato in Amsterdam, where the waitresses where kimonos. Very good, but also very expensive. I think it’s the only Japanese restaurant in the Netherlands with a Michelin star.

[@buncharted]

definitely going to have to check this place out

[@nexit3360]

Hotel 'de Wereld' in Wageningen

[@EduanCronje]

A nice place for japanese food is Kokusai. It is in Amstelveen

[@jimooijevaar6894]

There is a Japanese Light Festival in Amsterdam (I don't know where or when in Amsterdam, just saw an ad on facebook for it)

[@ggAsuna]

Ramen Brothers in Utrecht has some very nice Japanese food. They are in the city center but outside of the busy areas, away from where tourists will come. It's a small nice inexpensive restaurant with good food.

[@buncharted]

we walked by one!

[@Klont123]

Okay, so about the OV chip card. They just keep buying the previous versions of the system that’s used in London. They even bought the first version which had many known bugs (which were already fixed in London). Over there paying with you bank pass was already possible years ago, here, they just recently introduced it.

[@darklady6987]

such a pity that the weather was bad, Utrecht is such a nice city. cafe Belgie is recommended for next time. ❤

[@buncharted]

it was still nice even with the rain!

[@JulesStoop]

I’m amazed by how you both manage to look beyond the downpour and other meteorological challenges! Although I’m dutch-and supposed to consider this ‘normal’-I would probably postpone my trip 😅

[@buncharted]

it was still a fun trip! plus we couldn’t cancel the hotel room 😉

[@johnhendriks4085]

Maybe you like to know that Utrecht is an old city like Nijmegen. Founded by the Romans in 50 AC. The Latin name of the Romans was Ultra trajectum (meaning end of the road). During the centuries this changed from Ultraiactem to Utrecht.

[@joop558]

The restautant in the Amsterdam Okura Hotel is quite an excellent choice for a Japanese Resurant. It is really an amazing Japanese restaurant. But it can be quite costly also but delicious. Espcially the TEPPANYAKI restaurant is a real treat.

[@buncharted]

ahhh - this looks so good! the hotel looks amazing too. thank you for the recommendation!

[@Snowshowslow]

This is on my to-eat list as well :) It gets some rave reviews, also from critics. But I'll have to save up first, I suppose 😆

[@robertogartz]

Takumi Ramen Kitchen in Eindhoven Jade in Tilburg Both are great 👌🏼

[@buncharted]

we have takumi in rotterdam - it's very good!

[@kingmickey666]

Utrecht is beautiful in the summer. There are alot of places where you can have a drink outside. You can even row in the canals. I hoped you liked your stay, even though it was a rainy day :)

[@buncharted]

we loved it! we will definitely be back :)

[@kingmickey666]

@@buncharted great :) Next time you are there, try looking for a metal border line on the ground. There is one near the Dom tower. It represents the border of the Roman fortress years ago.

[@dizzymodding]

Heey great video, hope u liked Utrecht. You guys should visit kokusai in Amstelveen, its been the best japanse restaurant ive go to. You guys really should try it. Btw u have to book the seat before you go.

[@davevanbeers6944]

Thanks again. In Vlaardingen you have Onori Sushi Bar. I like their snacks, so the gyoza, karaage and their yakitori. I don’t eat fish so no clue about sushi. Haven’t been to Japan (yet) leaving next Monday 😊. so can’t compare the ramen or the udon.

[@buncharted]

ahhh -- have so much fun in japan!!! and thank you for the recommendation :)

[@roykamaaina]

Heard that in Amstelveen, there is a winkel centrum with a lot of japanese stores. I think.

[@ReseTTim]

Most of the Japanese people are located in Amstelveen, so you have there some japanese restaurants, like Ishii Okonomiyaki.

[@yvettebroekhuis737]

Have you tried Restaurant Kyo in Amsterdam? The Japanese food is amazing and the staff is so enthusiastic and lovely. I loved it!

