Good yet Affordable Ryokan
Every time I visit Japan, I make it a point to stay at least one night in a Ryokan 旅館 (Japanese Inn). Somehow, a Japan trip just doesn't seem complete without staying in one! It has everything I love, such as onsen, kaiseki（会席, often confused with 懐石） dinner with seasonal local produce, tatami & futon, wooden architecture and superb hospitality. For foreign visitors, it is also a great place to experience wearing yukata 浴衣 (summer kimono). I usually use Japanese hotel/ryokan websites to search for good yet affordable (usually around 10,000 yen and not more than 15,000 yen per person, inclusive of 2 meals) ryokan in the hot spring towns I am travelling to. The benefits of using Japanese websites include more options to choose from, and point accumulation to offset part of the cost for my next booking etc. Also, ratings and reviews are strict and comprehensive. I would select ryokan rated around 4.5 out of 5 (which is considered rare), and give those below 4 a miss. I am al...