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.
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In Southern Japan there is a nice and beautiful place called Kagoshima. The Kagoshima city is the largest city in Kagoshima prefecture and praised as a sister city of Naples in Italian. The city was officially founded on April 1, 1889. Kagoshima is a historical city watched over by the looming bulk of Sakurajima. This active volcano has eruptions over 850 times per year with the more bombastic types of eruption only accounting for about 15 of that number. The home of near-mythical samurai hero Saigo Takamori, it's full of sites related to the Satsuma Rebellion. There are many places to visit in Kagoshima such as the classic Japanese garden "Iso-teien" and several excellent museums of local history and culture. South of Kagoshima visitors can experience the famous hot sand baths of Ibusuki. Off the coast of Kagoshima Prefecture lies a chain of islands stretching to Okinawa and includes the famous island of Yakushima. A 1 hour jetfoil ride from Kagoshima, Yakushima boasts a beautiful sub-tropical rainforest, hiking trails, and huge 1,000 year old cedar trees. Kagoshima City is approximately 40 minutes from Kagoshima Airport, and features shopping districts and malls located wide across the city. Transportation options in the city include the Shinkansen (bullet train), local train, city trams, buses, and ferries to-and-from Sakurajima. For more information about Kagoshima please see our travel content partner Japan-Guide.