[@buncharted]

not yet but it's on our list! we just so rarely make it up to amsterdam

[@jrijnsent1194]

There is a Japanese garden in the Amersfoort Zoo.

[@Klont123]

There’s also one in the hague. But it doesn’t come even close to a Japanese garden in Japan.

[@pel666]

Not so difficult, try EN in Amsterdam for Japanese food! Okura is nice, but I think you will like the cosy atmosphere of EN and their food is traditional

[@buncharted]

ooh this looks really good! thanks for the recommendation!

[@frisos3944]

If you like ramen: Ramen brothers in Haarlem. On saturday there is a market in the city centre, with a lot of delicacy’s.

[@dragmits]

Since you liked the spoorweg museum maybe you also should try the openlucht museum in Arnhem.

[@buncharted]

this definitely looks like something we’d enjoy - thank you!

[@mariovanstiphout6593]

Maybe you like to visit one of the Waddeneilanden like for example Ameland. You can get there using public transport.

[@hansqprz]

Amstelveen, which is basically the south part of the city of Amsterdam, has a very large Japanese community. So it also hosts some great quality Japanese restaurants where you can eat food the way the Japanese do. From Amstelveen, you can take a bus (300?) to Ouderkerk aan de Amstel which you can check out and to Amsterdam Zuid-Oost where I can recommend the food stalls at the multi-cultural permanent market. From there a metro train back to Amsterdam Central or Amsterdam Zuid station. As a "Brabander" that lived in Amstelveen for a long time, I was always amazed at the depth of the Amstelveen polder compared tot the Amstel river water level. You can see that very clearly if you follow the Amstel south from the Portugese Jewish cemetery (Beth Haim) and the Sint Urbanus kerk in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel...

[@buncharted]

this sounds amazing - thank you!

[@acularp]

My Dad brought me to the train museum. RIP. Afterwards we went to pizza hut. I'm in my 50s now.

[@buncharted]

now the closest pizza hut is in belgium!

[@alamunez]

Did you go into the library? It’s one of the most beautiful buildings in the city and it looks amazing on the inside!

[@buncharted]

we didn’t! we’ll have to check it out next time :)

[@autje1970]

@@buncharted It's the post office where you ate the Korean food outside. At least it used to be, now it's the library.

[@buncharted]

hahah, oops!

[@spinozatheobvious626]

​@@buncharted I wanted to comment the same thing. It's an astonishingly beautiful and unusual building on the inside. It was very luckily turned into a library instead of apartments after it closed as the last single-purpose post office in the country. There's a cafe upstairs that has a beautiful view of the oudegracht, the main city canal. Don't miss it next time!

[@cloudspecs3864]

tatsu is a great japan restaurant. in utrecht.

[@dykam]

Kakunosuke, good choice. For slightly more casual Japanese, go to Shokudo. Their menu, in their own words, is more like Japanese home-cooking. Good for lunch too.

[@buncharted]

oooh! we loooove japanese curry!

[@dykam]

@@buncharted Just remembered, Kakunosuke is actually the more recent second place, the same owner has a different style (don-only) Japanese restaurant called Kounosuke a bit further south in the city.

[@oldjaggy]

Okura in Amsterdam is the best place for Japanese food

[@Mart687]

I've seen your video's and you guys like sleeping in cool places. There's a campground called Harskamperdennen in Kootwijk. So it's next to de Veluwe, a nature reserve. You might think I don't like camping but they got accommodations and the pod is really cool and popular. It's a wooden tiny house for 2 persons and I loved it. It's got a toilet and tiny kitchen, small fridge, 2p boxspring bed, couch, heater, outdoor kitchen, picnic table. For a shower you walk 2 minutes and they are clean and modern. In the morning you can get bread which the owners bake themselves closeby at the main building. Get fresh baked bread and sit on the porch eating breakfast and watching the squirrels. Wifi was there as well but not in the pod but 7 years ago. A food truck at the entrance a lot of days of the week with pancakes and fries, snacks, drinks, beer etc. I was walking around at dusk to check out the place and the campgrounds. At the far end of the grounds are the "nature"camping places. No electricity etc. Showers and toilets closeby and they have a fireplace with a roof. And it was packed with people and someone playing a guitar and they were singing etc. So even on a rainy day you don't have to stay in a tent but go there and have a good time. People are nice. And I think you will like the pod. But make sure to book in advance cause it's popular. I had a great time. 👍

[@buncharted]

that sounds awesome - thank you for the recommendation ❤️

[@gideonliem]

Tensai Ramen in Rotterdam is a nice place for Tonkotsu.

