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.
Staying at a ryokan is a wonderful experience. Some ryokans feature hot springs baths, some are known for the quality of their cuisine, and some ryokans are well-known for their gardens. Here is a shortlist of our favorite ryokans with gardens. If you love Japanese gardens then these are the ryokans for you.
Located between Hiroshima and Miyajima; this Luxurious Ryokan has 10 Japanese-style rooms, and each room has its own private bath and toilet. Sekitei is located in a residential area with a view of Miyajima in the distance. This ryokan is surrounded by a beautiful Japanese garden as well. Sekitei is known for its delicious Japanese cuisine. There are both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths for women and men (same gender only), and the baths are also open 24 hours a day. Check-in time is after 16:00 and check-out time is before 10:00 am. Parking is available with advance notice.
Daimaru Besso near Fukuoka on the island of Kyushu is a Traditional Ryokan established in 1865. Daimaru Besso has 3 different buildings, the Taishotei, the Heiantei, and the Showatei. All the rooms in the Taishotei have a view of the Japanese garden; other rooms have a view of Japanese nature. Daimaru Besso has 40 rooms, and all of them have their own private bathroom. There are 2 family baths that can be reserved for private use. Guests are served meals in the dining room. Daimaru Besso recommends you to try their four-season Kaiseki for dinner.
Arai Ryokan was built in 1872 and embodies Traditional Japanese style with its Japanese gardens, tatami mat rooms, and fine woodwork. This ryokan is located in Shuzenji Onsen on the Izu Peninsula near Tokyo. There are 25 Japanese style guest rooms located in various private cottages at Arai Ryokan. A wooden bridge leads to the guest rooms, and the rooms themselves overlook either the Katsura River or the courtyard with its large pond full of carp (koi fish). Arai Ryokan’s cave-like bathhouse was built in 1933, and thick cypress pillars together with massive rocks surround its many hot spring baths. There are both indoor and outdoor shared hot spring baths as well as private hot spring baths in some of the guest rooms. Furthermore, there are saunas and a “Family Bath” that can be reserved for private use. Arai Ryokan has a teahouse set in an orchard of 3,000 plum trees, and from there a wonderful view of Mount Fuji is available. Arai Ryokan serves traditional Japanese kaiseki cuisine in the privacy of each of the guest rooms. Check-time is after 15:00 and check-out time is before 11:00 am. Parking is available, and English is spoken.
The highlight of Kankaso ryokan is its gorgeous Japanese garden. Kankaso is a Traditional Ryokan with a garden conveniently located, close to Nara’s world-famous Todaiji Temple. The staff at Kankaso try to make their guests feel comfortable and relaxed. All 10 guest rooms are traditional Japanese style, and there are 2 large baths for the guests to enjoy. One of the baths is a “family bath” where families can bathe in private if it is not occupied. Meals are served either in the dining area or in the privacy of Kankaso’s guest rooms. Check-in time is after 15:00 and check-out time is before 10:00 am. Limited parking is available though limited.
