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Ryokan
- Japanese Inn | | |
Ryokan - A style of Japanese inn or resort
Ryokan is not only a form of unique travel accommodation, but also a chance to
experience the sensory richness of relaxation in traditional Japanese culture.
The Ryokan experience is considered the optimal in relaxation,
so it is worth trying to stay at Ryokan at least once in your travels to Japan.
Japanese people make a point of staying at Ryokan if they travel around Japan
and we believe staying at a Ryokan should be the focal point of your travel to
Japan experience.
Since Ryokan is a very traditional Japanese accommodation, with no comparable
experience in western accommodations, Ryokan follow very formal and traditional
rules of conduct. To truly experience Ryokan, it is best to have a basic knowledge
and awareness of Ryokan before you arrive.
Entering a Ryokan
When you arrive at Ryokan, Ryokan staff call out 'Nakai-san' welcoming you. As
nobody is supposed to walk inside of Ryokan building with shoes, please remove
your shoes off at the entrance. You will be supplied with slippers. After you
check in, a Ryokan staff takes you to a guest room.
A guest room interiors is always in the traditional Japanese style, with a Tatami
mat floor. A tatami mat is type of a modular flooring having the dimensions 3'
x 6' which also determine the dimensions of rooms. Please don't step on the tatami
floor with your slippers, please remove your slippers and it is also recommended
not to walk in your room on the tatami floor in the slippers from the washroom(
toilet) room either. Considered bad taste.
When Ryokan staffs show you your room, you will be informed of a few rules and
the time of dinner and the available hours for bathing.
Inside the guest room, Yukata (Kimono-like robe) is provided. You can wear Yukata
for pajamas or as a robe around the Ryokan. You can go out of your room wearing
Yukata and even out side of Ryokan. You can change your clothes into Yukata right
after you come to your room to relax. Also in the guest room, there is a dish
with little sweets (candies) provided for free.
Dining at a Ryokan
Dining is designated at a certain time by Ryokan. Ryokan staff inform you when
dinner time is, after showing you your room.
Note: In case you know you will arrive late at the Ryokan (later than 6:00pm),
it is best to inform the Ryokan staff about the delay beforehand. Otherwise,
you will miss your dinner.
For dinner, there are 2 styles of eating, depending on the Ryokan. One style
is to go to the dining room and the other is to have your dinner in your room.
In case of having dinner in your room, the Ryokan staff will bring all dishes
to your room.
Please take note, breakfast and dinner is included in room service. There are
some Ryokans that offer rooms without dinner, though, please remember the most
enjoyable part of staying at Ryokan is dining in traditional Japanese style.
Ryokan's usually provide basic Japanese food, pre-arranged, set by the properties.
If you have special requests, for example vegetarian dishes, it is recommended
to inform Ryokan when making a reservation. Some Ryokan's may meet your requests
and provide a special menu for you. Please check before hand.
Bathing at a Ryokan
Bathing is the centrepiece of the relaxing ambience of a Ryokan. Most Ryokan
have Ofuro or Daiyokujou (communal bathing facility). The size of the bathrooms
depends on each Ryokan. Some of them have real large bathing rooms like a swimming
pool and others have open air bathing rooms in a garden.
Recently, Ryokans have introduced a private Japanese style bath in each guest
room. Also, if you have a chance to stay at a Ryokan in a region that has Onsen
(hot springs) we highly recommend enjoying a hot spring at Ryokan.
To enjoy the best of Japanese bathing it is best to know how to take a Japanese
bath, please refer to
Sleeping - the end of a beautiful experience
The bedding at Ryokan is always a futon on tatami mats. Ryokan staffs prepare
the futon on the Tatami floor in your room usually while you are having dinner
or taking a bath.
In the morning, a traditional Japanese breakfast is prepared for you. The time
to have breakfast is issued by Ryokan staff. Remember, staff will wake you up
at the appropriate hour. After or while you are having breakfast, if you eat
your meals out of your room, Ryokan staff come to your room and put away all
futons.
Check out time is around 10:00 or 11:00 AM usually earlier than most western
hotels, please check beforehand.
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