Many people are curious to know what is the difference between a hotel and a ryokan. What makes ryokans so special?
Ryokans have long been a part of the Japan experience. There is something luxurious and authentic about staying in these Japanese style inns. The ryokan experience is a lot different than your run-of-the-mill hotel experience. Ryokans tend to be at a higher cost, and more secluded in location, surrounded by nature, although it is not always the case. They also are a lot smaller than hotels with only a select number of guestrooms. This ensures that the best Japanese style hospitality can be bestowed upon guests. What exactly is a ryokan though? A ryokan is a Japanese-style inn that has the elements of a traditional style Japanese house. Usually ryokans will have tatami floor mats and come with a futon bedding instead of the Western style bed. There are ryokans that also have rooms with Western-style beds if that’s something you prefer, so we would definitely recommend double-checking beforehand (And it’s something JapanCierge can do for you). The tatami mats are made of straw, and give off a nice straw scent.
The first thing that you might notice when arriving at a ryokan is that you take off your shoes prior to entering the facility. Do not fret though! You’re provided with slippers that you wear instead. This ensures that the ryokan stays clean and is rooted in traditional Japanese practices that involve taking off your shoes before entering the household. Ryokans today have changed the rule a bit so that you can keep your shoes on until you get to your room, but the rules differ upon the ryokan, and you’ll usually figure it out within the first few minutes of arriving at your ryokan.
Once inside the facility, you may find that everyone seems to be wearing a Japanese style robe. These garments are called yukatas and many people roam the ryokan in these garments. It’s perfectly acceptable to wear it, and is a comfortable piece to lounge in. You’ll usually be provided with one in your room that you can use for the duration of your stay. An attendant will usually show you to your room and will let you know where your yukata and your futon is located in your room.
Another thing to note is that many of the traditional ryokans do not come with their own private bathroom or toilet, and only come with a sink. It may seem like a foreign concept, but bathrooms are usually shared amongst everyone, but the more recent ryokans and the luxury ones now come with their own private bathroom. At some ryokans, you can request a private open-air bath within your room. These make you feel like you’re bathing in your own personal onsen, even if it’s just a bath, and it definitely feels luxurious! For those who don’t mind being immersed in the full experience, most ryokans have a shared bath area that either comes with hot spring water, or regular tap bath water. The showering area is found nearby, and guests are expected to fully shower before entering the bath. For more information about public bathing in Japan, click here and here)
One of the most favored part about staying in a ryokan is that they tend to come with a kaiseki dinner. A kaiseki dinner is a luxury Japanese course dinner that you can enjoy in your room oftentimes, although some places have a designated separate room where you will be served dinner. In some ryokans, a Japanese style breakfast is served as well. These meals tend to be balanced, healthy, and filled with some luxury and seasonal ingredients, like the freshest seafood and melt-in-your-mouth cuts of meat. Some places also have filling and delicious vegetarian kaiseki dinners if this is something you wish for (And we can customize your trip to fit dietary requirements!) We always recommend trying out the local cuisine when traveling, and the ryokans serve some of the best!
The ryokan experience is unlike any other hotel experience. You get to truly experience a traditional Japan and experience more of the culture through a ryokan stay. You’ll be able to experience the traditions of Japanese culture including futon beds, public baths, and the best Japanese dinner.
If you’re interested in adding luxury ryokan stays to your Japan trip, JapanCierge can help you customize the very best stays.