5 Must-Visit Ryokans for Your Next Trip to Japan

Above, inside an Atami ryokan room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tourists to Japan are missing out on experiencing something totally Japanese if they don't stay at a traditional Japanese inn, known as a ryokan. 

I have stayed at several ryokans over the years and found them more enjoyable than hotels. 

Condé Nast Traveler has posted an article on five "must-visit" ryokans.

They begin it with:

There are countless reasons to visit Japan, but warm hospitality, unmatched design, and rich culture are just a few topping the list. And where better to draw all these elements together than at one of the nation’s many ryokans? Roughly translating to “inn,” ryokans lie at the heart of Japanese culture, known for their home-cooked meals on cushioned floors and snug sleeps on tatami mats. Often built atop natural hot springs, called onsen, communal bathing is also common to these cozy establishments, while sliding paper walls, called shoji doors, are also fundamental to these intimate spaces, cleverly filtering through natural light while maintaining absolute privacy.

Ryokans are rooted in tradition, and there are plenty of historic places to choose from—but a flurry of new developments has reimagined their iconic Japanese customs for modern audiences. Mineral-rich waters in private bathrooms, low rather than floor beds, and entire ryokan rentals are just some adaptations that have entered the scene—but all share the same goal of immersing guests in the ultimate authentic experience. Whether you’re looking for a bolthole passed through generations or a refreshing take on the lodging style, we’ve rounded up some of the loveliest ryokans for your next trip to Japan. (Or, for a more familiar stay, see our guide to the best hotels in Japan.)

To read more, go here. 

Kyoto Hikes Hotel Tax To Deal With Overtourism

Above, Kyoto's Kinkaku-ji "Golden Pavilion". Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Over the past 25 years, I have been to Kyoto, Japan twice. But each time I stayed at hotels in neighboring Osaka. It was not that I was avoiding Kyoto, it just happened to work out that way (one was with a tour).

Over the past several years, Kyoto has been hit with hordes of tourists. The Japanese refer to it as overtourism. 

Kyoto is taking a stand against overtourism by reforming their hotel tax. 

According to Travel and Tour World:

In a decisive move to address the growing challenges posed by overtourism, Japan has introduced a groundbreaking hotel tax reform in Kyoto, one of its most iconic and historically significant cities. This bold initiative aims to manage the surging influx of international visitors, which has put immense pressure on the city’s infrastructure and local communities. With tourism in Kyoto reaching unprecedented levels, the new tax is designed not only to generate vital revenue for preserving the city’s cultural heritage but also to ensure sustainable tourism practices. By introducing a tiered tax structure based on accommodation costs, Japan seeks to balance the needs of tourists and residents, safeguard Kyoto’s historic charm, and improve the quality of life for locals, setting a powerful precedent for other destinations grappling with similar issues worldwide.

In a significant move to address the growing challenges of overtourism, Japan has approved an overhaul of its hotel tax. This measure follows a sharp rise in international visitors to the country, particularly in Kyoto, one of its most popular tourist destinations. The government’s decision to introduce the highest-ever hotel tax in the city comes in response to a rapid increase in tourism that has placed significant pressure on local infrastructure and residents.

Currently, the accommodation tax in Kyoto is capped at ¥1,000 (approximately £4.90) per night. Under the new rules, however, the city’s accommodation tax will increase dramatically, with projections suggesting a rise from ¥5.2 billion (around £25.5 million) to ¥12.6 billion (approximately £61.7 million) in annual revenue—a staggering 142% increase. The new tax system will vary depending on the price of accommodation, ensuring that higher-end hotels contribute more toward managing the impacts of tourism.

To read the full article, go here. 

Japan Sees Surge In Tourist Complaints In 2024

Above, my hotel room in Sasebo, Kyushu. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have been to Japan eight times since 2001 and I never felt any reason to complain about anything. There are some travelers who like to complain about anything and everything. 

I had read before my first trip that hotel rooms in Japan are smaller than ones in the U.S., so I knew what to expect. I found prices roughly comparable to those in the U.S.

