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Japanese Culture
Ryokan
Ryokan are traditional Japanese-style inns. Visitors will be able to experience the traditional Japanese way of life by staying at ryokan. They are also popular with the Japanese in order to relax from their high-stressed lifestyle. The typical room is simply furnished with a low table, cushions (zabuton) and a tokonoma alcove which is decorated with a flower arrangement (ikebana) or seasonal calligraphic scroll (kakejiku).
The history of ryokan goes back to the Edo period (1603-1867). The shogun came up with an idea to keep the daimyo (overlords) from getting rebellious. The daimyo were commanded to travel to Edo (now Tokyo) every other year (sankin-koutai). When the daimyo went back to their domains, their wives and children were forced to remain in Edo as virtual hostages. Also, since the daimyo were traveling with hundreds of people, the journeys were enormously expensive and made their power weaken. To facilitate the nationwide routes, the shogun invested in five major highways (gokaidou). The travelers also needed frequent stops along the road to rest and eat. The traditional inns were born to serve these needs.
Click here to learn more about Japanese inns.
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