"When we think of ryokans, we tend to focus on the ways in which they’re the same — their small scale and slow rhythms, their soothing minimalist décor and painstakingly prepared meals. But how to choose between them? In Ryokan Kurashiki’s case, what most sets it apart is a location not in some tranquil middle of nowhere, but right in the heart of the historic merchant’s quarter of the city of Kurashiki. It’s the rare ryokan whose ability to transport guests back in time extends beyond its walls, helped along by the beautifully preserved 17th-century architecture of the neighborhood just beyond." - Tablet Hotels