Understanding the Ryokan Culture
The Ryokan Collection consists of Category AAA ryokans where you will experience authentic traditional Japanese culture and customs and indulge in traditionalold-fashion Japanese hospitality and service at its legendary best.
By understanding some of the customs and practices of a ryokan, you will be assured of a memorable experience and be able to enjoy the most of your stay.
By understanding some of the customs and practices of a ryokan, you will be assured of a memorable experience and be able to enjoy the most of your stay.
What's a Ryokan
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese-style inn and has been a central part of Japanese culture for centuries. Here guests can get a taste of Japanese traditional home life.
The earliest ryokans were built along the Tokai Highway for travelers journeying between the capital city of Tokyo and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. The simplest ryokans were actually homes offering extra rooms for travelers. Others were more elaborate, offering little luxuries and exquisiteelaborate cuisine.
Today, there are around 63,000 ryokans in Japan, of which 1,800 are high quality establishments belonging to the Japan Association. Many are located close to hot springs (onsen).
The earliest ryokans were built along the Tokai Highway for travelers journeying between the capital city of Tokyo and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto. The simplest ryokans were actually homes offering extra rooms for travelers. Others were more elaborate, offering little luxuries and exquisiteelaborate cuisine.
Today, there are around 63,000 ryokans in Japan, of which 1,800 are high quality establishments belonging to the Japan Association. Many are located close to hot springs (onsen).
Checking In and Out
・Check-in time is usually from 3:00pm. Try to check-in before 5:30pm as the ryokan may not be able to serve you dinner after 7:00pm. However, you will be charged for the dinner. The reason is the ryokans serve fresh, seasonal food and as a result, dinner is served as soon as it is cooked and no later. If the dinner is already prepared but sits there for several hours there is a good chance it will be spoiled. If you check-in early, you may leave your luggage at the ryokan and go sightseeing before returning for dinner.
・Check-out time is usually before 10:00-11:00am
・The reception at a ryokan closes early. Be sure to confirm both the check-in and check-out times.
・Check-out time is usually before 10:00-11:00am
・The reception at a ryokan closes early. Be sure to confirm both the check-in and check-out times.
Upon Arrival
・Expect to be welcomed by the proprietress and maids at the entrance. In some ryokans, the entire staff will turn out to greet you
Before Entering the Ryokan
Guests are expected to take off their shoes and change into the slippers or Geta (wooden clogs) provided before entering a ryokan.
・Usually there is a footstool and you can put one foot on it while removing the other shoe before entering the hallway
・Slip into the slippers (or wooden clogs) provided
・Your shoes will be placed at the entrance and if you want to take a short walk near the ryokan, you may also wear the slippers provided.
・You should only walk around in slippers in a ryokan except when you enter your room. You must only walk on the room tiled by tatami (reed matting) with your socks or bare feet.
・Usually there is a footstool and you can put one foot on it while removing the other shoe before entering the hallway
・Slip into the slippers (or wooden clogs) provided
・Your shoes will be placed at the entrance and if you want to take a short walk near the ryokan, you may also wear the slippers provided.
・You should only walk around in slippers in a ryokan except when you enter your room. You must only walk on the room tiled by tatami (reed matting) with your socks or bare feet.
In the Lobby
・You will be shown into the lobby and offered a beverage such as green tea to relax and sooth your senses
・Matcha (powdered green tea) is usually served in a tea bowl
・This form of tea is stronger than the normal green tea and is served in a bigger bowl
・You should hold the tea bowl with both hands
・Expect to be greeted with a few welcoming words from the proprietress again
・Most ryokans have few, if any, English-speaking staff
・When making a reservation, specify all your requirements in the reservation form
・Matcha (powdered green tea) is usually served in a tea bowl
・This form of tea is stronger than the normal green tea and is served in a bigger bowl
・You should hold the tea bowl with both hands
・Expect to be greeted with a few welcoming words from the proprietress again
・Most ryokans have few, if any, English-speaking staff
・When making a reservation, specify all your requirements in the reservation form
Guest Rooms
A typical ryokan room is patterned on rooms in classical Japanese houses and contains:
shoji (sliding paper doors) which separates the agari-kamachi from the room
・tatami mat flooring (reed floor matting)
・low wooden tables
・zabuton (sitting cushions)
・futon (sleeping quilts)
・a tokonoma (an ornamental alcove built into the wall used for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls)
・oshiire (a closet for futon sleeping quilts)
・a glass enclosed sitting area separated from the room by a shoji
shoji (sliding paper doors) which separates the agari-kamachi from the room
・tatami mat flooring (reed floor matting)
・low wooden tables
・zabuton (sitting cushions)
・futon (sleeping quilts)
・a tokonoma (an ornamental alcove built into the wall used for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls)
・oshiire (a closet for futon sleeping quilts)
・a glass enclosed sitting area separated from the room by a shoji
Checking into your Room
・a glass enclosed sitting area separated from the room by a shoji
・She will be responsible for assisting you to make your stay comfortable
・Direct any questions or requests concerning the ryokan to her
・She will show you where to place your luggage.
