Knowing how to make payments and manage money beforehand can make traveling easier for foreign tourists. This article provides an overview of Japanese currency, methods of currency exchange, and payment options. While credit cards and mobile payments are widely accepted in urban areas, cash is often essential in rural areas, so be sure to read on for useful tips!
Japanese Currency
The currency in Japan is the yen (¥). Both banknotes and coins are used, and come in the following denominations:
Banknotes
Currently, there are four types of banknotes in circulation:
10,000-yen note: The highest denomination.
5,000-yen note: A medium denomination, convenient for restaurants or small purchases.
2,000-yen note: A rare banknote with limited circulation.
1,000-yen note: The most commonly used note, accepted by vending machines.
★New Banknotes Released★
On July 3, 2024, Japan introduced new banknote designs for the first time in about 20 years. These new notes (10,000 yen, 5,000 yen, and 1,000 yen) feature modern designs and enhanced anti-counterfeiting technology.
Figures on the New Banknotes
10,000 yen: Eiichi Shibusawa, known as “the father of modern Japanese economy.”
5,000 yen: Umeko Tsuda, founder of Tsuda University.
1,000 yen: Shibasaburo Kitasato, a microbiologist known as “the father of modern Japanese medicine.”
If you come across the new banknotes, take a closer look—they’re fascinating!
Caution!!
Beware of scams claiming that “old banknotes are no longer valid and need to be exchanged.” The older notes remain valid and can still be used alongside the new ones.
Coins
There are six denominations of coins: ¥500, ¥100, ¥50, ¥10, ¥5, and ¥1. They differ in size and material, and while it may take time to get used to them, they are handy once you do.
Some travelers may already have Japanese yen before arriving in Japan, but here are some convenient ways to obtain yen once you’re here:
At the Airport
Currency exchange counters at airports are a reliable choice upon arrival. They usually have long hours and offer safe service, though their fees may be slightly higher.
Exchange Offices in Stations or Shopping Districts
Major stations and urban areas have currency exchange offices. Many offer multilingual services, with information in English, Chinese, and more.
ATM Cash Withdrawal
If you are using an international debit or credit card, you can withdraw yen from ATMs in Japan. ATMs at 7-Eleven stores and post offices are especially foreigner-friendly, often available 24/7.
Payment Methods: Cash and Cashless
Cashless Payments in Urban Areas
In major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, credit cards are widely accepted. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly supported brands. Additionally, many stores, tourist attractions, and restaurants frequented by foreign tourists accept mobile payment services like:
Apple Pay
Alipay（支付宝）
WeChat Pay（微信支付）
Cash is Essential in Rural Areas
On the other hand, cash is still the king in many rural areas. Small restaurants, souvenir shops, and public transportation like local buses often only accept cash. To avoid inconvenience during your travels, it is a good idea to carry extra cash.
Summary
A balanced approach to using both cash and cashless payment methods is recommended for traveling in Japan. Credit cards and mobile payments are convenient in urban areas, but cash is indispensable in rural regions and specific situations. Make the most of currency exchange and ATM services, and enjoy a smooth and enjoyable trip to Japan!
Taxis are one of the public transportation options often used by tourists. Taxis in each country and region have different characteristics and have many differences in how they are used. Today, we would like to introduce you to Japanese taxis.
◆Taxi Vehicles
Taxis driving around the city have a “lamp” on their roofs.
– Sedan cars The most common car for taxis in both Tokyo and the countryside are sedans. There is no set color. A taxi can accommodate up to four people (one person in the passenger seat and three people in the back seat) in general.
– JPN TAXI（ジャパンタクシー） This is a new car model that debuted in the wake of the Tokyo Olympics. It is commonly seen in the Tokyo metropolitan area and three surrounding prefectures. Sliding doors make getting in and out of the car smoother. The wide legroom and high ceiling make the ride more comfortable, making it a favorite not only for taller people, but also for elderly people, people with children, and people traveling with a lot of luggage. Although it looks like a wagon taxi, it is a small car, and like a sedan, can only accommodate up to four passengers.
