Step-by-step instructions for what to expect and how to behave in a typical Japanese inn.
Difficulty: Easy
Time Required: 1 night
Here's How:
- Take off your shoes at the entrance and change into the slippers provided. You aren't supposed to wear shoes inside the inn.
- After you check in, usually the host or a maid guides to your room.
- Take off your slippers before stepping on the tatami (Japanese straw mat) floor in your room.
- Za-buton cushions are set on the tatami for you to sit on.
- A set of Japanese tea pot and teacups are prepared on the table. A maid usually serve green tea for you. Enjoy the tea and relax in the room.
- Before dinner, it's a good time to bathe in the inn's public bath. You can take a bath later if you want. Many people take a bath several times a day.
- After the bath, change to yukata robe (summer kimono) provided by the inn if you want. If a kimono jacket called tanzen is provided, put it on top of yukata.
- Enjoy dinner served in your room or in the dining room.
- Maids prepare futon beddings in your room.
- Guests sleep on the futon spread on the tatami mats.
- In the morning, maids pick up your futon and get the room ready for serving breakfast. *Breakfast might be served in the dining room.
- After breakfast and rest, check out or go out for sightseeing.
Tips:
- Yukata robe is for you to wear as pajamas, but you can go out of your room wearing it.
- Be sure to arrive before dinner time.
- It's necessary to make reservations to stay in a Japanese inn.
