400 Year Old Tea House | Mochi & Amazake in Hakone, Japan

[@deiterhogradish]

Man, the ambience of that tea house. Like being dropped into a Kurosawa film. I was waiting for a shabbily dressed character to call out a friendly insult.

[@memberman]

This is such a nice place, so much history 13 generation is hard to fathom.

[@scorpioncoreuniverse8981]

Love the story. The plus the tea house looks amazing for 300 years old and it's been taken care of by the same family that is just cool. Japanese does care about their past past so they could bring it to the future I hope the family keeps doing well and have a great future I have one day I'll see it.

[@XYoukaiX]

Yeah really nice but saldy "Japanese does care about their past past" isn't true anymore especially looking at bigger town. Those are "hidden" gems and its awesome that we can see them thanks to John.

[@scorpioncoreuniverse8981]

@@XYoukaiX Yes I do agree John is awesome bring us everything about Japan to and to all of us who can visit Japan.

[@dovardross7336]

Still fabulous. Went there on my honeymoon in 1959. The hotel personnel treated my bride and me like royalty. Drove my father in law’s Toyopet 😊

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Wow! I bet the 12th generation father who sat with us was there Dovard!! It hasn’t changed much in almost 400 years. I bet my grandkids can come back here and sit exactly where I sat today sharing them story with the 15th generation son!

[@michaelsasano8622]

This livestream was so awesome John! I love hearing about Japan's history. And being told the 47 Ronin story in a 300 year old Amazake Tea House...sugoi!. Eating mochi and drinking tea is simply priceless in that environment. Thank you for taking us along my friend!

[@spacejunk2494]

The story is very worth watching. I would love to walk that trail.

[@TalkToMe66]

She is so right in saying: putting a little bit salt in "sugary", makes it taste sweeter. I learned that from my late grandmother, who added always a hint of salt in sweet, finnish fruit soups for example - but so she did also the other way around, like in sauces...

[@alexquyenvo5196]

For VietNamese, we add a little salt in when we steam sweet potatoes

[@930sim8]

Nice i shall try that 🙏

[@shannondore]

Oh that tea house is incredible. I felt the history the minute you walked in. I'd love to go there someday. And the owners were so sweet. From the story to the song to waving goodbye. That was amazing.😊

[@onlyinjapanGO]

You can smell and taste it too. I was sad to have to go - I could have stayed there for at least 2 hours!

[@andiedance8263]

impressive building, interior takes you straight back to its origins love the idea of cabinets in the stairs. barley water good for kidneys and cooling the body in the summer months, and of course amazake heats the body. mochi in any form is always good. son was so courteous waiting for your departure. will source more about the historical story interesting.

[@innerworldsotherworldsjour9744]

Wow! everyone is so kind, warm and hospitable it's so moving! Thanks Kotosan and the father and son tea house owners for your warmth, kindness and hospitality! Thanks John for sharing this with the world! The world needs more people like them!

[@Mo_Texas5]

John, thank you for taking us there so we can we see this place and hear this story. It was so cool to hear- I had never heard of this story. I just added this to the list of places I want to see when I go to Japan. Thank you! That was amazing!

[@kezbot2]

You could imagine the samurai sipping amazake in there 400 years ago. How incredibly privileged to be a guest of such an historical treasure.

[@jason_from_canada]

Historical stories 🍵

[@kezbot2]

@@jason_from_canada the 47 Ronin story is indeed historical and fascinating!

[@samrutster]

Amazing! When I went to Hakone, I had no idea of this place. Now when I go back to this most beautiful place, I will know it’s history and will surely visit and enjoy it more! Thank you John!

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I know! Same boat - I’m so glad I came. Learned a ton. The whole country has so many hidden historical notes to explore in person. This is an excellent one! The checkpoint is especially well done. Very easy to walk around or catch buses. I was surprised about that. Will have to come back in warmer weather.

[@Artractive_]

I want to go there so badly.. it’s beautiful, like a hidden gem that travels through time, it’s so inspiring to see two genuinely passionate and respectful men who love their craft.. wow!

[@nadinegel]

So much history in this tea house place, this reminds me of some ronin scenes in the samurai movies i’ve seen‼️

[@kpham7569]

I was there in summer 2019! tasty drinks & mochi & nice lady owner. Such a great time! Hope can go back soon!!

[@simonas9862]

I liked the story and i would love to hear it again and again...

[@gsummerhays]

That is so cool!! 13 generations is just amazing!! 400 years old!!

[@hannahcrossett3415]

This is so cool! Thank you so much for this fantastic video!!!!

[@skankinmack]

holy crap i was here like 3 years ago!!!

[@momonakokeshi6325]

That a nice tea shop and owners were so nice. It's was good to hear a story about one of the 47 ronin.

[@tomservo9254]

Sadly I missed this when I visited Hakone, the 2019 mega typhoon had just hit and all the transit and attractions were in a real mess. It's great to see it vicariously though.