・Interpretation service is available on request if communication becomes a challenge
・She will be responsible for assisting you to make your stay comfortable
・Direct any questions or requests concerning the ryokan to her
・She will show you where to place your luggage.
・Interpretation service is available on request if communication becomes a challenge
In the Room
・Remove your slippers before entering the tatami-floored room
・You will be provided with a yukata (kimono-like robe) which you can wear in your room, around the ryokan, or when you take a short walk near the ryokan or in the hot spring area. If it is cold, a tanzen (outer robe) will be provided.
・How to wear the Yukata
・There is usually an ornamental recess/alcove (tokonoma) in the room which is raised one step above the tatami floor
・This is an auspicious place adorned by a hanging scroll, a vase, or flower arrangement. It is taboo to place your luggage, handbag or anything there
・If it rains, please be sure to close the outside glass window
・You will be provided with a yukata (kimono-like robe) which you can wear in your room, around the ryokan, or when you take a short walk near the ryokan or in the hot spring area. If it is cold, a tanzen (outer robe) will be provided.
・How to wear the Yukata
・There is usually an ornamental recess/alcove (tokonoma) in the room which is raised one step above the tatami floor
・This is an auspicious place adorned by a hanging scroll, a vase, or flower arrangement. It is taboo to place your luggage, handbag or anything there
・If it rains, please be sure to close the outside glass window
Bedtime
・Your maid will prepare your futon (sleeping quilts) every night and put it away in the morning.
・First a mattress is laid on the floor, and it is usually a few inches thick and just soft enough.
・If it is not soft enough, ask the maid to double them up --- each room usually has enough bedding for six or eight people.
・Then there is a quilt, wrapped in a sheet, then you, then another quilt, wrapped in a sheet or a duvet, all together comprising a "futon".
・Apart from the pillows, which are both small and hard, it is a very comfortable and relaxing bed.
・First a mattress is laid on the floor, and it is usually a few inches thick and just soft enough.
・If it is not soft enough, ask the maid to double them up --- each room usually has enough bedding for six or eight people.
・Then there is a quilt, wrapped in a sheet, then you, then another quilt, wrapped in a sheet or a duvet, all together comprising a "futon".
・Apart from the pillows, which are both small and hard, it is a very comfortable and relaxing bed.
Meals
Meals are usually Japanese style full-course menu although Western-style meals (Breakfast only) can be served upon request. However, it is best to send in requests early, preferably when confirming your booking.
In keeping with the spirit of Japanese hospitality, courses are brought in fresh and at their best, just as they would be at home.
Dinner is served between 6 pm and 7 pm and breakfast between 7am and 8:30am, served either in your room or in the private dining room.
For dinner, guests are usually served traditionally prescribed kaiseki, or tea-ceremony, style. This is usually an 8 to 13-course dinner consisting of a wide variety of small dishes with local specialties of Sashimi (raw fish and shellfish), Nabemono (meat, vegetables, fish boiled in a pot), tempura (deep fried fish and vegetables), grilled fish, boiled vegetables and meats, vegetables hors d'oeuvres, soy-bean paste soup, and rice.
You will usually be provided with chopsticks although you may request for Western tableware.
Beverages (except Japanese Tea) and additional courses are generally available at extra charge.
