We used to go here all the time in the mid 1970's, we lived in Tokai so it wasn't that far away, some of my best memories from my childhood in Japan were had here!!! Sometimes I wondered if this place really ever existed so I'm SO GLAD to see this video and I'm glad it's still here, can't wait to show this to my parents.

It is an impressive resort & spa, but it has only a very slight feel of Hawaii…more like a general tropical feel. Similar to eating at Islands Restaurant in LA, cheesy tropical feel (surfboards on the wall, fake palm trees and flower leis) and the food has nothing to do with Hawaii. But I’d still would like to check it out someday. I was born and raised in Hawaii, and having a large percentage of the population of Japanese ancestry does partially explain why Japanese love Hawaii. There’s a lot of Japanese influence on the food and customs in Hawaii: taking shoes off before going inside or bringing home omiyage when going on a trip. There are many shinto shrines and buddhist temples; in the late summer there are many bon odori festivals across the State. But I think Japanese also love Hawaii because of it’s natural beauty, the laid-back lifestyle, the warm temperature, and the spirit of Aloha, which is similar to the spirit of omotenashi in Japan. Surfing, hula dancing, playing the ukulele, loco-moco, poke…these are things that a lot of Japanese think are fun, cool, and associate with Hawaii. Some of my cousins in Japan love going to Hawaii themed restaurants and eating macadamia nut pancakes, drinking kona coffee, or eating Leonard’s malasadas at the Yokohama World Porters mall. So I think a lot of Japanese love Hawaii because it’s very different, but there’s something so familiar as well. As for me, I can tell you that I love Japan because of its natural beauty, just like Hawaii. I grew up eating a lot of Japanese foods (sashimi, sushi, natto, ramen, mochi, soba, udon, etc.), occasionally soaking in a furo, visiting the temple on new year’s day (hatsumōde), and watching Japanese tv shows (sumo, Kikaida, Karmen Rider, Soko Ga Shiritai, Kōhakūtagassen, Miyamoto Musashi series, etc.). My brothers trained in judo, while I decided to learn Aikido. I even worked at a Japanese restaurant during high school. I love Japan because it is so familiar to me and it’s always so interesting to learn more about the culture and history when I’m there. There’s a mutual interest between Hawaii and Japan.

Wow! This looks SO fun! I'm glad they could rebuild and recover after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami. I read on Japanese Wikipedia that they had to close down for a while because of the tsunami and the nuclear accident, and afterwards, this facility housed hundreds of people whose homes were destroyed in the earthquake. I'd like to visit this resort if I'm ever in Iwaki.

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Please do! I am thinking to drive up and take Kanae and Leo for a day, paddle around and eat Hawaiian food 😋 in 28℃ heat 🌴 the area really needs a boost!

いわきでハワイなんてどうなの？って最初のみんなの不安から、ここまでずっと継続して人気なのは本当にすごい！ コロナで大変だけど頑張ってほしい！私もいつか行きます！！！

The hula troop has come to Hawaii to perform at the Merry Monarch Festival

How cool is this!! 😎 Thanks for taking us on the tour, John! 👍🏻

Great video. The dancers were doing a Tahitian dance, but overall the place looked laid back just like the Hawaiian countryside. 👍

Fantastic place to visit! There are so many cool places like this to discover in Japan!

Wow looks great! My grandmother wants to take my girlfriend, my ex, and some other friends here on a trip. I am excited!

@kaeken

2 жыл бұрын

Wow have fun! I hope your ex doesn’t reveal something that you’ve been hiding about your current relationship to your grandmother!

@EnderP1ush

2 жыл бұрын

@@kaeken Cultured people I see..

@FoXyToWn

2 жыл бұрын

Remember to keep your phone on a closed zipper bag… it might fall with the screen ON …

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

Did she kissed you?

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

@@kaeken well at least his girlfriend kissed him. I was there and I think his girlfriend lost something at the pool

Oh wow! You're in Iwaki. That's where my wife is from and I've been to Hawaiians almost yearly. Just not the last two years.

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

You will be warmly welcomed when you return again :) I lived here 21 years ago and didn’t come - finally, I made it!!

Such a cool place. You made me want to go! Your good at presenting.