Travel and Tour World has posted an article on a surge in tourist complaints in 2024 over accommodations, pricing and fake goods.  

They begin with:

There has been a noticeable increase in complaints from international visitors to Japan, one of the most visited countries in the world. Consultation requests have increased as a result of problems with lodging, expensive goods, and even fake goods as the tourism sector continues to grow. A record number of enquiries were received by Japan’s National Consumer Affairs Centre (NCAC), suggesting that the visitor experience needs to be improved and awareness raised.

To read more, go here. 

 

Japanese Accommodations: Ryokan vs. Hotels

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

During my eight trips to Japan over the years, I have stayed in hotels and ryokans (Japanese inns). I have enjoyed both, but I have to give ryokans the nod as being more enjoyable. 

For one thing, ryokan rooms seemed to be larger (in my experience) and the meals served are tastier. The ones I stayed in were family-run. 

Above, Hotel Asia Center of Japan in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The subject of ryokans versus hotels is the topic of an article in Unseen Japan.

They begin it with:

Whenever you plan a trip, where you stay ends up making a big difference. Japan is no exception. Location, access to the station, comfort, cleanliness – these are the usual things travelers look for when choosing accommodation.

Hotels are, of course, the straightforward choice. But in Japan, there’s another option that’s just as common and perhaps even more memorable: the ryokan (旅館), a traditional inn that has welcomed guests for centuries. Staying in one isn’t just about having a place to sleep. It’s about stepping into a living piece of Japanese culture.

The question is, which one should you choose? Many assume hotels are the safer, more convenient option, while ryokan are more of a cultural experience on the side. And while there’s some truth to that, the reality is a little more nuanced.

To read more, go here. 

Will Hawaii's $100M Tourist Climate Fee Actually Fix Anything?

Tourists to Hawaii will be levied a new tax allegedly earmarked to fight climate change.

Need I remind you that Hawaii's state government is dominated by radical leftist Democrats (like California) who love to impose more new taxes on people.

From Beat of Hawaii:

Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaii each year. Now, all of them will help fund the first-in-the-nation climate resilience fee designed to raise $100 million annually in its first and likely not last levy. This will be paid primarily by visitors as a function of an additional accommodation tax. That new law, just signed by Governor Josh Green, brings those taxes to about 19% and, for the first time, applies them to cruise ships.

Supporters call it groundbreaking, while critics call it another vague money grab. Either way, the stakes are high. The critical question is: Can this fee deliver what Hawaii says it will? It is one of Hawaii’s boldest new promises, with high stakes.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii To Hike Hotel Tax To Cope With Climate Change

Above, the Sheraton Waikiki. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whether or not climate change (a.k.a. Global Warming) is manmade is debatable.

Democrats love to find ways to tax the living daylights out of people, that includes raising or imposing new taxes to allegedly fight climate change.

Here's a new scheme coming out of Hawaii, which the Democrats have a stranglehold on the state's government on a par with California and other states.

NPR reported:

HONOLULU — In a first-of-its kind move, Hawaii lawmakers are ready to hike a tax imposed on travelers staying in hotels, vacation rentals and other short-term accommodations and earmark the new money for programs to cope with a warming planet.

State leaders say they'll use the funds for projects like replenishing sand on eroding beaches, helping homeowners install hurricane clips on their roofs and removing invasive grasses like those that fueled the deadly wildfire that destroyed Lahaina two years ago.

A bill scheduled for House and Senate votes on Wednesday would add an additional 0.75% to the daily room rate tax starting Jan. 1. It's all but certain to pass given Democrats hold supermajorities in both chambers and party leaders have agreed on the measure. Gov. Josh Green has said he would sign it into law.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Hotel Prices Rise, Battle Brewing Between Foreign and Domestic Tourists

Above, Tokyo's Hotel Asia Center of Japan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

With the huge influx in foreign visitors along with Japan's domestic travelers, hotel prices are rising in Tokyo and other metropolitan areas. This is leading to a "battle" for hotel rooms between those domestic and foreign tourists.

