Ryokan (旅館) (Traditional Japanese Inn)
What is a Ryokan?
A typical ryokan is a Japanese-style inn. Like a Western-style inn, maintaining the special, atmosphere and appearance is more important than providing the latest modern conveniences. A ryokan is for travelers who wish to experience Japanese culture and enjoy the comforts of Japanese hospitality and service.
There are, of course, many different styles of ryokans, so you would have to determine which ryokan style is best for you.
A Brief History of Japanese Ryokans
Ryokans have been a part of Japanese culture for centuriesSome of the earliest ryokans were (and some still are) located on the Tokaido Highway which connected the capital city of Edo (current day Tokyo) and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
It was a very busy highway as samurai, traders, and others made their way between the two popular destinations in the country. Ryokans were built to welcome these weary travelers who needed to rest before continuing on their long journey.
Some ryokans were very simple and offered extra rooms in their homes for travelers while others were more elaborated and served the higher ranks of the government.
In any case, the owners worked hard to make their guests feel as welcome as possible as they still do today.
Japanese culture for centuries
Ryokans have been a part of Japanese culture for centuries.
Some of the earliest ryokans were (and some still are) located on the Tokaido Highway which connected the capital city of Edo (current day Tokyo) and the Imperial Palace in Kyoto.
It was a very busy highway as samurai, traders, and others made their way between the two popular destinations in the country. Ryokans were built to welcome these weary travelers who needed to rest before continuing on their long journey.
Some ryokans were very simple and offered extra rooms in their homes for travelers while others were more elaborated and served the higher ranks of the government.
In any case, the owners worked hard to make their guests feel as welcome as possible as they still do today.
Inside a Ryokan Guest Room
A typical ryokan guest room contains:
the "agari-kamachi" (after opening the door guests step into this small area and take off their shoes)
"shoji" (sliding paper doors) which separates the agari-kamachi from the room
"tatami" mat flooring (reed floor matting)
low wooden tables
"zabuton" (sitting cushions)
futon (sleeping quilts)
a "tokonoma" (an ornamental alcove built into the wall used for placing flower vases and hanging scrolls)
an "oshiire" (a closet for futon sleeping quilts)
an "engawa" (a glass-enclosed sitting area separated from the room by a shoji)
Ryokan Buildings
Many ryokans are composed of different buildings such as:
"Honkan" (original building)
"Shinkan" or "Bekkan" (secondary or annex buildings)
Experiencing a Ryokan - is it for you?
Staying at a typical ryokan is a traditional Japanese cultural experience, and it is not like staying at a Western-style hotel.
For example, ryokans do not have central heating and in the winter this means you will be staying in a room with a portable heater (kerosene, gas, electric). While your room may be heated, your private bathroom (if you have one) will probably not have a separate heater. In the summertime, your room may have an air conditioning unit but again your private bathroom (if you have one) will probably not have one.
Many ryokan owners wish to preserve the traditional atmosphere of their ryokan, and this means maintaining old-fashioned heating systems in order to preserve the traditional architecture, design, and atmosphere of the ryokan.
If you prefer to sleep in a double room with twin queen-size beds and have: a full modern bathroom, carpeted rooms, perfect room temperature, insulated silence, the latest high-tech gadgets, and every member of the staff speaking fluent English then a ryokan might not be for you. (In that case, check a list of my hand picked hotels to stay in Japan. Let me know if you need any assistance in finding an accommodation to stay in Japan).
However, if you wish to see, taste, touch, and feel traditional Japanese culture then a night at a typical ryokan is just the thing for you. While most of the staff at ryokans speak very little English, this authenticity adds to the experience. Ryokans are only available in Japan and it is an experience not to be missed.