– Wagon taxi (minivan) This is a larger vehicle that can accommodate up to five or six people. Wagon taxis are very convenient when you need to travel in a group or when you have a lot of luggage. As luggage space is limited, the taxi may not be able to accommodate the maximum number of passengers if you are traveling with a lot of luggage. It can be used by up to four adults and four suitcases in general. The HiAce model can accommodate up to nine adults, or six adults and six suitcases if you are traveling with a lot of luggage. You may think that you can’t use them unless you make a reservation outside of waiting lines at taxi stands at airports and train stations, but they are available throughout the city just like other taxis. If you raise your hand, you can hail a taxi.
◆Hailing a taxi
– Raise your hand and call the taxi If you raise your hand on the side of the road, you can signal to a vacant taxi.
★How to tell if a taxi is vacant?
1) Look at the sign display: the taxi is vacant if it says “空車/VACANT” or “割増” (increased fare) “割増” will be displayed for vacant taxis when late-night fees apply. “空車/VACANT and “割増” are often displayed in red. On the other hand, “迎車” (pick-up), “回送” (out of service), “予約車” (reserved), “支払” (paying), etc. are often displayed in orange. For visitors from overseas who cannot read kanji or cannot read the signs clearly from a distance, please use color to distinguish the signs.
2) Look at the lamps at night: If the lights are on, you can use the taxi. Taxi lights are linked to the taximeter. When someone gets in the taxi, the taximeter will indicate “賃走” (in use)’ and the taxi’s lights will also turn off, so you can take the taxi if the lights are on.
※If you see a taxi’s light flashing red, please call 110. This is the “SOS” signal issued by the taxi driver.
– Hailing a taxi using taxi apps The app “GO” is the most widely used taxi app in Japan. In Tokyo, “S.Ride” is also a convenient option. There are some cities where you can use Uber, which originated in the United States, and DiDi, originating from China, but the number of vehicles that can be used is very small and the area is quite limited.
When hailing a taxi using a taxi app, you generally need to register as a member, and a “pick-up fee” will be charged. If you choose to hail a taxi at a specified time instead of on the spot, a reservation fee will be charged.
– Calling a taxi There are very few taxis outside of major cities and tourist areas. If you need to use a taxi from a taxi company that does use apps, the only option is to call the taxi company. As with app dispatch, a “pick-up fee”‘ and “reservation fee” will be charged. At restaurants and hotels, the facility may call a taxi for you.
– Waiting for a ride at a taxi stand There are designated locations for getting a taxi in certain areas including airports, in front of stations, and downtown areas. Please wait in line at a designated taxi station.
◆Getting on a Taxi
– Seating order If there are three or fewer people on board, all passengers generally sit in the back seat, and the fourth person sits in the passenger seat.
– Automatic doors Most taxis have rear doors that operate automatically. There is no need to open or close the door yourself when getting on or off the taxi. The front door is not automatic. The person sitting in the passenger seat will need to open and close the door themselves.
– Seat belts Those sitting in the passenger seat are required to wear a seat belt. For safety, passengers sitting in the back seat should wear their seat belts as well. On expressways, it is a requirement that passengers in the back seat use the seat belts.
◆Taxi Fare
– Metered taxi fares Japanese taxi fares are metered, and in most cases, this is the only accepted fare. The initial fare and distance-based fare differ depending on the region, but both use a combination of an hourly fare (10km/h or less) and a distance-based fare. Even if the route is the same, the fare may differ depending on the wait time at a red light, traffic congestion, etc. In addition, late-night fares apply between 22:00 and 05:00, and are approximately 20% higher than regular fares.
– Payment method Please have Japanese yen ready in cash when using a taxi.
In major cities and tourist destinations, payment methods other than cash such as credit cards, transportation IC cards, and QR code payments may be accepted. However, in rural areas, private taxis, and areas with poor network connection, cash may be the only payment option.