According to The Mainichi:

TOKYO -- The cost of staying at hotels in metropolitan Tokyo and regional Japanese cities keeps rising amid a surge in foreign visitors, with a survey by a Tokyo-based corporate analytics firm showing rates at key lodgings had risen by as much as over 50% year-on-year last fall.

A poll of room rates in October to December 2024 by Tokyo Shoko Research Ltd. (TSR) covering 15 hotel brands across 13 publicly traded operators showed an increase from the same period of the year prior for all companies, as much as 1.6 times. "With room prices expected to rise further, the battle for room reservations between domestic travelers and inbound tourists is expected to intensify," the company commented.

The average rate per room at eight business hotel brands for which prices can be compared before and after the COVID-19 pandemic was 13,986 yen (some $98), up approximately 45% from October-December 2019. Rates at four higher-priced "city hotel" brands also increased by some 35% to 20,897 yen (around $146), exceeding 20,000 yen for the first time in the last five years as occupancy rates, which had slumped to the 20% range due to the coronavirus disaster, recovered to over 80%.

To read more, go here. 

Stay In A Navajo 'Hogan' Home In Monument Valley

Above, a traditional Navajo hogan in Monument Valley. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Visitors to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park that straddles Utah and Arizona is a part of the Navajo Nation.

A Navajo woman in Monument Valley is opening her hogan to visitors for overnight stays.

AOL reported:

The Diné, or Navajo, are indigenous to the Southwestern United States, where they have lived for over a thousand years. Travelers seeking to explore Navajo traditions and culture can now stay in a hogan, a traditional dwelling, within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, or Tse’Bii’Ndzisgaii. A Navajo hogan is usually dome-shaped or multi-sided and built entirely out of natural elements like logs, bark, and mud.

The MonetValley Eco Hogan sits within the tribal park north of Kayenta, Arizona, and is owned by Verna Yazzie, a Navajo woman who was born and raised in Monument Valley. Her hogan, completed in 2020, is built out of juniper wood, bark, and sand. It is an off-grid structure with no electricity or running water, offering guests an extra dose of dark night skies (the area is renowned for its stargazing) and the chance to connect with the natural world.

By opening her hogan to visitors, Yazzie hopes to introduce people to the Navajo lifestyle, which traditionally involves herding sheep, weaving rugs, growing crops, and silversmithing. The name of her hogan, MonetValley, is an ode to her grandmother, who also lived in Monument Valley.

 To read more, go here.

Hotel Stays In Japan Hit Record

Above, I stayed at this Tokyo hotel in 2015. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When I first visited Japan in 2001 and seven subsequent visits since, it was relatively easy to get a hotel room in Tokyo and elsewhere in the country.

Due to the exchange rate between the Japanese yen and the U.S. dollar along with other currencies, Japan is seeing what they are calling overtourism. Several years ago, Japan sought more foreign tourists and had a goal of 10 million tourists. That has been far exceeded during recent years before and after the pandemic.

Now, hotels and other accommodations in Japan are seeing record numbers in hotel stays.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported:

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Overnight stays at accommodation facilities in Japan by Japanese and foreign travelers rose 5.5 percent in 2024 from the previous year to a record 651.49 million, preliminary government data showed Friday.

The growth was largely driven by foreign visitors, whose stays at hotels and Japanese inns surged 38.8 percent to 163.48 million on the back of a weak yen, according to the Japan Tourism Agency.

Overnight stays by Japanese residents, meanwhile, fell 2.3 percent to 488.01 million, with an agency official suggesting a slowdown in the post-coronavirus pandemic domestic travel boom.

The previous record high was 617.47 million marked in 2023.

To read more, go here. 

Affording Hawaii In 2025

Above, a view of Diamond Head from Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Pretty much everything costs much more thanks to the rampant inflation we're enduring.

That also includes travel. Travel to Hawaii has skyrocketed during the past several years. People are wondering if it is too expensive.

Travel to Hawaii is more expensive, but there are ways to cutting costs. That is the topic of an article in Beat of Hawaii. 

