Classic Japanese Inns and Country Getaways

by Margaret Price and Margaret Price

Since Oliver Statler's best-selling chronicle of the classic Japanese inn immortalized the "inn experience," seeking out a traditional resort has become one of the cherished goals of those visiting Japan. Like England's engaging B&Bs, the refined taverns of Japan constitute one of the world's great traditions of inn-keeping. The tan tatami rooms, the soft light filtering through shoji screens, the epicurean banquets, the impeccable service-all of...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 4770018738
• ISBN13: 9784770018731
• Release Date: August 1999
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 8.8" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A wonderful resource--But consider these "caveats"

Margaret Price has provided a marvelous resource for westerners who visit Japan and wish to experience the elegance and charm of Japanese inns. But please be aware of the complications that I will outline in this review. In spite of the following cautions, I would enthusiastically encourage all western readers to prepare themselves well, and then venture into this wonderful, almost magical experience of staying in traditional Japanese inns. The rewards will live forever in your memories. It is easy to underestimate the cultural divide between traditional Japanese culture and the experience of the vast majority of westerners who visit Japan. That can range from actual fish heads floating in the soup served for your breakfast--less likely now, since Japanese innkeepers have become more "sensitive" to westerners' tastes and distates--to the embarassment caused by getting soap into the soaking tub in a Japanese bath. Or failing to recognize the difference between those slippers used throughout most of the inn and the toilet slippers that are never worn anywhere else. To be sure, Japanese innkeepers are far more aware and sensitive to these cross-cultural issues than are most of their western guests, but that doesn't always protect us from making fools of ourselves. Price-- Although the inns appear pricey by western standards, they cannot be compared to a stay in any western hotel--not even to "all-inclusive" resorts. Nearly all Japanese inns include several traditional Japanese meals in their daily rate, and those are presented in the most elegant fashion imaginable--nearly always in the intimacy of your own private tatami-floored bedroom. The tastes and textures might be unfamiliar, but these meals are highly prized as gourmet offerings by the Japanese guests who make up 95% of their clientele. Be aware that there is a great difference between the traditional Japanese inn--a "ryokan"--and a traditional Japanese guest house--a "minshuku." The minshuku are less expensive, less elegant and less "personal." No meals in your room--everyone usually shares meals family style in a common dining area. That said, minshuku can be a marvelous and less expensive way to enjoy traditional Japan. Now to some specific features of "Classic Japanese Inns." Inside the front cover, there is a "quick reference" for "Inn Etiquette." This is a GREAT starting point for the first-timer. Not completely sufficient, but a great start. Each inn is listed with its name and address printed in Japanese characters ("kanji"), as well as in our "Roman" ABC alphabet (known in Japan as "Romaji"). That Japanese text is an essential aid for taxi drivers, and even for guides at town tourist centers, who might never recognize the westerner's mispronunciation of the inn's name and its location. The brief descriptions of the inns and their surroundings are very good. We were able to compare a few of them with inns that we had actually visited during our years in Japan. Most of the i

Inns are expensive but worth it!

I recently splurged on staying at two of the Inns in this book and I was impressed by two things: 1. How accurately the author described the particular Inns and 2. How well the book prepared me for the overall experience.One warning: all of the inns detailed in the book are expensive by US standards, (as it appears most traditional Inns are). Especially considering we found that it was possible to find tourist hotels for less than US$100 a night. We combined four inexpensive hotel nights in Kyoto with two nights of staying in the more expensive Inns. Because Inns include two generous meals it balenced out the $300 a night cost. Staying in the Inns made us feel we experienced the "real" Japan. It is the part of our trip we remember the most foundly. Our Itinerary: We spent four nights at the Kyoto Miyako Westin Hotel, then took a 3 hour train trip to Gero Onsen to stay at Yunoshima-kan and then the next day went up to Takayama to stay one night at Nagase Inn, both are detailed in the book. Nagase now takes fax reservations in English and the tourist office at Gero Onsen (gero-spa@hida.co.jp) said they can help americans secure reservations at an Inn like Yunoshima-kan where they do not speak English.I share this info because making reservations is the hardest part of planning a trip to a small traditional Inn. Once you get there it's worth it.

Beautiful book

This is a beautiful book to own if you like looking at pictures of traditional architecture and dreaming about nights in Japanese Inns. I've loaned it to a few friends and they all want to go to Japan now! I bought this book shortly before a trip to Japan and called a few of the listed places. None of the places had room on such short notice: none of them volunteered to speak English, either, so it might be an adventure if your Japanese isn't good.

An interesting "guide" book.

As one who visits Japan on a very strict budget, I found it enthralling to find out what it would be like to stay at some of these expensive inns. So much so, I have started saving just to experience one night of extravagance. Margaret Price describes beautifully the inns food,ambience and surrounding attractions as well as suggesting places to shop, things to buy and day itineraries. As well as this there are a small number of low cost ryokan recommended. There is a very useful glossary with handy phrases for bookings etc., as many of the places have no English. Language details are pointed out in the description. The maps are quite good considering the size of the area covered on the map It is a pity that so many of the inns are well away from rail stations as for the casual traveller car transport is not a real option because of the language barrier with road signs. I think that better directions by bus from stations would improve the usefulness of the book.Overall, an enjoyable read if you like to find out what it is like on the other side of the road. An interesting alternative to a normal guide book.