– Fixed-fare taxis The use of fixed-price taxis is recommended for transportation to and from the airport. The fare is fixed, regardless of the route or traffic conditions, whether from your home or hotel to the airport or from the airport to your hotel or home. In addition to the “Airport Fixed-fare Taxi”, there is also the “Tokyo Disney Resort Fixed-fare Taxi”. The official hotels are also eligible for the fixed rate in addition to theme parks.
– Chartered taxi for sightseeing trips In addition to metered fares and fixed-rate taxis, the use of ” sightseeing (chartered) taxis” is a great way to save money. You can use the taxi as your car for several hours to tour sightseeing spots or to visit guests, etc.
◆Business Areas and Refusal of Service
– Business area In Japan, taxi operating areas are determined by law, so the taxi companies available differ depending on the location. When using a taxi, we recommend checking with the hotel of stay to find out which taxi companies are available and how to use them.
– Refusal of service Generally, taxis in Japan do not refuse service. However, there are some exceptions in which a passenger may be turned down. If a passenger smokes, drinks, or acts violently in the vehicle and does not comply when stopped, if the passenger is carrying a dangerous object if the passenger is heavily intoxicated if there are hygiene issues and cleaning/deodorization is required after use, and if passengers who are severely ill do not have an accompanying passenger or display symptoms an infectious disease.
This has been an introduction to the basics of how to use a Japanese taxi. In the second part, we will introduce trivia about Japanese taxis, such as local taxis and taxis with unique branding. If you are interested, please feel free to read the second part.
On your trip to Japan, you will probably want to stay at a Japanese hot spring ryokan for at least one night. There are many fun things to do, such as bathing in a hot spring, sleeping on tatami mats, and taking photos in colored yukata. However, the kaiseki cuisine, decorated with luxurious items, is packed with the charm of Japanese cuisine. We recommend trying it at least once.
◆What is Kaiseki Cuisine?
Kaiseki ryori (kaiseki cuisine) is a course-style Japanese meal for enjoying alcohol. All senses are triggered from the original taste of locally produced ingredients of the season, the local way of life that can be felt through the cooking methods, to the colors of the four seasons. Many people have the impression that the “kuikiri’ method’, in which the dishes are served one by one in order, is difficult as there are so many rules, but in reality, the basic method is one soup and three side dishes. There are almost no rules.
★The “Kondate” (menu) The “Kondate” (menu) is placed on the table. The menu details the dishes that will be served and the order in which they will be served. Most ryokan menus are only in Japanese, meaning guests from overseas may have trouble understanding it. What is each dish like? What does it taste like? In what order should you eat them? How do you eat them? Many guests may be confused about how to enjoy kaiseki cuisine, so here we will introduce the basic ways to enjoy kaiseki cuisine. *This is an example of kaiseki cuisine. The order and contents vary depending on the ryokan and chef.
1. Shokuzenshu (aperitif) As the Japanese name suggests, this is an alcoholic drink served before eating. Most are fruity drinks and are drunk before meals to increase appetite. Guests are not required to drink it all. You can continue drinking with the appetizer as a side dish.
2. Sakizuke/Zensai (appetizers) The appetizer is a dish with a light taste that allows the taste of the ingredients to shine. After making a toast, the appetizer is first served as a side dish, bringing out the richness of the drink. Appetizers bring out the season the most in kaiseki cuisine, with around five to eight colorful dishes centered around seasonal vegetables.
3. Suimono (soup)/Wan-mono (bowl dishes) These are soup dishes using clear soup with seafood, vegetables, etc.
4. Mukozuke (sashimi plate) It refers to “Otsukuri” (sashimi), which is arguably the centerpiece of Japanese cuisine. In some cases, the best fish of the day will be served, if there are multiple fish on the plate, such as a 3-piece platter, eat in order from white to red fish.
