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.
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 fruit producing regiions in Japan, and is known for the quality of its grapes and peaches. Furthermore, there are numerous onsens (natural hot springs) in Yamanashi because of the region's high amount of volcanic activity.
