Useful Site: FREESPOT MAP

This post is unrelated to onsen. Finding free Wi-Fi spots is sometimes big hustle when I go abroad, especially in countries not often visit. I'll visit Mexico next month after more than 10 years blank and know nothing about Wi-FI services there now.

Some people coming to Japan have same problem as mine, I guess. You can search free Wi-Fi spots in Japan with this FREESPOT MAP.

If you already know where to go in Japan, this map might be helpful. Just click one of 47 prefectures you'll visit on the map, and search further with pull-down menu on upper right. One problem is ...well, my map displayed in Japanese. Hope yours are not.

HOT SPOT is a charging service run by different company, and One DAY Passport costs ¥500.

Useful Site : Selected Onsen Ryokan

Kinki Nippon Tourist, the second biggest travel agent in Japan launched new web site "Selected Onsen Ryokan" (日式温泉旅館) in four languages, five types targeting visitors from Asian countries in early September.

You can search suitable ryokans for you by checking "Ryokans for families", "Ryokans for couples" "Ryokan providing local foodstuff" Ryokan in Japan's best 10 hot spring resorts" and etc. Check it out!

English
http://selected-ryokan.com/

Korean
http://kr.selected-ryokan.com/

Simplified Chinese (Mainland China)
http://rishiluguan.cn/

Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong)
http://onsen-ryokan.hk/

Traditional Chinese (Taiwan)
http://onsen-ryokan.tw/

Useful Site: The Sento, Japanese Public Bathhouses in Kyoto

I know many visitors from abroad visit Kyoto while traveling in Japan. If you want an experience at a Sento, public bath house in Japan, you"ll find "The Sento: Japanese Public Bathhouses in Kyoto" is handy.

The site is managed by students of College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University. It provides all info you may need including maps, manners, and history. Please note Sentos usually supply heated tap or well water, not necessarily onsen. Some of the Sentos in the site are named "Onsen", but actually none of them supply hot springs.

Useful Site : Japan Ryokan Assosiation

Now that the holiday season has started in many counties, the number of incoming e-mails asking recommendable onsen ryokans is increasing, and it's getting difficult for me to respond each request.

I suggest you to look up the official website of the Japan Ryokan Association. It has English, Korean, simplified Chinese, and traditional Chinese sites.

It carries overall information on ryokan in　Japan like "What is Ryokan", "How to choose" and "How to stay". It has extensive list of ryokans all over Japan as well to help you finding suitable ryokans.

Please note the ryokan itself is Japanese style inn, not necessarily supplies onsen. The number of the ryokans accepting solo travelers is limited. Usually they provide dinners and breakfasts and charge per head, not per room. Check in time is generally around 3:00 - 4:00 P.M, and check out time is 10:00 A.M.