Richly illustrated and exhaustively researched, Japanese Inns & Hot Springs is the definitive guide to Japanese spas and hot springs known as ryokans . It presents the finest ryokans in Japan, from historic properties like Hiiragiya in Kyoto and Kikkaso in Hakone to luxury retreats like Zaborin in Hokkaido and Tenku-no-Mori in Kyushu. In this Japan travel guide you will find: The 40 best Japanese ryokan and onsens for English-speaking visitors (including 13 in the Tokyo area and 11 in and around Kyoto and Nara) - A description of the special features of each ryokan and what is included in your stay - Tips on how to choose the right ryokan for you - Practical advice on how to book a stay and a detailed etiquette guide Above all else this ryokan guide reveals the enduring traditions of Japanese hospitality, a rich heritage reaching back a thousand years to the time when Japan's hot spring bathing culture took root. The beautiful properties in this book also illustrate the unique design sensibility for which Japan is so justly renowned. Indispensable tips on booking a Japanese ryokan that is right for you along with a detailed etiquette guide to staying at a ryokan and bathing in an onsen, as well as descriptions of the special features of each of the inns featured. "More etiquette advice--e.g., never step on a tatami mat while wearing shoes or slippers--is found in Japanese Inns and Hot Springs by Rob Goss , with photos by Akihiko Seki, which highlights 40 traditional ryokan (inns) and onsen (hot springs" -- Publishers Weekly " Japanese Inns and Hot Springs by Akihiko Seki and Rob Goss is a lusciously photo-illustrated tour of 40 choice properties. While ryokan throughout the country are represented, over half of the selections here are within a short distance of Tokyo or Kyoto, making it easy to combine an inn-stay with a city-centered vacation." -- Passport Magazine " Japanese Inns and Hot Springs takes readers on a trip around Japan, stopping at 40 of the country's best ryokan . Aiming to make your stay as pleasurable as possible, the book offers tips on travel, easy-to-follow advice on booking a stay, and a helpful etiquette guide geared toward English speakers." -- My Modern Met "Sip some whisky and enjoy an armchair tour of 40 of Japan's top traditional inns and hot springs, or plan an upcoming trip with the help of this book's practical travel tips." -- Bento Box Magazine "One of the special experiences when traveling to Japan is staying at a traditional inn ( ryokan ). This guide provides specifics on 40 ryokan around the country. Each one is different, but typically they feature rooms with communal hot spring baths ( onsen ) and kaiseki meals that highlight regional ingredients." -- Library Journal "Above all else this ryokan guide reveals the enduring traditions of Japanese hospitality, a rich heritage reaching back a thousand years to the time when Japan's hot spring bathing culture took root. The beautiful properties in this book also illustrate the unique design sensibility for which Japan is so justly renowned." -- Buddhism Now "For planning a memorable getaway, the abundant images by veteran photographer Akihiko Alan Seki coupled with Rob Goss's detailed text will be a tremendous help." -- Kyoto Journal Rob Goss  is a Tokyo-based writer creating award-winning books and stories for media around the globe. His books include the NATJA Award-winning pair, Travel Pack Japan and Tokyo: Capital of Cool, as well as the recently released Japanese Inns & Hot Springs. He has also worked with clients ranging from major international publications like National Geographic Traveler and TIME magazine to independents such as Roads & Kingdoms and globally recognized brands as diverse as Lexus, Cathay Pacific, Omega, Toyota, Garuda, and Delta.