Staying in a ryokan, Japan’s traditional inns, is to encounter the country’s hospitality at its most refined.

But beyond the static, one-dimensional image often attached to them, ryokan reveal a remarkable diversity and vitality. Showcasing everything from centuries-old family houses to bold contemporary creations that challenge convention, this book highlights the new generations behind these inns, some safeguarding ancient traditions, others imagining the hospitality of tomorrow.