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.
Toyama Prefecture, located in the Chubu Region of Japan, is the leading industrial prefecture on the Sea of Japan coast. It is also home to Kurobe Dam, the largest dam in Japan and a popular tourist attraction. Firefly squid, named because of the eerie glow they emit from their bodies, can be seen in the early morning along the coast (they are also a regional delicacy). The prefectural capital, Toyama City, has a population of nearly half a million, and is the prefecture's largest city. Toyama City is the central shopping area of this largely rural prefecture with its trendy stores and a modern, urban feel. Popular tourist attractions include the rebuilt Toyama Castle, as well as river cruises when the cherry blossoms bloom in spring. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a scenic mountain journey using cable cars, aerial trams trains and buses, and is popular year-round. For travelers who enjoy skiing, mountain climbing or camping, Tateyama mountain range is a superb destination that offers picturesque views. The Tateyama Range has valleys in which snow remain year-round, and also the breathtaking Mikuriga-ike crater lake.
