2019.03.29

A Guide to Japanese Inns / The Basics of Japanese Ryokan (vol.1)

Wearing a yukata while dining on traditional Japanese dishes… that famous Japanese customer service.  Traditional Japanese inns (known as ryokan in Japanese) are full of unique charm that simply cannot be experienced at conventional hotels. We would like to share some tips on getting maximum enjoyment from your stay at a ryokan, as well as some things to be careful of.

1.What is a Traditional Japanese Inn?

A Japanese ryokan is no ordinary inn, but a place that embodies the true essence of Japanese omotenashi hospitality. The dishes served at ryokan are also considered part of this hospitality, and usually the price of dinner and breakfast are included in the cost of your stay. Because the structure of the building differs from a regular hotel, and the service style follows Japanese customs, rules may be different from what you are used to, but there is no need to be nervous. If you have any questions, you can talk to your host who will be sure to help you with the utmost kindness. There is no doubt at all that from the moment you check in until the moment you check out, you will have a thoroughly relaxing time.

2.Different Shoes for Different Times

Just like in a regular Japanese house, is common practice at ryokan for guests to remove their shoes at the entryway, and change in to slippers. During your stay when you want to venture outside, you can borrow some traditional Japanese sandals –  setta or geta, provided by the inn.

There are some ryokan that permit guests to wear their shoes indoors, but even in those cases, you must remove your shoes before entering your room. It is basic etiquette to walk on tatami floors in socks, so please be sure to remove any footwear at the entryway beforehand, including slippers.

3.Try on a Yukata!

At Japanese ryokan, there are various sizes of yukata(traditional unisex gowns) available, which you can wear around the ryokan and sleep in. These are a simple kind of yukata which can be worn directly over underwear. Wearing this kind of yukata allows you the chance to step out of everyday life, and feel more open and relaxed.

Put your arms through the sleeves, and for both men and women, bring the left side of the gown over to the right, and hold it in place while you secure the gown with your obi (belt), wrapping the belt around one or two times and securing it in a bow.

On colder days, you can wear a traditional Japanese hariko coat together over your yukata. Usually this kind of yukata is worn with bare feet, but in colder seasons its perfectly ok to match your yukata with some traditional Japanese tabi socks.

Ryokan yukata are also nicknamed ‘onsen yukata’, and are not the same kind of yukata as those worn at Japanese Summer festivals and firework displays. Still, if you were to walk around outside in an onsen yukata, it wouldn’t be breaking any rules. We encourage you to try going for a walk in your onsen yukata.

4.Japanese Ryokan Food

One of the highlights of staying at a traditional Japanese ryokan is the dinner and breakfast service. The dinner in particular is a feast for both eyes and taste buds, often served in the style of kaisei(Japanese banquet), and is comprised of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. Some dishes, like hotpot are flame-cooked in front of you at the table.

In most cases, dinner is eaten in a dining area separate from your room. The usual style of dining is on tatami mats at sunken kotatsu tables that reduce any burden to one’s feet. You may see a lot of guests dining in yukata, but this is not a requirement, and you are free to dine in regular clothes too.

Depending on the ryokan and the plan you choose, you may be able to dine in your room. In these cases, there is no need to lift a finger, and your food will be brought to and from your room by the dedicated staff, making this option extremely popular.

Dinner time is usually at around 5 or 6 o’clock (pm). If you cannot make the scheduled dinner time, you can request a change to the service time at check in.

5.Breakfast at a Japanese Ryokan

Unlike at a regular hotel where breakfast service tends to be in the style of a buffet, breakfast at a Japanese ryokan is commonly served to each table as set meals. You will not find any Western style food to choose from such as bread or soup, with the food usually being Japanese. A typical menu consists of rice served with toppings like natto (fermented soybeans), grilled fish, raw egg and other such traditional Japanese breakfast foods.

Please be sure to confirm the time and place of breakfast during check in. Even if your ryokan served you dinner in your room, the breakfast may still be served in another area of the inn. Like at dinner, you can go to breakfast in your yukata.