[@buncharted]

tensai is sooooo good!!! ❤️

[@gideonliem]

@@buncharted by coincedence i saw you there and said hi from a distance. 😊

[@sentokigames151]

Welcome to Utrecht, and it's been a renovated and still isn't done. By 2030 it should be done (main city part)

[@jackvandersluis1723]

Nice vlog and yes Utrecht is realy nice, more calmer than Amsterdam! 👍

[@MaxTravels.]

Hey if you want to try some sushi or anything else I work in a Foodhal in Eindhoven it’s called downtown gourmet market en we have about 18 different bars we here you can order food from sushi to Mexican to bitterballen en all vegan meals so you hope to see you guys there soon🤙🏼

[@nicoanker1343]

You have to go to Vlaams Friethuis de Meeuw in Katwijk. They have really good fries.

[@Klont123]

Just go to bram ladage or manneken pis. No need to travel all the way there …

[@SALVATl0N]

I'd love a breakdown of your choices for clothing based on the weather cuz it rains all the time. That coach doesn't look like it's waterproof. Do you spray it with something? What do you choose for shoes? How do you deal with the weather as Americans?

[@buncharted]

both of our coats are waterproof :) and we have water resistant sneakers! we lived in seattle for a few years so we’re pretty good wardrobe-wise with rain resistant stuff.

[@eprohoda]

how u doing?,enjjoyed- beautiful upload~

[@christianwiel]

You should visit Tilburg once

[@DantalionNL1]

I'd figured you'd like Utrecht, its a student city and really expat friendly, Modern and quite international which I guess is because of the students which are more open minded than your average dutchie. Always loved Utrecht for the shopping and different kinds of international food you can find there. (Fun fact the base of Utrecht is actually built by the Romans around 50 A.C.) Another city you'd might like would be Delft which is a little closer to home (Up and left of Rotterdam) Its a little less modern and more traditional than Utrecht and ofcourse home of the famous white and blue Delftware loved by old people all around the world 😂 and home of the famous painter "Vermeer". Loved the Episode 😇

[@buncharted]

thank you! i’m not sure how we haven’t yet been to delft but we’re looking forward to exploring it eventually 😄

[@DantalionNL1]

@@buncharted Haha the netherlands looks small on the maps, But it's like those tents from harry potter, On the inside it feels/looks much larger. Looking forward to the next Video/Vlog!

[@DenUitvreter]

You seem pretty narrow minded about the population outside the big cities.

[@DantalionNL1]

@@DenUitvreter Eh? waar haal je dat nou weer vandaan?

[@DenUitvreter]

@@DantalionNL1 Je komt met een vooroordeel aanzetten over ruimdenkendheid dat helemaal niet van ruimdenkendheid getuigt. Ik vind studenten die zo lekker international zijn helemaal niet ruimdenkend, maar vaak van een verbazingwekkende bekrompenheid die totaal niet bij de leeftijd past.

[@chretienkammann]

Amstelveen has the most Japanese expats for a long time. My parents always toke my brother and me to Amstelveen te eat the most authentic Japanese. Not like most Japanese restaurants, that have adjusted to appeal to a brother customer base. Love your video's

[@komkwam]

Not so strange there are a lot of Jpanese expats, simply because Canon is located in Amstelveen.

