Ryokan offeres you an experience almost the same living style of general Japanese family. Customers do not need to worry about causing trouble due to your incomplete understanding about Japanese life style. These tips allow you to stay Ryokan without any hesitation, so by all means enjoy the hospitality served by Ryokan.
Take your shoes off just as you walk in the entrance (right before where the slippers are placed) and put on the slippers. The slippers are used for walking inside the Ryokan on the corridor, lobby, dining hall and to the bath.
The shoes are handled by the Ryokan and will be placed at the entrance when you wish to go out. For short strolls near the Ryokan you can use the Ryokan's sandal or GETA (wooden clogs).
*Closing Time (curfew): The front or lobby and entrance will close at a certain time. Confirm that time and if you should foresee a delay, inform the Ryokan of this delay. Furthermore, the check-in/check-out time differ with the various Ryokan so you should confirm this with the Ryokan.
When you open the door to your room take off your slippers before getting on to the Tatami (straw mat floor). Do not walk on the Tatami with your slippers. The Tatami is always tread upon barefoot or with your socks on and you can squat down or just lie down on it.
This is a Japanese-style room. In the room there is a table, cushion, and dresser. On the wall side, there is a Tokonoma (alcove) and at the window there is a Shoji (paper sliding screen). You should remember that Tokonoma (alcove) is for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls and is not to be used as a storeroom. Please inquire as to where to place your luggage. The Shoji (paper sliding screen) as you can see is made of paper, therefore, on rainy days or at night be sure to close the outside glass window.
Also a Yukata (robe) is provided for each person. use this as a robe as well as a pajama and you can go out of your room in the Yukata. During cold periods there's a Tanzen (outer robe) to wear over the Yukata. Always wear the Tanzen over the Yukata.
*Electrical Appliances: The electricity in Japan is 100 VAC and is 50Hz in Tokyo. The outlet for the sockets is the type as same as in United States, Canada.
Do not use soap in the tub. Please remember that the tub water is not for one person only but is to be used repeatedly, therefore, do not pull out the drain plug.
*In regard to use of the bathroom (for taking baths), there will be those that will be used together with other guests in case of large bathrooms and there will be those in which certain times are set for use by different families and groups.
Sleeping on quilts laid out directly on the Tatami (straw mat) will give youa different experience from sleeping on beds.
The Japanese style toilet is not sat on. Stand over the toilet stool facing the side with the hood. Then squat over it and conveniently place yourself close but not to the point of contact with the stool. For beginners, this might be an awkward position but as the body does not get in contact with the stool it is sanitary.
A special slipper for the toilet is provided. Be sure to change to this slipper upon entering the toilet.
