Imagine this. You spent the day exploring old temples and walking through nostalgic corridors that look like history. You’re fully immersed in Japanese culture, but your feet are tired and your body needs a break. So you head back to your hotel room.
But your room is an extension of your day. It’s dressed with tatami mats and a classic paper shoji door. It’s a typical Japanese inn, updated with modern amenities. So you settle in, shower, watch the sunset in a private onsen and enjoy some delicious food that was specially prepared.
This was my ryokan experience in Japan. And this is my guide on how you can have one too.
Now let’s get to it!
What Is A Ryokan?
A ryokan is a traditional Japanese hotel. And Japan has over 50,000 of them! All of them will give you a unique experience that you simply can’t get with a modern hotel.
Because normal hotels tend to be just a means to an end (i.e., a place to sleep). But my ryokan stay was intentional, unforgettable and shareworthy.
Some key characteristics of a traditional Japanese hotel include:
- Tatami mats
- Private onsen (hot spring bath)
- Historical architecture and design (such as shoji doors and tokonoma alcoves)
- Traditionally prepared Japanese food
- Next-level hospitality
A ryokan is more than just a place to sleep. It’s a unique Japanese travel experience and something that will stay with me forever.
My Ryokan Experience In Lake Kawaguchiko: What to Expect
I had my ryokan experience in Lake Kawaguchiko, which is near the base of Mt. Fuji and just a few hours outside of Tokyo (by train).
While the city and the views were beautiful, my sleeping arrangements were particularly epic. So this was my experience and what you can expect too.
Reservation Process
I stayed at Fuji Kawaguchiko Onsen Kasuitei Ooya, which was amazing! The hotel was super clean, conveniently located and it had a very warm aesthetic with an incredibly attentive staff.
Plus (as you can see from the picture above), the views from my room and the onsen were incredible. I reserved this room here through Rakuten Travel.
But besides Rakuten Travel, booking sites like Klook and Agoda are also popular for finding a ryokan. So you have a few options to use for research.
Despite being traditional hotels, the reservation process for ryokans is basically the same as any other accommodation – you book them online.
This is the most convenient way. Plus, there won’t be any language barriers when using the internet.
Recommended: The 10 Best Ryokans In Japan
Check-In
Checking into a ryokan is a little bit different from a hotel. It’s much more personal.
After showing up at my confirmed arrival time, the ryokan staff was right there, eagerly waiting for my arrival. This really made me feel important and I could tell they were genuinely excited that I was there.
After being welcomed, I was guided inside for check-in. They gave me important meal and onsen information before taking me directly to my room.
They also spoke some English, which helped a lot!
Japanese hospitality is already second to none. But the ryokan experience is truly next level.
From what I’ve gathered, this type of greeting is pretty normal for checking in at a ryokan. So you can expect about the same with your stay.
My Stay
Each morning, I woke up slowly. The sun painted my wooden room with an even warmer hue and a large lake greeted me outside the windows. These were my calmest mornings in Japan.
After waking up, I would head downstairs to enjoy an early homemade Japanese breakfast from the ryokan owners.
After breakfast, I checked out the gift shop on the first floor before going back to my room to relax. Rooms also came with complimentary drinks (like green tea), so it’s nice to take things slow.
My ryokan was conveniently located right in the centre of Kawaguchiko. So after the morning, I explored nearby sites like Oishi park and Asama Shrine.
After a long day of seeing the city, I rinsed off in the shower before enjoying the onsen. Then, I headed to the restaurant to enjoy another delicious multi-course meal. When I got back to my room, my futon (for sleeping) was magically set up.
I hardly remember falling asleep.
It’s also worth noting that some ryokans (including the one I stayed at) will offer Western-style rooms. So if you prefer a bed over a futon that sits on top of tatami mats, you do have options.
Recommended Read: 9 Best Things to Do In Lake Kawaguchiko
Check-Out
Leaving was a bit sad – I didn’t want to go! But at least it was a simple process.
Check-out was at 10AM, which is normal for a ryokan (and a hotel). So I was able to enjoy one last morning bath and a nice breakfast before packing up.
If the staff doesn’t put away your futon while you’re at breakfast, you can just leave it on the floor. But that doesn’t mean you should leave other parts of the room a mess. You don’t need to clean (obviously), but it’s best to leave things generally tidy, out of respect.
Once you’re packed up and ready to leave, you can check out at the front desk or lobby area.
