Wanting to visit Japan? Now there’s an easy-to-follow English video guide on enjoying Japanese-style inns known as ryokan!
Staying at a ryokan can be a unique experience and a very enjoyable one at that, but it also might be a bit different from what you’re used to. To make sure visitors know what to expect when staying at a ryokan, the folks at Wakura Onsen Toursim Association and Wakura Onsen Tourism Cooperative have produced a helpful and informative English video titled “Learn How To Enjoy A Japanese Ryokan with Hot Springs in 9 minutes“.
Wakura Onsen is a hot spring area in the Noto Penninsula in Ishikawa Prefecture, located on the Sea of Japan coast of the central main island Japan, and the tourism industry in the area has been putting significant effort into welcoming foreign visitors to their hot springs, including their multi-lingual website and now this video. The video shows what guests at a ryokan typically go through, from checking in to donning a yukata and bathing in a Japanese onsen.
▼ Some highlights from the video: After checking in, the helpful nakai-san (room maid) will show you to your room and explain the facilities of the ryokan.
▼ The video also points out some things about Japanese-style rooms that should make your stay more interesting, like the tatami mat flooring.
▼ Here, you can see how to put on the casual yukata provided by the ryokan.
▼ And there’s also a detailed explanation on bathing in a Japanese hot spring onsen, so you won’t feel too lost, even if you’ve never used a public Japanese bath before.
▼ The video also shows the futon mattress that you’ll be sleeping in, which the nakai-san will lay out for you.
▼ Be sure to watch the full video for more tips!
We hope the video is both entertaining and informative for those of you planning to stay in a ryokan or simply interested in traditional Japanese accommodation!
Source and images: @Press press release
Related: Wakura Onsen Tourism Association website
Rakuten Travel reveals the top 5 best-rated, off-the-beaten-track Japanese ryokan inns
The 10 best ryokan inns in Japan, as chosen by travelers
Cheap Japanese ryokan at Kusatsu Onsen is hidden at the back of a traditional store
“The best ryokan I’ve ever visited” – A photo tour of Akita Prefecture’s Miyakowasure inn
The pros and cons of working from a Japanese hot spring inn
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japanese Pokémon card shop grabs scissors as part of its plan to keep scalpers away
Japan’s rice warehouse stockpile rate hits record high as consumers, restaurants reject high prices
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
We sent two Japanese elementary school kids on a Mother’s Day shopping mission at a 100 yen store
Foreign tourist needs ambulance to pick him up at Mt. Fuji after hiking closed trail
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Holy Fungus Mud Volleyball is Japan’s most filthily beautifying bacteria event of the summer!
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Sega opening 65th anniversary store in downtotn Tokyo with deep-cut game merch
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
The top five best multiple-hot-spring hotels in all of Japan
Japanese travellers give their answers to the Hotel vs. Ryokan Japanese inn debate
Ryokan etiquette: What not to do when staying at a traditional Japanese inn
Hakone onsen ryokan offers crazy cheap “Gimme a flippin’ break from the coronavirus” room deals
Survey reveals the most popular time to slip into a yukata at a traditional Japanese inn
Japan’s 10 best ryokan inns and top 10 hotels, as chosen by foreign visitors
Ibaraki Prefecture promotes onsen hot springs with muscly man bathing in 4K【Videos】
Japan’s top five retro hot springs for a time trip back to the onsen past, as chosen by travelers
Wear samurai armor while playing video games? That’s an option at this Japanese inn【Video】
Japanese hot spring inn lets you spend night for under US$1 if you do something special in return
Oldest ryokan at Japanese onsen resort goes bankrupt due to coronavirus
Japanese pot sticker restaurant chain also runs flat-rate hot spring inn, but is it worth staying at?
Low-cost Japanese inn welcomes foreign guests with hot springs, sake tastings, cosplay backdrops
Japanese-style accommodation at the new Premium Dormy Inn hotel in Asakusa will blow your mind
Prior owners of Keiunkan ryokan, the world’s oldest hotel, liquidate company
Five amazing snow-view open-air Japanese hot springs in Hokkaido [Photos]