Aomori Prefecture is the most northern prefecture on the main island of Honshu. Aomori faces Hokkaido and it also borders both Iwate and Akita prefectures. The largest city in Aomori Prefecture is Aomori, and during the first week of August the city hosts the annual Nebuta Matsuri (Nebuta Festival). The Nebusta Matsuri is one of Japan's largest festivals, and it features illuminated floats and a lot of energetic dancing by everyone involved. Other highlights of Aomori Prefecture are Hirosaki Castle (southwest of Aomori), and the Shimokita Hanto (Shimokita Peninsula) which boasts wonderful coastal scenery and wildlife, including  a large population of wild monkeys.

What is a Ryokan?

A typical ryokan is an old-fashion Japanese-style inn. Like a Western-style inn, maintaining the special, traditional atmosphere and appearance is more important than providing the latest modern convenience for the guests. A ryokan is for travelers who wish to experience traditional Japanese culture and enjoy the comforts of old-fashion Japanese hospitality and service.

A Brief History of Japanese Ryokans

Ryokans have been a part of Japanese culture for centuries. Some of the earliest ryokans were (and some still are) located on the Tokai Highway which connected the capital city of Tokyo and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. It was a very busy highway as samurai, traders, and others made their way between the two most popular destinations in the country. Ryokans were built  to welcome these weary travelers who needed to rest before continuing on their long journey. Some ryokans were very simple and offered extra rooms in their homes for travelers. Others were more elaborate and the owners worked hard to make their guests feel as welcome as possible.

Inside a Ryokan Guest Room

A typical ryokan guest room contains:

* the "agari-kamachi" (after opening the door guests step into this small area and take off their shoes)

* "shoji" (sliding paper doors) which separates the agari-kamachi from the room

* "tatami" mat flooring (reed floor matting)

* low wooden tables

* "zabuton" (sitting cushions)

* futon (sleeping quilts)

* a "tokonoma" (an ornamental alcove built into the wall used for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls)

* an "oshiire" (a closet for futon sleeping quilts)

* an "engawa" (a glass enclosed sitting area separated from the room by a shoji)

Ryokan Buildings

Many ryokans are composed of different buildings such as:

* a "honkan" (the original building)

* a "shinkan" (the newer building but the building could actually be very old)

* a "bekkan" (the secondary or annex building)

Experiencing a Ryokan - is it for you?

Staying at a typical ryokan is a traditional Japanese cultural experience, and it is not like staying at a Western-style hotel. For example ryokans do not have central heating and in the winter this means you will be staying in a room with a portable heater (kerosene, gas, electric). While your room may be heated, your private bathroom (if you have one) will probably not have a heater. In the summer time, your room may have an air conditioning unit but again your private bathroom (if you have one) will probably not have one. Many ryokan owners wish to preserve the traditional atmosphere of their ryokan, and this means maintaining old fashioned heating systems in order to preserve the traditional architecture, design, and atmosphere of the ryokan. If you prefer  to sleep in a double room with twin queen-size beds and have: a full modern bathroom, carpeted rooms, perfect room temperature, insulated silence, the latest high tech gadgets, and every member of the staff speaking fluent English then do not stay at a ryokan. A Western-style hotel would suit you better. However, if you wish to see, taste, touch, and feel traditional Japanese culture then a night at a typical ryokan is just the thing for you. While most of the staff at ryokans speak very little English, this authenticity adds to the experience. Ryokans are only available in Japan and, depending on the quality of the ryokan, it is an experience not to be missed.

Aomori is a paradise for lovers of onsen, Japan's hot springs. Throughout the prefecture, hidden away in mountain valleys or nestled among the shops and offices of a city street, there are hot springs of every shape, size and style. Flowing straight from the ground beneath, onsen waters are rich in minerals and promise the bather any number of physical benefits. Even for those with no aches or pains, there are few finer ways to relax.