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.
Kaminoyama Onsen is a hot spring town in Yamagata Prefecture located at the base of Mount Zao. It's about 2 and a half hour away from Tokyo. The town's origin dates back to the mid 1400s, when legend says that a traveling monk noticed a crane soaking its wounds in the area's hot spring marshes. Since then, people have come to Kaminoyama Onsen to bathe in the town's healing hot spring water, and the onsen has become one of the Tohoku Region's most famous. In addition, Kaminoyama is a good base from which to visit Mount Zao's Okama Crater.