[@MegaMastiffman]

And I watched this last thinking it would hold the least history Wrong, wow that was amazing thank you

[@katesommerville7217]

Love watching something/someone that’s cheerful, thanks John. It really looks gorgeous. I’m still hoping to get to Japan one day 👍❤️

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I hope you can make it here soon Kate!

[@007007gf]

Great 400 year old story and the building is very historic. I can see the steam from the amasake while you are drinking it and can imagine the taste. The mochi looks so soft.

[@brotherzeke8002]

Yes, I'm new to, Only in Japan. Seems that the sharing of food and learning is very much a part of Japanese culture. I'm in love with Japan.

[@nirsommer]

too bad you had to leave so suddenly, that place was great! but at least it leaves us with a taste for more

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I know! I’ll be baaaaack! I still smell like the smoky tea house too :) I like it!

[@VerhoevenSimon]

I loved the story time, and the look at such an old building!

[@leekelly5357]

Thank you so much! We will definitely visit this little piece of history!! 🍵

[@TabeshKhan]

What treasures one can tread upon, Thank you John San. 😊

[@blacksheep806]

Whoa!! Such a cool looking place, feels like you stepped back in time!

[@generaladmi]

wonderful story. thank you very much

[@lioness77alfar]

Love the tea house and his special care to wish you luck and good bye thank you for taking us along

[@litharose6305]

What a treat! Thank you so much for sharing with all of us.

[@elcomode]

It's so beautiful and everyone is so friendly. i love this so much Thanks John for showing それはとても美しく、誰もがとてもフレンドリーです。 私はこれが大好きです これを見せてくれてありがとう。

[@lesleyhulshoff6563]

That's awesome! What an amazing place to visit,... with all the history and all!🤩🙏👍💯

[@siddhantkarhadkar6250]

Good to see the place is doing well! Was here 3 years ago in Jan19!

[@franny1024]

Loved this episode, thank you John!

[@min2vietin]

It's a great story. Thank you Johna for doing this. You're the best!!!

[@HushedHermit]

What a unique experience, thanks for sharing this with us

[@SC-mh5ix]

A high dignified ceremony here , touching, cheers .

[@bethdelacruz7693]

This is the great ever interesting story of the of the sumarai. You see john one of my fav movie was the last samurai. So that is why im interested about Japan history and culture. About their integrity and other value they have. I love hearing stories like this. Hope you have more blogs about their interesting stories . Tnx

[@alcala8221]

Hello John just saw this video and thank you this was a beautiful video and hearing the story.

[@miriamc7139]

What a great experience im all for it !

[@pikakerose]

what an awesome video n story i wish i visited this teahouse when i was in hakone.

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

thanks for anther most interesting video john extremely grateful

[@zhangliubao]

very nice little trip

[@v2015v]

اجواء سحرية❤

[@marynamurray9385]

What a treat and great story-telling !

[@Pogue4]

Just Amazing John Thank You.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

You are very welcome! Great to have you with us on this adventure today *\(^o^)/*

[@NatalieYOT]

Wow! That was something else!

[@jaydkaladcamper]

Nice place. You didn’t get to finish your mochis and amazake though. Will include this on my next trip. Thanks John for showing this.

[@Swi55Milk]

Love that tea house! It was one of the highlights of my trip :)

[@pepe_fez]

Awesome place, really nice ambience 👍

[@RobbC.]

Excellent history lesson John + your guide, awesome stream. Another "to-go" pin in the map

[@astroboy3507]

Such a Royal looking tea house!!! Massive timber beams!!!! And great set umai!!!!!👍🏻 Even a good bye song!!!👌🏻

[@onlyinjapanGO]

This place, loved the smoky fire place smell and old feeling the warmth of fire and people :)

[@astroboy3507]

@@onlyinjapanGO yes it looked so cosy and nice people!👍🏻

[@jantravis4616]

Kommichiwa, John hello! They used wooden pegs to connect the wooden beams . I would love some matcha tea . I'm watching from Oklahoma. Our weather has been a couple of days of cold and warm ups. Days of nearly 70s and it's January!

[@bankerdave888]

Wow, fascinating Samurai story!

[@anasibndawood6696]

This was beautiful

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

the lady escorting you john really does look like kanae

[@aoiferedmond91]

You've given your viewers from around the world something rare and special with this particular vlog. What a great story and and such a lovely family

[@jarihult]

Great stream and very enjoyable looking teahouse ! That story was scary but awesome at the same time 👍! Thank you for sharing 👍!!!

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

here in england health and safety is over the top john anyway here in england food would not be allowed to be cooking on a table in restaurants nor would fires be allowed to be burning in the home although if we did there is no hole in the roof for the smoke to escape john

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

azumi 1 and 2 are two good films to watch john

[@myramay5023]

Wow John what a amazing trip and story of the 47 Ronin's . Question, did they died as Samurai or ronin ? In the film they died as Samurai. And we are having in the caribbean commercial of japan tours now. Thank you I enjoyed the bus ride with you. 🤗☕🙏

[@JapanMonAmourTheJapanHouse]

Excellent!!

