Blend of tradition and modernity

AT 36 years old, a little closer to civilisation and with in-room showers (and private baths in some rooms), Ryokan Tanigawa is a baby compared to Chojukan, but what it lacks in age it makes up for with a happy blend of tradition and modernity.

Also in Minakami - you only need to take one bus from Jomo Kogen to Minakami station and someone from the ryokan will pick you up - Ryokan Tanigawa is a homey, unpretentious getaway run by the Kubo family who also owns the upmarket Relaix and Chateaux property Bettei Senjyuan. Just slightly more expensive than Hoshi, which is priced around 20,000 yen (S$245.50) per person, Ryokan Tanigawa is an affordable way to cap off a visit to Hoshi while still enjoying the spectacular mountain scenery.

Unlike other ryokans, what you see isn't necessarily what you get. As in, while it looks like a regular ryokan, there are little design touches that show off owner Tomio Kubo's keen eye for detail. The trained horticulturist and second generation ryokan owner created a Japanese garden from scratch on Tanigawa's grounds,and he was the first to replace the wooden floors of the dressing area of each room with tatami mats. He was also the first to use hinoki wood for the baths instead of rocks - a practice that has since been adopted by other ryokans.