They begin it with:

Hawaii’s soaring travel costs have left many wondering if a vacation to the islands can ever be within reach. Between rising airfare, astronomical hotel rates overall, activities, and everyday expenses, the perception is that Hawaii has become too expensive except for the wealthy. But with the right strategies, a trip to paradise can still be affordable—even in 2025. Here’s how.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Hotel Rates Hit September Record

Above, Tsukuba Hotel in the Ueno section of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Hotel rates in Japan hit a record in September due to the tourism boom.

Rates went up an average 12.6% according to Nikkei Asia. For American travelers, that isn't too bad of an increase considering that the dollar and yen exchange rate is around ¥152 per dollar in Tokyo.

They reported:

TOKYO -- The average hotel rate in Japan increased 12.6% on the year in September to 19,381 yen ($127) per night, led by an influx to tourists from overseas, new data from analytics company STR shows.

Cities popular with foreign travelers, like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, helped drive the average rate up to its highest for September in data going back to 1996.

The number of foreign visitors in Japan was up 31.5% on the year on the first days of the two three-day weekends in September. Still, hotel rates rose less than during longer holidays, having little effect on stays by domestic guests.

To read more, go here. 

Hawaii Hotel Rates Rising

Above, surfers on Waikiki Beach. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was a good thing that I took a vacation trip to Hawaii eight years ago before the current inflation rate made hotel accommodations very expensive. Prices have risen so much so that it is pricing out some potential visitors.

According to SFGATE:

Hawaii’s hotel room rates have increased dramatically in the past five years. It’s causing some travelers to look elsewhere, as the number of visitors to Hawaii is declining.

The state’s average daily hotel room rate increased 35% in April 2024 compared to April 2019, according to the Hawaii Tourism Authority’s Hawaii Hotel Performance Report. Oahu increased the least, at about 20%.

“It’s inflation. Some people try to blame it on Hawaii. It’s everywhere,” Jo Wattle, travel adviser and owner of Travel with Jo, told SFGATE. 

The Island of Hawaii and Kauai top the state in terms of percentage increase. Daily room rates in April 2019 were $260 and $267 respectively, while April 2024 data shows rates have increased more than 60% to $442 and $432.

Josh Hargrove, general manager of the Westin Maui Resort & Spa, agrees that inflation has increased Hawaii’s overall room rates. 

To read more, go here. 

Traveling To See The Total Solar Eclipse? It’ll Cost You… A Lot

Above, the 2017 Great American Eclipse in totality. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

April 8's solar eclipse is just four days away and prices of accommodations, travel and merchandise have risen to meet the demand.

People may have already started flocking to states that are in the path of totality. I remember that I left a few days before the August 2017 Great American Eclipse to reach Roberts, Idaho. I stayed at a KOA Kampground in Lava Hot Springs. The campground jacked up prices back then as well.

Above, at camp in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho in 2017. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

After the eclipse was over, it took me over four hours to drive back to Lava Hot Springs from Roberts due to massive traffic. It seemed at lease half of Utah was in Idaho that day.

For Monday's eclipse, I decided to sit it out at home in New Mexico. We will only have a partial eclipse at best. Weather reports aren't too encouraging. At least the 2017 eclipse was in the middle of summer.

Above, in the shadow of the 2017 eclipse. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

LAist has an article on what to expect this weekend for Monday's eclipse.

They start it with:

People from all across the U.S. have been flocking to Texas, Illinois, New York and nine other states for the best views of Monday’s total solar eclipse, but traveling into the path of totality isn’t cheap.

Hotels and vacation rentals are booked up, flights have skyrocketed, and that’s not even adding all the different merchandise you can pick up to prove you saw the moon’s shadow completely cover the sun.

From limited edition T-shirts, to creative eclipse glasses, and totality-branded bandanas for your pets — this natural phenomenon has sparked a booming industry.

To read more, go here. 

