OUR RATINGS
How we research and assess selected ryokans
Selection for The Ryokan Guide is research-based. We compare available official and property information with reputable third-party material and structured hospitality signals. AI-assisted tools help organize research and prepare parts of the editorial workflow.
Evidence depth and recency vary by property, and inclusion does not imply a first-hand stay. TRG scores express a proprietary assessment across eight criteria, including Consistency; they are not official hotel classifications or guest-review aggregates.
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 such as 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
TRG ratings are proprietary, research-based assessments built from available official and property sources, reputable third-party material, structured signals, and AI-assisted tools. They do not imply that a contributor stayed at every listed property and are not official hotel classifications or guest-review aggregates. Read our Editorial Independence policy for details on research, commercial disclosures, corrections, and AI-assisted work.