I was packing thick winter clothes. Didn’t know it’s warm inside.Thanks for this vid.

That looks so cool. I'm just so jealous, there's just so many awesome places to go.

Great work as always :) That place looks great but u definitely can see that is old :)

Wish we could see you go down the water-slide and looks like a really fun theme park!

Awesome job John

Great editing 👍 Please take time to spend there with family.🥳

Aha. Great memories. Was there a bit over two years ago with a one night stay. Was really fun. Watched the shows as well they do. The onsen you can bathe in are great too. It can get incredibly crowded though, so it's kinda cool to see it as empty as it is now. Would suggest staying one night for sure as the place is huge and there's too much to do in one day, especially when it's crowded.

Amazing place. Nice video ✌️

What a beautiful resort!

That looks like a lot of fun, especially here from chilly Philadelphia!

I have the dvd Hula Girls. It was a really good story. I think it looked more tropical in the movie. It probably changed after earthquake. I'd love to see it in person se day.

Awesome, so many pools to swim.

Love the sunflower room at 8:08 😊👍❤️

Sugoi! Fun & beautiful resort! 😍💞

That place is huge. Hardly any Hawaiian feel though lol. However I would love to go there😉 and have fun and enjoy the onsen water. Yes , Hawaiian man do hula, but not the one with fire , that’s Samoan .

Thanks for showing this place 😉🤗! Anne .Paris😊 !

This looks like a fun place. You definitely need to take Leo there when he get older. Oh and btw... 🎂Happy Birthday!!🎉😊

There's a big Japanese community on Hawaii. A lot of okanowan people. Maybe that's why there is a connection between Hawaii and Japan. It makes sense as Hawaii is in the Pacific Sea between Asia and American continent.

Hey John, great video! As someone who lives in Hawaii, it is interesting to see how others view us. A little bit "corny," but it's OK. The reason Hawaii and Japan are so connected is that Japanese came to Hawaii at the turn of the 19th-20th century (1898?) to work on sugar cane and pineapple plantations. Many poor Japanese came to work, hoping to send money back home, then eventually return to Japan but instead, many just ended up staying to the point where today, over 30% of Hawaii's population is of Japanese ancestry. When some Okinawans actually did manage to return home, they took Hawaiian pigs with them for the long journey and raised them when they got home, thus their love of pork today. Hula is done by men and women. Kahiko (kah-HEE-koh) is the old traditional hula, and auana (ow-WAH-nah) is the more modern version (after missionaries arrived). The videos you saw at the resort was actually Tahitian dancing, but I know they do Hawaiian hula as well. Fire knife dancing is usually considered Samoan. I'm curious enough to want to visit.

What a nice place.👍

I used to be an ALT in Iwaki, great place!

That looks like fun, didn't know about it. Though the best theme park would have to be Fuji-Q Highland!

Don’t need to be a kid to love flowing down the lazy river 😂

Japan has a cool history

You musta read "Kanojo, Okarishimasu" seriously what timing lmao!

I'll never look at this place and not trigger my 218 PTSD

Aloha watching from Hawaii.

Wow.😀

I live in Hawaii and this vaguely tropical. But even the food it is a Japanese take on Hawaiian food because “loco moco” is serve with a brown gravy not curry. Yes men can dance the hula, back in ancient times only men could do hula. I teach ukulele and have a Christian hula team. Would love to show you. The dancing you showed in the beginning is Tahitian dance and the dancing with the fire knife is a Samoan. In Hawaii you will see dances performed in many hula shows are actually dances of Polynesia which feature dances from different parts of Polynesia.

There was a indoor water park called Seagaia Ocean dome in Miyazaki which was the worlds largest until it closed have you ever been there John?

woww many animes feature scenes in a place like this 😂

Looks fun! Actually I was going to say, at 10:25 it does resemble to the Turkish or Roman baths in Hungary (my home country). Thanks for showing us this cool place! :)

OMG! This place still exists?! I thought they closed down all of these and I could only see it in anime

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

IKR right I remember one time I saw a girl in the pool at the corner looking so awkward. I think she might lost something. Oh yeah she kissed a guy too

There's a 2006 movie about the resort, Hula Girls (フラガール, Fura gāru), great movie!