The National Parks' Lodging Problem

Above, how does $600/night to stay at Yellowstone's Old Faithful Inn sound to you? Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Years ago, my family and I stayed at Zion National Park Lodge and Bryce Canyon National Park Lodge. At the time, I never heard any complaints of any high lodging prices from my parents.

But that was then.

Today, concessionaires who run national park hotels and lodges seem to be gouging the public with outrageous prices of accommodations.

The National Parks Traveler reported:

There are, across the National Park System, rising lodging rates that likely block a wide segment of Americans from experiencing a night or two in the some of the system's most iconic lodges and cabins. Places like Lake Hotel and the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone, El Tovar at the Grand Canyon, the Ahwahnee in Yosemite, Cavallo Point at Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Jenny Lake Lodge in Grand Teton, the Many Glacier Hotel in Glacier.

These are places where nightly rates can quickly climb past $400, with some approaching and surpassing $1,000 a night, depending on the season and occasion. And with the National Park Service's willingness to allow concessionaires to charge whatever the market will bear for some accommodations, rates will only go higher.

But where do you — can you? — strike a balance between a company's right to make a profit and the right of Americans to visit the national parks their tax dollars help support?

That question surfaces in the wake of a story from WyoFile, a nonprofit news organization in Wyoming, that looked at the cost of spending a night in one of the historic lodges in Yellowstone National Park. In roughly half the lodging rooms in the park, at the Old Faithful Inn, Lake Hotel, and Canyon Village, the Park Service lets concessionaire charge whatever they can get. That approach has led to dizzying nightly rates that have climbed above $400 a night — a 55 percent increase in just the past five years — at the historic Old Faithful Inn, according to WyoFile.

"Sadly the average American will be priced out of our national parks," wrote one Traveler follower on Facebook after reading the Wyofile story.

The practice to let concessionaires charge whatever they like for some lodgings dates at least to 2017, when it surfaced at Yellowstone as part of an unannounced five-year pilot project.

To read more, go here. 

Observer: Key West Guide

Above, Key West's Green Parrot Bar. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Key West, Florida is both a relaxing place as well as a hopping place with plenty of bars to choose from. Well, one can relax over a cocktail also.

Observer has posted and article on how to spend a long weekend there. They have tips on where to stay, where to dine and where to play tourist.

It begins with:

Key West, Florida, makes for the perfect easy long weekend getaway, especially for those hoping to escape the coming winter somewhere equal parts tropical and low-key. While the Florida Keys are all incredibly relaxing, Key West offers up the same easy-going vacation atmosphere, but with plenty of cultural offerings and dining experiences that are truly unforgettable.

As someone who visits Key West yearly, I’ve amassed a whole slew of favorite dining destinations and tourist excursions. Read on to discover some of the best places to stay for waterfront views, the most elegant locales to enjoy local seafood and the best sightseeing options to experience the bold, colorful town just like a local.

To read more, go here. 

Japan's Hotel Guest Numbers Exceed Pre-Pandemic Levels In June

Above, the front desk of the Atami Shinkado ryokan. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It appears that the tourism industry in Japan is well on the road to a full recovery after the pandemic.

The number of hotel guests exceeded pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Kyodo News reported:

TOKYO - The number of Japanese and foreign tourists staying at hotels and other accommodation facilities in June exceeded pre-pandemic monthly levels for the first time in more than three years, rising 1.0 percent from the same month in 2019, government data showed Monday.

There were around 46.3 million guests, according to preliminary data by the Japan Tourism Agency, with pandemic restrictions completely lifted and COVID-19's classification downgraded in May to a level equivalent to the seasonal flu.

The number of travelers had dropped drastically from February 2020 after initial cases of the novel coronavirus were confirmed in Japan.

But with the country's abolishment of pandemic border controls in April, the number of foreign guests in June rose 15.6-fold from a year earlier to 9.43 million, reaching 98.4 percent of what it was in June 2019.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Hotel Visitors Top 10 Million

Above, the Tokyo Skytree and Asahi Beer Hall. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitation to Japan is inching up to pre-pandemic levels if the following is any indication.

