“Even the names of the two top floor suites lay it on the dotted line — Le Roi (The King) and La Leine (The Queen). While both are exquisitely regal, guess which one boasts the most sumptuous experience? Sorry boys, but this is a ‘ladies first’ establishment.”

“Today, tour boats full of sightseers pass where river barges once groaned beneath the weight of rice and cotton.”

“From the front door of Ryokan Kurashiki, you can walk about three minutes and find yourself standing on the threshold of a traditional restaurant, in the private workshop of a local artisan, or in front of a painting by Monet.”

“Instead of cutlass-wielding swashbucklers swaggering ashore, tourists stroll on and off brandishing cameras, gingerly stepping between the vessel’s built-in gangway and the dock.”

“In an age where abstraction and mass-appeal often serve to discourage political and social commentary in art, seeing works which clearly and unabashedly connect to relevant issues makes for a delightful and refreshing experience.”

“Sitting in the steaming hot, mineral-rich water, windows open to the cool breezes, the city lights of Takamatsu sparkle in the distance like gemstones against the night’s velvet gown. Because even in darkness, true beauty always shines.”