Ryokan

Ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, and it is different from a Western style hotel. One difference is that everyone walks around in slippers inside a ryokan. Also, a ryokan provides you with a yukata which is a kimono-like robe. Yukata can be your night wear but also you can go out of your room wearing it. The design of each guest room is Japanese-style too. The floor is covered by tatami mats. You should not wear slippers on the tatami. The room is partitioned by sliding fusuma screens, which are made by thick decorative paper.

There are usually large public baths inside a ryokan. You should soap up and rinse outside of the large tub because the hot water is for soaking and used by other guests too. You will sleep on the futon mattress which is laid on the tatami floor. Your room maid spreads out the futon after dinner and put them away in the morning. Meals are usually Japanese style which include rice and soup. A typical Japanese-style breakfast served in ryokan consists of rice, miso (bean paste) soup and Japanese style pickles.

Japan Regional Ryokan List (by Japanese Inn Group):

• Japanese inns in Hokkaido
• Japanese inns in Tohoku
• Japanese inns in Kanto
• Japanese inns in Chubu
• Japanese inns in Kinki
• Japanese inns in Chugoku/Shikoku
• Japanese inns in Kyushu/Okinawa

Even Western-style hotels offer some Japanese-style rooms. Please contact each hotel to find out if Japanese-style rooms are available.

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