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.
Shizuoka Prefecture is located along the Pacific Ocean, and it is full of mountains, lakes, and a long, picturesque coastline. The most famous of its mountains is Mount Fuji which straddles both Shizuoka and the neighboring prefecture of Yamanashi. Besides Mount Fuji, one of the main attractions of this prefecture is the Izu Peninsula which juts out into the Pacific Ocean west of Tokyo. This area
Shuzenji is one of the Izu Peninsula\'s oldest hot springs and is revered all over Japan. It is located in the hilly center of the peninsula on the Katsuragawa River and is filled with history. Shuzenji Temple is said to be founded by Kobo Daishi, one of Japan\'s most famous Buddhist priests, about 1200 years ago when he discovered a natural hot spring with an iron rod. Today this hot spring
Shizuoka Prefecture is located along the Pacific Ocean, and it is full of mountains, lakes, and a long, picturesque coastline. The most famous of its mountains is Mount Fuji which straddles both Shizuoka and the neighboring prefecture of Yamanashi. Besides Mount Fuji, one of the main attractions of this prefecture is the Izu Peninsula which juts out into the Pacific Ocean west of Tokyo. This area
Shizuoka Prefecture is located along the Pacific Ocean, and it is full of mountains, lakes, and a long, picturesque coastline. The most famous of its mountains is Mount Fuji which straddles both Shizuoka and the neighboring prefecture of Yamanashi. Besides Mount Fuji, one of the main attractions of this prefecture is the Izu Peninsula which juts out into the Pacific Ocean west of Tokyo. This area
High in the mountains of western Toyama Prefecture lies the village of Ainokura. Like Shirakawago in Gifu Prefecture, Ainokura is known for its Japanese thatched-roof farmhouses. The buildings are called \"Gassho-Zukuri\" or \"hands-in-prayer,\" and there are about 20 Gassho-Zukuri in this village. Most of these houses were built between the end of the Edo Period and the end of the Meiji period bu
Toyama Prefecture, located in the Chubu Region of Japan, is the leading industrial prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. It is also home to Kurobe Dam, the largest dam in Japan and a popular tourist attraction. Firefly squid, named because of the eerie glow they emit from their bodies, can be seen in the early morning along the coast (they are also a regional delicacy). The prefectural capital, T
Toyama Prefecture, located in the Chubu Region of Japan, is the leading industrial prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. It is also home to Kurobe Dam, the largest dam in Japan and a popular tourist attraction. Firefly squid, named because of the eerie glow they emit from their bodies, can be seen in the early morning along the coast (they are also a regional delicacy). The prefectural capital, T
Welcome to Unazuki Onsen. This hot spring resort is located on the eastern side of Toyama Prefecture which lies along the Sea of Japan. Unazuki Onsen was first developed in the early 20th century, and over the years it has developed into a modern hot spring resort full of ryokans and modern hotels. Unazuki Onsen is known as having one of the most purest hot springs in Japan. There is a sightseeing
Yamanashi Prefecture is a sparsely populated region located directly west of Tokyo Prefecture. It is famous for such sights as Mt. Fuji, the Fuji Five Lakes region, and Kuonji Temple (head of the Nichiren Buddhist sect famous for its "steps of enlightenment" staircase). Yamanashi's natural, mountainous environment makes it a hiker's and nature lover's paradise. Yamanashi is also one of the major f
The mountain is most beautiful from October to May when the top of the mountain is covered with snow, and for the more adventurous the climbing season runs from July to September. Near Mount Fuji lie the Fuji Five Lakes district. During the summertime, this area is popular with tourists from nearby Tokyo. Lake Kawaguchi is a good starting point to climb Mount Fuji, and it also provides access to M
