What is a Ryokan? Ryokans are the best way to experience Japanese culture and enjoy the true comforts of Japanese hospitality and service.
Hot springs have a very long history in Japan, and they are an intimate part of Japanese culture. There are over 3,000 "onsen" ,or hot springs, in Japan. Many can be found at the ryokans available on Japanese Guest Houses.
The capital city of Hokkaido is Sapporo, Japan's fifth largest city. Sapporo served as the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics and today it is the transportation hub of Hokkaido. This city of 1.8 million people has several attractions such as the Sapporo Brewery and the Botanical Gardens. Sapporo's "Summer Festival" is held from mid-July to mid-August and the famous "Yuki Matsuri" (Snow Festival) is
The capital city of Hokkaido is Sapporo, Japan's fifth largest city. Sapporo served as the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics and today it is the transportation hub of Hokkaido. This city of 1.8 million people has several attractions such as the Sapporo Brewery and the Botanical Gardens. Sapporo's "Summer Festival" is held from mid-July to mid-August and the famous "Yuki Matsuri" (Snow Festival) is
The capital city of Hokkaido is Sapporo, Japan\'s fifth largest city. Sapporo served as the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics and today it is the transportation hub of Hokkaido. This city of 1.8 million people has several attractions such as the Sapporo Brewery and the Botanical Gardens. Sapporo\'s \"Summer Festival\" is held from mid-July to mid-August and the famous \"Yuki Matsuri\" (Snow Festiva
Daisetsuzan National Park has a wide range of hot springs, gorges, and mountains including Asahidake which is Hokkaido\'s tallest mountain. At the northeast side of the park lies Sounkyo Onsen (Sounkyo Hot Spring) which is the most developed section of the park. The resort town of Sounkyo Onsen is populated with restaurants and several very large hotels. However, the Sounkyo Gorge is the main attr
Kushiro is the largest city in eastern Hokkaido with a population of about 200,000 residents. The city is known for its deep-sea fishing and for tourists it is the starting point for visits to Akan National Park and Shiretoko National Park. Akan National park is a mountainous park located in eastern Hokkaido, and the park's main attractions are its spectacular mountains, lakes, and crater lakes. T
Arima Onsen (Arima Hot Springs) is located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture and it is one of the oldest hot spring areas in Japan. Located on the northern slopes of Mount Rokko, Arima Hot Springs is full of expensive hotels, souvenir shops, and resorts. It is a very good destination for a first introduction to a hot spring resort.
Hyogo Prefecture stretches from the north side of side of Osaka Bay to to the opposite coast on the Sea of Japan. It is one of the most populous prefectures in Japan (ranked 8th out of 47), and home to the industrial and commercial center of Kobe (which recently opened its own airport), the city of Takarazuka (where the famous, all-women Takarazuka Revue musical theater group performs) and the his
If you visit a castle in Japan, Himeji Castle should be your first choice. This white five-story is one of the few castles in Japan that remained undamaged since it was built several centuries ago. Originally a fort in the 14th century, the castle was remodeled into its present structure in the early 1600s. Himeji Castle is known as the \"White Heron Castle\" and it is one of the most beautiful an
If you visit a castle in Japan, Himeji Castle should be your first choice. This white five-story is one of the few castles in Japan that remained undamaged since it was built several centuries ago. Originally a fort in the 14th century, the castle was remodeled into its present structure in the early 1600s. Himeji Castle is known as the \"White Heron Castle\" and it is one of the most beautiful an
Kinosaki Onsen (hot spring) is located in northern Hyogo prefecture and is famous for seafood especially crab which is best during the winter months of November through March though it is available year round. One of the most famous public hot spring bath houses, which runs along the picturesque Otanigawa River, is Ko-no-yu (hot spring of storks) that legend says was used by storks to heal their w