5. Hachizakana (grilled fish) From here, we enter the middle stage of the meal, where grilled, simmered, or fried dishes appear. Grilled food is one of the main dishes on the menu and is often simply grilled seasonal fish.Atsumono is a warm and juicy simmered dish made with vegetables and requires the delicate skill of the chef. The most typical fried dish is “tempura”, but crispy fried small fish and tatsuta-age (fried chicken) may also be served. In addition to seafood such as shrimp, seasonal ingredients such as matsutake mushrooms and vegetables are also often used in the dishes.
6. Shiizakana (savory dish) This is a dish served as the second main dish. It is a dish made with meat, fish, vegetables, etc. that is paired with alcoholic beverages. There are no rules to the dish and has various cooking methods. Grilled dishes, simmered dishes, and small pot dishes made using a stove are often served as “table dishes”.
★Sukiyaki When sukiyaki is served on a table, it always comes with raw egg. This raw egg is the “sauce” used when eating sukiyaki. Dip the meat and vegetables from the pot into the raw egg before eating. This is the established way to eat sukiyaki, but if you don’t like raw eggs, do not feel obligated to use them and enjoy your meal in your preferred way.
7. Tomezakana (palate cleanser) This is a small bowl served between Shiizakana dishes and rice to cleanse the palate. These are generally vinegared dishes and “aemono” dishes using seasonal seafood and vegetables.
8. Shokuji (final dish) This dish is the final stage of the course. In most cases, it consists of three items: “rice dishes” such as takikomi rice, sushi, and white rice, “tome bowls” such as miso soup or sashimi soup, and “konomono” (pickles).
*In a regular meal, rice, and side dishes are often eaten together, but because kaiseki cuisine is intended for enjoying conversation and drinking, the rice is served at the end. If you don’t drink much or wish to have the dishes out faster, just ask the waiter and they will generally be served early.
9. Mizugashi (dessert) Originally meaning fruit, this is a dessert for kaiseki cuisine. In addition to fresh fruit, Japanese sweets such as anmitsu and yokan, and Western sweets such as sherbet and ice cream are also served.
This has been a summary of kaiseki cuisine and the order in which each dish is served. The way the menu is written, and the contents of dishes differ depending on the ryokan and the chef but being aware of the dishes and the order in which they are served should make having kaiseki cuisine a more enjoyable time.
Furthermore, your kaiseki cuisine experience may be improved by knowing the following three things.
1) Fish Fish is an essential ingredient in Japanese cuisine, including sashimi, grilled fish, boiled fish, and vinegared dishes. The chef’s ingenuity can be seen in everything from the selection of the fish, the method of preparation, and seasoning, so be sure to pay close attention to the fish dishes when you enjoy a kaiseki meal.
2) Season The kaiseki cuisine menu changes with the seasons and uses plenty of seasonal ingredients. The highlight of a chef’s skill is bringing out the flavor of each seasonal ingredient and allowing all five senses to experience the flavor and color of the season.
SpringAutumn
3) Dishware It may be a little surprising, but the best part of kaiseki cuisine is selecting and using bowls and plates that match the color of the food and the season. Western cuisine courses are often made of white porcelain or glass, but Japanese kaiseki dishes use a variety of dishes, mainly ceramics, with unique colors, shapes, and textures.
That’s all for this piece on Kaiseki cuisine. We’ll be constantly updating useful information to help foreign tourists enjoy their trip to Japan even more, so don’t miss out!
At Japanese inns, yukata is provided as loungewear. This yukata is designed to keep you comfortable during Japan’s hot summers, making it the perfect outfit to wear after taking a bath. It is easy to wear, so give it a try and get in the mood for your trip to Japan. This time we will introduce you to the correct way to wear a yukata at a ryokan.
◆How to Wear a Yukata
1) Choose the size of the yukata according to your height. When worn, the hem should be around ankle length.
Reference S: Height 145-155cm M: Height 155-165cm L: Height 165-175cm LL: Height 175cm or more
2) Put both arms through the sleeves, align the back seam with the center of your body, and align the tips of both collars.
