47 days - This is the worst for someone like me - compulsive planner. I've been silent for a while now. Just lurking other posts and getting ideas. But I do have a couple questions of the minutia type: Do ryokans provide blowdryers? Will we need to pack our own?

Please be patient with me - I'm very excited about this trip. I've knocked out the "big" stuff and this is what is left.

Not sure about blowdryers in the low end places...the kind that are renting you a futon in a small tatami room. Mid to high end places with baths and meals and service will have blow dryers for sure. Even business hotels have hair dryers, though you may need to ask at the front desk in some of them. I would not bring your hair dryer from home. I've never stayed at a place in Japan that didn't provide soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrush and toothpaste, comb and/or brush, and a hair dryer.

I am pretty sure I had a hair dryer in a lower end ryokan in Tokyo - Annex Katsutaro - as well as an electric pot, tv, refrigerator.....

Most places will have them but I have also been in small minshuku that did not have one. If you can't live without one, I would take one.

BTW we are at 31 days and counting

Aloha!

Thanks, it sounds like I have one less thing to pack. We are staying at Yukinsato Ryokan in Toba, Yumoshimakan Ryokan in Gero and Sumiyoshi Ryokan in Takayama.

The ryokan experience will be completely new to us and I am really looking forward to it.