[@808ronin1]

Like putting salt on watermelon, makes it a little more sweet

[@obc3095]

Koto is also the 13 generation.

[@mohdnaserhussainnaser9838]

Amezing

[@zakariamohamed7175]

WOW amazing 😻🌿💚

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

yes n nails used and the smoke made the roof more waterproof and strengthened the ropes used i the roof and it killed off insects

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

im listening to a japanese lady donna the explorer in japan telling the story of the 47 ronin john

[@garys5540]

Do you know where the sepuku site of the 47 Ronin? This place is definitely on my bucket list

[@katherineyanagihara2909]

Aloha! Wonderful!

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

and battle royale 1 and 2 and also death note 1 and 2 and 3 i have them on dvd

[@Jonluc66]

does Amazake have any alcohol in it.?

[@alexquyenvo5196]

Cool place and story, thanks for taking us here, John ! By the way, do you know if there's a Wao Rui Only in Japan channel as well ? Is it yours or someone copies your channel ?!?

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

your going into the restaurant john as made hungry so i have put a meat pie in the oven warming up tinned potatoes and tinned peas the peas and potatoes will do for two other days as i dont eat a lot john

[@davidwolstenholme3672]

tea and bickies now john

[@PatAruntanayothin]

Do they have an english menu? Do they welcome non-japanese customers?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes, they do.

[@PatAruntanayothin]

@@onlyinjapanGO can you guide me how to get there? I will use Hakone Free Pass and take the train from Tokyo. I saw another video showing taking a bus from train station. What kind of bus? What stop to get to the place? Thank you!

[@jant4741]

Table manners? To be polite, plates stay down, 2 hands picking up cups & bowls unless intending to be brash, upper ranked or uncultured… A head nod, admire food presentation, itadakimasu etc…. Lovely host. Amazing tea house!

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Sorry, I’m here for my viewers. They need to see what I’m eating. I lift the plate for them, not to try to impress the people not looking at me that I’m “cultured” so intending to be brash vs managing a live stream for an audience. There’s a difference when you’re here alone and with a camera. Compromise. Thanks for joining me here :)

[@jant4741]

@@onlyinjapanGO Waving a hot tea cup around while talking as if it were a glass of beer? You are also representing Westerners in Japan. Maybe to study tea ceremony a little would help to understand. You have been there too long for that or simply have no one that cares enough to teach you.

[@koto943]

@Jan T Hello! I'm Koto, the tour guide of that day. Thank you for watching the video(^^)！ I truly appreciate your input. However, please be assured that there's no need of having table manners like you mentioned above. We were sitting by the hearth without any table. Tall person like John would have to bend over really low toward a fire if he had made the plate stay on the edge of the hearth. Besides he was thoroughly well-mannered lifting the plate to prevent soy bean powder from flying out the air. I told him to hold the plate, so it would have to be me who should be blamed if the scene wasn't any likeable to you. The way John drinks Amazake is absolutely proper! I guarantee that you will be surprised to see Japanese people swirl their cup when they drink Amazake! Lastly the Amazakechaya(the tea house) is rather the old style café than the traditional tea ceremony. We don't have a dress code nor ask any table manners at all. Please come visit us and stay just the way you are and enjoy the ambience!

[@jant4741]

@@koto943 You would be fun to hang out with for sure! Thankfully no food rolled off that plate. The meaning is deep in that, but then I grew up in a Zen household that practices tea ceremony with antiques in a 200 year old house. (I was often scolded)

[@zippo57jc]

The goodbye song is Beautiful

[@siddharthk522]

The subtitles were timed pretty bad😄😄. It appeared before you started talking

[@KSPRAYDAD]

Amazake Tea House Mochi in your Vending Machines

[@christianhansen3292]

bye bye be safe.

[@jetvlz8592]

When they left the father and son owner singing. Is it normal?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes, it’s fine, it was a song for farewell … but really, I thought the bus was at 33 not 25 past! We needed another 5 min :) it’s a place where travelers come and go. If you gotta go, you gotta go! They’re used to it, no matter what century you’re in. Just don’t forget to pay!!!! 💴

[@jetvlz8592]

Oh I get it! That's awesome.

[@angelazuspan6302]

Why are people dying from mochi? Should we not eat it?

[@the-o5202]

😍

[@bettypassat617]

You didn't finish your mochi! What a waste!!! 😂

[@onlyinjapanGO]

It was a shame for sure!! But one note - never rush eating mochi!! It is a killer at New Years because of people choking to death. Maybe I saved my own life?!

[@MuddyShoesBB]

Koto is a hot babe!

[@onlyinjapanGO]

She’s going to love this comment! 😂 🥰

[@MuddyShoesBB]

@@onlyinjapanGO Tell her, lets have tea together!

[@LaTomate.]

initial D

[@sakesama1]

GREAT VIDEO, BUT PLEASE QUIT WEARING THE MASK AS IT DOES ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. UNLESS YOU ARE FIGHTING BACTERIA!

[@onlyinjapanGO]

It’s the rule indoors in Japan - 3 months ago when I made this Roberto. But thank you.