Breakaway Destination Guides (International)

Not just a Japanese-style hotel, but a cultural experience. A fascinating way to see some traditional Japanese culture and escape the bustle and noise of modern life. Various encounters with the unknown will greatly deepen the impressions and excitement of your journey.

Japanese Ryokans are accommodation facilities which are influence with the traditional culture of Japan. It is understandable why foreign guests are often perplexed by many things when staying at one. The greatest difference between a Japanese Ryokan and a Western-styled hotel is that a single room is used for many purposes. Living in a room with Tatami (straw mat) flooring, and then sleeping on a Futon (bedding) that has been put down directly on the Tatami floor.

The Tatami is indoor flooring peculiar to Japan. Rice stalks are dried into straw, which is then firmly bound with thread and covered with woven rush on the surface, to produce a rather thick mat. The Tatami mat is also used as a measuring unit, and the number of mats used in a room corresponds to the floor space of the room. The suppleness and excellent moisture absorbing and releasing qualities, and acoustic absorption and sound insulation properties make the Tatami mats well-suited to the Japanese climate.

It is common for guests to take off their shoes at the entrance and to change into slippers or zori (Japanese sandals). This custom, which is also practiced in ordinary homes, stems from the tatami culture. When entering a tatami-matted room, you must also take off your indoor slippers. In recent years, at an increasing number of ryokans, the guests do not have to remove their shoes at the entrance but can keep their shoes on as far as their guestrooms. Slippers and zori sandals are shared items and so are kept clean for the arrival of each new guest.

The Ryokan charges for 'one night's stay with two meals'. The meals are the evening meal on the day of your arrival, and breakfast served the following morning. At the majority of ryokans, these meals are served in the guestroom. At some ryokans, the meals are taken in a large dining room or a private room specially for the purpose, but the 'heya-shoku' (dining in the guestroom) is the most common style of eating at Japanese ryokans.

♦ When you arrive at the Ryokan, take off your shoes at the entrance and put on the slippers provided. The slippers are used for walking around inside the Ryokan. Your shoes will be placed in the entrance when you want to go outside. If you want to take a short walk near the Ryokan, you may also wear the ryokanƎs sandals or Geta (wooden clogs) provided.

♦ After you check in, follow your hostess to your room. When you get to your room, take off your slippers before you walk on the Tatami (straw mats). Walk on the tatami with your socks or your bare feet, not your slippers.

♦ If you have any valuables, you can place them in the custody of the front desk. (Please notify the the front desk of the value in the case of an accident.) Some rooms in some Ryokan may have a safe but it will be your responsibility for any accidents to valuables in your room.

♦ Your room will have a Tokoma (an alcove built into the wall used for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls), a glass enclosed sitting area separated by a Shoji (sliding paper door), and several Zabuton (cushions) for sitting. Your hostess will show you where to place your luggage. If it rains at night, please be sure to close the outside glass window. Usually a maid will bring tea for you, and you can sit on the Zabuton and relax and enjoy your tea.

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♦ During your stay, a Yukata (robe) is provided for you. You can wear the Yukata in your room, around the Ryokan, and if you like you can wear it when you take a short walk near the Ryokan. If it is cold, a Tanzen (outer robe) will be provided. Wear the Tanzen over the Yukata.

♦ Before dinner is a good time to take a bath. You may use the bath in your room or you may use the large public bath in the Ryokan. When you arrive at the public bath, put all of your clothes into the baskets in the changing room. Take the small towel provided for you, and go into the bathing room. The large public bath you will see is only for soaking your body. Cleaning your body is done in the bathing area outside the public bath. There will be small plastic stools, soap, shampoo, and a mirror provided for the guests. When you have finished cleaning yourself and there is no soap left on your body, step into the public bath. If the public bath is unbearably hot, you can adjust the temperature a little by running a cold water into it.

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♦ In the evening, the maid will either serve your dinner in your room or you will eat in the dining room. When you have finished eating, the maid will clean your room and prepare the Futon (quilt bedding) for you to sleep on.

♦ The front desk at a ryokan closes early. Be sure to confirm both the check-in and check-out times.

Most of the staff at Ryokans do not speak English, but most are experienced in dealing with foreign guests and they will try their best to communicate with you during your stay (hand gestures and other body language goes a long way). Do not be discourage by a lack of English language communication. In fact, this kind of communication is a genuine and important part of your contact with Japanese culture. Some Ryokans have a translated list of "Ryokan rules" (written in English and Japanese) which they will give to you upon arrival. This list should answer any of your questions about your stay.

The okami's role corresponds to that of a general manager in a Western hotel. In many cases, the okami is the owner of the ryokan or the wife of the owner, which means that the okami, as the representative of the ryokan, attends to all external affairs such as business matters and cooperation with the local community. The okami not only bears the greatest responsibility for waiting on and taking care of guests but also acts as the chief service manager on behalf of the Ryokan. The Rryokan staff include all kinds of professionals offering service to guests. Having mastered the essence of the art of hospitality and backed by extensive experience, they dedicate themselves to making their guests' stay a pleasant one, in such a manner that the guests will long remember the services provided. Communicating with these ryokan members, who do their utmost to please guests, will greatly enhance the impression of your travels.

The room maid, who also serves as an attendant, is in charge of several guest-rooms and offers a multitude of services to the guests relaxing in their rooms. There is very little difference between a room maid and an attendant, and in rather small Ryokans, this room maid is often in charge of general services for guests, from receiving the guests to seeing them off upon their departure. Attendants and room maids who are dressed in kimono are called "Nakai-san" by the guests, and are renowned for their meticulous attention that only women can provide.

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