travel/ Jan 4, 2026
The Art of Being a Guest
Tatami floors, kaiseki dinners, and futons laid while you bathe - what to expect from a traditional ryokan stay and why it costs what it costs

Tatami floors, kaiseki dinners, and futons laid while you bathe - what to expect from a traditional ryokan stay and why it costs what it costs

Every winter, volunteers walk the streets clapping wooden blocks and calling out fire warnings - a tradition that refuses to fade

Osechi-ryori and the edible symbolism of Japanese New Year - why we eat black beans for diligence and herring roe for fertility