Ryokan Etiquette 101: How to Stay At A Japanese Inn
Renting a room at a Japanese inn is different from staying at a normal hotel. So here’s what you should know and what you can expect during your stay.
Take Your Shoes Off
Taking your shoes off is common practice throughout Japan, even if you’re not staying at a ryokan. But it’s especially important when you are staying at one.
For my ryokan experience, I took off my regular shoes at the hotel’s entrance and put on hotel slippers to walk around the building and get to my room.
Once entering my room, I switched again to room slippers. It’s important to not wear the ryokan slippers in your room. This process is similar for other ryokans.
Long story short, expect to switch your footwear a few times.
Ryokan Staff Will Prepare Your Futon
A ryokan experience is a premium hotel stay. And that means extra services and perks.
When entering my ryokan room, one of the first things I noticed (besides the aesthetics) was the lack of beds. I found no sleeping area!
But this is normal. When staying at a ryokan, you sleep on a foldable futon that’s stored in one of the room’s closets. But don’t take it out or set it up yet!
The staff will usually do this for you while you’re at dinner. They’ll also put it away for you during your breakfast the following morning.
So don’t stress, you won’t be bedless.
Don’t Be Loud At Night
Japan is a country that likes to keep the peace. You’ll notice this when visiting (even outside of your ryokan experience). But noise is even more important when staying at a traditional Japanese hotel.
Ryokans are relaxing and calm experiences. This means no loud parties or late-night hullabaloo.
When staying at a Japanese inn, be respectful to other guests and the hotel owners. So avoid being loud, especially at night (after 10PM). You can always check with the staff for more details about noise at night.
Show Up On Time
I honestly felt like a guest of honour during my ryokan stay. The staff knew my name and eagerly greeted me upon arrival.
So, out of respect, it’s important to show up on time since the hotel staff will likely be expecting and waiting for you. And if you’re going to be late, just communicate your situation with them so they’re not waiting around.
In a similar vein, food is usually served at specific times. So it’s respectful to follow the breakfast and dinner schedule – especially if you have food requests, like a vegetarian dish.
But don’t worry, the staff are incredibly kind and accommodating. Their goal is to give you the best possible experience.
So I say, let them do their thing as best they can (by simply showing up on time).
Enjoy Yukata Wearing
Yukata are traditional Japanese robes. They’re similar to kimonos, but used for summer months (since they’re lighter) and when going to the bath. They’re also sometimes provided when renting a room in a ryokan.
You can wear your yukata anywhere inside the ryokan, like going to the hot spring bath or heading to the restaurant for breakfast and dinner. Just don’t wear it outside of the ryokan.
While I didn’t wear my yukata too much, I did try it on and I can tell you this – they’re comfortable!
As if ryokans don’t give you enough of an authentic Japanese experience, why not throw on a yukata to elevate your experience even more?
Plan Ahead
Don’t expect to show up to a ryokan and get a room without a reservation. You definitely need to plan ahead.
I travelled during the summer season and booked my ryokan about four weeks in advance. So I’d recommend you start looking at least a few weeks before your trip.
But of course, if you’re hoping to reserve a ryokan in a super popular resort area (or during peak travel seasons like Golden Week), then you may need to plan even farther out.
Put another way, staying at a ryokan isn’t ideal for spontaneous travel, unless you have complete location and date flexibility. So start looking now!
Follow Onsen Etiquette
Onsens are a key part of the ryokan experience. So it’s important to follow the rules and learn a few etiquette points.
But honestly, a lot of this is common sense stuff. And if you’re staying at a ryokan with a private bath, then you’ll obviously have more flexibility. But here are a few main things to keep in mind:
- Always shower before entering the onsen
- Ask about tattoos – unfortunately, some older onsens may still prohibit them
- Don’t overdo it – bathing for too long can cause dehydration or other issues
- Avoid jumping, splashing or swimming
Wrapping Up
My experience staying at a Japanese ryokan was amazing. Honestly, it’s truly one of my most treasured memories and something I always recommend to people.
The reservation and check-in process was a breeze and my stay was unforgettable. The nostalgic aesthetic, the attentive staff and the delicious food only scratch the surface.
Staying at a ryokan is an awesome way to enjoy an onsen and have an authentic Japanese experience. But just remember to plan ahead and study some etiquette (like taking off your shoes and not being too loud at night).
But trust me, you won’t regret it!
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