A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn, and a night in one is often the highlight of a trip. Staying in a ryokan is simple once you know the rhythm: arrive in the afternoon, change into a yukata, bathe in the hot spring before a multi-course kaiseki dinner served at a set time, and sleep on futon bedding laid out on tatami while you eat.
Arrival and check-in
Most ryokan expect guests from mid-afternoon, and dinner is served at a fixed time, so arrive early enough to bathe first. Take off your shoes at the entrance and change into the slippers provided. Staff will often show you to your room and serve green tea and a small sweet.
Your room and the yukata
Rooms are laid with tatami mats; walk on them in socks, never in slippers. You will find a yukata, a light cotton robe, to wear around the inn, to the baths and to dinner. Wrap the left side over the right — the other way round is used for the deceased.
The onsen
Many ryokan have hot-spring baths, separate for men and women, and some have private baths you can reserve. Wash thoroughly at the seated showers before entering the bath, keep your small towel out of the water, and do not swim or splash. Some baths do not allow tattoos; check beforehand or book a private bath. Our onsen etiquette guide explains every step.
The kaiseki dinner
Dinner is usually a kaiseki meal — many small seasonal courses served one after another, in your room or a dining room. Tell the ryokan about dietary needs when you book, not on arrival, as the kitchen prepares ingredients in advance. Breakfast is usually a traditional Japanese set of rice, fish, miso soup and pickles.
Sleeping on a futon
While you are at dinner, staff lay out futon bedding on the tatami. It is firmer than most Western beds but comfortable, and the room becomes a quiet bedroom. In the morning, staff clear it away after breakfast.
Choosing a ryokan
Ryokan range from small family-run inns to luxury resorts with private open-air baths. For a first stay, choose one with dinner and breakfast included, in a hot-spring town such as Hakone, Kinosaki, Beppu or Kusatsu. Book well ahead for weekends, holidays and the autumn colour season. The first-time travel tips cover the rest of the trip.
FAQ
What do you wear in a ryokan? The yukata, a cotton robe provided by the inn, worn around the ryokan, to the baths and to dinner. Wrap the left side over the right.
Are meals included at a ryokan? Usually, yes: most ryokan stays include a kaiseki dinner and a Japanese breakfast. Tell the ryokan about dietary needs when you book.
Can I stay in a ryokan with tattoos? Many ryokan offer private baths that can be reserved, which avoid the issue. Shared baths may not allow tattoos, so check before booking.
Is one night in a ryokan enough? One night gives the full experience — bath, dinner, futon and breakfast. Two nights allow a more relaxed stay, especially in a hot-spring town.
Planning a ryokan stay for yourself, your family or your clients? Write to b2b@explera.jp or message us on WhatsApp at +66 93 656 8090 with your dates and group size, and we will reply within 24 hours. Explera is a destination management company for Japan — IATA TIDS 96215733, ASTA member 900408341.
