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.
Yamaguchi Prefecture is located at the western end of the main island of Honshu. This prefecture faces the Sea of Japan and over the years it had many active exchanges with other Asian nations. The capital city of Yamaguchi is known as the \"Kyoto of western Japan\" because of such historical attractions as the temple garden Joeiji and the 5 story pagoda Rurikoji. Nearby Yuda Onsen (Yuda Hot Sprin
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
Hakodate lies in the southwest corner of Hokkaido and faces the Tsugaru Strait. At the end of the 19 century, Hakodate developed as a port town open to foreign trading and as a result today visitors can see the remnants of European, American and Russian style architecture. The Motomachi section of Hakodate houses the Western style architecture as well as various churches including the Russian Orth
Within easy access of Sapporo is Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This is one of Hokkaido's most beautiful parks but also one of its most developed. The centerpieces of Shikotsu-Toya National Park are two volcanic lakes: Toyako (Lake Toyako) and Shikotsuko (Lake Shikotsuko). Both lakes are very pretty and have excellent hiking trails. On the southern shores of Toyako lies Toyako Onsen (Toyako Hot Spri
Within easy access of Sapporo is Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This is one of Hokkaido's most beautiful parks but also one of its most developed. The centerpieces of Shikotsu-Toya National Park are two volcanic lakes: Toyako (Lake Toyako) and Shikotsuko (Lake Shikotsuko). Both lakes are very pretty and have excellent hiking trails. On the southern shores of Toyako lies Toyako Onsen (Toyako Hot Spri
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
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
Within easy access of Sapporo is Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This is one of Hokkaido\'s most beautiful parks but also one of its most developed. The centerpieces of Shikotsu-Toya National Park are two volcanic lakes: Toyako (Lake Toyako) and Shikotsuko (Lake Shikotsuko). Both lakes are very pretty and have excellent hiking trails. On the southern shores of Toyako lies Toyako Onsen (Toyako Hot Spr
Within easy access of Sapporo is Shikotsu-Toya National Park. This is one of Hokkaido\'s most beautiful parks but also one of its most developed. The centerpieces of Shikotsu-Toya National Park are two volcanic lakes: Toyako (Lake Toyako) and Shikotsuko (Lake Shikotsuko). Both lakes are very pretty and have excellent hiking trails. On the southern shores of Toyako lies Toyako Onsen (Toyako Hot Spr
Noboribetsu is located in southwestern Hokkaido in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Noboribetsu is a name from the local Ainu language which means \"a cloudy river tinged with white.\" This name refers to the large sulfur deposits in the area. Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido\'s best known (and most commercially developed) hot spring areas, and it is basically a one street village with hot spring hotels