3) Wrap the right garment around your left hip and push it in as far as possible. Next, wrap the left side around your right hip so that it is on top of the right garment.
⚠️The order of right first, then left is important. In Japan, wearing clothes with the left side below the right side is not allowed as it is only done for the deceased, and is considered bad luck!
4) While holding the fabric, hold the obi (belt) and align the center of the obi with the center of your stomach. While holding it in place with your hands, cross it at the back, then come back to the front and tie it in front of your body.
5) Wear a haori (jacket) or tanzen (winter garment) over your yukata when it is cold.
★ Yukata Tips for Women
– The collar should be slightly loose the front of the collar should be about two fingers below your neck.
– Leave one fist’s worth of space behind the collar Hold the left and right sides of the collar in front of your chest with your left hand and hold the center of your back with your right hand and adjust the collar. If the width of the collar is removed by about the size of one fist, the collar will look beautiful.
★ Yukata Tips for Men
– The obi should be wrapped around the hip Rather than wrapping it around the waist, men’s obi should be wrapped around the hipbone. Turn the knot from the left to the back, insert the thumbs of both hands into the obi, and lower it to create a balanced look.
– Do not leave space on the back of the collar Only women’s kimono leaves space behind the collar. For men, make sure that the collar sits on the back of the neck.
◆Be Mindful about Manner and Attire while Wearing a Yukata
– When sitting or squatting, keep your knees together. Emphasize good posture by sitting with your knees together, and keeping your upper body straight when lowering your hips so that the yukata does not roll up. When you sit down, do not lean back, but keep your back straight and maintain a good posture.
– When reaching out, hold the sleeves. Gently press down the sleeves with your other hand so that it does not get in the way when you eat or reach for things.
– When using stairs, slightly lift the hem. There is a risk of falling and the hem may get dirty if you step on the hem of your yukata on the stairs. When using stairs, lean your body slightly and lift the front hem of your yukata.
– When using the restroom, tuck the hem into the obi. To avoid staining your yukata, lift the hem from the top to the bottom and tuck it into the obi when using the bathroom. When you walk out of the bathroom, pull your hem back to make sure everything is clean.
◆Colorful Yukata
Ryokan yukata are worn inside the inn or as pajamas, but “colorful yukata” are yukata with a rich design and color that brightens up the hot spring town. Taking a stroll around the hot spring town, visiting the public baths, and taking photos wearing a colorful yukata is sure to bring out the holiday spirit. The most famous spot for colorful yukata is Kinosaki Onsen, where the colorful yukata service originated, but it is now offered at ryokans all over Japan. Some places rent them out for free while others charge a fee, and many accommodation plans include colorful yukata services. When staying at a ryokan, be sure to wear a colorful yukata to liven up your trip.
This has been the introduction to the yukata at Japanese ryokans. Yukata is a type of Japanese clothing (kimono) that is worn on bare skin and originated as a form of relaxing home wear. Nowadays, yukata is popular as a fashionable item to wear during the summer, and yukatas for women come in many gorgeous patterns and colors. Yukata are worn during summer events such as firework festivals and Bon-odori dance festivals. The yukata provided at ryokans is a simplified version and easy to wear, but the real yukata is slightly more complex. If you are interested, we encourage you to look into yukata.
Hot springs have been used in Japan since ancient times. Japanese people are described as having a “love of baths”. Bathtubs are standard in most homes, hotels, and ryokans, and people take baths every day to wash off their sweat and dust. At the large baths and open-air baths at ryokans and hotels, hot spring facilities, and public baths, taking baths in spacious bathtubs filled with hot spring water can provide guests with a more refreshing feeling than bathing at home. To have the best bathing experience, be sure to learn how to use Japanese public baths (hot springs, large baths, public baths, etc.) and any precautions you may need to take.
