Japanese Inns and Hot Springs - by Rob Goss (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A visit to a Japanese inn (Ryokan) or volcanic hot spring resort (Onsen) is an authentic "once-in-a-lifetime" dream experience for foreigners who visit Japan.

Richly illustrated and exhaustively researched, Japanese Inns and Hot Springs is the work of ryokan expert Akihiko Seki and award-winning travel writer Rob Goss. Together they scoured Japan to find the country's finest ryokans, from historic properties like Hiiragiya in Kyoto and Kikkaso in Hakone to luxury retreats like Zaborin in Hokkaido and Tenku-no-Mori in Kyushu.

Illustrated with hundreds of gorgeous photos, this volume covers:

• The 40 best Japanese ryokan and onsens for English-speaking visitors (including 13 in the Tokyo area and 11 in and around Kyoto and Nara)
• A description of the special features of each ryokan and what is included in your stay
• Tips on how to choose the right ryokan for you
• Practical advice on how to book a stay and a detailed etiquette guide

Above all else this book reveals the enduring traditions of Japanese hospitality, a rich heritage reaching back a thousand years to the time when Japan's hot spring bathing culture took root. The beautiful properties in this book also illustrate the unique design sensibility for which Japan is so justly renowned.

Indispensable tips on booking a Japanese ryokan that is right for you and reaching each property by train, bus and taxi are provided along with a detailed etiquette guide to staying at a ryokan and bathing in an onsen, as well as descriptions of the special features of each of the inns featured.

Review Quotes

"Japanese Inns and Hot Springs by Akihiko Seki and Rob Goss is a lusciously photo-illustrated tour of 40 choice properties. While ryokan throughout the country are represented, over half of the selections here are within a short distance of Tokyo or Kyoto, making it easy to combine an inn-stay with a city-centered vacation." -- Passport Magazine

"Japanese Inns and Hot Springs takes readers on a trip around Japan, stopping at 40 of the country's best ryokan. Aiming to make your stay as pleasurable as possible, the book offers tips on travel, easy-to-follow advice on booking a stay, and a helpful etiquette guide geared toward English speakers." -- My Modern Met

"Above all else this ryokan guide reveals the enduring traditions of Japanese hospitality, a rich heritage reaching back a thousand years to the time when Japan's hot spring bathing culture took root. The beautiful properties in this book also illustrate the unique design sensibility for which Japan is so justly renowned." --Buddhism Now

"For planning a memorable getaway, the abundant images by veteran photographer Akihiko Alan Seki coupled with Rob Goss's detailed text will be a tremendous help." -- Kyoto Journal

"More etiquette advice--e.g., never step on a tatami mat while wearing shoes or slippers--is found in Japanese Inns and Hot Springs by Rob Goss, with photos by Akihiko Seki, which highlights 40 traditional ryokan (inns) and onsen (hot springs" --Publishers Weekly

"One of the special experiences when traveling to Japan is staying at a traditional inn (ryokan). This guide provides specifics on 40 ryokan around the country. Each one is different, but typically they feature rooms with communal hot spring baths (onsen) and kaiseki meals that highlight regional ingredients." --Library Journal

"Sip some whisky and enjoy an armchair tour of 40 of Japan's top traditional inns and hot springs, or plan an upcoming trip with the help of this book's practical travel tips." -- Bento Box Magazine

About the Author

Rob Goss is an award-winning British writer and long-term Tokyo resident focusing on Japan, travel writing, and creative writing that ranges from short fiction to short-form poetry. His books include the NATJA award-winning guidebooks Tuttle Travel Pack: Japan, Tokyo: Capital of Cool and Japan: a Traveler's Companion. Rob has also contributed to books for Fodors, Insight Guides, Dorling Kindersley and Rough Guides, as well as for magazines including Time, National Geographic Traveler and 100 other publications around the globe.