OUR RATINGS
How we evaluate Japan's finest ryokans
Japan is home to tens of thousands of ryokans, but only a fraction meet the standard required for inclusion in The Ryokan Guide. Every property on this site has been personally visited, anonymously assessed, and selected for qualities that distinguish it from the vast majority of establishments.
Being listed here is itself a mark of distinction. Our eight-star system then provides finer differentiation within this already exceptional group — not a judgement of adequacy, but a measure of the degree to which a ryokan achieves mastery across every dimension of the experience.
The 8 TRG Criteria
EIGHT LEVELS
The eight individual scores are aggregated into an overall TRG Star rating. We chose eight stars rather than five to provide finer granularity at the upper end of quality, where the differences between exceptional and transcendent can be subtle but significant.
One Star — Curated
The entry point to our curated selection. A one-star TRG rating already places a ryokan among Japan's top establishments — a recognition that the vast majority of properties never achieve.
Two Stars — Remarkable
Properties of genuine quality whose inclusion signals they stand apart from the thousands of ryokans across Japan. A stay here offers something worthwhile and authentic.
Three Stars — Distinctive
Ryokans with distinguishing qualities that set them clearly apart. A three-star property offers something genuinely compelling that merits recognition within our curated selection.
Four Stars — Excellent
Properties that surpass already high expectations. Four-star ryokans provide deeply authentic experiences with clear strengths across multiple criteria that make them worthy of the journey.
Five Stars — Outstanding
Ryokans of commanding excellence that deliver experiences well above what most travelers will encounter. Five-star properties combine strong cultural fidelity with mastery across multiple criteria.
Six Stars — Exceptional
Properties of rare quality that consistently astonish. Six-star ryokans offer deeply memorable stays, distinguished by particular strengths — whether an exceptional onsen, extraordinary kaiseki, or architecture of rare beauty.
Seven Stars — Extraordinary
Ryokans of the highest distinction, excelling in nearly every dimension. Seven-star properties deliver world-class omotenashi, cuisine, and atmosphere, with only the most subtle nuances separating them from the pinnacle.
Eight Stars — Absolute
The pinnacle of the ryokan experience. Scoring 9 or above across virtually all eight criteria, these properties represent the finest hospitality experiences on earth — a synthesis of centuries of tradition and flawless execution that places them in a class entirely their own.
OUR COMMITMENT TO INDEPENDENCE
Every ryokan in The Ryokan Guide is assessed anonymously. Our reviewers book and pay for their own stays. No ryokan can purchase a higher score, and no advertising relationship influences our evaluations. The trust of our readers is the only currency that matters.