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.
Yamagata Prefecture is located in the Tohoku region facing the Sea of Japan. The prefecture is full of hot springs, ski and snowboard slopes, hiking trails, and rich culture. One of the most popular tourist destinations in Yamagata Prefecture is Yamadera which is a large complex of ancient temples. It was founded in 860 A.D. and today there are 40 temples scattered among huge cedars trees on a ste
Shimane Prefecture is located along the Sea of Japan coastline in western Japan. The capital city is Matsue and the city is known for Matsue Castle (completed in 1611), one of the few original castles in Japan. North of Matsue Castle lies a row of former samurai residences which are open to the public. Also located among the samurai residences is the former home of Lafcadio Hearn who was one of th
Ishikawa Prefecture lies along the Japanese seacoast, and its spectacular Noto Peninsula extends out into the Sea of Japan. The capital city of Ishikawa Prefecture is Kanazawa which is located on the coast. Along with Kyoto, Kanazawa escaped the bombing during the Second World War and as a result some of the city remains as it as been for hundreds of years. Visitors can explore the tiny narrow cro
Asahikawa is near Daisetsuzan National Park which 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 Sounky
Fukui Prefecture is located near the center of Japan with its northern border lying along the Sea of Japan. There are a number of parks and sights of interest in Fukui such as Echizen Coast Quasi-National Park, Tojimbo in Echizen Coast Quasi-National Park, Sotomo in Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park, and the Five Lakes of Mikata and Rainbow Line in Wakasa Bay Quasi-National Park. Maruoka Castle (20 m
Welcome to Miyagi Prefecture. Located in the central part of the Tohoku region, Miyagi lies approximately 300 kilometers northeast of Tokyo. On its eastern side, Miyagi faces the Pacific Ocean and the prefecture\'s islands of Matsushima are considered one of the three most scenic places in Japan (along with Miyajima in Hiroshima Prefecture and Amanohashidate in Kyoto Prefecture). The Zao, Funagata
Welcome to Matsuyama home of Dogo Onsen one of the oldest hot spring areas in Japan (along with Arima Onsen in Kobe) and frequented by famous Japanese artists and the nobility since the 6th Century. The main hot spring bath is the Dogo Onsen Honkan, and it has been in service for over 100 years. It is the only bath in Japan that has a special section for the Imperial Family. The top of the main bu
Haguroyama or Mt Haguro is one of the Three Mountains of Dewa in the ancient province of Dewa Nowadays called Yamagata Prefecture. It stands at 414 m (1,358 ft) and it is the only one that is accessible throughout the year.A path of 2,466 stone steps leads to its summit. Some trees are believed to be over 600-year-old. There is beautiful five story pagoda and numerous shrines. The steps and the pa
Hakuba is a village in the Japanese Alps, just outside the city of Nagano, which was host of the 1998 Winter Olympics. A winter sports hub, Hakuba encompasses mountain resorts with terrain for skiing, snowboarding and hiking. The Hakuba Ski Jumping Stadium, built for the 1998 games, is at the base of the Happo-one resort. Hakuba village offers a lively après-ski scene and hot springs.
