Yarimikan is definitely not luxurious; in fact, quite the opposite. I dare to even call it “nice”.  I hesitated to even share it here because, truthfully, for 95% of my clients I wouldn’t recommend it. There are far more polished, high-end ryokans in Japan. That said, I believe that for the right traveler it could be memorable. We’ve stayed at some truly incredible five-star properties around the world, yet Dave declared Yarimikan his favorite place we’ve traveled to. (granted he’s also the type of person who wants to live in a log cabin in the woods, plant trees while also driving his Porsche 911).  I’ve spent a lot of time trying to reconcile that feeling. On paper, it isn’t a place that neatly fits into the world of “Craft Traveler” recommendations. And yet I can’t stop thinking about it: its quirky uniqueness, its setting, the memories it left. What stayed with me wasn’t luxury, but character.