Staying at a Japanese Ryokan: Firsthand Experiences and Travel Tips

When visiting Japan, staying at a ryokan is a must for most travelers. This unique Japanese accommodation offers an authentic cultural experience. You sleep on cozy futon beds on the floor, savor traditional Japanese meals, and admire the natural scenery in the onsens.

During my Japan trip in 2023, I spent 2 nights at a ryokan in Kyoto. In this article, I'll share details about the costs of staying there, preferred locations, ideal duration of stay, and travel tips based on my personal experience.

What Is a Ryokan?

A ryokan is a traditional Japanese inn that is only found in Japan, allowing you to immerse yourself in the country's lifestyle.

It's filled with a Japanese atmosphere. There, you would need to remove your shoes upon entering, sleep on futon beds placed on the floor, use Japanese-style furniture, enjoy Japanese breakfasts and kaiseki dinners, and admire the ryokan's garden scenery or natural views, such as Mount Fuji, from the onsens.

A traditional ryokan typically has 5–15 rooms, which could easily be booked up due to high demand. We suggest booking at least 3 months in advance to secure your rooms.

What Is a Japanese Ryokan Experience?

Staying at a ryokan was one of the most memorable experiences of my trip to Japan. It allowed me to truly feel the essence of Japanese culture. Below, I've shared the details of my stay.

1. Immerse Yourself in the Traditional Japanese Atmosphere

You could experience Japanese hospitality, high-quality services, and Japanese garden views in a ryokan.

Every time we either left or returned, the staff warmly greeted us at the door. They were always happy to answer our questions about exploring the city.

The garden in the ryokan may not have been large but it was incredibly beautiful. The staff carefully took care of it every day, ensuring every detail was perfect. You could admire the Japanese maple trees, the neatly placed stones, and the traditional Japanese stone pillars, all of which create a peaceful and authentic atmosphere.

2. Sleep on Tatami Mats

There are no beds. The most special thing about staying at a ryokan is sleeping on the futon beds on the floor. This is also the part of the experience that I was looking forward to the most.

The staff helped us lay futon beds in advance, saving us the worries of making the bed. The futon beds were soft and cozy, making me almost feel like I was sleeping in a regular bed, not on the hard floor. Additionally, we didn't need to make the beds in the morning because the staff took care of that.

However, my friend had the opposite experience. She felt a bit uncomfortable sleeping on the floor and didn't sleep well. Therefore, it's recommended to stay at a ryokan for a night as you may not be used to sleeping on the floor.

3. Savor Japanese Cuisine

Don't miss experiencing a Japanese breakfast and a kaiseki dinner in ryokan.

A Japanese breakfast usually includes rice, fish, tofu, miso soup, and tamagoyaki. Despite the small portions of each dish, it's enough for breakfast.

Kaiseki is a high-end traditional Japanese cuisine known for its elegance and attention to detail. It emphasizes the sense of season and features a beautifully presented, multi-course meal. Dishes often include sashimi, tofu, seafood, and tempura.

During our stay, the staff member brought our breakfast and dinner to the room on time at our scheduled slot. He placed the dishes on the table and told us how to savor them for a better experience. After eating, we arranged the dishes and chopsticks as instructed, leaving them by the door for the staff to collect.

4. Soak in Onsens (Hot Springs)

The ryokan we stayed at has two public onsens with scheduled soaking times. It's incredibly relaxing to enjoy the onsens while admiring the ryokan's garden scenery after a day of exploration.

Because Japanese onsens require soaking while you're naked, you might feel uneasy being with strangers in public onsens. To handle this, you could soak in the public onsens after 9 or 10pm when there is almost nobody around. Another option is to book a private onsen time that you could enjoy alone.

Although some ryokans offer rooms with private onsens, these rooms are few, hard to book, and expensive. If you prefer this room type, make a reservation 6 months in advance.

