Ryokan  ::  At A Glance Ryokan are traditional Japanese style inns. Found in more rural regions of Japan, though still present in some larger cities such as Kyoto, these offer an alternative to urban style traveling. Ryokan give the guest a chance to experience true Japanese living, imbued with the traditional culture of Japan. Such attractive features are fast making these one of the big tourist attractions and highlights of any trip to Japan.

Entering through the chassis lattice entrance of a ryokan it is clear that the experience is going to unlike anything found in your typical Western style hotel. Stepping inside into a large entrance hall furnished with couches and chairs you are greeted by the Okami - the manager of the ryokan. Clothed in traditional dress the Okami and her staff welcome you in with a courtesy and sincerity that will characterize your stay. From the yukata robe to the tatami floor and the futon bed, let us now take a look at what you can expect from a ryokan in Japan.

1  What is a Ryokan?

A ryokan [pronounced Liioh-kah-n] is traditional style Japanese hotel built on a backbone of Japanese values and etiquette which ensures a high standard of hospitality, cleanliness and service. Besides the physical structure itself, which is usually a single story building constructed using traditional Japanese techniques, the ryokan differs from Western style hotels in it's fee structure, where one night at a ryokan is usually accompanied by two meals, one evening and one morning.

While becoming increasingly less prevalent in cities and other urban areas due to the introduction of cheap hotels, ryokan can still be commonly found in more rural regions, especially near to hot springs or scenic locations. An exception to this rule is Kyoto, which is famous for its ryokan. Although some establishments are caving in to the pressures of modern society, with the introduction of items such as televisions, a stay in a ryokan is highly recommended to the potential traveler, offering a true slice of Japanese life.

2  Fee System and Prices

The cost of a stay at a ryokan can vary greatly, dependent upon factors such as the location, size and quality of the establishment, and time of year. Prices at a ryokan are quoted for a one night stay with one evening and one morning meal. The lowest price you should be reasonably expecting to pay is 5,000 yen ($45 USD) per person per night. The most common range is 8,000 - 30,000 yen ($70 - $280 USD), but his can increase by upwards of 20% during peak seasons. If looking for a more luxurious stay then there are some ryokan that are known to charge up to 120,000 yen ($1100 USD) per night!

In additional to the basic costs, some ryokan offer a number of options to their guests. The most common ones are with/without meals, Japanese/Western style toilets, and public/private baths. Unless the reader is very familiar with Japanese living it is recommended that the full package with all of these options is taken. The charge for the meals is typically less than can be expected to be paid for similar meals in the local area, the style of Japanese toilet is very different as you are not expected to sit on them which can prove tricky for Westerners, and even if you choose the private bath option you are still free to use the public facilities.

3  What to Expect

3.1  Guest Rooms

The rooms in a ryokan are called washitsu, and follow a quintessentially Japanese style that consist of wooden ceilings, walls and floors covered in tatami mats. In the center of the main room can be found a low zataku table surrounded by legless zaizu chairs. Rooms have large windows covered by shoji sliding screens made out of paper and wood, with some allowing the guest to walk straight through into the gardens beyond. The bedroom consists of a tatami mat floor onto which bedding, in the form of a futon, is directly placed. Guest rooms also contain bathrooms with toilet and wash facilities and where chosen a bath. See here a typical room layout.

3.2  Bathing Facilities

Great importance is attached to the bathroom facilities in a Japanese ryokan. The baths tend to be large and luxurious, and are meant to be the place where the guests can relax and enjoy themselves. When in an onsen (hot spring) resort the water is normally drawn straight from the source and is said to have therapeutic effects that refresh the mind and body. The bath itself is not used for cleaning; instead it is meant to be a place to recover from the days stress. Whilst the baths may be either communal or individual, it is almost always the case that they are separated by sex. There are a number of things to be aware of when bathing in Japan which should be read before visiting a ryokan.

3.3  Meals

As stated earlier, a stay at a ryokan is usually accompanied by two meals, dinner and breakfast. The preparation and quality of these meals is very important to the Okami and her staff whose reputation can be based upon the quality of the food, and as such a high standard should be expected. Meals are in most cases taken inside the guests' room, where attendants (the nakai-san) will bring along the dishes as they are prepared to ensure they are eaten at the correct temperature, although in some cases there may be a communal dining area. The food is of a traditional Japanese style, prepared with carefully chosen seasonal ingredients and comprising of regional dishes.

3.4  Other Features

While staying at a ryokan you will be provided with a light cotton robe, or yukata, for wearing during your stay. These can be used for all sorts of purposes, for example changing into before and after a bath, sleeping in, walking around in or even walking outside in.

4  Things to Be Aware Of

A list of some of the customs of a ryokan that a visitor should be aware of before arriving now follows:

• The most common time of check-in is at 3pm. Since the ryokans operate to a fairly tight schedule you should aim to be there before 5pm.
• You will be provided with slippers to wear whilst in the ryokan. These should be used when walking around instead of shoes but should never be worn on the tatami mats.
• Many ryokans have curfews so ensure you check if one exists before leaving to ensure you do not get locked out.
• Try to keep in mind some of these important Japanese customs and behave respectfully at all times.

5  Summary

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese style hotel, typically costing between $70 and $280 USD per night including meals. A guest will be provided with an individual room, be able to relax in communal hot baths, and delve into traditional Japanese cuisine. Staying in a ryokan is a good way of discovering Japanese style living.