Top 10 Historical Hotels & 'Ryokan' Inns
SoraNews24
Rakuten Travel has just announced a list of the top 10 historic hotels and ryokan inns across Japan that their customers rated good value for money. To be considered, the accommodation must be recognized as a Tangible Cultural Property, an Important Cultural Property, or a National Treasure by the Japanese government. Let's take a look!
10. Wataya, Saga Prefecture
http://e-wataya.com/foreign/en/index.html
Located in the traditional castle town of Karatsu, this hotel has been operating since 1876. The buildings and large gardens were originally the home of a Meiji Era (1868-1912) coal baron and retain much of the original comfort and elegance.
8. (Tie) Yoroduya, Nagano Prefecture
http://yudanaka-yoroduya.com/
This large hot spring (onsen, in Japanese) hotel in Yudanaka Onsen has been operating for over two centuries and boasts two facilities on the national registry: the Momoyama baths pictured above and the impressive wood architecture of the Shoraiso Wing.
8. (Tie) Ryokan Matsunoya, Chiba Prefecture
http://katsuura-matsunoya.com/
This century-old ryokan in Katsuura serves up fresh fish from the Pacific and homey hospitality that hasn’t changed over the years.
7. Kinparo, Kumamoto Prefecture
http://www.kinparo.jp/room2.html#onsen
Located in the ancient hot spring town of Hinagu Onsen, this hotel was founded in 1863 as a place for the local daimyo (samurai lord) to take his onsen holidays.
6. Hitoyoshi Ryokan, Kumamoto Prefecture
http://www.hitoyoshiryokan.com/#!/?page_id=848
In the feudal town of Hitoyoshi, onsen hotels were still a rarity in 1934, when the owner of a wholesale fish business struck a hot spring and decided to open a hotel on the site.
