The Japanese Ryokan: Understanding the Customs and Traditions
- Published on : 26/06/2026
- by : Clement
- Youtube
Ryokan
@Ryunosuke Kikuno on Unsplash
Your trip to Japan wouldn't be complete without a stay at a ryokan, those traditional Japanese inns whose origins date back to the Edo period (1603–1868)! Today, these inns offer a complete immersion in traditional Japanese hospitality. Discover the customs and rules to follow with Japan Experience!
Arrival at the Ryokan
Upon arrival, someone will be there to greet you at the front desk, just like in a hotel. As is customary in traditional Japanese buildings, you’ll need to take off your shoes at the entrance. Depending on the ryokan, you can either leave your shoes in a designated cabinet or hand them to the staff.
Before entering the room, you can choose a yukata (a light summer kimono). When it comes to sizes, expect them to be one size larger than Western sizes. If you’d like to choose the largest size available, ask for “特大” (“tokudai”).
In winter, you may also be offered a haori, a jacket to wear directly over the yukata.
Once inside the Japanese-style room (washitsu) with tatami mats, you can enjoy a complimentary tea and some sweets to go with it.
At some establishments, you may need to set up the futons yourself, which are stored behind sliding doors. Don’t hesitate to ask the staff for help if you need it!
Genkan
@ Hisashi Yamazaki on Flickr, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Enjoying the Onsen
To ensure a peaceful and relaxing experience for everyone, it’s important to behave appropriately so you can enjoy this unique experience while respecting local customs. Here are the key points:
Being naked: The onsen requires you to be completely naked. Swimsuits are prohibited, but a small towel provided in your room is allowed, provided it does not come into contact with the water.
Wash thoroughly before entering the baths: Entering the water shared by everyone without having washed properly would make a very bad impression. Washrooms with showers are provided for this purpose. Soap and shampoo are always provided, though you are free to bring and use your own products.
Tattoos: Most establishments deny access to the baths to people with tattoos, but they can still enjoy the onsen under certain conditions—for example, by covering them with patches or limiting themselves to private baths. We recommend checking in advance or asking directly at the front desk.
Maintain a calm demeanor: As a place of relaxation, everyone is expected to be respectful of other guests. Loud conversations and sudden movements in the baths should be avoided. You should also tie back long hair and avoid getting it wet.
Meals at a Ryokan
If you’ve chosen a stay that includes dinner and/or breakfast, these meals are generally served fairly early (between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. for dinner and between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. for breakfast). You’ll enjoy kaiseki cuisine (Japanese haute cuisine), consisting of several small dishes.
Whether meals are served in the dining area or directly in your room, it’s important to be on time for meals and not keep the staff waiting. Of course, it’s perfectly fine to chat while eating, but be sure to keep your voice down so as not to disturb other guests.
There’s no need to force yourself to eat something you don’t like, but try not to leave too much food on your plate, especially rice. Once you’re finished, it’s considered polite to return the empty dishes to their original place.
Finally, as with all meals, please avoid bad table manners, such as sticking your chopsticks into the rice bowl, pushing dishes around with your chopsticks, separating disposable chopsticks over the dishes, etc.
Gourmet Japanese cuisine, Kaiseki ryōri
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Checking Out of a Ryokan
Once your stay is over, it’s considered good manners to leave the room clean as a way of thanking your hosts:
- Do not leave trash on the tables or on the floor—trash cans are provided in the rooms.
- Fold your yukata (even roughly) and place the sash (obi) on top, folded as well.
- If the staff hasn’t already put them away, make the futons as you would when making a bed. You can then place the yukata on top of them.
- If you’ve enjoyed the onsen, hang the towels to dry on a hanger or on the drying rack provided for that purpose.
- Return the tea set to a corner of the table.
- Make sure all electrical appliances are turned off (air conditioner, heater, TV, etc.).
- Try not to be too late when returning the keys to the front desk.
By following these few rules, you’ll ensure a peaceful stay at a traditional inn while showing your appreciation to the staff who are there to serve you!
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