YUDANAKA I
A magical journey to where people are ignored and allowed to share the environment with playing, nursing, eating, grooming, fighting, and resting Japanese macaques (snow monkeys). Music on selected videos by Kevin MacLeod of http://incompetech.com/.
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Bev relaxes in the reception area of Shimiya, our ryokan for the next few days.
A ryokan is a uniquely Japanese (as far as I know) type of institution. To compare it with what we have in the U.S., I would say it is sort of like a cross between a small motel and a large bed and breakfast, except that the ryokan has a public bath, in this case (and in most, I believe) with water piped in from a natural hot spring (called an onsen). This is only the second ryokan I have stayed in, and both also catered to Westerners in that private bath and shower facilities were also available.
OptimImagery
on December 7, 2013Yep: Good to be one.
Jim
on December 6, 2013Those spoiled brat Westerners!