Ryokan: Japan's Finest Spas and Inns

This book has many very beautiful pictures of -- mostly traditional -- Japanese architecture and gardens. That alone is a good reason to buy it. However, I purchased it for possible use in planning a future vacation trip to Japan, having previously visited the standard tourist places in and around Tokyo and Kyoto. For that purpose, it is a drawback that there is no information whatsoever about costs. I know these places are going to be very expensive. I guess that if you have to ask, you can't afford it. Websites are provided.

The book is introducing 36 Ryokans throughout Japan. 13 for Tokyos area 6 for Kyoto, Nara and Kansai 7 for central Japan 4 for northern Japan 6 for southern Japan One of the particularly well done features of the book are the exceptionally well written texts and a very sensitive introduction about the "Ryokan and Onsen Etiquette". This 3 page introduction alone lists up cases which probably make up more than 80% of common pitfalls when "guests" are lacking the cultural background. Years back I have been in those or similar situations myself and would have wished to have had such a quick rundown of what to do and what to better avoid. A few things that could be improved on the book. 1) Some pictures have homepage or newspaper like quality. (low resolution picture zoomed up to a full page) 2) The introduced Ryokans should be numbered throughout the book as it was done on the map in the front. 3) More seasonal information should be included. Blossom of certain trees and flowers, festivals etc. 4) Perhaps a smaller sized edition would accommodate better for some of the lower quality pictures and would help making the book more portable. Summary: With each single well crafted textual descriptions of the Ryokans you get invaluable sensitive introductions to Japans cultural background. If you are going to Japan for business you will want to consider the book an investment into an cultural introduction. The other above mentioned points are no deal breakers in an way, but are actually devalueing an another wise excellent book. The book is highly recommended !!