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From the Journal
Best Ryokans for Outdoor Activities in Japan: Hiking, Cycling, and Nature Adventures
The best ryokan trips combine the inn experience with outdoor activities — hiking mountain trails, cycling highland plateaus, kayaking rivers, or snowshoeing through beech forest. These are the Japanese onsen destinations where the landscape outside is as compelling as the bath inside.
Night Bathing at a Japanese Ryokan: The Art of the Late Onsen
The late-night onsen bath — after dinner, after the other guests have retired, in the quiet of a Japanese inn — is one of the defining experiences of ryokan travel. Here's what makes night bathing different, and how to do it well.
Best Ryokans in Japan for Summer 2027: Our Top Picks for July and August
Summer 2027 ryokan picks for every type of traveler — from Hokkaido lavender escapes to mountain onsen retreats, coastal inns, and festival-season properties. Updated with 2027 availability patterns and seasonal notes.
The Ryokan Morning Routine: Dawn Baths, Japanese Breakfast, and the Art of Checking Out Slowly
The morning at a Japanese ryokan is its own complete experience — different from the evening in pace, light, and purpose. Here's how to structure your ryokan morning to get the most from the hours between waking and checkout.
Best Ryokans in Japan for July: Summer Festivals, Mountain Escapes, and Obon Season
July in Japan brings intense heat to the lowlands, spectacular summer festivals, and the beginning of Obon travel season. Here's where to stay at a ryokan in July — and how to make the most of the summer calendar.
Ryokan Stays During Obon: Japan's Festival of the Dead and Summer's Peak
Obon — Japan's Buddhist festival honoring ancestral spirits — falls in mid-August and marks the absolute peak of domestic summer travel. Staying at a ryokan during Obon means bone dances, lantern ceremonies, and the most festive week of the Japanese summer calendar.
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