From The Japan Times:

The number of foreign nationals who stayed at hotels and other accommodation facilities in Japan topped 10 million in April for the first time since January 2020, government data showed Wednesday, buoyed by a weaker yen and an increase in the number of international flights.

The figure rose more than nineteenfold from a year before to 10.38 million, equivalent to 92% of the total in April 2019 before the coronavirus outbreak, according to the preliminary data released by the Japan Tourism Agency.

To read more, go here. 

Key West: 10 Cheapest Places To Stay

Above, there's plenty to see and do in Key West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before the pandemic started in early 2020, I was planning to head to Key West, Florida for a vacation. Once the pandemic hit, all plans went out the window.

Key West was a stop with our April 2019 cruise to Havana, Cuba. We were there for a few hours and I wanted to go back to enjoy it more. I did notice at the time that accommodations were on the pricey side. But according to a new article by TheTravel, budget accommodations can be found.

They begin with:

Key West is a top beach vacation due to its sparkling waters, tropical climate, and numerous beaches. Travelers can enjoy panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico from Fort Zachary Taylor's Historic state park or the abundant marine life and coral reefs at Dry Tortugas National Park. While Key West is one of the best vacation destinations, there is a high demand for accommodation by tourists that can drive prices up, making it expensive for budget travelers. But it doesn't have to be; there are many cheapest places to stay in Key West. With some research, travelers can get decent accommodation without sacrificing comfort and experience or breaking the bank. Here are the ten cheapest places to stay in Key West on the beach for thrifty travelers.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Hotel Prices Surge Up

Above, hotel room rates in Japan are soaring as travel rebounds. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Rising travel costs in Japan isn't just confined to the Japan Rail Pass, hotel rates have climbed around the country.

Travel and Tour reported:

Room prices at Japanese hotels are soaring on a rebound in domestic travel and foreign tourism, though the country’s ongoing labor shortage raises concerns about the supply of available rooms.

Nikkei surveyed 50 hotels with more than 100 guest rooms in five major Japanese cities: Sapporo, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka. Hotels were asked to compare the average daily rate (ADR) for April 29, the first day of the upcoming annual Golden Week holiday period, with a year before.

Each city showed a strong rise in the rate, with no respondents reporting a drop. About 20% of hotels report an increase of 10% to 40%, with 60% saying ADR will climb at least 50%.

The rise was particularly notable in Tokyo, with ADR increasing by 50% or more at all seven facilities that responded to the survey.

A survey by U.S. hospitality research firm STR shows that Japan’s nationwide average room rate in March was 21% higher than before the pandemic in 2019, and up 59% on the year.

If one plans on traveling to Japan anytime soon, they will have to increase their travel budgets to cover the prices increases. At least for now, the U.S. dollar is at ¥133.93-94 as of last Friday, which helps.

To read more, go here.

Japan's Hotel Room Rates Soar

Above, Hotel Sunroute Asakusa in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Finding affordable accommodations in Japan is getting just a bit harder to do.

Since Japan has ended its restrictions on foreign visitors, the room rates of Japan hotels have soared. Some of the hikes have been month-by-month. 

According to Nikkei Asia:

TOKYO -- Hotel prices in Japan have soared as government subsidies boosting travel kick in and foreign tourists return, with room rates nearly 20% higher in December compared to the same month before the pandemic delivered a serious blow to the sector.

Not only are more tourists coming in, but a labor crunch has forced some hotels to limit the number of rooms on offer, which in turn has cut supply and driven prices up.

The average December room price in Japan was 17,127 yen ($131), according to American hotel market data company STR, 10.8% higher than the previous month. The figure is 18.4% higher than the average in December 2019.

That marked the second consecutive month the average price was higher than the same month in 2019. December's growth rate over the same month in 2019 was 15 percentage points higher than that of November, while the occupancy rate stood at 75%, just under the 2019 rate of slightly over 80%.

Japan isn't the only place where hotel rooms have soared. A friend and I have been checking hotel room rates in Phoenix, Arizona and many of them are $200 and above per night. 

To read more, go here.