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

That was the poster I passed near the end! Ah, I’ll have to rent that one now.

It’s more like Cesar’s palace in Vegas than Hawaii

Excellent premiere and excellent spa 👍 that place looks beyond awesomeness ! Arigato , mahalo 👍!!!

Waterpark Paradise

If youve ever been to Hawaii you know why theres a strong connection between S.E.A. and Hawaii. It sits in the middle of the pacific. The culture is equal part S. East Asia, Hawaiians and America. Specifically California. Even the topography it kind of reminds of Taiwan or even Fujian on the coast. Its really quite nice. Especially if you love asian people. Also thai tea is big there because they only have to ship it half way. Everyone speaks english everything is written in English but theres also a don don donki. It really is halfway to Japan but also half way to America.

The resort looks quite different to how it used to! only a few years ago it had a massive pirate ship inside the main water park hall where the stage is now. I wonder what happened to it.

@redeemer665

Жыл бұрын

Oh, I remember that pirate ship now! It was in making during my visit but never had the chance to go again to see it completed.

Aloha John!

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Aloha!

The brick structure at 10:06 looks very amphitheatre like to me.

Wow! This place look fantastic. I would enjoy going there and having fun on the water slides.

West Edmonton mall in Alberta has something like this, Great to visit when its minus 30 outside Lol

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting! It should always have a Hawaiian theme! It’s so nice and relaxing.

日本語ペラペラで笑ったw ハワイアンズ行きたくなった！

reiji miyajima’s “rent a girlfriend”(彼女おかりします) made manga chapters of this place

@FoXyToWn

2 жыл бұрын

Made? After 6 months we’re still in the hotel arc !! Talk about product placement on manga

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

Now that resort should have a rule against bringing your ex-girlfriend with you along with your current girlfriend to avoid spoiling moments

Hawaii had a bunch of huge sugar plantations, and the owners needed cheap labor to harvest the crops and stuff, so they scoured the planet. A lot of Japanese came over to work in the fields. (It says here 43% of Hawaii's population in 1920 was Japanese.) So did a bunch of Portuguese, oddly enough, who brought along their fave portable instrument, the ukulele (actually various relatives that morphed into the ukulele). And be sure to watch "Hula Girls" (2006) to see the backstory of the resort. If I went there, I'd want to see the old mines instead.

@rztrzt

2 жыл бұрын

I watched Hulu Girls yonks ago, forgot about it and the connection to this resort. Gonna watch Hula Girls again as I loved it, thanks for the reminder!

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Joe! Love the background history - fascinating. I didn’t know that. I will watch the movie when I get home! I really loved seeing the videos of the hula dancers!! 😍 so relaxing and fun to watch.

This place looks awesome, I've always loved big indoor facilities like this.

love the culture baths, hawian slash okinawa slash roman architect a bit=3

わがままで申し訳ありません もし良ければなんですけど、日本語訳付けて貰いたいです､､､！ 英語苦手なんですけど、サムネでつられてなんとなく見始めたんです。 そしたら貴方の動画がとても魅力的だと思いまして、是非なんて言っているのか知りたいなぁと思いました。 こんなに長い動画に翻訳をつけるのは面倒でしょうし無理な場合は無視していただけると嬉しいです

It feels like Opryland under the dome.

Wanted to go there after seeing Hula Girls. Hope to visit there soon. Never been to Hawaii but my grandmother grew up there before coming to the mainland.

Oh wow I had no idea it was onsen water, thought it was chlorine haha

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Yeah, right!? I was surprised too.

Do they speak japanese pidgin there? lol it has raging waters Hawaii with mix aulani hotel vibe I mean this could work in Hawaii if it was in Waikiki...

Before you walked in there appeared to be a sign forbidding tattoo’s. Was this true and what exactly were the restrictions? Considering the prevalence of body art in modern culture this point should be addressed considering the numerous variables in Japanese resort culture concerning tattoos! These restrictions should always be addressed because they directly impact a families plans!

