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.
The capital city of Hokkaido is Sapporo, Japan's fifth largest city. Sapporo served as the site of the 1972 Winter Olympics and today it is the transportation hub of Hokkaido. This city of 1.8 million people has several attractions such as the Sapporo Brewery and the Botanical Gardens. Sapporo's "Summer Festival" is held from mid-July to mid-August and the famous "Yuki Matsuri" (Snow Festival) is held every February. The Yuki Matsuri is an extremely popular event and it attracts over 2 million visitors to the city.
