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.
Tottori Prefecture is located in the western part of Honshu along the Sea of Japan and between Shimane and Hyogo Prefectures. The origin of the name of this prefecture comes from the Japanese word "tori" or bird. During the Nara Period (8 Century) this part of Japan had many lakes and marshes, and the people who lived here caught the local water birds for a living. Today, Tottori Prefecture is known for its forest and agricultural industries (the popular Japanese persimmons and pears are grown here in abundance). In the southern part of the prefecture lies the Chugoku mountain range with Mount Daisen being the highest mountain. Mount Daisen is popular in summer for hikers and in winter for skiers and snowboarders. The Tottori Sand Dune in Sanin Coast National Park is another tourist attraction, and there are also many hot springs in the prefecture with Iwai and Tottori being some of the more well-known hot spring resort areas.
