Originally Posted by OliverB

Actually the Peninsula and Ritz were the two exceptions (along with the Nara Hotel) with our itinerary... we're staying 90% in small 8-10 room ryokans, including some very obscure and out of the way inns that are not frequented by Western travellers: Gora Kadan, Hoshi Onsen Chojukan, Kanbayashi Hotel Senjukaku, Myojinkan, Wanosanto, Kayoutei, Hiiragiya, Minamikan, Iwaso, Sakamotoya. It was too difficult for me to book these properties on my own, and my Virtuoso agent felt more confident contracting JTB for the same reasons; she had no prior experience with Japan and there was nobody in her office that speaks the language. Many of these ryokans are not very 'English friendly'. We had very specific requests for room types and suites, so we really did need assistance. I don't feel like we got what we paid for however, especially in light of these unfair price variances between the original quote and final cost.