If there's one experience that defined my trip to Japan, it was sleeping in a ryokan. This traditional Japanese inn turns an overnight stay into a full cultural immersion. While Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto rightfully steal the spotlight, nearly 70% of Japan's landscape is mountainous wilderness, and the best ryokans sit right in the middle of it. Skipping one would mean missing the most quietly unforgettable part of Japan.

A Ryokan isn't just a place to sleep. It's a chance to wear a yukata, soak in a private hot spring, and wake up to a multi-course Japanese breakfast laid out in your tatami room. 

It's the kind of travel experience that stays with you long after you've flown home. New to the whole concept? This first-timers guide to staying in a Ryokan has everything you need. I'll break down what a ryokan actually is (and how it differs from a regular hotel). Then I'll walk you through what to expect and how to approach Ryokan etiquette so you feel confident, not confused. Ready to plan the most memorable night of your Japan trip? Let's get into it.

First Timer's Guide to a Japanese Ryokan: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Ryokan?

Ryokans are a traditional style of Japanese hotel. If you have never heard of them, no worries–I hadn’t either! But I bet you can picture some of the essential elements of these traditional Japanese hotels. Offering characteristically Japanese aesthetics, you can expect to find tatami mat flooring, on-the-floor mattresses, immaculate gardens, shoji screen walls and minimalist decor. 

Dating back to the Edo period (1603–1868), Ryokans were originally established as inns to provide accommodation for feudal lords who were required to travel to Tokyo annually to visit the shogun. The Ryokan was a place of sanctuary and rest, where the warriors could feel safe from attack by enemies. During that time, it was standard for guests to be served both dinner and breakfast. This is the origin of the modern Ryokan’s “one night, two meals” model.

Where are Ryokan located?

Ryokans can be found throughout Japan and there are more than 80,000 Ryokans in Japan. They are typically found in natural areas, especially in the mountains, where they can be paired with onsen. There are urban Ryokan as well, especially in larger cities where tourists are looking for diverse accommodation options.

Types of Ryokan 

Nowadays, this type of accommodation comes in many forms, each with its own character. Ranging from quaint & historic to modern & luxury, there is a Ryokan out there for every type of traveler! Your level of comfort at a Ryokan is closely related to the price you pay for your Ryokan. As with anything, you get what you pay for! A couple examples you might consider:

• Natural hot‑spring (onsen) Ryokan - these are my FAVORITE!
• Ryori Ryokan that focus on exceptional cuisine
• Machiya townhouses reborn as intimate inns
• Historic family-run minshuku

Regardless of which type you choose, everything at a Ryokan revolves around making the guest feel comfortable. Many properties elevate privacy with rooms featuring private open‑air baths, or with detached villas (hanare) set apart from the main building for an even more secluded stay. 

Staying in a Ryokan Nowadays

In my experience, a Ryokan is perfect for relaxation and mindfulness. You can let yourself calm down and soak in the relaxing vibes of the Ryokan, especially if your hotel also includes an onsen! Not sure what an onsen is? Check out my other blog post to learn everything you need to know about visiting a Japanese onsen. Once you check into a Ryokan, you don’t necessarily need to leave the property. So don't plan out your whole evening out–trust me, you’ll want to enjoy the Ryokan experience to the full.

Floor Mattresses

At many Ryokan hotels, you will be sitting and sleeping on the floor with traditional futon mattresses and floor chairs. I found Japanese mattresses to be quite comfortable, but travelers with back issues or chronic back pain might want to be more cautious, since they will be spending a lot of time in postures that they might not be used to.

Room Types

When you book a Ryokan, you will typically be offered a number of different room types. The room type you select MATTERS so make sure you read through the details. While classic tatami rooms are standard, many Ryokan offer Japanese‑Western rooms with elevated beds. Because Ryokans are often located within nature, certain rooms will offer views. Finally, you can select suites with private open‑air baths. Because size, view, and food offerings differ by room and property, make sure that you spend a few extra minutes at booking to study the photos, floor plans, and guest reviews to find the room that feels right for you.

Heating

It is not universal in Japan to have indoor heating, so if you plan to visit in the winter months, I would recommend ensuring that your Ryokan has in-room heating. That could be a key determinant in your level of comfort. Our stay at Yunoshimakan was incredibly comfortable with great heating, cozy beds, and an onsite onsen, but I also know travelers who had a less comfortable stay at a Ryokan run by a local Buddhist temple which offered very cheap accommodations. 

