[Entering a Japanese-style inn] Generally there are two ways: (1) You may be guided to the entrance of your own room with your shoes on. (2) Or, you may have to take off your shoes at the main entrance hall of the “ryokan” and put on slippers provided there. [Tipping] Basically, you do not have to tip ryokan employees as tipping is not a general custom in Japan. [Japanese-style guest rooms] Japanese-style guest rooms are floored with “tatami” straw mats. Please remove your shoes as well as your slippers before entering a tatami-floored Japanese room. [Meals] Meals are served either in your own room or in a designated dining room at a specific time. It is always advisable to check the mealtime in advance. When dining in your room, call or ring for the maid after the meal is over to have her clear the table. [ “Yukata” robe] The traditional “yukata” robe will be lent to you. The yukata is a kind of cotton “kimono” and is worn by placing its front left half over the front right half. At Japanese ryokan, wearing yukata is acceptable while in your room and when moving around inside the ryokan. Yukata can also be worn when you go out for a stroll around the hot spring resort town. You may also wear it while sleeping like pajamas. [Taking a bath] Many Japanese inns have one or more large-size communal baths known as “dai-yokujo.” A dai-yokujo is for shared use with other guests, usually of the same gender. Please keep the following points in mind as a courtesy to other guests in the bathing area: 1. First, use the hand-held tub or dipper and gently splash some hot water over your body outside the bath. This is to rinse yourself off and warm you up a little before entering the bath. 2. Please do not take your hand towel with you into the bath. 3. After a nice soak, wash with soap in the designated washing area then rinse off all soapsuds with hot water before returning to the bath. 4. After bathing, dry off completely with your towel before entering the changing/dressing area. This will keep the floor from getting wet with drops of water. [ “Futon” bedding (Bedmaking)] In a Japanese-style guest room, bedding is prepared by spreading out “futon” mattresses on the tatami straw mat floor. Usually after the dinner, the room clerk comes in and rolls out futon. And the next morning, she or he will come to put futon back in the closet.
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