Japanese Guest Houses

There are a lot of ryokans in Kyoto but I would suggest one modern ryokan instead of a traditional ryokan since you have a 2 year old girl. Something like Matsui Honkan http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/kyoto/matsui.htm or even Yachiyo in their Shinkan if you want a little more traditional feel but modern convenience. They have a wonderful dining room which over looks their garden.

There are not many ryokans in Sapporo for for that matter on Hokkaido.

There are not many ryokans in Okinawa but there are family run pensions. You can see a few at http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/okinawa/index.htm

April is a wonderful time in Japan but remember to book early especially in Kyoto.

The changing of Autumn to Winter Season is one of the busiest seasons in the year for Ryokans in Japan (particularly in popular destinations like Kyoto).
The dates that you have mentioned above are around the estimated dates in which Kyoto should see it's most bold red in the changing colors of the leaves. There is also a national holiday in the middle of your dates.

Unfortunately this season becomes fully booked very quickly but this does not mean that there is "No Room"
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Please find a Ryokan that you like on the Japanese Guest Houses website:

( http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm )

Then fill out the Japanese Guest Houses reservation form and let us check availability for you:

( https://id280.securedata.net/japaneseguesthouses/reservation.htm )

We look forward to hearing from you soon.

If you have a JR Rail Pass you might want to stay in Kurashiki and then take the Shinkansen Bullet Train to Kyoto in the morning. Kurashiki has some wonderful ryokans that you can see at http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/kurashiki/index.htm

The snow festival is super high season in Sapporo and many ryokans have been booked for months. I hate to say this but I would recommend a hotel. You also might want to thing about joining a package tour. The Japanese magazine AB-Road might help.

There are tons of ryokans in Hakone so it is hard to suggest anything. Hakone Fujiya Hotel is a wonderful Meiji style ryokan. It has Western rooms and a nice Meiji feel that you cannot get at other ryokans. See http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/hakone/hakonefujiya.htm

Generally speaking you will not need a reservation to visit a sake brewery but the explanation will be in Japanese. I am not sure of Sado Shima but Nada-ku in Kobe has lots of breweries.

Yufuin and Beppu are also popular as is Kurokawa Hot Spring mentioned above. For Beppu and Yufuin see http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/beppu/index.htm

April is a great time of year to travel to Japan but make sure you book early as it is high season.

Miharashi in Nikko is inexpensive though it is located in Okkunikko so a little far from the main sights. See http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/nikko/miharashi.htm

There are not many hot springs within the city limits of Kyoto but if you travel north to Amanohashidate there are some. See http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/amanohashidate/index.htm

I've researched endless and found thisTakaragawa Onsen. It's rated one of the best onsens in Japan with wonderful mountain mixed sex outdoor onsen. www.takaragawa.com/english.html I'll be staying there on 10/19.

Most ryokan and hot spring bath houses do not have mixed gender bathing but many of them have family baths where you can have some private time in a hot spring bath with your group.

The best mixed bathing that I have seen is Osenkaku in Takaragawa Onsen. See the following for details
http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/gunma/osenkaku.htm