Ryokan Etiquette You Need to Know

Staying at a Ryokan is like an immersion into Japanese aesthetics, hospitality, and ritual. While Ryokan offer comfort and hospitality, they also come with local customs that may be unfamiliar to first-time visitors. I promise that a little attentiveness to Japanese manners makes your stay much more pleasant. Learning the etiquette basics ensures a smoother stay and allows you to fully embrace the cultural spirit of a Ryokan.

Clothing Expectations

Upon arrival at a Ryokan, you will be asked to remove your shoes and store them at the entrance in a locker. You will be given a pair of slippers to wear around the Ryokan. There may be additional slippers inside your room, depending on whether or not there are tatami mats.

Additionally, guests are expected to don traditional Japanese casual clothing, which will typically be provided in your room. The clothing may also be located in a common area, where you can go pick out the size & style you prefer. If your Ryokan has an onsen, you will likely be provided two sets of clothing: 

• Yukata: A lightweight, cotton kimono-style robe traditionally used as casual lounge clothing and onsen wear.
• Jinbei & Samue: More modern (and comfortable) two-piece loungewear sets commonly provided in modern Ryokans. They’re a bit like pajamas that you can wear around the Ryokan. 

Kaiseki Cuisine

Another common feature of a Ryokan stay is an elaborate meal (or two!). Breakfast is almost always included, and dinner is typically included as well, although this will be explained in your booking confirmation. Some Ryokans will serve your breakfast/dinner to your room, while others have a restaurant where you eat. 

Sticking to traditions, the food served at Ryokans is typically kaiseki,  a style of traditional Japanese cuisine with a series of very small, intricate dishes focused heavily on texture.  

There will be a set menu, which comes to you in a variety of dishes, typically 8-12 different dishes, all served in various dishware. It is quite a production! The dishes might look quite unfamiliar to foreigners. We're not talking about ramen and sushi here! 

Japanese cuisine plays with texture, so one of our Ryokan meals had a number of interesting dishes that I had never experienced before, such as a fish jello, pickled tofu curd and dehydrated vegetables. My husband and I are pretty adventurous eaters, so this was a fun learning experience for us. There were a few dishes that I wouldn’t order again, but for the most part, it was a delight to eat. 

Onsen

I would strongly recommend choosing a Ryokan that has an onsen, especially for your first time. These natural hot springs are a big highlight! We wound up spending several hours each day taking dips in the hot springs or soaking in the sauna, leaving us deeply nourished and relaxed. There is a whole separate onsen etiquette that you need to know before visiting your first Japanese hot spring. I summarize everything you need to know about Japanese Onsens in a separate blog post. 

Which Ryokan Do You Recommend?

After a few trips to Japan, I have stayed at a number of different Ryokan hotels around Japan. A few that I can recommend:

• Yunoshimakan Hotel (Gero):  Easily accessible from Nagoya via train, the Ryokan offers a train station shuttle bus. I thought the amenities and service were excellent, but the stellar location is what really sets this Ryokan apart. The mountain views from the rooms and lovely onsite onsen were both exceptional. We were also the only foreigners in this quaint mountain town which really added to the unique experience.
• Yammanochaya (Hakone): Two of our friends stayed here during their honeymoon and had a lovely time. Also easily accessible by train (1 hour from Tokyo), this upscale Ryokan offers an in-room onsen and soaking tub as well as beautiful views of the natural area.
• Beniya Mukayu Ryokan (near Kanazawa): Stunning modern Ryokan with all the traditional Japanese elements you hope for. Tucked into the woods, this place gives major oasis vibes. 
• Miyama Ouan (Gifu):  Nestled in the tranquil Hida Mountains, this onsen Ryokan felt the most traditional of any we’ve stayed at, but not in a bad way. The hot spring baths are amazing! There are indoor and outdoor public baths with spectacular nature views. All guest rooms are fitted with wooden furnishings, providing a perfect haven for relaxation.
• Yuyado Tokinoniwa (Kusatsu): Located in one of Japan’s most well-known onsen resort towns, this Ryokan stands on a hill overlooking the hot spring town and lush natural scenery. The stay here was very comfortable, albeit slightly dated. We really enjoyed having a private open-air bath in our room with beautiful sunrise views of rolling mountain hills.

Have thoughts or questions about staying in a Japanese Ryokan? Tell me in the comments below!