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.
Amanohashidate ("Bridge to Heaven") is located on the Tango Peninsula in northern Kyoto Prefecture, about a 2 hour train ride from Kyoto. This area has many attractive sights and old shrines and temples, and in the summer the clean and picturesque beaches attract bathers from all over the country. The "bridge" of Amanohashidate is actually a 3.6 kilometer strip of white sand and pine trees stretching across a bay. Amanohashidate is regarded as one of the 3 most scenic spots in Japan along with the red gate on Miyajima Island and the pine tree covered rocks of Matsushima.