When breakfast is ready, you are normally notified by telephone or Nakai. A typical Japanese-style breakfast served in a ryokan consists of steamed rice, miso (bean paste) soup, grilled fish, fried eggs, nori (dried seaweed) and Japanese style pickles.
In keeping with the spirit of Japanese hospitality, courses are brought in fresh and at their best, just as they would be at home.
Dinner is served between 6 pm and 7 pm and breakfast between 7am and 8:30am, served either in your room or in the private dining room.
For dinner, guests are usually served traditionally prescribed kaiseki, or tea-ceremony, style. This is usually an 8 to 13-course dinner consisting of a wide variety of small dishes with local specialties of Sashimi (raw fish and shellfish), Nabemono (meat, vegetables, fish boiled in a pot), tempura (deep fried fish and vegetables), grilled fish, boiled vegetables and meats, vegetables hors d'oeuvres, soy-bean paste soup, and rice.
You will usually be provided with chopsticks although you may request for Western tableware.
Beverages (except Japanese Tea) and additional courses are generally available at extra charge.
When breakfast is ready, you are normally notified by telephone or Nakai. A typical Japanese-style breakfast served in a ryokan consists of steamed rice, miso (bean paste) soup, grilled fish, fried eggs, nori (dried seaweed) and Japanese style pickles.
The Bath
The Japanese consider a long hot bath to wash away the day's weariness a major ryokan attraction and you should also find time to indulge in it. Your room may be provided with a private bath or you may choose to use the communal bath. Men and women bath separately.
・Do not use soaps in the bath tub. The tub of water is for everyone.
・Place your clothing in the basket and clean yourself with the soap. Use a washbowl to scoop hot water out of the tub to rinse yourself with.
・After washing off the soap, step into the bath tub. The water temperature should be between 38°C and 42°C, and the water should be deep enough that an adult can sit submerged up to the neck.
・Get out of the bath, sit down (on the low stool provided or on your knee(s) -- not, in other words, with your bottom directly on the floor), and wash yourself thoroughly. You can wash your hair now, too. Use the shower or water from the bath to clean any remaining soap or shampoo from the floor.
・At spas, natural hot springs supply hot water for indoor and sometimes for outdoor open-air baths.
Besides offering relaxation and calming views of the gardens, the blue sky or the stars above during the evening, the onsen (Hot springs) are places to meet new friends, swap gossip and jokes, and practice your newfound Japanese skills and to soak your aches and pains away of your daily life.
For the independent traveler or businessman they are worth visiting not just to get clean but to see the Japanese at their best and what is most natural to them is as intimidating as it might be for the first time for you. You might even find yourself contemplating your own bathing rituals once you discover the physical and spiritual regeneration from sitting in an onsen. All of your worries will only become part of the past.
・Do not use soaps in the bath tub. The tub of water is for everyone.
・Place your clothing in the basket and clean yourself with the soap. Use a washbowl to scoop hot water out of the tub to rinse yourself with.
・After washing off the soap, step into the bath tub. The water temperature should be between 38°C and 42°C, and the water should be deep enough that an adult can sit submerged up to the neck.
・Get out of the bath, sit down (on the low stool provided or on your knee(s) -- not, in other words, with your bottom directly on the floor), and wash yourself thoroughly. You can wash your hair now, too. Use the shower or water from the bath to clean any remaining soap or shampoo from the floor.
・At spas, natural hot springs supply hot water for indoor and sometimes for outdoor open-air baths.
Besides offering relaxation and calming views of the gardens, the blue sky or the stars above during the evening, the onsen (Hot springs) are places to meet new friends, swap gossip and jokes, and practice your newfound Japanese skills and to soak your aches and pains away of your daily life.
For the independent traveler or businessman they are worth visiting not just to get clean but to see the Japanese at their best and what is most natural to them is as intimidating as it might be for the first time for you. You might even find yourself contemplating your own bathing rituals once you discover the physical and spiritual regeneration from sitting in an onsen. All of your worries will only become part of the past.
Tipping
It's customary to tip around JPY 3,000-10,000 upon arrival or departure depends on your satisfaction with your room attendant who acts as your butler during your stay.