★Bathing naked
Bathing completely naked is considered an etiquette in Japanese hot springs. Of course, there are hot spring baths with mixed baths, private baths, and facilities where swimsuit is permitted, but in most public baths in Japan, men and women bathe separately and without clothes. If you are uncomfortable using the baths with strangers, please use the bath in your room.
◆Things to know before taking a bath
1. Be careful not to strain your body
Avoid bathing on an empty stomach, immediately after eating, or after drinking alcohol. Elderly people, people with high blood pressure, or heart disease, or those who have had a stroke in the past should avoid bathing at temperatures above 42°C. For people with weak cardiopulmonary functions, half-body bathing or partial bathing is recommended. When getting out of the bathtub, do so slowly to avoid getting dizzy.
2. Do not take a bath for too long
Take a bath once or twice a day, depending on the bath temperature, but take a gentle bath for about 3 to 10 minutes each time, making sure to move your hands and feet slightly.
3. Make sure to stay hydrated
To avoid dehydration, drink a glass of water before and after bathing.
◆Bathing etiquette
– Those with tattoos are not allowed to bathe. *Rules vary depending on the facility. In some cases, it may be possible by hiding it with a bathrobe or sticker. – Do not wear swimsuits or underwear when entering the bathtub.
– To maintain cleanliness, please do not put towels in the bathtub. – Tie your hair up if it is long and be careful not to let it fall into the bathtub.
– Do not swim, jump, or dive in the bathtub. – The use of swimming equipment such as floats, balls, and toys are also prohibited.
– Please avoid loud conversations and bathe quietly. – To prevent voyeurism, the use of smartphones is prohibited, including the changing rooms.
– Do not scrub your body or wash your hair in the bathtub.
– Even if the water temperature is high, do not dilute it with cold water. – Please refrain from doing anything other than washing your body and hair in the shower area (washing clothes, dyeing your hair, etc.).
◆Things to bring
At a ryokan, supplies such as shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and combs are usually provided in the bathhouse. Please bring the face towel, bath towel, and yukata provided in your room. You do not need to bring towels from your room if the facility provides free-use towels at the bathhouse.
Unlike ryokans, amenities such as slippers, bathrobes, and nightgowns can only be used in the guest room in hotels. Please follow the hotel’s regulations regarding what to wear and what to bring to the public bath. In addition, hot springs and public baths may not have storage space with locks, so please do not take any valuables with you.
◆How to bathe
1) Enter the changing room barefoot
If you are staying at a ryokan, put on your slippers from your room to go to the public bath. Take off your slippers at the entrance, arrange them neatly on the floor or place them on the shoe rack, and enter the changing room barefoot. If you wish to wear your slippers when you leave, please place them a little apart from other guests’ slippers or mark them with a number tag or notepad provided by the ryokan so you know which pair is yours.
2) Take off your clothes in the changing room and take a shower
There are baskets and lockers for storing your clothes in the changing room. Put your clothes in the basket and cover the basket with a bath towel. This way, no one else can see inside the basket, and you can use the bath towel immediately after bathing. Have the bath towel with you and enter the bathhouse.
3) Shower and hot water
Be sure to wash your body thoroughly before entering the bathtub. Please sit on a chair and when taking a shower. Shampoo, conditioner, body soap, and face wash are generally provided. Makeup remover may also be placed at the sink in the changing room. After washing your whole body in the shower, use a “yuoke”” bucket to “rinse” your body from the ends of your body to your head to let your body adjust to the water temperature. *The spaces with the “yuoke” bucket placed upside down on the chair are vacant spaces. After using the chair, clean the chair and the “yuoke” bucket to make sure there is no soap left and return them to their original state. If you don’t need to take a shower, such as when taking a second bath on the same day, use the pail placed near the bathtub to pour hot water over your body before entering the bathtub.