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, I saw that but didn’t check into it much since I didn’t get in the water. I should have pointed it out. That may be a deal breaker for some but ALWAYS call ahead because the policy is changing as more and more younger business owners take over for grandparents 😉

Hmmm is that the resort from the “rent a girlfriend” manga 🤔. Let’s wait and see EDIT: confirmed, it’s the same place from Kanojo Okarishimasu manga. Nice to see Jhon’s tour of a place depicted on the manga. Kazuya and Chizuru in tha house 🤪

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

From the many comments I see, it is! Wow 😮 I wish I’d know before!

isn't yumoto onsen in nikko?

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

There’s one here too :)

I miss Japan...I've gone there 4 times already and want more

11:56 Panoramasona

Curry is HUGE in Hawaii.

Who are you friends following you

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

I asked permission but they shadowed me :) I also thought it’s better they keep their distance with the pandemic 😷 one is the manager of the Hawaiians. He was super nice, let me go to places closed and explained the history to me. Sometimes there is - a shadow on these streams.

Waterslides =))

Definitely has a Hawaiians feel to it. You Definitely need to make it up to your family. They feel betrayed.

I was wondering were this vid went from today John!!!! 😁🤙🏻

How are they with tattoos???

is this a paid promotion?

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Fair question! Hawaiians did not pay me. I’ve always wanted to go here and glad I finally could make it. This was part of a project I’m doing to help highlight Tohoku. I’ve been to all the prefectures in the last few months looking for more spots to promote, Aomori today! Yamagata last week. Sendai and Miyagi in December - before Omicron may shut travel down more here. Moving fast.

映画フラガールを見ると、なんでフラダンスしてるのか分かると思う！

That’s funny his wife’s name is kanai that is also A Hawaiian name

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Actually, Kanae (Kah-nah-eh) but most non-Japanese can’t say it so she used to go by Katie in the US hahaha! Don’t tell her I told you.

Hi John. Are there any heated indoor pools where Leo can swim in Tokyo? Regards to Kanae and Leo🦁😌

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Ah, there are but they’re quite crowded compared to this. I’d be a little worried but this spa resort was perfect! A lot of space and relaxing vibe on weekdays! It’ll be so much fun to see him swim with inflated wings and ring! 🏊‍♂️ maybe next month! He swims a little in the bathtub, I’m not kidding!

Interesting, but security doesn't trust you :)

I remember there's a rental girlfriend kissed her client in this resort

This is not live?

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

No, the signal was not good enough in many spots so I have it a very light edit.

Don't waste your time and money if you are like me who is from Hawai'i and have tattoos because they have a no tattoo policy. This place was made mostly for Japanese people who have never been to the islands of Hawai'i and is not foreigner friendly even if you're from Hawai'i itself. When my child was born even as a baby and growing up I would take my child swimming and flash-forward to now living here in Japan my child goes swimming at swim classes regularly. I had to buy a swimsuit that covers my tattoos in order to go swimming with my child here in Japan which I understand because it's Japan but to have a resort called the Hawaiian Resort you would think they would be relaxed on the tattoo policy on foregners. I guess whatever!

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

“Foreigner Friendly” they are very friendly to non-Japanese in my experience :) they have rules that I don’t particularly like either but that does NOT make them foreigner un-friendly. If they allow anyone with tattoos, it will impact the old ladies and older generation which is probably a high % of business but it will undoubtedly change as the younger generation not only is getting tattoos, they’re more accepting of it. So, you may disagree with the rules they have but the staff there is extremely friendly. I do disagree with the policy though and yes, for a “Hawaiian” place, they should promote Hawaiian tattoos. I am sure they’re reading this and will take note. Bottom line: this place is awesome but unfortunately the current rules prohibit tattoos.

I'm from Hawaii and not ripping on the video. I'm just saying how this isn't representative of Hawaii, more of Polynesia. That's not Hawaiian Hula (8:15) - It's Tahitian. (17:06) That's Auana Hula (Modern) Sunflowers are not representative of Hawaii. The spa looks Roman. The loco-moco dish is representative of Hawaii, but it's typically not served with a curry flavoring. It's normally just beef gravy. Fire dancing (18:47) is Samoan, not Hawaiian.

This is the place where the NTR occurred.