5. Enjoy a Big Room

Ryokan rooms are larger than hotel rooms, typically ranging from 30 to 40 m² (323 to 431 ft²), and could accommodate 3–5 people. The public space is even big enough to lay out two 66 cm (26-inch) suitcases flat.

The room is decorated with authentic Japanese furniture, giving it a real cultural feel. You would enjoy traditional desks, chairs, sliding paper doors, and a lamp with a pull-string to turn the lights on and off.

6. Expect More Travel Time

Ryokans are usually located outside city centers and away from major attractions, so you may need to spend more time traveling compared to staying in centrally located hotels.

How Much Does It Cost to Stay at a Ryokan?

Japanese ryokans are charged per person, making them a costly accommodation choice. A 4-star ryokan usually ranges from US$300–450 per person per night including Japanese breakfast and a kaiseki dinner, while a 4-star hotel costs US$200–280 per night.

While staying at a ryokan may be expensive, it would exceed your expectations. A ryokan is very clean and you could relish the high-quality services.

The cost of a ryokan is higher during peak seasons, such as the cherry blossom season (late March to early April), summer vacation, Christmas, and New Year. If these periods are your planned travel dates, it's highly recommended to book 3–6 months in advance to secure a good price and room availability.

How Long Should You Stay at a Ryokan?

Spending 1–2 nights at a ryokan is perfect during your Japan trip. It offers a unique experience rather than a regular accommodation stay.

Sleeping on a futon bed on the ground for an extended period might not be comfortable or you might not get used to it, especially if you have back issues. Also, it could be pricey per night, so it's not practical to spend most of your nights this way.

Where Is the Best Place to Stay at a Ryokan?

The best places to experience a ryokan are in history-rich cities, such as Kyoto and Kanazawa, or traditional onsen towns, such as Hakone, Lake Kawaguchi, and Nikko. These destinations fully utilize ryokans and they blend into the environment, creating an immersive Japanese experience.

Although modern cities like Tokyo and Osaka do offer ryokans, they are not ideal destinations for Japanese accommodation. The ryokan options in these cities are limited, lack the authentic ryokan ambiance, do not have natural onsens, and are usually located quite far from the city center and main attractions.

Insider Tips for Staying at a Japanese Ryokan

Follow Local Customs

1. Remove your shoes when entering a ryokan and switch to Japanese indoor slippers.

2. Enjoy the hot springs while soaking naked. If you feel uncomfortable sharing a public onsen with strangers, some ryokans provide private onsen time that you could reserve at check-in.

Timing Is Key

1. Check-in is after 3pm and check-out is before 10am. If you arrive before the check-in time, you could drop off your luggage at the front desk and explore. Then, return to check in when it's time.

2. Most ryokans provide a schedule for dining and enjoying public onsens. You need to eat and soak in the hot springs at specific times; otherwise, you may miss out on these experiences.

Check Policies and Locations Before Booking

1. It's best to check the ryokan's policy and facilities when booking. This is because some ryokans have a curfew, may not allow children under 12 years old to stay, or do not offer a private bathroom in the room.

2. Ryokans are usually located away from the city center and major attractions. Staying at a ryokan may mean that you spend more time on the road than you would if staying at a hotel close to the center.

Comfort and Practical Tips

1. Enjoy your breakfast/dinner on time in either your room or the dining room. You could choose your preferred dining time during check-in. When it's time for your meal, the staff would knock on the door or ring your bell to confirm if they could enter and deliver your meal to your room.

2. Prepare an eye mask in advance. Since most ryokans have non-refractive curtains and the Japanese sunrise is quite early, particularly in summer when it is about 5am, wear an eye mask to prevent the sun from disturbing your sleep.

Plan Your Japan Trip

Are you excited to experience a Japanese ryokan during your Japan trip? Our Japan travel advisors are here to help you tailor-make your itinerary based on your interests, ensuring you have a hassle-free trip. Contact us now!