Kyoto
For over 1,000 years Kyoto was the capital of imperial Japan and the center of Japanese culture, religious architecture, and gardening arts.

Tawaraya
Kyoto, Japan
T: +81 85-71 211 5566 F: +81 85-71 211 2204
On many people's shortlist as the ultimate traditional ryokan, this legendary inn keeps the spirit of old Kyoto alive while incorporating foreign furnishings and modern amenities. The same family has owned it for eleven generations.


Nara
Japan's oldest existing city, its first permanent capital and the end point on the Silk Route. Buddhism entered Japan here.

Edosan
1167 Takabatake-cho
Nara City, Nara
T: +81 742 26 2662 F: +81 742 26 2663. 11 huts. US$ 300, incl. 2 meals.
www.edosan.jp (Website in Japanese only). Email: info@edosan.jp
11 Meijo-period huts, all of different architectural style, set in a sacred Nara deer park. Built in 1907; the original owner, accompanied by geishas, used it as an setting for entertainment and amusements. Like many ryokans, most rooms are Japanese-style, meaning no private baths; bathing is done communally in a separate hut. One hut is Western-style, containing a private bath.


Kamakura
Capital of imperial Japan from 1192 to 1333, Kamakura contains an impressive amount of Buddhist temples and Shinto Shrines. The city is enveloped by forested mountains on three sides and Sagami Bay on the other. A popular Tokyo day trip for visitors, spend the night here and enjoy the early mornings and evenings without the crowds.

Kaihin-so
4-8-14 Yuigahama
Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa
T: +81 467 22 0960. F: +81 467 25 6324. 24 rooms, all w/bath.
US$ 325-, incl. 2 meals.
Built by a baron in the 1920's in an exclusive residential district. It is a two minute walk to the beach. The style combines Japanese and Western architecture; one wing and room is western-style; several others have western-style beds but a tatami area for eating; the remainder are all Japanese-style—futon beds and tatami mats.

-Japanese Alps=
A north-south ridge of granite peaks, many volcanic, some topping 10,000 feet, some sacred. The most famous is Mt. Fuji, 55 miles outside of Tokyo. They are heavily forested, full of hot springs, and are particularly attractive in the northern range.

Takayama, Japanese Alps
Museums, antique shops, and quaint old buildings are found in this mountain village where history seems alive.

Nagase
10 Kami Nino-machi
Takayama-shi, Gifu
T: +81 577 32 0068. F: +81 577 1068. 11 rooms. US$ 130-  
http://japaneseguesthouses.com/db/takayama/nagase.htm
Elegant 250 year old merchant house known for its formal Kyoto cuisine. Each guestroom has a black lacquered viewing table looking out onto a small private garden featuring a miniature waterfall and stream.

Shirakawa-go and Gokayama villages, Japanese Alps
Awarded world heritage site status because of their 800 year old style "praying hands" farmhouses—three or four story A-frame thatched roofed farmhouses that were skillfully built without nails. The upper levels housed silkworms, the farmer's source of income during the snowy winter months. No ryokans here, but some simple "praying  house" b&bs available.

Koemon
456 Shirakawa-mura, Ono-gun, Gifu
T: +81 576 96 1446. F: +81 576 96 1748. 5 room b&b. US$- 100, incl. 2 meals.
Homemade meals at this guesthouse near the Myozenji temple and Shirakawa Haciman shrine. Rooms are Japanese-style, without private baths. Two communal baths, one women's, one men's.

Shoshichi
Ainokura, Taira, Higashi, Tonami-gun, Toyama
Gokayama
T: +81 763 66 2206. F: +81 763 66 2206. 5 room b&b. US$- 100, incl. 2 meals.
Thatched roof guesthouse with homemade meals. Japanese-style rooms, no baths. Alternating communal bath.

Nagamo, Japanese Alps
Host of the XVIII Winter Olympics, Nagamo's most famous site is Zenko-ji, an ancient Buddhist pilgrimage temple.

Fujiya Inn
T: +81 26 232 1241. F: +81 26 232 1243. b&b. US$ 230-, incl. 2 meals.
Owned and run by the same family for 17 generations. Blends Western exterior look with Japanese-style interiors, the inn is located right outside the Zenko-ji gates.

Hakone, Japanese Alps
Come here for a close-up view of Japan's sacred volcano, Mt. Fuji. Hakone is located an hour's drive southwest of Tokyo and is the gateway to Fuji-Kahone-Izu National Park.

Hakone Ginyu
100-1 Miyanoshita
Hakone, Kanagawa
T: +81 35 368 0790. US$ 575-
www.luxuryryokan.com
Multiple traditional-style bathing pools - including an outdoor hot spring-fed stone pool and a hot tub overlooking the Haya River - await guests. Hakone Ginyu is a little less formal than most ryokans and therefore is a popular choice with young urbans from Tokyo.

Gara Kadan
1300 Gora
Hakone, Kanagawa
T: +81 46 023 331. US$ 980-
www.luxuryryokan.com
Former summer home of an imperial clan, this luxurious traditional ryokan contains priceless antiques, scrolls, and a series of outdoor pools and lounges..

-Japanese Islands-

Miyajima Island
Take a ferry ride from Hiroshima to the sacred and scenic island of Miyajima, home of the famous floating Tori shrine.

Iwaso
Miyami, Japan
T: +81 829 44 2233 F: +81 829 99 44 2230. US$ 350-, incl. 2 meals.
English not spoken; make reservations in Japanese.
Lovely maple tree gardens and wonderful food at this elegant and centrally located ryokan.