Ryokan vs. Hotel: 11 Differences from My Personal Experience

Ryokans are a unique and traditional accommodation option in Japan that you shouldn't miss. They differ from hotels in style, room sizes, costs, experiences, onsens (hot springs), and dining options.

Based on our experiences staying at ryokans and hotels in Japan, we will share firsthand insights to help you distinguish between the two and decide easily where to stay during your Japan trip.

1. A Ryokan's Room is Larger Than a Hotel's Room

A typical ryokan room is larger, ranging from 30–40 m² (323 to 431 ft²), and could accommodate 3–5 people. You could easily lay two 66 cm (26-inch) suitcases flat.

In contrast, a room in a 4-star hotel in Japan is 23–30 m² (248 to 323 ft²), offering limited space in the public areas, which is barely enough for two 66 cm (26-inch) suitcases. A room in a 5-star hotel is a bit larger but still very small at 26–40 m² (280 to 431 ft²).

2. A Ryokan Offers the Most Authentic Japanese Experience

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese-style inn where you sleep on futon beds laid on the floor. Inside a ryokan, you would find mostly Japanese-style furniture, enjoy typical Japanese cuisine, relax in onsens, and notice that it has a faint straw smell. Additionally, it's customary to remove your shoes at the entrance when you enter.

Some hotels in Japan offer Japanese-style rooms with local furniture and tatami sleeping mats. However, they lack the immersive Japanese experience found in ryokans, as modern hotels do not incorporate as many traditional Japanese elements throughout their property.

3. Sleep on the Floor in Ryokans

When staying at a ryokan, you sleep on futon beds on the floor, a unique aspect of Japanese accommodation. The futon beds are thick and soft so you don't feel like you're sleeping on a hard surface.

For me, it felt just like sleeping in a bed and I had a great night. However, as my friends weren't used to sleeping on the floor, they didn't sleep very well.

4. Ryokans Are More Expensive Than Hotels

A night in a Japanese ryokan costs US$300–400 per night per person, including breakfast and dinner. In contrast, standard rooms in 4-star hotels are cheaper, with prices ranging from US$200 to 280 per night. Ryokans charge per person, with only 5–10 rooms and high demand, making them more expensive than hotels.

While you may come across some ryokans priced at US$200 or less per night, they may not meet your expectations as they do not offer onsens, breakfast, and dinner, and the rooms have minimal space.

5. Hotels Enjoy Better Locations Than Ryokans

Hotels are usually situated in the city center or close to major attractions, often surrounded by restaurants and shopping malls, so it's convenient to explore by yourself.

In contrast, ryokans are typically located farther from the city center or major attractions, meaning you may spend more time on the road and have fewer nearby options for exploration.

6. The Price of a Ryokan Usually Includes Meals

Unlike hotels, which often offer packages with or without meals, ryokans typically include both breakfast and dinner directly in the cost of accommodation.

In ryokans, the types of meals are typically decided by the establishment and are often tailored to reflect the season and local specialties. When booking, it's suggested to confirm how many meals are included in your package as some Japanese hotels may only provide breakfast.

7. Enjoy a Traditional Japanese Breakfast and Kaiseki Dinner in a Ryokan

Ryokans provide a traditional Japanese breakfast and a kaiseki dinner, allowing you to enjoy the Japanese dining culture. The staff would bring your meals to your room and the ryokan would have its own menu. You're highly recommended to choose a package that includes both meals when booking a ryokan.

On the other hand, hotel packages in Japan usually come with a buffet breakfast with options from both Western and Japanese cuisine. However, dinner is not usually included in the package, so you could choose any restaurant you prefer.

8. Spending 1–2 Nights in a Ryokan Is Enough

It's best to spend most of your nights at hotels and to reserve 1–2 nights in a ryokan.

Staying in a ryokan is more like an experience during your journey. However, it's not a good idea to stay in a ryokan for your entire trip due to it being expensive and the potential discomfort if you're not used to sleeping on the floor all the time.

9. It's Not Recommended to Stay at Ryokans in Tokyo and Osaka

Modern cities like Tokyo and Osaka are not the best choices for staying at ryokans. These cities lack the traditional atmosphere and the number of ryokans available is limited.

In comparison, historical cities like Kyoto or onsen towns, such as Hakone and Lake Kawaguchi, are perfect for experiencing Japanese accommodation. These places offer a more immersive experience, provide a variety of ryokan options to choose from with convenient access to attractions, and offer traditional onsens.

10. Ryokans Are More Suitable for Families

Hotels in Japan typically offer fewer triple rooms and have limited family interconnecting rooms. As a result, if you're traveling with 4–5 family members, you may need to book two separate rooms.

A room in a ryokan could solve this problem as its larger size allows it to accommodate 3–5 people. This makes ryokans a particularly cost-effective choice for families of more than three people staying together.

11. Ryokans Usually Offer Onsens with Great Views

Onsens (hot springs) in Japan are famous for their tradition and abundant geothermal resources. Most accommodation in Japan offers hot springs.

In ryokans, both indoor and outdoor onsens offer beautiful natural scenery while you soak. This is because ryokans usually have a garden or are located in areas where you could enjoy natural views like Mount Fuji. However, city hotels in Japan mostly have indoor onsens, limiting your view to buildings or nothing at all.

Plan Your Japan Trip Now

We're here to help you plan your Japan trip and select the most suitable accommodation based on your preferences, ensuring you have a stress-free journey.

Here are our most-chosen Japan tours, for inspiration:

• 9-Day Japan Highlights Tour
• 12-Day Classic Japan Tour: Grand Cities and Timeless Towns
• 13-Day Japan Family Vacation with Theme Parks