• Staying at a Ryokan
• Check-in
• Tipping
• Rooms
• Amenities
• Toilets
• Baths
• Dinner
• Exploring the Area
• Breakfast
• Checking out
• Quick Reference

Rooms

Most rooms have only one room and all guests are expected to sleep in the same common area. Your room will be sparsely furnished and will have a low table surrounded by zabuton floor cushions in the middle of the room. The table will be moved aside during the evening when the inn staff will transform the room into a bedroom.

At the entrance to any straw mat tatami room, remove your slippers. You can then walk barefoot or in your socks onto the tatami flooring in your room. Never walk on a tatami in your slippers, and always wear your slippers in the hallways.

There may be a combined heating/air conditioning unit in your room that can be operated by a remote control. Be sure to check with the okami if you’d like to know how to control the temperature in your room. Other rooms may only have portable kerosene heaters or fans. Some rooms may not have any heating or air conditioning.

If your stay occurs during the winter months, the only thing that might motivate you to leave the warmth of your futon is a visit to the hot springs.