By staying at a RYOKAN, visitors will experience the lifestyle of Japanese . Guests at a Japanese Ryokan need not worry about troubles causing incomplete understanding about Japanese life style. But it is better for you to know some tips for staying at a Japanese Ryokan.

Take your shoes off just as you enter and put on the slippers which are placed. You use the slippers inside the RYOKAN. When you go out near the RYOKAN , you can use the RYOKAN's GETA(wooden clogs) with your socks off.
Your shoes are handled by the RYOKAN and will be placed at your departure.

You have to remember the front and entrance will close at a certain time.
And you had better to confirm the check-in/checkout times with the RYOKAN.

Take off your slippers before stepping on to the TATAMI(straw mat floor) of the room. The TATAMI is always tread upon barefoot or with your socks on.

On the wall side in the room, there is a TOKONOMA(alcove) and at the window there is a SHOJI (paper sliding screen). You should remember that the TOKONOMA(alcove) is for placing flower vases and KAKEJIKU(hanging scrolls) and is not to be used as a storeroom.

A YUKATA(robe) is provided for each person. You can use this robe as pajamas and you can go out of your room in the YUKATA. Besides being able to use it in the RYOKAN you may use it to go out of the Ryokan also,especially,when you go to 'Sotoyu'. During cold periods a TANZEN(outer robe) will be provided to wear over the YUKATA.

When you use the Japanese style bath, please remember the tub water is not for one person only but is to be used repeatedly.
*Place all of your clothing in a basket or shelf in the changing room.(Nothing is to be worn inside the bahroom except your small towel.
*Do not use soap in the tub.
*Clean your body with soap outside the bath tub.
*After thoroughly washing off the soap, step into the bath tub.
*Please do not unplug the drain in the tub when getting out.
In regard to use of the bathroom(for taking baths), there will be those that will be used together with other guests, and there will be those at certain times are set for use by different families and groups.

Sleeping on FUTON laid out directly on the TATAMI(straw mat) will give you a different experience from sleeping on a bed.

Please enjoy your stay, and ask anything you don't know to the Ryokan staff .