WaPo: "Why You Should Stay In A Japanese Ryokan"

Above, the Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan in Sendai. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Washington Post's online Travel section has posted an article on "Why You Should Stay In A Japanese Ryokan."

I have stayed at three ryokans (Japanese inns) over the years. The first being the Hotel Fukudaya in the Shibuya ward of Tokyo in 2001. The next was the Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan in Sendai in 2006. And the last was the Kumamoto Kajita Ryokan in Kumamoto in 2007. Each were family owned and operated and their hospitality was excellent.

Above, a room at a ryokan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's a snippet from the article:

Japanese inns, called ryokans, are found all over the country, though they are typically in scenic areas and towns that feature hot springs. There are also ryokans in larger cities, but they are older and often not as pretty as those in smaller towns. Ryokans were developed in the 1600s to serve Japanese travelers journeying between Tokyo and imperial Kyoto. 

Today there are more than 60,000 ryokans, ranging from small family-run inns to larger, modern ones. The buildings are often at least 100 years old and have the traditional Japanese architecture of wooden buildings, pointed roofs, bamboo and greenery. Many have beautiful gardens. Ryokans have simple and serene guest rooms with sliding paper screen doors separating sitting and sleeping areas, tatami (reed) mats, low tables and closets to hide the bedding. Linens cover the telephone and television, lest they upset the soothing environment.

One thing I noticed about ryokans is that they are generally cheaper than hotels in Japan, especially those in more rural areas. The ryokan I stayed at in Kumamoto was under $40 a night.

To read more, go here.

Try Out A Ryokan In Japan

Above, Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan in Sendai. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Previously, I blogged about budget hotels. Now we shift to another form of accommodation that is unique to Japan: ryokans (Japanese inn).

One of the things I would recommend to visitors to Japan is to stay at a Japanese ryokan instead of a hotel for a truly "Japanese experience."

Wikipedia describes ryokans this way:

A ryokan (旅館^?) is a type of traditional Japanese inn that originated in the Edo period (1603–1868), when such inns served travelers along Japan's highways. They typically feature tatami-matted rooms, communal baths, and other public areas where visitors may wear yukata and talk with the owner.

During my first trip to Japan in 2001, I stayed at a ryokan (Hotel Fukudaya) in the Shibuya district. It was roomy and the owners were very hospitable. In fact, all of the ryokan rooms I've stayed in had more room space than a business hotel.

Above, Hotel Fukydaya ryokan in Shibuya, Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have stayed at three ryokans over the years. The second one was in Sendai (Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan) and the third was in Kumamoto (Kumamoto Kajita Ryokan). All three were enjoyable. The daughter of the owner of the Sendai ryokan attended L.A. Harbor College in Southern California and she spoke pretty good English.

The owner of the Kumamoto ryokan insisted on driving me to the Kumamoto train station instead of me taking a taxi.

Above, Kumamoto Kajita Ryokan in Kumamoto, Kyushu. Photo: Google +.

Each ryokan that I stayed at served excellent meals. The room rates were comparable, and some were actually cheaper, to hotel room rates. All were family-owned and operated. They were also all friendly and helpful whenever I had any questions.

Above, my room at Bansuitei Ikoiso Ryokan in Sendai. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have found that in longer stays in Japan where I would venture out of Tokyo for several days, ryokans were more economical than hotels. This website has information on different ryokan styles.

If you are the more adventuresome type, I recommend a stay in a ryokan.

Here are some sources for booking a stay at a ryokan:

JapaniCan

Yado Nihon

Japanese Guest Houses

Japanese Inn Group

Kumamoto, Gateway To Mt. Aso Volcano National Park

Above, commuters waiting to board a train at Kumamoto Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in April 2007, I visited Kyushu, Japan to see several locations used in Japanese science-fiction and fantasy movies.  Next to Tokyo, Kyushu has the highest concentration of locations and landmarks featured in the movies.

In Rodan (1956), Fukuoka, Sasebo and Mt. Aso were prominently featured.  In Gamera: Guardian of the Universe (1995), Fukuoka was featured (Hakata Bay and Fukuoka Yahoo! Dome).  In Godzilla vs. MechaGodzilla (1994) the area surrounding Fukuoka Tower was the battlefield.   These are covered in The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan (hard copy through ComiXpress.com and ebook at Amazon.com Kindle Store).

It was pretty much an all-day trip to Kyushu from Tokyo aboard the bullet train (with a change of trains at Shin-Osaka) and then a ride between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kumamoto Station aboard a local commuter train (Hohi Line) of the Kyushu Railway Company.  Thankfully, all these train rides were covered by my JR Rail Pass.

Above, Kumamoto Station.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In 2007, I stayed at a ryokan (Japanese inn) in Kumamoto, as Kumamoto is "the gateway to Mt. Aso Volcano National Park."  The ryokan I chose was the family-run Kumamoto Kajita Ryokan.  My room cost was only ¥4,000 (a room for two cost ¥7,200).  They also serve excellent meals.

The trip to Kumamoto was for visiting Mt. Aso Volcano National Park.

It was springtime in Kyushu, but someone forgot to tell Mt. Aso Volcano National Park as it was in blizzard conditions when I visited it.  I couldn't really see much.  At least the park's museum had excellent exhibits. Still, it was a fun adventure taking the snowy bus ride (photo above) to and from the park.  Mt. Aso was the location used for Rodan.

Above, the view outside of the Mt. Aso ropeway station.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides Mt. Aso, there's also the Ultraman Land park near Kumamoto.  I didn't visit it on the trip, but to see their website (in Japanese), go here.

Above, yours truly inside of the Mt. Aso ropeway station.

Kumamoto is a nice city to visit.  They have their own webpage of attractions and other tourist information.  To view it, go here.