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Autumn 2003 - Ryokan Basics - 10 Exclusive Ryokan - The Yukata and the Bath Ryokan — Japanese Inns What you should know before your visit

		Proprietress and maids welcome guests at the entrance. In most cases, the entire staff will welcome you when you arrive. If you come earlier than expected and find nobody at the entrance, just call out "Gomenkudasai!" (Hello!) and some of the staff will hurry out to greet you.

		Take off your shoes and change into slippers. At most inns, guests are expected to take off their shoes at the entrance. If there is a footstool, you can place one foot on it while removing your other shoe before you enter the hallway. Put on a pair of slippers if provided, but make sure to take them off before entering a tatami-floored room. Historically, when tatami mats first came into use during the Heian period (794-1185), they were spread out only when people were going to bed or were to be seated. For this reason people began to remove any kind of footwear before stepping on tatami.

		In the lobby, exchange greetings with the proprietress and sip some tea. First of all, you will be shown into the lobby and offered a beverage such as green tea to relax and soothe your spirit. After taking a short rest, you will receive a few words of greeting from the proprietress. Most inns have few, if any, English-speaking staff. When making a reservation, it is better to write or fax instead of telephoning.

		Have a bowl of matcha (powdered green tea). The tea bowl should be held with both hands. Matcha is stronger than normal green tea and is served in a bigger bowl.

		Do not put your luggage in the alcove. The ornamental recess, raised one step above the tatami floor, is an auspicious place adorned by a hanging scroll, a vase, or flower arrangement. It is taboo to place luggage, handbags, or other articles there.

		Follow a maid to your guestroom. Guests are led to their rooms from the lobby by the maid in charge of their care. She will be responsible for assisting you to make your stay comfortable. Direct any questions or requests concerning the inn to her. Upon entering your room, you will be informed of the time for dinner and receive suggestions for bath time.

		Is gratuity necessary? There is a custom of putting some money into an envelope and giving it to the maid as an expression of gratitude. It is not obligatory, however. Nowadays, gratuity is often included in lodging charges, and the custom of giving a tip is gradually disappearing. If you wish to express appreciation, the money must be placed into a small envelope, as shown in the picture above, or wrapped in tissue paper before you present it.

Basic manners at a Japanese-style Inn

Ryokan guests have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Japanese lifestyle that cannot be found easily in modern big-city life. Foreigners who visit Japan might want to stay at a Japanese inn at least once. On the other hand, as a foreigner, one might feel a little self-conscious trying to practice unfamiliar ritual courtesies that are the custom when staying at an inn.
The proprietress of Tsubaki encourages her foreign guests to feel at ease and not be nervous. She asks them to relax and be themselves, just as if they were staying in a Western-style hotel, and explains that a ryokan is designed specifically to help guests feel at home in their yukata and enjoy their stay. The proprietress says that during the past 10 years the number of foreign guests welcomed to Tsubaki has increased and many came to feel quite at home there. Perhaps they realized that the basic etiquette customary when staying at an inn is almost the same as when staying at a Western-style establishment.
What is different, however, are the customs of not bringing soap into the tub during the bath, not walking on the tatami floors with slippers, and not placing anything in the alcove. One of the greatest charms of Japanese-style inns is their cuisine. To make the most of their culinary quality, be sure to inform the inns of any dietary restrictions or preferences you might have, at least one day before your arrival date. A growing number of ryokan will alter their menus to meet guests' needs or requests.

Articles from the 2003 AUTUMN issue:

Kateigaho International Edition Issues:

2005 SUMMER - 2005 SPRING - 2005 WINTER

2004 AUTUMN - 2004 SUMMER - 2004 SPRING - 2004 WINTER

2003 AUTUMN - INAUGURAL ISSUE

Ryokan — Japanese Inns

What you should know before your visit

Basic manners at a Japanese-style Inn