CompleteMartialArts.com - Ryokan: Japan's Finest Spas and Inns
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List Price: $39.95
Our Price: $26.37
Your Save: $ 13.58 ( 34% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Charles E Tuttle Co
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Average Customer Rating: [ not yet rated ]
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Binding: Hardcover
Dewey Decimal Number: 729
EAN: 9780804838399
ISBN: 0804838399
Label: Charles E Tuttle Co
Manufacturer: Charles E Tuttle Co
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 207
Publication Date: 2007-12-15
Publisher: Charles E Tuttle Co
Studio: Charles E Tuttle Co
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Editorial Reviews:
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Featuring Japanese inns, or ryokan, both old and new from inns with a history dating back a thousand years to modern inns with the latest facilities that nonetheless capture the spirit of old Japan. Each of the properties has been handpicked by the authors for their strong design aesthetic, commitment to service and purity of their spring waters. The photographs showcase the resorts at their best, and accurately express the unique architectural design of each ryokan.
Each chapter begins by introducing the area surrounding the inns and their spas, or onsen, and provides a background of its local history, culture and traditions, as well as the natural environment. The text provides information on the design and development of each ryokan, and descriptions of the owners and their clientele. For those planning a visit to an onsen, this book provides contact details and information on the number of rooms, type of facilities and food, as well as vital information on travel and booking procedures and whether English is spoken. For those fascinated by Japanese culture and design, this book is an absolute delight.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:  
Summary: A sensitive whole sight introduction into Japanese culture
Comment: The book is introducing 36 Ryokans throughout Japan.
13 for Tokyos area
6 for Kyoto, Nara and Kansai
7 for central Japan
4 for northern Japan
6 for southern Japan
One of the particularly well done features of the book are the exceptionally well written texts and a very sensitive introduction about the "Ryokan and Onsen Etiquette".
This 3 page introduction alone lists up cases which probably make up more than 80% of common pitfalls when "guests" are lacking the cultural background.
Years back I have been in those or similar situations myself and would have wished to have had such a quick rundown of what to do and what to better avoid.
A few things that could be improved on the book.
1) Some pictures have homepage or newspaper like quality.
(low resolution picture zoomed up to a full page)
2) The introduced Ryokans should be numbered throughout the book as it was done on the map in the front.
3) More seasonal information should be included. Blossom of certain trees and flowers, festivals etc.
4) Perhaps a smaller sized edition would accommodate better for some of the lower quality pictures and would help making the book more portable.
Summary:
With each single well crafted textual descriptions of the Ryokans you get invaluable sensitive introductions to Japans cultural background.
If you are going to Japan for business you will want to consider the book an investment into an cultural introduction.
The other above mentioned points are no deal breakers in an way, but are actually devalueing an another wise excellent book.
The book is highly recommended !!
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