Special FeatureWelcome to the Land of Hospitality

Tourists from abroad: Experiencing the hospitality of old Japan

Kagaya began catering to tour groups from Taiwan in 1995, and over the last few years guests from Western countries have also been increasing in number. The o-kami explains, "Traditional lifestyles and culture are slowly disappearing from the daily routine of Japanese people, and it is actually ryokan that are keeping them alive. We want to give people from both Japan and abroad the opportunity to experience Japan's culture and traditional hospitality."

But that does not mean she expects international visitors to sit uncomfortably on the tatami floor the Japanese way, or eat food they dislike. She and her staff learn about other lifestyles and the foods favored in other countries, and welcome foreign guests accordingly. This, after all, is true hospitality.

Getting there:

From Tokyo's Haneda Airport, a 60-minute flight to Noto Airport.

From there, a 50-minute ride in a limousine van called Furusato Taxi (operated by Nakajima Taxi; reservation required).

For more information:

Tel: 0767-62-1111 (if calling from outside Japan, +81-767-62-1111)
Kagaya's Japanese-language website: http://www.kagaya.co.jp/

The landlady and some of her employees wave goodbye to guests. This gesture expresses gratitude and will last until the guests are out of sight.