Hoshino Resorts is one of Japan's famous hotel chains with 53 national and international locations of Japanese inns (ryokan) since 1904. Their flagship brand, HOSHINOYA, specializes in high-class traditional design and hospitality mixed with modern comforts. They have eight properties (six in Japan, one in Bali, Indonesia, and one in …

Facing the 17th-century Nijo Castle in Central Kyoto across the Horikawa-dori street, The Mitsui hotel combines modern-day luxury with ryokan aesthetics, staff dressed in kimono uniforms, and traditional hot spring onsen baths. Kyoto's brand-new hotel takes inspiration from traditional Japanese inns but replaces thin wooden walls with a rock-solid structure, …

Ryūgū-jō, in a classic Japanese folktale, is the mythical undersea residence of the Sea God, aka the Dragon Palace Castle. According to the books, this fabulous palace is home to Princess Otohime. For many Japanese people, the legendary tale of the exquisite building beyond the blue sea with coral walls …

Cat Spa & Cat Ryokan by Neco is a ryokan, a capsule hotel, and an animal café, but mostly a place overdosed with cuteness in the heart of Osaka. Ryokans are the Japanese version of Western hotels, with some peculiar differences. The cultural experience begins when you arrive at a …

Japan is worldwide known for its quirky and unique cultural characteristics in architecture, art, traditions, and daily life. And it's no different when it comes to staying in a hotel. Japan offers kinky stays at love hotels, affordable and slightly crammed in capsule hotels, and also something called Shukubo. It's …

Located on the Houshi River in the Gunma Prefecture, the Houshi Onsen Chojukan is the epitome of a traditional ryokan where weary travelers can experience Japanese hospitality. Built in 1875 at the source of the hot spring, the Chojukan is a secluded mountain getaway that offers majestic views and an …

Legend has it that the great Buddhist teacher, Taicho Daishi, saw a vision while traveling in the local area. In his vision, a great deity made it known to him that nearby was a hot spring flowing with marvelous waters that had the power to heal the souls of all …

Mexico’s famous hotelier, Grupo Habita, chose New York as the location for their first hotel north of the border. Known for designing stylish spaces, they are fixed on a façade of sleek metal cladding, so you know you are about to experience something a bit special. Inside, the concept is …

This compact luxury inn or “ryokan” is situated in a perfect location with mountains falling like curtains behind small valleys and rivers. The inn has balconies where you can relax and take in the amazing Japanese countryside. There is a nearby train station, so you will easily be able to …

What makes this hotel so special is your host’s meticulous adherence to Japanese inn-keeping traditions. The aim is to anticipate and meet your needs before you are even aware of them yourself. Your hostess, Jeanie Fuji, is arguably the world’s best practitioner of the traditional Japanese art of hospitality. It …