Ryokan Etiquette Guide

Check-In

Remove shoes at the genkan (entrance). Put on the provided slippers. You’ll be shown to your room by a staff member who serves welcome tea and sweets and explains the house procedures.

Your Room

Tatami room may look sparse on arrival — futons are stored and laid out by staff during dinner. Remove slippers at the tatami room entrance too. Don’t bring street shoes into the tatami area.

Yukata

Wear the provided yukata throughout your stay — to the onsen, to dinner, to sleep. Wear left side over right (right over left is for funeral dress). Completely normal and expected to wear yukata to dinner and around the ryokan.

Onsen Rules

• Shower and wash thoroughly before entering the bath — the water must stay clean
• No swimwear in traditional communal baths
• No towels in the main bath
• Tattoos prohibited at many traditional ryokan onsen — check before booking
• Don’t dunk hair into the bath water

Meals

Kaiseki dinner served in your room at a set time. Inform the ryokan of dietary restrictions well in advance. Eat in yukata. It’s a long, leisurely meal — enjoy each course slowly.