From the editor
When the weather turns cold, the Japanese head to the mountains to warm both body and soul at one of the many hot spring resorts dotted around the country. What could be better to ward off the cold than a soothing warm bath followed by a fullcourse meal of local delicacies? In this issue, we take a close look at three of Japan’s wonderful onsen resorts; the Hakkoda Hotel in Aomori, the Beniya Mukayu Ryokan in Ishikawa and the Tsurunoyu Ryokan in Akita prefecture. The classic Hakkoda Hotel’s log building comes with plenty of old-world charm and a unique chance to take in the surrounding snowscape while soaking in one of the nearby hot springs. Crab lovers should visit Beniya Mukayu and enjoy the opulent servings of several kinds of…
