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
A visit to Sri Lanka’s knockoff knockoff Uniqlo (no, we didn’t stutter) to see its rare “Pikachus”
Japan to get new high-speed train connecting Haneda and Narita airports, ease overtourism
7-Eleven Japan releases chocolate cookies that taste like freshly baked melon bread
New Mt. Fuji overnight bus takes travelers from downtown Tokyo straight to the most popular hiking trail
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan moves to enforce language requirements for foreign nationals seeking permanent residency
How to cook shiitake mushrooms like a Japanese manga character
7-Eleven Japan now has Vietnamese banh mi sandwiches, but how do they taste?[Taste test]
The quest for Dragon Quest Yoshinoya figure sets: Worth taking for fans, tricky for scalpers[Pics]
Japan announces plans for twenty-fold increase in permanent residency fees, alongside higher visa costs
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japanese overnight sightseeing train returns for summer with ramen stops and ocean views
Starbucks Japan teams up with Converse Tokyo for a new limited-edition collection in honour of Tanabata
Don’t judge this Kiki’s Delivery Service book by its cover, because it’s not actually a book!
Tokyo has only two barley tea makers, and we visited one to see how mugicha is made
Sleep at Hoshinoya Nara Prison, one of the most unique hotels in Japan
Live-action Spirited Away stage play announces world tour with first-ever U.S. and Canadian dates
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Studio Ghibli store Donguri Republic announces opening of first-ever store in America
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Japan launches first overnight Shinkansen bullet train between Tokyo and Osaka this summer
Japanese sweets shop sells an ohagi so exquisite it sells out by noon
Forget Tokyo go-karts – there’s a new way to sightsee on four wheels in Japan
Japanese sweets brand creates new drinkable Cigare and we’re totally here for it
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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