Traditional Japanese Ryokans

Japanese hospitality is rightly famous, and no trip to Snow Country would be complete without sampling it. The ryokan (Japanese inns) leads the way with stunning service, immaculately presented food and a unique style of accommodation that you must try, at least for one night. No trip is complete without it.

There are many styles of ryokan with some keeping to the traditional model and others updating the concept a touch, but wherever you go you will be able to expect variations on a tried and tested theme.

You stay in a tatami room and may even choose to take your dinner in the room. At night the table is moved aside and thick, comfy futons are laid out on the tatami mat floor. You can truly shed the worries of the world along with your clothes as the ryokan will provide you with a yukata robe to wear while you are there.

Most ryokan take pride in their onsen, and there are people who travel around to sample the different styles of these hot spring baths. The outdoor ones are a fantastic way to relax and enjoy the stunning views on offer.

The other big attraction of a ryokan stay is the food. Typically you can expect your dinner to be an elaborate affair of many small dishes which keep on arriving. You may not know what everything is but it will have been lovingly plated up and look so good it almost seems a shame to tuck into it. These miniature works of art taste even better than they look. Wash it all down with a few glasses of the local sake and  your relaxation will be complete.

There is a huge choice of ryokan in most areas of Snow Country so no matter where you decide to go, there should be an amazing option for you to experience the very best of Japanese hospitality. Onsen, dinner, another onsen, best sleep ever, and then an amazing breakfast before the adventure continues.