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.
Hiroshima was the first city to be destroyed by an atomic bomb on August 6, 1945. Every year millions of people visit the city to pay their respects to this massive destruction at the Peace Memorial Park and its museum. In stark contrast to its horrific past, Hiroshima is presently a city full of pretty rivers, tree-lined boulevards and attractive museums and art galleries. Located at the west end
Popularly regarded as one of the three most beautiful places in Japan (the other two are Amanohashidate on the Japan Seacoast and Matsushima in Tohoku), Miyajima is a tiny island located just off the mainland in the Seto Inland Sea near Hiroshima. Miyajima is easily recognized in photos by the huge red torii (gate) which rises out of the ocean and guards the entrance to Itsushima Shrine. Miyajima
The name \"Kurashiki\" means \"warehouse village,\" and during the 17 century Kurashiki became a prosperous market where rice, cotton, and sake were collected from the surrounding area and shipped off to other parts of Japan. The warehouses of Kurashiki are still there, and this architecture gives this town its special appeal. Full of traditional Japanese-style buildings and canals, Kurashiki is o
Izumo is a city in Shimane Prefecture. It is a 3-hour drive from Hiroshima City. Izumo is known for Izumo soba noodles and the Izumo Taisha Shinto shrine. Izumo Taisha is considered Japan\'s second most important shrine after Ise Jingu. Izumo is a pleasant and relaxing city, with a population of about 145,000 people. Izumo is a fantastic place to explore some of Japan\'s ancient history and mytho
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
Tamatsukuri Onsen is centrally located right between the two major cities of Izumo and Matsue. Tamatsukuri Onsen is one of the oldest onsen in all of Japan. the waters here are said to have dermatological beautifying properties; and this is no mere legend, for scientific analysis has turned up positive for beneficial minerals and chemicals in Tamatsukuri Onsen\'s waters. Tamatsukuri Onsen is not o
Tsuwano is a town located in Kanoashi District. Tsuwano is remotely located and surrounded by hills. Popularly called the \"Little Kyoto of San-In,\" Tsuwano is known for its picturesque main street, \"Tono-machi,\" which is lined with Edo-era buildings and Koi ponds. The waterway which flows by the main street is filled with lively carp, which add color and vibrance to the picturesque surrounding
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
Kurayoshi is a city located in the central part of Tottori Prefecture. The name of Kurayoshi in the Japanese language is formed from two kanji characters. The first, ?, means \"warehouse\", a historical feature of the city, and the second, ? means \"good\" or \"good fortune\". You’ll find the spirit of the people here is strong and they adhere to the traditional way of life. That’s expertly on
Tottori Prefecture is located in the western part of Honshu along the Sea of Japan and between Shimane and Hyogo Prefectures. The origin of the name of this prefecture comes from the Japanese word "tori" or bird. During the Nara Period (8 Century) this part of Japan had many lakes and marshes, and the people who lived here caught the local water birds for a living. Today, Tottori Prefecture is kno
