More recommended hotels —Listed alphabetical by city, with the region in brackets.
Hagi (Chugoku) Hagi no Yado Tomoe
Ryokan. A friendly, warm place to stay. Rent
bicycles here to explore the pottery shops and
other attractions in Hagi. Very good dinners
and breakfasts.
Hakone (Kanto) Ichi Noyu. We did not stay
here but toured it extensively. Great tatami
rooms with in room onsen—as well as full
onsen on main floor. Historic building, not far
from the main shopping area of Hakone.
Tatami rooms. Friendly staff.
Sayabashi—the covered bridge in Kotohira is only a
Hiroshima (Chugoku) Rhiga Royal Hotel10 minute walk from the Kotosankaku Hotel
great location right in front of the Castle. 10
minute walk to the Peace memorial—easy walk to the many shopping malls—about 15-20 minute walk
to Michan—one of the best okinomiyaki restaurants in the country.
Jigokudani (Chubu) Korakukan Ryokan. Very friendly place to stay—just 10 minutes from the
entrance to the Monkey park where you can find the snow monkeys in family groups bathing, playing
and just hanging out. There are indoor and outdoor onsens in the Ryokan. Great dinner and breakfast.
Kagoshima (Kyushu) Shiroyama Kanko Hotel. Great views of the volcano –sakurajima—from the
top floor—good location—comfy rooms.
Kochi (Shikoku) Hankyu Hotel-business hotel so it’s in the 2-3 star category but great location—good
access to streetcars to go to the Ryoma memorial or the famous Dogo Onsen. About a 10 minute walk
to the Sunday market, the castle or the downtown shops. Very friendly place.
Kotohira (Kyushu) Kotosankaku. This is a Ryokan-Hotel—It looks huge from the outside but the
friendly staff do their best to provide personalized service and this tends to ‘shrink’ the hotel down in
size. Rooms are tatami style—very comfortable. There is a wonderful onsen (hot bath) in the
basement. Exceptional dinners are included with the room. Location is just a short walk from Konpirasan, the shrine that draws thousands to the town as part of the 88 temple pilgrimage around Kyushu.
Naha (Okinawa) Okinawa Nahana Hotel and
Spa. Friendly staff—easy walk to the downtown
area and shopping—and very close to some
really good izakayas for drinks and meals,
Niseko (Hokkaido) Hilton Niseko Village—
great location in the mountains for winter/summer
activities. 24 hour indoor/outdoor onsen. Very
friendly and comfortable place to stay.
Shuri-jo (Castle) is located in Okinawa’s capital
city, Naha, about 20 minutes by taxi or 40 minutes
by bus from the Okinawa Nahana Hotel
Takayama (Chubu) Rickshaw Inn—stayed here
on three occasions. 10 minute walk from the
train station—5 minutes to restaurants or the
morning markets. Very friendly place to stay.