4) Bathing
Step into the bathtub gently and begin by taking a “half-body bath”, where you soak the bottom half of the body (under the chest). After getting used to the temperature, take a “full body bath” and promote blood circulation by floating your body and gently moving your limbs. Get out of the bathtub when your forehead starts to sweat. To maintain the effect of the bath, do not wash your body off. If you have sensitive skin, it is better to wash away the hot spring water with warm water.
★Things to keep in mind after bathing
– Be sure to keep yourself warm, and clothed, and rest for about 30 minutes. – Make sure to stay hydrated to prevent dehydration.
This is the introduction to how to enter Japanese hot springs and public baths. Know the customs and etiquette in advance and enjoy bathing comfortably.
Ryokan is a lodging facility with a Japanese-style structure and facilities that are unique to Japan, providing services that give you a taste of Japanese culture and hospitality. Under Japanese law, there is no clear difference between a ryokan and a hotel, but many people have an image that “hotels = Western style” and ” ryokans = Japanese style”.
At a ryokan, the hotel staff is called “Nakai-san.” The Nakai prepares meals, lays out futons, and is there for you if you have any problems.
In addition, the often-heard term “Okami-san’ is the person in charge of the ryokan, who oversees the waitress and is equivalent to the general manager or manager position at a hotel.
◆How to Spend Time at a Typical Ryokan?
1. Enter the room
After checking in, the staff will escort you to your room. Please take off your shoes at the entrance to your room. Please stay barefeet indoors or on tatami mats. Please use the slippers provided in the shoe rack at the entrance inside the ryokan.
2.Relaxation
Free tea and snacks are provided in the room for guests to enjoy. *The drinks (soft drinks, alcoholic drinks) in the refrigerator are charged. Payment will be required at check-out.
★Why are tea sweets offered?
Is it because it goes well with tea? For hospitality? As welcome sweets? The actual answer is that these sweet treats are made for the guests taking a bath in the hot springs. Bathing in a hot spring can easily lower your blood sugar and blood pressure, which can make you feel unwell. By having sweets before entering a hot spring, you can raise your body’s blood sugar level slightly and prevent you from feeling unwell. For the same reason, bathing in a hot spring on an empty stomach is not recommended.
3.Leisure in the ryokan
We recommend spending your free time before dinner browsing souvenirs and crafts at the ryokan shop, enjoying the hot springs, or entertaining options such as karaoke or table tennis.
Feel free to wear the yukata when taking a stroll around the facility or having meals!
4.Dinner
You can enjoy Japanese cuisine (Kaiseki cuisine) in the guest room or at the dining venue. *Depending on the facility and accommodation plan, dinner may be served in buffet-style or as a set menu. *Click here to learn how to enjoy Kaiseki cuisine.
5.Bathing
Warming up your body 1 to 2 hours before bedtime will allow your body temperature to drop gradually, making it easier to fall asleep.
*Click here for instructions on how to use the hot springs.
6.Going to bed
At a ryokan, guests sleep on tatami mats. This is a culture unique to Japan. During dinner (or after dinner if you choose to dine in your room), the nakai will lay out the futon in your room. *Depending on the facility, guests may be asked to lay out futons themselves.
7.Morning bath
Taking a bath in the morning will raise your body temperature. This promotes sweating and increases metabolism. It also activates the sympathetic nervous system, allowing you to wake up feeling refreshed.
8. Breakfast
Like dinner, breakfast will be served in your room or the dining venue. Breakfast is often served in a set meal of Japanese dishes or buffet.
★”Washoku” (Japanese cuisine) was registered as an intangible UNESCO cultural heritage in 2013. Japanese breakfast generally consists of one soup and three side dishes. It comes with miso soup, rice, and three side dishes using fish, meat, eggs, and vegetables prepared in your preferred method.
9.Check-out/Payment
Most ryokans accept major international credit cards. If you plan to go sightseeing around the area after check-out, you can leave your luggage at the front desk.
This is the typical experience at a Japanese ryokan. If you have a chance, be sure to experience Japan’s unique ryokan culture, relax your mind and body, and enjoy your trip!