@Clinical-it2rc

2 жыл бұрын

Indeed

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

It's just his imagination that didn't happened

@yokun1885

Жыл бұрын

@@saratoga4126 his imagination happened

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

@@yokun1885 no it didn't they're still virgins an NBSB and a generic simp

Kinda funny how mostly the woman all seem to be wearing clothes while inside the water ... in my country and most places I went to as a tourists it was not allowed to use clothes ... of course a swimmsuit is okay and actually required but those look very different from a swimmsuit actually like they are just wearing ther usuall summer street wear. I even got into trouble a few times jumping into a pool with my t-shirt :/

Wow, this place looks stunning. But have I seen this right, you are not allowed to show uncovered tattoos?

Thank you for the video, John! But I wonder: Why are you taking off your mask in the 🛗 elevator of all places? That‘s the smallest possible room many humans enter and therefore the risks of getting infected or giving the infection is at the highest there. It‘s also really confusing to me that people in Japan wear masks outside even when social distancing is possible, so the risk of infections is near zero. But at least that‘s just an inconvenience, not a health risk like taking off masks in elevators.

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

The empty elevator to a closed off area of the spa … that few people use. Yeah, I’m not too worried as I’ve been tested so many times including an hour before starting this live stream. I may be sick in a few days but not on this day. Felt great, normal temperature. Time to stop questioning stuff like this 🤷‍♂️ 80%+ are double vaccinated here. People wear masks not just for the virus outside. It is the start of hay fever and masks reduce pollen, important for many with allergies. But in general many wear it because they don’t want to be judged for not wearing one despite the fact that there is little meaning to wear a mask walking down an empty street 🤷‍♂️ I don’t wear one and only wear the minimal mask because I have been double vaccinated and trust my immune system to do its job at this stage. I’m fine with criticism though 😂 I get it every day since becoming a KZreadr, apologize when warranted, ignore when not. PS: the elevator has a fan and I don’t know what kind of elevators you ride but they’re ventilated here. Air circulates through it.

You are here because of Rent-a-Girlfriend Season 4

I am from Hawaii, and its kind of offensive. It has nothing to do with the Hawaiian culture. We don't have a place in Hawaii called ''Japanese's" and has sushi stands and Sashimi restaurants with Tokyo drift cars. And for the record, I am Japanese born and raised in Hawaii.

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

When you see offensive, I see compliment! It’s pretty awesome that they love Hawaiian culture so much they made a place with a nice and warm 28C with excellent Hula dancers that also preform in Hawaii’s too competitions. It has a lot to do with Hawaii. But I see the good in it. You’ll have to explain why you’d be offended because I simply don’t get it.

Why does everybody wear shorts and a shirt? don't they have swimsuits or bikinis in japan? =S

@whimsy-chan1188

2 жыл бұрын

Japan has bikinis but they're not common. Swim suits are more one piece/tankini/rashie style with boardshorts.

@laladieladada

2 жыл бұрын

​@@petalingjaya7210 still, as far i know do people wear swimwear when they go swimming. No matter where they are. Except for Arabic countries or Muslims in general. But here i see almost everybody just wear normal everyday summer clothes.. =S

@laladieladada

2 жыл бұрын

@@whimsy-chan1188 But what is it with all the moms wearing their summer clothes and boys/dads wearing normal t-shirts instead?

Are japanese people really this shy ? most of the adults (women mostly, but also some kids) seem to be almost fully dressed. Or did they know you were filming ?

Thanks for the tip on cheaper tickets, but less thanks for your clear attempt to bankrupt this resort by telling people not to pay full price.

How many people are here after reading Rent a Girlfriend (Kanojo Okarishimasu)??

@saratoga4126

Жыл бұрын

No I haven't read the manga. But I do watch a group of people made a scene in this resort 3 years ago when we last visited this resort. I bet two lovers kissing each other the girl is wearing blue damselfish colored bikini

Vibes of Hawaii? Sorry to say: no. But, pretending can be a pleasant diversion and swimming is nice.

I don’t like Hawaii

@onlyinjapanGO

2 жыл бұрын

Do you like pineapples 🍍?

@korkz808

2 жыл бұрын

Good. Don’t come back.

Although a very nice water park, I see zero connection to Hawaii. Go to Hawaii if you want to experience it.