Ryokan: Japan's Finest Spas and Inns

by Akihiko Seki, Elizabeth Heilman Brooke

With over 180 color photographs and extensive commentary, this book showcases the beauty of Japanese inn, or ryokan. Featured are both old and new-from inns with a history dating back a thousand years to modern inns with the latest facilities that nonetheless capture the spirit of old Japan. Each of the properties has been handpicked by the authors for their strong design aesthetic, commitment to service and purity of their spring waters. The photographs showcase the resorts at their best and accurately express the unique architectural design of each ryokan.Each chapter begins by introducing the area surrounding the inns and their spas, or onsen, and provides a background of its local history, culture and traditions, as well as the natural environment. The text provides information on the design and development of each ryokan, and descriptions of the owners and their clientele. For those planning a visit to an onsen, this book provides contact details and information on the number of rooms, type of facilities and food, as well as vital information on travel and booking procedures and whether English is spoken. For those fascinated by Japanese culture and design, this book is an absolute delight.

Genres: Japan, Travel

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 15, 2007

Reviews

[Brandur · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun photo tour of some of the well-known inns built around hot springs in Japan. Looking through the book and admiring the beauty of these locations is a truly serene experience, but a word of warning: cross-referencing inn names with prices on hotels.com can have the opposite effect.

The book is about what you'd expect. It's only marred by a few pages where some low resolution photography has been blown up beyond its usable limits to create some very grainy landscapes.

[Jason Keenan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This survey of the best ryokan - or traditional Japanese inns - should really have been called onsen since every one of them has a hot spring. It's a great glimpse at the wide range of hospitality opportunities across the Japanese countryside.

The only complaint is the language is what might be called travel cheesy. It tries too hard. To paint word pictures. And feels. Forced.

[Cloay · Rating 3 out of 5]

- available SG NLB 613.1220952 (AMK, MP)

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs and with unusually good writing for this type of book. I want to visit every ryokan in this book.