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Ultimate Guide to Japanese Ryokan: Everything You Need to Know and Recommended Ryokans to Visit in 2022

May 25 2021

Immerse yourself in an extraordinarily unique experience of Japan. Book your stay at Japanese ryokans to experience the exquisite tradition and hospitality like you have never before! Ryokans are extremely popular amongst tourists and travellers, due to the authentic Japanese experience that can’t be done elsewhere.

In this blog, we will introduce you to the rare beauty of ryokans and specific features included, if you keep reading, we will also provide some recommendations of ryokans at the end. You will definitely want to add this to your bucket list, submerge yourself in a lifetime experience at Japanese ryokans!

What are Ryokans in Japan?

Photo: Ikyu

Ryokans are traditional Japanese style accommodation found throughout Japan. Typically, ryokans are very popular amongst hot spring resorts. More than providing accommodation to stay for the night, it creates an opportunity to experience the traditional Japanese lifestyle and hospitality, with small hints of Japanese culture such as tatami floors, futon beds, Japanese style baths and local cuisine. Making ryokans very popular among tourists that want to get a raw taste of Japanese culture and traditions.

The inside of the facility also has unique Japanese style decoration such as traditional wooden floors, ambience lighting, and usually the receptionists wear traditional Japanese clothing such as yukata or kimonos to provide an authentic experience for tourists. It must be noted that ryokans usually provide intricate dinner meal, followed by breakfast the next morning. The meals offered are usually Kaiseki Ryori (traditional Japanese multi-course haute　cuisine) which feature local and seasonal specialties.

Differences Between Ryokans and Normal Hotels

To fully appreciate the beauty of ryokans, we must acknowledge the differences between traditional ryokans and normal hotels. As mentioned, ryokans are usually furnished with the tatami floors, which is a Japanese floor mat that is designed to work well with the unique climate of Japan. These mats are not seen in normal hotels, as they usually have normal tilings. In ryokan, most of the time, you will be provided with yukata and slippers to wear around the hotel, they also provide multi-course kaiseki dinner and beautiful Japanese breakfast. Lastly, it has traditional Japanese futon bedding compared to the normal mattresses provided in normal hotels.

Rooms at a Traditional Ryokans

Ryokans in Japan come in all shapes and sizes, and — as with hotels or inns in any country — every ryokan is different. Most are on the small side, but some are larger. There are some luxury ryokans where you get to experience the best of Japanese hospitality and services. Or you can visit local ryokans that provide minimal but exquisite experience.

When you first enter the room, you will find that there are not a lot of furniture, apart from a low central table with zaisu (legless chairs). The flooring is traditionally tatami matting, which is usually very comfortable to sit and walk on. You might be wondering where the beddings are, typically, bedding is not usually present in your room during the day, but while you are enjoying your kaiseki dinner, the staff will prepare your traditional bedding for you. Once you get back from the dinner, you will find beautifully laid futon beddings with blankets, now you are ready to have a relaxing night!

Meals (Breakfast and dinner) (Kaiseki Meal)

Photo: Shugetu

Dinning at the ryokans is an experience in itself, for a lot of people, this is the highlight of their stay. Most ryokan stays include breakfast and a kaiseki dinner, both of which typically feature a beautifully presented and colourful array of local and seasonal specialties. These sets are an unforgettable culinary experience, where you get to enjoy different types of Japanese food. The kaiseki dinner is a multi-course set, served either in the privacy of your room, or in a dedicated dining area. Usually include seasonal vegetables, local meats, Japanese style soups, desserts, and seasonal fruits. Paired with your favourite drinks such as sake, beer, wine, or tea.

For breakfast, it usually includes traditional Japanese dishes such as grilled fish, rice, miso soup, omelette and more. Some ryokans may also serve western style breakfast options such as eggs, toast, and coffee.

Average Room Rate

While ryokan can be more expensive than normal hotels, however, these places offer luxurious meals and courteous service that is worth the visit. The average room rate for a ryokan is around 15,000 yen per person. The rate can vary from different ryokans, depending on the services offered, timing and locations.

Top Ryokans in Hakone

1. Tokinoyu Setsugetsuka

Photo: travel.rakuten

This place is conveniently located in front of the station, about a 1-minute walk from Gora Station. A traditional Japanese-style hot spring resort with an open-air cypress bath in all 158 guest rooms.

All rooms are equipped with spacious beds, and the interior is designed to carry on the Japanese tradition, including furnishings. It also has three private open-air baths, including a large public bath that flows directly from the source. You can enjoy Japanese kaiseki meals such as tempura, sushi, etc. that make use of seasonal ingredients.

Photo: travel.rakuten

2. Hakone Yumoto Onsen Hotellerie Maille Coeur Shogetsu

Photo: travel.rakuten

This resort is located on a hill overlooking the cityscape of Hakone Yumoto, the view is quite astonishing. The facility and services are enriched, such as an open-air bath with a jacuzzi, amenities of famous brands, and aromatherapy. A hot spring inn with a modern atmosphere.
In addition to the large public bath full of high-quality hot springs, it also has a beautiful Japanese garden that allows you to enjoy bathing while relaxing to the scenery of the four seasons and the murmuring of Hayakawa. Comes with a carefully selected monthly meal course menu with colourful seasonal ingredients.

Photo: travel.rakuten

3. Hakone Yumoto Onsen Hotel Okuyumoto

Photo: travel.rakuten

This ryokan is popular for its open-air baths along the mountain stream. In addition to Japanese-style and Western-style rooms, there are modern Japanese-style rooms with open-air garden baths. You can enjoy the hot springs that flow directly from the private source. Seasonal dishes made with locally produced ingredients, it can be enjoyed at the restaurant or in the room.

Photo: travel.rakuten

4. Gora Onsen Merveille Hakone Gora

Photo: travel.rakuten

It is located right next to the lush green Gora Park. With the concept of a "female-friendly inn," such as hot springs that has great benefits to the skin, abundant amenities, making a comfortable stay for all genders.
The large communal bath is filled with mixed springs from Owakudani and Sounzan, it is a relaxing space to free your mind. It is fully equipped with a jacuzzi, a cold bath, and a sauna, so you can relax and enjoy a bath because you deserve it. Kaiseki cuisine, carefully selected from the luxurious ingredients of Sankai, can be selected from three courses.

Photo: travel.rakuten

5. Sengokuhara Onsen Resort Hotel Re Cove Hakone

Photo: travel.rakuten

A beautiful resort hotel that will give you a one in a lifetime experience. In addition to hot springs, there are plenty of facilities for parents and children to enjoy for a day, such as table tennis, a game corner, karaoke, and beauty treatment salons. Relax your body and soul in the open-air bath, with high acidic spring quality that is said to be effective against poor circulation, neuralgia, and muscle aches. Book your stay here and you won’t be disappointed!