[@pmvdmeulen]

We live in Utrecht! Ahw man you're missing out on so much. Too bad you don't have a car because there are some interesting things out here. 👍

[@buncharted]

we will definitely be back :) one day is not enough for utrecht

[@_PJW_]

You visited Utrecht and had Korean and Japanese food. That's cool. But you didn't have the iconic 'Broodje Mario'?

[@buncharted]

not this time - wanted to do something a little different since utrecht had so much amazing food. we’ll definitely have to try it next time!

[@tgb-nm8yd]

Yamazato restaurant at rhe Okura hotel in Amsterdam. Good but pricy.

[@kubrabenelli9117]

Not in the Netherlands but Duesseldorf has a couple of streets with Japanese and Korean stores not far away from the train station. And on May the 13th they have Japan Tag (Japan Day) with several events. You can travel with your beloved OV chip card to Arnhem en travel with the ICE (Expensive) or the slow commuter to Duesseldorf.

[@EduanCronje]

Are you planning on visiting Almere and Lelystad sometime?

[@Klont123]

😂 *WHY* haha

[@buncharted]

eventually - we want to visit at least one city in every province this year :)

[@markovermeer1394]

Tomorrow Naarden-Vesting? It's worth the trip.

[@buncharted]

naarden, like the town outside of amsterdam? i've never heard of it before 🤔 but it does look quite beautiful!

[@markovermeer1394]

@@buncharted Naarden-Vesting is the part of Naarden which is a fortress.

[@buncharted]

ah - we will have to check it out!

[@ikke5212]

😉😊

[@eddys.3524]

Nice Video, again ;) But about Nijntje, or as he/she is called "Miffy".. the USA name in my eyes is not very well translated. Nijntje in Dutch is short for Konijntje (Rabbit or Bunny). From that perspective Nijntje would fit very well in your channel name. Unfortunately the image is under Copyright, but otherwise you could have adopted Nijntje as a kind of Channel mascot.. However... you of course could also wear Nijntje Sweaters...

[@buncharted]

that explains it! we were wondering how "miffy" came from "nijntje" - thank you for the explanation!

[@PH61a]

You should come back when the weather is warmer and it's sunny and the trees are green: quite a difference. Utrecht definitely is very beautiful.

[@robertboender5816]

So a castle tour today?

[@buncharted]

naw, it’s another city 😄 video coming saturday!

[@DForce26]

OO-Trect :p

[@buncharted]

i said it right, michelle wouldn’t 😂

[@DForce26]

@@buncharted it's all good! 😉 As long as you had fun 🥰

[@michiganstad]

quality of food is High in The Netherlands ... and certainly in comparison with food in Yousa

[@fladder1]

A day in Utrecht without a “broodje Mario”??😮

[@buncharted]

i know! we were trying to be a little unique with our food choices since utrecht has so much amazing food. but we def have to go there next time!

[@ariekiewiet7214]

The OV-card is slowly being fased out for your debet (bank)card

[@buncharted]

can’t wait to not have to carry it around 😂 but it needs to work with subscriptions first!

[@jeroswat]

I wonder what will be the plan for kids If they phase it out

[@LeafHuntress]

You poor poor poor things. Het spoorwegmuseum during a holiday... Have your ears recovered? Zwolle & Maastricht both have bookshops in old church buildings. In Paris there's a climbing hall in one. Cities with the best train connections: Utrecht Zwolle Amersfoort (the last one is probably the only one above sea-level & the cheapest, but that's a guess) Because the Netherlands was the only western European country that was allowed to trade with Japan, Deshima Nagasaki, there are some really old Japanese trees & other vegetation in NL, search hortus + place name. Also Keukenhof. The museum to visit is "Het Sieboldhuis" in Leiden, but I do not know if Leiden has good Japanese cuisine because of that... There's also "het museum van volkenkunde" & "het rijksmuseum van oudheden", and for Yankees; "the pilgrim museum". ;-) I'd think you'd find most good Asian restaurants in Rotterdam & Den Haag, because of diaspora.

[@buncharted]

we've been to that bookstore in maastricht - it was so nice!